AARs from Pittsburg Landing

[Charles Heath]

I figured someone would have written an AAR or two by the time Old Whitey the Wundertruck made it home to The Bunker, and I unpacked the truck, ran through the shower, and got a few hours sleep in a real bed....

Maybe they all died of food poisoning? :rolleyes:

[Garrett Silliman]

Well, I had a great time. Thanks to all the event organizers - in particular Mr. Butler. And yes, I was actually a little surprised by the Sunday morning "attack" - it's always great to get that rush when something unexpected happens. Mr. Heath, I seemed to have survived your cooking - when the other folks get out of the emergency room i'm sure they will post as well. Thanks again to all,

[Jim of The SRR]

Thanks to all of you who supported the Encampment at Piitsburg Landing event. I want to tell you how impressed I was by the attitudes and bearing of all the men in attendance. Despite rain, wind and cold, you all played the part of soldiers and no one bailed out friday or saturady due to rain. We had 115 people at the event and 115 by Sunday morning. You guys did a fine job creating a fine, period encampment. The arm wrestling matches, shaving, music, etc all added so much to the event. Many thanks to the staff and officers for doing a fine job executing their duties at the event. Special thanks to Joe Smotherman for conducting and researching our PayCall. Thanks to Chadd Wilson for serving as our clerk and as Color Sgt. Andrew Jerram did a fine job as our adjutant and his experience was noted. Thanks for Hunter Poythress who acted as our Aide de Camp and also for his assitance in the fine points of battalion drill. I appreciated Brian Hicks assertivness and esprit de corps as our Sgt Major. You can't ask for any finer officers than Art Milbert, Dave Thomas, Steve Acker, Tom Klas, Jeremy Powell, Paul Jerram, Robbie Mitchell and Tim Arnold. Ross Lameroux, Kiev Thomason and Nathan Hellwig did great jobs running their companies as Orderlies. Many thanks to all the other NCOs who did a fine job. Thanks to all the hard work that Charles Heath did preparing the food for the weekend and thanks to his assitants Mr. Batten and Mr. Foust. Principal Musician Sean Cooper also kept up the martial airs throughout the weekend by leading our top shelf group of musicians. Matt Grubb did a fantastic job bugling in spite of the cold weather. Our Regimental surgeon Lawrence Jones and steward David Furukawa did such a fine job they made one visitor queasy with their presentation.Thanks to John and Beth Crabb for bringing us a fine Regimental Sutlery for our event. It was also great that Caudells came out to perform us Saturday evening despite the cold and wind. Also thanks to Tina Temm and Amber Brandon for braving the elements to document the event. If I forgot anyone, I apologize, but everyone did a fine job in executing their posts. Over and over, I am seeing such fine fellas from the ONV, WIG and SCAR coming together at events and working so well together. Additionally, we raised $1690 for the park.
Again thanks to all of you!

Regards,
Jim Butler

[burt60]

I had a grand time in the #2 mess, the weather reminded me of a Irish spring, the food was good (thank God for the catfish house circa 1832) and Sunday was great. Thanks Jim for another great event. Why was I shorted eight green backs at pay call again? The letter from home made me cry.:cry_smile Also Ross did a graet job as first seargent even though he was a little soggy. Thanks to all my sibley mates for all the laughs. Sorry about the wet gum blanket pvt Hill. :eek:

[redleggeddevil]

Pittsburgh Landing taught this old dog a few new tricks. I never knew, until Saturday morning, that a roaring fire can be caused using damp matches, green wood and soggy paper IF you apply the magic ingredient: Commissary Sergeant Heath's volley of blasphemy.

I also learned the meaning of "impotence" on Sunday morning, when the Long Roll began to play. I was standing there, looking foolish, with nothing to defend myself except a dirty skillet, a damp rag and my own foul smell. I am sure that there were quite a few fellers at Shiloh who felt that way in April of 1862.

A good time was had by all, even if I had no contact with my toes for 36 hours. My thanks to all who put the event together, and to the Lord for making me appreciate central heating again.

[huntdaw]

Despite the wet and cold, I had a blast personally. It was the first time since Rich Mt. that my pards Warren, Rick and I were able to get to an event together which was the icing on the cake. I couldn't ask for two better fellows to attend an event with. Met some new folks and really enjoyed the company of all.

I was certainly appreciative of those Sibleys. Even though it was still cold inside, there was a temperature variance and 45 degrees and dry is a lot better than 35 and wet. I managed to stay pretty warm through the whole weekend actually. The rain seemed to let up for the most part when we wanted it to and we were allowed to do the things we wanted to do for the weekend.

I have been attending Jim's LH at Shiloh for the last several years but this one was my favorite by far. The camp activities both planned and impromptu were great and certainly gave a feel for what it must have been like during those relative days of innocence before the Confederate attack and bloodletting that followed.

My hat is off to Mr. Butler, the WIG and especially Co. C. I think we looked pretty good out there.

[Eric Tipton]

My hat is off to Mr. Butler, the WIG and especially Co. C. I think we looked pretty good out there.

I thought that with the exception of some of the wheels (which always seem to cause problems - don't know why), that was the best drill I've seen in a while. As a sergeant behind Company "I", I noticed how straight our company line was in battalion formation. It wasn't just us. I looked down the line and the entire battalion was arrow straight.

