"Missouri Battalion Mauls Arkansas Battalion in High Stakes Game of Rounders" Who Wants to Marry a Mary Todd? (Photos by Ruben Gusman, Story by Ruben Gusman and others)   Early Sunday afternoon, the Confederate camp came to life as troops began to assemble for what seemed to be a very serious and formal event. Along with the troops, many civilians and spectators were drawn to the scene as the sound of drums echoed in the valley. The Southern Army approached divided into two Battalions.(Missouri and Arkansas) It soon became clear that a contest and challenge was afoot. The two Battalions engaged each other in a memorable game of "Cricket" in Carthage Missouri earlier in 2003. (Read the full Story here including the history of the rivalry http://midwestcivilwar.com/midwestcivilwar/id51.html ). This time a game of "Rounders" was chosen to decide the fate of the Battalion's mascots. "The Stakes"-Who Wants to Marry a Mary Todd?   The High stakes of the game were simple. If the Missouri team won the match, the Arkansas team would give the hand of their mascot "Mary Todd" over to the Missourians to marry their mascot "Abe". An unthinkable union that could perhaps end the rivalry between the two battalions which started over two years ago.   The Failed Mission   The previous nite however, a secret mission was hatched by the Arkansas boys to kidnap the Missouri mascot-"Abe" from their camp.   "A special ops team was gotten together for a Saturday night raid. Young unmarried men were selected as there was a very good chance they weren't coming back. However our intelligence revealed that the skunk had been secreted away or was moved periodically...guess they took a page from Saddams play book. The raid had to be canceled." (source from the 1st Arkansas website).   So with all the players and prize intact, the afternoon was set for what would be a very physical,emotionally charged and entertaining game. "LET THE GAMES BEGIN!" Despite having the home field advantage, The Arkansas team quickly fell behind Missouri as the "Show-Me-State" boys racked up their runs by the Bakers' half dozen. It appeared early on that barring a miracle comeback or technicality of some kind, that Missouri would carry the day soundly. 'Hey batter, batter, swwwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiingg!" "A Sheep Among Wolves?"   Amongst the Arkansas sidelines was seen an unusual sight. A single Union Officer was mingling with the opposition forces in broad daylight! Capt.Barry Barfield of the Frontier Brigade was cheering for the Arkansas Team. The Captain makes mention of his experience in his AAR. Excerpt below:   "I wish to finally report that I did attend a Confederate Rounders game on the engagement field.   I was provided passage through the confederate lines to witness a game between the 1st Missouri Battalion CS and the 1st Arkansas Battalion CS.   As the only federal officer in attendance to this event, I was treated with respect and allowed to return to my lines without delay.   I make mention of this event because it was an outstanding display of comradeship that may serve our cause.   Although the 1st Arkansas Battalion lost the game they did retire from the field with their mascot Mary Todd with her honor in tact." Read his Full AAR Report: 1st Union Bentonville 2003 After Action Report The First Missouri Battalion resurrected their "chant" made up by their Colonel Doug Moody at the Carthage event but put a slightly different spin to it at this occasion. Perhaps because of the ladies in attendance or just to be more nice it is not known, but the "PG" version was still effective nonetheless. Not to be outdone, the Arkansas Boys responded in kind with their chants. The Benches Clear! The 1st Arkansas Website Reports this about the game:   "The Missouri Battalion are a great bunch of guys. They took our challenge of "Rounders" to heart and pretty much "skunked" us.(if you know what I mean) Many, many people commented on how enjoyable the game was. Missouri was a good sport about their stinkin mascot Abe. Several times efforts were made to acquire that skunk. We tried just ripping it from its perch on Color Sgt. Sean Bell's shoulder. It was discovered that...it was tied there very securely. It was also discovered that they were willing to put up a pretty good scrap over that varmint!" At Sunday's game their SgtMjr Gary Sutton had a death grip on the little black and white critter and efforts to "free" it were rewarded with some rather rough handling by it's guard. We were incensed and outraged when the varmit came on the field and "showed us his backside"! A Rematch?? The 1st Arkansas Website concludes with the following: Our lovely oppossum-Miss Mary Todd was overwhelmed by the violence and the direction the game was taking and had a serious case of the "vapours"...as any lady would. For modestys sake she quickly had a "change of base" when it looked as if she would be required to kiss those detestable skunk lips of Abe's... she can hardly be blamed for that. The 1st Arkansas is looking forward to the next time we can meet the MO. Battalion on the sporting field...Cricket anyone?