Jonesville:Hell In Lee County

[Haversack]

Hello All,
A few others and myself are planning a campaigner event for 2010 in Jonesville,VA.It will be held on the original battlefield.This will be a tactical style event.We should have a nice sized chunk of land to play on.The event will be held in April,about a month after the LBL-Backwater event in March.The event will be hosted by the Wampus Cats Mess,the Breckinridge Greys,and the Walnut Hill Mess.The Confederate Coordinaters are Luke Gilly,Jesse Parsons, and Chad Wrinn.The Federal Coordinatoers are Shawn Sturgill(myself)and Ryan Halsey.I will post the link to the website once we get it up and running.Please feel free to PM me with any questions.
Thanks,

[Pvt. Middleton]

Me and my friend plan to attend this event next year. I've spoken to Luke about it some and it sounds as if you all have a heck of an event planned. =)

[-Jesse-]

We're already getting interest shown for this event,it should be a great event...we def.have the land for it(original battlefield)and plenty of it!:wink_smil

[lukegilly13]

Jesse and I were able to look over some of the event grounds this past weekend. For you ANV guys that have ever wanted to experience what things may have been like in "The Wilderness"...this could be a an ideal situation....plenty of wooded area for use...and the tree still stands where the confederates surrendered.
We will be back there in June and I will take some pictures of the proposed battlefield for those of you who have never been there.

[Ryan Halsey]

Yes. We should have a good event planned out. The land is awesome.

[Haversack]

We are currently working on nailing down some specifics for the event.I will post some more info when we get a couple of things taken care of.

[PetePaolillo]

Shawn, Thanks much for the email and invite. I am definately interested, please keep me in the loop

[Haversack]

Ok,
We pushed the event dates back a little because it conflicted with peoples schedules.The tentative event dates are July 9-11 2010.If this conflicts with anyone elses events,olease let me know and we will try to fix things as best as possible.
Thanks,

[Haversack]

Just to let everyone know,
We are planning some interesting things for the event.I would like to make a lot of it a surprise,but I will post some info later on.

[lukegilly13]

Just a little bump for the event:
For the confederate side, the union controlled the nearby Cumberland Gap and Tazewell TN. Needless to say, it was NOT the best place for supply lines so pards...gotta live off forage. We'll make sure the countryside is stocked well. Don't look for rations to be issued but expect to be able to forage and actually find things. You were literally the end of the rope so expect to do a great deal of picket duty! Although it will not be cold when we recreate the event, I think it important that you know the extremeties of the terrain. According to Grumble Jones, one of his men froze to death in the saddle on their way to this stronghold. The scrap we are reliving took place on January 3, 1864. You are portraying men on a short campaign, late in the war, most of whom were close to home...literally fighting in their back yards. Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Haversack]

After talking with Luke,it sounds like the Confederate forage may be better then the Federal rations!You definately won't have to worry about going hungry.So far the event is shaping up to be very nice.It should definately be a fairly unique expierience...

[Haversack]

All,
We were at the event site this past weekend(June 5-7 2009)for a mainstream event and we went exploring a little.And,to put it simply,there is tons of land.It truly is a great site.We are currently working on gettin commanders lined up and such,but I will post this information when it comes along.

[elcid01]

Seems this event is gathering interest. Couple of Questions:

1. Whats your desired numbers intent? COmmand Structure? Numbers per side? BN/CO per side???

2. this actual event took place in January 64? And the modern event is July? Explain? is there not a July senerio to portray to make the climate a little more accurate? Sort of like doing Fredericksburg in July. might be off, but this raised the question

3. Logistics, imagine the numbers will drive your food aquired for the event. You are protraying a "forage style event" for the CS side? was this the historical case?

4. What CS/ US unit will be portrayed? Unit histories? Why?

Sorry not to sharp shoot your event and honestly wouldn't mind attending just want a little more information. Undestand this is a year away, but we are starting to look years in advance for events these days.

Cheers,

[Haversack]

Skip,
1.We would like to have no less than two companies per side.We are still working out our command structure at the moment.

2.Yes,the original engagement took place in January.We are doing this in July for a few reasons:
A)Winter down here is bitterly cold,especially in January.
B)The July date puts us farther away from other events.
Also,they did Fort Sanders in April....


3.Yes,the forage for CS soldiers is accurate.They were at the end of the line,surrounded by Federals and their supply lines had been pretty well cut.

4.The units that will be portrated are the 64th VA(CS),and we are still digging on a US unit,but we are close to finding a good one.

