A heartfelt thank you to you all.

[mslaird]

To all of you gentlemen and the ladies as well who attended,

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you all for coming to the anniversary this year. It made for a very memorable experience for me and for the public who came to see all of us. I enjoyed meeting all of you that I had the opportunity to meet and I enjoyed sharing stories around the fire with you. Again, I cannot thank you enough for coming, I hope that you traveled back to your homes in safety, and I hope to see you again at future events.

Respectfully,

[Kevin O'Beirne]

What were the approximate numbers of participants, what was the nighttime low temperature, and how much snow fell during the weekend?

[mslaird]

On Friday night it got down to 14 degrees over at Leetown and in the Morgan's woods. On Saturday it was between 22 and 32 degrees during the day. Saturday night at about 10:30 PM the thermometer in the Ford said it was 32 degrees at Elkhorn Tavern and it was 29 degrees at Leetown. It was spitting very little snow on Saturday in the morning, almost too little to notice. I do not know what the temperature dropped to on Saturday night, other than it did not feel as cold as it was on Friday, but it was nice weather on Sunday, sunny and in the 50s by the afternoon.

We had twelve to represent the 3rd Louisiana and I apologize but I was not able to to get a count of the others that were there.

Mr. Corbin, Mr. Thomason, Mr. Hicks and the rest of the folks that were at Leetown representing the 4th Arkansas on Saturday did an outstanding job demonstrating the skirmish drill and though they could not hear it from across the field they got plenty of compliments from the public.

The Holmes Brigade and the MSG also looked very sharp in thier demonstations at the Tavern and received a good share of compliments from the public as well. All in all it was an outstanding event and I am very glad that I participated.

[huntdaw]

I believe we had 16 in the MO State Guard company. The snow was to the East.

[trippcor]

The 4th Arkansas had between 17 and 21 men present at various times through out the event. I have to say Pea Ridge is one of the most beautiful parks I have been too and one of the best perserved. I understand the park is working even harder to return the landscape to how it appeared in 62 in addition to expanding the Visitors Center. I can not wait until those efforts are complete. You can bet I will return when they are.

My heart felt thanks to everyone one that made the journey (in most cases a very long one) and braved the cold to take part in this event. Though our numbers were small, I think we did a great job of portraying those men that fought and died there in 1862.

To the men of the 4th Arkansas, you all did an outstanding job. Though our skirmish drill started out a little rusty by the end of the weekend we looked like seasoned vetrans. It was an honor to command such great men.

[BenjaminLDavis]

Hey all,

Still a little bleary, but I wanted to write and thank all involved for the efforts it took to bring
this one off ~ a great way for me and the boys of the Old Northwest in attendance to visit
one of the jewels of our battlefield parks. When we went up to the overlook, it took very
little effort to imagine the ebb and flow of the battle that took place there, or the Federal
cannonaide that forced the Confederates off that rocky prominance. If you are looking for
a great NPS vacation destination, include Pea Ridge in your wish list.
Special thanks to all the boys who came through the storm to attend - Tripp told me it took
them as long to get across Arkansas as did the rest of their entire journey! I would also
give a round of applause to the able and tireless musicians who made our time encamped
near the Elkhorn tavern so much fun!
I would also like to thank whichever of the fates decided that cold was enough for our time
here - during the actual battle, they had snow, strong winds and a full day of rain. We had
just a taste of that, and it made us respect the grit and raw determination of the brave men
who gave their all here even more.
Lastly, the men of the 4th Arkansas Rgt., Company B - you boys are the best!

If anyone has pictures, please post them. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

[moarkcav]

Here are a few pictures. I was not there as a participant.

Chris Talburt

[moarkcav]

For some reason it is not working. I will try to post some pictures tonight.

Chris Talburt

[Campjacksonboy]

In the Missouri State Guard we had 18 rifles one Sgt. and two drummers although a couple of the rifles deserted off and on.
We spent Saturday working on drill and by Saturday afternoon we were virtually flawless in execution.
At one point we were actually using drum calls during the demonstrations.
Simple stuff like commence fire, cease fire, and deploy as Skirmishers (out of Scott's). Considering the drummers were as young as they are I'd say they did a pretty good job.