Thanks to Jim for his hard work over the last several years. He has done an excellent job of getting us into my absolute favorite place. In 2004, we had a couple of Sibleys and seventeen troops. This year, we had twelve Sibleys and over one hundred troops. Thanks for allowing us access to one of the great Civil War sites.

[Charles Heath]

Why'd the vittles suck so dang bad?

Some of the fellows didn't quite understand why they were standing there with four hardcrackers in their hands and a cup of lukewarm black coffee, and were expected to call it "breakfast." Well, golly, imagine that for three weeks straight as your victuals for each and every meal. Yes, that wasn't as memorable as the mule feed at Fort Donelson (people are still beyatching about that), but it gave the lads a little taste of how much it must have sucked to have been weeks ahead of Grant's ability to supply much in the way of subsistence to the troops at Pittsburg Landing. As an aside, you were supposed to get five hardcrackers, but some fellow broke into the hardtack supply between 3:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., and took enough to make a difference in the bread ration available for the rest of the participants.

This first account is an earlier Pittsburg Landing account (early March up to as late as March 23, 1862):

"The concentration of troops at Pittsburg landing had been so rapid that it had outstripped the capacity of the subsistence department to provide adequate food for the men. 'We had nothing in shape of [soft] bread since we left Paducah,' one private in Sherman's division complained as late as March 23. Until the 55th Illinois received potatoes and flour on the same date, they were compelled to eat only hardtack."

It continues...

"Many of the officers at the same time, however, enjoyed delicacies from home. Colonel Jacib G. Lauman wrote of eating such savorytreats as canned tomatoes and cherries, homemade cake, and wine, all shipped by friends and relatives at home. Combined with the regular fare of 'bacon & beans' the officers of Lauman's mess, at least, ate well."

Some of the boys who were able to keep civil tongues about their breakfast, just couldn't hold it anymore when they saw the watery mix of beans, bacon, molasses, canned 'maters, mustard, and onions. Adding the bacon into the mix of bean goodness was prompted by this quote from Wiley Sword's book on the subject:


"Although many enlisted men went without such luxuries, they were soon treated to an ample ration of meat. Toward the end of March several local citizens came to Savannah and reported to Grant that a large quantity of Confederate bacon was stored on the Tennessee near Nichols Landing, forty miles downriver. Grant quickly ordered one of McClernand's officers, Major Melancthon Smith of the 45th Illinois, to go and get it. Smith put two companies each of infantry and cavalry aboard a steamboat and sailed for Nichols Landing on March 24th."....

"Enlisting the aid of a Union sympathizer, Major Smith uncovered 'from 100,000 to 120,000 pounds' of pork, loaded it aboard his steamer and returned to Savannah about the twenty-seventh, all without incident. Grant had the pork distributed among the division commissaries, and for the next few weeks the aroma of frying bacon wafted about the Federal camps, courtesy of the Confederates."

Meanwhile, we needed to get the officers' boiled ham, lobster bisque, molasses glazed carrots, buttered parsnips, preserves, pickled peaches, other assorted pickles, soft bread, butter, ginger cakes, molasess, honey, canned peaches, cheese, cream, milk, switchel, and coffee together for their noon meal. We even left the fried salt herring and onions for a snack. It was a hard dang life over there on officer row with the food coming in wave after wave, and outflanking them on both sides. In addition to the usual blurbs in letters and journals, Rick Gath picked this out of a period newspaper:

Daily Morning News (Savannah, GA) Issue 96 col B
April 28th 1862
“The Victory and the Spoils”

“ Here were clothes of the most substantial and comfortable character, arms of every variety of the most ingenious and expensive construction, fine blankets, shawls, and every description of food, including rare luxuries and dainties such as preserved meats, oysters, vegetables and fruit, cheese, fine ripe apples, fresh butter etc. Of intoxicating liquors and wines there was fortunately a small quantity but a vast amount of medicine and hospital stores. It was quite apparent that our enemy enjoyed an abundance of all the comforts and luxuries of life.”

“Bake ovens, the greatest need of our soldiers, were plenty”.

“Many of these canteens contained a liquor, which our thirsty men mistook for wine, but on examination it proved to be that peculiar beverage of the Yankees known as switchel, composed of molasses, vinegar and water, making really a pleasant and refreshing drink”.

“Enormous quantities of cooked hams, of cheese, bread, fruit, pickled oysters and preserves disappeared before the voracious appetites of our wearied soldiers.”


Since we didn't have any evening meal to prepare, we could consolidate the leftovers and slops for Sunday breakfast, and see what magic the ONV was going to work with the firepits and their Teutonic concoctions. Looks like while everyone else was eating catfish, they were going to have boiled corned beef, sauerkraut, sweet kraut, biled 'taters, and soft bread. It all looked good, and we appreciated the invitation to have a little something to eat. Not much went to waste, and we poured that in with the mystery stew for Sunday morning. In a fit of inspiration, we added the leftover fish and onions, and wondered if anyone would actually eat it with hash and flapjacks available.

We made a hash of the leftover ham (it was one chewy damned old hog, too) and the desiccated potatoes. Andrew Batten has the patience of a saint when it comes to cubing ham into 1/4" bits, and it looked damned attractive. Tasted good, too. As he said while cutting the meat, "Eternity can be defined as two men and a ham." Joel Foust does not like pancakes, so we had him make the flapjacks. This prevented the tasty morsels from being eaten as soon as they came off the skillet.

