Return to Manassas

[Wild Rover]

Gents,

For those who have enjoyed Summer of 62, September Storm and At High Tide, the next installment will be "Return to Manassas" the last weekend of August 2010.

This event will feature some excellent land, even a rail road cut. A real one! We are working hard to take in all the experience of the past and move forward.

Looks like the scenarios will involve the Assualt on the Rail Road Cut, Chinn Ridge and we are still looking at what fight will fit best the land and the timing for the dusk fight.

I have been out of circulation for a bit, life has changed a wee bit, but its time to move this thing on.

I hope to see many of my friends, blue, gray east and west there, and to put on another event worthy of your attendance.

More information will be out in a while, and have a great New Year.

Pards,

[Gallo de Cielo]

Chris,

Five of us Ground Hornets trekked out for AHT this summer and had a fine, fine time.

A good number of fellows we soldiered with are coming down for Into the Piney Woods and we are glad to have them.

Return to Manassas sounds stout. Hope to make it out there.

Cordially,

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

It sounds like a cool event!!!!!! I too, hope to make it out to this event.

Andrew

[6thWis]

Another Brawner's Farm scenario would be excellent. It was the single most amazing living history experience I have ever taken part in. Definitely looking forward to coming up for this one.

Ryan Alcaino

[RJSamp]

A dusk fight?

Brawner's Farm....depending on terrain you could go man for man and portray a specific area of the battle....19th IN pushed back on the left, 7th WVI pivot and counterattack.....Easterner's fill the gap....6th WVI levels the playing field from a swale....etc.

Federal Rear Guard Action

[Tom Craig]

Gents,

For those who have enjoyed Summer of 62, September Storm and At High Tide, the next installment will be "Return to Manassas" the last weekend of August 2010.

This event will feature some excellent land, even a rail road cut. A real one! We are working hard to take in all the experience of the past and move forward.

Looks like the scenarios will involve the Assualt on the Rail Road Cut, Chinn Ridge and we are still looking at what fight will fit best the land and the timing for the dusk fight.

Pards,

Hey Chris,

Happy New Year to you! In light of the discussion us cav folks are having about getting involved in events, and creating cavalry opportunities at events, I ask that you please keep us in the loop as you develop ideas/scenarios! I know I want to help make the event the best that I can for my guys, and anyone else involved. 2nd Manassas wasn't a cavalry battle, but there certainly are some good opportunities to include cavalry in scenarios.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Wild Rover]

Tom,

Love to have you run with the mounted portion....will do all I can to facilitate anything you need...you just tell me.

Drop me an email when you get a chance...lots to discuss!

Pards,

[Wild Rover]

RJ,

We did the Dusk Fight at Brawners at the Summer of '62 event...it was amazing, I almost cried.

Not a big one to repeat scenarios, but I think this is a real possibility.

We now have 3 original period barns being re-constructed on site, and the landowners are working hard to finish up stone walls, period fencing and in general do all they can to make the site all it can be.

I feel very lucky working with these folks.

Pards,

[6thWis]

Seriously Chris, you should definitely consider Brawner's Farm again. It doesn't have to be as large scale as '62 was, (brigade vs. brigade) but its the only dusk scenario for the 2nd Mannassas campaign I can think of. It was so awesome back in 2005, especially since the drizzle came down and kept all the smoke low to the ground in our faces. The only time I've ever felt the so-called "choking" haze of battle.

And since you're doing the railroad cut fight again . . . well? I just want an excuse to do Iron Brigade again.

Ryan Alcaino

[Wild Rover]

Ok, talked me into it!

Working with a ton of maps...will have a few trips lined up this year to go to the actual ground.

Anyone who wants to join in let me know!

Pards,

[NewHopeChurch]

Wow, a chance to attack Jackson's line in the railroad cut? I'm there! - I just hope that General Pope isn't. :tounge_sm

[Parault]

I have been hearing talk of modern day firefighters protraying the Fire Zouaves at Manassas. The unit will be strictly firefighters from all over. I hope this makes. I will be in the numbers if it does.

[Johnny Lloyd]

I had much fun at High Tide last year... a nice "compromise" event to see friends that I rarely get to see.

I'll try to be there... Johnny Lloyd :wink_smil

[Marylander in Grey]

As usual General You have my vote. Do I need to shanghi Skip and dye his beard?

