March 16, 2020
Cedarville Men’s Tennis Team Update.
*The letters of Philip Brumbaugh, 5th Singles Lieutenant on the Cedarville Tennis Regiment*
Dearest Mother,
I write to you today with bittersweet news. A messenger boy from headquarters arrived today, and a foreboding letter did he bring. A deadly plague has spread across the land, the very same plague that sent the eastern lands into chaos. During the spring campaign, Cedarville sent out regiments across the nation, many like the proud Tennis Regiment I so dutifully serve in. Our expansion could very well have been our downfall, for while we and others fought for the honor of Cedarville, this vile plague swept across our nation. There is no way of telling who or how many may have caught this infirmity during Cedarville’s spring offensive, but I fear we made matters worse by all grouping up with all the other battle units and civilians in our Ohio stronghold. To prevent the spread of the ailment, President White has ordered all troops and civilians to return home at once and wait out the plague. A temporary truce has been made with all other university militia nation wide. For the remainder of the spring, there will be no fighting.
Oh how my emotions war with themselves Mother. On one hand, I am elated to return to you and the rest of the family. Father will be most appreciative for the extra help prepping the fields for the harvest. But my jubilation subsides when I think of the fellowship I have with my brothers in arms, a fellowship that must come to an end far too soon. The men and I have trained day and night for the past six months, preparing for our most important campaign of all. The Great Midwest Conference Offensive. All our skirmishes, all of our clashes, all the fierce battles we’ve found our self in up to this point have been for but one purpose. To prepare for The Great Midwest Conference Offensive. To be so close to confronting the enemy, just to be denied permission to engage, it’s frustrating Mother. To make matters more tragic, the men and I likely won’t be able to congregate again until autumn of this year. Our bonds run deep, I consider each of my fellow Tennis Regiment members to be my brothers. Saying goodbye to them as we part ways will be heart wrenching, we’ve been through so much. And to make matters worse, General Totten and Captain Cvammen will not be returning. Both have served their four years and are now required by law to join the workforce. Losing time that would have been spent with them is by far the greatest injustice of all. Oh how the men will weep! The loss of these two men will be felt more strongly then a blow to the mid-section.
Nevertheless, this year, the fall campaign and beginning of the spring campaign, has been an overall success. Our final battle record was 4-4, a record that would have been improved had our spring campaign not been cut short. Regardless, the record is nothing to scoff at, considering our opponents, but that is not why I say we have succeeded in this past season of war. No Mother, what makes this 2019-20 campaign one that will be remembered throughout the ages, is the comradery that our regiment members have formed with each other. You will be hard pressed to find stronger friendships and closer bonds than that of those on the Cedarville Men’s Tennis Regiment. Friendships like these are hard to come by, I will cherish them all for the rest of my life and know the rest of the men feel the same. Now I know I may sound as if I am reciting an old nurse maids’ tale, but scoff all you like, I’m not ashamed to make the following claim. The greatest treasure this campaign has yielded has been that of friendship.
So I will come marching home with my head held high. While it is sad our campaign had to end this way, the men and I are all looking forward to being reunited with or families. I should be about one weeks’ ride behind this letter, so know that I am coming. Pray for safe travels for the men and I, I love you and will see you soon.
Philip Brumbaugh
March 11th, 2020
*No further letters were found*
March 6, 2020
Cedarville Men’s Tennis Team Update.
*The letters of Philip Brumbaugh, 5th Singles Lieutenant on the Cedarville Tennis Regiment*
Day 1:
Dearest Mother,
Our long journey from the corn fields of Ohio to the miry bogs of the Florida has to come to an end. We arrived late in the night without much difficulty. Would you believe our fortune, our living quarters are superb and spacious to boot! We have tomorrow to rest and prepare for the imminent battle with the fierce naval fleet of Concordia. I must rest now, but keep me and the men in your prayers.
Philip Brumbaugh
February 29th, 2020
Day 2:
Dearest Mother,
Our first day was one of preparation, and we headed to a place of worship to fellowship with the local believers. The service was splendid, and we all left feeling refreshed and uplifted. We made our way to the skirmish field to prepare for tomorrow’s battle. After a rigorous two hour practice, we headed back to our lodging to fellowship and rest. I must admit, a nervous tension has fallen over me, yet at the same time I long for the fight to come. What a strange mix of emotions! Pray for the men and I, tomorrow as we engage the enemy.
