The first event of the 1999 Campaign season is upon us. Gibson Ranch in Sacramento kicks off Saturday & Sunday March 27 & 28. The 14^th will be there and all members are encouraged to attend.

Saturday will be mostly a school of the soldier with Company and Battalion drill in the morning and workshops on living history in the afternoon. There is a twilight battle on Saturday scheduled for 5PM. There is 1 battle scheduled for Sunday.

To get there take HWY 80 East to Watt Ave. North past McClellan AFB. Two miles north to Elverta Rd. At the Wal-Mart, turn left. Go past the Golf Course and the Stop Sign and the Park is on the right.

Saturday night there is an anointing of Possums with water from Willoughby Run taken from the actual Gettysburg Battlefield. You can begin arriving Friday afternoon. Hope to see everyone there.

Fellow Possums and Pouchlings:

I don't have a lot of gripping news for you. On a personal note I have a new job in San Jose but I will be maintaining my residence in Mariposa until at least the summer. You can reach me by phone at (408) 252-1979 Wednesday thru Sunday.

I have been enjoying Bruce Leandro's Possum Quizzes over E-mail. If you have E-mail Capabilities I suggest you let Bruce know so can receive his regular missives.

As you well know, for sometime now, throughout the South, it has been unsafe to be the editor of any news publication without also being expert in the Code Duello. The Post, sadly, has been no exception, which accounts for the variety and array of Editors to hold office in recent years. With this issue, we witness the return of D.C.Lund as editor and what I am about to describe will convince you he paid a terrible price to effect this result.

more than welcome to go and your NCO's will be leading over the weekend. If by attending this event it will prevent you from going to Mariposa then do not go. Mariposa, for those of you that have not been there before you are missing out. This along with Murphy's is probably the best two events we have going. You do not want to this one.

We need to talk about the Possum initiation. We have traditionally done this during the Memorial Day event. This year that would be Ardenwood in Fremont. Do we want to move it to Mariposa or Murphy's? Or should we do it in Fremont? That's all the blathering I have for now. Once again, lets see everyone at Mariposa, and those that can make Gibson ranch please do so. There are a lot of you I have not seen for along time, so come on out and let's have some fun this year.

For those of you that attended the get together at Cpl. Dave Lund's house, thanks for showing up, and Dave, thanks for having us.

Respectfully yours,

surprise, when I stepped in off the street into the midst of what can only be described as a very drunken brawl between the now past and present editors. I can not recall witnessing such a scientific bout of pugilism in all my days.

 All around the two combatants stood the pressmen and compositors, forming a ring from which only a single victor might emerge. The din they made was fearful. I personally witnessed the present editor force the past one down upon the press with a remarkable feat. Somehow, he cleverly managed to force his nose between the teeth of his antagonist, while occupying the formers hands with clutches of his hair. The latter, no stranger to contests of personal strength, had already crippled his opponents knee by smashing his right eye into it. Angrily they rolled about and I could clearly read the last issue of The Post on the backs of their shirts, although with some difficulty because the ink of the advertisements became runny with the sweat of their exertions.

On the 13^th ultimo, advanced elements of Frazier's Legion descended into the valley below Buena Vista, in the foothills, to secure the important bridge at Knights Ferry. Led by Col. R.L.Frazier himself, elite squads of the 14^th Tennessee, 31^st Georgia, 5^th Texas and 1^st Texas (RACW) swiftly took possession of the Right Bank and occupied the site surrounding the old mill. Despite every right to demand command of all forces, due to his experience, rank and skill, our good Colonel graciously placed himself and the Legion at the disposal of the local (and somewhat inefficient) commander.

Hollow, sucking sounds their skulls made as they collided in flight belied the deep intelligence native to both parties. In any event, they both lay stone cold in the middle of the street. The press crew and I determined the first to revive should be proclaimed winner and champion. The new editor qualified by virtue of the fact that he landed with full force upon his opponent, knocking the breathe from his body and the latter could not possibly get up unassisted. It may also be that the loser was slightly more inebriated than the winner.

As it happens, neither man could explain the cause of the original argument. Indeed, at least one of them disclaimed any knowledge of the fight at all. However, the chief compositor confided the row began over which of them should pay for drinks, both being dead broke as usual. Even so, each man insisted on the privilege, with or without money. These then are the facts as I know them concerning the change in editorial policy.

issue weapons and uniforms are more than enough for my Legionnaires to deal adequately with our nation's enemies." The men who followed Frazier proved the Colonel correct on more than one occasion, during the campaign.

Invigorated by the clear mountain air, inspired by the hamlet's seemingly beautiful women, the Legionnaires bore every hardship and challenge with their accustomed good humor and resilience. In the evenings, temperatures dropped to fearful lows, but the men of the 14^th Tennessee led the way in spooning together to keep warm. They formed intensely close, intimate relationships not previously thought possible. In particular, Cpl. Lund of the 14^th proved himself capable of great personal warmth. Consequently he enjoyed a good measure of personal popularity among the ranks, seeking to lie close to him.

banquet for the benefit of the entire contingent of local armed forces. This included all Yankees prisoners as well. In order to arrange the best accommodations for his men, Col. Frazier marched his Legion directly into the town square. With bayonets fixed, and prepared for any contingency, the Legion took the point of honor, well in advance of any other units. When late arrivals attempted to usurp the place of his Legionnaires, Frazier boldly formed ranks and advanced his lines to the most favorable position for an attack. The upstarts withdrew and the ground leading into the banquet hall, which was fairly won by dint of good discipline and manly courage, became Frazier's prize. Ever generous and considerate, the Colonel had a young rascal Yankee, captured earlier that day by his scouts, led to the head of the line and treated with honors equal to that of his bravest men. Immediately after dinning, the fellow was hung as a spy.

and drinking, back into town for the last time. The Colonel had serious business before him and required strict obedience from his loyal, but tiring, troops. The rascal Dent, brother of Julia Dent, wife of U.S.Grant, had a house in Knight's Ferry. Indeed, Citizen Dent grew rich tolling travelers who sought the use of the long covered bridge as their only egress to the mountains beyond. The Legion sought to resolve this situation and so marched directly on the Dent Citadel.

Over hill and dale, through streams and brush, undaunted by any obstacle, Frazier led the way. Stopping only briefly to boil and drink coffee, the men followed in swift pursuit of that Devil Dent.

Into town and up the very street

This will be the major national event of choice for discriminating Possum's and Pouchlings everywhere. Be there for a re-enacting experience you will never forget.

The post is edited by D.C.Lund. If you would like to submit an article, send it to: