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Doug Dobbs, Military Commander
Doug Dobbs has been reenacting since 1997. He helped organize a number of static events including
"Fire On the Mountain" 1998-2000, Gettysburg 1998, Grant vs Lee, and Chancellorsville. He served as
Kevin Air's Aide de Camp for several events since 2004, including "Summer of '62," Ballestone," and
"September Storm." His interests in recent years run along two tracks: One, to provide support for
rigorous, history-heavy events such as the Hodge Preservation Marches, Recons II & III, events at
Boonesboro, Md. & McDowell; the other is organizing and leading road marches portraying various
Union troop movements during the war, most notably the South Mountain March 1999 and two
Marches to Gettysburg in 1998 & 2003. This year he'll lead another Sixth Corps March, from Fairfax,
Va. to Gettysburg, Pa. on the original route, the original dates, and the original timetable.
Doug holds degrees in marriage & family therapy from Simpson College & Biola University, and has
done advanced graduate work at Virginia Tech. He has taught history for the last five years at
Broadfording Christian Academy outside Hagerstown, Md. He lives with his wife near Hagerstown
and is building a home close to Greencastle, Pa. In his spare time, Doug enjoys time with friends,
reading, hiking, gardening and storytelling.
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S. Chris Anders
Chris has been in the hobby since 1986, and has held various staff and command roles in both
mainstream and progressive battalions, including the CMF, 1st Regiment PACS and the Liberty Rifles,
and he currently commands the Chesapeake Volunteer Guard Battalion.
Chris has also been the organizer and/or overall commander for South Mountain 1995, Fire on the
Mountain 2000, Morton's Ford 2001, Burkittsville 2001, Drayton's Brigade at 140th Antietam in 2002,
War on the James 2003, Loudoun Heights 2003, To the Gates of Washington 2004, Summer of '62
2005, Shenandoah 1862 2006, McDowell, September Storm and October 1862 in 2007, as well as
many other Officer Schools, Park Service Living Histories and various Infantry, Field Music and
Artillery Camps of Instruction over the years.
Under his command, the 6th Virginia won best Regt for Recon 2 and then he led the 14th Tennessee to
that award at Recon 3. Chris has written several articles for Camp Chase Gazette and the Civil War
Historian, and is enrolled in the Command and Staff College of the CWLHI.
Chris resides with his wife Laura and daughter Elizabeth in Sharpsburg, Maryland, and his son
Brandon mustered into the ranks in 2006.
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Andrew Dangel
Having started reenacting when he was twelve, Andrew Dangel now has more than fourteen years of
reenacting experience under his belt. The first eight of those years were as a musician, drumming with
the 20th Maine Fife and Drum Corps. Moving through different units, and with different
responsibilities in each organization, his focus has been on the methods and lifestyles each task
requires.
Andrew has a history degree from Gettysburg College and a Masters in Teaching from Goucher
College and currently teaches 8th Grade US History in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He views
most events from a historical learning perspective.
Andrew has attended and completed most of the intermediate work from the Living History Institute's
Command and Staff College and has taught lessons on army paperwork, field engineering, and
Customs of Service for officers and non-commissioned officers. He is overjoyed to have the
opportunity to work with the Field Music School.
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Joel Hummel
Joel Hummel has been involved in Civil War living history and reenacting for 20 years and, as a
"Regular," he has a passion for highly polished brass and well-blackened leathers. As the Sergeant
Major for the School, he will bring his experience as a Marine Sergeant, Marine Officer, Police
Officer, and Youth Minister to the role.
Musically, Joel was selected for District, Regional, and All-State honors bands in high school, played
the baritone, trombone, and tuba, and has dabbled in fife, drum, and bugle so he has some idea what
goes on in the musical classrooms of the School.
Joel holds degrees in business, theology, and law from University of Maryland, Yale University, and
Penn State University, respectively. He lives in York, Pennsylvania.
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Ron Myzie
Ron Myzie has been reenacting for at least ten years, having been "sucked into it" by his two
now-adult sons, who still reenact. He was on Bill Watson's staff at McDowell in 2005 and 2007, as
well as at "Shenandoah '62" in 2006. Ron has been associated with the Subsistence Department since
2002 when he first assisted Don Hubbard, as commissary sergeant, at Recon II, and he jokingly refers
to himself at a "reenactment nutrition specialist". He has helped organize several events and twice
served on the staff of the Civil War Living History Institute's NCO School at Fort Washington, MD.
