Outpost III - AAR Thread [Archive] - Authentic Campaigner Website & Forums

huntdaw

10-29-2007, 10:17 AM

I found it to be a most excellent weekend. I have briar scratches all over both hands and my legs - those things cut through jean cloth and winter drawers!

My thanks to the men and NCO's of Co. F and Capt. Aufmuth and Lt. Kupsch. I hope I served you well as your 1st Sgt. We were the smallest CS company but I think we showed ourselves quite well. We got in trouble several times and always got out of it to the credit of the men and the way they handled themselves, followed orders and held together with an esprit de corps. Missourians (and honorary Missourians) did honor to the Missouri Brigade who found themselves in the same situations time and time again during their service.

I was impressed by the maneuvering of the Federals. They were quick to react and pretty aggressive which kept us on our toes and made the event more fun. My hat is off to our opposition. You did well boys.

I don't really get charged up at battles but must admit the adrenalin got going this weekend a couple times. Capt. Landrums's company was engaged heavily on the left and the thought was we might have an opportunity to relieve the pressure on him and occupy the Federal ground in their rear at the same time. So we charged. As we gained the top of the ridge during our Sat. charge, the view that met us was rather disturbing as we could see a couple Federal companies there and one coming down on our rear and flank. We fell back to the tree line on top of the enemy ridge and were in deep trouble until some boys from Capt. Corbin's company showed up with Sgt. Mitchell to reinforce us. I don't know why you were there or where you came from but it was sure good to see you. When we charged out of the treeline I felt the rush, as the Federal line broke and began to retreat, I felt a bigger rush only to have it sucked out of me when I saw another enemy company coming onto the field and then some cavalry. We had no choice but to fall back demoralized and frustrated. It then became a fight for our lives and to prevent a trip to Camp Douglas or death.

The Sunday morning fight brought the rush back as we were pushed. We were holding the center but were very spread out and had just pushed back a company that came across the valley and felt pretty good about it. They had been probing Capt. Corbin's company for some time and when they tried our area they seemed surprised and confused when we opened up on them. Little did they know that it was myself and four men who stalled their attack and forced them to retreat. We were even bringing in a wounded, stunned Federal sergeant as prisoner when all chaos sounded on the field above us and the order came to fall back. We had to leave our prisoner on the field and when we hit the top of the ridge I was much surprised to see a Federal company in the place where Corbin's company had been. Evidently they had fallen back without our knowledge. It all went downhill from there and the rush returned with the confusion of the retreat, the yelling of orders, trying to access the situation and keep a firing line in place as losses mounted.

As I left, I was exhilirated from the experience and saddened as I thought this might be the last time we ever get to do such a thing on that land. It sickens me to see it go for development.

But, this was a great event to end the year on. All in all I think 2007 has been a fantastic year for good quality events and the future looks bright. Despite a lot of gloom and doom about the hobby, I'm optimistic about the future and think we will fare well.

Thanks to all those who put this one together. It's definitely locked away in the memory bank.

coastaltrash

10-29-2007, 10:25 AM

Larry,
Take what Doug says with a grain of salt and ignore it. You guys are the only thing that kept Co D from being completely exposed and the only real protection on Saturday evening. Good job by the mounted men.

Craig L Barry

10-29-2007, 10:53 AM

Mea Culpa: When wrong, I can admit it. And I was wrong about the EBUFU concept and what to expect from Outpost III. Not sure I am worthy of offering commentary as it was a short campaign for me. I slipped in the woods and blew out my right knee, had to limp on out of there. Nothing a knee brace and one week in the tropics won't cure, though. Know what? It was worth it.

The Watchdog will have see how we can work this into our business plan.

Dale Beasley

10-29-2007, 11:27 AM

To all of my AOTish Pards,

-Was this land and country-side not beautiful?
-The WIG Staff did what they do best...putting together a great event.
-The Yanks came to fight...they had the rabbits running as well.
-"The Battle of the Hedge Row" saw as much fighting, well...Bragg would have been proud.
-It doesn't take a weather man to tell you which way the wind blows.

I had a chance to visit Franklin and the Carter House for the first time. Just makes me want to go back. Read something that sticks out in my mind ...

"We did what we was told and boy did we pay the price"

Fiddlebum

10-29-2007, 11:38 AM

I was stuck down at the cabin with the Critters all weekend, hoping someone would come rescue us, but they never did. :cry_smile

I didn't get to see/meet everyone I wanted to, but it was a good time. Got a lot of knitting done, too.

Kim Caudell

Mad Hatter

10-29-2007, 12:28 PM

I had a great time at Outpost III and was honored when asked by Tar Water Mess to attend though I had only been to Perryville earlier this month. Because this event was non scripted with the enemy just a few fields away, there was a sense of unknown which made it even better. I learned more by being in first person on this event and honed my skills. This includes the movements, pickets, counter-signs, sleeping on gum blanket, drying of socks after Saturday morning, rations (beef could have been presented better), rough coffee, water detail, and much more. My hat is off to the NCO's and Officers of Co. B. Their excitement and forward thinking motivated me to push myself on marches faster than the double quick time and forcing to exclude some modern military thought processes in order to stay in 1862. It seems that "hurry up & wait" was as much then as it is now.

This event was a deciding factor in making the financial and time allocations to be a living historian. I just have to get on the ball these next few months to get my gear together and Matt is helping me with that.

Oh, and CS Cav take a hit at least when there is an entire Co in your area....thanks for leaving your rations out in the open. The dried fruit was great.

Thanks again to both sides of the field; especially those that traveled great distances.

Christopher P. Hettinger
Co. B/89th Illinois

Coatsy

10-29-2007, 12:52 PM

To quote my Captain it was an "Outstanding" weekend. There were so many mixed emotions going through my head, but I think Mr. Lewis put a darn fine perspective on the Confederate side for the weekend

"For one, CS troops held their own for the majority of the time only to be driven at the end."

Such was the fate of the AOT.

I also want to point out that our Federal opponents had the spirit and grit of the men that they were portraying this weekend. Sunday morning when Mr. Butler's section came up at our portion of the line was probably one of the best actions I've been in in some time. It was hot, heavy, and in the end, that darned stealthy Scuba Steve's company came at our flank and rear causing us to withdraw. (see Mr. Lewis' comment again)

I am very grateful to have gone to the event with such a fine group of men serving with me and a fine group of men across the field in blue as well! I am probably going to post a more "official" flavored AAR, but that will come later.

(On a side note I'd like to try to talk to some of the guys via PM from Ewing's company that I traded "verbal barbs" with on Sunday when you came into our rear. Things got heated and I'd like to send some apologies to them if I can.)

The highlights:

-Saturday's late morning actions when the Feds and Rebs fought a back and forth action up on the ridge, down through the brush and across the valley. Frank's whistle to sound the assault and the explosion of gray out of the woodline was a rush! The Billy's did a damn fine job on their end as well!

-Sending the rest of my platoon with the indomitable Sgt Mitchell to try to get Co. F back to our lines. That was just plain desperation and nerves there. Since I've been fighting broncitis and the loss of my voice my Captain couldn't hear me trying tell him I had to get our boys out from a tight spot so he thought I told him to "piss off" and having to relay instructions to Sgt Mitchell via my men that had their voice.

-Setting up a great picket post on Saturday evening and having the boys fortify their postitions. I know that annoyed Jim's guys on Sunday.

-Sunday morning's actions with Butler's guys trying to push us off of the hill. Now that was a HOT fight.

-And I will classify getting pushed out of our position as a good moment as well. Chaos, Chaos, Chaos and seeing a muzzle blast from the woods that was my ultimate end.

The bad:

-Not having a voice for most of the weekend. It was tough to relay orders to my platoon all weekend. Blaargh!

-The boys getting down to their last cartridge. Oh no indeed!

The crazy:

-The Federal bugler that walked right up to me on Saturday early am after the fight. I think my pistol blast scared him off :wink_smil

And Steve, Joe, and Tipton gave me a great compliment. They said that the look on my face when I busted out of the woods on Satuday and saw their company was a moment for them. I hope my reaction of stumbling and almost cartwheeling across the valley after they shot at me was a good reaction. Because I don't think I could have stopped right there even if I had wanted to. The inertia combined with my super speeding it down the hill had me going at Mach OCN.

Thanks to all that came and participated. Oh and one more thing I caught up with Greg Deese in the parking lot on Sunday and we both agreed that the weather was perfect for the weekend. It really reminded me of reading about the two armies manuvering around middle Tennessee in the fall of 1862.

DougCooper

10-29-2007, 01:18 PM

Which moment would that be, Doug? Inquiring minds want to know.

When you guys charged during the battle, with us in line of battle with the Critters just behind us and the rest of the infantry to our left (Sunday morning) - we thought it a somewhat hysterical but very brave move to shout "drop em and come with us"

Now having said that, you guys were tremendous all weekend and a real thorn in our side, especially at night. When we sent the paroled reb out into the middle of the field rather than on the road hoping you guys would stop him, we figured out where one of your pickets was, but not the rest. So we sent a patrol out to try and fill in the rest around 0230. We saw some in front, but suddenly heard one of your horse whinney just behind and to right of us. We probably ran the 200 yards in full kit back to our post in less time than it takes to tell it.

Our constant worry was being "gobbled up by the cavalry." Sure enough, around 0530 Sunday, still dark as Hades, two of your men in federal overcoats somehow came from inside our perimeter and gobbled up 3 men on picket without firing a shot. We immediately assumed Nathan Bedford was out there. Well done!!!!

Charles Heath

10-29-2007, 01:19 PM

Harold & Kumar Go To AAMCO

Somewhere on the way home yesterday, a mean ol' crotchety ass in the mini-van's shotgun seat turned around and said, "We blame all of the good times this weekend on Pukin' Bill Backus." This is more true than many know, because with the postponement of ATB to '08, we took a second look at attending Cornpost 3, and there was Bill's name on Capt. R.M.A.* Landrum's company, so some of us cobbled together a plan to attend.

The moment a plan collides with reality, the plan loses, so we went with plan B. Straight out of a really bad bar joke, we had a Tooter (Randy), a Coastie (Jason), a Menonnite preacher (Petey), the Carthagenian (Joe), a bona fide hound dog (if you live down south, you know what this means) in the form of Pukin' Ladykiller Bill, and myself. Ley, Dave, Caleb, Dan, Bro. Yoder, and few other HMICs were left behind to guard the homefront. I have to mention Jason's nickname is now "Almost." I should also probably point out Ste. Julia of Stuart's Draft is happy to see us "adopted chillens" arrive, and really happy to see us go.

Sometimes the road trip can be as fun as the event itself. In this case, both the trip out to Spring Hill by way of Murfreesboro, and the trip back home by way of the Tomb of the Unknown Waffle were superb. The fact the transaxle didn't fall out of the minivan (over 200,000k miles when the odometer stopped some years ago) is penultimate in any assessment of the trek to and from the Volunteer State. We had a lot of laughs, a little rain, and a very nice, yet all too brief visit to Stone's River/Murfreesboro, and we even managed to get Bill to eat some Chinese food. Bill did not puke up the Chinese food. This is good. The van did not need to find AAMCO for a replacement tranny. This is double plus good.

That's the shortest half cock I've ever seen.

The directions to the site were excellent, and made even better for those of us coming in to the Saturn Nation via TN 840. We stopped at a local convenience store, performed a courtesy pressure test on his plumbing in serial fashion a la Steve "Quiet Man" Tyler, and found the parking area to be cozy and a frost free hydrant amazingly placed right next to our parking spot, along with a trough/bath tub. Our pre event funk was not that bad, although we are perfectly willing to upgrade.

Five of us changed into the uniform of all that was, is, and ever will be right, (and as soon as halftime is over, everything is going to be all right again) and Randy slipped into the uniform of the Indigo Nation Aggressors, and soon became RJ's apprentice for the duration, or at least until the time Herb "OCN Pistolier" shot him dead at VCR** Registration was a breeze, and we all used our EZPass for the haversack, knapsack, poke sack, and your hands are too cold to inspect that....well nevermind. Our first order of business was to drop, flop, and sleep. The event was getting off to a good start by allowing us to demonstrate a skill we had previously mastered.

I slept through most of what happened next, but Rev. Dennis Neal led us through a Ph.D. level coursework lecture about the Impressionist period, and those of us who are not generally easily impressed with such high fallutin dogma were impressed that his impression of our impression was impressive enough to impress him. We had a ration issue that included sausage, bacon, sausage, shelled yeller corn, sausage, parched corn, sausage, sweet potatoes, sausage, Satan's own communion wafers, sausage, scallions, sausage, goobers, sausage, and a few coffee beans. We spotted Cherub Cheeks stuffing his pockets with sausage, and made sure our section, 3rd Section, the best section, aka "Wick's Wildmen" were able to keep any sausage from going to waste. Mr. Caldwell, thank you for leading by example. Petey and Joe were assigned the task of guarding the Confederate strategic corn reserves, or at least a 20-pound bag thereof.

We soon learned the identity of our platoon leader by the light of the moon, and immediately the 2nd platoon unanimously requested a transfer to Rev. Pompey's company. The ringleader of this uprising has never been identified, but is strongly suspected to have been on or about the platoon break most of the weekend, except when hiding behind a wagon, hiding behind a tree, conveniently falling out anytime the company of tall manly men double quicked forward while under fire, etc. The request was denied. We had a lovely musket inspection, and the poor fellow next to me sure picked a bad time to have a barrel full of molasses. We also realized we were home in Williamson County, and many of the comments about local women could and would have been about our cousins, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a highly speculative time discussing the similarities between certain large, rounded types of produce and....yeah, I guess I'd best stop there.

Trigger happy.

As soon as we ran some old women out of a shed and got a fire going, we cooked up some rations. The sausage was good cold. The bacon needed some serious fire loving. Getting a fire going was not as much of a challenge as we suspected, mostly thanks to a generous supply of squaw wood which was nowhere near as wet as the deadfall. Some fellow likes blowing on a fire as much as I do, and we had a fine time. We'd reenact this the next day not too far away, in fact. We flopped down and went to sleep in the usual puppy pile. Being warm as it was our puppy pile only needed one blanket, but the ground was a bit damp. The accoutrements were a bit lumpy. The two hours of sleep was very nice.

It was our turn to stand picket, and we did. Scattered shots kept us awake, and a mini-war erupted to our front. We watched a couple of riders approach our flank and get into our rear, and the corporal asked me to shoot the man. I did so, but obviously missed, since he kept on riding. I'm probably going to have to pay for that cartridge, because it turns out that rider was one of our own Knights in Shining Jeancloth. Ja, I vas just following der orders. We were recalled to join the company and then marched somewhere to a place we'll just call "the hedgerow."

Mulching Through Georgia

Our captain was more cranky than usual, and he thought it would be a good idea to boost morale by running the company at a triple quick through a brushpile over logs one time. This being highly entertaining, we did this two more times at a brisk pace. Well, some did. I'll need to move up my hip replacement surgery by a few years. Thanks! Some cavalry came by to trade coffee for tobacco at the canter. So much for the First Battle of the Hedgerow, but we learned those people screaming "We're whacked!" don't drive worth a damn. At some point I performed my dead, yet still snoring, sea turtle impression. Pukin' Bill was kidnapped by Amazon women with large, well, you get the idea. Herb, the OCN Pistolier, shot the bugler, but didn't get the principal musician. (You know the tune, so sing it.)

Peek a Boo

Some federal prisoners were escorted into the company area. They smelled bad, and were obviously bad men, but they had cheese. Three of us were drafted for picket duty, so we took a position by the woodline and played peek a boo with the federal pickets, some mounted folks, and poor Ken Knopp looking for something lost in the tall grass. Later we would learn the federals moving along a road to our front were folks heading to the parking lot, and that we had been under a truce for the past 3 hours anyway. Sam Watkins was right, we really were just a side show to the big show.

We were relieved, and I went to sleep, and dreamt of ways to grind that yellow corn. Here we were in Tennessee and not a pair of rocks to be found. I had a Bill Bugs Young moment, as I lost my pocket knife (dropped from my pocket while asleep) and Joe returns it to me before I knew it was even missing. Thanks, Joe. Say what you will about Carthagenians (salted or unsalted), but they are honest.

That's my blankie!!!!!

We returned to our picket posts about dusk and that lasted well into the darkness. We could see mounted patrols, heard wagons, listened to scattered shots here and there, and tried very hard not to fall asleep. Some angel of mercy had us return to camp, and we went to sleep. Thanks to the sun shining brightly and warmly during the afternoon, the ground was dry and warm. A funny thing happened on the way to the spoon line, and that Joe and I picking up the wrong bedroll and knapsack, respectively. We sorted this out pretty quick, but if a man can feel a blanket sticking out of a knapsack (in the dark) and not only know the maker, the model, and pretty much know the year of manufacture, that's pretty sick. Boy, I'm glad I'm not a gearhead. Before going to bed, we filled our canteens and watched "The Four Kings" munch some grass and young corn. Those famous BGR oxen probably ought to be on the Who Is Us list.

Where is my canteen?

With a few hours sleep under our belts, we jumped up and ran around again. Those People tried to outflank us through the low ground. I found a nice tree to hide behind, and in short order two officers and a sergeant were following my shining example of being a completely worthless soldier. I have to work hard at this, but they seemed to be naturals. A blue clad cavalryman fell from his saddle and a lieutenant we hadn't seen for days lept forward to assist this man in his final minutes by relieving him of the considerable weight of any Masonic material culture he may have had on his person, lest they become dug relics 140+ years later.

I have to mention an incident involving our beloved Sergeant Major. After a lengthy pep talk about the importance of being well watered, we noticed the majority of our canteens were taken away, and they did not return for the duration of the war. Those of us who had full canteens were made out to be some form of water deprived idgit; however, this idgit would like to point out he had water during the battle, and any further inquires should be directed to the 15th Alabama. Later, I asked the sergeant major if this was intentional, and he blamed it all on the officer corps, as any good NCO would do. There is more to this story, but if anyone really needed water all they needed to do was ease over to the water wagon and draw a dipperful. Sunday was a good cool morning for what must have been a common CW experience.

At this point, the battle appeared to be going well for us, as pretty much any direction we'd choose to fire we'd find plenty of federal targets. Not to be greedy with all these targets of opportunity, we chose to depart the party early. While we could see a number of people racing for a woodline about 300 yards distant, we chose to amble at the mosey over a ridge. Much to our surprise, we found a large number of targets heading our way. Not only do these people not drive worth a damn, but they are like flies on honey. They just will not leave.

Soggy Bottom Boys

Me and Joe (I've always wanted to say that) employed a little strategery and adjusted our skedaddling for the woodline with the most wandering gray matter. Unfortunately, the rest of the canteen story is about to play out. I had to pee. This was not any making of the water, but a making of a flood of Biblical proportions. You'd have thunk I'd consumed three pitchers of beer for breakfast, and I'm not talking about pony pitchers. Unfortunately, and this was not intentional, but a triad of federal prisoners were immediately downhill. I'm truly sorry, but in hindsight it is rather funny. Maybe 20 minutes later, I caught up with Joe and the company, and Uncle Beau offered me a nice piece of bacon. Kiev was still defending his cornbread with lard filling from a previous ration issue. Sadly, we noticed several suitable rocks in the cornfield as we moved across the field, but it was too late to grind corn.

About this time, there was a Stillness at Rippavilla*** and the war was over, or at least this portion thereof. As is the case at WIG events, the bulk of the participants form a square formation at the end of the affair, paint their faces bright colors, grab their shields and spears, and perform the Zulu Dance. Well, that's all I could think of when Terry and Art were, well, you had to be there.

She still has all her teeth

The trip back was enjoyable. Pukin Bill has a Jesse Owensesque sprint from the van to the restroom that should be captured on film some day. We like Burger King. Burger King likes us. Most of all, we ate at the Waffle House betwen Smyrna and Gallatin TN, and Randy and Bill are truly worthy of the name hound dog. At the COI, we may have a class in why you don't pick up waitresses in a Waffle House. The van made it back to Stuart's Draft, and we went on our way to Richmond, Fredericksburg, Newpy News, Frederick, Baltimore, etc.

As tacticals go, they generally fall into one of two extremes. They are either really good or really bad. Some tacticals can't even get the basic infrastructure together for the event to actually take place as planned. This was not a problem at this event, and some infrastructure elements were well beyond what has been done elsewhere in recent years. As to the usual Cowboys & Indians stuff that generally plagues this type of event, well, there wasn't as much of that at Cornpost as we've seen at a heck of a lot of other tacticals. Randy pretty much summed it up with his one word commentary from the backseat of the minivan, "Great!"

Oh, and what a joy it was not to drive a single mile. Next time, we may need a bigger van.

*Obvious South Park reference.
** Very Close Range
***Apologies to the late Bruce Catton

Mark Susnis

10-29-2007, 01:39 PM

The event lived up to its mission statement of being a "tactical". Great to see the use of combined arms operations (cavalry) in order to perform reconnaissance operations for the ground maneuver forces which in this case was the 89th Illinois Infantry. Great location to have an event.

One of the issues that I will offer that needs to be corrected in the future is the reception plan for late arrivals to the event site. John Grimes and I arrived on site after midnight and thankfully Brian Hicks and another gentleman manned a check-in point with an accountability roster. Brian directed us to the Federal area but once we parked in the Federal area we literally walked all over creation for almost two hours looking for the 89th Illinois. At one point we heard gunfire and walked to the direction of the guns and found two more pards who were also lost and had not linked up with the main body. Bottom line is that somebody on the Federal side should have manned a guard post to guide late arrivals to the link up point and provide direction to the water point and ammunition and most importantly have accountability of assigned personnel. Worse off what if someone had become seriously injured while wandering around? We both flew to Nashville so we didn't travel with ammo and unfortunately didn't think about getting water for our canteens before arriving at Rippavilla. Granted the real soldiers in '62 got lost and separated during the march but it was just a little frustrating. I did enjoy seeing the Carter House Museum in Franklin and the Tennessee State Museum in downtown Nashville on the way out of town.

Regards,
Mark Susnis

trippcor

10-29-2007, 01:52 PM

What a great weekend!! Everyone did a great job on both sides. One of things that impressed me the most was each side reacted to the situtations they found themselves faced with. I did not see any side or company become invincible. I also saw a lot of hits being taken on both sides which was certainly refreshing.

Here is a copy of my the official report of this weekends actions as Captain of Company A, 20th Tennessee:

Oct 29, 1862
Spring Hill Tn,

Lt Col Art Milbert, 20th Tn

I submit the following report of the actions that occurred on October 26th, 27th and 28th in and around Spring Hill Tennessee. Before I get into the details of those actions I must commend the behavior of my men under fire. The men of Co. A brought great honor to themselves and to the State of Tennessee these last several days. They fought with great zeal and bravery never shunning a fight and only giving ground when faced with overwhelming odds or orders to do so. I am very honored and humbled to command such men.

My company began to assemble on the grounds of the Rippavilla Plantation located south of Spring Hill with the rest of the battalion on October 26th. With but a few stranglers missing, we marched out late that evening with full haversacks and canteens. The men were very grateful for the rations they received as they were of better fair than they had seen in a while. When we arrived at our campsite for the night, Co. A was sent out as pickets. We established out pickets around the perimeter of the camp with our grand guard located about 100 yards from what I felt was the most likely location of a possible enemy attack. This was near what appeared to be an unfinished wooden railroad trestle. We remained on picket until 2 am when relived by Capt Landrum’s company.

About one hour after being relieved, we heard shots fired off to the north. The men knowing that the enemy was in the area were quick to respond even though we were not on duty. I think the fear of possibly being caught unready moved the men to quick action. I went to find Capt Landrum to see what was going on. I appeared he had sent out a patrol and it had encountered an enemy patrol. Since it appeared that this was a small skirmish, I had my company rest once again. We remained at rest until we received orders to march out later that morning.

As you are aware, the battalion moved out before daybreak on the morning of the 27th with Capt Landrum’s company out as skirmishers screening our movements. We moved behind them skirting the tree line to further help screen us from possible enemy scouts. After marching an undetermined distance, the darkness even with a full moon making it hard to judge, Capt Landrum’s skirmishers made contact with the enemy. It was quickly determined that this was much more than just a patrol or pickets. The battalion was deployed with my company anchor the battalion’s right flank. Capt Aufmuth’s company was on my left flank. Due to the darkness, it was difficult to determine the exact size of the enemy. Initially I thought we were facing only one company. However we start to receive fire from our extreme right flank and Sgt Thomason reported another company of enemy infantry was trying to make a move on that flank. I ordered my first platoon to wheel so that they could meet the approaching enemy, which were no more than slightly darker spots in the darkness. Not long after, our cavalry arrived to help reinforce our right flank and I as able to wheel my first platoon back into line with the rest of the battalion. We continued to exchange fire with the enemy for a good while with neither side able to gain an advantage. At some point we received orders to with draw. As we with drew the enemy pursued. After a short running battle, we were ordered to take positions on some high ground ringed by thickets and other natural obstacles. This ground was a natural fortress. We were very happy to have found it. The enemy would have one hell of a time pushing us out.

Upon our arrival at this natural fortress, which many began calling horseshoe ridge, I deployed my company to protect against any rushes by the enemy on our right flank. After a quick inspection of our area, it was determined that there were only two easy points of entrance into our natural fortress. The remainder of the perimeter was covered by dense a dense thicket of privet hedge, briers, deadfall, steep sloops and trees which would be very difficult for the enemy to get through. One could not have asked for better ground to defend.

As daylight continued to grow, we were able to determine that the enemy had occupied the high ground across the valley from us. We soon received orders to try and push the enemy from that ground. My company moving together with Capt Aufmuth’s were to charge across the valley and up the ridge pushing the enemy quickly. It was hoped we could move quickly enough to cause confusion in the Yankee ranks. Unfortunately the very thing that made our position so defensible worked against us on our attack. The thickets slowed our attack and allowed the yanks to meet it and stand their ground. Realizing that our attack had failed I order the companies back to our old positions. Luckily our casualties were light, though I did receive a wound in the back from a federal cavalry trooper. Lt. Coats was able to pull me to safety though my sword was left behind much to my chagrin.

After returning to our position, Capt. Aufmuth and I received a report that Capt Landrum’s company was under heavy fire on our left flank. Capt Aufmuth felt we could help relieve the pressure on our left flank if we launched a counter attack on our end of the line. He felt that the enemy would not expect such an attack. I concurred and as the senior officer present order the attack. We had learned from our last attempt so the initial assault was very successful. The enemy was pulling back from the ridge as we had hoped. The enemy however had a company in reserve that was able to move down the valley into the left flank of our attack threatening to cut off our two companies from the remainder of the battalion. I ordered a retreat but Capt’s Aufmuth’s company was too heavily engaged and was not able to retreat. It is hear that I must commend the bravery and actions of my company and specifically Lt Coats. Due to my earlier wound and overseeing the attack I had remained in the rear of the two companies. This left Lt. Coats in command of company A during the attack. Seeing that Capt. Aufmuth’s company would be either killed or captured to the man if he pulled Co. A back, he elected to stay and provide support so the other company could retreat. His quick actions and courage under fire are to be commended. I believe he has the makings of a fine commander.

