MaineMilitia.com

I recently had the pleasure and luck in tracking down an old friend of mine, Mr. Lee Houser of Pennsylvania. He is a living historian who portrays General Isaaic Trimble. The soldier he portrays led a division during "Pickett's charge" at the battle of Gettysburg. 61 years old, he was the oldest general on either side of the battle.
During the charge he was severely wounded in his ankle. The lower part of his leg was amputated at a field hospital. He was not well enough to be moved at the battle's close and was taken prisoner by Meade's victorious army.
He was a very able officer and considered valuable to the Confederacy. This was proven when he was exchanged by the Union army not for one but for two yankee generals.
I met Mr. Houser in 2000 while in Gettysburg with my family. We became quick friends. He was delighted to hear I was in the 15th Alabama, a regiment he knows a great deal about. He informed me that the 15th Alabama, who served in Trimble's brigade, was the only Alabama regiment who fought in Jackson's Valley campaign.
He told me that he wished that I could become his personal courier (for a soldier in the original 15th Alabama acted as Trimble's personal courier during the war).
He and I exchanged contact information and it was not long after I got home the next week that I heard from him again.
Lee Houser gave me the best gift ever given to me. He sent me an exact replica of the original flag of the 15th Alabama.
I have since loaned it to the 15th Alabama to serve as the company's colors. It is now being taken well care of by our color corporal, Tom Bassford.

Well, six years after we last communicated, Lee sent me an interesting e-mail. Enclosed in it, is a wish to unite the several different regiments (including the 15th) who had served under Trimble during the valley campaign of 1862.
He writes, "My biggest fantasy would be to have the whole Trimble
Brigade together again. I know where you guys are and
I know where the 21st GA is, still looking for the
16th Miss and 21st NC. It would be nice to also have
the 12th GA and 1st NC Battalion Sharpshooters. That
would complete the brigade. The 12th GA came in after
the 16th Miss left after Cedar MT."

If any of you have any information on the 16th Miss and the 21st NC please let me know. I will let him know how he can reach the 12th Georgia of the Liberty Greys.
It will be awesome if this could work out.
In the mean time, Mr. Houser promises to visit Maine some time. Look lively! We might be having a general in camp soon!