Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

[Charles Heath]

Date: 14-16 March, 2008
Name: The Occupation of New Madrid
Location: Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, MO.
Sponsor/Host: This is a special event by the Missouri State Parks.
Capacity: There will be a limit of 40 Federal troops, 4 Confederate and 15 civilians.
Registration: there is no registration fee however you will have to be registered to attend.
POC: Michael Comer
Email: Use the PM feature on the AC Forum for user "Huntdaw"
Website: None
Forum: None
Listserver: None
Preservation Component: None
Notes: New Madrid was part of the Confederate attempt to secure the Mississippi River. In conjunction with Island No. 10 just upstream the Confederates had the potential to cause a lot of problems for the Federals. New Madrid was the key to Island No. 10. The task fell to the Army under John Pope to take out the town. Guidelines will be forthcoming.

[Rmhisteach]

Mike ,

Send us some details abou this un . We might could come over fur this un. .

RM

[huntdaw]

Date: March 14-16, 2008
Name: The Occupation of New Madrid
Place: Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, MO.

Guidelines will be forthcoming.

Information: New Madrid was part of the Confederate attempt to secure the Mississippi River. In conjunction with Island No. 10 just upstream the Confederates had the potential to cause a lot of problems for the Federals. New Madrid was the key to Island No. 10. The task fell to the Army under John Pope to take out the town.

The city fell in March of 1862. Island No. 10 held out until April.

New Madrid was staunchly Confederate. A good amount of Bowen's First Missouri Confederate Infantry was raised in the town and county. Lincoln got 0 votes in New Madrid county in 1860. Federal occupation was not particularly appreciated.

The Hunter house was used as Pope's headquarters after the fall of the city. Pope had 140 men as a guard and the portrayal will have them camped in the yard and surrounding field. Many of Pope's men were still green since this is early in the war and not particularly well drilled.

To the best of our knowledge, the family continued to live in the house while Pope was around. The guiding impression will be Pope's escort and there will be a lot of interaction with civilians - not only the family but townspeople as well. The troops were on the alert because Island No. 10 was still manned and Jeff Thompson's MO State Guard cavalry was still in the area raiding and causing what mischief they could do. There will be an opportunity for limited Confederate portrayals but they will be deserters and captives.

This is a special event by the Missouri State Parks and there is no registration fee however you will have to be registered to attend. I have been given a small budget to put this on and will do my best to cover rations with it. There will be a limit of 40 Federal troops, 4 Confederate and 15 civilians. Male civilian impressions are welcome nd encouraged since the loyalty of the citizenry was certainly questioned by the Federals and there were men sent from New Madrid to Gratiot prison in St. Louis during this time.

The good - the site is the original 15 room mansion, built in 1859. It has 80%-85% of it's original furniture. You'll get to see some pretty neat stuff.

The bad - it's in town and there will be modern intrusions. However, the house is far enough off the road and quiet enough that it should not be a nuisance.

If anyone gets in town early enough on Friday and wants my tour of what's left of the siege I'll be glad to put it together. I routinely do one for the riverboats that stop here.

One last note: Our mess discussed the dates since it is the week after Pea Ridge. We set these dates some time ago but did not publicize them because we had to work out a few things first. We chose these because they are the closest weekend to the actual dates that New Madrid fell. We mulled over moving ours after that one was announced. We concluded that basing the event on historically accurate dates was important for the event in order to have the right feel to it. Both events have their own appeal and will attract who they will attract and there should not be a confliction problem. Those who are nearby and have enough kitchen passes may get to enjoy both.:p

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in attending or have any questions.

[Charles Heath]

Michael,

That's what I call really filling in the blank spots! Thank you!

[coastaltrash]

A week after Pea Ridge? Don't think I'll be making that drive that often that soon.

[huntdaw]

Yeah, I figured that would knock WIGroes out but if it was two, three or four weeks apart it would probably be the same story for those making a long drive. Plus, if we waited until warmer weather the mosquitoes would make life miserable. They're a lot worse here at night than they were at Vicksburg.

Believe me, we gave it a lot of thought but still came to the same conclusion time after time.