Thanks to Panzilla of Georgia, we had a bigass skillet for this purpose. I don't think the three smaller skillets would have worked out for this beyond slapstick comedy. That took care of the "improved" ration for one other company. Joel would cook them in the morning, which would be a speed challenge. One of the companies needed to be given a reason to be awarded pies. The smallest company appeared to be the WIG company, and they were awarded six pies for being the "best drilled company."

The hash went over well. The boys didn't come back for seconds on the flapjacks, we conveniently forgot to tell the officers about their flapjacks, and the pies were gone in about 90 seconds flat. We had some storage apples, and only about one in three men took an apple; however, four people managed to take some of the warmed over goop in the form of fish stew, and they are now in the Noble Order of Norwegians.

We pretty much covered the rations we could find per the history of the place, save for the oysters, baked chicken, turkey peas and wild onions, but the real magic was beans + kraut + Sibleys....

On to Vicksburg!

[BenjaminLDavis]

[I][B]



Since we didn't have any evening meal to prepare, we could consolidate the leftovers and slops for Sunday breakfast, and see what magic the ONV was going to work with the firepits and their Teutonic concoctions . . . the real magic was beans + kraut + Sibleys....

On to Vicksburg!

Hey all - would have written afore this, but had a bad case of road-bunout.

I would concur with Mr. Heath, there was a lot of German music coming out of the tents,
care had to be given when matches were lit.
I would like to thank Mr. Heath for the eggs he "found" to add to the bacon I "found" on
Friday evening, everybody got something to chew on.

A very big thanks to Jim Butler and all the other people who brought together a fine and
memorable event. Drill with Battalion numbers is something we don't get to do often
enough anymore, it was fun. Even the rain (some two inches deep in our tent by the
light of Saturday morning, we were in the last low tent with the groundcloth topper) and
the cold did not detract from that attack - I rode home with Cap'n Steve, who told me
the officers worked very hard to distract us with all the inspection instructions and then
changes to same right up to the last: it worked, when those shots went off and the men
came hollering from the woods we must have looked exactly like they did then - a "what
the hell is this, then?", followed by the furball of combat. Great moment, gentlemen!

I look forward to seeing ya'll at Vicksburg - Sgt Hicks, we have goods to trade (long as
there ain't no officers looking!) Until then

[Steve Acker]

In talking to my ONV mates, the universal sentiment was we all had a large time. From battalion drill to the Sunday's surprise everything was well organized and effectively presented. I only wish I had a big bowl of Heath's Sunday morning compilation stew. That stuff could be bottled and sold at the local auto dealership.

Thanks Jim Butler for inviting us, thanks to the WIG and SCAR for finishing off an excellent battalion and finally thanks to all the ONV members who braved the weather and Jim Schuman's snoring for the good of the event and the history.


On an Outpost/Tag Note
I toured the site for this October's TAG event and am here to tell you Art and the WIG boys have chosen a good site. Creek, bridges, homestead, hilly fields, thick woods and the like will make an awesome location for the event. The site can easily swallow a 100 men on each side. My point is, the more we get registered the better the event so sign up now.

So far we have three companies for federal. The ONV, SCAR and HARD CASE BOY led companies will each field 25+ men. By the end of the week I hope to announce a fourth company. We need more. If you have the ability and the desire to put a 25 man company of quality federal folks in the field contact me.

Steve Acker

[Balthauser]

I will have to echo the sentiments of both Steve Acker and Jim (Baron von) Schumann. My messmates and I had a grand time at the event and are grateful for the opportunity to participate. Despite the cold dampness that clung to our bones until we departed on Sunday, it was a most memorable experience.

I would like to thank Charles and his crew for their company and cooperation by the cook fires while Karl Pasch, Scott Gutzke and I prepared the ONV's Saturday evening fare. We couldn't have pulled it off without their help and the use of some of their cooking contraptions. The mess line went along very smoothly and it appeared that the corned beef and potatoes were the most popular, followed by the sauerkraut, sweet kraut and boiled cabbage respectively. To our best estimations, the amount of sauerkraut a soldier asked for was proportionate to the amount of Dutchie blood that was coursing through his veins (Schumann got a double serving).

I, too, would like to thank Jim Butler and the S.C.A.R. for all of the work that went into putting on this event; and would also like to thank everyone who participated for their professionalism and camaraderie throughout the event. I am indebted to you all!

[41stVa]

A big thanks goes to all. I had a great time and gathered many memories that will last a lifetime. I especially enjoyed the music Saturday night. That was a great treat and made a period moment for me. The suprise on Sunday was also outstanding! It made me realize what the soldiers had to of felt like on the morning of the 6th in 1862. Coming form Wisconsin though....I was hopingfor warmer weather, but the cold and the rain and waking up in the inch of standing water made the experience all the better. :)

Vicksburg is coming fast!!

Ryan Protz
aka George (Little Mac) Eaton
Granville Mess
Old Northwest Volunteers

[TKlas]

Hi gents,

As many of my ONV comrades can attest, the Shiloh NPS LH was an first rate experience. My thanks to Jim Butler and SCAR for and excellent NPS event. I would have to agree with Jim, the ONV, SCAR, and WIG work like a well oiled machine. It was a pleasure to be part of such a fine battalion. Also a pat on the back for Charles for all his great fixings. The three meat stew is already a classic.

