You are receiving this after action report roughly three weeks late thanks in part to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and partly due to my involvement with other events of late.

 Our Fort Mims 2006 Commemoration was another good one.  We lost a few reenactors and a good number of spectators to the approach of the worst storm in our history.  Little did we know what lay in store.  This was not the first hurricane to try to crash our party.  However, with this one moving in a westerly direction out in the gulf, we actually benefited from it's presence.  All the moisture in the area was sucked out to sea toward the hurricane, leaving north Baldwin County with gorgeous blue skies and balmy weather.

 We showed 98 registered reenactors this year.  It certainly seemed that the camp in the fort was larger than past years.  There are always a few that don't get by our registration table and sign in, so I think it is safe to say we probably topped a hundred participants. 

 The new western palisade wall stood out in all it's grandeur.  It looked magnificent compared to the backdrops we've always used before.  The efforts of each of those who volunteered time, sweat, and toil was dutifully recognized before the assembled throng on Saturday morning.  A formal ribbon cutting was held which was well publicized in the local media.

 Saturday we had a decent crowd of spectators, though somewhat down from recent years.  That was no surprise since many potential visitors were making preparations to evacuate the coast to the west of us.  Nonetheless the show went on and we staged the Battle of Burnt Corn in the morning and followed it with the Fort Mims fight in the afternoon.  Entertainment was provided by Indian dancers, blue grass groups, artisans, craftsmen, and food vendors.  Scalps came off, fun blood flew, the fort burned, and a good time was had by all. 

 We made our usual pilgrimage to Major's Creek and cooled off in it's wondrous waters.  Many a hot and sweaty body found welcome relief.  When we had soothed ourselves we returned to the fort to consume a fine meal, courtesy of the FMRA folks. 

 Our good buddy Darrell "Beardog" Hager of the White Water Longhunters conducted our first ever trade blanket.  It was a big success and all really enjoyed it.  A good many trade items found new owners.  Everything from carved walking canes to buckskin shirts to coonskin hats to sheath knives to empire dresses to the kitchen sink got swapped.  I think the trade blanket is a permanent attraction for future Fort Mims gatherings.

 That evening we partied and sang around the fires.  Unfortunately a few of our Mississippi folks had to pack and leave when informed that their coastline was to be under mandatory evacuation orders by morning.  We wished them well, little knowing just how perilous their situation was soon to become.

 Sunday morning powder was issued to those present for the reenactment.  Faced with somewhat reduced numbers and very few spectators on hand, we decided to scratch the Burnt Corn battle and proceed with the Fort Mims Massacre an hour earlier than planned.  The sky was still blue and our enthusiasm was undampened.  We conducted another commemorative salute to the "old ones" and commenced breaking camp for another year.

 I left the site around 3 p.m.  As I approached Stockton I encountered a severe rain squall, much heavier than any that I witnessed in Mobile the following morning when the hurricane hit with all it's might.  Good Fortune smiled on Fort Mims, even as it played hell with so many others.  Our new wall stood up to the winds and the rain that came later.  

 While a few of our Mississippi friends lost their homes, some suffered lesser damage, and a few, miraculously, had little damage.  The great news is, all are alive and well.

 See you next year at Fort Mims....the good Lord willin' an' the Creek don't rise!