[huntdaw]

In order to better deconflict and allow others to be able to attend, we are going to push this event back one week. This will make an off week between Pea Ridge and this event. I know there are folks in Missouri and Illinois who would like to do both events and hopefully this will make it easier.

The new dates will be March 21-23.

[huntdaw]

The unit being portrayed at this will be the 47th Illinois. 140 of them were pulled to act as Pope's guard and will be encamped around the house that served as Pope's headquarters.

By the way, these boys were carrying Lorenz muskets so it is a good chance to use one of those if you have it.

Further guidelines and standards will be posted soon.

[huntdaw]

Unfortunately, I guess we will be going back to the original dates of March 14-16. It was brought to my attention today by one of my staff members that Easter is early this year and the weekend of the 21st is when it is. We have an annual egg hunt the Saturday before Easter. I am afraid that a bunch of kids running around looking for 1,000 candy filled eggs would be very anachronistic indeed.

So, the original dates will have to stick. Sorry for any troubles it may cause. I was trying to meet the needs of as many people as I could but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.

[huntdaw]

New Madrid Living History
March 14-16 2007
Impression: 47th Illinois
Major: Michael Comer - Pope's adjutant
Captain: Harrison Holloway - Company commander
Lt.
NCO’S:TBA

This Living History is capped at 35 military participants

This is General Pope's bodyguard so they should look pretty sharp and uniform. Uniform in good repair and clean. Buttons and plates polished bright, shoes blackened, leathers clean and blackened.

Although veteran from their earlier actions, this unit still needed work on drill as did much of Pope's army. We will also be posting guard, and other garrison type activities. Food will be provided through the commissary.

Weapon:
1. Lorenz
2. 1861 Springfield
3. 1842 Springfield
4. 1853 Enfield
All should be “bright”.

Coat:
1. State Jacket
2. Sack Coat
No frocks
Greatcoats should be used!!

Trousers:
Enlisted Men: Sky Blue of correct period construction
Officers and staff may wear dark blue or sky blue trousers

Traps:
.58 Box with sling and all plates
Cap pouch of correct period construction

Canteen:
Smoothside with brown or gray jean covering - can have leather or cloth strap

Haversack:
Painted cloth issue haversack

Bayonet Scabbard:
2 rivet or sewn
No seven rivet!

Double bag knapsack.
No bedrolls.
If you need a knapsack let me know ASAP!

Hat:
Forage Caps

Shoes:
Brogan pegged or sewn
Boots

Tents: A-frames
Wall tents
Sibley’s
No shelter Tents!!!

[Old Overholt]

Mike -

I'm sure that a number of Holmes' guys will be interested in participating even given the proximity to Pea Ridge, and we have listed it in the newsletter. Should we direct folks to you or to Holler in terms of registration of Federal participants?

Thanks,

[huntdaw]

Aaron,

One of my messmates is working on a registration form and we will have it posted this weekend hopefully. These will be sent to me and I will pass on numbers and other info to Holler.

If you have any questions or concerns etc. just direct them my way and I will be glad to help you with them.

Glad to hear you're interested.

[Old Overholt]

I have fond memories of the '85 and '87 events there and look forward to coming down again. Does Lynn Bock ever show his face in a Civil War uniform anymore around New Madrid? I don't think I've seen him since the '87 event. My recollection is that he is one of a few people who can locate the current Island No. 10 site, but that it is on private property.

[huntdaw]

Nope, Lynn doesn't do anything in that area to my knowledge. I invited him to a couple of things a few years ago and he didn't act too interested. You might see him at this event but as a spectator more than likely.

[huntdaw]

Registration is open. Please use the attached form. Slots will be filled in the order they are received. If you desire to do a male civilian or Confederate, please be advised that you may be incarcerated under guard for various periods of time.

Confederate guidelines and impressions will be posted shortly.

Male civilian impressions are encouraged.

Female guidelines are on my other computer that has a fried motherboard. I have a new board ordered which should be in tomorrow and I'll be installing it tomorrow night. If all goes well, I'll have the civilian guidelines posted by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Please feel free to contact me by email or pm if there are any questions.