Feel free to ask any additional questions you may have.

[Charlie Newman]

this looks to be great..i have the seen this field and fought on it a number of times.For anybody that will be attending,It is a site to see.January 3,1864,as Luke says,it was called the Frozen Fight!

[lukegilly13]

I was just reading through some old posts on here and I noticed that i typed "the tree still stands where the confederates surrendered." This was a typo....I was thinking where the confederates accepted the surrender of the federals. I repeat, the FEDERALS SURRENDERED...not the rebs. Sorry for the misleading info....it was truely an accident.

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Gentlemen,

It is good that the members of the Wampus Cats Mess think their event is going to be a great event, but you all will have to do a bit more effort than posting on the AC to get living historians to come to it. That sounds harsh, but from behind my computer that is what I percieve.

You've been asked several questions about the historical basis, organization and logistical support for your planned event and very few of the answers have been complete. I am going to ask two more.

1) What safeguards do you have in place to keep your planned tactical as a historically accurate portrayal of Civil War events and keep it from devolving into a game of 'Cowboys and Indians' while wearing 1860's clothing?

2) Why does your planned event rise above the efforts of other organizations to host events in 2010 and is worthy of being recognized by the AC Event Committee as one of the six best events of 2010?

If you would like to have a more private discussion with me, I would be glad to take this to PM and email and offer my observations. At this point, your mess is giving the full court press to the living history community to get recognition, but you do not have a track record as a living history organization (i.e. WIG, Texas Ground Hornets, SCAR) and it does not appear you have fully planned or coordinated your efforts as of yet.

I am just one of the skeptics wondering why I should plan to expend my personal resources in support of your event.

[Hank Trent]

2.Yes,the original engagement took place in January.We are doing this in July for a few reasons:
A)Winter down here is bitterly cold,especially in January.
B)The July date puts us farther away from other events.

Out of curiosity, will you be pretending it's January in July as much as possible? For example, obviously not wearing greatcoats and scarves, but doing things like limiting food to what's appropriate for midwinter rather than midsummer, and expecting participants to use a January date for newspapers, letters from home, mention of current events, etc.?

Or will you be pretending the historic events happened in July rather than January, and if so, the July of the year before, or the year after?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[tenfed1861]

Seeing as this is the first event being put on by people who are barely out of high school,I'd like to say to all poo-pooing all over it to lay off a little.Please remember what it was like to put on your first event.Instead of attacking them and trying to shoot it down,why not ask them if you can help and make suggestions.All I see are "well,why aren't...".

[Pvt_Sullivan]

That is well said Cullen.

I do want to point out these men are using words and phrases like...

'it should be a great event...'

'the event is shaping up to be very nice'

'Awesome'

They are putting few details out and are expecting this community to recognize them simply because of their energy.

I applaud their energy, but the constant bombardment of overly positive pronouncments and event campaigning without minimum details comes out as immature. Its the rhetoric/propaganda that the Wampus Cats Mess is putting out that is prompting a skeptic like me to question their event.

My recommendation to the Wampus Cats Mess is to dial back the rhetoric and focus on professional and correct communications for their event. If any of them would like a much more detailed discussion about event communications, I have the complete communications of three EBUFU events from the past two years as well as notes from first class event organizers about the process and pitfalls.

Lastly, if asking hard questions of event organizers and why attending their event is worth my time and money is 'attacking' then its time for the AC to fold up and everyone can join the mainstream and be the best dressed kids on sutler row.

[BrianHicks]

I'm going to ask the hard question, who are these fellows: Luke Gilly, Jesse Parsons, Chad Wrinn, Shawn Sturgill and Ryan Halsey.

By my asking who are these fellows, I'm asking specifically, have I, or any of the fellows that we know who sponsor most of the EBUFU events ever shared rations with any of them, or stood in the ranks with any of them, or perhaps more importantly - had them assist in putting on any previous events ? Luke Gilly seems familiar to me but I do not recognize any of the other names, other than from posts here on the forums. Where has anyone interacted with any of them before?

Why do I ask? Simple, as of yet, it appears that these young men are an unknown quantity with respect to event organizing, as such, I and several others who I have spoken off line to, are reluctant to commit to the 10+ Hr. one way drive without some kind of assurance it will be worth it. For most people, that kind of assurance comes from knowing the event planners have experience at what they are doing, or that the premise of the event alone is sufficient to really warrant consideration.

As mentioned in previous posts, the event promotion has been continuous, but the event details have been sparse.

