The 9th Texas Regiment of Infantry has closed another successful year of the long War Between the States in 2009 with a season of hard campaigning, rain, and lots of fun. We had no national this year, but plenty of action in Missouri. We  began the MAX (maximum battalion event) season at Shoal Creek in the Kansas City area in April, and commenced the 9th’s pranking by joining our brothers in the 4th MO by attacking ... our own Rebel camp! A total tactical disaster, but great fun! Mother Nature reminded us that winter was not yet over as she gently showered us with snow on Sunday morning. Jeff City MO was our next MAX event in May. Who can forget the massive cluster Mother Nature created for the troops getting in on Friday night with a downpour which flooded the camps! On Saturday night, the 9th “raided” the federal camp during the wee early morning hours, posting Rebel “stick” flags all over their camp. Scripted hand-to-hand in an assault on the center of the federal line on Saturday and Sunday was, perhaps, the highlight of the weekend. Kingston MO, a MAX event in June, was greatly supported by the city and the locals. A best-dressed bushwhacker contest was had and stolen from the 9th. Sunday presented a judged tactical against the Yanks which was won fairly by the Battalion. Rain again. At Holden MO, the MAX event for September, we had a very memorable Saturday night campfire, and also sat for one of the great Bob Szabo photos. Robbie the Rooster joined us for the soldier’s life, and survived the weekend. Staff kidnapped our chicken mascot but could not keep the secret so he was rescued unscathed. Holden presented our highest turnout of the season with twelve (12) men including the undersigned. Rain again. We capped the MAX season at Fortesque MO in October and pushed the federals back into their camp with “rolling thunder,” and thence into a sharp fight assaulting their formidable breastworks. Kudos to Capt. Girdner and the 3d Mo for putting this event on. Of note, Cpl. Downey’s own Humboldt KS was staged again in June and for an action-packed, fun-filled weekend, this was matchless. And top that off with the Tip-on-Inn on Saturday night at which the 9th placed its own ceiling tile suitably painted with a depiction of our own mascot chicken. Men of the 9th participated in other lesser events through the year at Kansas Day activities in January; Edna Ks in March; St. Joe MO in April; Wichita’s Cowtown in May; Lecompton in June; Lamoni IA in Sept.; Diller NE in July; Pawnee City NE in September; the Museum of the National Guard in Topeka in October; and Elmore OK in December. We had anticipated participating in Lawrence KS’ Civil War on the Western Frontier in August with some of our brothers from other units, however, the City declined to permit us to fire blanks in South Park, and so we pulled out, with 85% of those polled in newspaper coverage of the matter supporting us. The 9th continued a strong web presence with ninthtexas.com under the tutelage of Messrs. Ralph and Shemwell, and we also created a Facebook page for a little more interactive experience for the men and interested others. Rank structure remained stable, and our non-coms have proven the mainstay of the 9th’s activities on the field. We welcomed a new recruit into the ranks this year, Mr.  John Poitevin of Paxico. We also welcomed Mr. Mark Gianellonie, an old 9th man, back into the ranks. Pvt. Tom Leahy continued his extracurricular activities with his fine Abraham Lincoln impression.  We said goodbye to Major Brian Albert of Battalion staff who relocated to Texas. Major Albert  spent 21 years with the Battalion and also was one of the mainstays of the 9th for many, many years, working his way up in the ranks to the position of captain. We are the poorer for his absence. We welcomed to 1st MO Battalion staff Captain Dave Burnos of the 1st MO Dismounted who will assume his new role as major. We bid farewell to Major Clayton Murphy of the 3rd Mo who passed on to his reward in 2009. A fitting Civil War memorial service was held at Shoal Creek, and gave us occasion to reflect on the bonds of brotherhood we reenactors share. In concluding, I urge all soldiers of the 9th to be mindful of our place in the history of reenacting -- this was the 26th consecutive year that the 9th Texas has participated as an active Civil War reenacting group. That is really something to be proud of and speaks volumes about the rank and file, the people who truly make this organization go. “There is none finer.” I remain most respectfully, Brian Cox Captain, commanding 9th Texas Reg’t of Infantry 1st MO Battalion ____________________ Soldiers of the 2009 Campaign Captain Brian Cox 1st Sgt. Brian Shively 1st Cpl. Randy Downey 2nd Cpl. Bob Albert 3rd Cpl. Rob Matlack Company A Pvt. Jamie Ralph Company C Pvt. Brad Anspach Pvt. Tom Fasula Pvt. Mark Gianellonie Pvt. CJ Gianellonie Pvt. Jason Gibbens Pvt. Chris Keidel Pvt. Tripp McMIllan Pvt. John Potevin Pvt. Herb Shemwell Pvt. Aaron Staab Pvt Tom Leahy Company G Pvt./Major Chris Visser