[Old Overholt]

It struck me that there is a pretty good account of the action before New Madrid and its occupation by Charles W. Wills, who at that time was serving as "A Regimental Adjutant" in the 7th Illinois Cavalry, having re-enlisted after the 3 month term of his initial regiment, the 8th Illinois Infantry, expired. Wills' letters home to his sister (and a later journal kept during the March to the Sea) were compiled in book form and reprinted in 1996 by the Southern Illinois University Press in "Army Life of an Illinois Soldier". I won't clog up the posts with all the excerpts concerning New Madrid at once, but they are entertaining and set the stage for the event Mike is putting together.


"Commerce, Mo., February 25, 1862.

We start tomorrow morning for ----- with from 25,000 to 40,000 men, who are all piled up here in all kinds of shifts. Our regiment takes the advance. At a venture I'll bet we get whaled, by vastly superior forces. Goodnight.


Near New Madrid, Mo., March 6, 1862.

What oceans of fun we are having here. Here goes for all of it to date, and I'll be lucky if I'm able to tell you the finale. We went down to Commerce the 26th of February. Troops were scattered everywhere over the town and vicinity for 15 miles about. Could form no idea of the number there, but it was variously estimated at from 15,000 to 45,000. On the 28th we started, our regiment in advance, and camped that night at Hunter's farm, the same place we stopped last fall when going to Bloomfield under Oglesby. We reached Hunter's place at 2 o'clock p.m., and at 11 the same morning Jeff Thompson had been there waiting for us with six pieces of cannon. He skedaddled, but still kept in the neighboring swamps.

The next morning we again started in advance and after a ride of five miles heard firing about the same distance ahead. We let the horses go and in a very short time were within the limits of the muss. We came up with a company of cavalry from Bird's Point standing in line at the end of a lane, about a mile down which we could see Thompson's forces drawn up with his artillery "in battery." He saw us about as quick as we got up, and limbered up in double quick and scooted. Then the fun commenced. We chased him for 15 miles over a splendid straight, wide, level road, which he strewed with blankets, guns, hats and at last dropped his artillery. A dozen of our boys kept up the chase until within a half mile of New Madrid, where they captured a wagon load of grain and a [negro], and retunred at leisure. We caught a captain, 1st lieutenant and some privates.

Next day, the 2d of March, our regiment went down to New Madrid to reconnoiter. A regular colonel went along to draw a map of the country. We went it blind right into the edge of town, where we ran onto a lot of infantry. As fighting wasn't the object, we filed off to the left into a cornfield to get a new view of town. We were going slowly down on the town in line of battle, when a battery opened on us right smartly. We got out of that, but in good order. Only one shell touched us and that burst right under a horse's nose. One piece bruised the horse a little and knocked the rider off, but did not hurt the man at all, and the horse is now fit for duty again. Almost miraculous, wasn't it? There were lots of shell and balls fell around us.

On the 3rd the whole army got here and we again marched on the burg. The gunboats opened up on us and we had to draw back. That day three 64-pound shells burst within 30 yards of me. We have been lying, since then, about two miles from town. They throw a shell over here occasionally but haven't hurt any body yet at this distance. To-day the cavalry have been out again to see if the gunboats have left, (that's all that keeps us from taking the town). The boats were still there and again shelled us, killing one man and a horse in the Michigan 3d. They killed one man on the 3d in the 39th Ohio, and the same shell wounded several others. Yesterday 2,000 or 3,000 men went around New Madrid down the river ten miles to Point Pleasant, but were kept off by the damned gunboats, just like we are here. If two or three of our gunboats could only slip down far enough to see their gunboats (two of them) and steamboats coming and going with their secesh flags flying. They have burned a half dozen houses in town since we came here. Don't know what for. Brigadier General Pope who is in command here has been made a major general. The colonel has just come from his quarters, and reports that Foote will be here with his gunboats day after to-morrow at farthest. We have been scouting all afternoon and I'm blamed tired. I took four men and went it alone. Had a good time but got lost and didn't get back until 8 p.m. Captured a lot of ginger snaps, and had a good talk with a handsome widow, while the boats were firing at the Michigan cavalry on our left. These shells don't scare a fellow half as much as the thoughts of them do. Why you really don't mind it at all. I don't like the idea of those musket balls, but maybe that is also worse that the reality."

