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 Brig.Gen. Jeff Stepp
1^st Brigade, Cmd'g

<sup>Jeff H. Stepp began reenacting in 1979 when he met members of the 14th NY Regiment, also known as "The Red Legged Devils," while they were providing a living history weekend at Sharpsburg Maryland, later joining that unit and rising to the rank of Corporal. Tiring of having to keep his mouth shut all the time since a Tarheel could never master nor aspire to cultivate a proper "Brooklyn" accent; he founded, with six others, the 26th Regiment North Carolina Troops in 1981 and became that unit’s first commander, but a passion for the War had already infected him early in life.

Jeff’s father, Horace J. Stepp, was a life long student of the Confederacy and a well known collector of Civil War arms and accoutrements. Jeff literally grew up surrounded by relics of the war and tagged along with his Dad on many a jaunt to gun and military shows throughout the South and east coast. Those trips were always interspersed with stops at the great battlefields he had so often heard of and read about. Horace Stepp never missed a chance to share stories with his son of his own great grandfather, Benjamin Taylor, whom he had spent time with when Benjamin was an old man. Taylor had served in Co.F of the 26th NC during the war and had been wounded in the left Achilles tendon at the close of the first day’s fighting at Gettysburg. His company sustained a 100% casualty rate there, but Benjamin lived on until 1929 outliving two wives and all but one of his children. Traveling with his Dad, Jeff has fond memories of attending several Civil War Centennial events - First Manassas in 1961 and Gettysburg in 1963 - proudly wearing his mail order Sears & Roebuck Confederate uniform, and armed with a wooden cap firing three band musket. Even so, the later proved a better impression than most of the participants, many of whom wore gray polyester service station attendant uniforms and shouldered postwar trap door Springfields, or worse yet M1 Garrands!</sup>

^{In 1986, with the coming of the 125th anniversary of the war, all infantry units came together in NC to form an organization capable of fielding a battalion. Jeff served as the North Carolina Battalion’s first Lieutenant Colonel, functioning as such during that year’s First Manassas event. Jeff subsequently rose to the command of the North Carolina Battalion serving as its Colonel during the 125th series events at Gettysburg and Chickamauga. At the Gettysburg event he had his first opportunity to serve under General, King in a brigade that represented, respectively, the Texas Brigade and Pettigrew’s NC Brigade during scenarios appropriate to those historical commands. Between 1986 and 1988 he engaged in successful campaigns to obtain federal and state funding to restore the North Carolina monument at Gettysburg and to erect two regimental monuments for the 26th NC on that battlefield as well.}

^{By the end of 1988, the NC Battalion had grown to over 22 units from all over the nation and several foreign countries. Due to the administrative difficulties presented by such a far flung command and concerns from several of the component units who desired more concentration on mastering period drill and protocol, a second battalion was formed with Jeff as its Colonel. With the coming of additional infantry, a section of horse drawn artillery, cavalry, medical and musical components, the 2nd NC Battalion renamed itself The Carolina Legion in 1998. Jeff has commanded the "Legion" since its beginning with subsequent promotion to Brigadier General in 2000 enjoying the opportunity of exercising brigade and divisional commands at a number of large eastern events.}

^{In addition to his reenacting duties Jeff serves on the advisory board of the NC Civil War Tourism Council and as editor of the North Carolina Confederate Burial Locator Project. The later effort has thus far recorded the final resting places of over 24,000 CS soldiers and veterans buried within the State of NC representing men who served in units from every Southern state.}

<sup>When not engaged with "War" business, Jeff is a self employed insurance investigator who, along with his wife Phyllis and their faithful Redbone Coon Hound - General Pender, reside near Hickory, NC enjoying time spent with their three grandsons and the many friends who share their admiration for that remarkable generation of Southerners that answered the call back in 1861.

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Originally contacted by the 26^th North Carolina Regiment in the spring of 1988, Wenger delayed a decision to enter service for three years, a matter that he greatly regrets. Captain Ed Mauldin and Sergeant Courtney Johnston were both instrumental in convincing Wenger to join the hobby.

Wenger’s first event was the Cloyd’s Mountain tactical in New Berne, Virginia, and it was with great pride that he wore the blue. It was at that event that he first met Jeff Stepp, Greg Mast, his company commander Dennis Williamson, and a host of other individuals.