The men of both companies fought with great courage and tenacity and were able to extricate themselves from what could have been a complete disaster. The timely arrival of our cavalry to block the infantry company moving down the valley on our left flank ensured that both companies were able to escape with a majority of our force. My deep thanks and gratitude go to the troopers under Capt Choat’s command. The total losses for my company were 3 killed or wounded. Capt Aufmuth’s company had 5 killed, wounded or captured. It certainly could have been much worse and I take full responsibility for this action. I hope you will accept my apology for putting a large portion of our force in danger. We were also able to take a few prisoners during the retreat back to our lines.

After this attack my company was spent. They had only had a few hours of sleep and the constant action had sapped their strength. Lucky the enemy was apparently in no better shape as they requested a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. As you know the ceasefire was to last till 5 o’clock, we welcomed the chance to get some rest and to dry out. Sgt Gott, my orderly sergeant, received a summons to deliver a package through enemy lines to the widow of one of our fallen comrades. The federal commander was gracious enough to allow the package of personal belongs to be taken to her. I understand she was very grateful to have her husbands belongs returned.

The rest of the evening and night passed without incident. I believe both sides were worn-out and thankful for a chance to rest and recover. I know the men in my company were. Having spent most of the day fighting they were very low on rounds with about 20 per man. Some time during the evening, more ammunition was delivered and though we did not know it yet it would be put to good use in the morning.

As the sun rose on the morning of October 28th, I ordered the men to pack their gear and get ready to move if ordered. We had no sooner started packing when shots rang out. Sgt Mitchell informed me that the enemy was massing to assault our right flank. The men rushed back to the lines just in time to receive the attack. We were able to push the enemy back several times. A couple of times the enemy was able to make it over our defensive works but were pushed back by counter attacks lead by Sgt Mitchell on our far right flank supported by our cavalry. The enemy was finally getting a taste of what we had encountered the day before and it felt good.

After being repulsed several times on our right flank the enemy began shifting forces to our left. It was not long before we heard firing on our left. Having learned our lesson yesterday, I held our lines and did not attempt a counter attack. I was also concerned the attack on the left was just a rouse trying to draw our attention a way from another attack on our right. This would later prove to be true.

As things were getting very hot by the sounds on our left, we heard shots coming from the rear of our right flank. I turn to see men in blue entering our fortress. I immediately ordered my reserve to meet this new attack at the same time our cavalry and Capt Landrum’s reserve also engaged them. Our combined forces were able to push them back into the tree line from which they had came but were not able to move them further. I then received orders to take a portion of my company and try to push the enemy out of our rear. While I understood the need to remove the enemy from this position, I felt it would weaken our front to the point we could not resist a serious attack. I however followed orders and had Lt Coats take a platoon to push the enemy in our rear. Not long after he began his attack, then the enemy did what I feared they would. They attacked our weakened front with considerable strength. Though my men again fought with great courage and bravery, we were not able to hold and were forced to retreat.

I moved to consolidate both platoons with the enemy all around us. It was apparent we would soon be completely surrounded and our only choice was to try and punch out. I determined that the Yankees in our rear were in the weakest position and ordered a charge in their direction hoping to break out of the encirclement. It was during this charge that I received what I feared was a mortal wound. As I was leading the charge from the front of my company firing my pistol as we charged, the enemy let lose with a volley which hit me and several of my men many times and knocking me senseless. When I regained my senses, I found that the fighting had passed on and I was surround by the dead and wounded from both sides. As I looked around more I saw to yanks approaching with one of our men held prisoner. Since my pistol was empty there was not much I could do but also agree to be their prisoner as well. Not long after that a small squad of our men appeared and took them prisoner. Seeing that we were now in the rear of whatever fighting was happening, I ordered a truce among the men present and we agreed whichever army returned the others among us would be prisoners. We then began sharing what little food and water we had among us. After a while we all realized that it was quiet. Having spent some time getting to know each other it seemed like such a shame for any of us to become prisoners so we agreed to allow all of us to try and return to our own forces. Thus we parted and went our separate ways. As I made my way in the direction of where I thought our battalion might be, I gathered many stranglers. To my regret I also found the body of Lt Coats. He had dies while facing the enemy. His lose is a blow to our cause. I hope his courage and bravery will be an inspiration. I was able to make it back to our lines and rejoin our company. I was thankful to find at least a portion had managed to fight their way out. Sergeant Gott had taken command after I had been wounded and Lt Coats had been killed. With the help of Sgt. Mitchell and Scoggins, he was able to keep what remained of company A together to fight another day.

Thus ended the actions of October 26th through the 28th. I cannot commend the actions of my men during these actions. They performed every thing that was asked of them and more. They have brought great honor to themselves, their families, Tennessee and our cause. I cannot close this without mentioning the bravery and skill showed by our enemy. They too fought hard. I hope all thoughts of a quick and easy victory over the yanks have been dispelled. They are not the slackers our press and politicians have led us to believe they were.

Respectfully submitted,

Capt. Tripp Corbin
Company A, 20 Tennessee
Commanding

ButtermilkRanger

10-29-2007, 02:16 PM

When you guys charged during the battle, with us in line of battle with the Critters just behind us and the rest of the infantry to our left (Sunday morning) - we thought it a somewhat hysterical but very brave move to shout "drop em and come with us"

I must have been detailed elsewhere for that one, but I agree, that's pretty hysterical. There were a lot of things I thought we could have done differently, but in the end, we were just doing our jobs. I believe the capturer of your pickets was the Chief of Scouts, Ronnie Tucker. The job of cavalry was to be the eyes and ears of the army and during an engagement with Infantry, more often than not, to protect the rear and flanks. We were far from perfect, but we at least tried to do that much. There were many guys in that group who had never done an EBUFU type immersion event. Hopefully some saw the light of what a quality event can do. As always with anything the WIG does, this was a quality event.

And to think I came out of retirement for this one. I'm glad I did.

ButtermilkRanger

10-29-2007, 02:29 PM

Oh, and CS Cav take a hit at least when there is an entire Co in your area....thanks for leaving your rations out in the open. The dried fruit was great

Amen, amen, and amen!!!! I'm one of those cavalrymen who agrees 100% with your view that more cavalry should take hits. I detest kevlar cavalry (and kevlar infantry for that matter, too). I also detest the farby leaning-over-the-pommel-of-your-saddle reenactoristic "kill" you see so much, and my own pet peeve, the laying-on-the-ground, dead- holding-your-horse-by-the-reins kill. Nothing looks more silly. And I'm not saying that sarcastically or tongue-in-cheek. I really do mean it.

On the other hand, I also detest infantry who whine about kevlar cavalry and then cry when a panic-stricken riderless horse runs through a company of men in a blind panic to escape something he doesn't understand. I've been run over by quite a few horses over the years. I've never had one injure me beyond a few stiches and some contusions. At an event, I think it just ads to the realism. Most horse will only run a few hundred yards in the wrong direction before turning around to run back the other way. Eventually they'll settle down.

Alas, the dilema of kevlar cavalry.:wink_smil

Mtn.Guerilla

10-29-2007, 02:49 PM

I believe I'm still shaking off the chill from the Sat night picket, but here it goes. To the men of Co. A 7 Tenn., great job all around. Great comradey, superb leadership, beautiful land, and plenty of hard fighting. I was very impressed of what we were able to accomplish with the amount of men we had. There were almost too numerous "realisms" to mention but a few for me was, the intense fighting followed by lengthy lulls and being on picket and thinking every tree and shrub seemed to be wearing a Hardee hat. This was also the first time I ever experienced the sense of fear at an event. It was after we charged the ridge , I think the second time, and we had to fall back and I d*#n near fell right back onto a federal company in the gully, just a hair over 10ft away. I then tore off along the ridge narrowly escaping cpature. A pard said I ran like a hare thru a briar patch, which I did. It was also a real moment when myself , 3 pards from the company, and QM Kiev T., after going to help out Co. F, stumbled upon an entire fed company in the thickets. We observed the bugler about to take a leak and decided to take some prisoners. We called for their surrender because we were too close to fire. We would have had to aim completly stright up to be safe. Everyone one of them looked like they had been slapped by their mommas and of course none surrendered. I guess their pride couldn't take being nearly captured ( by all rights they were) , then completely run off with out even putting up a fight, by four men with a hand full a rounds.
Bully to Kiev and my 3 pards !
Also bully to the Feds, for always keeping us on our toes and for always putting up a hard fight !

DougCooper

10-29-2007, 02:56 PM

I must have been detailed elsewhere for that one, but I agree, that's pretty hysterical. There were a lot of things I thought we could have done differently, but in the end, we were just doing our jobs. I believe the capturer of your pickets was the Chief of Scouts, Ronnie Tucker. The job of cavalry was to be the eyes and ears of the army and during an engagement with Infantry, more often than not, to protect the rear and flanks. We were far from perfect, but we at least tried to do that much. There were many guys in that group who had never done an EBUFU type immersion event. Hopefully some saw the light of what a quality event can do. As always with anything the WIG does, this was a quality event.

And to think I came out of retirement for this one. I'm glad I did.

The bottom line was, the cav did what the real deal did best - scout, picket, and fight like the dickens when called. As you know, the sword swinging melee's got the headlines, but the grind it out, all night in the saddle intelligence gathering and flank protection tha often made the difference between defeat and vistory was on great display at Outpost. We all got our money's worth, esp the infantry who got to see it done right.

When the Critters galloped into action behind us wth 10+ horses, you could feel the ground shake - imagine what an entire regiment felt like!

Marser

10-29-2007, 02:59 PM

Since I have to fly to these events (being from the far reaches of western KS Territory a.k.a Colorado), I am only able to make a couple per year. Outpost was magnificent and thank you to everyone who worked on putting it together. Great job! Personal thanks go to First Sergeant Comer, Company F, 20th TN who was incredibly gracious in picking me up from the Nashville airport (and returning me there on Sunday afternoon) and loaning me his weapon for the weekend. Thanks, Mike! Also, to Warren Hook for bringing his weapon for me to use, although there were some ignition issues on that one. Regardless, thanks Private Fagg! Overall, 'twas first rate and I look forward to more in the future.

Coatsy

10-29-2007, 03:06 PM

Mr. Morgan and to the others in Capt. Choate's company,

I know for some of you this was your first "Campaign"event and I would like to tip my hat to you gents. On Saturday when four of your members came out into the Valley to cover part of Co A and Co F I breathed a sigh of relief. It was good to know that you were out keepign a lookout over the duration of the weekend. Thank you!

MercyAngel62

10-29-2007, 03:33 PM

Our homestead for the weekend was planned to be a cabin somewhat withdrawn from the war, so myself and the others watched with great curiosity as a federal battalion moved into the area directly around our cabin. This move was cemented by our front yard guests- the Critter Company. Saturday morning was a bit intense, mainly when we were roused out of bed at 3:30 in the morning to make Coffee for Mr. Musgrove. His tone certainly changed throughout the exchange. At first it was: “Where is the coffee pot” then after a few minutes: “Actually, we want you to make it”. We all found this funny, shook it off, and rolled back over to fall asleep once again. With-in minutes, Mr. Musgrove was back at our door again, except this time he was a bit angry and threatened to torch our cabin. So with that being said, we were cold, awake, and finally decided to get up and took our time in doing so. Coming outdoors in nothing but a chemise would have been tacky, so dressing had taken a little time and the men wanting coffee were very persistent. :p

Perhaps the most memorable moment for me was watching Mr. Hicks and Mr. Craddock appear within the federal lines. At first glance I thought the two had become prisoners and many jokes came straight to mind, but the look on their faces quickly struck a cord in my heart. When my name was called by two men I know well, I was somewhat confused. Being brought into the cabin, I realized the matter was something serious. I noticed tears were welling up in their eyes as they informed me of the death of my “husband” Captain Patrick Landrum, at the Battle of Baton Rouge. They revealed to me that both were Brother Masons of my now “deceased husband” and presented me with his personal effects recovered from the battlefield. This package contained an officers jacket with Masonic Insignia, a scarf, a Masonic apron, and a journal which contained an unfinished letter, dated the day before the actual battle of Baton Rouge. At first the shock left me speechless and unable to react, but watching these Brothers weeping over the exchange, and the reaction of the others, I quickly fell tear struck. The shock lasted some hours as I had gone into the event with no idea of this plan, plotted by Mr. Craddock and my boyfriend Patrick Landrum some 2 months ago, and ended up becoming a widow. This memory will surely rank highly on my list of experiences in the hobby, and possibly unable to be recreated by any other group or person, since the details were so intimate, and the characters in no way shape of form performing an act that some take on when doing first person interactions. The reaction of Carrie Craddock, my Aunt over the weekend, quickly adapted to the plan, stating that as we were both now widows, we would no doubt rebuild as best we could complete with a flower and herb garden that once occupied both of our former homes.

I had a wonderful time with old friends and made plenty of new ones. It’s nice to finally put a few faces with names. Thank you to Art Milbert for inviting me to participate and making everything possible!! Immense thanks goes to Ms. Carrie Craddock for organizing the civilian side of the weekend at the cabin. It was good to see Paul and Kim Caudell and I’m glad Anna and Silvana (AKA Crazy Lid Lady- ha) made the long trip down! While the temperatures were very low on Friday evening, I maintained some degree of warmth at the large pile of blankets Patrick forced on me Friday before the event. Perhaps the greatest joy of the weekend was the Essence of Coffee carefully hidden from the ever harassing Critter Company. While Mr. Adair and company are feared on the field, they have never witnessed an enemy as fierce as I can be without properly made, good coffee. I know Anna feels this way as well. Hopefully, when this group of civilians gather again in the future it will continue to build on the foundation laid down this weekend- one of mutual respect and the drive to accurately portray the civilians we enjoy researching.

Jim of The SRR

10-29-2007, 04:06 PM

I really enjoyed the event immensely. Thanks to the WIG for organizing this and providing us an opportunity to have a tactical in such beautiful and varied piece of ground.

It was nice reading Mr. Corbin and Mr. Coat's AARs as I can now see what happened on their side of the line across from us and how they perceived our tactics.

Thanks to Don Smith who had period, hand-drawn topo maps for all the commanders. These were indispensable for us all weekend!
Sunday morning we chose to move onto the Brown Homestead and take position on the large, flat ridge above it. We felt this allowed the best interior lines for us. Our one weak point was our left flank which had a large open field. This forced us to deploy Company B across a creek crossing to watch that field. It was easily defended, but it also meant Company B was out of close contact and if we needed them to our front they would have to run across the creek and up the ridge to our aid. I guess this is why Company B soon became known as the Foot Cavalry.

Saturday mornings attack found Company B watching our left across the creek, Company A to our right watching the field on our right flank and our Company, Company C, at the center. We could not tell what the Confederates numbers were due to the darkness. We could tell that you seemed to be leap-frogging along our front to find a weak point. I split our company into independent, supported platoons. We moved all over that ridge in the dark to make ourselves appear like multiple companies. There was no sense in moving off that ridge as to move towards your line in the woods would have been suicide.It also appeared that one of the Confederate companies even fired into a squad of your own men who were guarding their flank. We pushed some but we quickly could see that it was becoming a stalemate. Had you pushed with some force in our center, you probably would have driven us back as our left flank company was across the creek and would not have arrived in time to support us.

Saturday afternoons fight worked to our favor. Our ground (that we now knew pretty well) and our interior lines worked to thwart the Confederate assault. I could not see what was happening to our right and left. Our company in the center on our ridge deployed one platoon as skirmishers in the brush to watch your fortress across the ravine. Our 2nd platoon was in reserve. We were forced to shift to our left as the Johnnies began their assault across the ravine and up to our ridge. The timing was bad for the Johnnies. Company B had now moved from their left flank location to our side to support us. At the same time, Company A moved closer to us in support.
Once the Johnnies began assaulting up our ridge, Company A swept down the ravine from my right into your flank. The Confederates did drive in my skirmishers only to be faced with the other platoon masked and waiting at the top of the ridge. The Johnnies look quite disconcerted at the top of the ridge as we fired into them as they tried to reform. Casualties started to rise for them and we also were taking some losses in the melee. We were ready to close the door on the Confederate company and your cavalry barely gave you enough time to escape. They even scooped up a couple of captives from the end of our skirmish line.

Saturday night my company was assigned Guard Mount on the ridge and we carefully guarded the defiles up onto our ridge and watched as the Johnnies built works in the defiles on their side. It was quiet all night. We did have some small patrols who were able to identify many of the posts on the Confederate fortress.

The officers then met to strategize for Sunday morning. We decided to set up a defensive point along a treeline in the open to our rear. We then hoped we could hit you with a company in hopes of drawing you out to this position. My company was used as bait. We moved down a defile off the ridge heading for the Confederate "fortress". The Johnnies did a great job masking their numbers along the banks of that ridge. We had a hard time determing your numbers at any given moment. But I agree with Mr. Corbin's assesment that you had a formidable position. We moved forward into that ravine a few times and faced enfilading fire and many of the Johnnies were in cover.
We had hoped that you would chase us out of the ravine and up to our ridge (which was actually abandoned bythis time). But, it was clear that the Rebs were having no part of it and were not coming out of your fortress, short of flushing us out of the ravine. We could hear Mr. Mitchell giving orders as they rushed to drive us out of the ravine. After taking several casualties we withdrew as the cat was not going to chase the cheese of Company C. I wondered the whole time if the Johnnies thought we were nuts to try and attack your fortress on our own. But, we just wanted to bait you out. It didn't work and forced us to return to our ridge and rethink a new strategy.

Now a new plan was hatched. Company B would make a fast and forced march around the Confederate right, while Company A swung in from the left. Company C had been battered from the earlier baiting and we held you at the center along our ridge. We knew we would need to push when our comrades reached your flanks. With no communications we waited and waited. We finally heard gunfire and attempted to push in the center again. Again we pulled out of the ravine as it was clear you still had not shifted enough men from the front. Finally from our position we could see the Johnnies far to your rear firing AWAY from us. This signaled us to attack. We again drove down the defile to our left and up into your fortress. By this time there was little to no opposition as the Johnnies were forced to cover their flanks. We captured a wagon and a few guards, but continued our push. Now we could see our Company A in the field and with a small push thru the enemy camp we were able to link up with their left. We could hear Company B on our left firing. The Critters charged forward and with that we made one big final push and tightened the noose on the enemy. Finally it was over and we had won the day. I believe my company paid the price for that ground as we had lost nearly half our company thru the Sunday fighting.

My compliments to the Confederates and their commanders for making this one of the most interesteing and enjoyable tactical battles I have been part of. You had us having to think and rethink our tactics. I saw everyone react in a realistic manner with casualties and reacting in a realistic manner. If a position could not be taken (which was clear in most cases), the attacker would withdraw, take hits, etc.

I really enjoyed sitting down at the map with the other officers as we strategized. It really was a period moment for me us to have truly strategize and consider terrain, numbers, interior lines, anchor points, retreat and advance routes, etc. Thanks to Col. Sorchy, Skip Owens, Andrew Jerram, Ox, Steve Ewing, Dave Gerrow, Don Smith and Coley Adair for the great work at the tactical sessions. Thanks to Mr, Ewing for being so swift with his company and arriving at the nick of time. Thanks to the Critters for being our eyes all weekend and getting intel to us in a timely manner.

Thanks to all the men of Consolidated Company C made up of the SCAR and Hardcase Boys. You men did a SUPERB job and you are top rate soldiers! We were lucky to have quite a wealth of experience in our NCO ranks with Joe Smotherman, Rob Murray, Chris Hendersen, Preston Todd, Ross Lameroux, Sean Cooper, Troy Groves, Hal Merrit, Greg Deese and Randy Hix. Liet. Arnold and I have been friends for some time and we always work well together and we tag teamed quite well at this event in using our platoons to full advantage.

I also loved the motto of the 89th Illinois:
"Suckers to the Front!"
"CLEAR THE RAILS!!!"

Regards,
Jim Butler
(Capt. Co. C, 89th Illinois)

Rebel Yell1863

10-29-2007, 04:43 PM

I wanted to chime in on this as well. I had a great time!!!:D Events like this is why I reenact. Also, I liked meeting some of the people that are here on the AC. It's nice to put a face to a name. Especially people I respect and admire...

Ken Cornett

10-29-2007, 04:53 PM

First I want to thank Art for allowing Steve Ewing and myself to initially form a fourth federal company last winter. Yeah, I know some consolidation did occur, but it didn't effect the outcome of the event. What seemed so real to me was the fact that our company was so very much alone on the left. We saw an occasional Critter come through our camp, but not once did we see anyone else from another Fed company at any time except during battle. I never realized that the Command camp was just at the end of our road until late Saturday afternoon. We seemed so far away, yet we supported so well.

Yes Jim, we should have been known as the Foot Cavalry. I don't know how many football fields we had to march over before we got to you all, but we did it. I am very proud of our company for being physically fit. Well, at least I thought they were. We did have our share of aches and pains, turned and twisted ankles and headaches, but that is part of soldiering. Mind over matter was in place.

Steve Ewing...you da man! Your high energey octane made us successful. At first when Joe, ET, and I asked you to be Captain, we thought we were taking a risk. But now we know better. I truly enjoyed being your Orderly. A monsterous thanks Joe Liechty, Matt Rector, and Jim Moffet for being my sergeants, and to Eric Tipton, Steve Spohn, Kris Coble and Micah Trent for being my corporals. I didn't have to worry about a single thing this event. You made my job too easy.

To my Mess No.1 mates and Tar Water pards, your long time experience made it enjoyable. To you Liberty Rifle boys, you were absolutely amazing. It was great to see such young lads as yourselves want to do it right. You're tops in my book and look forward to working with you again. Thanks for best tasting "dinner" I've ever had in the field! And lastly, thanks to the two 30th OVI boys John and Bernie for coming out and "trying" one of these events. I know it's different than what your use to, but I hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you Company B. Might I see many of you in Nashville in a month or so?

Federal Bummer

10-29-2007, 05:37 PM

I wish there were words to say how proud I am of Company B. No organiztion can be worth anything, if the metal of the men in it is not strong. Evan Zimmerman, Ken Cornet, The Peacock/Dutchman (Joe Liechty), Matt Rector, our left guide/drafted Sgt Jim Moffet all did great job! Cpls: Trent, Koble, Tipton and Spohn you were tits! The men in the ranks were nothing short of superb! Like I said before, the only regret I have is I was not with you in the ranks themselves. I actually missed my heavy a** musket the entire weekend.

Thank you to the event staff and the entire WIG for a great event, which is just one of many since I have come the be in the organization. You all do a bully job everytime.

"Clear the Rails, Company B is Here"

Your pard, back in the good old Kentucky"

paulcalloway

10-29-2007, 05:40 PM

We did have some small patrols who were able to identify many of the posts on the Confederate fortress.

Is that what we're calling it now ... a patrol? Does that mean Mark and I aren't going to get court-martialed now?

I actually missed my heavy a** musket the entire weekend.

I think it missed you too Steve, seeing as Mark spent part of Friday night throwing it repeatedly on the ground.

Your pard, back in the good old KY

There's a joke in there somewhere.

Federal Bummer

10-29-2007, 05:44 PM

Heck Paul I've been in Savannah, GA for two years. An while I loved every minute of it, there is no place like one's own home area.

On this note, and a complete tangent from Outpost, I would like to thank the Armory Guards for the home they have given me while in their neck of the woods.

GWHall

10-29-2007, 05:45 PM

I enjoyed the event. Outpost duty after dark never seems fun at the time, but I always feel good about it in hindsight. Even though I was corporal of the guard, I was assigned to a post. The sergeant of the guard came through on one of his rounds at about 9 PM. Shortly after that, when I saw a group coming up from our camp, I was prepared to challenge one of our company officers. Only after the challenge was completed did I discover it was the Lt. Col. I was certainly glad that exchange was handled well.

Enjoyed the actions during the day on saturday and on sunday. The pre-dawn saturday action didn't do much for me. And, as always, it was good to see friends from all over the country again.

I had never been to Rippavilla before, it's a shame what is going to happen to the land we used.

The civilians at the cabin looked top notch. They certainly must have had their fill of staff camped at their home, cavalry nearby, and a constant stream of infantrymen on water details coming to their "well."

Jason Reinholz came up with the idea to circulate the petition to appeal back to Springfield. Riley Ewen and I walked with him from camp to camp to gather signatures. The final count was 63, I believe. Everyone we encountered who was awake signed it, privates, NCOs, officers, and battalion staff. The Lt. Col also signed it, promised to have the Adjutant transcribe it and forward it on.

Thanks to everybody in the WIG who helped organize the operations and logistics. Thanks to everybody from all over the place who helped recruit and run the companies on both sides. There were lots of great folks in those fields and woods, and I think the event turned out pretty well.

hpotter

10-29-2007, 05:54 PM

Gentlemen, fantastic weekend!! So many experiences that I only read about were experienced this weekend.
- Trying to sleep, but just a bit too cold.
-Being dawg tired and then ordered to go another round.
-Being sick and trying to fight it off.
-Wondering if every little noise or movement at night is the enemy while on picket duty.

My hats off to the boys in gray. That third attack on Sat morning caught me off guard. This was really a hold your line and probe the weak spots type of event. As always, the WIG's came through. I was rather upset that i was not able to stay til Sunday morning. I had developed a fever since Friday and it caught up to me Sat. night. Company Q and a hospital in Nashville wasn't too bad. I look forward to another event with you guys. The civilians were a great touch to the scenerio as well.

C.R. Henderson

10-29-2007, 05:56 PM

One of the things that made this event the most real for me was the look on Elizabeth's face as I came out of the cabin with a hand full of tomato and carrots sticking out of my haversack. The look was one of pure disgust and hatred for everything Federal and the knowing that nothing could be done to stop it.
On a side note, the tomato made a fine breakfast for my brother and myself and the rest made a wonderful stew Saturday night between guard rotations.

markmason

10-29-2007, 06:16 PM

Is that what we're calling it now ... a patrol? Does that mean Mark and I aren't going to get court-martialed now?

A patrol indeed :wink_smil

Steve, I only tossed it once and throw it twice but then I only had it for a couple of hours..not bad heh? :sarcastic

You guys in Co. B were fantastic..Steve, you and your NCO's did an excellent job! Hats off to all!

To be real honest I was about burned out again and this event has recharged me !!

looking forward to next year !

SCTiger

10-29-2007, 06:41 PM

I won't write a period AAR of the event, since most of the key events have been covered. I will cover the highlights and some of my personal observations.

Kudos to the few sutlers that did show up on Friday, I was able to purchase a pair of knit half-gloves and candles and some other sundry items from Chris Utley.

Met Justin Runyon and registered, which was easy, then proceeded to the Federal staging area, had to reintroduce or re-orient myself with people that I have never seen, and people I haven't seen in years or months. Too bad those soldiers didn't wear name tags back then. Also none of us look like our online avatars, we may need to update those.

My company, Jim Butlers Alphabet Soup company, of B,C, D. was well organized and I was glad to have many of the NCO's and officers form BGR in our ranks. It was good to see Tim Arnold again, this time as a somewhat confident Lieutenant. A role I am sure he will reprise at some point.

The battles were frustrating., agonizing, sometimes boring and you did not know what the hell was going on, in other words they were excellent.

In regards to rations, we were ready to cook even if it was only 30 minutes, our company was really motivated to build fires and everyone pitched in on gathering the wood, there was no "wood detail" we had plenty of men scrounging the countryside for fuel. The ration issue was just right for me, not too much, I mostly ate crackers on the march and on the battlefield, I am not a fan of eating cold meat or raw vegetables, although many did this.

At one point I asked for some milk from Silvana, but the Cavalry had broke her pitcher of milk earlier and for that she had called them "animals." I was going to respond, "I am not an animal, I am a Union Cavalryman", however; this was a modernistic reference to the "Elephant Man" which would have incited a whole slew of bad jokes, so I bit my tongue and chuckled. Silvana gave me a small amount of canned milk flater, I had a tin of oysters, an Onion and a small amount of salt. I made a great Oyster stew and took it with me to guard duty, It was my only hot meal of the day.

Later during guard mount, I went near the Confederate lines around 9:15 looking for a Johnny to talk and trade with . I got within 30 feet of a fire with a large group of Confederates, I stayed for about five minutes and left back to my lines. They were close. Also I didn't want to get captured again. Some of those Confeds owed me some payback from BGR.

I appreciated the Far West people like Troy Groves that flew out to the event, I have flown from Nevada before and it's a take more planning, money and coordinating to fly to an event. We owe the people on the other side of the Mississippi a visit in the next two years. Perhaps California or New Mexico?

What can we sustain from Outpost?

Organization and respect for military rank. I didn't witness any personality conflicts or Alpha Dog takeovers in Company BCD, everyone actually got along better in the field than we do online. Orders were accepted and obeyed. Our leaders did a fine job of issuing clear orders and respecting the needs of their men.

First person on the field and during battle. Although there was a couple of bad cat calls, however; most took the tactical elements of the battle seriously and we were into the battle, we actually ducked during rifle fire and sought cover as if real bullets were flying around, we sustained our military bearing and the privates didn't try to issue orders. The battles was exhausting and we dreaded the conflicts.

Guard Mount and military routine. Guard mount was the best I have ever seen and I felt no concern about the enemy sneaking up during the night. One man was caught without giving a challenge, perhaps napping and was swiftly put on report and dealt with. Our military routine was appropriate for our situation, we did not engage in "parade" or "knapsack inspection", I felt that such garrison or camp routines would have been dangerous in the field. It didn't happen.

Uniforms and types of kits. I didn't notice anything, which is great, because the gear actually became invisible and we were able to concentrate on the event. There was no lengthy discussion on gear or sutler talk, a man might ask where he got a particular piece of clothing and he would give a period response about a quartermaster or a particular sutler. We really Got Beyond the Gear (GBTG) on this one. Bravo.

Alright now the "need improvement" and I couldn't let an AAR slide without a few minuses, I apply this to myself and many others.

Physical fitness: Some of us older guys need to hit the gym. I gained 20 pounds since BGR and beyond the impression aspects, it's good for our health and ability to operate safely on the field. I name this as our number one problem in reenacting the ACW soldier, we may be in better health, but we do not possess their stamina, waistline or physical strength. We can't do much about old age or gray hair, but losing a few pounds and walking a few minutes a day will help.

First person: We do well when we are busy soldiers. When we are bored, we run out of steam, typically around the campfire. This a topic for another thread but, I have an idea on developing trans-unit personalities that we can use as alter egos. We really need to rethink the whole first person model. It provides a great internal experience, but it has a severe "who the hell are you?" flaw. There are the three personalities to deal with, in person, online and the ever changing first person. To often we relate to each other as our internet personalities and in fact, it's hard to disassociate ourselves from who we are online. The people that never post online or have any internet presence are not as type-casted and the first person is easier. They are only schitzoid in two ways and if we don't know them as modern people , even better. I will bring this up again in another thread, so don't drag it out here. We need to know each other in better ways, and not just as "that guy from the AC forum" or some other website.

Knowledge of drill and civilian culture. Drill is the big one and I am by no means a drill master, but I would like to see a series of events use the same drill manual with the same interpretation and someone designated asd the "Go-to" person with regards to what when we need to learn. Again this another thread for the future.

Civilian interaction: I don't know if we are still stuck in "Hollywood" mode on this one. What would really happen if a small group of Tennessee civilians in the woods were met by a large Union force? What did the historical records say? I will confess that I have not read up enough on this and my own personal interactions with the "other side" often feels stilted and artificial. My theory, if we could improve this aspect, then we would probably want more citizen encounters. I am not being critical of the citizens, I am just wondering if we are doing it right on the military side. It's a lot to deal with when you meet them and it' presents a bigger first person challenge.

In closing, I would like to thank the Western Independent Grays, and anyone that worked behind the scenes for this event. I had a lot of fun and learned much form this. I also want to thank all the "first timers' that came out for this Ebufu. I appreciate people ;ike Brian McGarrahan and any of the new folks that took up the challenge. It was great to see everyone again.

Mike Nickerson

10-29-2007, 07:10 PM

.
....At one point I asked for some milk from Silvana, but the Cavalry had broke her pitcher of milk earlier and for that she had called them "animals." ....

Just for the record, that was a detachment of Federal Infantry that did the dirty deed to the pitcher, while filling their canteens.

As for my perspective as a "Critter" Trooper, I thought it was the best campaign event (of the 4 I have attended). I feel our comrades in the Federal Infantry did a "stand-up" job and the Confederate Infantry and Cavalry were first rate opponents.

I had an outstanding weekend, well worth the 13 hour drive @ 11 mpg, with diesel @ $3+ :)

Mike Nickerson

C.R. Henderson

10-29-2007, 07:16 PM

Here's my diary entries from the period of October 26 - 28 as a Sgt. in C co. 89th Ill.

Hope you enjoy. Clear the Tracks!!!

"October 26

We have found ourselves in a field this evening. The moon is so bright that I need not to sit by candle light to rite. There is talk that we might be moving out in a couple of hours and not to get too comfortable now. I dispensed the rations to our company not long ago and the do not look too bad- onion, potatoe, beef, and hardcrackers. I saw a falling star.

We moved about a half mile down the road where we halted next to a tree line, opened ranks, and slept on our arms. I say slept- many men were snoring within minutes.

October 27

After three hours sleep we marched through a field, woods, a crik, passed a cabin and into another field. It is still dark now.

We were engaged in the dark for about two hours near the cabin with the secesh ladies. They do not like us at all and one of them glared at me as I walked away with food. I ate a tomatoe for breakfast and shared it with my brother. It did not rain today but everything is wet from the heavy dew. We are cold but have each other.

Engaged now. Many rebs. Hot fight. Might have lost B company to reb cavalrey.

B company showed back up- no worries.

I got knocked out cold during our last engagement. Though I am alright now, I know it knocked me out for a couple of hours. I recovered in a harvested cornfield with my company. I ate some, smoked some, and had a cup of coffee. There are hundreds of little butterflies fluttering about- little yellow ones with black on the edges of their wings. I want badly to rite home or even be home and sit in my chair in front of a fire with my pipe and a good cup of tea. Everyday I remember less and less the reasons we fight in this asinine war. We should be working now and not chasing ruffians around the countryside trying to force our governments will up on them. I have thought of joining their cause- although I don’t think I will. I only hope I’m not shooting at my kin form Tennessee. I wonder if Richard has joined the fight on the other side- can’t blame him. Perhaps he is in the east fighting with Bobby Lee.

Went on guard this afternoon and got a newspaper from Nashville. One of the privates did some trading with one of the rebs. Excitement and tention came toward the end of my shift when two Confederate officers and one big ole reb with a shotgun advanced wishing to parlay with Col. Sorchy. I was the Sgt. of the guard. We were fired on while returning to our lines. Terrible shots those rebs!

We were engaged for a bit.

October 28

We started guard rotations again on the picket line. My rotation is to mount from 12a to 2a. I pray for a quiet night. Our supper was a stew of beef, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoe, rice, greens, and salt. Very satisfying! Cpl. Deese procured some cigars this evening.

Guard duty was quiet.

We awoke long before sunrise just to wait to move. We probed the reb right to find that they had little ammunition. We had a hot fight for a while untill I got winged and went down. I stayed down a while- long enough to collect myself. I found Sgt. Todd and he helped me up. I came upon Pvt. Legg who had got himself a johnny prisoner. We got two more but were surprised from the rear by three other johnnys from behind. We came to a truce and after a little food trading went back to our lines. (we got sausage and some kind of disgusting cornmeal cracker which was a less palatable cousin of hardtack) We found our lines. "

Ross L. Lamoreaux

10-29-2007, 07:43 PM

I've been reading the perspectives from both sides with great interest, and its been good to fill in between the lines for the "big picture" that a lowly enlisted man would not have known in his little world. I've got to add to the story of the bringing of Cpt Landrum's affects to his widow. It was without a doubt one of the deeper events I've seen at an event, and I'm pretty jaded when it comes to first person stuff. I was asked by young Master Jerram our adjutant to escort him over to the CS side to try to make arrangements to exchange prisoners. Walking through lines with a white flag was interesting, and we were ably stopped by the CS pickets and halted until someone with some authority came out. We worked out some details of things and then we were approached by Sgt Hicks about returning the personal affects of a CS officer to his kin who were known to be behind the Union lines. Of course not wanting any CS staff to see the Union setup, he was told that we couldn't let him go back there, but would be happy to bring the young lady to meet them. As he expertly declared to the Fed officers, breaking the news to her should be done in a better setting with family support, so of course he and Mr. Craddock were allowed to go about the grim task. With several officers and Pvt Joe Blunt and myself as guards, they were relieved of sidearms and brought through to the cabin. As a lowly Fed guard with a rifle and bayonet, I stayed outside within earshot to make sure nothing wicked was being planned, but within seconds I found myself forgetting anything modern and was transplanted to October 1862 as Mr Hicks and Mr Craddock comforted the widow and family, told them of what occured with the death of Cpt Landrum, and returned his affects. I found myself taking off my hat in reverence, thinking to myself how horrid it would be to have to do that task of breaking the news to the family. I went back around to the front of the cabin to escort them back across lines and I will never forget looking at real tears and puffy eyes from Mr Hicks and Mr Craddock, and I really believed what I just saw and heard, knowing full well it was a first person scenario and not reality. It was an absolutely sobering, incredible moment for me as a person, a Union soldier, and father. Thank you very much Brian and Pat for that moment in time. I know it was meant to be for you guys, but you deeply affected this bystander with your actions. I didn't want to ruin the magic by speaking to you directly as we escorted you back to your lines, as I wouldn't have done this as a Yankee soldier, but it was really powerful thinking back on what had just occured.

Cleaveland

10-29-2007, 08:02 PM

liz, thank you all for your 'grudging' hospitality, that picture you attached is really nice except for one thing, I don't see any sign of the critter infestation you all seemed to have.. Thank you all again for quite a memorable weekend.

John Cleaveland
Critter Co

MercyAngel62

10-29-2007, 08:36 PM

Oh, how could I forget. :D It was funny how you guys managed to park your horses conveniently between us at the cabin and our outhouse.... ha

CSARebel54

10-29-2007, 09:16 PM

I It was also a real moment when myself , 3 pards from the company, and QM Kiev T., after going to help out Co. F, stumbled upon an entire fed company in the thickets. We observed the bugler about to take a leak and decided to take some prisoners. We called for their surrender because we were too close to fire. We would have had to aim completly stright up to be safe. Everyone one of them looked like they had been slapped by their mommas and of course none surrendered. I guess their pride couldn't take being nearly captured ( by all rights they were) , then completely run off with out even putting up a fight, by four men with a hand full a rounds. Bully to Kiev and my 3 pards !
That I definitely enjoyed. Just the look on their faces was priceless and that we scared away an entire company and would not let them gain any ground on us. Once we were hard pressed and had to fall back I then got a glimpse of what my comrades had gone through. I realized that Co. A was getting pushed back and was being threatened by a smaller fed company at the rear. The five of us helped hold the fed company at bay until we could fall in with Co. A and we proceeded to push them further back. It was definitely fun guys and an event I definitely will not forget. Will be looking forward to May and falling in with members of the Armory Guards and others at Picketts Mill.

Pvt Schnapps

10-29-2007, 09:39 PM

I've read the after action reports so far -- it sounds like everyone had a good time and had ample opportunity for immersion experiences.

Being of a clerical bent, I have a few additional questions, which I wonder if someone on staff could address.

How many registered for the various units, and how many of those attended?

What did the morning reports show for Saturday and Sunday?

If either side issued ammunition or rations, how did that work out? Did you use period forms and procedures or something tailored for the event?

Did specific rules of engagement exist to cover the tactical encounters? Did the event use OCs or umpires? If so, how many? If not, how did the units engaged determine the outcome of different engagements?

Did the commands have specific objectives to accomplish and, if so, how well did each perform? Who decided whether or not the objectives of the exercise were accomplished?

How closely did the event reflect an actual encounter?

Apart from that, I would appreciate hearing about anything related to paperwork under field conditions.

Thanks!

coastaltrash

10-29-2007, 09:49 PM

Csayankee

10-29-2007, 09:49 PM

I would like to thank all of the men of Company D and the Officers for making my first WIG event one to remember. I am already looking forward to another event in the future. To me the best part was Friday Night / Saturday Morning Battle, communicating with pickets for coffee and Sunday's flanking move by the Federals. As someone already said it is good to put a face with a name.

BenjaminLDavis

10-29-2007, 09:55 PM

Here's a few, more to follow ~

bAcK88

10-29-2007, 10:17 PM

I've been sick all day in class, so this must have been a good event. I'm jaded now so please excuse the list.

The Good:
The road trip out and back.

Serving in a helluva company (Company D!!)

Saturday morning engagement in which we stumbled onto a Federal company in which I literally fell on my butt from the surprise.

Milling about behind the Federal lines Sunday morning trying to find our way back to the company.

Getting a hug from Jordan Ricketts.

The Bad:
Not having permanent platoons and sections.

Missing the last two games of the World Series. GO SOX!!!

John Lennon,
Member of the Lost Canteen detail

Greg Barnett

10-29-2007, 10:19 PM

Journal notes from the weekend...

--October 26—

Arrived in the field just before sunset. Just enough light to find familiar faces of the 20th Tenn Company A and report to the Sgt Major my fitness for duty. Most everyone talked and caught up, since we were so close to home. My thoughts are of Riley and how not knowing his whereabouts disturbs me so. I already miss the wife and kids and wonder if they are all right.

We fell in and roll was called, many men had not made it back and I wondered where they were. Rations were issued. One sweet potato, cup of parched corn, onion, handful of coffee, goobers, three crackers, one sausage and new pork belly.

We had a little more time to mill about. We saw a great, green falling star. I have never seen one like it before.

We marched out. The ground was heavy with dew and soft from the rain earlier this week. The air was cool and the sky was clearing. Cold tonight. We marched about a ¼ of a mile and fell out as the guard company. Platoon 1 first post and platoon 2 as grand guard. I guess it is midnight. Two hours before my post. We were allowed to build cook fires. Our placement is a low spot near a creek almost bog like. Very little firewood and none dry. No time for sleep only cook and write. I fried my pork and fried an egg I had secured yesterday. My post is next two hours around two.

--October 27—

It’s around noon now and I am on post again. Post duty last night was cold and tiresome. It was all I could do to stay on my feet. No activity during my post and I could not wait to sleep. I did have time to think of my warm bed and my wife. We returned to camp I guess around 4 and I prepared for bed. My feet were soaked and I put on dry socks and lay down. Sleeping was no problem. We were awakened by gunfire no sooner than I had fell asleep. We got up and tried to secure our area. I did not know where our other two companies had been last night.
We fell in and headed off in pursuit of an unseen enemy. My feet are wet again, this time much worse. I am sleep walking it seems and I jammed my back getting up. We engaged the enemy after moving what seemed a ½ mile. We fired across a field into shadows throwing fire at us. We moved up and fell back a few times, before leaving the field and reforming. It is now light.
I am not sure how we got to out present position. It seems it is noon, but I think it is about seven in the morn. The Lt Col put me and Hoke to guard a Billy Co D had captured. He is from Lincoln’s land, Illinois and had on cuffs. A nice fellow and educated. He and Hoke carried on about politics and debated slavery and state’s rights. I told him my family had no slaves. An engagement erupted and I could only hear the fight. It sounded like a good one. I could hear our boys yell. I wanted to be there, but I was not getting shot at. A yank corporal was brought in next and then two more boys cuffed together. That was an odd and delightful sight.

All is quiet on my post now. They say there is a cease-fire until a prisoner exchange can be made. We neither gained position nor lost position today. I wonder what tonight will bring. It got hot today.

--October 28—

Yesterday afternoon and evening was quiet. I finally slept a few times between rotations. We posted guard again and rotations began. I drew firewood detail and pulled down some dead trees. First platoon built abatis and blocked a few cuts to our position. We were off and on 2 hour post. The first night duty was warm. We had cloud cover. Little movement on the ridge. I slept between posts. Boiled an egg for dinner around midnight. Second post was cold and I had trouble staying on my feet. Very tired. I thought of home and a soft bed and wife again. I kept waiting for some advance. The third duty was toughest. Just after post, I guess around five or six, shots were fired.
Federals made two advances toward our works and took them down. We drove them back and rebuilt them each time. One yank yelled "nice works reb" The cavalry helped us out. The third push by the Federals drove us out of our position and we found a small group on our rear and we pushed them. Lt Coats took a shot, I guess in the face, at close range. We got those boys out of the trees and pushed them across a field. That company put it on us hot, but surrendered; I am told, to Sgt Mitchell.

Kiev Thomason

10-29-2007, 10:44 PM

Pvt Schnapps

10-29-2007, 10:46 PM

Michael,
Those questions could have been answered if you registered and personally attended. Rations were issued on both sides in the typical manors. Maybe Hicks or Runyon could comment further, but if you weren't there, any explanations like that are for personal research and serve no real purpose for the organizers or people who attended.

Patrick, depending on my role, I would not necessarily have those answers even if I'd attended. As a soldier in the ranks I would not have expected to know what got reported to the adjutant or how the ACS handled their paperwork.

The questions still have value to the extent that they can obtain a description of what actually happened from an organizational perspective. This in turn would ensure that, beyond the good feelings, we could all draw lessons of value for future events.

In my own after action reports I go to some lengths -- probably excessive to some -- to present details concerning such items as morning report totals and the way in which rations get issued.

For example, only in the last year or so did I learn that the Form 13 generally got filled out in duplicate, and why. That sort of thing can be helpful -- the morning reports have helped me discover that pre-event attrition for several events has run around 33%. Trying to follow period procedures on ration issues has taught me about some of the difficulties attending that process in the field.

Anything I learn eventually feeds into the research that I post for free on this site, and distribute to other folks with a geeky interest in civil war administration. So it's not entirely for me, but for anyone with an interest.

I don't know if this would enrich the experience of the organizers or the folks who attended Outpost. It might, if they believed that what they accomplished could be of value to others, even those who didn't attend.

I apologize for any offense given in asking these questions, and hope that someone in a position to know might still consider answering them. Thanks.

Terry Sorchy

10-29-2007, 11:19 PM

Michael,
All morning reports were turned in by the Sgts in the morning. All Guards and pickett forms were distributed and turned in after there duties were complete. After action were had all ammunition expended reports were turned in. Our Adjutant was kept busy, he even composed a letter to the governor telling him of our displeasure of not being let to vote in the state elections as well as a list of petitioners. A Consolidated morning report was made also. Rations that were issued out were logged on the subsistence report. All of which were done by my adjutant on a brand new field desk and table supplied by the premier wood artist, Mr. Chris Henderson. Everything was done very much like the book with few exceptions, save what I felt needed to be modified for use in the presence of the enemy.
Communication was done by bugle calls.
Cavalry was doing the jobs that the cavalry actually did and our topographical engineer mapped the entire area and made updates.
Patrols were run all day and night.
Objectives were not given to both sides, in the war they were'nt either. Objectives were given by the battalion and company comanders and ALL were met.
In all my years this is was one of the most proffesional battalions I have ever had the privillage to be a part of.
It was a Very realistic event.
As realistic as we in the 21st century could make it.
Wish you could have made it.
Cheers
Terry Sorchy
General Battalion AAR to follow when I regain my sanity.

Charles Heath

10-29-2007, 11:31 PM

Apart from that, I would appreciate hearing about anything related to paperwork under field conditions.

I filled out some paperwork, and was delighted to have the opportunity to do so.

It was dark at the time, so I didn't see if the form was a CS or US production, but upon removing said paperwork from my cartridge box implement pouch I proceeded to crumple it slowly several times to break the fibers and make it more pliable during actual use, and gently tore it in half in case two applications were necessary. After filling out both halves of the form in the usual manner, and being quite satisfied with the volume, conistency, bouquet, and generally smooth flow of the results, I filed it in the pile of leaves covering said movement, and rejoined the spoon line for a good nap. I regret not being able to see any undigested corn in the mix, but that can be attributed to the general lack of sunlight during the hours of darkness.

The next day, I replaced the form with a cartridge bundle wrapper, so as to be fully prepared for the next exciting opportunity to fill out some paperwork.

Matt Woodburn

10-29-2007, 11:41 PM

Ok Michael, I'll bite and maybe we can then move on.

Speaking for Co. D, 20th Tenn only:

54 registered, 44 showed.

Rations were issued by the number of men registered, so food for 54.

We drew our rations from the Rgmt. QM Sgt. via a detail I assigned to one of the section sgts. This I noted in my book.

While the detail was dividing the rations for issuing, I was told we only had 30 crackers. I stepped in to supervise and counted 92 crackers. The man who had counted them then told me he was not a very good counter. He was assigned to another duty.

We had unissued rations that were returned to the QM Sgt. No ration return paperwork was filled out.

Morning reports were filled out and turned into the adjutant by 8 am except on Sunday when we were being run down by Critters. I did inform the adjutant that my report would be late.

I did not turn in any rounds expended forms.

The sun set at about 6pm and rose at about 6am. I used the "look at sky and time piece" method to determine this. No form or almanac was used.

I called roll of our company three times per day. All names were written in my roll book and noted present or on what duty. All details by section were recorded by me to insure that all sections were equally pulling their weight. Further no man in Co. D grumbled or hesitated to perform a detail.

After the event all my rations shot out my hindside with great velocity. I completed the necessary paperwork.

Charles Heath

10-29-2007, 11:47 PM

I did inform the adjutant that my report would be late.

That brief conversation alone was worth the price of admission. :D

Shotgun Messiah

10-30-2007, 12:29 AM

Mercy ,where to start?
First off I would like to thank the organizers of the event ,Western Independent Greys. A first rate job, handled with professionalism and pride. Never had so much fun.
I wish to thank all of Company F , Capt Aufmuth, Lt Kuptsch, and "Fist" Sgt Comer, no finer officers could you have.You gathered all of us Trans Mississippians to form a small but fiesty Band, we few we merry few...I will always remember St. Crispins Day ,forever!

The Morning predawn fight was something, alot of powder burned away, never knew if I drop a single yank, but I knew the fire from there side played effect as comrades around me dropped away with wounds or muttering the last thoughts of home, soon we wandered down to the where we would spend the remainder of the day, Center of the line in the Valley .
Taking up sentry positions in the " briar patch". I spent the bulk of the morning observing the union positions. As the battle started to heat up Our Company was tapped to charge the bluffs and take the higher ground from the Yanks, We did with zeal and surprised them I think with our audacity(stupidity) which
was stalled and retreated for another go.{ on side note,I missed this first charge as I had spent the whole of the morn in the briar patch and my coots were in dissray so I rebundled up my goodies just to see the boys streamin back from the charge}
So feelin sad and lonely when they gathered for another charge I fell in though my box were near empty of cartidges. A stirring moment as the whistle was blown it seemed all hell broke loose as every yankee gun fired at us, blowing across the valley we pushed up the bluff, I noticed the yankee company on our left as we passed them and made for the high ground, I stepped out on the flat plateau to see another bewildered company ( again I think we caught them by surprise by audacity)on my left I fired a round off at them and reloaded, only to hear my Lieutenant scream to refuse the flank and form a line here..on racing back to my second platoon position I saw the horde of blue( the first company we passed ) rolling up our flank. Sending out a round at them, I reached to reload, They began to call out to surrender, I reached for my rounds to find no Caps, I was mortified!!!My second sgt went down with a leg wound and the others broke, I didn't see them as I did my best remember the Alamo impression By standing over my fallen Sgt with gunbutt swinging only to be surrounded by several yanks with barrels as big as cannons pointing at me.
Four of us surrendered there, to be forced off to the yank rear. While carrying our sergant off the field Our company and company D made a charge on the yankee line with support from the Ranger cavaly, it started rolling them up when a second yankee line emerged to back them up, for a brief moment I thought we were saved , but it was for naught.
The Yanks forced us to the small farm cabin they had occupied and were abusing the owners and a young rebel soldier they had hog-tied to a tree, I thought this was our fate as well,but stripping us of gear they gathered us in a pile near asmall stream and a lonely grave.
There we were probed for details and any knowledge we would give up, The Yank Colonel was kindly when we started talkin about where we were from but when I told the other to shut up he turned all surly and mention us going to Illinois where he was from and when we gained better manners we would talk further.
I will never forget the moment when Sgt Maj Hicks and Maj Craddock came into the camp with long stern faces, at first I thought it was a exchange or they had been captured, But I noticed the bundle they carried. They turned towards the cabin where the womenfolk sat, one arose and began to swell up in tears, I knew some brave Officer had fallen and these fine men were giving up his belongings to his widow, I was struck with sadness to say the least, we were far enough away to not hear a thing but the vision I saw struck like thunder to me.
I would like to thank the wonderful civilains at the cabin, for sneakin us a bisquit( torn up quickly by five hungry men) like manna it was. The concern shown by these people the kindness and succor was greatly and deeply heartfelt to me. I can never repay the kindness shown to us.
After one of my fellow prisoners managed to get a note smuggled to the women folk they brought us some of the old hen and cabbage that we watched them stew up. Marvolus fare to say the least, even a piece of pork in case we were shipped away soon.
For the price of this delivery one cocky Corporal, figured he would line his pockets with my pards haversack, taking his pipe and a Bottle of " shine" from us. Upon swigging a big dose full he returned the white vinegar to its rightful owners only to the peals of laughter of his prisoners, the look on his face was priceless, But he still delivered the note.

Late in the day we were exchanged and upon returning to our lines I was Cheered from my comrades with "three cheers for Private Fagg". I was never prouder.
Did I have fun?
" Damned skippy"!!

SGulley

10-30-2007, 01:13 AM

John Lennon,
Member of the Lost Canteen detail

That was the most awkward of events during the entire weekend. Just glad we finally got our boys some water, albeit after the fact.

Ringo,
also a member of the Lost Canteen detail.

ryanbmm

10-30-2007, 03:32 AM

I am so jelous! wish i could hve made it down with you boys!

DougCooper

10-30-2007, 04:01 AM

A note on the little things:

Rations on the fed side were perfect...meaning "not voluminous" - and tasked the soldiers with making them last for two days. In Company A we ate everything, even the ubiquitous onion and ALL the potatoes. Not even a coffee bean made it home with me. All worked together and all shared equally. Rod Miller made a fantastic potato stew that reminded us of the story "Stone Soup". Somehow he got the hardtack to turn into a noodle consistency. For his trouble he was promoted to regimental cook and sent down to HQ to work some magic. He went off rather dejectedly muttering that he really could not cook. Wrong.

The period maps!!!! Don Smith did a superb job here, and it likely gave us a real advantage.