And yes, I do have a one major concern, If the historical narrative the event is following, took place in January, why hold the event in June? I've done a pickett post event in Va. during the winter (and yes.. canteens froze) and I've campaigned at events were the high temp was a mere 17 degrees. Very few of us do not hesitate to campaign in the winter months (and there are several of us who actually enjoy the challenge). Why not hold the event during the winter and follow your historical narrative, or hold the event during the summer months, and either follow an historical narrative from that season, or state that it is a non-historical based tactical, and invite people to come.

[Chad Wrinn]

I have backed out of the planning of this event for many reasons. One being the lack of experience of the host unit and their failure to let more experienced people handle it, Shawn's argument being it was his idea. I am in no way behind the planning of this event and do not know why I am listed as a coordinator for I have not agreed to support it unless more experienced people take it over. My plans were to have an event in February/January 2011 were the Independent Rifles and the Breckinridge Greys were to host it. But they would not listen.
As far as my experience goes,
Outpost 3
Pickets Mill
Race to Knoxville

As for the others, I can think of one event that one of them attended the event being Race to Knoxville.

[john duffer]

Cut the guys some slack Brian :) You're doing a March campaign in March but you're pretending Tennessee is North Carolina, They're doing an event on the original battlefield but pretending June is January.

For the original question, I'm not sure if they showed up or if I'd know them by sight, but I believe a couple of them at least registered for A Fighting Withdrawal .

[Haversack]

Not to insult anyone,but in the defence of our planning time.....they did Fort Sanders in April and they are doing Backwater in Tennessee.......and I do not see anyone on their case for this,so why are we being hasseled so much about our planning time?The July date least conflicted with other events being held and it is an elevated site,so an event in the winter would be COLD.And we are still working out some details,such as commanders and things of this nature.

[btfire]

Fort Sanders, unless I am mistaken, was held in April to not conflict with a mainstream event held on, or around, the original dates. I cannot speak for the Backwater planners, but I am going to assume their reasoning is land use. Yes, there is land available in North Carolina, but there tends to be something on it or reluctant property owners. Either situation results in not having the event. I can put my mindset, for a realistic scenario, into location warping. I can even mind warp the time aspect, but the weather should be similar. Doing October in April results in similar temperatures in many parts of the world, and in my experience, Tennesee also. There is no argument in saying, "They did this!" or "They did that!" That simply will not hold water. Please, continue to hype your event, but hype it with information that will make me WANT to drive seven hours.

[BrianHicks]

Yes... Backwater is in March for a March Historical Narrative. Yes it is in Tn. vice the original location, and the event organizers have been right up front about that from the beginning. If any of the event organizers lived near, or had access to original land, we'd be doing it in the Carolinas, and not in Tn. This information has been laid out from the earlier posts an that event.

Event details and the experience of event organizers seem to be the primary areas of concern. Not their experience in attending events, but their experience in helping plan, organize and execute such events. It is the apparent lack of these two elements which are causing concern.

Pre-announcement, off the forums communications and coordination with prospective event participants is an exceptional way of pre-empting many of these questions/concerns that are being voiced here. In pre-announcement coordinating you often encounter many of the questions/concerns you've endured here. By working through these issues before pushing the event so strongly on the forums, you often disarm the skeptics from the very beginning. It also helps put your names out there as you start building your reputations behind the scenes as a group that knows what they are doing.


The July date least conflicted with other events being held and it is an elevated site,so an event in the winter would be COLD.

Concern about it being cold in January when the original historical event took place, as a reason to not do it during that time frame is not a very valid reason amongst many of us who would otherwise attend such an event. Planning the event date so as to be less conflicting with other events already on the calendar however, is very commendable.

[PogueMahone]

Shawn,

You are getting some good advice from some folks that know what they are talking about. Pay attention. Get past being angry about the doubting questions. Contact Pete directly for the input he's offered.

As has been mentioned, you are something of an unknown in the larger community and people want to know that you have a plan, a back-up plan and an emergency plan for water, rations, ingress, egress, uniform guidelines, scenarios, etc. Before the event happens, make it a point to attend some of the other events getting the AC endorsement and introduce yourself to the event organizers. Even better, offer to help with onsite logistics rather than participate in an event. Learn the ropes, make some contacts and put together a plan.

You'll find things go much smoother.

And cold is not a deterrent. Most of us have been at events where it is cold. It is part of the experience of a Civil War soldier.