It was not until the fall of 1991 that Wenger first donned his Confederate uniform with the regiment at the Battle of Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley. Very early on, he displayed an intense interest in cartography, and it was at that event that he performed his first scout and mapmaking venture with the kind approval of Colonel Mast and General Stepp.

After a year in service, Wenger’s desire to become an officer was met with an opportunity to serve as a signal officer on the staff on General Stepp on occasions where he commanded a brigade. Thus, it was at the "Sewer Plant" Gettysburg event in July of 1992 when Wenger first wore his Lieutenant’s bars, following up quickly with the Perryville event that fall. However, as the Signal Corps seemed to be of less military utility at events than he had envisioned, Wenger eventually pursued his passion for mapmaking, eventually transferring into the Corps of Engineers.

However, at a regimental level, Wenger aspired to the rank of Sergeant, and passed the NCO exam the following summer in 1993. However, following the exam at Cartersville, Colonel Mast presented an option to Wenger which changed the latter’s career path in the Army. He was given the option of accepting the Sergeant slot or voluntarily taking the rank of Corporal, whereupon unspecified opportunities might arise. It was quite clear that Colonels Stepp and Mast wished that the Corporal’s spot be filled, and Wenger acceded to their wishes. The reasoning for these matters became clear shortly thereafter, as the Battalion Adjutant’s position came open. Wenger graciously accepted that appointment.

It is no exaggeration to say that, in many ways, the adjutant’s position in the 26^th North Carolina ranks among the most satisfying service that Wenger has tendered to the Army. It acquainted him with the critical administrative duties associated with command, and it enabled him to become familiar with the men of the regiment in ways that would have been impossible had he remained in the ranks. This service also initiated a longstanding and cordial relationship with the Field Music.

However, the most critical aspect of this service was that his career path now diverged almost entirely away from the rank and file and into a staff officer environment.

In the succeeding years, Wenger eventually commenced service with General Stepp at brigade and divisional levels, holding the positions of Assistant Adjutant General, Engineering Officer, and ultimately (with the resignation of Col. Robert White) Chief of Staff of the Carolina Legion.

It is fitting that Wenger’s most memorable service came at the Bentonville events in 2000 and 2005. The former event featured the bridging of Mill Creek during the tactical, an activity which was absolutely unique in the experience of most of the reenactors present. It required a vast amount of planning and immersion into the engineering role and operational details that Wenger relished. In many ways, he regards this event as the pinnacle of his service.

Then, in 2005, upon the untimely illness of General Stepp, Wenger found himself brevetted to command one of two Confederate divisions at that Bentonville event, thus fulfilling a perhaps not-so-secret ambition to lead a major command in the field.

However, as Wenger’s career in the Army "descends from the crest," he finds greatest fulfillment, not in the micro-managing of the staff, nor in the great Napoleonic vistas availed by the mega-events. Rather, he longs for the quiet, but sometimes ribald, company of his comrades on the staff, and for evenings in camp at the headquarters. His chief ambition now is to cherish his friendships among the staff that have now evolved over the span of a generation.

Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot…

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I started, as small child; with my love for history and attended my first Civil War reenactment event back in 1996. Shortly afterward I met fellow staffer Harold Majors in 1998 and started my re-enacting career at the battle of Blue Springs Tennessee as private in the 26th N.C.T. reactivated.

In January of 2000, I was appointed as a 1st Lt. on the Carolina Legion staff and in 
2002 I was promoted to Captain and Provost Officer. In 2004, I received a promotion to Major as the Legion’s Assistant Commissary of Subsistence and Provost Officer. 
 
Some of the highlights of my reenacting career include marching in the C.S.S Hunley Funeral in Charleston and as always seeing Gen. Jeff Stepp commanding the legion in the field. One vivid memory was seeing our Maj.Wenger leading a charge of the brigade, in Gen. Stepp’s absence, at the last reenactment of Franklin, Tennessee. I also proudly recall taking the surrender from a Federal Captain, of himself and his men, in the Cornfield at the 135^th Battle Sharpsburg. 
 
I live in Bryson City N.C. and work as a security officer and a part time professional photographer. I also volunteer with Swain County Rescue Squad and National Park Service.



