We were extremely pleased with the great weekend of activities. On Friday, more than 250 school children visited the camp set up by reenactors just north of the museum. Ladies of the United Daughters of the Confederacy hosted a reception on Friday night for reenactors and symposium attendees. On Saturday the symposium featured SCV Commander in Chief Ron Wilson from South Carolina, and SCV Historian in Chief Kelly Barrow from George, plus Lake Charles, Louisiana, SCV member Tommy Curtis as well as Steve Bounds, manager of Mansfield State Historic Site. Gary Joiner, founder of Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield, spoke on “The Second Battle of Mansfield.” Gary is a member of the SCV in addition to being a member of the Sons of Union Veterans – probably one of the most politically correct Civil War historians in the area.

The staff at the Mansfield State Historic Site could not have been more gracious and accommodating. Steve Bounds, manager, and Don Smith, one of the rangers, were both “on duty” during the event and shared their wealth of knowledge. Visiting with Steve was his young son Bobby (Robert E.) who urged everyone to see the reenactment, asserting, “I do that.”

Visitors to the park during the weekend were able to purchase Gary Joiner’s new books, One Damn Blunder From Beginning to End and Red River Campaign, with $3 from the purchase of each book going to the Friends. In addition to the symposium and book sales, the Friends distributed flyers with membership information. The Friends hope to soon garner many of the participants as Friends and members.