Everyone met in the bar area to toast our gallant generals on their birthdays. As usual, half the fun was looking at other patrons' faces when they saw all those Confederate uniforms, as well as 1860s civilians. There were lots of double takes. "What, are we being invaded? I thought the war was over."
We had a much bigger room at the Radisson in Northbrook, Illinois, from the past two years, when getting around our wonderful ladies in those big hoop skirts was difficult. Again, we were entertained by the Battlefield balladeers, consisting of a man on banjo and harmonica, woman on violin and another keeping rhythm and singing. They played all those great Civil War songs.
Illinois Division Commander Jim Barr welcomed every one and also showed us the brand new Illinois SCV division flag which is the battle flag with an outline of Illinois on it. Pretty impressive. He also reported that the national SCV headquarters at Elm Springs is going to have a new building constructed next to the old plantation house. All offices will be moved their upon completion. We also got an update on the law suit in Florida regarding SCV license plates.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
