Invited by 8th Texas Cavalry to Assist with Encampment
4th Maine Turnout Small
By 1st Sergeant Guy Meysmans
The 4th Maine was invited to another event in Belgium, this time by members of the 8th Texas Cavalry. Overall, the event was a good but could have been helped by more members of the 4th Maine being present. The usual German farbs were present, but these were in the minority. There was also a very good Dutch group present, portraying the 1st Maryland.
Unfortunately, there were only 3 proper Union soldiers present, Pvt Ruys, Pvt McMahon, and 1st Sergt Meysmans, while Kristof acted as the Company drummer boy. This looked really bad for the skirmish scenario so some of the Indian War period fellas joined our ranks. Pvt Soons, who only changed his bummer from gray to blue, also reinforced us. In all there was a force of 10 Union troops, of which only 6 had weapons. We had to face a force of about 20 Rebels
Fortunately everybody stuck to the scenarios and terrain so that the skirmishes developed into something nice. This was also true for the second scenario. During this skirmish we were led by a cavalry officer (?) and Jan added his firepower to our ranks. Nevertheless, we were wiped out but not before we charged Marco and his 8th Texas boys. Between Pvt Ruys and myself we used over 100 rounds for two scenarios that lasted only 15-20 minutes each.
Sunday was a day of relaxation and fraternization with the enemy. The weather was also nice, cold but dry. As said before, a rather nice weekend.