Best ever drink: Tea with condensed milk given to me by our Adjutant for Co A as our second shift went on guard. It was enough to warm those going out and those coming in. Thanks Andrew!!

Noise: We were reminded again how well any noise travels at night. We could distinctly hear most conversations above a whisper from the reb pickets, including the horses in the CS cav. A cough could be heard at 200 yards, ditto cup hitting scabbard, horse whinnies and such. During the day, the rebel yell was not your friend, as it told the other federal companies what was happening out of our vision and we could gauge direction and unit size. You guys never yell when you are going backward, only forward :D

Pvt Schnapps

10-30-2007, 07:27 AM

Thanks Mssrs Scorchy and Woodburn for bearing with me. I can understand how the general Battalion report would take awhile and I'm sure it will be worth seeing.

Charles, based on my recent experience, that sort of message directed to certain moderators would draw a warning. But I'm sure you couldn't help yourself.

LibertyHallVols

10-30-2007, 08:33 AM

I can't really add much to what's already been said...
I had a great weekend! I realized on my way home that it felt like it had been years since I'd thought about work or anything else. Isn't that what "vacation" is all about?

I would like to thank all the gentlemen of Company "D"! From our leader to each private, you all made the weekend for me! The early morning patrol with Lt. Craddock & Co. and the long afternoon on picket duty with Mess'rs Heath, Lewis, & Co. were great. There is no better way to get into the moment than being in a situation that requires your complete attention and you have no idea what to expect.

From anything I have ever read, there is a common thread that connects combat soldiers from the Revolution to present conflicts: Fatigue. Not "fatigue duty", but just being worn out. If there is any truth to this, then I (and many others) had a truly "authentic" experience. I have never before attended an event where an entire battalion flopped on their backs in an open field before dawn on Saturday morning and fallen fast asleep!

By the time I came off of picket duty on 2am Sunday, I was done in! I lay down next to a small fire and closed my eyes. What seemed like moments later, I woke shivering with cold and opened my eyes to see the cold ashes of the fire by which I'd fallen asleep. Evidently, I'd been asleep for more than 3 hours. I later learned that our 2nd Sergeant, Jim Conley, tried to wake me about 20 minutes after I'd gone off duty to ask me about the cavalry riding about out in the dark. He called my name and tried to shake me awake to no avail. I had ZERO recollection of it!

Events like this also provide us a chance to hone our field craft. On the way home, I estimated that I probably wore my knapsack for about 75% of the time I was there. Prior to the event, I scrutinized every item that went into my haversack or knapsack to reduce weight.

My knapsack contained:
A Federal Blanket, gum blanket, writing kit, comb (no comments, please), candle, candlestick, stocking cap, scarf, mittens, extra socks, some rope, housewife, a small tin containing rifle cleaning supplies, a large cup/boiler, and towel.

My haversack contained:
Tin plate, tin cup, knife, fork, spoon, handkerchief, can of "essence", matches, pocket knife, and the key to my van (...and rations, of course!).

As lightly packed as I was, not even all of this stuff was necessary. At one point on Saturday morning, we were instructed to pack up and make sure that nothing was making noise. After 2 tries to find a way to quietly carry my tin cup, I tossed the thing (muttering a few expletives). Jim asked me if I was "just gonna throw my cup away"... I replied "Yep! The @#$* thing is making too much noise". Jim correctly noted that, if I was coming to this conclusion in 2007, surely many soldiers arrived at the same conlusion in 186X.

While there were no real disappointments, I had expected the event to be more of a picket post. As it turned out, it was closer to a tactical. I don't know if this was by circumstance or by design. Whatever the intent, there were plenty of good moments and lots of great folks!

My sincere thanks to all who made this event happen!

I would also like to thank the folks at "Samboli's" Italian restaurant of Spring Hill. They made some awesome calzone's for Calloway, Farley, Gulley, and me before we stepped off for the event. The sucker was 12" long and in the shape of a semi-circle. None of us could finish one... and they were the "small" size! I'm not sure if I'd have made it through the event without that meal! Yum! I was really looking forward to another one on Sunday, only to learn that they were closed. I could've cried!

Thanks, folks!

Micah Trent

10-30-2007, 08:42 AM

Hats off to the WIG for an event that none of us will forget!
As part of Scuba Steve's Co. B, I still believe we covered more ground then the Critter's did, especially Sunday's force march that put us behind Confederate lines, on what I believe was their far left. As much noise as we made going though the thickets and brush and crossing the creek, it wasn't a wonder that we didn't get spotted sooner.
The moment that stuck out the most for me was when myself and the boys from the Liberty Rifles were getting ready to releave a group of our pickets when Capt. Ewing comes up and says we have guys missing at post. Ewing takes off quickly and literally disappears. Moments ealrier Commander Sorchy had made his way down there making a grand round and we never saw him return! When we made our way down to the post, there was no one to be found, not even Ewing or Sorchy. All we saw was an abandoned fire with clothes and gear scattered on the ground. It was one of those "Oh, sh*t!" moments. The feeling was one that was uncomfortable and we fell back to camp to report to Sgt. Cornett. When we arrived, here comes Capt. Ewing out of nowhere telling us everyone had been found. Our thought was, "Where the hell did you go!"
We then made our way back to the post to find everyone there that was suppose to be there. Come to find out, a few of our men (Calloway and Mason) snuck into Confederalte lines...what they did I have no idea.
Anyway, an awesome event.
Want to say a special thanks to Terry Sorchy. Despite the pressure, you did a good job! Oh, and the pies friday night hit the spot!...Terry promised and delivered.:wink_smil

Hairy Nation Boys

10-30-2007, 08:53 AM

Doug,

When was this stew made? All I got was half a boiled potato. Must have been when my section was out.

Jim of The SRR

10-30-2007, 09:16 AM

How many registered for the various units, and how many of those attended?

What did the morning reports show for Saturday and Sunday?

If either side issued ammunition or rations, how did that work out? Did you use period forms and procedures or something tailored for the event?

Did specific rules of engagement exist to cover the tactical encounters? Did the event use OCs or umpires? If so, how many? If not, how did the units engaged determine the outcome of different engagements?

Did the commands have specific objectives to accomplish and, if so, how well did each perform? Who decided whether or not the objectives of the exercise were accomplished?

How closely did the event reflect an actual encounter?

Apart from that, I would appreciate hearing about anything related to paperwork under field conditions.

Thanks!

Michael,

We were Co. C on the Federal side. We functioned with 34 men.

Rations were issued friday evening. Some forage was also shared with us from the cabin that was raided (but not much).

Our Sgts also kept careful track of ammunition counts throughout the weekend. Extra ammunition was brought up once from the wagons when we ran low.

Our company used Morning reports. We also used Guard Mount reports for our Guard rotations.

Rules of engagement were that we were to react appropriately and take approriate hits. That is what I really enjoyed...is that everyone reacted in an appropriate manner to each situation. No OCs were used. Prisoner exchange was handled in an organized manner by the Staffs. We took our wounded out of action for 1-2 hours (it varied depending on where the whole battalion was moving).

Our staff and officers used our maps (courtesy of Don Smith as our Topo man) to come up with objectives. On Saturday our objective was a location. On Sunday our objective was to destroy the enemy.

Paperwork is never fun in the dark.

Regards,
Jim Butler

Charles Heath

10-30-2007, 09:36 AM

Speaking of haversack contents...for those who haven't cleared the trash from their trusty feed bags, this could be a great day to remove those green onions before you-know-what happens in a few days. Not that this has ever happened to anyone before.

Pvt Schnapps

10-30-2007, 10:18 AM

Thanks, Jim. I appreciate the tone :)

I had wondered about the OC situation. My own experience leads me to think that it's better to do as you all did, without them, especially if you have the right folks to begin with. The honor system seems quicker and more flexible than waiting for, or getting past, an OC.

Despite my interest in paperwork, I don't especially enjoy doing it, especially in the dark. I suspect that in a tactical situation such as the one you all portrayed, most everything would have consisted of short, penciled notes, written up more formally later, if at all.

Sounds like a great event all round. Hope to see you in the field again some time.

GWHall

10-30-2007, 10:31 AM

Doug,

When was this stew made? All I got was half a boiled potato. Must have been when my section was out.

Holler,

2nd section didn't see any stew either.

Silvana Siddali

10-30-2007, 10:52 AM

First of all, I want to thank Carrie Craddock for inviting us to participate. It was a real honor to be allowed to join in. Carrie did a fantastic job organizing the event and deserves a lot of credit for her hard work. The WIG staff (Art Milbert, Patrick Craddock, and others) repaired the roof of the cabin, and built us a nice handy little outhouse and a chicken coop. That was a great deal of work and must have taken several weekends of their free time. Thank you very much to all for these comforts, and if I’ve left off anyone’s name, please let me know. The cabin was furnished with beds, tables, chairs, and lots of homey touches.

Carrie, Liz, and Kim treated us like family. I will never forget the many kindnesses they extended to us. More to the point, the event was interesting and enjoyable, too. These ladies faced a scary situation (being surrounded by rough-and-tumble federal cavalry and a coffee-less Terry Sorchy) with bravery and humor.

For us, the event was a real lesson in the experience of civilians living in the path of opposing armies. Because the cabin is situated next to a creek in a little hollow we were somewhat isolated from the fighting. We certainly heard it all weekend. Sometimes we would climb the ridge to find out what was happening, but couldn’t see much. So we had to wait for news, just as people did then. After a while the constant sound of fighting became commonplace and we learned to ignore it. Mostly we spent our time cooking, cleaning, doing our needlework, and fending off Remarks by the cavalry who had stationed themselves in our yard. I want to say that although those fellows have a scary reputation, I found them pleasant, funny, and friendly. I was touched to hear them talk about their families and realized that even the most intimidating guys have attachments to home and hearth. At least -- when they had enough coffee in their systems.

I do wish they hadn’t broken the pitchfork, because that made it impossible to keep up with the vast mountains of horse patooties that seemed to pile up in front of our cabin.

Coffee seemed to be the theme of our time there. Between Mr. Musgrove kicking in the cabin door to try to force us out of bed to make him a pot of coffee, and Mr. Sorchy (who is normally a very pleasant man) fixing me with a steely glare while demanding that I make coffee for his entire regiment, we were kept busy with the beans.

We had a little excitement when the prisoners were brought back to our homestead. We recognized a few of them and tried what we could to help make them comfortable. I felt sorry for the poor boy who was tied by the neck to a tree. And I was deeply touched when Brian and Patrick came to camp under a flag of truce to inform poor Liz that her husband had been killed. Their demeanor was so moving that we were all left feeling quite sad and shocked.

Greg raised a good point (a few pages ago) about civilian/military interactions at such events. For some time now I’ve been studying the way civilian women would have behaved in situations where they were confronting an occupying force. While my own reading has mostly dealt with Missouri, I think there are probably some parallels in Tennessee, another border state with a divided population. This isn’t the place to go into a long discussion, but in summary, my feeling is that civilian women who became too violent (verbally, tobacco-ly, or otherwise) risked having their houses burned down or other terrifying consequences. From diaries & memoirs I’ve read, most respectable women were probably too frightened or too worried about their belongings, homes, and families to behave very aggressively. If they were told to make coffee they’d make coffee. I’ve seen enough references to federal soldiers asking women to play the piano or to sing; I believe that military/civilian interactions may have been more civil and certainly less abusive than is often portrayed at events. (At least, let’s say in 1862.) An example: when Greg asked me for milk I tried to make a bargain with him, but he didn’t have anything to trade that we really needed (chiefly, some kind of fat to use for frying.) In the end it was easier just to let him have it, and he responded by taking only what he needed and making polite conversation.

To sum up, I had a wonderful time with Anna (as always), Carrie, Liz, Kim, and Paul, and learned a great deal. I feel that I made excellent new friends. Thanks for all your hard work and your kind hospitality.

GWHall

10-30-2007, 11:19 AM

Holler,

2nd section didn't see any stew either.

Mystery solved. What Doug was served as "stew" was evidentially drained to become a pot of potatoes which were handed out to the men as single boiled potatoes.

Rmhisteach

10-30-2007, 11:26 AM

Holler,

2nd section didn't see any stew either.

Andy, Holler and the rest of Co. A. The stew was for Sgt's mess. We had planned to make such a combonation long before we had to fall in . I made it in my porriger and there wasn't all that much of it.

RM

DougCooper

10-30-2007, 11:32 AM

Charles Heath

10-30-2007, 11:58 AM

Oh, to H--l with your d--mned yankee 'tater stew, cuz Iron Chef WIG passed out some finer than quartered frawghair boiled rice that was to die for. At the time, we didn't realize the good sergeant major was fattening us up for the upcoming slaugther on a forkful, but I digress.

Quote not heard, "Hey, they are going to die anyway, so let's grab their canteens for reissue."

Portion Control Mess,

Johnny Lloyd

10-30-2007, 12:46 PM

Best "mugging" I ever had... or ever will, I suspect. ;)

So much great stuff... where to start???

Huzzah for Outpost III as the best!!!

Your comrade -Johnny Lloyd

Jim Moffet

10-30-2007, 12:55 PM

Rob Murray and I got back to Minnesota @ 5:00 AM Monday, after dropping Col. Sorchy and Ryan Protz off in southern Wisconsin. I am still digesting the weekend. Cannot for the life of me recall everywhere we went Saturday! Col. Sorchy had asked that I assist with the battalion drill, serving as a general guide. Once we got into the field, being on the left of the line, I found myself with Capt. Ewing's Company B - had no idea that it would soon be the "Foot Cavalry!" The captain asked me, as a sergeant "without portfolio," to walk with him much of the weekend. Since the little flag in my musket didn't read "bang," the second time we crept through the woods looking for the 2nd platoon, down by the bridge - about 3:50 AM, I pulled the thing out of my weapon and loaded it! After that I tried to cover our valiant leader, but keeping up with him was not always easy...

Late on Saturday, we left the main Union camp to return to the left flank and our home in the sunken road. The Critters were in the hollow near the bridge as we marched through. Among the usual cat calling and animal noises (mostly from Sgt. Leichty!), one Critter stated "Hard Travelled Sons-o-Bitches..." Amen!

Though I had in the past served with some of the men of Co. B, we hadn't shared canteens before. Now they are great friends! That is a true highlite for me.

BTW - we hit the rear of the Tennesseans camp, swept past a few cavalry horses, and engaged cav. When CS infantry started arriving, we thought they were a reserve, then more and more were swinging in and hitting us in front and flank, so we recoiled....having no idea the success being enjoyed by Companies A & C! If you heard our bugler sounding what sounded like "Dixie" - that was a special call for HELP!!!

Since most of you didn't get to see where the "Why Not?" boys were all weekend, here are a few images of our camp, my pards, and the view of the rear of the Confederate postion. Sadly, the few images I tried to get of the CS line Sunday morning didn't turn out!

Thanks to the WIG & ONV leaders for a great event, the new friends, and one heck of a great experience!

Jim Moffet

LibertyHallVols

10-30-2007, 12:56 PM

As usual, one of the great advantages coming out of an event like this is training and experience. Training as a battalion is one of those. On Friday at the US camp, Commander Terry Sorchy called out the officers, 1st and 2nd Sgts and Guides and gave us all a piece of string corresponding to the length of a company front. For the next hour we maneuvered through the school of the battalion. It was invaluable and helped cement the various parts of the battalion together...and came in very handy on the "debatable ground."

Ah, shades of battalion drill at Fort Wayne about 5 years ago with Nick Medich. Using a rope in place of privates is a good idea... it spares the privates from suffering through the steep part of the learning curve on the part of the officers and NCO's.

Johnny Lloyd

10-30-2007, 01:24 PM

Hello-
If anyone so happened to take pictures of the event besides Mr. Moffet, I'm sure everyone would love to have them posted. Didn't I see a man in modern clothes with a tripod? Hmmm...

Thanks- Johnny :D

jones56ga

10-30-2007, 01:30 PM

Howdy fellas,
Personally, this was one of the most memorable events in a long time:D. I think I felt a touch of every emotion that a WBTS soldier would have felt. The thrill of the assault:), the elation of seeing the enemys' back:D, then the fear of seeing them regroup:confused:. Those followed by the frantic rush of men in retreat:eek:, and the worry for lost and missing comrades:cry_smile. Finally the boredom of the pickett line, the tense lull before a fight, and the warmpth of friends (physical, and emotional).
Id like to give big thanks to all the organizers, and people that helped to make the event a great one. Also, Ill try to publish my journal in a day or two.

See yall later!

Federal Bummer

10-30-2007, 01:40 PM

Moffet

That picture of us in the skirmish battle would make a nice painting.

I'll have my full report out tonight which may shed so light on the exploits of the "Foot Cavalry / Ghost Company." "Hard travelled, hard fighten, sons-o-bitches" indeed.

Eureka Independent

10-30-2007, 01:53 PM

Hi All,

Just rolled in to home lastnight. Man what a FANTASTIC event.

Thank you to Terry for having me be the Topog Eng for the staff. It was a true honor to work with Col Terry Sorchy, Capt "Skip" Owens, 1st Lt Andrew Jerram & Sgt Maj Adam Johnson. It was great to make some new friends and working with you all. It is great how the staff became efficient so quickly.

Thank you to the The Company A, B & C's Comanding Officers & 1st Sgt Adair of the Cavalry. It was a pleasure to work with you fellows & be apart of the councels of war. I could not have updated the maps as well as I could with out the help of the Company Co's!

It was a very intersting being the Topo Eng, having the challenge to have to furnish the maps to the Company CO's uppon Terrys orders, & to be constantly trying to take in the intel from 1st Sgt Adair and the company comanders to keep the maps updated for the staffs use. I ran along the lines more times than I would like to count, getting the information needed.

It was great to see how the use of the map in the councels of war, the constant use in the filed durring opperations, translated to the movements of the batalion. As well as their use in correcting & amending the plans when the tactical situation changed

Sunday was the best example with all three companies working in concert while being separated by the heavy brush and thick forested areas. Only working by bugel and the plan that was laid out the night before

Most of all I want to thank my brother Tom Smith, He has been teaching me how to be a Topog Eng ( Currently I am learning how to be a Topo Eng Draftsman). He deserves the real credit for teaching me what I know & what I was able to do for this last weekend.

For those of you that don't know, Tom did the maps for the WIG, and I did the ones for the 89th Ill, It is one of the few times that at a tactical event BOTH sides had hand drawn accurate maps.

At times being a Staff Topog Eng is like being a "Mall Kiosk" simply telling the Staff "You are here" and guiding them as to which way the land lays, compass bearing, etc, alowing them to do their work more efficently.

It was amazing to see how each of the fights developed.

Most memerable is seeing the Cavalry come galoping in to the fight on the flanks and to see Co B come in the nick of time to close the gap on Sat AM or to open a fire on the flank of the enemy on Sun AM.

It was a fantastic time & would do it again in a heatbeat

I feel fortunate to have made new friends and strengthen the old bonds.

thank you to the WIG for another Superior event!

I am looking forward to the next time out

Don S

D.F. Smith
Bvt 2nd LT
U.S. Corps Topo Eng
Attached to the 89th Ill Inf Regt.

Charles Heath

10-30-2007, 01:54 PM

That picture of us in the skirmish battle would make a nice painting.

Gimme back that brain cell! I was thinking how much it reminded me of Mike Thorson's enjoyable artwork when I read your post.

The Skirmishers (http://www.cafepress.com/cp/moredetails.aspx?showBleed=false&ProductNo=27660205&colorNo=0&pr=F)

Eureka Independent

10-30-2007, 02:00 PM

One More thing

I need the maps that each of the Company COs have with notations of where they were on Sun marked on their map , and/or AAR's

I need marked on the maps:

Starting position, Mid point position & finish position for Sunday AM Fight

I need these so I can make the finish map showing the actions of Sunday.

Also If the CS Comanders could send me their recolections of where they were on Sunday so I can have their positions on the map as well.

I will let all know who want a copy of it once I am finished drafting it

I look forward to hearing from you

All the best

Don S

Coon Dawg

10-30-2007, 02:03 PM

Hey Cornfeds. Had a great time. Please make sure you look back later this evening. I have lots of great pics. Specifically those with Trip's Company A.

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess (http://flatlandersmess.googlepages.com/)

Anna Allen

10-30-2007, 02:14 PM

First of all I want to thank Carrie Craddock for organizing the civilian side of this event. She did a fantastic job and she made everything very comfortable for all of us, especially those of us who traveled aways to get there. One thing I want to note about Carrie is her ever present good humor and good spirit. Out of anyone I've ever met in the hobby, she actually knows how to "play well with others." I won't go off onto this too much, but I find this lacking in the hobby and it's good to know there are still people who don't feel the need to add a bunch of unnecessary drama at events. I know I've said this before, but I try to remind myself at these things that this is all something we do for the pure joy of it all. Somehow experiencing maybe even just a small portion of what our ancestors may have experienced gives me chills up and down my spine. I feel that I learn so much more by actually living their every day life rather than just reading about it. There really aren't very many chances where one can go live in a log cabin for a weekend. So kudos to everyone out there for making this a wonderful and most enjoyable event for us.

It had been about three years since I'd been to Brown's cabin so it was fun to see it again and get the chance to stay in it over the weekend. Some of the guys had also constructed a pretty little outhouse, which was probably the highlight of the event. (Okay, not really.) But it was a neat addition. I felt like I was staying in a five star hotel compared to the typical arrangements we find ourselves in at events.

Friday night we found we had visitors who we thought would only stay the night and leave in the morning, but were surprised to find stayed camped at our place the entire weekend. They were very "considerate" to situate their horses in front of our house and conveniently in front of the outhouse. So every time we had to go use it, we not only had to walk over a bunch of horse crap, we also had a bit of an audience. Probably my least favorite experience of the weekend. Although I will admit, the writings the guys made on the inside and outside of the outhouse did put a smile to my face. I finally got to meet the famous rowdy bunch of Critters. I'd heard a lot about them and they definitely lived up to their name. We found out early Saturday morning that they meant business when one guy kicked open our door at 3:30 telling us he wanted coffee and we were to get up NOW! What I really wanted to do at that point was to dump a bucket of hot coals on his head. I think I got all of two hours of sleep that night. But I'm sure something like this may have happened in the period. All I know is I was genuinely angry at them for harassing us so early in the morning. So in that sense, it was pretty realistic!

It felt like it took hours for the sun to come up on Saturday, mostly due to the fact that we all thought we had gotten up at closer to 5a.m. instead of 3:30 so it took four hours to finally look like morning. The whole day I felt sleepy and it was odd seeing all the men camped around us, never a moment of silence or lack of wise-cracks from the men. Later that morning we found some soldiers coming into camp with a confederate prisoner. It was our friend Jeremy who they had said got lost and captured. I don't know if that's actually what happened, but it was odd seeing a friend of ours in our midst. I didn't know if I should say anything, seeing as the federals were camped all around us. Silvana mentioned something and the federals must have heard her because I saw them questioning Jeremy. I heard him say "I don't know who the hell that woman is." It's funny what circumstances will do to your memory. Perhaps he thought they would do something to us if they found out we did know him. A bit later a few more of our friends were captured and brought into camp. Part of me is kind of happy they got captured so we could see some of our rebel friends. Although I do wish the federals hadn't stayed quite so long. I felt almost like I was intruding on someone else's home as I always had to watch what I said around them. I wonder if it was like that in the period. I think in the period one would almost feel like they were taken prisoner and a bit helpless in their own home. I felt like I pretty much had to do anything they asked me to do as we were very much outnumbered. The one thing I found amusing was how much coffee the men seemed to need. Now don't get me wrong, I do understand the need of good strong coffee at events and I imagine men without any sleep would want even more. But every time I looked around I saw Terry Sorchy coming over with a bucket in his hand and a can of Essence of Coffee ordering us to make him more. (I will note that I'm glad Terry is actually a very fun loving man in real life, even though he comes across as a bit of a mean, stern looking guy when he's doing first person. Just wanted to point out that we don't actually think he's horrible in reality. ;-) )

I'm probably forgetting so much more, but I wanted to say I truly enjoyed my time and I feel that I learned a lot last weekend. It always takes awhile for me to get back to reality after events and I know this one will be especially hard. Even with all the inconveniences, I think the one thing we all enjoy most about the hobby is that it gives us a chance to live a simpler life. We get so caught up in our modern way of life and it's nice to step back into a world where the worries almost instantly go away. Big things you're dealing with in every day life don't seem very big anymore. I also enjoy the friendships I've made and the new people I meet at every event. I usually tell my non-reenactor friends that it's kind of like a big family reunion. We have all these people who have this one interest who are very passionate about it and there's this bond we make that I think is very special. I don't believe many people in our life experience this type of bond and I really think it's neat to be apart of it.

Anyway, thanks again for all the people involved in getting this event together. A big thanks goes to Art Milbert for putting in your time and effort to make this a success. I know it's a lot of hard work and you don't get nearly as much thanks as you deserve. In most cases you probably get a lot of negative feedback about how you should do things better, but I want to say you were awesome. I wish I could do more to show my gratitude. Take care and I hope to see new and old friends again soon!

Campjacksonboy

10-30-2007, 02:43 PM

First I would like to thank the organizers and my company for an enjoyable weekend. I think we all learned a little something from this.
I was Francis Marion Davis, Commanding Company F, 20th Tennessee. If Col. Milbert or staff want a report I will be glad to e-mail it.

We charged to the top of the ridge twice on Saturday both times finding the natives hostile and friends far away. During the second assault we had to retreat to the edge of the ridge backed by a hill as steep as Chapultepec. I thought all was lost when Sgt. Mitchell appeared with around 20 men and helped us as we tried to push the federal company off the ridge. Then appeared that fantom federal company in their support. Cavalry to our right, and I still don't think I've had time to digest everything that happened in 5 minutes. We had no choice but to retreat.

I only have one question. Why didn't the federal companies persue? As I looked back up that hill I was greatly relieved to see blue sky and no "sky blues." Even more so greatful that you all allowed us to show ourselves out the side door. *By advancing to the edge after we left it you could have fired into the tops of our heads and ended Company F right then. I was curious why you didn't.

Side note to Mr. Coley Adair. That was your chance sorry you missed us. I was hoping to meet up with you. I will talk to you later.
Frank Aufmuth

Federal Bummer

10-30-2007, 03:06 PM

Capt51stALA

10-30-2007, 03:06 PM

Man it was great. I was in Capt. Landram's Company Lt. Nixon’s platoon. Man all day Saturday I saw no reason why we could not have pushed the Yankees all day. They seemed un organized and lucky. Every time we went forward we pushed them but we were always ordered to fall back. Even on Saturday night standing picket I was thinking well we accomplished our mission to keep the enemy in check and we would finish them in the morning. Well then there came 6am Sunday and we were roused out of camp and skirmished with Yankee infantry and cavalry trying to get into the rear of our camp. Well it seemed confusion reigned on our side and the Yankees took the advantage. We had given up our canteens to get refilled and they soon got captured for the Yankees unleashed hell on us. We just kept getting pushed and those damn troopers with repeater hurt us bad. Finally we were pushed out of the camp and were totally routed. As we rallied on the other side of the cornfield I noticed we had lost about 45% casualties.
All in all I had many of those in the moment times. For this to be my first campaign event it was great!

