The 13th Virginia Co I decided to cross the ravine at Chansellorsville during Jackson's flank attack rather than wait their turn to cross the bridge.  This sequence took about a minute, but yielded some great shots.

From Wikipedia:

A ravine is generally a fluvial slope landform of relatively steep (cross-sectional) sides, on the order of twenty to seventy percent in gradient. Ravines may or may not have active streams flowing along the downslope channel which originally formed them; moreover, often they are characterized by intermittent streams, since their geographic scale may not be sufficiently large to support a perennial watercourse.

The link:   http://www.oakhillstudio.org/p225402675

The Jackson wounding and surgery scenario is posted. Thanks to all that participated and helped behind the scenes. A special thanks to my friend Greg Randall as "Stonewall". Great job Greg.

My blog entry from earlier this month shows the UDC Confederate Memorial Service on April 7, 2013. I used a group portrait that I particularly liked, but the editor said those do not print well so I chose this shot of the wreath laying.  My first photojournalist attempt.  It's all Julio's fault.

One of my favorite regional Virginia dishes is Brunswick Stew.  In New Mexico it's the pueblo style chili cooked in a similar fashion caldron style.  There are so many variations of the recipe and most are good eats.  Maybe it was the cool morning, or the folks, or watching the progression of ingredients, but the bowl I enjoyed at noon was GREAT.  My thanks to the Brunswick SCV for showing me the process and some of the secret ingredients used.  Like BBQ it's an acquired art and like pit masters I now know there are stew masters.  The recipe is safe with me.  

The stew is not done until the paddle stands upright in the center of the pot.

http://www.zenfolio.com/oakhillstudio/p502036085/

More Photographs of the event.

Link to the galleries - http://www.oakhillstudio.org/f129829586

United Daughters of the Confederacy Memorial Service at the Appomattox Confederate Cemetery was held on Sunday afternon April 7 2013.

The cemetery contains the graves of 19 soldiers (18 Confederates and 1 Union) who were killed in the last days of fighting at Appomattox Station and Appomattox Court House. On May 18, 1866 a Ladies Association was formed to insure proper internment for soldiers who had not had proper burials. The land for this little cemetery was donated by Mr. John Sear, and the land clearing began. Most of the wood for the coffins was donated and men from the town of Appomattox constructed them and dug the graves.

The Ladies Association later developed into the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Appomattox United Daughters of the Confederacy was chartered on August 22, 1895 with 22 members and was the 11^th chapter in the nation. The Appomattox United Daughters of the Confederacy has owned and maintained this cemetery since that time. In April of every year a Memorial Service is held at this cemetery to honor these soldiers and all soldiers who have fought for their country and the causes they believe in. 

Link to the gallery - http://www.zenfolio.com/oakhillstudio/p994555501

The Appomattox County Historical Society, together with the United Daughters of the Confederacy Appomattox Chapter 11, Lee's Lieutenants and the Federal Generals Corps sponsored a Sesquicentennial event entitled The Fall of Richmond.  This is the third event in the five-year "Long Road Home" program leading to the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War in Appomattox.

The Long Road Home series of events are a combination of a Civil War re-enactment and living history events.   This event, commemorating the events surrounding the 1865 fall and evacuation of Richmond, Virginia was held April 5-7, 2013 at Clover Hill Village, Appomattox, Virginia.

The most ambitious scenario was a depiction of the closing of the Robertson Hospital by Federal forces.  The event is taken from a dairy excerpt and features Captain Sally Tompkins, a nurse at the hospital that is short of medicine, supplies, and everything else except wounded Confederate soldiers.

A link to the Gallery - http://www.oakhillstudio.org/p990990357

This is the single largest and one of the most pivotal military engagements ever fought on American soil. The sesquicentennial event will take place just outside of Gettysburg over four days, on July 4, 5, 6, & 7.  This is where those dusty old history books will come alive. There will be spectacular Battle Reenactments, Field Demonstrations, a large Living History Village, Living History Activities Tents, Guest Speakers and an extensive Sutler Area. Thousands of reenactors from across the nation and around the world will be staging the battle reenactments for this very special reenactment.  Visit the camps, learn about Civil War Medicine, Music, Weapons and Daily Life during the conflict that defined our nation and saved the Union.

http://www.gettysburgreenactment.com/

http://www.oakhillstudio.org/f706364072

After the 150th anniversary of Mosby's raid on the Herndon depot we retired to Jimmy's Old Town Tavern for beer and song.

After the 150 anniversary of Mosby's raid on the Herndon Depot we retired to Jimmy's Old Town Pub for some beer and song.

http://www.oakhillstudio.org/p1028273130

March 17th was the 150th anniversary of captain John Singleton Mosby's raid on Herndon.  

My infantry family. I love you guys

http://www.oakhillstudio.org/p410761431

The 150th Commemoration and Reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg will held at the historic Bushey Farm and adjacent properties in Gettysburg, PA on June 27-30, 2013.  This is a view from the Confederate camp area. 
This is a link to the site of the event.  http://www.bluegraygettysburg.com/

The Gathering of Eagles workshop is designed to hone the skills of the actors that portray the elite core of the Confederate command staff as portrayed by Lee's Lietuants. The workshops are a chance to practice character development of the persona that each member portrays. The workshops included "Movement for Effect" and "Voice Projection and Enunciation". Both critical to captivating the audience during a living history presentation. The workshops were led by Ken Elston, Chair of George Mason's Department of Theatre.
Following a day of intense work was a formal dinner and ball.
My thanks to Al Stone for allowing me to sit in.

http://www.oakhillstudio.org/f734392263