Read the latest dispatch from the What's It Wagon

11 Jul 2010 Gettysburg

19 Feb 2002 Olustee

27 Jan 2002 Alafia Mountain Man Rendezvous

19 Jan 2002 Brookesville Reenacment

21 Feb 2001 Battle of Olustee 2001

27 Jan 2001 Alafia Mountain Man Rendezvous

19 Jan 2001 Bitter Weather Makes Reenacting A Chilling Experience

23 Oct 2000 Hunsader's Revisited

16 Oct 2000 The Photographist

04 May 2000 Off to the Ancient City

31 Mar 2000 Cow Cavalry Wedding at Hunsader's Farm

21 Feb 2000 Front Lines at the Battle of Olustee, Florida

12 Feb 2000 Return From The 1840s

19 Jan 2000 Mountain Man Rendezvous, Alafia, Fla.

19 Jan 2000 Brookesville Raid Reenactment Brookesville, Fla.

03 Jul 1998 Mountain Man Rendezvous, Fla.

Return from the 1840s

12 Feb 2000

The Second Seminole War is actively taking place along the Hillsborough River outside Tampa City. The savages have surrounded Ft. Foster and take potshots at soldiers and civilians who would dare leave the confines of the fort.

Actually, we have been blessed with fine weather for this week. The mosquitoes have not yet come out to do their mischief. It was a beautiful site to spend a few hours with those who would portray early Florida pioneer days within the woods beside the protection of one of the few log palisade forts in existence today.

I relied heavily on vintage lenses using Waterhouse stops and the lens cap for my shutter. The plates are already processed with good success. I learned that it is important to have the focusing cloth over the top edge of the plate as well as over the Waterhouse stops that act like today's modern "f" stops. There was no fogging of the images as I had experienced previously.

Thursday morning early I will head the time machine what's it wagon into the future some twenty four years to the Confederacies glory days when the Rebs sent the Yankees packing back to Jacksonville with their tail between their legs.

North Florida at this time of year can be a place of great weather changes within a 24 hour time period. The temperature can drop a dramatic 50 or 60 degrees. I dread the harsh conditions and look forward to a gentle spring.

The time in the dark room has been so extensive that I am so tired that even my hair is sleepy.
Your servant, sir, Fritz Kirsch

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