MSG looked pretty good with all the confusion that seemed to reign with the impression before the event.
The Morning Inspection on Sunday showed all too well the differences between a well equipped Confederate army and the Missouri State Guard. I was cursing my Missouri state government in Little Rock under my breath. No bayonets, some without (what most of us would consider) Cartridge boxes, and low ammunition.

I got to see a lot of old friends I hadn't seen in awhile. The music and camplife on Saturday night was about as good as it gets. There were so many bones being played during the evening sing along I thought there was a slight chance we might rock the Elk Horn Tavern off its foundations. Now four years ago I brought some canned oysters and sardines and could not get rid of them. This time on Saturday night, Both companies made a pretty good oyster stew. The 4th Arkansas used Rice, the MSG made something that resembled a chowder. If it were up to me the MSG would have won that competion. It's little things like that, that make it something different that the usual Living History.
All went well can't wait until they finish with the park.
Me and the boy survived although Xavier was pretty worn out this monrning and I guess I'll get his AAR later.

Thanks to all of you that made the 8+ hour drive across the big scarry river and the white out on Friday. Lastly, thanks to the guys from this side of the river that portrayed the forgotten army (MSG)
Frank Aufmuth

[1stMo Drummer]

All in all i thought it a pretty good weekend, other than the arctic temperatures on friday night that is....
But I have to say the "Bone-da-mania" present on Saturday night had to be one of the highlights of the event....

[BrianHicks]

Here a few images, starting with pictures of the rations issued on Saturday Night at Elkhorn Tavern:

Click on the images for a larger image

Enlisted Mans Rations
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/1997/img1602ks4.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1602ks4.jpg)

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7690/img1603pk7.th.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1603pk7.jpg)

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6104/img1604vs9.th.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1604vs9.jpg)

Officers Rations
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/5412/img1611bb1.th.jpg (http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1611bb1.jpg)

Men in the Sunken Road awaiting to do a demonstration on Saturday.

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/8334/img1596yl4.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1596yl4.jpg)

Elkhorn Tavern

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9440/img1600dt3.th.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1600dt3.jpg)

[BorderRuffian]

Had a great time despite the cold.Saturday morning dawned with ice in the canteen.Slept much better Saturday night with a windbreak made by the rail fence at Elkhorn.Sunday morning inspection found Pvt.Wat Terrill of the MSG on report twice.how much trouble is he in?
Thanks go out to the WIG,glad I got to meet some of you guys.I hope all made it back safe and sound.

[IowaYank]

I know I saw a Park Ranger taking TONS of pictures of Sunday. Anyone know if they plan on posting those online somewhere or not??

Chris, Wish I would have known you were coming. I was with the 4th Arkansas company. Would have been to meet you. Oh well.

Dan

[moarkcav]

Dan:

I did not make it down until Sunday around 11:45. I wanted to go for the weeked but I could not work it out. I am hoping to make it to an event or two without my horse to nail down my infantry drill.

Thanks,

Chris Talburt

[Federal Bummer]

I would like to thank Landrum for the great idea for the event and I wish he could have been there with us but the car from Jeeeeeeorgia made the long hall there and it was "WELL WORTH IT." It is one of the best preserved parks in th,e country. I had a great time and will be back in future years. Tripp, Kiev Herb and I agree though, next time we're flying ;)

To all the "ONV" (I like my defintion better :D) it was great to see you boys again.

[mslaird]

I have recieved a few pictures of the 3rd Louisiana at Leetown on Saturday and at Elkhorn Tavern on Sunday courtesy of Justin Hall.

[IowaYank]

Steve, I agree, your definition of ONV is MUCH better.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Fourteen degrees F is a darned frosty night outdoors. Glad to hear it did not snow much--I heard on the Weather Channel that there was 18 inches of snow in the Ozarks and I thought that the event site got hammered. I was half expecting guys like Brian Hicks to say, "Pea Ridge was more wintery than W64". :)

I agree with Tripp--the Pea Ridge park, at 4,000 acres, is not only large and well preserved, but it covers the whole battlefield (all the areas of major fighting) and is a really neat, somewhat overlooked place. I visited it in 2004 and was quite impressed. Earl Hess's campaign history is a yardstick against which modern works on other campaigns are often measured.

Did any company call itself the Donner Party? :)

[Coatsy]

Kevin and all,

The snow melted at the park on Friday morning according to the ragner so all we got were damp fields and some nice bone chilling wind. But other than that I was VERY grateful that there was NO rain during the weekend. That would have made things very interesting. We did however driving through a very windy snow storm in between Memphis and Little Rock. It was probably conjuered up by the waiter Kiev pissed off at the Cracker Barrel on the way out to the Park.