To my ONV comrades, thanks for your efforts and hoping to see many of you at the Wilderness (many of the Hard Heads attending) and later this year at Outpost III.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Did anyone take any photos?

[Charles Heath]

Did anyone take any photos?

A couple of delightful young ladies were taking modern images, so the participants wouldn't have to whip out the miniature, portable, collodian devices in the midst of everything. I'd like to point out at this time that a number of approved vendors make and sell paletots and other warm wool foul weather garments that would be ideal for those two hardy gals braving the same wintry mix we did, but in cotton.

Ahem. Such things make excellent birthday and get-out-of-the-doghouse gifts.

The battalion had a lot of other things going on from the excellent sutlery, pay call, mail call, various drills, freezing local musicians, and some boys screaming "gas, gas, gas" in the tents.

P.S. In keeping with the Germanic theme, but fast forwarding it a few decades, I couldn't help but notice the steaming kettles of kraut attracted a very nice looking first generation VW Microbus. I have a soft spot for those old contraptions.

[Jim of The SRR]

Hope these are the right size...but here are a few thus far.

Jim Butler

[Jim of The SRR]

A few more...

Jim Butler

[boozie]

SCUBA Steve (Ewing) posted a few nice Shiloh pics on the GHTI page.

www.ghti.homestead.com/photos.html

[trippcor]

I have posted some pictures to the Armory Guards website as well.
www.armoryguards.org.

[Federal Bummer]

Some pics are posted at

Tar Water Mess Photos (http://tarwatermess.homestead.com/Images.html)

and

GHTI Photo page (http://ghti.homestead.com/photos.html)

[Coatsy]

Ladies and Gents,

Yeah it rained, yeah it was cold, and yeah we got wet, but I think I can speak for the Georgia contingient when I say that we had fun. (as you can tell from the pictures) I know the rain kept us from doing some activities. But even with the rain we still managed to have a good battalion drill, good scenarios, great camradiere, and a great impromptu arm rassl'n tournement. Congrats to the Corn King as the 8th Ill. Arm Rassl'n Champ.

The 'surprise' of Sunday morning was fun, I would have liked to cover the entire route that the 8th went, but it was still a good change of pace. My hats is off to the NCO's of C company (Comer Company) for the fine job they did, especially to Scuba Steve, Boozie, Andy Martin, Kevin Whitehead, And Brian Wilson for doing an admirable job as the Color Guard. They had no clue (well no one did) that they were needed as guards, so we took care of it quickly on Saturday morning.

Yup they A Frames and Sibleys saved out butts. The pies were excellent, and finally thanks to Chuck a Luck for giving us all of his money.

[Matt Woodburn]

I had a great time. I'd like to thank:

Jim Butler for spearheading the whole thing.

Those who were behind the scenes (there were many) who helped put it on.

Shiloh National Military Park for hosting us.

Charles Heath for doing his usual fine job with the commissary.

Joel Foust for the lobster bisque.

Justin Runyon for the fine arm wrestling idea to make money.

My pards in the Sibley with me for the cheerful companionship and disgusting jokes and laughter.

Our company officers, Art Milbert and Paul Jerram, for putting up with us.

Tom for the beer.

Brittany for the accent and view.

Those who will be voting for me for governor.

And dear ole Chuck-a-luck for letting me clean his pocket. The battalion was a better place for it.

[Rmhisteach]

Pards & Comrades,

I have participated in this event for three years.

This year's event had a much larger turnout than previous years.

I spent a good deal of time assigned to sick call. I was really able to appreciate the life of the camp we did well. When the boys were at drive there was still plenty of acitiviy back at camp.

I enjoyed the " tour on Sunday Morning

Thanks to those who attended the church service you voices were heavenly.

and the others like Dave gerows shaves and the arm wrestling. I also always enjoy a good political disscussion with Capt. Acker.

Being a real Sucker I am always appreicative to my pards as they represent the boys from my state. We did them proud.

Thanks to all who put effort into making this another fine event.

[albrandon]

A couple of delightful young ladies were taking modern images, so the participants wouldn't have to whip out the miniature, portable, collodian devices in the midst of everything. I'd like to point out at this time that a number of approved vendors make and sell paletots and other warm wool foul weather garments that would be ideal for those two hardy gals braving the same wintry mix we did, but in cotton.

Ahem. Such things make excellent birthday and get-out-of-the-doghouse gifts.

The battalion had a lot of other things going on from the excellent sutlery, pay call, mail call, various drills, freezing local musicians, and some boys screaming "gas, gas, gas" in the tents.

P.S. In keeping with the Germanic theme, but fast forwarding it a few decades, I couldn't help but notice the steaming kettles of kraut attracted a very nice looking first generation VW Microbus. I have a soft spot for those old contraptions.