[Hank Trent]

The July date least conflicted with other events being held and it is an elevated site,so an event in the winter would be COLD.

Any answers to the questions I asked in post 18 (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showpost.php?p=148560&postcount=18)? I think that would help reassure people that this season-change has been thought through. Marmarduke's Raid was held in the fall, portraying events in the spring, and when I asked the civilian coordinator the same kinds of questions, she gave a helpful answer.

I'll second what Brian and Joe say. Saying that reenactors don't want to be cold during reenactments of cold-weather events ignores many successful cold-weather events.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[lukegilly13]

Stop the panick lol!!!!!!
The event is being held in the summer because there our cattle on the wooded part of the property and sometimes the back field during the winter. It would still be good grounds for a small event in the winter but not for an event with the magnitude that shawn has planned. Also, our "in case of emergency" evacuation route is often inaccessible during the winter months. And we thought a summer event might be more practical and have more appeal to potential participants.
Give me a minute...there's much more to come.

[john duffer]

"Yes it is in Tn. vice the original location, and the event organizers have been right up front about that from the beginning. If any of the event organizers lived near, or had access to original land, we'd be doing it in the Carolinas, and not in Tn. This information has been laid out from the earlier posts an that event"

Not to get off subject but - I don't think anyone was saying trickery was intended, even the dullest blade in the box would have at some point caught on what state they were driving to :). I am surprised at the second part of the statement, especially on the AC forum. The ultimate implication is that it would have made just as much sense for Mess No. 1 to have done Lookout Mountain at Rich Mountain, Landrum could have done Sumpter at Fort Gaines or Petersburg instead of Vicksburg (Valley Forge for his Fort Donelson event :) ), etc.

[Half Rations]

Upon hearing both sides of the argument it would appear that not event date but the event itself needs to be changed. From what I have read union forces operated in Lee county during the summer of 1864. It would seem best to do a tactical based off one of these operations if you see a need to keep the current dates.

Just my thoughts.

[lukegilly13]

Now, after giving it long thought, here is my response to the whole mess.

1. Brian Hicks is absolutely right and I appreciate you respectfully posting on here to prove a point that several folks have brought up. Who the hell are these guys hosting this event? The answer: NOBODIES. We are nobodies who have never hosted an authentic event before. Our thought was that maybe somebody would like to chance soemthing new and a little different. We have been in touch with some well respected organizations and some very well respected commanders and we awaiting there replies.

2. Nobody is attacking anybody on this thread so please everyone get off the defensive/offensive. All I have read are questions by potential participants that are understandable and organizers who have done a good job, completed their pre-event plannign, and have their ducks in a row should be able to answer. Maybe the fault lies with someone jumping the gun trying to make the event a "max effort" event on our first go around. That being said, I hope all of you come. I hope we have to close registration because the whole dang community decides to give us a whirl. But none of this can happen before some more planning has been done and some confirmations made.

I totally understand why folks who plan to drive many hours and use their saved up vacation time for an event would have questions such as these. Here's the truth. Most of the questions can be answered....but not until more planning has been done. Chad Wrinn had a good suggestions that the event move back.

I agreed to help Shawn as an organizer/coordinator because I have some experience with putting on events. Although this would be my first experience with hosting a reenactment of this sort...I have organized and planned many events at the National Park and I live rather close to the site. I do not have the experience to, nor do I wish, to command anything militarily. This is why I told shawn I would help organize and coordiante instead of backing out on him because of his lack of experience or because things weren't what/when I wanted them to be. I personally would like to see a group of young men come through for us and form a hell-of-a-time so I offered to help them in any way that I could.

I hope this helps. I will do my best to address any specific questions folks have posted but again...i'm only an organizer and cannot/will not answer some of the military aspects questions you have. It may take me a little while as I have a teething one-year-old on my left leg right now.

[btfire]

I deleted this post...moderators please complete the process...

[lukegilly13]

Upon hearing both sides of the argument it would appear that not event date but the event itself needs to be changed. From what I have read union forces operated in Lee county during the summer of 1864. It would seem best to do a tactical based off one of these operations if you see a need to keep the current dates.

Just my thoughts.

You make a good point. There were a few military operations during that summer. However, the surrender we wanted to recreate was a powerful happening and would be a blast to portray! I have sent shawn and the planners information on other portrayals that happened much closer to the dates he selected for the event.