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Dennis Williamson began reading about the Civil War while in high school in Rocky Mount, NC. His first book was “Chancellorsville, Lee’s Greatest Battle” by Stackpole, followed by Freeman’s “Lee’s Lieutenants” and “R. E. Lee”. He began reenacting in 1987 when he met members of the 26^th NCT recruiting at a Raleigh, NC gun show. The 26^th was small at the time, but very professional with great emphasis on training and authenticity. In addition, the regiment was very attentive to each new member and his reenacting development. With the rapid growth of this regiment during the 125^th anniversary events, he was able to rise through the ranks and command a company at the 125^th Gettysburg. Due to being very active in the regiment as treasurer; learning and studying under the best field officers in the hobby; attending 8 to 10 events per year; steady growth in membership and the formation of the 2^nd NC Battn.; he continued to rise in rank to the level of Lt. Col. Also, with Col. Jeff Stepp acting as a General in many of the larger events, he was fortunate enough to lead the 2^nd NC Battn in many of these major events, as well as conduct battn drill on many occasions throughout the next 10 years. This battalion normally consisted of 4 different regiments; 26^th NCT,  49^th NCT,  6^th NCST, and 25^th NCT . He usually led an average of 65 to 100 men at the larger events, and as many as 300 at the 135^th Gettysburg. 

Thanks to the leadership and training by such men as Jeff Stepp, Greg Mast, and Skip Smith, Dennis continued to develop personally and professionally as a leader. This leadership development led to his promotion as plant manager and subsequent transfer to Mexico. Consequently, he was forced to step aside as an active line officer of the 2^nd NC Battn, and assumed a staff position at the few events in which he was able to participate each year.

He continues to read and study the Civil War, as well as building a collection of Civil War books and prints. Dennis maintains contact with the 2^nd NC Battn., with hopes of one day returning to an active roll, when he moves back to the Old North State.

Dick Armstrong began his life as a reenactor in October 1987. In August of 1987 he made his second trip to Gettysburg, Pa. with his young son Jeremiah. There he learned of the 125th Anniversary of the great battle to be held in 1988. A few weeks after returning home, he found a recruiting poster for Co. D, The Wake Guards, 26th North Carolina reactivated; in his local bookstore. He soon found himself in the ranks as a private soldier. 1988 came and the events grew larger and larger with Gettysburg being the largest that year. What a great time for a father and son to become involved in this great endeavor. After a year or so Dick moved up to Corporal and truly enjoyed that rank better than any he has held. Another couple of years found Dick as the Regimental Ordnance Sergeant.  He served in this capacity thru the 90’s; and when the Carolina Legion (of which the 26th NCT was part) was formed he was also the Ord.Sgt of that group. For a few events, he held the rank of Brigade Sgt.Maj. under Brigadier General Jeff Stepp. Finding staff work to his liking and forming a good working relationship with the “General”; Dick was appointed the rank of Captain of Ordnance of Stepp’s Brigade; and has served there to this day.

Through the years Dick has come to love his State and be very proud of the men and women from North Carolina who lived in those perilous times. He has several ancestors who were in the war. Henry W. Armstrong was a private in Co.C, 8th NC State Troops, David A. Buckner was Captain Co. D, 44th Tenn. Inf., Henry D. Ecklin was a 2nd Lt, 14th Regiment NC Militia, Richard A. Cratch was a private in Co.C, 40th NC Troops (3rd NC Artillery). Dick’s father was in the 41st Division in the South Pacific in WWII and his grandfather Joseph A. Buckner was in the 81st Division in France in WWI.

His fondest memories are of watching his son Jeremiah progress from an 8 year old orderly to a fighting private in the ranks of the 26th NCT. Also marching with the regiment from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg in one day back in the early 90’s is a proud memory. He will never forget how the whole regiment stood by his son at the 125th Anniversary of Appomattox. He carried Stepp’s Brigade Colors on the third day of the 135th Gettysburg during the Pickett, Pettigrew, Trimble assault. And on several occasions his teenaged daughters Liza Jo and Amanda were able to attend and also found a love of their heritage.

Dick now lives on Roanoke Island, NC, and is employed by Embarq as a Cable/Fiber Optic splicer. He is a long time member of the Colonel William F. Martin Camp, SCV.

He volunteers at schools, the National Park Service, and Roanoke Island Memorial Park. He lives amid his books, firearms, and relics he has dug; rides his Harley and is involved in Cowboy Action Shooting. He is thankful for his reenactment family and for the life long friends he has made. He looks forward to the 150th Anniversary of the War. Hopefully, we all will make it.