[huntdaw]

Yes, Wills' book is an very good one to read. The first 80 pages or so deals with the doings around New Madrid.

A couple of quotes will give one a good idea of what things were like around here:

"In my reading I can remember no parallel either in truth or fiction for the state of things we have in this southeastern portion of Missouri."

"I hope our regiment will be ordered to Kentucky. I believe I'd rather be shot there than to bushwhack around in Missouri much longer."

From Cape Girardeau, MO before his unit moved 50 mile south to New Madrid where there were regular troops to fight, he wrote, "Here there are no forces to fight but a few hundred bushwhackers that will lie by the roadside in the swamp, and I believe they would murder Jesus Christ if they thought he was a Union man."

It was a very nasty war in Missouri.

[Old Overholt]

I assume you have a couple of gunboats lined up for the weekend?

[huntdaw]

I can probably get a few fellows with floating duck blinds and really big shotguns.:)

[huntdaw]

Here are the guidelines for women civilians. My thanks to Silvana Siddali for putting these together.

[Silvana Siddali]

Just a quick note to say that Anna Allen should be credited as the main author of those guidelines. However, if anyone has questions about the civilian side of the event, they should contact me via pm or the Star of the West email address: starofthewestsociety@gmail.com. Thanks!

[huntdaw]

Thank you Silvana. I apologize for not crediting Anna properly.

[Wabash&Erie]

Are there updates available on still-open spots for military reenactors? I would like to come as confederate.

Cordially,
Mark A. Wallace
Princeton, IN

[huntdaw]

Mark,

You may send in a registration form. I haven't posted guidelines yet but will get some up on units available to portray - mostly Arkansas and Tennessee- and Jeff Thompson's Missouri State Guard cavalry which would use quite a bit of civilian attire mixed with military.

Thanks for you interest,

[Old Overholt]

More from Charles Wills' Army Life of an Illinois Soldier:

"Yet near New Madrid, March 12, 1862.

The enemy are separated from us by only a few cornfields, the country is perfectly plain; we can see from our tent door the smoke stacks of their gunboat, and the music of their bands mingles with our own and yet 'tis confounded dull.

I received a letter from you by mail a few days since. The colonel and Sid. and myself take a little ride into the country most every evening for mush and milk and 'tis astonishing what quantities they do eat. We are all in perfect health and good spirits, though since we left Commerce the colonel and major have complained considerably about the fare, but 'tis better than I'm used to, so I have the advantage of them. The evacuation of Manassas, Columbus, etc. have caused considerable anxiety for the outburst of these forces which we think will be on Buell or maybe further east on our little army at the Cumberland Gap. The impression here is that the Rebel army at this place has been greatly reinforced since we arrived here from Kentucky. We number though, full 30,000 (with a brigade that is now advancing to join us) and feel fully able to attend to all of their forces here. General Pope told our colonel yesterday that Foote would be here within 48 hours sure with his gunboats, and that's all we ask.

There is a review now being made of all the troops here by the commanding general. You'd think it quite a spectacle, wouldn't you, to see 25,000 troops in line; 3,000 of them cavalry and 36 pieces of artillery. I was left in charge of the camp, and although I have my horse at hand saddled wouldn't mount him to see them. It's funny how all interest in anything dies away in a person when they have a full view or chance to view the object. We hear a dozen volleys of musketry every now and then, and although we all know there's been a little fight, it doesn't interfere with conversation and nine times out of ten we never hear what caused it. But go up to the hospital and you'll find a couple of long rows of cots, each with an occupant, and they can tell you of the shooting and show a wound that they're prouder of than you can imagine. They and their regiments that were under fire love to tell it over and over, but the rest of the army, through jealousy I believe, never mention it. You'll see a vast deal of state pride here. The 7th Cavalry don't acknowledge the Michigander troopers to be more than the equals of Jeff Thompson's scalawags, and the Michigan boys really seem to think that the 7th regiment is not equal to one company of theirs. But I notice the generals here have all taken their bodyguards from our regiment. The Illinois boys and the Iowans coalesce more readily and seem to have more family feeling between them than at least either of these state's troops have for those of other states. 'Tis the same in the Southern army. Arkansas and Missouri troops have a mutual hatred for each other that has extended to the citizens of these states. This part of Missouri goes a great deal on old blood, the best variety I believe is Catholic French, and these people have a sovereign contempt for the barbarians of the "Arkansaw," while the Arkansawans accuse the Missourians of toe-kissing proclivities and cowardice."

