"Fall-In memories from a long-time Civil War author and gamer" Topic

While I have no bone to pick with the move of H'con from Lancaster to Baltimore, the side effects to me are more important.

I will deeply miss the annual Fall-In convention in Gettysburg (yes, I know the Ike was rather bad for a con).

Rather than rant on the decision to move the con (I am apolitical), I merely want to express my sincerest appreciation to the BOD, the organizers, the dealers, and the gamemasters for the memories that Fall-In gave me and my sons since our first visit in 2000.

Most of you that know me know that I am a historian/author first and a gamer a distant second. Fall-In was the lynch pin for me to my whole gaming calendar. It was the one convention that I always tried to run a game at, and went out of my way to support the con through giving personal tours of the battlefield (both private and public) to gamers, and I used to bring park ranger and Licensed Battlefield Guide buddies to expose them to the hobby of wargaming. I will miss running a game on the Peach Orchard and then tramping the field with the gamers afterward to debate Dan Sickles' ill-advised forward movement there… Gaming East Cemetery Hill and then exploring the terrain and discussing if Ewell could have or should have taken the hill on July 2… Refighting Forney's Fields and then pausing at the Oak Ridge Peace Memorial to reflect on our ancestors' sacrifices at Gettysburg.. Moving Custer's miniature troopers across East Cavalry Field and then taking in the tranquil setting of the preserved battlefield where the Boy General charged.

Fall-In was the very first HMGS-East con this former Buckeye ever drove across the mountains from Cleveland to attend, and it was the first place I sold my wargaming scenario books. The early response at Fall-In encouraged me to write several more booklets.

I have so many great memories of Fall-In – sharing my love of the Siege of Petersburg at last year's con (my great-great grandfather was in the Union trenches there), first meeting some of my now dear friends from militaryhistoryonline.com at that first Fall-In when my son and I drove across from NE Ohio, first meeting many members of the Johnny Reb gaming community, great meals at the Chinese restaurant where Hardee's used to be; picking up some great deals at the flea market; selling my Gettysburg books to locals who stopped by the con to meet me and get an autograph or two.

Most of all, Fall-In was my beloved grandson's first wargaming convention. He and I spent a terrific day tramping the battlefield, eating at Mickey D's, and then looking at all the toy "soljers."

Ahh, many happy memories.

Yes, the Ike is not the ideal location. Yes, the dealers don't make as much money. Yes, the distraction of the battlefield on a crisp, sunny afternoon means some games aren't filled. And, yes, I will attend Fall-In in 2010 in Lancaster and hopefully run a game or two.

It just won't be the same for this Civil War / Gettysburg nut.

At least I have the memories. Thanks to all those of you who worked diligently over the past years to make my memories of Fall-In Gettysburg something special.

To you organizers and workers, thank you and huzzah!

Now, let's make this year's con the best send-off we can.

Back to work on my latest Civil War manuscript and preparing for my upcoming Louisiana Tigers book tour…

What are some of your favorite memories of Gettysburg / Fall-In?

Please – no politics – just memories.

Taking the boys early one Saturday morning to "play" on Devils Den. Something about seeing a six and eight year old jumping from rock to rock and exploring every nook and cranny that is hard to match in the "father experience" arena.

VR
James Mattes

My first one-- my buddy Tom and I had heard about the con from Annie at the now defunct ATAK Miniatures (a debt I can never repay to the lovely lady) and we decided to go up and give it a try. But I had a job Friday night until ten. We ended up leaving at about eleven p.m. and driving all night. We arrived at about seven in the morning, got our room and fell asleep until ten o'clock. Once we arose we headed over to the Dealer's Room. Now, the DR will normally knock the socks off of anybody, but imagine it for the first time, bleary eyed and exhausted from lack of sleep, and it still seems like a magnificent dream to me after all these years.

Couple that with meeting the folks from ATAK, playing a Battleground WW II game with them and Larry Huber from Brookhurst, and you have a con that will always live close to me heart.

I have no problems with the move to the Host and completely understand the reasons it was implemented, but I am still sorry to see Fall In leave from it's "proper" home.

Finally finding the 20th Indiana marker on Hauks ridge. Maybe the recent clearing of some woods makes it easier to find now. That was combined with a 95 or 96 covention I attended I think! My G G father was a skirmisher with H co, up against the 3rd Arkansas if he was not detailed! That covention site at Gettysburg was special, if not altogether economic and handy. Events must be practical as well as emotional, so good luck with it!!

