Just thought we would let everyone know what is and isn’t true about the breakup of Austin’s Battalion since this seems to be the first question we are asked about by fellow reenactors whenever the Orphan Boys Mess takes the field.  

First, the Orphan Boys Mess:
-The Orphan Boys Mess is an official unit run by Bill and Bob both of whom have chosen to remain lowly Corporals rather than unit commanders.  
-We are not associated with the new 11th Louisiana that has been registered for the remaining events this year even though our names have appeared on those registration forms.  
-For the time being The Orphan Boys Mess will stay a mess, one that falls in with other units on the field but maintains its own camp.  This winter we will do research and find a unit to represent.   
-If you are approached to lead our unit by someone other than Bill or Bob please know that such actions are being done by a non-member who thinks his decision on creating the 11th Louisiana is set in stone and that we are a part of it (he even told us this and said we have to stop calling ourselves the Orphan Boys Mess).  Again, we are not a part of the 11th Louisiana.


Second, Austin’s Breakup
-The biggest rumor seems to be that this breakup was a result of an dispute between campaigners and those with canvass.  This is not true.  There was never a dispute.
-The next rumor stats that the younger members were trying to take power from the older members.  Again, this is not true, and if you look at the Orphan Boys Mess you will see an even amount of both age groups.  
-There was never a dispute about women in uniform.  Austin’s never had women in uniform, nor does the Orphan Boys Mess.
-As far as we know there was never an incident at Wauconda, though we keep hearing that this incident was one of the reasons Austin’s was disbanded?