Michael Mumaugh

Coatsy

10-30-2007, 03:36 PM

Ms. Siddali,

The oh so popular outhouse of glory was constructed by The two Marks, Pat Craddock, Art Milbert, Kiev Thomason, myself back in August. They actually let me use power tools. :)

Part of the roof on Brown's Stand was replaced by Kiev and myself with great assistance from tall Mark Choate.

I know a lot of the Johnnies wanted to drop by to say hello/nag you, but the Billies liked it so much they decided to stay over the weekend. Oh well, perhaps next time.

Fiddlebum

10-30-2007, 03:54 PM

"The oh so popular outhouse of glory was constructed by The two Marks, Pat Craddock, Art Milbert, Kiev Thomason, myself back in August."

Someone, and I don't remember who (I think it was Smotherman but I could be wrong) asked who built the outhouse roof so's you'd get wet going in & coming out? :tounge_sm

Since it didn't rain, I reckon it wasn't much of an adversity. The privy did end up with some interesting graffiti, though.

Kim Caudell

pvt_jb

10-30-2007, 05:01 PM

I had a wonderful time for my first progressive event. Thank you to the men in the ONV for taking me in. I felt liked I belonged with my new pards in 4th section Co. A (the best section in the regiment :) ). The ONV are top notch and the first person was great all weekend. It was nice to drive home talking about the few times first person was broken instead of talking about the few times first person was active.
So many experiences there were new to me and made for some very memorable moments. Using ramrods really added to the weekend, staying loaded, sleeping on arms and just staying ready to spring into to action at any moment in general. 2-5am picket duty (thankfully my section missed being captured but not by much). It was a very interesting feeling realizing in the dark that our Orderly Sgt and a couple of Pvts were MIA. Heck, the whole weekend was a memorable moment. Including getting that hot boiled potato in the ranks Sat night. It was truly the best dang potato to ever cross my lips! Also, I don’t think I have ever been so active with such little sleep. To sum it all up with a quote from a friend of mine “It sucked so bad it was good”.

Eric Tipton

10-30-2007, 05:23 PM

Much has already been written so far, so I will try not to to re-tread (too much) on ground already covered.

The Good

Being in a live situation where you have to be alert, rely on your wits, follow commands and find opportunity.

A worthy adversary - While we were galavanting all over the place, the Rebs were moving just as quickly. Tactically, I had many period moments watching maneuvers in the field and I take my hat off to you boys for the spirit of friendly competition. Kind of hard to shoot at a bunch of guys you like.... well, not really. ;)

Eating a humongous (and quite savory) chunk of "just-off-the fire" beef given to us by the Liberty Rifle Boys as we headed out for picket. Man, it burned the roof of my mouth, but it was gooooood.

89th Illinois Company "B" - Being in a company that was able to roll the flank of the opposition twice in one weekend, not to mention a cross-country mad dash to get to the rear of the Confederate "Fortress" on Sunday. Man, we all ran our tails off all weekend. Of course, by the time we reached our first stop on the way home, we rolled out of the cars looking more like the bunch of old, decrepit men we are. I think everyone who attended got quite the workout. We told you we would find your wagon Kiev. ;)

"Why Not?" - Jim Moffit referred to the "Why Not Boys" in his post. We learned that a famous house of ill-repute in Chicago was called "Under the Willow". Being from Chicago, our regiment would have been quite familiar with this establishment as it was of some reknown during the war. Based on a history that our fearless scholar Joe Liechty found, painted on the shades of the windows in gilded letters was the phrase "Why Not?" Apparently, this phrase became a catch-phrase of sorts in the army and we managed to work it into as many conversations as we could throughout the weekend. As in... Stay up all night in the cold, sleep in the mud, get thirty minutes of good sleep while worrying about getting swept up by cav while you are taking a whizz at an event? Why Not?

Taking Hits - I dread coming home from an event where people didn't go down and come back to this site to read all of the complaining and back-biting. That didn't happen at Outpost based on what I saw with some very small exceptions. Based on the number of prisoners and casualties mentioned in the posts and the people I saw go down in the field, I thought that probably 90% of what we did this weekend appeared to follow the realities of the sitiuations. Perfect? No. Very well-done? Yes.

The Terrain - The way the site is set up, it had just the right amount of space to do what we needed to do. I was a little skeptical personally at the outset, but the objectives established for the event melded very well with the site. Other than some modern "white noise" the site was very pristine and offered great obstacles for maneuvering. We clung to the ford across the woods for the entire weekend after we took it early, early, early on Saturday morning.

The People - I have said it before and I'll say it again - the more of these we all attend, the better we get to know each other and the more we can build our base. This event, for me was the highlight of the season and the perfect ending for a very good year.

The "Just Curious"

All right, there was one little item that was grumbled about at the event, which didn't effect the outcome or my overall opinion, but was grumbled about nonetheless. A lot of guys wanted to get out to our camp site earlier than we did Friday night and I wondered about it myself. Our camp site was approximately 200 yards across of one the ubiquitous corn fields on the site and it seemed like there was an extended limbo period until we moved out at 11:00 PM or so. Once we got out there, of course, we slept and everything from there went like clockwork from a lowly corporals perspective, but people were wondering

The Hilarious

Watching Herb Coates and Tripp on top of that ridge on Saturday as we came up behind them. Herb, that look on your face was absolutely priceless. For a half-second, you looked like one of those cartoon characters who pauses in midair in running stride. I'm not sure what got into us, but we were screaming like Yankee Banshees into that gap. We mentioned to Captain Ewing later that we had to check the men for their heads after his wild saber-swinging on the dead run. :)

Bernie Bierman's continuously-unfortunate position in proximation to Liechty's, um, rear cannon blasts throughout the weekend. Bernie, are your ears still ringing?

The Conclusion

Honestly, this event ranks in my top five I have attended. Sometimes an event is great because of the scenario. Sometimes an event can be great because of the people you ge to fall in with, and sometimes an event just kind of takes on it's own life. I think that this event had all of those qualities and a helluva lot of forethought and preparation to-boot. We have made many great friends traveling in this circuit we have all created and for this weekend, I thought that each side and the poor trapped citizens in the Yankee Belly came with their A-Games for this one.

Thanks to Terry Sorchy - our prodigious commander on the Federal side. Terry, you had a lot on your plate for this one and I thought you managed things quite nicely. Always a pleasure to run with the cheddar.

Thanks to all for a great and memorable weekend. See you in Nashville. Why Not?

MercyAngel62

10-30-2007, 05:33 PM

A few more neat pics. I thought they were worth posting.

buckandball

10-30-2007, 05:42 PM

Mr. Lloyd,

A totally unsolicited bit of advice, yours for consideration for the future if it is of any value or merit;

When alone, one might not want to enter into dealing with the "enemy" when there are two of them standing before you taunting you to come forward with half a dozen of their pards watching. One never knows what will ensue with such unruly types. Especially after the picket previously standing your post (or might have been you) said such peculiar and unflattering remarks about our dear wives, sisters, and other parties best left unmentioned. Such unflattering discourse on the picket line always leads to the need to defend the aforementioned ladies’ honor.

That being said, my only regret was that I though we were going to physically subdue you and take you into our lines. We might have been unarmed, but there were two of us, and you were a pretty small fella compared to us. Our rations were quite low (we eat a lot) and we were in need of food. We had never cooked and eaten a real live Yankee before, so we figured it was time. Hence why I tossed you to the ground... But when I saw the Corporal had skedaddled with your coffee (unknown to me at the time it was without surrendering any of his tobacco...), well… you know the rest.

So I suspect losing your coffee and not falling into the enemies hands was a fair trade. And judging by the general disinterest of your fellow pickets, we might have succeeded. Just as well, we probably would not have had time to properly cook you.

I will add that the three Federal prisoners I was a party to guarding prior to Saturday’s prisoner exchange were superb in keeping 1st person and putting up with our vengeful corporal and his detail of angry confederates whose home state they have invaded. They went along superbly and even gave us "hard mean looks" when freed.

Later that evening on picket duty I remarked to the good Corporal he had better do his best not to get captured himself, for sake of Yankee claims of reparations and revenge!

From my view point of first file in Co D, it was a good event and great to see all!

Regards to all…

Charles Heath

10-30-2007, 05:53 PM

Ben, something tells me you are more than ready for the Donner Party event. I suppose this is a bad time to inform you one of those three Saturday guests, er, um, prisoners was (and is) first cousin to Canadian Bacon.

Johnny Lloyd

10-30-2007, 06:00 PM

Buck-

Didn't tell you that Ol' Corporal Troy covering behind me at the time had one of them fancy REPEATING weapons and he's a dead-on shot with that Ma-Deuce he was manning that day, mind-you-that, my good man!

Ya'll are big boys, granted, but that makes you bigger targets for us. What do they put in the water down South these days to growed ya'll up so big? :confused:

As far as the ladies' honor, well, we wuz just as down-raght crude back at ya' so I calls it fair as far as verbage was concerned...

... but certainly not as far as the "trade" was concerned! :D LOL

As for the whole sit-chation, I went with it because you know something like that probably WAS period. For all you know, you COULD have captured me and then persuaded me to take the Confederate oath...?

Thanks for the poke sack back. The beans got thrown-away at the hotel that night. Ironic for all the ta-do over 'em... nearly lost me hide over the need for tobacky for my comrades.

Great fun... hope you had fun too!

Take care... -Johnny

flattop32355

10-30-2007, 06:05 PM

I only have one question. Why didn't the federal companies persue? As I looked back up that hill I was greatly relieved to see blue sky and no "sky blues." Even more so greatful that you all allowed us to show ourselves out the side door. *By advancing to the edge after we left it you could have fired into the tops of our heads and ended Company F right then. I was curious why you didn't.

You'll have to get comments from Companies A and C for their take on the subject.

As Company B came screaming in on your left flank and swept in behind you on the slope, Confederate cavalry was spotted on the far rise through the gap and trees. Being one of the slower moving men, I was still in the ravine between the ridges when our NCO's started yelling for us to get out of the gap or we'd be captured by the Reb cavalry from behind. The majority of our men were already too committed to sweeping up the hill to turn around and form a rearguard line to head off a possible attack by that cavalry. I fired a round up the hill to let 'em know we were still down there, and then fled, reloading, up the opposite slope to rejoin the company.

Had it not been for the presence of those horsemen (we didn't know at the time how many were there, and thought the worst), we might have rolled up your entire group, or a goodly number of them.

The fog of war, even at close range, and perceiving a threat aimed at you rather than the threat you yourself present, was played out in spades in those few decisive moments.

Micah Trent

10-30-2007, 06:20 PM

I'll have my full report out tonight which may shed so light on the exploits of the "Foot Cavalry / Ghost Company." "Hard travelled, hard fighten, sons-o-bitches" indeed.

Steve,

Are we looking at your full report to be in somewhat of a volume set? :D

Moffet,

Your pictures are great! The one with Co. B behind enemy lines is one of the best I've seen taken in a while. But folks if you look closely....you can see our fearless leader Scuba Steve lying down on the job..lol...I believe it was more then he could bare.

Coatsy

10-30-2007, 06:46 PM

ET,

If my voice was in top shape this past weekend you probably would have heard me yell "S**t" very loudly on Saturday. As I said since I was in top speed I really couldn't stop to tip my hat (or have it shot off) for you gents. All in all it was a great "Oh Mah Gawd I'm Gonna Get Kilt!" moment for me.

And fyi..... it is Coats..... no "E"s need apply. You and Paul Jerram love to taunt my last name so. :tounge_sm

I have to agree with you on taking hits. I even took one sitting on top of the hill. Stray shot knocked me over while cooking my food much to the delight of my comrades. :wink_smil

Hrmmm. Maybe the Federal Foot Cav will get a better workout at Bummers.

Eric Tipton

10-30-2007, 06:53 PM

Hrmmm. Maybe the Federal Foot Cav will get a better workout at Bummers.

Herbe:

With more hills... ;)

Are youe sure thate youre laste name doesn'te have ane "e" ate the ende?

Coon Dawg

10-30-2007, 07:50 PM

Here are some of the pictures I promised. Thanks to all.

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess (http://flatlandersmess.googlepages.com/home)

Johnny Lloyd

10-30-2007, 08:22 PM

Joel-

Which one is you? I'd like to know the man I've been talking to before.

-Johnny

Eric Tipton

10-30-2007, 09:05 PM

Rmhisteach

10-30-2007, 09:39 PM

Pards & Comrades,

The Good
1. Having an event with top notch impressions on both sides .
2.6 full companies of progressives in one place
3. a realistic command structure where most of us had no idea what was happening or where the rebs were.
4. Beef instead of Salt pork
5. Great site-Nice to be able to visit some of the local sites on the way down.
6. organization- Hats off to Art and the WIG staff
7. Good pards having to work together- Big thanks to my pards in Co. A
8. I got to know some new fellas that I now consider pards.
9. Immersion events are always fun. I found myself tlking about railroads, farming, politics,& yes Mr. Smith even Injuns.
10. The capture of Sgt.Flemming-I was really shaken by the whole ordeal

The Bad
1. Marching and getting a cornstalk lodged in my shoe in the darkness of Sat. Am
2. Not remembering all of the bugle calls I had been listening to on my IPOD for a month and a half prior .
3. Taking a hit and landing in the oxen's area. The the driver told them to get it thier spot and we got out of there!
4.Sleep- Or lack of

Over all I enjoyeed the event thanks to all who had a hand in its success.

Thanks to the Boys of Co.A for all you great work

RM

Greg Barnett

10-30-2007, 09:47 PM

Nice pictures Joel. There are several good looking fellers in there somewhere. We don't look too bad for the wear.
Great talking with you this weekend.
Cheers

Coon Dawg

10-30-2007, 09:47 PM

Joel-

Which one is you? I'd like to know the man I've been talking to before.

-Johnny

I am the one on the left with the kepi.

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess (http://flatlandersmess.googlepages.com/home)

Coon Dawg

10-30-2007, 09:53 PM

Nice pictures Joel. There are several good looking fellers in there somewhere. We don't look too bad for the wear.
Great talking with you this weekend.
Cheers

I thought you might like these. Great meeting you as well. Sorry about your dear old friend of 14 years.

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess (http://flatlandersmess.googlepages.com/home)

C.R. Henderson

10-30-2007, 10:03 PM

Please tell me that someone is writing an article for the Historian for this one? We need to get this out there to people outside our little world. A few of us wrote articles about the last couple of events. Who is next? If someone is out there thinking about it, ask yourself, why not? ;)
I'm thinking of seeking publishing of my diary entries and maybe Ricky Jones will do so as well for the Confederate POV. (Ricky and I were originally going Fed together but he decided he wanted to go gray so we came up with a cockamamie plan to keep diaries so one could read about what the other went through, what was similar and what was different, on the way home.) I also think it would be cool for the two commanders to write about their strategies and what worked and what didn't. You're right, this was too great an event to let this opportunity slip by us.

pipthelimey

10-30-2007, 10:17 PM

I had a blast. Even though I spent two years as a mainstream adjutant, and have done it at c/p/h events before, I was stunned by the volume of paperwork required to maintain a battalion in the field. Thankfully we weren't there over a month as that required a whole other set of forms. Being a staff officer with a limited role is a very interesting way to view an event like this. On the field I didn't have much to do other then help the Lt. Col. communicate with companies and be an extra pair of eyes for him.

For me, the highlights were personal interactions. Getting to meet Don Smith and talking over common ground with him made my weekend, even without the rest of the good stuff. The homestead was incredible, and the outhouse looks much better now that Don has graced it with a two foot wide, (and incredibly detailed) Federal seal.

The companies were well formed and well led. They all did their duty with less bitching and moaning then I have ever heard. The rations were authentic, yet ample, and the fact that the beef was precooked precluded a lot of problems.

As for the civilian interaction, I was privileged to have such a fine lot of folks working to help create what I think of as a tapestry. It's impossible to get into the "moment" without a 360 degree surrounding of it, and they made my weekend especially memorable. I'm lousy at first person, so I didn't talk much to them, or interact with them much, as I didn't want to ruin anyones experience. Forgive me ladies, as I really would have liked to chat with friends I have met along the way. Carrie, I am sorry I couldn't repair your shoe better! :)

The Federal side may have been a little more successful over the weekend, but that didn't have to do with the men or the leaders half as much as it had to do with four things:

1) We siezed the best ground on the site first. We had open yet covered lines along which we could quickly shuffle troops, (as Capt Ewing et al found out) to cover hot spots. Our picket posts overlooked the CS picket posts.

2) We had excellent maps. The confidence that they instilled made difficult maneuvers possible. They showed potential weaknesses as well. Don Smith deserves all the credit for these. If you didn't get the chance to see any of them, get a copy when they are available. They are impressive.

3) Communications: The two buglers we had enabled the battalion command to simeaultaneously move three companies at once, (as happened Sunday morning) and enabled us to summon the detached company or the cavalry instantly. Cheers to the buglers!

4) Cavalry: Our mounted company, (the Critters) are an incredible bunch of guys. Their tireless efforts secured vast areas of ground with a minimal amount of men. They prevented suprise attacks, they gave incredible amounts of raw intelligence, and any one of them could be counted on to render a sound judgement of what they had seen. Their firepower was also impressive. The Spencer gives an amazing tactical advantage to mounted troops. Their speed x firepower was crucial in repelling the Confederate attack Saturday afternoon, as well as rolling the Confederate left flank on Sunday. I can't forget the image of a Critter sitting astride his horse in the moonlight on Saturday morning. I also can't forget the image of dirt clods flying as they barrelled across our plateau in support of our left.

Overall I had a blast. I met some great new people, and met back up with some old pards. I am looking forward to 2008!

Kind Regards,
Andrew Jerram
Late adjutant of the 89th Illinois

John Legg

10-30-2007, 10:40 PM

C.R. Henderson

10-30-2007, 10:45 PM

Legg,

my favorite line this weekend was, "Alright, Legg, what did you screw up now?"

DougCooper

10-31-2007, 12:50 AM

I only have one question. Why didn't the federal companies persue? As I looked back up that hill I was greatly relieved to see blue sky and no "sky blues." Even more so greatful that you all allowed us to show ourselves out the side door. *By advancing to the edge after we left it you could have fired into the tops of our heads and ended Company F right then. I was curious why you didn't.

Frank Aufmuth

Frank - was that your tin horn bugle we heard? Brings back great memories.

It was probably a universal feeling that it was prudent to fight you in the open using our interior lines and buglers, rather than plunge more into the forest and find ourselves in a real fix, not able to properly support each company. We moved Co A into the little finger of woods on your far left flank to push Craddock's boys on the other side of the woods Sunday AM. All of a sudden we were attacked to our left rear and only escaped to our right via single file on the run through an opening into the big field and the protection of the Critters. I imagine that was Pat's other platoon and the trap nearly worked to perfection.

Dale Beasley

10-31-2007, 01:00 AM

"We did as we wuz told, and boy did we pay the price."

TKlas

10-31-2007, 01:29 AM

Gents,

Many thanks to Art Milbert and the WIG for a very good event. I really enjoyed it being in the ranks with my comrades in the ONV under Captain Gerow, Lt. Argue, and a fine NCO staff. I also wanted to thank those whom came out in the ONV company whom normally do not attend c/p/h events. Your presence was encouraging and I hope you gents had a great experience and want to attend some higher end events in the future with us. To the men of Company "A" 89th Illinois, it was a pleasure to serve with all of you.

Some more highlights for myself:

1. Good use of tactics during the weekend by both sides.
2. First person use was very evident at this event. Thank you to those whom stayed in the moment as it made for a far more rewarding experience.

3. The working together of many familiar faces on the federal end with SCAR, GHTI, ONV, Southern Guard, Mess #1, Hard Case Boys, and many others. It will be interesting to see if the new Federal Campaigner group will take root. I wish you all the best as an old AoP'er.

4. The use of the bugle for the weekend was excellent. Many thanks to RJ and Randy. And RJ it was good to see you at a c/p/h event. Don't be a stranger.

5. Seeing Terry Sorchy and his staff excel at this event as this was a role relatively new to Terry as federal commander. Congratulations Terry as you did an excellent job organizing and being able to get your staff on the same page tactically for the event.

6. As always, getting to touch base with some pards before and after the event. Many thanks to Chris Utley of Carter and Jasper for letting many of us stock up on some good knitted wool scarves & mittens before the event. They came in handy with the conditions during the event.

7. Brian Hicks taking time with our Company near the conclusion of the event of the importance of the land we used during the event. Thanks Brian for giving us the big picture and awareness efforts to preserve what can be saved near Rippavilla Plantation.

8. The storied beef and bloody beef ration was high conversation in the federal ranks. Charles would have been proud but not quite on the level of the three meat mystery stew of Shiloh NPS LH fame.

9. A great event to cap off the 2007 season with. Looking forward to the upcoming mess and ONV Winter meetings to plan for 2008.

Clear the track,

Enoch Sharp
Private - Company “A” 89th Illinois Vols.

John Grimes

10-31-2007, 07:53 AM

Unfortunately due to my unexpected early departure from the event, my AAR comments are quite short. From the posts here and seeing you fellas on Sunday in the wagon park, it looks like all had a great time and the event was quite the success.
My observation for future event planners. Make sure to publish a plan for late arrivals. As Mark Susnis stated earlier, we arrived after everyone departed the wagon park. We ended up wandereding a few hours trying to find everyone (anyone). The issue this causes: 1) event staff not having accountability of personnel 2) loaded weapons on the battlefield that have not been inspected 3) no way event staff can react in the event of injury 4) in an attempt to get into the “game”, late arrivals potentially impacting negatively on those already in the scenario by their actions. For example, pickets challenging people in the dark and the late arriver not knowing the countersign or showing up in areas unexpectedly and not following the scenario.
Recommendations, Keep someone posted at the wagon park (the confederates did, the federals did not) or prior to the event, establish a plan and post it to the event website. A few examples, a) if you arrive late stay at the wagon park and someone will be by at the top of the hour to escort you b) head down a specified road for a certain distance and when challenged by a picket provide a predetermined countersign (requires the picket to be briefed to expect late arrivals).
From my short time at the event I saw at least one other group who arrived late and experienced similar issues as Mark and I.
Wish I could have stayed, sounds like a missed a good one.

Signed,
John Grimes
The “should have taken an earlier flight” Mess

Phil McBride

10-31-2007, 08:06 AM

Great event and I have a few decent photos to post, but can't figure out how to get the thumbnails posted. Any help would be appreciated.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles & Co A, 20th TN

paulcalloway

10-31-2007, 08:18 AM

If you attach the photos to a post, the software generates the thumbnails automatically.

Cheers -

BrianHicks

10-31-2007, 08:19 AM

John Grimes

10-31-2007, 09:17 AM

Brian,
I understand that the event organizers had a plan for those arriving on time, posted it on-line and executed as stated. And I acknowledge that, “The event organizers provided for a representation at the registration site, and direction to the federal step off point.” Had no problem finding the step off point. However, that is as far as the directions went. I had every intention of arriving prior to the designated start time; now only if the airlines had executed their plan just as efficiently as the Outpost staff.
I was not trying to lay blame, just making an observation for consideration when organizing future events.
BTW, my chain of command was aware I was arriving later. See: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showpost.php?p=77059&postcount=48 As well email communications with my chain of command prior to the event.
Could there have been better communications? Of course. So another AAR comment, call if you are going to miss your expected arrival time and don’t schedule your flights so close to the event if it can be helped (lately you can count on flight delays).
As for the communications between my commander and the event organizers, I can not comment.

V/R
John

Phil McBride

10-31-2007, 09:18 AM

I think I got it finally. Duh. Enjoy the photos.

Phil McBride
Co A, 20th TN

aetius123

10-31-2007, 09:28 AM

John,
Don't feel bad; you weren't the only one that missed the event. I had to travel on short notice to Tampa and missed the chance to participate. From what my partner from the Alamo Rifles, Phil McBride, tells me I missed a really good time. I guess I'll try and catch the next one.

John Winkler
Alamo Rifles

L. E. Prillaman

10-31-2007, 09:29 AM

Hello All! I was at Outpost III with the Liberty Rifle boys and I must say for one, that I had a GREAT TIME! It was really neat to come out West and campaign with new folks and I met some real good guys. Thanks so much for your hospitality! I was wondering if anyone took pictures and if they would be willing to share. Take care everyone, I hope we can share an event again sometime relatively soon.

Lars Prillaman (Liberty Rifles)

M_Kupsch

10-31-2007, 09:48 AM

First off, I want to thank the event organizers for putting together a bully event. These things just don't happen without a lot of hard work, planning and preparation.

Secondly, I want to thank all the boys in Co F. It was an honor to serve as a company officer. I never heard a single complaint in the ranks, and everyone worked together very well. Our Orderly Sergeant, Mike Comer, took care of the men allowing Captain Aufmuth and myself to focus on officer business. Well done gentlemen!

Thirdly, being a Mason, it was good to meet on the level with other Masonic Brothers. I couldn't help but smile when Captain Aufmuth handed me a sweet 'tater that Captain Landrum had asked him to give to me at Officer's call. Captain Landrum had carved the Square & Compasses in the tater along with "Tater Mason." Pat, I took the tater to Lodge Monday and the Brethren thought it a hoot!

Finally, it was good seeing ol' commrades that I haven't seen in a while.

Greg Barnett

10-31-2007, 10:16 AM

I think I got it finally. Duh. Enjoy the photos.

Phil McBride
Co A, 20th TN

Phil,
Looks like you have proof of me stealin that dried fruit. It was good!!!
It was a good weekend.

Cheers

PvtShot

10-31-2007, 11:27 AM

Gents, and Gentlewomen,

Just wanted to add my thanks to anyone and everyone who had a part in making Outpost III happen. I really had a great time and got that whole immersed feeling, especially during the engagements which were stellar, and on picket post; more specifically the Saturday afternoon/Ceasefire picket post; where one of our Pvts. in Co. C almost got himself snatched over a sack of coffee!!:D

There was another experience that I was privileged to be a part of, that really gave me the GOOSEBUMPS: During the ceasefire on Saturday, we spotted a Rebel First Sergeant through the gap who requested to bring a parcel to the Ladies back at the cabin. His request was granted by Cpl. of the guard Groves, and I was selected to escort the Jonnie back to the cabin to deliver said parcel. The whole way back I was on my toes not knowing what to expect from this rebel sergeant. We made our way back through the lines to the occupied cabin and delivered the parcel to some grieving/Yankee hating southern women. These women I believe had a family member in the Rebel army who was recently sent to his maker and they were in obvious pain. The First person impressions were so good that for a second there I thought maybe something had happened over the weekend in "real life" and the news was being broke to the women in good first person fashion.

These women were not too happy about the occupation of their homestead and made it known. I'm sure the Critters did a good job at making these women feel that "Northern Aggression" as there were some strategically placed road apples close to their cook fire and some foul- mouthed troopers who did a great job at making that occupation as real as possible. One of the women asked me If I wanted to go back home? I really wanted to reply and tell her how much I missed my family and how I wanted to get the hell out of TN, but I held my tongue and told her I was just following my orders.

After some consoling to the women by the Jonnie Sgt., It was clear it was time to get back to the post so we made our way back through the lines. I couldn’t help but feel compassion for this man who was clearly fighting for his family and home; we had a great conversation about how we were all wrapped up in this mess and how I personally have great respect for the southern captives, and would not do them any harm... The encounter ended when I turned the Sgt. over to Cpl. Groves who promptly told the man that he couldn’t wait to see them all hanged for treason, and that we would take real good care of their women after they’re six feet under!!! + This kind of gives you a feeling of just how different views were on both sides during this troubled time.