[huntdaw]

Registrations are coming in but there are still ample slots for those wanting to attend.

If anyone wants to do Confederate, you will be a prisoner from the 11th Arkansas and will be treated as such. Forewarned is forearmed you know. Decent treatment I suppose but not too much freedom of movement during the course of the day. You will have shelter and decent rations however.

Now, if you want to do this, the 11th was poorly uniformed and armed. In fact, civilian clothing would be the thing to wear and the more ragged the better. In short, if you have a good Missouri State Guard impression, you have a good 11th Arkansas.

My Pard, Rick Gath, has been researching the 11th for the event and has come up with a couple of things. A photo of a member of the 11th shows him in a homespun fatigue shirt with trim on the collar and down both sides of the front. It also has a heart patch on one side. Other mentions of this group at the time portrayed shows a pretty ragged lot with inadequate weapons.

So, civilian clothing is what you want along with cloth haversack, tin drum canteen, gourd or water bottle of some sort, civilian shoes, boots or brogans. Hat should be of the slouch variety. Weapon and accoutrements are not needed as these would have been taken away. Blanket roll is preferred but, Mexican War or single bag knapsack is acceptable. No Federal double-bags.


If anyone is wanting to register as Confederate it is limited to 4.

Any questions, please PM me or email at huntdaw@semo.net

[huntdaw]

There are still ample slots for this event. We will close registration on Feb. 28, so there's still plenty of time to check your calendar and get ready to come along.

[huntdaw]

We still have plenty of slots for Federals at this event. Registration will close at the end of the month so go ahead and send it in if you are thinking about joining us. I think we will have a good historically based event that addresses a little known but very important aspect of the early war.

Here is a reminiscence of Lena Howard Dawson, the grand-niece of Amanda Hunter who occupied the house where the living history will be at. While there are some errors - there were two forts and about 7,000 defenders, not just a regiment - it does give some insight into what it was like around here at the time:

"War was declared April 19, 1861, my father George Washington Dawson, better known as 'Wash' volunteered and joined the First Missouri Reg. June 22, 1861. He was soon made captain of his company. After serving about a year, enduring many hardships, the Battle of Shiloh was fought, Father contracted typhoid fever, was sent to a hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Upon my Mother's arrival, she removed him to the Gayoso House until they could get a boat to New Madrid.

The return was an anxious trip. Father lived only a few days after reaching home. Died June 23, 1862.

When Father joined the army he left Mother with a comfortable home, a large farm and several families of negroes, the men to do the field work and the women to do the housework. Our home was called Oak Grove, eight acres of sturdy oaks between the house and the Kingshighway and another grove north of the house.

Where the town of New Madrid is now located, was a field that belonged to father, also the land that lay between our house and the Mississippi, a distance of one and a half miles.

At the beginning of the war there was a small fort south of the town. A Confederate regiment from Tennessee was stationed there. The Northern army came down the river on gunboats and from the north on foot, routing the men. When the townspeople found that they were to be bombarded they evacuated, got beyond the reach of the guns.

Our family moved to our Grandmother LaVallee's farm about five miles below town. Our Mother with a baby nine days old was placed on mattress and feather beds in a wagon and driven by our faithful old negro slave, Jim.

Grandma took the other three children in the buggy with her. Another wagon was filled with clothes, bedding and provisions. We locked the house thinking we would be gone only a few days. Sent the darkies back to look after things and bring us supplies later.

When we did return it was to see the awful devastation of war. Yankee soldiers every place. They had confiscated the mules and wagons, broke in the house, took what they wanted, destroyed the rest.

Mother had two barrels of New Orleans molasses, two hogsheads of sugar, sacks of coffee and rice and jellies and preserves to last through the summer and winter. From the west kitchen door there was a slope towards the wood-pile. The soldiers rolled the barrels of molasses to that door, opened the faucets and let it run down the yard. In it they threw glasses of jelly, jars of fruit, lard, smoked meat, books, wool that had been carded ready for spinning.