[lukegilly13]

Any answers to the questions I asked in post 18 (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showpost.php?p=148560&postcount=18)? I think that would help reassure people that this season-change has been thought through. Marmarduke's Raid was held in the fall, portraying events in the spring, and when I asked the civilian coordinator the same kinds of questions, she gave a helpful answer.

I'll second what Brian and Joe say. Saying that reenactors don't want to be cold during reenactments of cold-weather events ignores many successful cold-weather events.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

I hope I answered this in the above post. Mr. Trent, if you have more questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best.

[lukegilly13]

Gentlemen,

1) What safeguards do you have in place to keep your planned tactical as a historically accurate portrayal of Civil War events and keep it from devolving into a game of 'Cowboys and Indians' while wearing 1860's clothing?

2) Why does your planned event rise above the efforts of other organizations to host events in 2010 and is worthy of being recognized by the AC Event Committee as one of the six best events of 2010?

I am just one of the skeptics wondering why I should plan to expend my personal resources in support of your event.

1. We are contacting experienced commanders with the know-how to get this done on the field. When shawn said tactical he misspoke. He should have said that it will be like a tactical experience for the enlisted men but of course the commanders will have an agenda as to end up in the proper places to do the exact historic portrayal on day 2. In other words, commanders will know where A and B are, but how they get there will be up to them.

2. To answer this one, right now it doesn't. Again, someone jumped the gun on trying to make this a max effort event. However, it does take place on orginal ground, it will involve a unique foraging experience, and maybe it will be a little different than some events you've been to before. I think the grounds are some of the best that you could expect and have all the aspects of creating a very special experience for those that attend. As planning continues we will have more details but of course we want to keep some of them secret as not to spoil the expereicne for participants.

If you have more questions feel free to shoot me a PM.

[BrianHicks]

.......

2. To answer this one, right now it doesn't. Again, someone jumped the gun on trying to make this a max effort event.


You're probably right on this one. If their hadn't been such a sudden push by so many members of the mess sponsoring the event to make this one of the 'Max Effort' events in the 2010 folder, then it most likely wouldn't have suddenly attracted so much scrutiny.

I'd encourage the event organizers to designate a single person to be the open communicator for this event. Let that person post information, and reply on the forums to issues about the event. This person should be in continuous communications with the other event sponsors so as to make certain that all responses and communications are coming from everyone with the same voice, and that the other event sponsors know what is being posted ahead of time... so that no one is blind-sided. A good practice is to circulate a draft of all open forum responses, e-mails and PM replies to event specific questions, as well as general event information posts, amongst the event sponsors so as to get everyone's input prior to making the post/email/pm.

[Hank Trent]

I hope I answered this in the above post. Mr. Trent, if you have more questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best.

Um, guess I missed it. Or I didn't ask my question clearly.

Or did you mean that the answer is that the scenario might still be switched to something that historically happened in summer, so plans for January-in-July aren't definite yet?

Here was my question:

Out of curiosity, will you be pretending it's January in July as much as possible? For example, obviously not wearing greatcoats and scarves, but doing things like limiting food to what's appropriate for midwinter rather than midsummer, and expecting participants to use a January date for newspapers, letters from home, mention of current events, etc.?

Or will you be pretending the historic events happened in July rather than January, and if so, the July of the year before, or the year after?

In other words, if someone had a recent newspaper or letter from home, should it be dated January (or late December) of 1864, or July of 1863, or July of 1864?

On a separate topic, any need for a civilian or non-combatant role? :D I'm always willing to throw some support toward new and upcoming organizers.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[lukegilly13]

Um, guess I missed it. Or I didn't ask my question clearly.

Or did you mean that the answer is that the scenario might still be switched to something that historically happened in summer, so plans for January-in-July aren't definite yet?

Here was my question:

Out of curiosity, will you be pretending it's January in July as much as possible? For example, obviously not wearing greatcoats and scarves, but doing things like limiting food to what's appropriate for midwinter rather than midsummer, and expecting participants to use a January date for newspapers, letters from home, mention of current events, etc.?

Or will you be pretending the historic events happened in July rather than January, and if so, the July of the year before, or the year after?

In other words, if someone had a recent newspaper or letter from home, should it be dated January (or late December) of 1864, or July of 1863, or July of 1864?

On a separate topic, any need for a civilian or non-combatant role? :D I'm always willing to throw some support toward new and upcoming organizers.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net


As of right now, it should be dated January. We still want to go with the actual Jonesville engagement. I have recommended that maybe we switch to portraying the picket struggles that happened around July. If we decide to go with that change, we will do so by Wednesday and someone will post the change. The thing is, the surrender there is a really neat thing to portray and the deck is stacked against us in the Winter.