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Brad Bush developed an unquenchable interest in the War Between the States at an early age. Although a North Carolinian y birth, as the elder son of two Virginians, he accompanied his parents on many a trip to Virginia battlefields while on side trips to visit relatives that lived in the Old Dominion. His overall interest in history was constantly fueled by good-natured debates with one of his Aunts, his mother’s eldest sister, who taught elementary and middle school grades in Virginia for over 30 years. The debates always centered on which state, North Carolina or Virginia, had more history.

Although his interest waned somewhat during his pre-teen and teenage years, it was rekindled again during his undergraduate years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he majored in history, and throughout his three years in law school at South Texas College of Law. As a law student he had very little free time, but what free time he did have was spent reading histories of the War, beginning with Shelby Foote’s classic three-volume, The Civil War, a Narrative. From then on, he was hooked.

Brad’s interest and participation in reenacting began when he responded to an invitation to attend the Piedmont Civil War Roundtable in his hometown of Charlotte, NC, in 1984. The invitation was sent to local subscribers of Civil War Times magazine. A local reenactor announced during the meeting that there would be a reenactment at Cane Creek Park in neighboring Union County, NC that upcoming weekend. Brad had never heard of reenacting and was fascinated that grown men actually participated in such activity. A trip to that reenactment that following Sunday was all it took.

Brad immediately joined the 11^th NC, which at that time was a small unit whose members were primarily located in the Mecklenburg/Gaston County area of North Carolina. That unit later changed its name to the 49^th NC as it grew in size and attracted members from other areas of the state. By that time, Brad had discovered that his great grandfather, Matthais Milton Bush, had served during the War in Company I of the original 26^th NCT. Although Brad continued with the 49^th NC for a number of years, serving in all ranks from private to 1^st Lt., he ultimately responded to the pull to be a part of the unit that portrays the unit his great grandfather served in. As a result of continued family genealogy, Brad has also learned that one of his great, great grandfathers, Cicero McAmy Prestwood, also served briefly with the 26^th NCT, for approximately 90 days following the Battle of Gettysburg, and was killed in action at the Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia on October 14, 1863. Other ancestors that served during the War include his great grandfather, John O. Bradner, Company I, 53^rd Virginia Infantry, and great grandfather James Carlmore Powell, Company G, 22^nd NCT.

In 1990 Brad joined the 26^th Regiment North Carolina Troops and has continued as a member of that unit to the present day. Brad took and passed the unit’s officers’ examination in 1991 and served as a line officer until he resigned his commission in 2003 for reasons related to his employment, health and age, having obtained the rank of captain. He was contacted in the summer of 2006 by Gen. Jeff Stepp and, when asked, consented to join General Stepp’s staff.

Brad, corporate counsel for a nationwide mortgage brokerage company headquartered in Charlotte, currently participates in reenacting on a more limited basis, but looks forward to fulfilling his duties on the staff of the Carolina Legion. His other hobbies include photography, hiking and wine tasting. He is still active with the Piedmont Civil War Roundtable and continues to tour WBTS battlefields with friends several times a year, ranging all the way from Pennsylvania to the far reaches of the Trans-Mississippi.

He has been married to wife, Carolyn, for 25 years, has one step-daughter, Catherine, and two Peke-a-poo dogs, Sophie and Logan (a/k/a the "Poopies").

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Jimmy was born and raised in Hickory, NC. He attended his first Civil War event at the insistence of a friend. The first event he went to was a small, one day affair in March of 1990. Even though the number of troops at the event were minimal, the impact that day had on Jimmy would change his weekends and the majority of his spare time, for the next 10 years.

He immediately enlisted in the 26th North Carolina Troops as a private. In May of 1992, he took the NCO exams and became a 2nd Sgt. For the next few years, he then served as acting 1st Sgt. until early 1995 when he was asked to be the Sgt.Maj. for the 26th N.C.T serving with then Colonel Jeff Stepp. He served in that capacity until February 2000. Jimmy attended all the major events in the 1990s.

After doing some research of his family tree, he discovered that he had several ancestors that fought in wars throughout U.S. history. Starting with his ancestor, William Carroll Benson, who served in the N.C. Militia during the American Revolutionary war. Capt. Richard Allen Benson fought alongside Andrew Jackson in the Creek Wars and later in the War of 1812. Jimmy later found his ancestor Warren Jasper Benson was a 1st Lt. in Co. I, 30th Tennessee Inf.(and after prisoner exchange, rode in Morgan's Cavalry) and Joseph Washington Benson was a private in Co. I, 27th Tn. Cavalry.  More recently, his maternal grandfather, Clyde Hefner, served with the 82nd Airborne division in WWII.