After the 2008 Fall-In convention, I posted some of my photos on my CHARGE! blog. Here they are for those who may have missed this post.

link

I must say going to Fall In and Gettysburg is a pretty great experience for me. At least I have a chance to give it one last good visit before they move (and heavens knows when I'll make it to FI again …)

Scott, you said it all mate!!

Brian

Fall In 2005 was my first convention and the ambience of Gettysburg made for a terrific experience for the whole family.

My favourite memory: please see my member portrait. I uploaded the scene which eventually inspired me to ACW.

Sadly, this will be my last Fall-In…
Gettysburg was the draw.

I can't think of a better place to have a Wargame/Miniatures convention. Lancaster simply isn't worth the 13hr drive for two days.

But, then all good things must end.

Still, Baltimore is closer!

Joe Collins

First HMGS convention for me.Was driving in the area with my then girlfriend and stopped by.Went back Sunday by myself.Thought I had died and gone to heaven.
Sadly I have to be away this year for Fall in so won't be able to go.Really stinks cause it's the one HMGS con that I live real close to(used to be about 15 minutes now 45).Well, it's about the same to Baltimore now but I won't be going there either.Might drive the 4 hours to Willaimsburg Muster again though.

I remember scouting out the place (the new half of the hotel wasn't built yet) with Bob and telling him we'll never draw more than 500. We did over 900 the first year and I believe 1526 when we turned it over in 2001.

That first show in 97 we had registration in the pool pavillion. It stormed the whole con and we had to keep on moving the tables so the skylights didn't leak on the electronics. Still people came. Fortunately, we had a lot of support from the local area clubs. A guy named Scott comes to mind.

One suprise though was the number of Europeans and Aussies we had coming over the years. A lot of people made a week of it and split the time between the battlefield, restaurants, and show. I'm going to miss it. It really was the con with character.

Neil Brennan
Registration Manager
FALL IN! 1997-2001

I'm going to miss O'Rourke's.

As a history buff, I have always had an interest in the ACW. As a Canadian, I don't think I'll ever truly appreciate the emotional ties that my American neighbours have for this battlefield.

While I was at Little Round Top I was watching a couple from Maine. They were cleaning up the ground around the plaque describing the Maine soldiers (I hope I have the State correct). They were clearing the area of debris, leaves, small twigs, and candy wrappers. They were also "planting" a bunch of small Maine state flags.

I don't know why, but this small act was just so touching. The reverence these people showed in tidying up a small piece of dirt on a small hill for their predecessors, or possibly distant relatives, seemed almost spiritual. Sure, there is a "coolness factor" associated with walking along Devils' Den, Cemetery Ridge and the field at Pickett's Charge, but the loving care this couple gave in commemorating a small section of this battlefield gave a real human dimension to Gettysburg. It will stay with me.

As I said, as a Canadian, I don't think I can grasp the full impact of Gettysburg. As a Canadian, I hope when I visit Vimy Ridge one day I will feel the same way as this couple from Maine obviously did.

I will also miss Fall-In at Gettysburg, even though I can't really disagree with the decision to move from the Ike. As Neil says, this was the Con with character.

Ralph

Might drive the 4 hours to Willaimsburg Muster again though.

We hope you do and Scott even mentioned coming possibly earlier.

And I couldn't agree with you more Scott about G-burg!

Justin
Williamsburg Muster Secretary

I'm hoping the next

con with character

will be the Williamsburg Muster. At least I can hop over to Yorktown and maybe check out some Civil War sites around the Pennisula while there. That area is not Gettysburg though, there is something extraordinary about that place.

Since 2009 is my last Fall-In! and I don't go to Cold Wars, Williamsburg Muster may be a good fit for me. So 2010 it will be Williamsburg Muster and Historicon. Please note that I have nothing personal against HMGS for the move of Fall-In! as they need or want to do what they think they should; I'm just an attendee.

Thanks for creating this topic and sharing your thoughts Mr. Mingus.

I too will miss going to Gettysburg for Fall In, for any number of reasons. It just seems like the proper place to have a show. Almost every year, my group (the Rogues of Eastern PA) has gone early and arranged a guided tour of a specific area of the battlefield on the Thursday before the con started. There is something deeply moving to me about being in a place like that, walking the ground, learning about the men who were there. This year we plan to spend part of the day in the new visitors center since most of us couldn't make it out until very late on Thursday last year.