We do have a scenario for civilians...i'll e-mail you the details!!!!

[Haversack]

I did jump the gun on this with trying to make it a max effort event on our first time planning an event of this sort,and I apologize for that.I will say,however,that I did have people advising me to try and make it an EBUFU event.Sorry.

[BrianHicks]

I did jump the gun on this with trying to make it a max effort event on our first time planning an event of this sort,and I apologize for that.I will say,however,that I did have people advising me to try and make it an EBUFU event.Sorry.

... and it appears as though this event has the potential to be a rather good, small sized EBUFU event. If you haven't participated in numerous EBUFU events before, then you may have difficulties understanding the expectations of your target audience (and hence the many questions so far).

You've received some good advice from a number of folks here, I hope you consider much of it, and continue to work towards a successful event.

Good luck.

[Haversack]

Thanks Brian.We are definately going to be looking at all of the advice we have been given by some more experienced people.We are going to do everything in ourr power to make sure the event is successful and that all who attend have a wonderful experience.

[Jim of The SRR]

First, I think Shawn and his guys are a great addition to the c/p/h community. I really enjoy the enthuisiam they are showing. However, I truly feel you need to get some experience under your belt as c/p/h reenactors before attempting to host and organize an actual event. My advise is to get a at least a few events under your belts and take part in the c/p/h community first! Heck you just formed your mess and attended your first c/p/h event over the past 6 months and now you are ready to organize an event!? You don't start writing books having not read any beforehand. To be blunt, aside from Shawn, I have never seen any of these names on any c/p/h event roster or met or seen at any c/p/h event (and my understanding was that Race to Knoxville was Shawn's first c/p/h event and I met him there for the first time without ANY of his comrades).
Also, you have 125 acres of land. Hardly enough for a baseball game, let alone a reenactment of any size.
Second, getting qualified commanders is different than having qualified organizers. It is incumbent on teh organizer to earn everyones trust that they know what they are doing and have the EXPERIENCE to do it.
Yes, all events are imperfect. I have seen some curve balls thrown at experienced organizers in the midst of an event. It has nothing to do with the scenario or dates. I consider the experience and maturity of the organizer when determining if I will support the effort.
Again, I think these guys will be great addition to the c/p/h community, but maybe just taking a deep breath and slowing down a bit first might be suggested. I hope I am proven wrong and their efforts are succesful in any case.

Jim Butler

[Ryan Halsey]

THanks for all the advice guys. I know you guys havent seen me at events before.....thats because I play baseball almost year round. I end up registering and not be able to go because of baseball.I perfectly understand the questions and doubts. Once again, thanks for the advice.

[Charlie Newman]

thanks for the advice guys,we really appreciate it!

[-Jesse-]

Thanks,for all the advice.



Also, you have 125 acres of land. Hardly enough for a baseball game, let alone a reenactment of any size.


Jim Butler


we've been having mainstream events there(on about 1/8 of the property) for 18 years, it was plenty of room for about 500 reenactors...i understand there isnt much room taken for a mainstream event compared to c/p/h events,but there is PLENTY of land for an event...

[BrianHicks]

Thanks,for all the advice.




we've been having mainstream events there(on about 1/8 of the property) for 18 years, it was plenty of room for about 500 reenactors...i understand there isnt much room taken for a mainstream event compared to c/p/h events,but there is PLENTY of land for an event...

How much maneuvering are your fellows envisioning?

You'll recall that I suggested earlier that the event planners select one person to be the mouthpiece for event info promulgation, and responses to answers... and that the information and responses be coordinated and approved by all involved.....

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Any additional details available at this time??

Some things you'll want to consider: Insurance, Contingency Plan, Water, Foodies, Kabuki, Water, changing battle plan to reflect the season...

[lukegilly13]

There are some updates:
1. The impression has been changed slightly to reflect the season. The confederates will portray Frazier's Men (62nd 64th NC a.k.a. Thomas Legion) in Garrison at Cumberland Gap. The federals will portray the 86th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and will put together their assault. More details will follow for those interesed. The date will be the days preceeding the surrender on September 9, 1863.
2. The group has realized their shortcommings and decided to host the event as a LEARNING EXPERIENCE on a small basis. It may be best for more local folks, but if you still want to travel we'd be glad to have you.

[lukegilly13]

Some things you'll want to consider: Insurance, Contingency Plan, Water, Foodies, Kabuki, Water, changing battle plan to reflect the season...