Sorry for the scroll here but I needed to share this experience. I give my thanks to the Reb. Sgt. (who I think I bought a nice warm pair of socks from on Friday, so thanks again for those! next time I'll look for some gloves too, brrhhh! ) and the fine ladies of Tennessee for their awesome first person skills, which really made this event extra special for me:)

Awesome, Awesome event with great friends and great land!
THIS IS WHAT OUR HOBBY IS ALL ABOUT!!!!!!

Kindest Regards,
Eliot Toscano

The Buckras
SCAR
SRR

Ken Cornett

10-31-2007, 11:39 AM

Federal Bummer

10-31-2007, 11:59 AM

Capt. Stephen Ewing
Commanding Company B
89th Regiment Illinois Infantry

Lt. Col Sorchy
Commanding 89th Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Spring Hill, TN
October 29, 1862

It is both great pleasure and great sadness I summit this report to you on the actions that took place on October 27 through the 28 of this year.

Saturday morning reports showed 28 aggregate and 30 total men fit for action. On this October morning my company was the first to wake waiting for the battalion to move. Shots in the distant that rang out quickened the rest on the battalion to wake and form. Once formed skimmers from my second platoon advanced ahead of the battalion and across the open field towards a cemetery and the right flank. It would be determined later these shots were our cavalry opening fire on a straggler from the march from Nashville. The man was from my company. He was wounded in the leg and taken to a hospital in Spring Hill. Once the cemetery was reached my company was detached to a sunken road to begin the advance toward our objectives. First platoon was detailed with Lt Zimmerman to take a small ford and it was taken with no shots fired. Second Platoon took the advanced ridge under the command of Sgt Rector. First platoon went missing only to find them holding one of Company C’s objects with no sign of Company C until muzzle flashes and the roar of discharging arms signaled a fight was on. At your request to rejoin the battalion, Company B was reformed leaving an open flank and marched to support the other companies. We arrived to take a position in the middle, first flanking one company of rebels and then proceeded to or position on the left of the battalion. Cavalry was now in our front, which quickly drove out only to find rebel infantry in our front. A couple volleys were exchanged. One man was wounded in the ankle. We then returned to the ridge and ford and set our out post by 5 am. The rest of the company was placed in reserve in the Sunken Rd.

Outpost Duty, with rotations till approx 9 am.

Near 10 am the Outpost, which had skirmished with enemy cavalry, was over run but the pickets were quickly collected by the ready reserve and then joined by the rest of the company. A skirmish line was formed driving the enemy Cavalry from our front and a defensive position was established at our outpost. At this time a general engagement was heard on our right. The bugle sounded the call to you once again. I held my company fast until a Cavalry detachment was able to position its self on my line and hold the left flank. We crossed the ford now held by our cavalry. As we approached the hill again I deployed the men in the center of the battalion directly on the flank of a large company of enemy infantry. These men retired from the field after a few volleys were poured into their front from Company A and their flank from my own Company B.

It was then in the engagement a platoon of enemy infantry advanced in front of flankers I had deployed to cover my left. They were trying to flank Company C. With no enemy in my front I moved the flankers to my right flank, wheeled my company left and charged through a gap in the trees effectively flanking the enemy platoon; capturing four and routing the rest. My advance was halted by the appearance of enemy cavalry on the right of my line. This forced us to double-quick by the left flank and reform behind company C. It was at this instant the enemy company of infantry in front of company C charged breaking Capt Butler’s (Company C) lines. My Company B, wheeled and obliqued, checked the advance of the enemy. Company C stabilized and rejoined the engagement. With our combined strength the enemy was driven from the field. On this day the men of Company B received several small wounds and were able to return to our line later in the day. One wound was crippling to one private and limited him to camp duty and fatal to another.

After it was clear the enemy had had enough for the day my outpost was set for the rest of the day with out incident. Half the company was called up later to support the battalion but nothing became of the threat.

October 28, 1862

25 Aggregate and 27 Total on this day.

After your grand round and the disappearance of Pvts. Calloway and Mason I went on a search party with Cpl Coble. I found the missing pvts, whom had advanced to within 10 yards of the enemy camp with Capt. Owens. I informed them, they were to be arrested and confined to the dirtiest brothel for one week once we reached Nashville. I returned to my line only to find the Company ready for action. Word had reached that the Col, the missing post, Cpl. Coble and myself were all captured. This was quickly put rest, as was I. Night picket duty was continued till morning.

On orders my company was stationed through out the trench awaiting the approach of the enemy. When I was apparent the enemy would not leave their works I proposed my flank march, which you accepted. My goal was to engage and draw there forces away from the trenches to allow an the primary assault to take the works. I commenced the march down the road to my left and turned right behind the knoll previously in my front. Flankers under Cpl. Tipton found a break in the fence and the ford was quickly located using the map given to me by Lt Smith.

The rear of the enemy was reached with out being noticed. My men formed in line of battle behind the rebel camp and advanced through a gap in the trees capturing their wagon, officer’s mess and one rebel cavalry man. These were given back during my withdraw. It was at this point we were noticed. Company B opened fire and I singled the bugler. We held a strong defensive position in their rear forcing them to commit more and more men into our front on off yours. The enemy cavalry and infantry pushed Company B back slowly. The company began to take the form of a lump of sugar ready to dissolve, but still holding it original shape. We were forced back, stabilizing our position twice only to push back at the point of bayonets.

On a small dip and tree line we stabilized for the final time. The company had already taken 50% casualties and even I was wounded passing command to Lt Zimmerman. It was at this point I could see a company of rebels at the double quick. I was ready to surrender until I saw Capt. Gerow’s Company A on their heals. The commander of the enemy (a Sgt) in my front approached my line and he and Sgt. Liechty agreed to a ceasefire. Removing both our troops from the engagement, as we were both spent. My hats are off to that Sgt and his men. The were fewer in number but the sheer since of the trouble they were in compelled them fight as twice their number. At this time a rebel officer and mean looking Sgt. approached to find out the situation. The officer replied to Sgt. Liechy’s answer of the ceasefire that no one told him and he would engage us. I told him if that is the case I am more than happy to re-engage in my current position in his flank and rear. He then replied he would not fire upon us and my men held fast letting him go on.

Thus ended the engagement. Each of the enlisted men and only these enlisted men share the credit for assault made by Company B. It is their effort, blood, sweat, feet and courage that made the actions preformed possible.

As I am wounded, Lt Zimmerman is now in command of the remaining men.

For his action on Saturday the 27th I recommend, Cpl E. Tipton for an award and promotion. No man was more at the head of the charge than he was.

Losses.
Capt Ewing (wounded)
Sgt Rector (Dead)
Cpl Coble (wounded)
Cpl Trent (wounded)
7 of 22 Pvt. (killed or wounded)

Afternoon Rolls

15 Aggregate, 16 Total

Very respectfully

Capt. S.G. Ewing

Csayankee

10-31-2007, 12:11 PM

Well maybe it is just me, but what better experience can you have then be stuck on the outside of the pickets at night without the countersign. To me this would have been part of the weekend on how to handle this issue.

Did the pickets perform their job correctly. Even if you were caught by cav or confederate pickets. It would had been a great learning experience, from a stand point of the army moving and stragglers being caught on the other side after pickets are set.

Coon Dawg

10-31-2007, 12:46 PM

Oh Joel,

Your the one that threatened to blow my head off on sunday! Ha! Im glad we met up after we made that truce.

I had a fun time all weekend. I am finishing my AAR, and will have it posted in the next few days.

John

Yeah,

I do not know if "freeze... drop your weapon or I'll blow your F%$#! head off" is period or not. I'll have to do some research on that one. My guess is not.

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess (http://flatlandersmess.googlepages.com/)

Johnny Lloyd

10-31-2007, 01:33 PM

I believe it is period to "Dirty Harry" circa 1971.

"Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya' punk?!?"

:D -Johnny

blackhattertuck

10-31-2007, 01:40 PM

Fellows,

The most "period" experience I had during the weekend was on Saturday night. I'm standing in a boxwood thicket on guard. I'm going on about one hour's worth of sleep. I'm swaying back and forth and each blink is getting longer and longer. I know that I'm about to fall asleep. Then it hit me: if this was real, I could be executed for falling asleep on my post. However, nothing that I could do would keep me awake. Really made me connect with those men who did this for real.

To everyone involved with the planning and execution of this event, I give you so much thanks and a hearty THREE CHEERS!

Charles Heath

10-31-2007, 01:48 PM

Can anyone else see a really bad Weller overcoat pun coming down the pike?

Yes, that one.

"Put your hands on your hood."

buckandball

10-31-2007, 04:03 PM

Johnny Lloyd,

For some reason I can't recall any specifics of the Confederate comments on the line, but agree; it was all well played.

Regards

BrianHicks

10-31-2007, 04:36 PM

Brian,

BTW, my chain of command was aware I was arriving later. See: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showpost.php?p=77059&postcount=48 As well email communications with my chain of command prior to the event.
.......
As for the communications between my commander and the event organizers, I can not comment.

V/R
John

Then therein lay teh break.

One of two things should have occurred.

1. Your chain of command could have provided for a ground guide at the Federal Parking area (or perhaps coordinated for a Cavalryman to at least pass through there at regular times) so that late arrivals wold not be lost.

or

2. Your chain of command should have made us (the event organizers) aware of your situation, and the fact that they had no provisions established for guidance from their parking lot to the camp site.

--On Friday evening, I felt comfortable with my understanding of where the federals would be camping between midnight and their 4am step off, which was about 600 yards from the parking area, which were I gave Mark quick directions to form teh parking area. If they changed the location, I was not informed.

Am I blaming you chain of command? No. Just stating what seems could have been simple and prudent solutions to the problem.

In the future, such contingencies should be worked into the organizers guidance to all.

Lesson learned.

BrianHicks

10-31-2007, 04:42 PM

For the record, proper communication was given that two of our men from Co. B would arrive sometime before midnight. And, that two more of our men weren't arriving until sometime after 4 am. I did receive a message that Tiny's flight was delayed and passed this on to the Sgt. Major sometime after 9 pm Friday.

The fact that 4 men would be way late was indeed passed on by me to Sorch via telephone early last week. I'm not sure how the check-in was handled after we bugged out Friday. :confused:

Ken,

The information never reached me. I was at the registration site until some time after 4am. It would seem that, if anyone should have been been made aware of it... it would have been those who were manning the registration site. :confused::confused::confused:

AZReenactor

10-31-2007, 05:32 PM

I'm home and trying to get caught up on the work I left behind but have to say I had a great time at Outpost. Even with fellows coming from across the country and falling into consolidated companies the cooperation and teamwork was readily apparent throughout the event. As we were stealthily marching along in the dark shifting from fours just a short time after rousing and forming up in the embarkation area in the middle of the night, I couldn't help but feel I was in amongst professionals who really knew what they were about. When just a short while later, we opened ranks, ground arms, and then stretched out for a few hours rest while basically still in formation, it was easy to forget that we had just stepped out of the modern world a few short hours before and set the tone for me during the rest of the event.

There were some lapses in first person, and some logistical and communication challenges but there were countless situations and circumstances that I'll long remember and relive with a smile on my face.

It was a genuine pleasure meeting so many people that I've only spoken to online before this event. I'm already looking forward to the next chance to head back east for another event.

C.R. Henderson

10-31-2007, 05:48 PM

Joel,
I remember the words well as it was my back those muzzles were pointed at. Damn. That's the thought that went through my head. I debated whether or not to fire back but in the interest of self preservation I decided agin it.

John Legg

10-31-2007, 06:02 PM

Chris and Joel,

I hope someone took a photo of that scene. You should of seen the smirk on my face. Joel i think i talked to you about it after the truce.

John

coastaltrash

10-31-2007, 06:43 PM

It's the event organizers job to get you to where you start, the other directions and sorting in are completely left up to the side commanders. It would have been great however if we could have told Sorchy just to wait in the parking lot for everyone to arrive, but in the end the movement of the participants after the step off time was out of the organizers hands.

Charles Heath

10-31-2007, 07:26 PM

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the 20th Tennessee rations, and was delighted to discover a half cup of that delicious parched corn in my haversack last night. The little green onion went into my breakfast eggs this morning. It was still good and tasty. I'm not sure what the rump side of the commissary operation was like, in terms of waste, but the rations appear to be right about on the money.

By the way, just what were we supposed to do with those blue, green, and grey-white oversized poker chips?

BrianHicks

10-31-2007, 08:55 PM

By the way, just what were we supposed to do with those blue, green, and grey-white oversized poker chips?

Charles,

Those 'pennicilin' crackers were issued for medicinal purposes, to help cleanse the men of the diseases they had acquired while visiting the many houses of ill repute in Nashville.

coastaltrash

10-31-2007, 09:02 PM

Charles and Brian,
The jokes reminded me of an unsung and unthanked person that was involved in Outpost. I at least wanted to thank Elizabeth Warnick for hand making every piece of Confederate Cornbread for the event. While some molded (partly because I left a step out in the directions for her) she made all 460 pieces in two days over her Fall Break from College. Hell of an effort.

Charles Heath

10-31-2007, 09:57 PM

Well, Pat, the ones without mold were really tasty. The ones with mold scared me in a certain sort of way, because they had more "hair" on them than I do on my head, and we were all concerned those moldy crackers could have a bad reaction with the double helping of sweet kim chee from the buffet in Murfreesboro, and, well, poor file closer Wick had a hard time in the backblast zone as it was. "Fierce" simply cannot describe the olfactory conditions to the rear of your company on Saturday morning.

Tell her thank you, and I'll include this as another one of those wonders I have seen. To quote another fellow, it was "pure Fontaineau."

Thomas Alleman

10-31-2007, 11:13 PM

I must say that this event was nothing like I thought but everything I enjoy. Thanks goes to the WIG and old Co.F for such a good time. I never felt so much of all of the civil war experience than that weekend. I will admit that the longing for it all to end was overwhelming. Not being able to sleep and fighting all the time and picket got the best of me and yes I deserted. I read many accounts of soilders leaving the ranks to go home if only for awhile. Plus the worn out feeling was to much to bare. I had some good first person with all the Federals I met. I was treated well and then paroled and tried to make it back but was captured by my own reb cav. Not to happy when I got back and all were not to happy with me but it was what I needed to do. I felt it and did and do not regret it. It is sad to lose this land, developement be damned. Well great event. Next time though say have it in September. Never fought so much and lived to tell about it, barley.

PS-whoever took that group pic of Co.F could you post it.

Thanks
Thomas Alleman

LibertyHallVols

11-01-2007, 05:59 AM

Your recapture by the reb cav was the only entertainment for us pickets on an otherwise uneventful evening.

Mcguire

11-01-2007, 09:03 AM

I started my season with BGR and ended it with Outpost. These two events were my salvation from an otherwise dissapointing season. It's just tough getting to quality events from my neck of the woods. Thanks to the boys in Co. F for making it real and keeping me in a "moment" for the entire weekend. Captain Aufmuth was again stellar in his handling of our company as was 1st Sgt Comer. It was an honor to serve under these gentlemen. My only complaint was having to sleep on arms Saturday night. "Cap'n weez gettin powerful cold could we pull out our blankets?" Also, I tip my hat to the boys in the Tater Mess. I enjoy falling in with you guys.

Saturday night, as Corporal of the Guard, I was relieving my pickets when I discovered that post #6 had been abandoned. I reported the desertion to the 1st Sgt. and the Captain. The Captain asked if perhaps he had been taken. I replied that the other post was not more than 15 yard away and the soldier manning it reported that he had heard nothing. Approximately 10 minutes later a Corporal from Landrum's Co. entered our camp seeking Captain Aufmuth and stating that they had captured a spy who claimed he was in F Company. Before they brought him over we knew it was our missing picket. Not only had he been captured by his own Cavalry but he also had forgotten the countersign! The Captain, after much deliberation, decided to accept him back in the ranks. We should have had a firing squad for him the next morning. The next day as we deployed he told this soldiers file partner to keep an eye on him.

All in all it was a grat event, I just wish we could have ventured farther into the property. I was told that there was 625 acres. Being able to hear the traffic on 31 and the screams from the rugrats in the corn maze was a little dissapointing.

Federal Bummer

11-01-2007, 09:25 AM

The thing with the highway there is the farther you got from US31 the closer you got to the Saturn parkway. Sound travels real well on cold still nights. Even on the deepest part (Federal Camp Friday) you could still hear the highways faintly. Gotta love progress:(

flattop32355

11-01-2007, 09:35 AM

Real life interferes. In a way, that's a tribute to those who came before. It's not always convenient to our wishes, and saving pieces of the past is a good thing, but I don't think it can be changed over the course of time.

Eureka Independent

11-01-2007, 10:35 AM

Good Morning All

Some of the sites here in the far west are in the same situation with a highway near by. After so many years at Ft Tejon doing events with the I-5 there next to it in the Tejon Pass. It becomes white noise to some degree and is ignored.

It felt that way at Outpost for me for sure . I noticed that most if not all of our side was able to get past the noise from the road with little difficuly.

Sometimes we have to put ourselves in the moment.

Some of the things I will never forget at Outpost:

Being razzed by our good QM Sgt. Mr. R. Miller about my "pre war experience" with Indians in the west. It made the event for me.

Seeing that poor captured fellow being hog tied to the tree & his equipment flung onto the eve of the roof by the Cav to prevent esscape.

Working with the councel of war & all the officers ploting movements on the maps.

Having a un hurried moment to enjoy a properly brewed cup of tea & good conversation with fellow staff officers, Skip Owens & Andrew Jerram

Eating oysters & pickels provided by Col Sorchy for the staff & company officers.

Most of all watching the movements planed on the maps come to life.

One of the best events I have attended in 20+ years in the hobby

All the best

Don S

Topo Eng to the late 89th Ill Inf

Mtn.Guerilla

11-01-2007, 12:13 PM

Kevin O'Beirne

11-01-2007, 12:14 PM

This is a bit late--I only got home Tuesday evening and this is my first chance to get on the forum since then--but Brian Luscombe and I had fun in the 89th Illinois Co. C as the brothers Levi and Enoch Coque, otherwise known as the "Fighting Coques". :)

While I don't normally have much use for tacticals, we had fun at this one and the experience on Friday night/Saturday morning of the Federal battalion moving several times and having to sleep on its arms (in 40-degree air temperatures) was something I hadn't done before.

My basic problem with tacticals was evident here, namely breaking up small battalions into company- and platoon-sized maneuver units, which was very rarely done in the Civil War. In several ways the battalions showed accurately being new (at least, the 89th Illinois was recently recruited for the time period portrayed). First-person, while far from being done as much as it was supposed to be per the pre-event general orders, was done to a greater extent than I've seen at many other "phsyical" or "campaign-style" events.

Brian and I spent most of Saturday as guests of the Confederate provost guard. We were well-treated until the last twenty minutes of our captivity, but there's no need to go into that. The situation was reported at the end of the event and the CS command was sympathetic, so it's been addressed to my satisfaction.

That I could tell, logistics appeared to be well taken care of. The issued Federal rations were very good--the cooked beef was excellent--but for some reason the apportionment wasn't done correctly. I overheard Companies A and B issuing two fist-sized chunks of beef per man and one fellow I met from Company A during our time as guests of the Rebels even had three chunks of beef, whereas everyone in Company C received only one. Our fellow prisoner comrade was nice enough to take one of his chunks and cut it in half, giving half each to Brian and me, so we probably had more beef than others in Company C.

Company C was a great group of guys and it was a fun time all around.

Oh, and the road trip was fun, plus we visited Stones River, the Carter House at Franklin, Lookout Mountain, Orchard Knob, Missionary Ridge, and Chickamauga. Dang, but KY, TN, and GA sure have a lot of Waffle Houses and Crack'r Barrel restaurants!

Coon Dawg

11-01-2007, 12:38 PM

Here are some of the pictures I promised. Thanks to all.

Joel Phillips

Hey Joel, good to see you again, hope your Florida pard made it home alright. You should send some of your photos over to Tripp, for the Armory Guards archives. I've seen several of our mugs in your pics, man I did look as rough as I felt.

Good to see you as well. The Armory Guards are welcome to any and all of the pictures I posted on the AC. I took them for all of us to enjoy. Fact is, I stole one from Phil McBride (Alamo Rifles) for my website. Hope he does not mind. :)

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess (http://flatlandersmess.googlepages.com/)

Coatsy

11-01-2007, 02:50 PM

Kevin,

So that is the correct spelling of Los Bros Coque. Yeah you can't walk around the south east without tripping over a Wa-Ho or a Cracker Barrel.

huntdaw

11-01-2007, 03:19 PM

Our fellow prisoner comrade was nice enough to take one of his chunks and cut it in half, giving half each to Brian and me, so we probably had more beef than others in Company C.

Kevin,

If you had one chunk of beef, you all had more beef than the entire Confederate force put together!

This little piggy went to market mess

springkeeper

11-01-2007, 04:06 PM

This post is a bit late as well....

Thanks to the event organizers for allowing we small band of civs to attend OP3. To those who worked on the cabin, built an outhouse, and chicken coop, a gracious thank you. Most importantly, a special thsnk you to Anna, Silvana, Liz, Kim and Paul. Without you there would have been no family at the cabin. Same with the military. Until the men arrive on the site there are no armies. Thanks to those who traveled near and far to make OP3 a grand event.

Memorable period moments:

The constsant agrivation of men going into the cabin and stealing food.

The constsant agrivation of having to navigate through groups of men.

Trying to help a prisonor escape by desparately sawing through the rope which held him to a tree. As the rope gave the guard stepped from behind the outhouse.

Watching a group of Confederate prisonors being brought near the cabin. They were relieved of their gear and told to sit. It broke my heart to see this. As I was preparing the noonday meal, peeling and discarding the outer leaves of a cabbage, one called out, " Mam' we'll eat what you through away." It was all I could do to keep from crying. To see our Southern men suffering in the hands of the enemy was hard to bear. I took a pot of chicken and one of cabbages and onions and sat them down in the middle of the prisonors. With hands on hips I looked at the guard who said nothing. He was a very smart Yankee.

Comforting Liz as she recieved the news her husband had been killed in battle. His Masonic Brothers presented her with his personal items. The deep sorrow the men felt at the loss of a Brother, fellow Confederate, and friend deepend the dark shadow that haunted our sunny South.

I was not angry when I was told a yankee had broken my pitcher but I was furious at the loss of milk inside it. No sweet milk corncakes for supper.

Funny moments:

The musical air produced by the Critters, both two and four-legged.

Mr. Musgrove getting SO ANGRY when we did not quickly respond for demands for coffee.

Catching Mr. Musgrove taking two eggs from a crock and telling him he needed to ask first. He held out the eggs and I closed his hand over the eggs and squeezed. CRACK!

Watching Mr. Adair trying to catch a chicken.

Greg Barnett

11-01-2007, 04:09 PM

Kevin,

I had the privilege of standing with you fellows early on Saturday as Confederate guard. Regretfully; I was unable to tap your vast research knowledge of the conflict. It is not often that one has a truly captive audience these days. I feel the whole weekend was remarkable in regard to first person.
I am glad to know that you and Brian were brothers. The whole manacle thing bothered me a bit initially.
I have not had the honor of being a captive's guard before. It was an honor to have you there.

YOS,

Fiddlebum

11-01-2007, 04:35 PM

"The constsant agrivation of having to navigate through groups of men."

And horses. On the way to the privy.

IN THE DARK.

Good times.

Kim Caudell

springkeeper

11-01-2007, 04:50 PM

I did not mind the horses themselves but their deposits were a different story.

C.R. Henderson

11-01-2007, 05:16 PM

Kevin,
here's the beef on the beef. As the rationing Sgt. for C co., when I was up with the ration detail receiving our rations, they were issuing 2 beeves per company, one onion per man, one potato per man and 5 hard crackers per man. While I was standing there, they remembered that they also had to ration for the cavalry. Long story short, we got screwed half our beef ration. I did, however go to one of the other companies and receive 1/4 of one of their beeves (after much hacking with a knife) and I used that to supplement some of the even smaller pieces from the original beef that we were issued. I hope that beef about the beef we had with the beef wasn't too hard to digest.... and my gum blanket still smells like the beef- and I have the stains to prove it!

Ross L. Lamoreaux

11-01-2007, 05:25 PM

I just remembered yesterday that I forgot to bring in my haversack from the trunk of the car - boy did I get an odiferous treat. Nothing like beef blood in a new haversack to break it in just right.

Charles Heath

11-01-2007, 05:32 PM

"...we got screwed...."

The unofficial motto of military forces since the dawn of time. It doesn't get more realistic than that.

markmason

11-02-2007, 09:29 AM

What the hell could one add thats not been said already. Had a swell time.

markmason

11-02-2007, 09:33 AM

Phil,
Looks like you have proof of me stealin that dried fruit. It was good!!!
It was a good weekend.

Cheers

You steal'n it? hell, you got what was left....that is after Co. B 89th IL passed through. :wink_smil loved them sausages and bacon too :tounge_sm

Kevin O'Beirne

11-02-2007, 12:15 PM

If you had one chunk of beef, you all had more beef than the entire Confederate force put together!

After talking with and trading with our guards during our time as guests of the Confederate provost guard detail, I'm convinced that the Rebel forces at Outpost 3 were not starving, even if "some little piggies didn't have roast beef". Some of the Rebel slab bacon I observed looked (and was) tasty.

Kevin O'Beirne

11-02-2007, 12:19 PM

here's the beef on the beef. .... I hope that beef about the beef we had with the beef wasn't too hard to digest.... and my gum blanket still smells like the beef- and I have the stains to prove it!

Thanks for the background info on that. At least during the weekend I did not overhear anyone resorting to "Where's the beef?!", thank goodness for first-person. :)

Federal Bummer

11-02-2007, 01:10 PM

Eveyone's thinking it, so I'll post it

"Beef! It's whats for dinner."

Justin Runyon

11-02-2007, 02:21 PM

Hey Mark, you notice how those sausages were laying right out in the open for ya? Makes you wonder what may have happened to them prior to you making them a tasty breakfast.

DougCooper

11-02-2007, 02:32 PM

Thank you's -

I have since determined that it was someone in the office that gave me the worst flu of my life this week, so my comrades in Co A are off the hook ;)

WIG - top to bottom, another Gold Star. I cannot think of a single thing I would do differently. You under-promise but over-deliver. Its our job to get more folks to these events and I hope the results of this one help. I hope you guys got enough support on the set up of this one so that you are not in Dutch with the homefront.

Co A - for staying in first person the entire weekend...Bully. Capt Dave "Cool" Gerow, Lt Brad "20 Rod Run" Argue, Orderly Jason "Where's Abe?" Reinholz and 3rd Sgt Rod "Klein(small)" Miller were superb leaders. When Jason and two comrades were captured on the picket line early Sunday AM, nobody had to fake the concern and anger on our part - and we were all the more motivated the rest of the day. But perhaps the most unusual "for this hobby" was the great amount of responsibility put on to the Corporals, and to a man they were absolutely outstanding. That was Capt Dave's plan, as it was in the real deal. That, more than anything else about this excellent event, will stay with me. Well done!!!