It is also significant to our group because of a close friend of ours. He loved gaming and loved going to the conventions. He passed away a number of years ago and his wish was to have his ashes scattered at Gettysburg. One of our group contacted the park service and made the necessary arrangements, and a few years ago on the Thursday before the con, he and I went to look for the right place. Our friend was of Irish descent so the Irish Brigade memorial came to mind immediately. We went there, and while walking around, I found the plaque to the Union field hospital that had been setup in that area during the fighting on the second day. Our friend had been a nurse. In all the years of going to Gettysburg, I had never seen that plaque until that day. A field hospital in view of the Irish Brigade monument, it was the right spot.

I am sure I will enjoy Fall In at the Host, but it won't quite be the same.

My favorite Gettysburg Fall-In game was the 1:1 scale WWII infantry battle using G.I. Joe figures. I really cracked up when I saw the Barbie dolls/French girls leaning from the balcony of the two-story house.
The battlefield, of course, is hallowed ground. We have walked it many times before and after the conventions, but no matter how many times you visit there is always something new to learn.

I remember the eerie feeling I had when driving back to my motel from the Con at 11 pm along the Emmitsburg Road. The fence and suddenly a battery of Napoleons or Parrots looming out of the dark. I only made one Fall In, and it was the GI Joe/Barbie one, but it is etched in my memory.

Gettysburg is the only reason I go to Fall in. Am very much looking forward to it this year. I'll switch to Cold Wars and my summer event may be a Toy Soldier Show in Gettysburg. Anything to get me down there!!

Tumbleweed, I played in that game and had a blast! Matthew ran another one which took place in a Stalingrad factory at the next Fall In and it was a lot of fun as well. Too bad he was told that those games weren't miniature wargames by the people running the con-- he's never been allowed back.

Nazrat,
Not totally true. There was some comments (mostly from larger vendors) about how "plastic" figures and "Dolls" were not wargame figures. I was the events manager one year when he asked about running a game. I said "sure why not?"

VR
James Mattes

I am in agreement with the sentiment in this thread. Fall-In is my favorite HMGS con by far. I hope one day it returns to Gettysburg. I am strongly considering a trip to Williamsburg. Combining history with gaming is the absolute core of our hobby. I'd love to see more cons at battlefield sites to give me more excuses to go see places for which I wouldn't otherwise find the time.

Scott,

Very true, I am very sad that this con is moving on to a new venue. I will most likely attend cold wars but this is my last fall-in as well. I just cannot support it at a new site. I am also unsure if I will re-up my membership with HMGS, i just dont see what it does for me any longer. I wish everyone the best and want the hobby to move forward. I just really hate to see Fall-in leave G-burg. I am familiar with the inner-harbor, had my car broken into at a trade show this past summer, at least it wasnt full of my minis! :)

Sean

I always thought it was one more good reason to come to Gettyburg! Just being in a historical location puts me in the right spirit for wargaming!

My first Fall In was only two years ago (although I've been going to Cold Wars and Historicon for decades). I was presenting a paper at an Artificial Intelligence conference in DC, and took off Saturday to drive over the the convention. Just the drive alone, coming up out of the mountains of Maryland into southern Pennsylvania would have made the trip great for me. But the gaming and smaller convention feel of it all was very nice.

And I agree – the Ike wasn't the best venue, but it certainly felt like a different convention, and was very nice. Although I will probably continue to go once it moves to Lancaster, I will miss Gettysburg.

Chuck

ps- for those who mentioned the Historical Triangle draw for Williamsburg Muster – Yorktown/Williamsburg/Jamestown – it is one of the reasons we picked that location for the convention. There might be better hotels in Virginia Beach or Richmond, but Williamsburg has that great historical feel. Check us out at odms-club.com/convention

There is no reason that there can't be a historical gaming convention in Gettysburg. If there is significant interest someone will host one.

Mike B

I love the convention at the Ike. I am sorry to see it go. I believe I have attended every one there. I recall a couple of years going out to dinner to a refurbished barn that was a micro-brewery. Meals were good, and the setting was great.

I have roused some old comrades who haven't attended a con in years to come out to say goodbye. :-(

For Williamsburg Muster, a side-trip to the Yorktown battlefield would be worth every minute of your time. It is set in a beautiful area and the site itself is nicely done. The settlement at Jamestown is also very interesting. They totally remade the area for the 400th anniversery. I was unable to attend the first Williamsburg Muster but everyone I spoke to told me it was well-received and the second one promises to be even better.