[John of Spotsyltucky]

Wow Chris, your 2nd Manassas sounds like it will be the best! I have spent many hours on the original battlefield since I was eight years old. I grew up about twelve miles east. The Deep Cut is one of those special battles indeed. Let's just keep the rock throwing to a minimum shall we? Keep up the good work and I will anticipate follow up information on the event. Do you have a website for it yet?

A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man.

[pvt_jb]

Anything new on this?

[Pvt Schnapps]

There was a site visit several weeks ago and there will probably be more discussion and planning at the 150th meeting at Gettysburg this coming weekend.

The Federal staff is just getting organized. Kevin Air is the commander and someone named "Schnapps" agreed to serve as AAG.

I will happily entertain any questions or comments directed toward the latter, though my response time will be kind of spotty till after Thanksgiving.

Thanks for asking.

[Jim of The SRR]

Are there any additional event details, webpage, etc for this event? Some of us SCAR guys are considering the event and crossing the big scary mountains.

Jim Butler
SCAR www.scarreenactors.com

[MD_Independent]

Lt. Bevard and Monsieur Butler. The Potomac Legion has voted to support a campaigner adjunct being put together by Joe Caridi and myself. Lots to do before we can make an official announcement. We're also trying to guage interest so as to figure out logistics. Joe Bordonaro and I have received permission from Mr. Anders to portray a single unit through the course of the weekend. We may do just that. Rations and research will be done by Caridi. Logistics by me. This is my very first attempt at organizing anything, and any support would be appreciated. Thanks. Bill B.

[pvt_jb]

Bill,

The Sally Port Mess has been talking about going to this one if we knew there was a quality company. Will this be a Federal company?

[MD_Independent]

It will indeed be a Federal company. Probably one of the New York regiments that was torn apart on Chinn Ridge. Our theory is that, since we portrayed westerners last year at At High Tide, we'll portray eastern boys this time around. We're aiming for more than a company, but it depends on the interest that's out there. A battalion is possible for Joe, Joe, and I to supply. Before anyone asks, Joe Caridi, Joe Bordonaro, nor myself intend to command anything. That, too, is in discussion. One of the three Sicilian-Cecilian brothers will try to get an official announcement out very soon. Thanks.

[pvt_jb]

I am putting it on my schedule. I will see what I can pull from Michigan.

[DocReynolds]

Enjoyed the other events..hope to make this one, and looking for details to present to the boys...


Pete Bedrossian
150th NY/3rd NC

[PieBoy96]

Are there any additional event details, webpage, etc for this event?

Website will be going live soon at http://www.returntomanassas.com

[pvtbordonaro]

Friends,
The Potomac Legion voted to support the "Return to Manassas" event at our meeting on Sunday. We anticipate creating a campaigner adjunct and have gotten approval from Chris Anders and Kevin Aire to do so. I will be posting additional information as plans firm up. Right now I can tell you that we will be portraying a Federal unit. We will have our own campsites. We will be marching. We will issue our own rations. We will be supplying our own firewood, in the form of rail fences put together on site ahead of time. Bill Birney and Joe Caridi of the Columbia Rifles will be coordinating recruiting, rations, and firewood. In short we'll be doing things as correctly as possible. If you're interested in joining forces with us please contact Bill at twbirney@aol.com
-Joe Bordonaro

[MD_Independent]

Gentlemen. Thank you for the show of support thus far. I've gotten numerous emails requesting information. Joe let the fence rail cat out of the bag, but that's alright. I've got about fifty hand split fence rails, split by me, to be increased to at least seventy five this spring for firewood. Water will also be provided in a fashion I've discussed with my former teacher Charles Heath. Logistics mean a lot to me after that old man's influence. As a nod to my Southern comrades, if it's a choice between Outpost and this, choose Outpost. For those of you who can make it, I'll do everything I can to make it worthwhile. More info will be available in a few weeks. Incidentally, any email requests will be answered very promptly as my phone gives automatic email notifications. It was both pleasing and annoying to hear the phone go off every so often. Feel free to annoy me some more. It's satisfying. Thanks.

[PetePaolillo]

Do you guys have, or can you reccommend a good reading list for this event?

[Gallo de Cielo]

"Return to Bull Run" by Hennessy would be my recommendation.