From what I saw, Co B and C had much the same experience. Together we formed an honest to goodness hard fighting battalion made of whole cloth and put together in a few hours.

Battalion Staff - you know things are going good when the Battalion Commander runs real battalion drill training right off the bat and the schedule becomes tight immediately. Throughout the weekend, the staff performed that most important of traits - LBWA, "Leadership by Walking Around." You don't always see that because it is not something we teach in the hobby. Without being intrusive, the staff were constantly checking on the men, at all hours. Tactics, logistics, communications, persperation, determination - all top shelf. Sorch and Skip appear to be born to this :) Ox was OX, the quintessential Sgt Major and Andrew stepped up big time as Adj. Don Smith's topo engineer impression was superb...and ought to be mandatory for any event of this type. Our Buglers were simply the reason we did so well in the field - we always knew what everyone else was doing and we did not get bogged down responding to calls that were not our company.

The cavalry - thanks again you guys for showing how it was done in the real deal. Nobody had to fake the looks on our faces or the cheers when the Critters came riding to the rescue. Nobody had to fake the worry about the Rangers and their all night slinking about or hard riding on our flanks.

The Rebs - thanks a million for making it real, making it very difficult and staying on message (the 20th Tennessee) the entire weekend. Well done indeed.

The civilians - for once (and unfortunately) I did not have any personal interaction here but it sounded like it went well, as usual. Hearing the occasional women's voice or cackling chicken at night was strange in the context of our experience, but we were too busy to think much about it. In the real deal the civilians would likely not have been located so close to the action, but the lay of the land dictated otherwise here, a good compromise.

Brian Hicks - besides everything you did for the event, taking time to explain to our boys at the end the historical and preservation context of the area was special.

Hayley - the lady at the hotel in Nashville that let me take a shower in a spare room for no charge before heading to the airport. My thanks on behalf of the passengers in Delta flight 404.

Horace

11-02-2007, 05:29 PM

This is in response to Mr. Tipton, and anyone else who is concerned. I contacted the editor of Civil War Historian prior to the event and am finishing an article for them now, which will hopefully give further exposure to this excellent event. Photos and maps should be included. Thanks.

Dale Beasley

11-03-2007, 12:30 PM

In every Modern-Day Military AAR, Commanders require “Three Ups and Three Downs” We would be denying ourselves if we did not “push the button” in "asking ourselves" what we could do better and where do we go from here?

I think the WIG Staff has done a great job in securing a future for our hobby. It has done a very good job in developing possible leaders in our BN. Allowing them to make mistakes, be adjusted, and move forward.

What I took away from this event, was three things:

1.This type of event will I only take time away from my family, my farm and my work to attend.

2.The Wig Staff is committed to developing our hobby.

3.Event Leaders must stay focused on their men, reminding themselves always if we are to portray “First-Person” …Taking care of your soldiers comes first. You must prepare yourself as a leader before you can lead.

How do we improve…. man, that is a hard one. But a question we must ask ourselves.

Kevin O'Beirne

11-03-2007, 04:20 PM

We would be denying ourselves if we did not “push the button” in "asking ourselves" what we could do better and where do we go from here?

I had a good time and do not intend this as criticism, but because the subtopic is, "What could have been done better?", I'll offer this in a positive, look-ahead spirit:

1. Tactics - This event, like most "campaigner" events, was one small battalion vs. another small battalion, each with some mounted cavalry on each side. This is not a brigade, and should not be represented as a brigade (I'm not suggesting that this was done explicitly). Future events such as Outpost 3 should concentrate on the "functional battalion" following period tactics for the size of the unit portrayed, instead of breaking up each battalion into company- and even platoon-sized maneuver elements. Simply put, Civil War battalions did not typically fight that way. To repeat what I've said in the past, this is probably my biggest problem with tactical-style events.

2. First-person - This is always a huge challenge at any event, particularly one where guys are involved in activities that are pretty physical; often, the more physical the event the less first-person one observes. Outpost 3 was not really all that physical--it had fairly limited marching, and the terrain was pretty flat. Therefore, there was more first-person than I expected there would be. However, more can be done to encourage and forster first-person, including good examples from the leadership cadre (I'm not saying I saw poor examples; merely saying that the more the leaders do it, the more the men will). As a basic background for this event, an historical setting should have been more widely publicized to provide greater opportunity for "more and better" first-person (as I experienced it, our company designation changed three times in the final two weeks, and only a few days before departing for the event I learned that the scenario was something completely different from what I was originally told it was to be; viz., not "the Nolensville Pike on the way to Stones River" but actually some unspecified (that I knew of) date and place sometime in October 1862 in northern Tennessee). This recommendation for more efforts to improve the first-person experience and historical setting should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me--I'm a strong proponent that anything done in the field in reenacting should have a strong tie to the history its representing.

3. Skill Development - Everyone, from top to bottom and on both sides (that I could see), came to Outpost 3 with their game face on and with a positive attitude; that alone speaks volumes and is probably one of the main reasons the event was so successful and had a lot of happy customers. That I saw, the officer and non-comm impressionists all worked very hard. That said, I observed that "technical knowledge" in several areas was lacking (before anyone gets their undies in a wad, I wrote, "several areas", not "all" or "most" areas). Those who hold rank need to know the job even better prior to the event. For example, I often overheard folks with rank at Outpost 3 refer to picket duty as "we're doing guard mount this evening" (folks: "guard mount" is the ceremony at which the Guard detail is formed and inspected, it is NOT the act of doing guard or picket duty). There were some lapses during battalion drill; heck, most of the companies on the visiting team were lacking some or even all of their company left and right guides at battalion drill. Certainly many folks lacked knowledge of bugle calls; on the blue team RJ and Randy were bugling their brains out very ably and then some, but it struck me that many folks didn't know what those calls meant and, as is often unfortunately the case, often ignored the calls. It appeared to me that drill manuals were mixed and matched to an extent (we portrayed a summer-of-1862 regiment and used manuevers that are only in the Hardee's/US Rifle-Light Infantry Tactics manual, when the regiment portrayed probably used Casey's manual instead); this is often the case at many "campaigner" events. Etc. etc. etc. To summarize, there's a lot of knoweldge out there, and most folks are certainly willing enough, but as a whole we need to improve our skills through study and application; the "campaigner" end of the hobby is certainly not "there" yet. We should all be happy with the experiences at Outpost 3, but we should not be content.

Let me also offer that the event committee did a good job with this one. Rations were availabile in sufficient quality and quantity, facilties and logistics were adequate, the site was good and easy to find with the directions provided, and other stuff. These days, with the effort required to plan and run even smaller "campaigner" events that are so ambitious, the mere fact that the event happened successfully probably does not get quite the credit it deserves. I have a vague idea of the effort that goes into staging an event like Outpost 3, and we all owe folks like Art Milbert, Justin Runyon, Matt Woodburn, Brian Hicks, and others (sorry for not knowing or probably listing the full event committee) a round of thanks and applause for making this happen for all to enjoy and learn from.

Again, this post is offered in the spirit of, "Where do we go from here?"

Dale Beasley

11-03-2007, 06:10 PM

Kevin,

Thanks for taking this thread to a new level. You made some darn fine points. I agree with you 100% on the tactics. All in the "Good of the Order".

paulcalloway

11-03-2007, 06:13 PM

Regarding building on the event:
I'd like to see more of these events start up Thursday night or Friday morning so instead of 36 hours immersion, we end up closer to 48 hours - and then some sort of system for working those folks in more smoothly who cant get there until Friday night/Saturday morning.

Regarding the late arrivals:
I don't think having the entire Federal battalion wait in the parking lot until midnight was the best solution. If we're going to get up at 3AM to 4AM on Saturday morning, we need sleep Friday night. If we can set up a signal fire close to parking with 6-8 men who are familiar with the event site to conduct late arrivals to their respective companies, I think thats a much more workable solution than having the entire battalion wait as long as they possibly can and then march off leaving no one behind to handle late arrivals.

Aside from that -I really enjoyed it. Ranks right up there with Outpost 99 and the Pickett's Mill efforts as far as I'm concerned.

BrianHicks

11-03-2007, 06:34 PM

Yeah... I know... it's kind of off topic from the AAR, but allow me tie it in.

At Chickamauga we asked the men of the WIG to donate some funds so that the Bn could give Art Milbert a Wedding Gift. On Sunday, at the end of Outpost III, we presented Art with a well made, Officers Sword Belt which was superbly created by Neil Rose.

Well... today (one week after Outpost III) Art Milbert, the Commander of the Western Independent Grays, was Married. Now remember... Art, as the WIG Commander, was instrumental in the planning and successful execution of the Chickamauga LH just 6 weeks ago, then Outpost III last week, and of course, his wedding today. Needless to say, he's been rather busy these past few months.

Below is a picture of Art, and a few of us WIG members, as we appeared at his wedding earlier today:

(For those whom can't place the clean faces, and modern dress with the usual event appearances) From Left to Right:

Patrick Craddock, Tripp Corbin, Herb Coats, Art Milbert, Brian Hicks, Matt Woodburn, Justin Runyon.

PvtShot

11-03-2007, 06:47 PM

As a basic background for this event, an historical setting should have been more widely publicized to provide greater opportunity for "more and better" first-person

Fellas,

As fas as the Feds. go, I was under the impression that we were representing the 89th's movements after the Battle of Stones River, which placed us in or around January-June '63. Although the 89th stayed local to Murfreesboro and fortified the city for well over five months, I looked at the event as though we were a scouting patrol; foraging the area, and trying to ascertain the rebel force's strength and position. It was definately a GREAT TIME!!!

Maybe it was done to give the average Pvt. the feeling of cluelessness , but I agree with Kevin that a specific scenario would help foster more 1st person interaction.

THANKS again to the ladies in the cabin and the jonnie 1st Sgt (who I think was Matt Woodburn, from the picture I see above) that I brought back through the lines during the Saturday cease fire... I still have goosebumps from your 1st person skills, and was lucky to be a part of it! Oscars all around!!!

I'll have a drink tonight in honour of the event committee!!! ... ok maybe two:D

Thanks again,
Eliot Toscano
The Buckras

SCAR/SRR

Dale Beasley

11-03-2007, 09:56 PM

What a great picture...good luck Art, and SGM Hicks, you look the youngest of all !!!!!!

P.S. GO LSU!!!

/G\

flattop32355

11-03-2007, 10:46 PM

Below is a picture of Art, and a few of us WIG members, as we appeared at his wedding earlier today:

Someone's got to say it: You boys clean up well.

Pat.Lewis

11-04-2007, 12:40 AM

As a basic background for this event, an historical setting should have been more widely publicized to provide greater opportunity for "more and better" first-person... I'm a strong proponent that anything done in the field in reenacting should have a strong tie to the history its representing.

Gentlemen,

I am fairly new to the type of event that is attended by the readership of this board. I came to this hobby as a scholar and historical interpreter first and have only begun to venture out from that role into events such as Outpost. I feel, though, that Mr. O'Beirne's comments are quite in line with my own opinions, particularly on the importance of understanding the historical background of these events.

I will be the first to admit that too often I find first person hokey -- whether it be at a reenactment, a historic site, or elsewhere. For some reason, I just can't seem to suspend my disbelief to that extent. Now that does not mean that I am not willing to participate in it if it will "make" the event for those around me. My goal in this hobby is to further my understanding of what motivated the Civil War soldier. For me, each event is a research opportunity, to test my theories of how the 1860s world worked against a new set of men and circumstances. I don't know that this is much different -- if at all -- from the goal of those who strive for dynamite first person interaction. Certainly many of the tools are the same for both.

Full disclosure: did I stay in first person throughout Outpost? No. The Saturn plant, highway, and prevalence of modern talk surrounding the Confederate position made that fairly impossible. Now, did I learn a few things through the course of the event and have some "a-ha" moments along the way? Absolutely. But I learned what I did and I had those moments because myself and others had taken the time before the event to try to understand the soldier of the 20th TN.

I must, at least from the Confederate side of the event, disagree with the notion that the historical context was not available to those who wanted to understand it. (I cannot comment on the situation for Federals) For example, valuable information came from the work in the regimental histories by Mr. Coats, the census data from Mr. White, the uniform research done by Mr. Black, and the others who created some fascinating discussion threads on this board. To further that, some quick internet searches could pull up a basic history of the 20th TN, its notable Col. Smith, etc. Add to that a basic library on the Western Theater, Connelly's Army of the Heartland, Daniel's Soldiering in the AoT, etc. could have given us some great background, too. Going deeper, recent years have produced a number of solid works on the specifics of prewar Middle Tennessee society and culture as well. In my opinion, a well rounded 20th TN impression should have included some level of familiarity with more than a few of these resources.

But, from a number of "so...who are we supposed to be again?" conversations I had and others I overheard before the start of the event (and even a couple during) I have to question how many participants gave more than cursory glance to even the basic info available on this forum. I seem to recall (and greatly appreciate) Mr. Landrum speaking to his company on Friday night on the specific importance that this action would have had for Co. D's Williamson Co. boys fighting on their home turf. I ask in all honesty, were some of us hearing that for the first time? (And I do emphasize some. I know that a good many of you all worked very hard on all aspects of your impressions, etc. and it showed)

As I have seen many of the leaders here say time and again, the resources are available and surprisingly easy to come by. Whatever your goals in this hobby those sources are the key to personal growth and a better experience for all.

What could we as a community do better to explore these resources? Talk. That's what we've all come to the A-C for. I would like to see a suggested bibliography for each one of the events right alongside uniform guidelines. Is it more work for an already hardworking event staff? Yes, but not too much. If they've gone to the lengths that the organizers of Outpost et al. have done to create such an event, I assume they've become familiar with these resources anyway. All it takes is writing up the list. Accompanying threads on this forum could provide the means for discussion of that bibliography, too. Fellows can share their research into the primary sources (as did happen for this and other events) and perhaps have some discussion of any applicable secondary sources that we are aware of, expanding on the work done by organizers. We will debate, we will disagree, but we will be better reenactors for it.

Leading the horse to water, though, and quenching his thirst are two different propositions. It will eventually fall on us, gentlemen, as individuals to study and improve.

Hank Trent

11-04-2007, 11:03 AM

Full disclosure: did I stay in first person throughout Outpost?No. The Saturn plant, highway, and prevalence of modern talk surrounding the Confederate position made that fairly impossible.

It sounds like Outpost was a great event, that pleased pretty much everyone. So...

Here's a serious question. Why not give up on first person as an expectation at campaign events?

I didn't attend Outpost because a military impression just doesn't interest me that much if I know it'll be a weekend of listening to modern talk, and I couldn't figure any predictable way to avoid that.

Instead of expecting first person, then going through an "I'm not doing it because they're not doing it" situation like Pat Lewis describes above, then writing AARs that the first person wasn't that good but who cares because it was a great event anyway, why not just abandon the idea, if first person doesn't matter or doesn't add anything for most participants?

That's been the unvarying pattern for the last six or seven years at least, and, more importantly, having the chance to talk about modern things seems to be what most campaigners want. So why even expect things that a large chunk of the participants don't want and won't do?

Either that, or split campaign events into two distinct kinds, no first person expected, and first person required--actually required.

Or, alternatively, figure out a way to give those who want to only hear and speak about period things that experience, and those who want to talk modern that experience, at the same event, and have it actually happen, and more important, have it be predictable, so you can put in the effort to study and not have it wasted.

Otherwise, it seems to be this endless cycle of good intentions abandoned during the event and better expectations next time, with some lucky participants reporting their company did fine, but no way to predict ahead of time how to be in that company to get that experience. Or at least, I've not found any predictable way.

Leading the horse to water, though, and quenching his thirst are two different propositions. It will eventually fall on us, gentlemen, as individuals to study and improve.

That's where we've been since at least 2000. I recall the detailed background information published before Hodge's March 2000, the great first person in the day, and not a single Confederate that I could find in character Saturday evening, except me.

If it hasn't happened yet, is it ever going to? Why not just accept things as they are?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

BrianHicks

11-04-2007, 12:16 PM

Kiev Thomason

11-04-2007, 01:01 PM

Frank - was that your tin horn bugle we heard? Brings back great memories.

It was probably a universal feeling that it was prudent to fight you in the open using our interior lines and buglers, rather than plunge more into the forest and find ourselves in a real fix, not able to properly support each company. We moved Co A into the little finger of woods on your far left flank to push Craddock's boys on the other side of the woods Sunday AM. All of a sudden we were attacked to our left rear and only escaped to our right via single file on the run through an opening into the big field and the protection of the Critters. I imagine that was Pat's other platoon and the trap nearly worked to perfection.

That was me and a few men from Corbin's heros.We thought you all was gonna fly away ya moved so fast:wink_smil

Kiev Thomason

11-04-2007, 01:05 PM

Jim of The SRR

11-04-2007, 01:06 PM

Regarding First person at WIG events.

We have never promoted any of our events as First person-deep immersion events. We do ask that folks come with a good attitude and willingness to live the Military culture non-stop for the full duration of the event (we consider this positive attitude more important than the material culture details... in other words, a Jacket made by less than accurate methods, worn by someone with a great attitude and willingness to participate, is more desired than the most authentic wearing individual who is less than willing to play well with others, comply to military duties at all hours of the day and night, and at least try to let go the modern talk for the week end).

Mr. Hicks has said it better than I can. I believe his statement embodies what we should strive for. I instructed my men to to be considerate to those around them when talking out of first person. SCAR is also not big on first person, but you also did not hear Monty Python jokes being shouted out at an event like Outpost. For us, playing the part of a soldier for the weekend was immersive for us. Simple tasks like gathering deadfall and cooking are immersive for us without forced period conversations. What conversations I could hear were politics, women, big-fish stories, etc. Nothing that really ruined my moment and it was stuff that seemed very similair to the topics the real men might have discussed. As one of our men stated already, when we got to our first camp on friday night and were ordered to drop packs and sleep on arms in our place, we knew it was "game on!" Thus, it seems setting the tone for the weekend seems to be a critical aspect to keeping the integrity of the experience.

Jim Butler

Hank Trent

11-04-2007, 01:52 PM

at least try to let go the modern talk for the week end
Mr. Hicks has said it better than I can. I believe his statement embodies what we should strive for. (snip) For us, playing the part of a soldier for the weekend was immersive for us.

Exactly. That seems to be just what's wanted and the vast majority of reenactors in the c/p/h wing are happy. So why even bother discussing more first person as a potential improvement? If it hasn't changed in all these years, it's not going to, without implementing a totally different approach. People are doing what they want to do.

I'm coming from a different place, since I like to see it approached with the Yoda philosophy, where it's do or do not; there is no try. Events like Outpost and the many other campaign events over the years "do" very well what they set out to "do," as shown by the many enthusiastic AARs.

Worrying about "trying" to do something else only dilutes the achievement.

Hank Trent
(and keeps giving me false hope, durn it!)
hanktrent@voyager.net

Johnny Lloyd

11-04-2007, 02:06 PM

To all:

Wow, this thread is huge. Much to say about Outpost since it was so well-done. I will format my personal report as we Army-folk used to do. No severe criticism, just things I think we can ALL (myself included) can improve on.

After-Action Report from Johnny Lloyd is as follows... break:

3 Cons:

1) Lapses in first-person (myself included)... This has already been covered- 'nuff said and no reason to kick a dead horse. I don't know if we will ever solve this to everyone's satisfaction- we aren't professional actors and some people feel "hokey". I like first-person and am willing to participate any time. For this event, I tried to copy what I saw as the 89th's uniform in the picture provided and I researched the jobs at the Chicago stockyards in the period. This added greatly to the fun and enightenment for me during the event. Even though I am from the South, I felt like a foreigner on southern soil from the research I did on the 89th for the event. Great experience...:)

2) Individuals as participants needed to do more research on the regiment portrayed and up to what time period portrayed the event was to have taken-place. There seems to be confusion on this discussion thread as to what time period when we were exactly supposed to be. This needs to be a tad bit more delineated to the lower levels (NCOs and PVTs). Rumors were abound on messes forums in this respect and some I read were erroneous compared to what I discussed with those attending the event and what was on the official website. I think this caused confusion.

3)Light and sound discipline... especially on guard. Lordy, gents, I could see who was doing what in pitch-blackness on the Confederate side in regard to pickets-on-duty from the sounds and sights they were making. NCOs need to police this and every man needs to watch himself. If I was a real Yankee sniper, I could follow your guard-mount movements to each post as the relief came and shoot one of you out of the clear blackness. The moon was pretty clear and I could also see where sentinels were too. Someone was telling jokes and laughing to his comrade that had come to visit him... and one guy had a bad cough... and one man was smoking a pipe... etc. :rolleyes:
Guard mount ceremony/formation moving in the underbrush on the Confederate side helped me hear what was going on and who was where in the darkness. (Perhaps the pickets were in too heavy of brush and they needed to be moved?)
This brings a point, while it might be in books on how to conduct guard mount, what was REALLY practiced in the field while under threat of sniper eyes and fear of men's lives? Can someone enlighten here? Do we have documentary evidence in-this-respect to illustrate this? I do not know enough to comment on this question "and knowing you don't know is the first step to learning".
Or so my momma says...:rolleyes::p

3 Pros: (let's end on a high-note:D):

1) Well-organized, planned and executed!!! Let's hear it for the WIGs and all those that had a tremendous task in organizing the event. This was no small feat in "crowd-control" and organization. Logistics for the event was well-done and we as private felt welcome and well-taken care of by our leaders, both NCOs and Officers. This all is NO small task. Leaders were verycompetent in their roles as officers and NCOs- thanks gents!

2) Great civilian interraction! The civilians made us as federals feel like intruders upon someone's space. I made sure to be on my best behavior in front of the women-folk as it was un-gentlemanly to swear, smoke or use bad manners in front of such family-people. This added a great element of realism. Sometimes I got the feeling the townspeople were hostile to us blue bellies, but were not telling us for fear of their lives and home. Just give 'em coffee and keep them happy... :D VERY period- many people in the real war would not have "gotten out of Dodge" in time enough for the "blue horde" to sweep into their homes and communities. Yes, there were plenty of refugees, but there were plenty of people willing to protect everything they had by staying behind- perhaps they had nowhere else to go. Thanks for the great time in this respect, it added an element of great realism.

3) Tactics were solid and the maneuvers were done as well-as-possible for what leaders knew at the time they did them... "No plan survives first-contact with the enemy" is a military maxim and it sure held true for us at Outpost. I felt, from a Federal private's perspective in the battle, the officers making the decisions were doing what they could when they could to hold our lines... reinforcing areas of known weakness, placing platoons in an area where attack was easily possible, playing-upon the enemy's weakness as he showed them to us, etc. Good role-portrayal! Thank you, gentlemen! An honor to serve under your leadership.

And finally, my gratitude to Messrs. Brian Hicks, Terry Sorchy, Art Milburn, Preston Todd, Mike Pretus, Jim Butler, and Tim Arnold for their friendship and support for the event to me. Thanks for all those names I cannot remember or have failed to mention as well.

It was a kick to meet ya'll instead of just corresponding via e-mail and phone calls too. If you ever need me for anything, please let me know! I'll be here. Don't be a stranger in calling or e-mailing me.

Not one moment since did I feel regret that I spent the time or money to come down to Tennesee to Outpost. It was about as close to the 1860s as we can get today. I know most everyone I have talked to has had the same feeling... well-worth the trip and experience!

Good totally outweighed the bad for the entire event and that is a stunning success in my book!

See ya'll at Winter 64- Johnny Lloyd

theknapsack

11-04-2007, 02:22 PM

As far as the lapses in First Person are concerned, I don't think I heard a break in first person the whole weekend in my company. It was really an amazing experience.

Kevin O'Beirne

11-04-2007, 02:32 PM

Yikes! Hank is suggesting abandoning first-person at campaign events?! :)

The Scenario: I was somewhat confused about the event scenario early on, as to whether it represented post-Stones River or "advancing along the Nolensville Pike on 12/26/1862"; I guess after reading the information posted on this forum and related links, and what I could glean from the event website, I took it that it was 12/26/1862. A few days before departing for the event, I posted on this forum that an overcoat would be a good idea to bring because we were portraying late-December, and was informed that the scenario had changed to "October 1862". October 1862 saw the Army of the Ohio (soon to be renamed Army of the Cumberland) and the Army of Mississsippi (soon to be renamed the Army of Tennessee) maneuvering and fighting through Kentucky, with the two forces moving back into northern/Middle Tennessee after the conclusion of the campaign.

Below is a partial summary of the service of the 89th Illinois from Frederick Dyer's "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion":

SERVICE.--Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-15, 1862. Skirmish at Lawrenceburg, Ky., October 7. Battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8. March to Bowling Green, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7. Duty at Nashville, Tenn., till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Nolensville, Knob Gap December 26. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Reconnoissance from Murfreesboro March 6-7. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 22-July 7. Liberty Gap June 22-27. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25.

The bold text above is my emphasis, covering the period I thought we were to portray and what we eventually did portray. I infer from the above that the 89th Illinois did not reach the Nashville area until November 7, 1862. Thus, perhaps we were portraying an October date in Kentucky, but shortly after the battle of Perryville (if my memory serves me correctly) Bragg's and Buell's armies parted ways until re-connecting with each other in Middle Tennessee in November-December. I'll freely admit that my information on this time period and this regiment, let along the Confederate regiment portrayed (20th Tennessee) is so small as to be virtually nil, so hopefully someone can shed more light on it.

I believe that first-person does have a place at an event like Outpost 3. I'm not a fan of the hokey, "Hey, remember when your wife had a child back home last month?" (said to a reeanctor who is not married and just found out that he allegedly has a wife and kids). However, one can discuss the "here and now" as "first-person" and engage in first-person activities. For example, for a while when I was a guest of the Rebel provost guard on Saturday at Outpost 3 I removed my sack coat and spent a good 20 minutes or more "doing some knitting" (going through the jacket's seams for graybacks). During most of the time I was a "prisoner" I attempted (I will not claim that I was in "first-person" constantly throughout the event, and my own level of comitment to it, like many folks', seems to diminish the longer an event goes on; Saturday evening our in-bivouac conversation had fairly little first-person about it, but hopefully it was also in low tones so that it did not affect others) to exhibit behavior akin to how I understand most prisoners acted--sullen, downhearted, obedient to the orders of their captors, and probably apprehensive at being shot at any moment for the slightest infraction. During the weekend I tended to informally address my company commander as "Cap" (short for "Captain") merely because A) I've never done that before, and B) I've read numerous first-person accounts of volunteer soldiers addressing their captain that way.