Jimmy joined the Brig.Gen. James Johnston Pettigrew S.C.V.Camp #1401 based in Lenoir, N.C. and published the camp's newsletter "The Picket Line". After a few years of membership, he became Adjutant, Lt. Commander, and finally Commander of the camp.

In 1993, he started doing WWII reenacting and joined the 1st Infantry Regiment(The Big Red One) based out of Georgia, a unit that he served with during the 50th Anniversary of D-Day, in June 1994. It was at this event, the he and several other North Carolina "boys" wanted to start a WWII unit based out of The Old North State. It was decided amongst those present, the only unit that they should portray was the 30th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Old Hickory" division, after Andrew Jackson. This division was originally made up of national guard units from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, the three states that General, and later, President Andrew Jackson made his homes.

Around 1995, he also joined a unit portraying a German regiment, and for the next five years, he reenacted 2 wars with 3 different units. So, there was a time that he held the ranks of Sgt.Maj., Sgt., and Panzerobergrenadier at the same time!

Being an avid militaria collector and relic hunter, Jimmy amassed uniforms, helmets, and other acoutrements from all theaters of wars. Eventually he traded most of it off, but kept all of his Civil War gear for that is what is near and dear to his heart. And, in early 2000, he retired from reenacting all together.

After a 3 year courtship, in early 2001 he married the "only woman on the planet that can put up with him", Michelle, a displaced yankee that has adjusted quite well to the beloved South! Several years later in early 2007, he contemplated rejoining the 26th N.C.T. Ironically, it was in that same time frame, that he received an email from General Stepp, asking him if he would once again serve on his staff, this time on that of the Carolina Legion. Jimmy graciously accepted and had the rank of 1st Lt.,  Acting Assistant Inspector General for the Carolina Legion. He now holds the rank of Captain, Assistant Inspector General.

Jimmy also developed and maintains the Carolina Legion website as well as the Southern Division website.

Being known to fall in among brigands and thieves, I gathered with some members of the 26^th North Carolina Troops at Averasboro Battlefield. After a phone call the next day from Jeff Stepp, now the commanding officer of the Carolina Legion, we were the regimental hospital. Having turned Chuck Hodges to the dark side of regimental surgeon, we moved on to serve the Carolina Legion.

The Carolina Legion Hospital has 8 members and can recreate the most authentic Confederate field hospital east of the Mississippi.  We are members of the Society of Civil War Surgeons and are featured in their links. We perform sick call, recruitment fitness, field dressing, evacuation, capital surgery under general anesthesia, and have been known to shoot an occasional neer’do’well. We are honored to have among our group several firefighter and paramedics, as well as others trained in skills from first aid to heavy rescue.

Paul’s maternal great-grandmother was Charlotte Elizabeth Longstreet. She was the granddaughter of James Longstreet’s brother William. That makes him a 4great nephew. Married to Leslie Jane Sorhagen, they have two sons, Matt 21 and Mark 17, (ask me where Luke and John are!).

My name is Allen Garris; mostly I am called “Pop.”  I began reenacting in 1988 and I was at that time a fresh faced kid of 46.  I started and remained a private soldier in Company F of the 26^th NCT reactivated for many years.  I have burned many pounds of powder, slept on the ground many nights, done lots of drill, and marched many a mile.  I am now Sergeant Major on the staff of the Carolina Legion. 

As for myself, I like good horses and mules, good guns, and good food; and family, of which I have large one, five daughters, one wife and seven grandchildren.  I work in a chicken processing plant as a welder-fabricator.  I have worked in that job for over 20 years.  Almost ten years in the processing plant.  Before that I was a farmer for over 20 years.   

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When I was growing up, I never had a real interest in history (or anyone to encourage me on the subject) so it’s unusual that I took up reenacting as a hobby. I can safely blame it all on my wife, Kelly and her father, Billy Snyder. He is a avid amateur historian and is especially interested in the Civil War. He passed this on to his daughters through books and lots of vacations to historic sites and battlefields. Kelly, in turn, has passed this love and obsession on to me.

After learning the history of my Confederate ancestor, I joined the local SCV chapter and started noticing the reenactors that were at some of the events I attended. Kelly was the first of us really interested and finally persuaded me to give it a try. We were introduced to the 26^th NCT through Keith and Christy Cloer, who helped get us started.

