Regional History of the Middle Atlantic Region

Preface

The following summarizes the notes, letters and activities of the Middle Atlantic

Region of the North South Skirmish Association. Events on the National Level were

not totally eliminated. Many milestones of the parent N-SSA are included, especially if

there is a connection between the two groups. The growth of the Middle Atlantic Region

and the parent N-SSA are parallel in many ways. Every attempt was made to place the

history of the Region in chronological order from a variety of sources. In many cases the

minutes of the regional meeting were simply summarized and condensed. This type of

reporting lended it itself to "dry" reading. In many cases the minutes read disjointed,

absent of emotion and lacked the element of transition between topics. In a few cases I

added my own conjecture and insight as I felt the emotion and feelings leap out from the

sacred scrolls that are the archives of the Middle Atlantic region. I was privileged to view

hand written notes scribed in fountain pen reminiscent of the old Civil War style. The

members that were there at the meeting will remember the attitude and tone in voices of

the members making the statements. For the new members, we can only imagine the mind

set.

My thanks go out to Joe Reese of the First Pennsylvania Artillery (retired), Chris

Litvanis of Harlan's Light Calvary, and George Lomas of the Third U.S. Regular Infantry

for lending me valuable archive material. Many thanks go out to my lovely bride of twenty

five years, Judene M. Gaul, who proof read the manuscript and makes me look good on

many occasions. As always, thanks to Charles Smithgall for his dedication to this hobby,

giving freely of himself and his range, Fort Ross in Lancaster County, and to the 400 plus

members of the Middle Atlantic Region.