I believe there's a middle ground when it comes to first-person. Most reenactors are not "actors" and most probably feel foolish getting "too far" into first-person impression. Certainly, few reenactors have the ability and commitment to it that someone like Hank Trent does (and I mean that as a compliment to Hank). The "middle ground" is to:

* Attempt to avoid modern talk, especially in formations and when others can overhear it.
* Keep most talk to the "here and now"--do the officers seem to know what they're doing? do your feet hurt from the march? are you cold or hot? is the food in sufficient quantity and quality? Soldiers talked of these things all the time.
* For times when the talk will not be periodish, or will include modern things, keep it at low enough volume so it's not intrusive to others nearby.
* Period-correct activites help foster first-person, I believe, and make good fodder for discussions. What's out there beyond the picket line?, for example.
* Basic background information made available for participants helps. It's easy to say "find it yourself" but the more an event sponsor or battalion staff make the info easy to find, the more likely it is that participants will read 'n heed it. Some of the best, company-wide first-person I've seen is when period census data on the area(s) where the company portrayed was recruited, when more than one person was doing historical research and then disseminating it to the company, and discussion on the information ensued prior to the event. At Burkittsville 2001 other Yanks wondered why our company made barnyard noises wherever it went; our members' research showed that the regiment we were portraying was known for such things, so we did it (darned shame that no means was available to transmit that info to others in the event's Yank battalion). Making those noises was fun, lent some esprit-de-corps to our company, and was certainly first-person and period-correct, but yet hardly required anyone to be a thespian. Similarly, at Outpost 3, the times on Sunday when the Yanks roared "Clear the rails!" (the actual batlte cry of the 89th Illinois) was also good "first-person" impression.

Certainly, a much higher level of first-person is possible. The vast majority of reenactors, however, do not possess the skill, knowledge, and comfort level with this "depth" to really even attempt it without it being poor theater.

In the Columbia Rifles we have espoused the "authenticity triad" (Man, Methods, Materials) for years, and also cautioned that the "Man" is the most difficult component of the triad to learn and practice successfully.

Kevin O'Beirne

11-04-2007, 02:50 PM

This brings a point, while it might be in books on how to conduct guard mount, what was REALLY practiced in the field while under threat of sniper eyes and fear of men's lives? Can someone enlighten here? Do we have documentary evidence in-this-respect to illustrate this? I do not know enough to comment on this question "and knowing you don't know is the first step to learning".

That's a good question, and one that represents the hallmark or someone who was "caught thinking again". :) "How they did it" was, at times, different from what the manuals and handbooks said.

The answer is that there was no one way picket duty was done in the face of the enemy, even within a single regiment within the same week.

Of course, for camp police guard and probably opposing pickets during winter quarters (when informal truces kept hostilities to a minimum), one man was posted to each sentinel position and the corporal of the guard marched a relief around every hour or two to put a fresh sentinel at each post, with the other reliefs located at the guardhouse or outpost/support a distance behind the line of sentinels.

In active campaigns in the face of the enemy, marching reliefs around could be hazardous, so other expedients were sometimes resorted to. There was always a chain of outposts/supports with men at them, and a larger reserve a distance behind that, and then the main unit's main camp (which in many cases was a long distance from the sentinels). However, I've read first-person accounts--and most that I've read are from the Eastern theater of the war--decribing the reliefs being posted like the Regs say, and others with the men of all three reliefs at a given sentinel post (taking turns standing watch), and even variations in between, like two men at a given sentinel post.

The extent to which the opposing sides should have exhibited "light and sound discipline" would, I think, have depended on the scenario we were actually portraying. If it was the Nolensville Pike on 12/26/1862, that was one army marching out to do battle with another with everyone knowing it, so discipline on the picket line would probably have been tight. If, on the other hand, it was a (say) October-November scrimmage near Nashville during a period that did not represent an active campaign, perhaps the troops would have been "more loose" with picket-line discipline.

On the other hand, what we were actually portraying was a fierce two days of rumble between two battalions, not just a period of relative inactivity. Hence, men on the picket line should probably have been avoiding lighting pipes at sentinel posts and stuff like that.

I freely admit I know nothing of how the 89th Illinois or Willich's brigade did picket duty during the autumn and winter of 1862-1863 and that, of course, is the yardstick against which this historical depiction should be measured, if the documentation is available.

IowaYank

11-04-2007, 02:57 PM

Anna Allen

11-04-2007, 04:26 PM

Worrying about "trying" to do something else only dilutes the achievement.

Hank Trent
(and keeps giving me false hope, durn it!)
hanktrent@voyager.net

I would agree. People I think worry way too much about first person. Just keep it simple and go with the flow. I'm not really good at it myself, but I am usually pretty aware of what I say and how I'm saying it. If I can't think of something to say without adding some modern comment, I'll just keep that thought to myself. Of course then people accuse me of being too shy. But I don't worry about that because there were shy people in the period as well. Probably more of a period thing for me to not open my mouth every chance I get anyway, as a young woman from the period. At least when I'm around a bunch of rowdy yankees. ;)

Some of the best first person I've been involved in was when I didn't even realize we were doing first person until after the fact. But I've gotta say, bad first person is worse than breaking character. And I think there's a point when it just starts to get really fake.

Also, what's with the corny accents?? That's another thing I get a little ticked off at people for at events. If you're going to talk in a different accent, be sure you're doing it right. And don't do it off and on. That's so tacky and obvious to everyone around you. Save yourself from looking ridiculous and either do it right or don't do it at all.

My two cents. :rolleyes:

Dale Beasley

11-04-2007, 04:36 PM

*Events drive first person. If there is downtime, then expect some "not so period conversation".

*Port Gibson 2003, well guys you have to admit, after the first mile...we were there.

*Bloody 0200 hrs Sat morning at Outpost III, we were there...after that it came and went.

*Like a post stated earlier, we are not actors.

***OK, we can work on first person, what else besides staying engaged can we do to make our events better?

Matt Woodburn

11-04-2007, 06:30 PM

Eliot,

Yes I was the Confederate Orderly Sgt. you escorted through the lines. I enjoyed our first person exchange and also with your corporal of the guard who I'm fairly certain was Troy Groves. Thanks to the ladies at the cabin and the "brother" prisoner for other nice moments.

Jim of The SRR

11-04-2007, 07:31 PM

There was a good (not hokey), first person scenario that Company A for the battalion on the Federal side. Historically, Illinois soldiers were being denied the right to vote. Several men from Company A came over and asked us to sign a petition to present to the Colonel to petition us to get our right to vote back. Seemed simple, but it then unleashed some great first person in our company. Men were now fired up about losing their voting rights. Many stated their political view (period views) in no uncertain terms (i.e. "I damn sure ain't gonna vote for no slave liberator!" etc). It was simple, no over-acted and didn't seem forced.

The other obstacle to first person is that most of us get together only 4-6 times a year. I know it is not an excuse, but that time is quality time to be with friends. Personally, as long as these guys are respecting the people around them and not ruining other peoples experience and as long as they are acting the part of soldiers, I am pleased. But again, that is just what I look for in our hobby. Others seek different things and prioritize them differently.

Regards,
Jim Butler

Hank Trent

11-04-2007, 08:05 PM

Yikes! Hank is suggesting abandoning first-person at campaign events?! :)

I'm saying do, or do not. No more try. If that means do not, so be it. :) This is 2007. EBUFU isn't new anymore. We know what "do" will get and what "try" will get. I've seen too many brand new people do an entire event without any modern talk, at the first event they attend where that's required, whether they're scrambling up and down hills or sitting around bored, doing something complex or simple, so it's not like this is some arcane skill that only a few will ever achieve after years of practice.

If some want the experience of no modern talk as a carpe eventum, then I wish there was a predictable way, other than luck, to put people together who will do it. If the same guidelines govern the entire event, how could someone (um, meaning me) have predicted they wanted to be in Riley's company so they could have gotten that same amazing experience, as opposed to one of the other companies where lapses were common? Vice versa, how could those who want to lapse know which companies would be perfectly okay with that and which would really prefer they didn't, when theoretically no one anywhere has to do any more than try?

Well, that's all I say, because this thread is really about Outpost more than future events, and that's about all I can think of to say anyway. :)

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Terry Sorchy

11-04-2007, 08:13 PM

To All,
First person at events is driven not by the event or where or when you are. It is driven on HOW you or your home unit or unit does first person at events all year long. If you attend events and your parent unit is primarily third person with the crowd and you talk in modern conversation then no matter when we portrayed the 89th or how much research you had your still going to do what your used to.
Case in point, all the federals at Outpost were OUTSTANDING. From what I heard from those that were there, Company A the ONV was in first person about 99% of the time ALL weekend. Thats what we do. At ALL events. It is where our comfort zone is.
Company B was about 75% with any modern talk kept very quiet.
Company C and D combined was less because thats just not what they do at most events.
You cant say friday night even though we do, to "go into firper" and expect it to be followed if your not "used to doing it on a regular basis".
What I would like to see is those that enjoyed the event look at it as a great cap on a great year and not start nitpicking it to death as happens to most events.
Did everyone cross all the T's and dot all the I's? No, because we were trying to put on an event as good as we knew how. Multitasking to the max was done by me for this. Pretty much creating a battalion from scratch. I have the phone bills to prove it. In a perfect world you would have all the firper you wanted, everything done excactly by the manual etc.. But we are human. Oh by the way if everyone did everything they were supposed to do during the war it would not have lasted for four years. So I feel like I am in good company.
On to Next Year Lads
Suckers to the Front!
Clear The Rails!
Terry Sorchy

RJSamp

11-04-2007, 08:46 PM

"What I would like to see is those that enjoyed the event look at it as a great cap on a great year and not start nitpicking it to death as happens to most events.
Did everyone cross all the T's and dot all the I's? No, because we were trying to put on an event as good as we knew how. "

If we examine the mistakes made at Outpost III maybe the next event can be that much better?

Charles Heath

11-04-2007, 08:55 PM

All I know is we had a bugler from Baltimore in the back of the van who was tickled pink to have had the opportunity to work with RJ Samp at Outpost 3. Randy's AAR: "Great!"

theknapsack

11-04-2007, 09:05 PM

Jim - That whole voting scenario was AWESOME. I really enjoyed going around and getting people to sign the petition, even though I was more or less a tag-along. I had some really good political conversations with people from all the federal companies. I really like doing that stuff.
Also portraying a person from where I live in modern times was a cool experience, so having a little more of a inside look into politics in Illinois in the 1860's was a real positive experience.
The battle cries on Sunday were great as well... it was so encouraging to hear that good, manly "Suckers to the Front!" and in reply, "Clear the Track!" Awesome.
What can I say, I love Illinois.

flattop32355

11-05-2007, 12:04 AM

I'm coming from a different place, since I like to see it approached with the Yoda philosophy, where it's do or do not; there is no try.

As one who had never done firper to any extent, I think we may want to define what exactly that means at an event.

Were we expected at Outpost III to "become" a given named historical individual, with extensive background on that person, and "be" him for the weekend, I doubt I'd have been able to pull it off.

The approach I took was to be "Joe Soldier", of the 89th Illinois, a generic Everyman who tried to speak, when he spoke at all, in a manner consistant with both the period being reenacted and the particular circumstances that occurred within the event.

Much of the conversations in which I participated consisted of commenting on the engagements we had been involved in, duties we were performing, how tired we were following the fighting, the best way to cook a potato without it burning, etc. They came out of the natural flow of the activities of the event, not something forced in attempting to "be" someone or something I'm not.

Odds are some non-period verbiage and syntax was included, but the overall responses and comments were keeping within the context of the happenings of the event, and not in wondering if the Buckeyes were winning or how we couldn't wait to get a shower and find a buffet after the event.

Is that enough for some folks? Probably not, but I think they may be the exceptions to the norm. Is it possible that what I was doing is not really first person at all? Maybe; it depends upon what you're looking to accomplish.

Terry Sorchy

11-05-2007, 07:35 AM

I did receive the petitions Saturday night from Sgt Fleming. He asked me if I would do something wioth it and told me of the mens grievences. I had the Adjutant compose a letter to the Colonel to address the Governor about or views and had it and the names of the signed men forwarded on up. I will post that letter later.
Terry Sorchy

DougCooper

11-05-2007, 12:26 PM

My opinion is that not doing first person at an authentic event just makes it guys sitting around with good kits. If I wanted to reenact and hear about modern things I could go to a mainstream event. If we are trying to recreate being Civil War soldiers, the talking is a big part of it.

Exactly. I franky don't understand why this is even an issue at an event like Outpost - it was set up well to be 36 hours in the lives of soldiers. Its the army for goodness sakes, and it does not take a degree in Rocket Science to convert most modern subjects to their 1860's equivalent easily, especially with all the good background material we had for this event. Or as Anna says - just go with the flow.

Bernie (welcome to first person!) said it well below:

"Much of the conversations in which I participated consisted of commenting on the engagements we had been involved in, duties we were performing, how tired we were following the fighting, the best way to cook a potato without it burning, etc. They came out of the natural flow of the activities of the event, not something forced in attempting to "be" someone or something I'm not."

And Terry Sorchy on the ONV:

"From what I heard from those that were there, Company A the ONV was in first person about 99% of the time ALL weekend. Thats what we do. At ALL events. It is where our comfort zone is."

I disagree with the assertion that campaigners want to come to campaigner events (BGR, Outpost) and talk about modern stuff. That may be true for NPS events and such, though I am crazy enough to think you can at least maintain first person during the "duty day" at those as well (ONV - its what we do). It may also be true for posers with a good kit - but they are not campaigners in the sense I think of it. But when the task at hand is all military, or civil-military, it just is not hard to stay in first person (be a soldier), for a mere 36 hours. There is plenty of time in the parking lot to talk modern stuff.

Then again, maybe we can drive a stake into the heart of that outmoded term "campaigner" finally. That way we avoid the seeming contradiction implied by campaigners not being soldiers - engaging in modern talk at authentic events.

"Soldiers" would be a good replacement, since presumably "soldier" is the standard.

Charles Heath

11-05-2007, 01:48 PM

"Soldiers" would be a good replacement, since presumably "soldier" is the standard.

A number of people may find that to be incredibly offensive.

RJSamp

11-05-2007, 08:56 PM

All I know is we had a bugler from Baltimore in the back of the van who was tickled pink to have had the opportunity to work with RJ Samp at Outpost 3. Randy's AAR: "Great!"

Talk about a willing and enthusiastic pupil....a quick learner....heck, he had worked with Jari the weekend before....the best of East and West in two weekends?! I just wished that Randy and I could have been in camp together more often...he was off with Ewing's Foot Cavalry covering our back door/left flank for most of the event. We actually talked back and forth in a simple bugler's shorthand that I taught him Friday night....allowing us to manuever the boys as Sorchy, Owens, and Jerram desired. We even talked to Coley/Pete Peterson by bugle...nothing like the cavalry calls and the pounding of horses hoofs getting ever close and closer to put a chill into an infantryman's spine.

And Tom Klas, you guys were superb....always a pleasure to work with the ONV (back 10 years ago I started out with the 2nd WVI and met Tom back in the day....).....my 'career' has changed in the last 7 months for the good, and I may be able to get away for more cph events.

Charles Heath

11-05-2007, 09:57 PM

RJ,

One of the things I love about this hobby is a vanpool from Virginia snagging a ride for a bugler from Maryland to ride to an event in Tennessee (with at least one Texan in the vehicle) to work with another bugler, he from Illinois, both of whom are working for a fellow from Wisconsin. It's like "wheels on the car go 'round and 'round."

It gets even more interesting when a Canadian and New Yorker being held prisoner are being guarded by two fellows in gray from Virginia who just happen to be from the same unit.

C.R. Henderson

11-05-2007, 10:14 PM

IowaYank

11-05-2007, 11:47 PM

RJ, it would be great to see you at more ONV and other such events. At Old World Wisconsin this year James Weighton and myself were off fighting dismounted a couple hundred yards away from where Peter Yurkonis was with the horses and Pete had to yell return to horse to try to get us back. Took a could times of his yelling to get us back.We could barely hear him. Sure would have helped to have a bugler present.

Dan Chmelar

Randy

11-07-2007, 10:52 AM

The crazy:

-The Federal bugler that walked right up to me on Saturday early am after the fight. I think my pistol blast scared him off :wink_smil

Yeah, that was a learning experience for me. I'm more careful now about going off alone in the dark for any reason. :)
-

unionreb

11-07-2007, 11:03 AM

To all, thank you for a truly wonderful weekend. 1SG Adair for allowing me to ride with the Critters. The civilian interaction around the cabin. I was not involved in the Saturday's battle as I was posted as guard at the cabin. Ms. Craddock and her attempt to free the prisoner while I tried to be a gentleman was a stab in the back and will be noted. To the ladies of at the cabin, be it known that your febble attempts to lure my horse to your own stable was a nice try, but no cigar. Spencer is happy to be home in his own sand box with the ladies across the fence. He does thank you for the carrots though.

16 hours to, 16 hours back, 2 hours sleep Friday night, 4 hours sleep Saturday night, one question, when can I do this again?

Coatsy

11-09-2007, 07:53 AM

Randy,

You surprised me as well. I just reacted accordingly. And no I was not aiming directly at you. That would be bad times indeed. So I guess there is precedence for you to have run off safel. :rolleyes:

springkeeper

11-11-2007, 04:58 PM

Mr.Bradford,

You should be humbled at our admiration for your fine steed. While you made it clear horse thieves are hung in Texas, you were in the great state of Tennessee and you law does not apply here.

As to my attempt to free a fellow Confederate you gave the opportunity and it was taken. Do not make me inform 1st sgt Adair you wandered off leaving the prisonor alone. :p

Mike Nickerson

11-11-2007, 05:36 PM

Yes Bradford and it was my fine P/C "Rope Smiths" picket rope that paid the price for your lolligagging! :cry_smile

Mike Nickerson

TKlas

11-13-2007, 02:05 PM

And Tom Klas, you guys were superb....always a pleasure to work with the ONV (back 10 years ago I started out with the 2nd WVI and met Tom back in the day....).....my 'career' has changed in the last 7 months for the good, and I may be able to get away for more cph events.

Hi RJ,

Glad to see you enjoyed the event and your efforts were very appreciated:). Thanks for the compliments and like I have been saying, don't be a stranger and come out to some better events.

Feel free to drop me a PM - ONV meeting on December 8th in Madison.

Take care,

Tom

BenjaminLDavis

11-20-2007, 02:52 PM

As promised, more pictures, and apologies for the time lapse ~ real life in the way again.
Looking at these makes me want to get out in the field again. Jim

Rmhisteach

11-20-2007, 05:01 PM

What is Abe looking for in his pipe? I've smelt your tobbacco , nothing in there is worth picking at and trying to salvage. :confused_

Herr Schumann thanks for posting and taking the pics :D

RM

csasoldier_61

11-21-2007, 12:26 PM

First off I would like to apologize for the time delay and the length of this but as many know real life likes to get in the way of the hobby.

After Action Report of the 89th Illinois Infantry Regiment
For Actions in and around the area of the Rippavilla Plantation-Spring Hill, Tennessee
October 26 thru October 28, 1862

October 26th 1862
Once the battalion was able to assemble after our forced march, the battalion was issued three days rations and forty rounds of ammunition, and was then ordered to rest for several hours. Around 1030 p.m. we received orders to march for an area known locally as Brown’s Stand. With the battalion formed and checked for anything that might make noise during our night mach (we had been informed that the Rebs were nearby and had patrols in the area) we stepped off at 11:00 p.m. We marched for about an hour through the darkness stopping on the edge of a freshly harvested corn field so that the men could get a little bit of rest. The men were ordered to ground their arms and then to sleep on arms, which they did almost immediately. While the men were bedding down Colonel Sorchy, Captain Owens and myself held a council of war with the company commanders using the map that the Topographical Engineer drew up earlier that day. We determined where we were and where we wanted to get to in order to take any advantage that the land could provide. Once this was completed the staff attempted to get a few hours of rest.

October 27th 1862
I awoke at 2:30 and woke up the Colonel and began to check to see if the company sergeants were up when in the distance I heard the deep reports of two muskets firing, followed by the intense return fire of Spencer carbines from our cavalry that had moved ahead of the infantry column to take the land around Brown’s Stand. I quickly moved down the line and those men that had not already gotten up and began packing were quickly awakened. The whole battalion was ready to move inside of three minutes. The column was divided into columns of companies as we began to cross the cornfield. When we reached the wood line on the far side of the field we dispatched Company B to cover our left flank and rear while the rest of the battalion moved through Brown’s Stand and up the hill to a wide open clearing with command of the high ground. We dispatched Company A to the right and the consolidated Company C/D to the left and had them deploy skirmishers across the entire clearing.

The men took their positions and we were about to begin the process of sending out patrols to locate the enemy when Company A on the right flank was hit in force first by skirmishers and then once Co. A brought up its reserve the rest of the Confederate force moved on line. With the heavy assault on Co. A a platoon of Co. C/D was dispatched to aide in their fight. Unfortunately almost immediately Co. C/D was also attacked by another force. For a time it was a violent fight, which forced us to extend our lines to cover a large gap in between our two companies. The colonel determined that this was the majority of the Confederate force that was in the area so he ordered the bugler to blow the recall to Co. B, because we were in danger of being driven from the field back through Brown’s Stand. After about twenty minutes and Co. B had still not arrived the Colonel ordered me to find them. I ran off to their last known position and upon arrival, I found that they were not there. I continued the search through the adjoining fields and still finding no one, and hearing the sounds of an intense gunfight I hurried back to the battalion. When I arrived I found that the fighting had almost completely ceased. It was only now that I learned that only a few minutes after I left, Co. B had burst through the woods and smashed directly into the flank of the Confederate lines causing much confusion. When this happened the other two companies we had on line pressed the attack and forced the Confederates back into the woods. Company B’s arrival had perfect timing because as we reorganized after the fight we found that Co. A had only about three rounds per man and Co C/D had about five. With the wagons still not up we were in a bad situation and each company dispatched several men to go back along the road to where the wagons were to bring up some ammunition boxes so the men could be re-supplied.

After the men were seen to I retired down the hill to where the battalion established its head quarters next to the small cabin at Brown’s Stand. I arrived and found that there were about four to five secesh women that had been roused out of the cabin and were engaged in making coffee for the battalion staff and the cavalry. I sat down and ate some rations and dozed off for a few minutes. When I woke up I found the Colonel interrogating the women as to the identities of the people that were buried nearby. Their explanation was that it was several soldiers that came there to recover from wounds received at Ft. Donelson. Unfortunately for the women we could see that the dirt was freshly turned, so along with a few cavalrymen we dug up the graves. In the first grave we found two boxes, both full of canned goods (peaches, tomatoes, pears, condensed milk, etc.) and one box was also filled with a large sum of Confederate currency. Unfortunately the other grave did have the bones of some unfortunate Confederate soldier. After this the Colonel confined the women to their cabin for a while during which time we conducted another search of the cabin, out buildings and surrounding area, but found nothing.

We began sending out patrols to locate the enemy and soon I began to hear the reports of musket fire in front of Co. A. I returned up to the frontline and found that the Confederates were again attacking in force. As soon as we noticed that this was a major commitment by the Confederates we recalled Co. B from their position to reinforce us on the field. For some reason the Confederates were using the same attack plan that they had used in the earlier fight. We were able to check every advance that they attempted. The Confederates retreated back into the wood line and used the woods to screen their movements as they attempted to move and attack our left. It was as this point that Co. B arrived on the field, and were deployed to the left flank. We moved Co. B to the edge of a point on the field we referred to as the “finger” which was an outcropping of trees, and Co C/D to cover the extreme left. As Co. B slowly began moving down the finger, I heard what sounded like a whistle being blown and heard a loud Rebel Yell as Confederates began pouring out of the woods across the opening and up into the trees of the finger. Co. B poured in a heavy murderous fire into the Confederates crossing our front, and then we charged forward. I found that the Confederates that had made it into the finger were now trapped between Co. B and Co. C/D. several Confederates surrendered, those who attempted to make a stand were quickly cut down by the men of Co. B. I moved back up the hill out of the finger and was moving back toward the Colonel when on our extreme left another group of Confederates came up the hill out of the woods and attacked Co B. Co. B fell back in some disorder, I rallied the men and formed a line at the same time Co A who had been heavily engaged on the right moved up and reinforced the flank, forcing the Confederates back into the woods in disorder.

After this engagement a cease fire was called for and agreed to so that both sides could collect their wounded and dead. During this time two Confederate officers came through our lines under a flag of truce and delivered the uniform and some other personal effects of the husband of one of the Secesh women, whose husband was killed around New Orleans. During this time the men who were not out on picket duty were resting under arms. When the cease fire ended not too much occurred with the enemy probably because both sides were too tired from the day’s fighting. The only action to note occurred right about sunset when some of our pickets were fired upon and it looked like they were going to be engaged in force. The Colonel decided to deploy the battalion on line in preparation for the enemy. I believed that the Confederates were not going to come but it was just a ploy to rouse all our men and to waste time and energy deploying our men. Once deployed the enemy disappeared back into the woods and darkness.

After everything seemed to quiet down for the day, the Colonel called the company officers together for an officers mess and then after the meal, we gathered around the Colonel’s field desk to go over the map and devise a strategy for the next day. Our goal was to draw the Confederates out into the open so that we could engage them in a general engagement on ground of our choosing with all three of our companies and our cavalry to engage them. For most of the day Co. A and Co. C/D were able to hold off the three Confederate companies and Co. B had been the hammer. Our plan for the next day was to try and draw them out of their works with Co. C/D attacking and then retreating through a path in the woods that would lead into a large open field that we would have our remaining forces gathered in preparation for the pitched battle. If this plan failed we were going to concentrate Co. A and Co. C/D along with our cavalry concentrated on the right flank, with a skirmish line extended across our front to conceal our movements. At the same time we were to send Co. B far around the left flank to come in on the flank and the rear of the Confederates. We sent one of the battalion buglers with Co. B and when they were in position they would blow the general advance.

After the Council of War, Colonel Sorchy and I made our grand rounds of all the company outposts. All were well supplied and prepared for any eventuality, except for Co. B. As the Colonel and I made our way into the woods towards Co. B’s Post #2 we found it completely abandoned with only an overcoat and a tin cup as evidence that anyone was there. The Colonel and I were enraged and along with Co. B’s officer of the guard we headed back towards Co. B’s reserve. Along the way we encountered Captain Owens, and he and I headed back into the woods in search of the missing pickets. We found the two pickets (Pvt. Paul Calloway and another man who would not live to see the end of the next day) gallivanting off around the enemy’s line a good distance from their post. We reprimanded the men and sent them back to their posts just in time for Capt. Ewing of Co. B to arrive and give them a good thrashing. Capt. Owens and myself continued reconnoitering the enemy’s line to see if any weaknesses could be detected and this is when we discovered that they had put up some earthworks and fortifications.

October 28th 1862
We attempted our first plan of attack around 6:00 a.m. and after several attempts Co. C/D was not able to coerce the Confederates out of their works so we instantly launched into motions for the second plan. While waiting for Co. B to move into position we had Co. A launch several feint attacks to draw the attention of the Confederates to our right. Most of the Confederate cavalry also formed on the flank of the Confederate right, and our Cavalry mirrored them perfectly. During the heavy skirmishing and the slow advance of Co. A on the Confederates, I heard a bugle call and reported it to the Colonel, he then ordered a general advance of all our forces. As the infantry moved forward the cavalry charged across the field dispersing much of the Confederate cavalry force. Co. A pushed the Confederates back and ran them right into another company of Confederates, and Co. A rejoined with Co. C/D and as we rounded the corner of the trees we were able to make eye contact with Co. B. We instantly pressed our advantage and with the Confederates being hit from two sides they fell back in complete disorder and were routed from the field. It was at this point when Co B was able to rejoin us that we saw a white flag emerge from the Confederate lines and they yielded the field to us. We then received word that we were to be taken off the front lines and put into reserve.

Reported by:
Adam C. Johnson
Sergeant Major
89th Illinois Infantry Regiment