Here it is, just days before Easter, and this issue is finally going to print (whew.) I apologize for the delay in sending number 53 out to you. Suffice it to say that a personal injury last winter, a family illness necessitating a multi-week stay with a relative out of state, and just plain 'ol abundance of work in my main business slowed the production down. I appreciate your patience with this publication.

Things are looking good though. The work on articles for issue 54 & 55 is all but done, so the plan is to ship issue 54 at the end of May/early June, and issue 55 for late July/early August. Keep watching the website for any announcements and updates, or send me a postcard.

So let's get to this issue's gems. In this issue we have three robust scenarios from three creative authors. First to lead the attack is Dean West. Dean and I had rubbed elbows at conventions since Gen-Con of 1973 (the pre-sword & sorcery days of gaming), so I'm pleased that we finally can get to know each other better. Plus that he's interested in contributing articles.

For those of you 'young 'uns' in the hobby, Dean is one of influential (not to be read as old) men in the hobby, especially in regards to ACW wargaming. Of the many things that he's done for the hobby, he'd collaborated with longtime friend John Hill on projects, especially the popular JOHNNY REB rules. I'm proud to present his wellorganized scenario on the Battle of Piedmont that took place in Virginia of 1864.

Next, following his background article on the Napoleonic Battle of Salamanca in the last issue, is Jim O'Neill's brigade- level/FIRE & FURY scenario adapted for the ACW. When not fighting the tsunamis of business in the Pacific, Jim is coming up with creative gaming ideas, which he loves to share with the rest of the world. On top of that, Jim and his wife Norma had given birth to another son in March of this year. Let me speak for all of us: congratulations, Jim and Norma!

Also, let me extend at this time an apology to Jim for allowing his name to be misspelled in the last issue. Jim was such a gentleman that he didn't even bring it to my attention! I bow to you, Sir.

Third, Scott Mingus revisits the first Battle of Bull Run (Manassas to those that wear the grey.) Scott takes a scenario from a past issue, and updates it for use with JOHNNY REB III, as well as gives us a post- battle report. If you know Scott (and if you don't you're missing out on knowing another friendly personage in the hobby), you know that he's passionate about the Civil War. So passionate that he and I are collaborating on publishing several scenario booklets on the various engagements that took place at Gettysburg in July of '63. More details will be explained in the next issue, but for now we'll give you the title: ENDURING VALOR: GETTYSBURG IN MINIATURE. Keep your vedettes posted regarding this.

Finally, we're fortunate that Curt Campbell could rally from his busy schedule, and write another review. This time he scrutinizes Chris Hughes new 28mm SASH & SABER CASTINGS. Flanking Curt's review is one from John Bryant who reviews more elegant castings from MARK FENLON MINIATURES, while I cover Curt's rear (no jokes please) with a write-up on COTTON JIM'S FLAGS. Plus, as you can see on the next page, are even more products available to all of us.

Next issue: a special cavalry issue presenting scenarios on Todd's Tavern and Brice's Cross Roads by Roxanne Patton, a BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER scenario on Grierson's raid on Newton Station, MS, and more.

My gratitude to all of the above for contributing to the magazine. So troops, please keep those articles, photos and letters coming in. Now, on with this issue. Enjoy!