Ron was a USAF photographer, and in the 21st century he is the Assistant Director of the Teaching
Learning Technology Center and Professor of Photography at Seton Hall University. He lives near
Stroudsburg, PA with his wife and dogs and relaxes at the New Jersey shore.
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Jeff Pollock
Jeff Pollock was born in Washington, D.C., and lived in the area for over 35 years before moving to
Berks County, Pennsylvania in 1995. He graduated from Montgomery College in Maryland with a
degree in Illustration & Design and a minor in Photography. Jeff worked as an Art Director in a
commercial art studio upon graduation. Jeff photographs historic landmarks, civil war reenactments,
and scenery, the inspiration for many of his paintings. His works in oils include: Historic Sites, Horses,
Military Battles from the Civil War and other eras, and Landscapes. His photography interests are
mostly of photographs using natural light or unusual or interesting subject matter. Jeff's current oil
paintings can be seen at BOI's Art Gallery in New Hope, PA. He is a member of the Berks Art Council
in Berks County and lives in Birdsboro, just outside of the Reading, PA area.
Jeff is the owner of the Historic Flag Company where he paints, on silk, flags from the Revolutionary
War, the War of 1812, the Civil War - Union and Confederate, and will paint any flag provided
information is available for that flag. In addition to his artwork, Jeff is a Civil War re-enactor. His
regiment is the 104th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and he also portrays a U.S. Marine with the
Philadelphia Navy Yard Detachment. He is an avid Indian Motorcycle rider who has been riding for 40
years and he is a 1st Degree Black Belt in the Martial Arts. Jeff currently also has a business on eBay
where he sells antique toys and collectibles.
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Denny Rohrbaugh
Denny has had a life-long passion for the American Civil War. Being born and raised in the Gettysburg
area intensified his interest in the subject as he was exposed to the rich history of the area daily.
Witnessing the 100th anniversary of the battle there pretty much set the course for his pursuit of all
things pertaining to the time period.
His first involvement in ACW reenacting was undertaken when an opportunity presented itself to
become involved in the 11th PVI Co. B in 1973. Denny remained an active participant in the 11th’s
activities until about 1978 when family duties and a move forced less involvement in re-enacting for
many years. In 1999 an opportunity presented itself for Denny to join the 3rd Maryland Co. B and
become involved full time once again in reenacting, the 3rd still being his home company. The 3rd
Maryland, part of Vincent’s Brigade, also offered a chance to be Brigade Bugler and apply those brass
skills learned as a trumpet player from grade school on. And Field Music became another passion to be
pursued!
In 2004 yet another opportunity came knocking on Denny’s door in the form of a commission to Lt.
Col. first as Chief of Staff then as Infantry Commander for 1st Battalion for Birney’s Division, a newly
formed National Organization of reenactors drawing mostly from Central and Western Pa and Ohio
Companies. He still holds the position of commander of 1st Battalion. Also, due to the absence of the
regular commander of the 3rd Maryland (who deployed to Iraq), Denny has been Commander of the
3rd Maryland Co. B as well for the last two years.
Denny has developed a heart for Field Music and Bugling and also for proper military drill, deportment
and tactics. He was able to get a Fife and Drum section started in the Third Maryland. He has also
been an instructor and assisted in organizing curriculum for Birney’s Division yearly Officer/NCO
school and welcomes every opportunity to instruct and educate those willing and interested to learn.
Denny attended Penn State University as an Agriculture Major and currently is a self employed building
contractor in Chambersburg, Pa where he resides with his wife.
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Les Salsbury
Les Salsbury's family came to the Americas in 1637. He is a descendant member of the Sons of the
American Revolution, The Society of the War of 1812, First Families of Ohio, Sons of Union Veterans,
and the Sons of the American Legion. Les has been a re-enactor for nine years and has been involved
with field musician training ever since working with Don Hubbard on the first Eastern Field Music
School.
Les portrays a U.S. Marine QM Sergeant, and is part of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Detachment. He is
President of the McClellan Rangers Re-enactment Association and a member of the 104th PVI, a line
company in the USV. Les is also the Drum Major for the 2nd Battalion USV and the McClellan
Rangers Fife and Drum Corps. Les has also had the pleasure of two of his six daughters becoming
fifers and participating in earlier field music schools. He is a member of the crew of the USS
Constellation, which his grandfather sailed on when the vessel was a trainer for the US Navy. Les is
also a member of the crew of the SS John W. Brown, a World War II Liberty Ship in Baltimore, and
has logged over 1500 miles at sea, including a cruise to Toledo, Ohio through the Great Lakes in 2000.