Regards,

[PetePaolillo]

Fred..Thanks for the heads up...I will check that one out

[MD_Independent]

PeePee. That's Joe C.'s department, but I'll be throwing my hand in to help him out when not splitting rails, visiting the site, recruiting, or experimenting with water distribution. My focus will be on literature that will increase our knowledge of the communities the boys we'll be portraying came from. Knowledge of what happened during the campaign is of limited use to the private in the ranks. I'd prefer to see guys reading about the history of the men they'll portray as opposed to the strictly military history of a few days in August 1862. I'm rained out of work today, so I'll be hitting the library and amazon pretty heavy. Anyone know a source for nineteenth century water pumps? Oh, and our impression, tentatively approved by Mr. Anders and Air, will be 26th New York.

[PetePaolillo]

PeePee. That's Joe C.'s department, but I'll be throwing my hand in to help him out when not splitting rails, visiting the site, recruiting, or experimenting with water distribution. My focus will be on literature that will increase our knowledge of the communities the boys we'll be portraying came from. Knowledge of what happened during the campaign is of limited use to the private in the ranks. I'd prefer to see guys reading about the history of the men they'll portray as opposed to the strictly military history of a few days in August 1862. I'm rained out of work today, so I'll be hitting the library and amazon pretty heavy. Anyone know a source for nineteenth century water pumps? Oh, and our impression, tentatively approved by Mr. Anders and Air, will be 26th New York.

Sounds Great Billy Bee!

I found these reads regarding the 26th NY.. they seem like it might be in line with what you are speaking.....Of course tentatively speaking

Further reading

A sketch of the campaign in Virginia and Maryland, from Cedar mountain to Antietam, by a soldier of the 26th N.Y. Syracuse: Master & Lee, 1862.

Bacon, William Johnson. Memorial of William Kirkland Bacon, late Adjutant of the Twenty-sixth regiment of New York state volunteers, by his father. Utica: Roberts, 1863

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/26thInf/26thInfMain.htm

[pvtbordonaro]

Pete,
Thanks for the book recommendations. I'm off to the library tomorrow. My local library won't have them but maybe they'll find them on inter-library loan.
-Joe Bordonaro
Friends,
The Potomac Legion (and invited guests) has been approved to represent the 26th New York so we're good to move forward on that! Also, it has been decided to restrict our battalion size to 135 because Joe Caridi will be preparing barrels of salt pork and it will only be possible for him to prepare two barrels. So when registration opens, get yours in soon! And please write in "Potomac Legion" when you do if you want to fall in with our battalion.
Thanks,
Joe Bordonaro
PS Attached is a picture of a portion of Bill Birney's test rail fence.

[Rebel Yell1863]

This is another event I want to come to next year, I will keep it on the radar.

[MD_Independent]

Monsieur Pugh. Want to be a part of a Feral adjunct? And yes, I said feral. By the time we're done, we'll feel almost feral. Brother Bordonaro will be scouting out march routes in two weeks while I'm down in Georgia. Official announcement of the adjunct will be coming soon. Brother B. will also be handling all official announcements so I'll keep my mouth shut, answer questions, and keep working on other related projects.

[Chip42]

If Birney and the Stillwaters will be there, then so will I.

[pvtbordonaro]

Friends,
Here's an update on the company structure for the Potomac Legion adjunct to the "Return to Manassas" event:

First Company (Color Company): 13th NJ/Stockton Guards, Neil Hobbins commanding
Second Company: 122nd New York, Chris Piering commanding
Third Company: Sally Port Mess, Jeremy Bevard commanding
Fourth Company: To be assigned.
Battalion Staff: Open
Artillery: Mike Martorelli of the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Battery F (a member unit of the Potomac Legion) will be the overall coordinator for artillery at the event.
Cavalry: Open

Things are coming together nicely. If you are interested in joining one of the three established companies, or if you would like to be involved in forming the fourth company, please contact Bill Birney at: twbirney@aol.com
- Joe Bordonaro

[pvt_jb]

Stillwaters and Billy Goats,

I know we just got done with Bummers and we are still registering and organizing for Backwaters. But keep this one in your mind and on your schedule.

[PvtShot]

Any news on this?

[pvtbordonaro]

Eliot,
There is a lot of info about the event on a separate thread in this forum: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?25776-Campaigner-Adjunct-for-quot-Return-to-Manassas-quot/page5
If you can't find what you're looking for there, shoot me an email at beatlefans1@verizon.net
- Joe Bordonaro