We do have the ability to provide water. In fact we have two different ways to obtain water. 1. By sneaking close to the other army's pickets and obtaining it from the lake (fresh water will be submerged) or of course driving the pickets away. 2. Obtaining water from a makeshift well that will be located on the "homeplace" site on the property.

We have an access road from the backside of the mountain that is less period correct but allows quick access by vehicle (4x4 only) in case of emergency. A super nice man who works the land will be on call at his house at the bottom of the property in case he is needed. If a mass quick evac was 100% necessary we could get folks down rather quickly. There are much safer places to camp on the property to withstand the storm than on top where most of the event will take place.

Both armies will have rations (small amounts) and will have the ability to forage the "homeplace" if you can achieve access by driving off the pickets or sneaking in unobserved.

Hope this helps!

[BWT]

I dont mean to stir up the hornet's nest again,

but assault on allegheny that was just put on( great event btw besides rain, but thats a different story) was portraying an event that happened in december and this was done in july....and it was on the EBUFU list??

what am i missing here? I'm all for doing the event in the cold, but would still come out to it in july, anyone who is criticizing them on that aspect and went to AOA shouldnt be.

Just my two Cents,

Plan on being there guys!

Mike Turner

[61' reb]

Crap fire dudes, Luke, if you guys are needing some numbers for this event, and if I don't have to work, i'd be interested in making the trip down there to support you guys, sounds like you guys are really working hard to put this all together.Speaking from someone who has seen the land at jonesville, and been all over the land, I think that it has great potential to be a good event. Keep up the good work, you all are doing great with all of the planning.

As far as Mr. Hicks question,

"I'm going to ask the hard question, who are these fellows: Luke Gilly, Jesse Parsons, Chad Wrinn, Shawn Sturgill and Ryan Halsey."

I have known chad, jesse, and luke for quite some time now and i have to say that all three individuals are very dedicated and devoted men when it comes to making everything as authentic as possible. If anyone is worried that this event wouldn't be of campaigner quality because you haven't heard of these guys before, let me say, these guys know what a challenge that they are taking on, and I assure you that the quality of the event would be top shelf because of the dedication and time that they put into making everything as authentic as possible. As for shawn sturgill and ryan halsey, i don't know them personally but i have seen them around at a few events and as far as i can tell, they too have a high standard of authenticity. Basically what it boils down to, the event planning is in the hands of people who know what a good authentic event consists of, even if they are lacking experience of planning events, they still know what they would like to do to make this event as authentic as possible so that all hardcore guys who would drive 10 hours to get to an event would be as satisfied as possible.

Just my two cents worth, other than that i think that the guys are doing a great job getting all of this together.

[lukegilly13]

If you are still interested in the event, the website and registration page have been completed. Check it out!
http://www.fallofthegap.homestead.com

[Greg Barnett]

Luke, et al,

I am glad you guys have gotten things together.

I will have to strongly consider being there. My g-g-grandfather, Levi Barnett, and his brother, John Barnett, were there with the 64th NC, Co D. My g-g-grandfather managed to escape capture, but his brother was not so fortunate, as he ended up in Oak Woods Cemetery, in the Confederate mound.

His name is, one of the 4200, listed on the monument.

http://graveyards.com/IL/Cook/oakwoods/confederate-names/tablet002.jpg

I wish you the best in your endeavor,

[MickCole]

I would like to make it to this one.
Here's a list of kin who were in the 64th Virginia (Mounted) Infantry/Cavalry:
George Washington Hickam-nephew of great-great-great-grandmother Mary Hickam (m. Robert Morgan-parents of Reuben Henderson Morgan)
Solomon Frazier, Jr.-nephew of great-great-grandmother (Sarah) Henrietta Frazier (m. Reuben Henderson Morgan). (Scott County militia)
Daniel Frazier—nephew of great-great-great-grandfather Solomon Frazier (Henrietta’s father) (Also 5th US Volunteer Infantry
Robert Preston Spencer (1st Cousin)—Chaplain. (also, 25th Va. Cav..)
James F. Spencer (2d Cousin—son of Robert P. Spencer) (21st Va.—predecessor to 64th)
James H. Head (cousin)
James Monroe Dykes (1st Cousin—nephew of ggg-grandmother Mary Polly Dykes)
Ewell Henderson Quillen (Abner’s brother) (also 48th Va.)
Thomas Quillen (Abner’s brother) (21st Va.—predecessor to 64th)
Martin Beverly Fugate (2d cousin by marriage)-Capt. Co. E

James Head was captured at Cumberland Gap and died at Camp Douglas of chronic diarrhea on 2/27/65.