A paletot would have been much appreciated this weekend. I guess that's what I get for not relying on modern methods in attempt to predict the weather. Great weekend, though! Thanks to all for the experience.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I've got some great memories from Pittsburg Landing, especially getting to meet some great people like Eric Tipton, a very fine NCO and person, and Charles Heath, who took care of our culinary needs. I think that the music of Saturday evening was a high (or low) point for me, as it started with the voice of an angel in the form of the citizens who came to play around the fire, then the fine banjo picking of Clif Hicks (who can forget "Cumberland Gap"), but ended with the improvisational lyricist Mr Heath with his many versions otherwise unprintable of "Dixie". I laughed til I cried (or was it just the cold?). I had quite an eclectic mix of company mates, from the legendary Mess #1 (good to see you again Joe), to my SCAR pards with the occasionally misunderstood Hal Merritt, and a few other guys thrown in the mix that I hadn't worked with before. I was very pleased with the attention to drill and camp duties that all members of Co I put forth, and an orderly sergeant couldn't ask for better NCO's and men under less-than-stellar conditions. Sergeants Preston and Tipton aided me greatly with things that slipped my memory or sight, and many thanks to Mess #1 for getting me through skirmish drill. I had many slips and oops, but the men carried on despite me. Thanks again to Cpt Thomas and Co. I, and to Jim Butler and staff.

[Arch Campbell]

Comrades:
Thanks to all who organized this event, the opportunity to camp at Shiloh was enough in and of itself to make the event a success, from my point of view. As one of my pards put it, "even though it was raining, I could stand there in the rain just outside the company street and see the 2nd, 7th, and 12th Iowa monuments in the Hornet's Nest across the field, and I didn't really notice the rain anymore." A fine moment for us Hawkeyes, indeed.
Even though as an NCO I was "in on" the surprise attack, it still sent chills up my spine when the boys came tumbling out of the woods and the long roll sounded on Sunday morning.
This ham and potato hash sounds interesting, its the first I heard of it- the fish stuff and flapjacks were the only option when Company K drew breakfast on Sunday. I will take credit for being one of the brave few who tried the fish mush- it actually wasn't too bad! Although I wasn't too thrilled when the fish sauce ran onto my flapjacks...
It was great to finally meet my comrades in the ONV, even if (as I was unable to attend BGR) I had nothing to say!
What a godsend to lay inside the "wigwam" Friday night as the rain poured down and not get wet (from above, at least.)
I have one small nit to pick, though. Both our field music and the Saturday evening entertainers sounded great, and I appreciate very much the long hours of practice it takes to become as proficient as they all were. However I guess I don't expect to attend an event with such high standards and hear "Marching Through Georgia." Not a good song for April 1862 (and actaully not even a wartime song at all.) Again our music and the entertainers sounded great, I just would appreciate a little discernment in song selection.
It was sad that the weather depressed visitor turnout to almost nil, but I had a great time anyway. Thanks

Arch Campbell
Hairy Nation

[Charles Heath]

This ham and potato hash sounds interesting, its the first I heard of it- the fish stuff and flapjacks were the only option when Company K drew breakfast on Sunday. I will take credit for being one of the brave few who tried the fish mush- it actually wasn't too bad! Although I wasn't too thrilled when the fish sauce ran onto my flapjacks...

Arch,

Each company received something a bit different for breakfast Sunday morning, in the typical carefully orchestrated chaos that is the cookhouse's attempt to use leftovers. First company received the desiccated potato and leftover ham (from the officer's mess) hash, which appeared to be popular. A similar concotion was prepared for the Sunday morning breakfast at the 2nd Bull Run NPS LH last year using the homemade salt pork and desiccated potatoes, so we figured if it wouldn't kill easterners then the western folks would probably eat it, too. The kettle was darn near licked clean within minutes at Shiloh. We may try this again, as the desiccated 'taters are lightweight, and take up very little space -- just like the originals in that respect. As to sampling the slop bucket on the line...you are a brave man. Brave.

However I guess I don't expect to attend an event with such high standards and hear "Marching Through Georgia."

If no one is singing the words, just consider it "Bedbug and the Flea," which is where the tune originates. Darned if we can ever find the lyrics for this, though. One of my favorite tunes, and for those who are fans of the movie "Tombstone," it was nice to see it incorporated in one of the saloon scenes.

[BillO'Dea]

Ron Roth & Shawn Parsons of our mess took a few pics at Shiloh. (http://rugglesrag.com/shiloh_national_military_park_li.htm)
Regards
Bill O'Dea
Salt Boiler mess (http://rugglesrag.com/salt_boiler_mess.htm)

[Shotgun Messiah]

I had a great time. I'd like to thank:

Jim Butler for spearheading the whole thing.

Those who were behind the scenes (there were many) who helped put it on.

Shiloh National Military Park for hosting us.

Charles Heath for doing his usual fine job with the commissary.

Joel Foust for the lobster bisque.

Justin Runyon for the fine arm wrestling idea to make money.

My pards in the Sibley with me for the cheerful companionship and disgusting jokes and laughter.

Our company officers, Art Milbert and Paul Jerram, for putting up with us.

Tom for the beer.

Brittany for the accent and view.

Those who will be voting for me for governor.

And dear ole Chuck-a-luck for letting me clean his pocket. The battalion was a better place for it.
Those who will be voting for me for governor....

Actually Matt I have stuffed the ballot boxes here in Missouri as well as crossing the Border and voting for you there in Kansas and Stuffing Ballots and passing of copious amounts of Liquor about,again as is fashion here out west, (The Killing of Jayhawkers and other Kansas trash is just a side effect ...and purely a local custom. Burning and Murder, other forms of debauchery are coincidental)

{ any offenses in your name are withheld appending approval }.... paid for and approved by the Woodburn for Governor( of several states) by Chuck-A-Luck Foundation ,Inc .

