After Action Report: Gettysburg NPS

Attention Company,

It's with great pride and respect that I relay this report of our recent exploits on the field of honor at Gettysburg, Memorial Day weekend May 27-29, 2022.

What started out to be the possibility of 22 horses in the ranks ended up being less than half that number; ten to be exact. That number decreased even further, to six, during the last demo on Sunday. If you do the math, that's a 73% casualty rate. But those that survived the weekend trudged on and made it noteworthy. It was a collaboration of the 2nd US Co A, the 17th PA, a detachment of Liberty Rangers, and a lone rider that seemed to appear out of the annals of time that gave us our ranks.

Since our honorable Sergeant could not be with us due to something called "the Covid”, or if you are from West Virginia, "the ‘Rona", our esteemed president accepted a field promotion and served as the company's Brevet Sergeant for the weekend. He warned us that he had not led the drill demo in many years, but would do his duty as any good Dragoon would. As the demonstrations progressed, troopers found that a new drill tactic beyond Poinsett or Cooke was in place. In this new version, the trooper had to decipher right from left according to what the Sergeant meant, not what he said, as well as a new command of "sachet" into position for the saber charge.

When all was said and done, it proved to be a very successful event. Comradery and devotion to the hobby prevailed as many visitors enjoyed and were educated on the life and tactics of the 1863 U.S. Cavalry trooper. The demonstrations were well attended and the camp was bustling, especially on Saturday. Topped off with a trail ride to the location of Farnsworth's ill-fated cavalry charge of July 3, 1863 ["worst ground I ever saw"], great food, and excellent discussions around the campfire; Gettysburg NPS did not disappoint.

Mentioned in these dispatches are Lieutenant Scott Womack and Trooper Sam Womack who arrived early to set up the picket line. Trooper Mark Sopko for taking charge on the drill field. Trooper Hank Happy and his eldest daughter Emily who kept us well fed as always. Trooper Dave Mize for his narration talents, and Trooper Norm Hoerer for directing traffic on a busy section of RT 15 near Leesburg so that Trooper Sopko could change a trailer tire on the way back home. I also want to give three Huzzahs to Park Ranger Tom Holbrook for arranging for us to come back year after year to this hallowed ground. Ranger Holbrook announced to the unit that he will be retiring this year. It has been a pleasure to know and work with such a fine public servant.

I look forward to riding with you in the future.

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,

Brad E. Thomas

Captain, Commanding

2nd U.S. Cavalry Company A/9th Virginia Cavalry Company D