James Monroe Dykes was captured at Cumberland Gap and died of smallpox at Camp Douglas on 12/5/64.

Daniel Frazier was capturred at Cumberland Gap and enlisted in the 5th US Volunteer Infantry at Camp Douglas on 4/3/65.

Mick Cole
37 VA Co. E

[mountainman]

Well, keep me informed. I know you fellers and have known you for years and for what it's worth I will support you. I had ancestors who were there which makes it more special to me. I may even drag 61" reb with me.

[61' reb]

Dadburned right mountain man! I'll go with ya! Be an honor!

[elcid01]

So to make this clear, you guys are sticking with the Winter in a Summer event?

-Who are the overall Commanders?

-What is the total land avaliable?

-Logistics, water/rations/wood(be able to cut or deadfall)

Thanks in advance, as these questions were identified when this event was first introduced, but no editing of the replies has been mentioned as of lately.

Looks like a great opportunity to explore outside AOT/ANV impressions but just need a couple things cleared up.

Cheers

[Jim of The SRR]

I will have to strongly consider being there.
I wish you the best in your endeavor,

Greg,

I am assuming you are beyond 'considering' this event, as you are listed as one of the Federal commanders?

Jim Butler

[Greg Barnett]

Jim,
As of right now, I have been asked to command a compay with the 64th Virgina. This will be a great learning and developmental experience for many.

Cheers

[Jim of The SRR]

Greg,

Good to know. I will encourage anyone attending as Fed to contact you to be in your company.

Jim Butler

[lukegilly13]

So to make this clear, you guys are sticking with the Winter in a Summer event?

-Who are the overall Commanders?

-What is the total land avaliable?

-Logistics, water/rations/wood(be able to cut or deadfall)

Thanks in advance, as these questions were identified when this event was first introduced, but no editing of the replies has been mentioned as of lately.

Looks like a great opportunity to explore outside AOT/ANV impressions but just need a couple things cleared up.

Cheers

Sorry for the confusion.

We changed the scenario to the Surrender at Cumberland Gap (see post #49) which took place on September 9, 1863. The event will still take place in the summer but it should be much easier to imagine that it is September than January (only two months seperate from the reenacting dates). It did mix things up a little bit...as the confederates are now in Garrison and have the high ground but the eventual result is a Confederate surrender. Here is a nice website giving you a very brief overview of the scenario http://thomaslegion.net/gap.html.

We have 125 acres of land that we can use as we wish. Not all of it is without some modern intrusion but most of it is.

There is still a small pond located on the property where the majority of the event will take place. It will be readily accessible for the confederates. The federals can A) avoid pickets and retrieve water from the pond or b) draw water from the homeplace well. Both of these water holes will contain modern water (in the spring house at the pond and at the end of the ropes at the well).

Rations are interesting. A major reason for the confederate surrender was due to lack of the ability to feed and maintain the army much longer. There will be a supply of rice, salt pork, and a small amount of flower available for the confederates. However, this will not be enough to maintain the average modern person. It was noted in the period that they were being given half rations to make the food in the garrison last longer. The federals were supplied from Cincinatti. They will have typical federal rations but again, they complain of not having enough. Foraging was a major means for these folks. There will be designated places to forage to add to your company's supply throughout the event.
I will answer more on my next break as I am at work right now. I will have to get back with you on the wood. At the last discussion, deadfall was the word of the day with minimal cutting but I want to make sure this hasn't changed before I state it for certain on here.

I hope this clears things up some.

[lukegilly13]

REGISTRATION PAGE:
http://fallofthegap.homestead.com/services.html

We are planning to have two companies of Confederate Infantry and two companies of Federal Infantry. The overall command structure is as follows:

Confederate:
62nd NC Infantry commanded by Cullen Smith
64th VA infantry commanded by Greg Barnett

Federal:
Co. A 86th Ohio Volunteer Infantry commanded by Josh Kuchmuk
Co. B 86th Ohio Vol. Inf. commander will be determined as registration amounts develop a need.

[Haversack]

All,
Due to some things that have come up,we have decided it is best to cancel the event for the current time.The main reason is that the land owner has let a tennant move in on the land where the event was going to be held.This,along with other factors has led to our decision,and this is what we feel is best.Mods,please close and/or delete this thread.