The park is magnificent and even though the ride was long long looooon (ONV guys, and the few brave Easterners that come over the Apps. I know how it is now.... My hats are off to you.) I hope the park wants us back in 2011 when all of the work on getting the park back to the way it was in 1862 is ready.

And the Saturday night Bone O Mania concert was magnicient. Carl and the MSG miscreant pecussion section plus the three chaps playing bones made a great night even though it was damn cold outside of the Elkhorn Tavern. Frank, the song about the Camp Jackson massacre was a good one, Kiev and I were talking about it on the way home.

My thanks to the guys in the MSG for the "traveling rock band" and to my fellow homies in the 4th Arkansas company. The ONV and Armory Guards made up the bulk of the Co. B 4th Arkansas so it was good and insane to see the far distances traveled. The marching around the park was something very special to me. I've read numerous books and articles on Pea Ridge and it was very gratifing to see the place up close as we marched across the park. The programs themselves were interesting in the fact that besides the 4th Arkansas and MSG groups there was a gorup portraying the 3rd Louisiana, Federal artillery, and Federal infantry. Each group named had its own specific program and these all were occuring over the course of the weekend.

Thanks to all that planned this event (except Landrum), and all who attended. It was worth the 10 plus hour trip there and back home.

[Old Cremona]

I sure had a great time except for the freezing my butt off part. My hat is off to all you WIGS for making the long drive. I gotta say, watching you all do your skirmish drill for about 50 yards on Sunday was quite impressive. My skirmish drill stinks.

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The first tune is Briggs Breakdown, from the playing of Tom Briggs. The second tune is the famous Grape Vine Twist, by Joel Walker Sweeney. The syncopated first part is really neat.

The kid playing bones is Kyle Pretzl. He's only been playing for a few months, and he's already brilliant. Dave West is on canteen half. I need more canteen half!!

[1stMo Drummer]

Very Good vid I do say Carl....Do you know if their are any other ones or any photos to go along with them ?

[mslaird]

What ever happened to Dave's deer skull? I am sorry that I missed out on your playing on Saturday.

[Old Cremona]

What ever happened to Dave's deer skull?

The deer skull was left behind as we marched out of Leetown. Dave was bitterly disappointed. He was developing a knack for it. I dug it when he started playing the canteen half, though. That's cool, playing "found" instruments.

[mslaird]

I never did catch up with the other gentleman that was with you all over in Morgan's woods on Friday night. He was going to show me a pipe that he had made. Do you happen to know how I can get in touch with him.

[lawson]

The good: Getting to wear killer clothes and look super hardkewl with my friends!

The bad: Not getting drunk enough to sleep in the cold.

The ugly: Mitch's new hippy hair!

That's some good footage of Nic asleep. Thanks for keeping my spirits up all weekend. I had a killer time, cept for my little vomit period saturday evening. ( note to self, don't put eggs in the soup from now on!) sunday was much better weather for the happenings. Good to meet several WIG cats that I had not met before. Travis, good to see you out of the blue. Glad you made it out. Thanks to all the WIG b'hoys who made the long snowy drive across the big river.

Hope all made it home safe and sound.! ;-)

Laterz,

[mslaird]

Kiev made the Morning News here in Rogers, Arkansas. Here is the picture.

[M_Kupsch]

All,

It was a top drawer event at Pea Ridge, and I am so glad our brothers east of the Mighty Miss were able to make it inspite of the bad weather they had to endure getting there.

We were lucky not to get the predicted snow; granted it was down right cold Friday night. The boys of '62 ran into snow and frigid weather marching to the battle, so I guess we faired much better than they. I kept thinking on that when I was freezing, and it put it all in perspective.

The music was the high point, as others have mentioned. The Taters are blessed with good muscians and singers; it being said we are a melodious bunch.

It was also good to see young Xavier Aufmuth out there. He never complained and help his own. He is to be commended. I've known Xavier for several years and I was right proud of him, as his dad was rightly so.

Onto Pickett's Mill!

[tater_cuffie]

i know this is a late post lol but.... i just wanted to add that Xavier is a drummer in progress as well as I hopefully he'll keep with the hobby