Colonel Boo Hodges

The Chief of the Artillery Reserve is responsible for coordinating, organizing and commanding in the field all artillery units, mounted and static, that attend a FFD event and/or fall in within the command of the Division. He reports directly to the Commanding General as a Branch of Service Chief and holds the rank of Colonel of Volunteers.

Colonel Boo Hodges started reenacting in 1988 after seeing a reenactment at Fort Morgan, Alabama.

Initially with the Holmes Brigade in Missouri, Hodges signed on with the 8th Kansas Infantry in 1990 and later, with his father, Merle Hodges, started the 3rd Kansas Battery. In 1994, he and Cal Kinzer started the Frontier Brigade. From 40 infantry and 2 cannons, it grew to include over 400 members and all three arms groups, including support staff. Through the efforts of John Tillman, the entire staff was mounted.

Hodges has participated in over 70 large events including the first Red River, Fort Towson, and Jackson 1 and 2 — which were campaign events. He also was a member of the 5th NY Zouaves where he learned bayonet drill under the legendary Brian Pohanka. He has had the pleasure to serve under Generals Ed Pettit and Chuck Warnick as a brigade commander in the First Federal Division. Colonel Hodges has commanded at 2 national events — Pea Ridge and Shiloh. He has been honored to face many bigger-than-life Confederate adversaries including the late John Beck and General Jack King.

Hodges stepped down from command in 2001 due to family illness. He is very pleased to return to the First Federal Division and to the artillery. His motto for reenactors is "Keep it safe, keep it authentic, and if it ain't fun let's not do it!"  

Colonel Hodges resides in Salina, Kansas with his wife Melissa, and sons Grant and Teddy.