July 29

Willsboro, NY

Volume XXXI

Friday July 29, 2005

THE SOUTH RISES AGAIN

Confederacy wins the Blue-Grey Game

Gettysburg, July 3, 1865 (UPI)-- With aggressive raids on Cemetery Hill and the Little Round Top, Southern rebels have won the battle of Gettysburg, and take a giant step toward realizing their dream of forming a Confederacy. The decisive victory comes 26 months after eleven states seceded from the United States.

oldpic The battle, staged over three days, resulted in over 50-thousand dead or wounded soldiers. The stories from the survivors are graphic. “It was total chaos,” said Union Private James Wright, 26th Maine, who saw fierce fighting in the Peach Orchard. Wright also experienced the Civil War drama of fighting brother against brother, as during the battle “I got hit by my cousin (Julia Schweitzer), but I retaliated later on.”

The South took the opening battle with relative ease (62,480-3,680), but the Yanks came back to win the second conflict in much closer fashion. The decisive engagement, Picket’s Charge, proved a success for General Lee and his rebels. “It was an excellent ellipsis,” stated Lieutenant Benn Singer, 72nd Virginians. “State’s rights prevail for righteousness!”

Colonel David Bell, HMS Royal Navy, acting as an observer remarked, “The Union was rubbish; they never had their own point of view. Any colony that wishes to youngboy break free from their mother country should be free to, shouldn’t it then?”

Following the bloody defeat, the Union army mounted a slow retreat toward Harrisburg and points north, but General Lee and Cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart planned a hot pursuit. “This was will be finished by summer’s end,” said Lee. “The fate is in His hands. We are not looking to spread slavery. We just want the Federal government to refrain from interfering with our rights, our families and our property.” Countered President Abraham Lincoln (R, Illinois), “Government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from this Earth.”

Footnote: MacCready camper Annie White summed up the day by saying, “The fact that it wasn’t real, but just a game, made it really fun!”

With army numbers dwindling, even young boys (right) were forced to fight

ADVANCED SECTION FORCED (?) TO BIVOUAC

by Alex Comeau

Side of Mt. Marcy, July 28- On a cool Wednesday the newly retooled Advanced Section set out to conquer Mt. Marcy, with Mountains Gray, Skylight, and Phelps! Each was a 46er (over 4000 ft) with some distance in between. All in one day? Seemed like a good idea.

After starting out late, we made slow progress to the start of the hike. The hike was taken by Alex C, Mike R, Mike E, Gorge N, Billy R, Harry Y, Calvin L and John M. The trip leader Grant Haynes was assisted by two counselors of fewer qualifications Dave Durant, and Drew Seitz. Not to worry, both are experienced hikers with knowledge in other helpful areas such as rock climbing (though irrelevant) and alpinism (Patagonia!).

After an uneventful hike through blistering rain and cold, Phelps was summated as a mere afterthought; Marcy was topped in approximately 40mph winds. Skylight was much the same with minor hail, followed by a slightly wetter Gray. Later a fiendish plot was reveled; an experience in bivouacking (to seek temporary shelter) was planned.

After hours in the wet, a night in the cold on a wooden lean-to, sub 50, with only one or two layers of dry clothes, was set upon like a ravishing aardvark feeding on the blood of their natural enemies. Though the group was disheartened, no one complained and moral was as high as an Atlantic storm. The four hour walk out followed by an hour drive was in the beautiful weather we had been expecting, and breakfast at Betty Beaver’s truck stop was grand and glorious.

A NIGHT OF MUSIC, DRAMA and LAUGHS

The summer’s final skit night, dubbed a “Moonshiner” was held last night at the MacCready theatre. With acts from every section, virtually all staff members, and a variety of music, dancing and comedy, the full house was entertained from start to finish. Photos are below.

Many other all-camp special events are planned for the next two weeks, including Casino Night, the Pirate Palooza and the Renaissance game..

drag

frog

pioneerskit

OTHER CAMP NEWS: Classes are under way for the second session. Campers have three or four periods per day. (see schedule)..... Likewise, wilderness trips are also in full swing. Six day trips and 13 tennisclass overnights are scheduled for the nest ten days, ranging from rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, hiking and waterfall trips (see Trip List)...... The camp sailing team is headed to Lake Champlain tomorrow for the annual Westport regatta.... The equestrian riders are headed to Willow Hill Farm for a show this Sunday.... Competition against camp Regis-Applejack will include softball, soccer, tennis and basketball, scheduled for Tuesday.

Details to follow in the Pok-O-Mac Times.

pokomac.com SUMMER HOME

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