My first event was Sharpsburg in August of 2003. This event would have turned most first timers off; it was cold, rainy and dreary, but I was hooked! I loved it and couldn’t wait till the next event! Some of the more memorable events I’ve been to are the Hunley Funeral April 2004, as well as Franklin, TN in October 2004 where I campaigned for the first time, Appomattox in April 2005, 1^st Manassas 2006, and Gettysburg 2008.

I was asked to join The Carolina Legion Staff in April of ’08 when Kelly and I were at Plymouth, NC for the local battle and the Carolina Legion staff was there for their retreat. I will always be grateful for the invitation because I have learned that a notebook and pencil are much easier to carry than a musket! In all seriousness though, the 26^th NCT and the Carolina Legion Staff have become my second family with lots of loyal brothers and sisters whom I will always defend and support. In June 2009, I was promoted to Ordnance Sergeant for the Carolina Legion.

Some of my family who have served in the military were my great-great-great grandfather, Levi Harmon (born in 1840) served as a Pvt. in Co. H 11^th NC Mecklenburg County. He joined in 1863 and served under Gen. James Johnston Pettigrew in. He fought at Gettysburg, and during the Pettigrew-Picket-Trimble assault, he was wounded twice, once in the knee and once in the chest, only missing his heart by a few inches. He was captured and later exchanged at Boiler’s Warf, MD in 1865, a month before the end of the war. He returned to Catawba County where he died in 1913. My grandfather Issac Moore (born August 31, 1921) served in the USMC as Sgt. during WWII in the South Pacific. He died June 21, 1996. My father, Danny Moore, (born October 8, 1946) also served in the USMC as Lance Cpl. During the Vietnam War for one tour of duty from 1965-1968.

I currently live in Conover, NC with my wife, Kelly and our dog, Rozzy and six cats which include Stonewall and Burgwyn. To support our love of reeacting and frequent battlefield tours, I drive an 18 wheeler.

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Richard Kingston began reenacting in 1998. He was originally recruited to sound bugle commands for a company of skirmishers within the Carolina Legion. That

Richard's interest in the American Civil War comes from his father, Richard Sr., a career military man and combat veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He can remember visiting battlefields with his dad as early as age four. In 1957, while stationed at the Army Records Center in St. Louis, Richard's father had the floors and tables at home covered with actual campaign ribbons of units from the American Civil War that were going to be destroyed. Richard Sr. rescued them, and spent untold hours on letter writing and phone calls getting those precious treasures in the hands museums, historical societies, and, oftentimes, the original units as they existed in 1957. During that time, every night was a history lesson. Richard attended his first reenactment with his father in 1958, at Fort Monroe, VA.

Richard has hand made over three hundred harpsichords. His harpsichords are prized for their quality, and he is the recipient of an international award for excellence in his work. He was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Duke University in 2004. He is now retired, and lives in Cleveland County, NC.

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As a young child, I was like every other kid, playing war in the back yard, and killing the enemy. I commanded invisible armies, and fired invisible cannons. On occasion I would even sink invisible ships.  My father took me to a few reenactments, and they looked fun, but my real interest started when we went to te 140^th Bentonville in 2000. That was the first time that I had seen the “Real Deal” in action. That was when I decided that I was going to be a re-enactor.

                My parents bought me a uniform, and I started running as a messenger for the 51^st NC.  After I was able to, I had ambition elsewhere, as a bugler. I had seen these heroic stories of Buglers and Drummers, and decided that that was what I wanted to do. I was a bugler until I turned 16. When I was offered the chance to carry a rifle on the field, I turned it down. I suppose the years of “Behind the Scenes” work had taken that longing out of me. I wasn’t the one to get dirty, or run around in the field. I wanted to stand back and watch.

                I had always felt somewhat of a calling to the ministry. I was the 2 year old on the front porch welling at people on the street, “Do you know Jesus?” and telling other children about bible stories. I don’t know why or when it actually happened, but that call has been growing inside since before I can remember. That is why I decided to adapt it to reenacting.

I was appointed Chaplain of the North Carolina Naval Squadron in late in 2006, and was appointed the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant / Passed Midshipman in March of 2007. In Spring of 2008 I established the Confederate States Chaplain’s Corps to enable myself to do work as an Independent Chaplain and as a Civilian. This unit is maintained today and has a website:  www.CSNavyChaplainCorps.webs.com