Philip Brumbaugh
March 1st, 2020
Day 3:
Dearest Mother,
The Concordian battle fleet has proven to be worthy of the praise they receive across our nation. The men and I fought hard, but the final score was 1-6, a loss for Cedarville. Corporal Chris Tsibouris valiantly fought and defeated his enemy with the 6th singles brigade, but the rest of our companies were routed. Even though we were defeated, the Concordian men were true gentlemen, and we departed on good terms. I wish them well in future battles they engage in! We must put the past behind us and ready ourselves for the next battle. Tomorrow we meet the dreaded Pirates of Hampton on the field of battle. The men and I are itching to get back on the field and prove our worth. Pray for the men and I, tomorrow’s battle will be fierce. I love you.
Philip Brumbaugh
March 2nd, 2020
Day 4:
Dearest Mother,
A fierce battle took place today in the fields of Sanlando! Alas, the seamen of Hampton proved to be our betters today. We waged battle in the fierce Florida sun, but when the smoke cleared, the score was 1-6, in favor of the Pirates. Sgt. Cole Moss was able to claim an impressive victory with the 2nd singles battalion, but the rest of us suffered defeat. Though they were the enemy, their conduct was beyond reproach, true gentlemen to the core! We bid them farewell, and set our eyes on the enemy that is to come. Bearmen from Ohio Northern have tracked us down and they have made their intentions clear. They wish to battle! We intend to deliver and meet them on the field tomorrow morning. Pray for the men and I. I love you.
Philip Brumbaugh
March 3rd, 2020
Day 5:
Dearest Mother,
Victory at last, today is a truly joyous occasion! I write to you with high spirits, for today’s battle was one the bards will sing about for ages to come. The heat was immense, and the Bear-men came prepared. Oh how fiercely we did wage war. For three long grueling hours, we clashed with the enemy. The battle was close. Major Dawson Poling of the 4th Singles Musket-men, Lieutenant General Timmy O’Brien of the 3rd Singles Militia, and Sergeant Cole Moss of 2nd Singles Battalion had secured hard fought victories. The deciding battle was being waged between our very own General Alex Totten and the enemy’s chief shaman. When we needed him the most, the General pulled through with a brilliant maneuver that completely routed the enemy chief. When they saw their leader fall, the Bear-men surrendered and the day was won! Morale is high, we have one last encounter with an enemy of unknown talents. They reside from the northern fortress of St. John’s, and the only thing we know about them is that they go by the title of “Johnnies”. Foreboding indeed! We look forward to the challenge, it will be our last battle before we head back to our Ohio stronghold. Pray for the men and I, I love you
Philip Brumbaugh
March 4th, 2020
Day 6:
Dearest Mother,
It is with great pride and joy that I write to you! Our last battle resulted in yet another victory! While the men were all a bit nervous about facing an enemy with such a strange name, we did not let uncertainty effect our resolve. The Johnnies turned out to be a well trained and disciplined militia unit, hailing from the northern reaches of Minnesota. Our first encounter in the field of doubles resulted in a fierce skirmish, but it was clear the Johnnies had won the first bout. Despite our initial defeat, we rallied under General Totten’s banner and led a counter strike on the six different fields the General had chosen for our singles battles. Our men shone! We composed ourselves, and with brutal and effective maneuvers, we completely routed the enemy! We claimed victory on five of the six battle fields, with Corporal Tsibouris and Major Poling dealing the fatal blows to the enemy lines that sealed the Johnnies’ fate. Seeing that we had won, the Johnnies surrendered and retreated back to their northern fortress. It was truly a joyous day! Despite the two losses in the beginning of our southern campaign, we pulled together and claimed the latter two battles as our own. The men all agree, this campaign was a success, the journey home will be one of rest and celebration. We depart for our Ohio stronghold at sunrise tomorrow. Pray for safe travels for me and the men, I love you.
Philip Brumbaugh
March 5th, 2020
*No further letters were found*
Philip Brumbaugh is a junior at Cedarville University from West Milton, Ohio and is a business marketing major. He is in his third season with the Yellow Jacket tennis team.
