This is the craziest time of the campaign. The staff is overloading getting final details in place, and the player teams are just starting to realize what needs to be done. So here are some tips and clarifications for all players. If there are any general questions I can answer for you, (based on my vast experience as a one time former player at Gettysburg '99), just ask on your link. If I can fill in for other staff who are incredibly busy, I'll try. You will be hearing more from them soon!

Above all, don't worry. I hardly knew the rules when I showed up. The umpires are very fair and reasonably forgiving! You can also consult them on rules before you take your action. Its about having fun.

Some of you might be confused about who is a player on your list if you did the View Profiles function. On behalf of all the staff members, welcome again to Waterloo '99!

Pete Panzeri, Jodie Lindberg, and Fred Hubig (GM) are the big three. The others include so far:

I. OPERATIONAL STAFF

Dr. Jim Birdseye--C in C Operations
Charley Elsden--C in C Commo/Intel/Historian

II. TACTICAL UMPIRES

Fred Hubig, Mike Pierce, Lou Cardinale, Bert Carney, Mark Zaslavsky, Mike Lorenzo, Bob Kerstetter.

WHERE ARE WE AT?

As player teams at this point, you should/could/might be thinking about the following issues.

ARMY COMMANDERS: What is the Big Plan? Who will serve as my primary command deputies to execute it? Which commands can I combine, to be split later when more players appear or cadets step forward from the academy to take up posiitons on my team?

PLAYERS: Have I told my Army Commander enough about myself so he can judge what type of position to give me? If I don't know the Commander already, did I e-mail him yet to check in?

You might get yourself a copy of Fire & Fury. Fred Hubig might still have some copies available. If your team is not doing a practice game or you can't attend, try pushing some lead according to the rules. For example, if you tried to move several subordinate units simply from Point A to Point B, did they make it? Hmmm...

Were you able to download Fred Hubig's "Campaign '99 1815 Combat Rules." If not, this is one document you should really get. Ask a computer savy friend to help if you need it.

Put down on paper the issues you wish to discuss with your Army Commander/teammates. Start talking now in person or by the link if you can.

Time will be limited once you get there, although you will have a staff conference before the game. By then, however, you should already know something about what you have to say.

Need a ride? Why not mention where your're from. There's no reason a Prussian can't give a Frenchman a hand to his ultimate disaster, after all.

Come to think of it, anyone who wants an interesting companion from NYC should let me know--otherwise I might end up riding the bus (which is OK too).

THINGS IN GENERAL FOR GENERALS

Here's some things you might not have thought about that you can bring:

• A camera
• A funny period hat
• Period music tapes
• A photo album of your own battles back home
• You're favorite lucky dice
• Your annotated copy of the rules (you were going to forget them, weren't you...honestly!)
• Bedding (at least a blanket and a pillow if you're staying in a dorm room)
• The directions to Ft. Monmouth (you'll get 'em soon)

THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE

• Get some sleep--you won't get enough at the con!
• Copy a phone number from your packet and give it to the folks at home for emergencies
• Is there someone else you want to invite? (do that now).

Finally, when in doubt, consult the...

WARGAMER EXCUSE LIST
Memorize the following:

"It happened on account of:"

1. The dice
2. A random event (act of God)
3. The weather
4. Fate
5. I feel asleep at the Staff Conference
6. The umpire was on drugs
7. I'm just not a (morning, afternoon, evening) person
8. What do you expect from those (Garlic-Eaters, Green Grocers, Tight Asses)?
9. I don't go to compete; just to have fun
10. At least I won the Funniest Moment Award

WHAT--WHERE--WHEN?

You will soon be getting a detailed schedule of events. When you receive it, look it over and let your Commander know if you will be absent for part of the weekend. Usually your team can cover for you, but they need to know when they'll need to do it. As the date gets closer, you'll also want to give your Commander your approximate arrival time once you know it, so he can plan any early practices sessions, conferences, etc.