[Paul Jerram]

Well, better late than never I suppose ... I've actually spent the better part of the last three days getting over an hellacious chest and head cold that worsened considerably at Shiloh, so I got a taste of some of the hardship and discomfort even those pampered officers :wink_smil felt back then when they got sick. I think the flood of biblical proportions in the tent on Friday evening may also have had something to do with it :D

Anyway ... I had a memorable time at Pittsburg Landing this past weekend and enjoyed seeing some excellent impressions and some things you don't see too much of on a regular basis; the arm wrestling matches, enacted (and supported) with much gusto ... the period shaves ... Ezra Barnhouse ... and people with a common goal working together, establishing that "esprit de corps" that Jim Butler asked us, pre-event, to strive for.

I'd like to thank Capt. Art Milbert and Lt. Robby Mitchell for allowing me to bunk with them (even though it was apparent that both of them, either side of me, were trying to erect their own lumber yard, with much hewing and sawing of logs on Saturday night); Mr. Chawls Heath and his cooks for their excellent provisions; the men and NCOs of Company C for their hard work and pulling together as a Company ... it showed on the field and in the camp ... and a special thanks for inviting me to share in the pie on Sunday morning - a first rate breakfast! Thanks to all the men on staff for your friendship and camaraderie; and Jim Butler for pulling it all together. What you "invest" in the event (my first time there) is apparent and is a labor of love - thanks Jim!

I won't be at Vicksburg as my daughter will be making me a first time Grandpa around that time ... but I look forward to falling in alongside many of you again, sometime in the near future.

[Shotgun Messiah]

The event it self leaves me speechless.

I want to Thank Jim Butler ,SCAR, the NPS, the Shiloh Ranger Staff, and of course the WIG
I am so thankful of being able to attend. First with my messmates Mike and Rick, and new sibley mates Mark S, Ted R, Steve H,Theo R, The one fellow I cant remeber his name at all I am sorry(You Chi-town boys are the squirts!!!), Caldwell and Radjecki( sic)( good Hoosier boys)> no finer bunch of fellows could be had in one brown stained- rain soaked Sibley, Made up a fine Molly with the weepy Brown-eyed mess in my humble opinion..

Sgt Heaths Fine Commissary.. you fellas rocked!!... Fires created by defamation and Blasphemy, Food to die for and a general all around grumbliness that was befitting of character.. crackers and Coffee for Breakfast ? I thought that was what you always get for morning chow.... Hmm maybe I was befooled into believing fantasy.
I don't care what anyone said about the bean and pork stew it was most tasty considering some of Marse Heaths fares of late.. it was obviously some kind of deviant sadistic creation to expose more than one human to gaseous noxious fumes Sibley contained. But I gobbled up every bite ,wishing I could go back for seconds....my poor tent mates
The Fish stew well... I opted for a Pie.. it was to die for! without a plate I licked my hands clean, coated in fine juicy cherry goodness, ( of course that killed any germs or toxens I had recieved at that point,filth be damned). I wanted that Hash so bad I could not stand it but the combination of Dysentary and Bean stew was like a exploding cannon waiting to unfold, I knew the hash would only exaporate things even worse.. you're a Devil-man Chawrls.. perhaps a fine cabbage leaf pilfered from the commisary would aset things right.....

Company C ( Comer Company ) Was lead by the finest of Officers and NCO's, Without the Corn King and the Mighty Coates , Corbin the Brave but Brutal and the Company Darling, Runyon the leprechaun.Of course without Brilliant Leaders , Captain Milbert and Lt Jerram, we would have looked like Co I and K ( pun intended).
To the Best Company ( the Pies prove it) Company C.. .. Raise yer hats boys!!!

I look forward to the Next Shiloh .
cold weather or rain or Hail or snow I will be back

[edgeinwi]

First, the finer points.
- Everyone was complaining about how cold it was. We left snow in Wisconsin, so it was warmer than home. It was kind of fun to watch our southern brothers teeth chatter on Sunday morning.
- Mr. Heaths "land, sea, and air" stew was something to die for. Nothing like a dish with all three meat groups in it. I think Herr Schumann got the prize for the biggest piece of "sea".
- A narriated battlefield tour.
- Sunday morning fun. This is why I do this stuff!!!!!
- Hanging with my fine pards from the Ol' Sipley Mess and the ONV.
- Cooking Saturday evening meal for 50 guys. Charles, thanks for letting us use your stuff.
- Sleeping on a actual battlefield. Reminds me of the old days with the mudsill's.
- Getting Herr Frohmader out of his winter funk.
- Finally putting faces to names. Was so great to meet so many great people.
- Mark Susnis's composition cake.
- The cute waitress at the catfish place on friday night. Ahh, a friday fish fry out of state.
Now the lesser points.
- The rain was a bummer, but you can't mess with God's work.
Thanks to..........
- Mr. Butler and the SCAR for putting on a fine event.
- Our officers and NCO's in Co. K.
- Mr. Heath for allowing us to use a good portion of his stuff for preparing Saturday evening meal.
- Everyone who attended.
- The NPS for allowing us to play.
- The person who invented the sibley tent. Can you imagine how miserable things would have been if we were in shelter tents or none at all?

Had a great time. See you all at Outpost III.