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Michael Schaffner
Michael Schaffner has reenacted for six years, specializing in paperwork and administration. He
served on Bill Watson's staff at McDowell in 2005 and 2007, as well as at "Shenandoah '62" in 2006.
He has served as Kevin Air's Assistant Adjutant General for several events since 2004, including
"Summer of '62," Ballestone, "Down the Valley," and "September Storm." When not reenacting, he
works for the Federal government and writes for fun. Schaffner's publications include the novel War
Boys, a collection of poems called The Good Opinion of Squirrels, and "School of the Clerk", a guide
to civil war paperwork for reenactors. He lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife and a posse of
pugs.
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James P. Tate
Jim Tate started Civil War reenacting in 1988 with the 125th anniversary cycle. In 1989 he joined Co.
B, 3rd US Infantry of the National Regiment. Jim was promoted corporal in 1990 and became acting
first sergeant in 1991. He was appointed company commander of the unit for the Gettysburg 135th
anniversary event. In 1999, Jim was instrumental in forming Company D, 3rd US Regular Infantry as
a typical rifle company of a regular army regiment. He established the 3rd US Regular Infantry as a
non-stock, non-profit Virginia corporation, and served as corporate president of the 3rd US Regular
Infantry from 1999 to 2006. Company D focuses on a strong interpretation of a regular army
company. The drill, discipline and deportment of all members at an event are expected to match the
standards of the 1861 regular army. Company K, 3rd US Regular Infantry was formed in 2004 to
focus on campaigner style reenacting.
Jim has functioned as military commander of the 3rd US regular Infantry from 1999 to the present.
During this period the unit has grown from 19 military members to 39 military members and
participates in approximately 12 reenactments each year. The 3rd US Regular Infantry has been a
member of the 1st Battalion, Vincent’s Brigade since 2000, and Jim has been responsible for training
members of the 3rd US Regular Infantry and Vincent’s Brigade in guard mount parade procedures.
Jim was also responsible for forming a Standards Committee in the 3rd US Regular Infantry to
research and refine military standards and procedures, and has contributed to the growth of the civilian
component of the 3rd US Regular Infantry by encouraging the research and creation of new civilian
impressions.
Under Jim’s leadership, the 3rd US Regular Infantry is an invited living history participant at Ft. CF
Smith (Arlington, VA); Ft. Ward (Alexandria, VA); Pamplin Historical Park (Petersburg, VA); Custis-
Lee Mansion (Arlington, VA); Manassas National Battlefield Park (Manassas, VA), and other historical
sites. Company D, 3rd US Regular Infantry has participated in the Military Through the Ages (MTA)
living history at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation site in Jamestown, VA every year since 2000.
In this judged, invitational event, the company has won awards nearly every year. In 2003 and 2007
the company was awarded three ribbons, for excellence in camp demonstration, camp cooking and
drill demonstration.
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Michael Vice
Mike Vice began participating in Civil War Living History activities as a teenager during the Civil War
Centennial and has continued on through the various 125th, 135th, and 145th celebrations. He has held
every enlisted position from Pvt to Sgt Major, and serves currently with F Co., 21st VA Infantry, and
K Co., 1st PA Reserves. He has always had a life long interest in Civil War music having been a
cornet and tuba player.
Mike's participation in the Civil War Centennial led to a 30 year military museum career which included
ten years as the Chief Museum Curator for Gettysburg National Military Park, National Park Service,
which is one of the largest Civil War collections in the world, as well as service as an active duty US
Army officer including a combat tour with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam and retirement as a
Major, US Army Reserves, Infantry. Mike currently lives with his wife Jeanne in Gettysburg, PA
where he works in the travel industry.
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Bill Watson
Bill Watson has been reenacting since 1990 with a variety of units in New Jersey, South Carolina,
North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He has helped organize a number of events and served in a leadership
role in recent years at several events, including two McDowells and Shenandoah '62. His emphasis in
recent years has been on organizing ad hoc companies of reenactors who wish to try a more rigorous,
history-heavy, experience-based type of reenacting. He is the author of several books, including the
semi-fictional "Brother William's War" and a how-to book, "Seize the Day: A guide to wringing more
satisfaction from your Civil War reenacting experience." Proceeds from the sale of those books go to
historic preservation.
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