Not a chicken, a hog or a cow was left on the place. A desolate Homecoming for our Grandmother, Mother and four small children, I the oldest, eight years.

Our faithful Jim with his family and another family of slaves stayed with us for a short time. Ole Jim said he had promised 'Mas Wash' he would take care of us and he did try to do his best.

The first night we were home we could not find even a candle. Mother made a fire in the fireplace until she found a pie pan and some grease, twisted a rag, put one end in the grease and lighted the other.

The women in those days were brave. I often wonder how our Mother and Grandmother could stay alone with the four little children, no neighbors and a quarter of a mile from the main road, even old Jim's house was across the field, not within calling distance.

At two different times, Northern soldiers were camped in our groves. The officers used our hall for an office. My Mother gave them their meals. For these favors they were grateful to the extent that when they were away they left guards at each outside door. My Grandmother expressed herself freely, not to their liking of course. They threatened to send her South on an ox-wagon.

At one time during the war, Uncle Robert LaVallee who had enlisted with the South became ill. He worked his way to my Grandmother's Riddle Point farm, got word to Dr. Martin to let his family know he was there and in need of clothes and medicine. Dr. Martin went to my Mother and under pretense of examining a child Mother was holding on her lap, he gave her the message.

As soon as Grandmother could get the things together she made a hazardous journey of twelve miles and alone. She put on two flannel shirts, tied the boots under her hoopskirts, a bottle of quinine in her dress front. Fortunately the pickets did not search her. She had to pass through their lines so she made the trip undisturbed.

Once when the Northern soldiers were camped in our grove, one of them came to the door, asked Ma if he might play on the piano, had heard Aunt Carrie playing. Mother said "Yes". He got permission from his superior officer, came in several times. After the war ended he sent Aunt Carrie several of his compositions. Some of his pieces are in my bound volume of music. Young was his name."

[huntdaw]

I have had a few inquiries from people worried about their weapon since they have a blued Enfield and the guidelines say weapons should be finished bright. But I am realist enough to know that since we are coming from different units and messes with a variety of main impressions that it would be difficult to achieve Nirvana on this issue.

We are trying to get as uniform a look with the weapons as possible. But, if all you have is a blued Enfiled, don't let that stop you from registering. I fully realize that many people have only one weapon and when they do - it's going to be an Enfield most of the time and there's a good chance it will be blued.

That's ok. Bring it along and you'll be fine. I don't want to knock someone out of the event that really would like to take part because of their weapon.

If you are unsure about something, please let me know and we'll see what we can do.

[huntdaw]

Still some slots open with about a week to go in registration.

We are working to present a good authentic, first person event to the participants and public alike and it is coming together well. We can still use about 5 or so military people to round out the company.

Also, I've been asked about giving a tour of the area so I am also offering my battle tour before and after the event for those that are interested and able to get here early enough or stay a bit afterward. There's not much left in the way of original battlefield but you'll get the deluxe tour I give for the riverboat groups when they stop here and you'll get a good idea of what happened here - and it's free - you can't beat that. :)

[POJ]

Howdy Mike -

What time on the 14th would you consider early enough for one of your deluxe tours of the New Madrid areas of interest? If you could tell us the best time for you on the 14th, I will be there.

Also, I want to thank you for the information you sent me about the 27th Illinois and their visit to the New Madrid/Island No. 10 area. That was exceedingly interesting. I am sure Jeremiah would be pleased.

V/R,
Scott Bos
Old Pards Mess
Corn Fed Comrades
ONV

[huntdaw]

You're more than welcome for the info Scott. I will look for more between now and the event and pass it on to you if I find something.

As far as the tour before we get started, early afternoon might be a good time. I should have most of my stuff out of the way by then and can take a break for whoever is here. Rod also wants to see the area and is planning on being here around 2:00. That sounds like a pretty good time to me.

It would be good if I had an idea of just who all is interested in doing these either before or after the event. If you can let me know, I would appreciate it.

[huntdaw]

We've got about 3-5 slots left open for soldiers. Registration will close this Friday. If you would like to join us, please get the registration in.

I wish to thank all those that have registered so far.