Karl H. Pasch

aka John G Woertz

[Eric Tipton]

Since the arm rasslin' was such a hit, I touched up Jim's photo a bit. I really like this image. Too bad we don't have a wet plate. ;)

[AndrewMartin]

Since the arm rasslin' was such a hit, I touched up Jim's photo a bit. I really like this image. Too bad we don't have a wet plate. ;)




Look here.... CJ at work again. Man, I tell you when CJ first walked up for our match before the tournament started I thought I got him, and put a little wager on myself to win of course. Then he started to roll back his sleeves and it was all over after that!:confused_

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Yes sir, that C.J. is 5 feet of dynamite when you get him going. The trick to beat him is to break up his concentration by offering some free chew.

[Jim of The SRR]

Still more...

[huntdaw]

Jim,

I was curious about what all the video is going to be used for. Were they personal videos or are they going to be used for something educational/public at the park? Seems like everything we did was documented on video.

[Kiev Thomason]

Gents,Things have slowed a bit now so I have some time to write....First thanks to all who braved the deadly gas that came to kill all in the dead of night in the NCO tent of company C.I hope everyone made it home safe.You men did a heck of a job pulling this one together!My hats off to you...or should I say,my crown of Corn.My arm is waiting on next year even though I have had to take it easy at work.Seems I am not 18 yrs old any more:confused_ The food was grand uncle Heath and the tour through the woods was tops.I wish we would do more like that at all of our events.I thought all the groups pulled together as one and it showed.There were a few bugs in the armor here and there but all in all........great job boys!It was great to see you all again and some new guys too.Jim thanks for having us !

[Matt Woodburn]

Woodburn-Runyon Mafia come to camp, eliminate competing interests, i.e. Chuck-a-luck, and open their own for-profit Arm Wrasslin Exposition.

Our motto is, "Why pay taxes when you can wager at the Woodburn-Runyon Exposition and double your money!"

Paid for by the "Mo Money Woodburn" for Governor and "G Money Runyon" for Lt. Governor Foundation.:wink_smil

[IowaYank]

Kiev, I thought I had the comeback for a second, but in the end I just couldn't get my arm back up. It was very generious to give me the $5.00 after you won. All in all it was a great time.

Matt, it took me awhile to realize that if the winner only gets 50% of the pot, where does the other 50% go??? I knew there was a catch to it somewhere.:wink_smil

Dan Chmelar
AKA John Dawson

[Rankin]

Dan,
I think the attached photo to the post before yours will answer your question as to where the other half of the money went.Let the buyer beware!

Jim Crawford
co.K, Shiloh

[Jim of The SRR]

The thing that impressed me most about the event was how all the men truly created a camp environment that really felt like I was actually in an 1862 Civil War camp. It was about the spirit of all the men in attendance working to play the part as soldiers. Historically, the original men spent weeks of tedious drills and inspections. Some brigades didn't even do much of that. Thus, there were endless hours of boredom that were filled with whatever distractions the men could come up with. Here was some interesting things I saw at the event:

- Period shaving. I had only witnessed this briefly once before, so this was very cool.
- Arm Wrestling match. What many of you may or may not have realized is that I had carefully taken all the money for the sutlery and had it distrubuted thru PayCall and the rest in some clever ways. One was thru mailcall. Some of you may have received money from home, etc. The other way was to have a chuck-a-luck game set up on the other end of camp (with odds in favor of the player to redistribute the money back out). Well, clearly the men rolled the chuck-a-luck huckster for all his money. My first response was "THEY DID WHAT?!!!" and thus possibly ruined my carefully laid plans to redistribute the wealth. However, I soon found myself laughing because I realized this is the exact type of thing that would have happened with a real group of soldiers in the Civil War. This aside from the fact that it was a clever idea and the men really enjoyed it.
- Missing straw. The park dumped off a few bails of straw to add to the flood waters in the tents. Sgt Mjr took control of this detail so it would be distributed out failry. In the midst of this, Mess #1 pilfered two bails under the Sgt Mjrs nose. Sgt Mjr and I were ticked off! However, I again found myself laughing as this is the type of stuff the real soldiers would have done.
- Lastly, someone pilfered some hardtack from the commissary in the middle of the night. The Comm. Sgt reporting that the box was left slightly open and a trail was left by the culprit. Again, I found myself laughing as this was probably something that would have really happened (however, I am betting a police guard wa sposted at the commisary stores). However, the men were then shorted on their hardtack issue the next morning.

It is not that I condoned all of this, as someone ends up with the short end of the stick (or the short end of the hardtack or short straw in this case). My point is that despite all measures to try to keep things equal among men, it will never work. It didn't work in the CW army (read Billings, Hinman, Wiley, etc) and never works in real life.

Mr. Runyon and Mr. Woodburn never fail to disappoint.

Thanks to all of you for creating a memorable Encampment at Pittsburg Landing!

Regards,
Jim Butler

[Matt Woodburn]

And just as a note Jim, just about all of the chuck-a-luck money did end up in the hands of many men as you intended. I must have paid 30 men a dollar to vote for me for Governor of Illinois after the war! I figured they could get a cigar or something at Barnhouse's or pool their "votin' money" to get some condiments for their mess. Great idea you had for a paycall that could actually be spent. I've only done this once before. The guys liked it and Crabb loved how it went off. Bully job!

[Tenthtexas]

A little late on responding but I want to thank Jim for organizing this successful event. I know it has grown over the years and that is due to each of the quality men that showed up for it. An event is what you make it and how much you are willing to participate. I must say that everyone pulled their weight and more.
I thank my Lt's Paul Jerram and Robbie Mitchell for their find leadership all weekend and sorry for the log cutting on my behalf. Also the NCO's in my company did a first rate job as they always do. Kiev, Justin, Tripp and Herb were on the ball the entire time.
There are individuals that make an event just a bit more memorable and add something that you never could try to plan if you tried. Runyon, Woodburn, Kiev really made the event secondary to their chuck-a-luck mafia ring they had going on. Just sitting back and watching that was worth it alone.

I do have some pictures of the event that I took and Miss Amber as well. If you contact me I will forward some on. I will be sending them to the Civil War Historian along with an article of the event with the assistance of Eric Tipton.

Finally, I want to echo Steve's words about Outpost. He had the chance to see the land that we will be using for the event after Shiloh. This will be great land for the event we have planned. There are so many experiences that will result from the Outpost and I hope that everyone at Shiloh will be there. The land we are using is behind Rippavilla in Spring Hill, TN. This may be the last event to be held on this ground for it has been sold to developers. Where we will be having this event was where Cleburne was camped just prior to marching to Franklin. Somewhat fitting if you ask me.

I hope to see everyone at Vicksburg, Ft. Wayne, Chickamauga and Outpost this year.

Art Milbert
10th Texas
Armory Guards
WIG, commanding

[Fiddlebum]

"However I guess I don't expect to attend an event with such high standards and hear "Marching Through Georgia." Not a good song for April 1862"

Blame Heath. He axed for it. :D And it's true, supposedly the melody predates the Civil War.

We had an actual list of all pre-1862 songs, and it just kinda blew away. :p


Kim Caudell
Gut String Mess

[Charles Heath]

Actually, the fife and drum musicians played a rousing, peppy, upbeat version of Bedbug and Flea earlier in the day. It was quite good. The sauerkraut fairly lept from the crock....

[Kiev Thomason]

Kiev, I thought I had the comeback for a second, but in the end I just couldn't get my arm back up. It was very generious to give me the $5.00 after you won. All in all it was a great time.

Matt, it took me awhile to realize that if the winner only gets 50% of the pot, where does the other 50% go??? I knew there was a catch to it somewhere.:wink_smil

Dan Chmelar
AKA John Dawson

Ain't ya glad we could help them out!? :sarcastic It was a good fight.My arm is still a little on edge.I had a great time.I thought it added a bit to the afternoon .Good job Dan!See ya soon I hope.

[huntdaw]

I must have paid 30 men a dollar to vote for me for Governor of Illinois after the war!

I held out for $2. My vote don't sell cheap you know!

[BenjaminLDavis]

Here's a few pics from the event I have scanned in and tweaked. Enjoy, my friends.

[crabby]

Gents,

The sutler appreciates all of your business, only wish the army had paid you more;) . We enjoyed talking with many of you, and meeting some of you face to face (always nice to put a face to the name). Besides the weather (our tent ened up with a 1 to 2 inch pond in it Saturday mornig.) I thought it was a bully event. Many thanks to Jim, Art, Charles (without you many would not have appreciated our meat pies, cherry pies, pickled eggs, biscuits and etc.) and each one of you for a most enjoyable weekend.

The highlight of the event for me was looking at the crowd in front of our establishment (on my way back from the sinks) and thinking "oh my God, it's a bums rush on the sutler!" and then thinking that Mrs. Barnhouse was going to skin me alive after it was over!:eek:

Again, thanks to all of you and hoping to see many of you at Vicksburg LH.

Crabby

[Charles Heath]

Many thanks to Jim, Art, Charles (without you many would not have appreciated our meat pies, cherry pies, pickled eggs, biscuits and etc.) and each one of you for a most enjoyable weekend.

It's always good when the sutler and the kettle kickers can achieve that level of pre-event coordination. Let's try to repeat that in a few weeks. :p

[Jim of The SRR]

Attached is the thank you letter from the park. Again, thanks to all the participants who made this possible.

We are also working on a short amateur documentary on McClernand's division at Shiloh. No promises yet the results, but I will keep you posted.

Regards,
Jim Butler

[BenjaminLDavis]

Here are a final few shots from Shiloh, I finally shot up this roll and got them scanned-enjoy!

[Jim of The SRR]

Here are a few more nice shots from Encampment at Pittsburg Landing courtesy of Kate Furukawa.

And yes, I actually enjoy kippers and swtichel!

Jim Butler
www.geocities.com/saltriverrifles
www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar

[huntdaw]

Nice photos Jim. Thanks for posting. How's the little video project of the event coming along?

[Jim of The SRR]

Video project is still coming along slowly. I work on it when I can, but don't expect it anytime real soon. But, I am determined to try produce something (not sure where on the ameteur scale it will fall though).

Thanks,
Jim Butler

[Charles Heath]

Jim,

Rest assured your video project will rival and maybe surpass some of the so-called professional productions, as they relate to the CW hobby.

[edgeinwi]

Thanks Jim;

Finally a photo with me in it (with Sir Charles). I think I did a very good job of being elusive until now.:confused: