Battle of Unison 150th, October 26-28th, 2012

[Tom Craig]

Hey All,
I've posted this event before in 2011, but it's high time to post it again here in the new year. For those of you who attended the Hodge March, this event is in spirit the same event, and uses the same ground, plus some. If you've been, you know what it's like, if you haven't been, you owe it to yourself to get there!


Battle of Unison 150th Anniversary, Unison, VA October 26-28th 2012

What: Portrayal of the battle that took place in early November 1862 as the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia began their movement toward Fredericksburg. The battle featured cavalry, artillery and Federal infantry and was a running fight that took place over roughly 20 miles of Loudon County.
For the infantry the event will feature a march of roughly 12 miles, along 100% of the original route, with skirmishing at the original locations. For Federal cavalry the march will be approximately 20 miles, again with skirmishing along the way in the same locations that the battle was fought 150 years ago. For those of you who participated in the Hodge preservation march back in the early 2000's, this is the same ground. There are also roles for a limited number of authentic civilians.

When: October 26-28th, 2012
Where: Unison, VA (Loudon County, near Middleburg)
Who: Hosted by the 1st Maine Cavalry, the Valley Light Horse, 1st Maryland, and the Unison Preservation Society
Preservation Component: All proceeds from the event after expenses will be donated to the Unison Preservation Society for the preservation, maintenance and acquisition of original battlefield land.

Communication: The event will have a website up in the next few weeks. The event also currently has a Facebook page, under 150th Anniversary of Unison.

Standards: Detailed standards will be posted, and those standards will be strictly enforced.

Registration: Registration will open once the website is up. As of right now the Federal infantry is limited to 100, CS limited to 60, and Federal and CS cavalry is unlimited as long as you can meet the standards.

General Info: This event will be a semi-immersion event. The community of Unison is nearly pristine, but there are modern power lines and cars do come by occasionally. The march will occour on dirt roads, and cross country, but there is one half mile stretch of pavement. The community of Unison will be hosting their 150th celebration of the battle, and we will put on a skirmish for the townspeople on Saturday mid day, otherwise this is a non-spectator event. This event is a serious marching event, and is not for the first time campaigner, or those who are out of shape. The temperatures will be cold at night, and there is a very real potential for adverse weather, but due to the nature of this event, it will go on rain or shine, so be prepared, and bring your "A" game.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Tom Craig]

To let you all know, the website for the event can now be found at: http://unison.mainecav.org Much more will be added over the coming weeks, and registration will open shortly.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Tom Craig]

In this current age of "Adjunctivitis" there are still some actual stand alone quality events still happening. You can find registration for one of them here: http://unison.mainecav.org

Registration is open. All proceeds will be donated directly to preservation. This is a campaign event on original land, NOT a static event or an adjunct to a mainstream gig.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Tom Craig]

There are a bunch of great events coming up this Fall. I invite you all to take a look at the Unison event. It's a mobile campaign event and march on entirely orginal battlefield land, with the proceeds going to historic preservation. The event will feature moving and fighting on the original ground, in pretty close to real time, and will also feature civilian interaction.

Registrations are rolling in, and it will be capped at 100 Federal infantry, so get in while the gettin's good. Registration and more info can be found at: http://unison.mainecav.org or on Facebook.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Tom Craig]

People are starting to look to the Fall, and there is no better time to start thinking about hitting up one of the few stand alone EBUFU events that is happening in the east this year.

So far for Unison, beyond what has already been described, we have:
US infantry hosting a Lorenz company formed by Rob Hodge and friends-the 95th NY, one of the infantry units engaged, were armed with Lorenz
The CVG looking to provide two companies in blue
Bill Birney and the Washington Guard looking to raise a company

On the CS side, the Liberty Rifles are going to forming the basis for our dismounted troops portraying Stuart's troopers who spent most of the battle on foot, behind the cover of stone walls...the walls are still there BTW, and we'll be using them.

We have AGSAS doing a full on immersion event at historic Welbourne Manor, and the civilians from the Liberty Rifles will be portraying the citizens of the village of Unison, with access to the period Methodist meeting house that was used as a hospital at the time of the battle.

And oh yeah, you get to march and camp over pristine original battlefield in just about real time...how cool is that?

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Doughboy]

We did a walk through yesterday with command and there was palpable excitement from everyone. This promises to be one of the outstanding events of the 150th cycle. All dirt/gravel roads. Fields are unchanged from days of the battle. About 6 miles of hard marching with constant skirmishing along the original route on the original battlefields.. Beautiful land that promises hard riding for two days. Plenty of citizen interaction in the actual towns along the way as well as at the Welbourne manor. This land is absolutely pristine and is where the actual events occured! If you ever wanted to truly relive a mobile event as it happened, don't miss this one. Smack in the middle of Virginia horse country. You must be capable of making the march while fighting all the way. This will truly test your mettle. If you think you are fit enough and can meet the guidelines register now. We particularly need CS cav and infantry. Hope to see you there!

[Jalaco]

Mr. Craig,
What groups are going as CS infantry? I'm with the CVG normally, but prefer to do confederate. If any of the groups doing CS infantry would be willing to take in an extra, I would love to join them and attend.
And forgive me if this was already stated, but I didn't notice if it was. Is there a recommended number of rounds? I'm just wondering how many I'll need to roll in the wake of MMM if I go to Unison.

Thanks!

[Doughboy]

Some CVG will be there. You are welcome to come Jeff Hayes is CS infantry cmndr. Go to website and contact John Sweeney.

[Doughboy]

We determined 60 rounds min. should be sufficient

[Jalaco]

I'll check it out and get in contact with him. Thank you for the info!

[BarryDusel]

Hi all, Recently I've been doing Federal Infantry only. However, in the past I did some Confederate with the Southern Guard . As my Federal unit has shown no interest in this event . I have. Is there any room on the Federal Roster for one more?

[Doughboy]

Not sure of Federal needs but contact Tom Craig.

[Tom Craig]

Hey All,
As Chris said, we had an outstanding walk through on Sunday. We've been able to secure even more land than we've had in the past, and again, it is all 100% original battlefield, with virtually no modern development on it. If you pass this one up for an ad-junk event, I feel sorry for you.

For those of you who have asked about participating...we have plenty of room! The CS side is comprised at this point of the Valley Light Horse, the Liberty Rifles, and a CS artillery outfit. If you want to come on foot, you can get in touch with me, and I'll pass you on to Jeff Hays or Paul Boccodaro for info on falling in with them. On the Federal side we've got folks from the 1st Maine Cavalry CVG, the PL and Rob Hodge, who is forming a Lorenz company. If you want to be in blue, send me an email: tom.craig@ymail.com and I'll hook you up with the right folks. We've capped US infantry to 100, the CS side is unlimited.

This will be one of the best events in 2012, if not in a long time.
Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Doughboy]

just keeping this up here

[Tom Craig]

Gentlemen,
We're now two months out from the event and registrations are starting to come in at a fast clip. Likewise I've had a number of emails from groups and guys looking to do the event which is great. We've still got room for some folks, but if you don't have this event on your calendar, time will run out soon. In this age of adjuncts, this is a stand alone EBUFU event on 100% original ground, with profits going to preservation. What's not to love?

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Tom Craig]

We're a little over a month out from the best campaign event of the season. If you're tired of adjuncts, or events crammed onto small properties for the numbers involved, then this is the event for you. We've got miles of terrain to cover, all on original battlefield. No farbs, no vendors, no porta-poties. Just an event full of history, great pards, beautiful scenery.

You can find more info at: http://unison.mainecav.org/ or on Facebook.

The federal infantry is being headed up by Josh Mason of the CVG. Rob Hodge and friends are forming an Austrian Lorenz company. The LR are forming a company on the CS side. Register now before it's too late!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Tom Craig]

We're just under a month out from this fine event, and I wanted to remind everyone that registration closes in two weeks! Registrations are coming in at a steady clip. but we still have room left for some people with the right attitude, and good kits.

For those of you who are coming, it's high time to start getting in shape. The route itself isn't the strenuous, but it is a loooong walk on hard packed dirt roads. Get out, get walking, particularly in your CW shoes. There will be no "sag wagon" so don't plan on hitching a ride if you can't keep up with the column. For federals, you will get your feet wet Saturday morning, so be sure to pack an extra pair of socks. And for all, cut back on the soda and beer, and start drinking water. Just because it will be late October doesn't mean that you won't get dehydrated if you're not drinking enough.

Don't miss you chance to march and fight across some of the most pristine battlefield left in the east!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry
http://unison.mainecav.org/

[Tom Craig]

Just want to give this a bump. Registrations are coming in fast and furious now that the deadline looms. There is still time to get your registration and money in for what will be the best campaign event of the season!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry
http://unison.mainecav.org/

[Tom Craig]

We're just a week out from the event, and I for one am getting pretty psyched! Directions have been posted to the FB group. If you're not on there, send me a PM, or an email at: tom.craig@ymail.com and I will get them to you.

The weather forcast so far looks awesome. Time to start hydrating, and take some time this weekend to get out and stretch your legs a bit to get warmed up for tramping across miles of beautiful and pristine original battlefield!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Doughboy]

VLH had a nice warm up weekend at Belle Grove, shaking out cobwebs, integrating new riders and horses. All I can say is the Maine-iacs had best be ready!

[ktulu983]

Hello all, I have a friend flying into Dulles tomorrow from Texas at 5pm EST, well they're ride had to cancel last minute and they are stranded at the airport. Can anyone assist? Gas and time will be compensated for.

email is best...

b.martin983@yahoo.com

[Tom Craig]

Hey Folks,
We're just one day away, and I know I for one am pretty stoked. If you have any last minute questions, ask away, or head on over to the Facebook page. Directions to tomorrow's camps and parking are there.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Tom Craig]

I want to give my thanks to all those who came out to Unison to make this weekend an awesome event. We had close to 100 top notch living historians who brought the history of the battle, both military and civilian, to life, and brought attention to a little known battlefield of the Civil War. It was an honor and a privilege to organize the event, and I hope you all had as good a time as I did. Thank you!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Doughboy]

Photo of part of VLH during defense41137
of Unison

[Jerry Ross]

Good looking group . Wish I could have been there this year too.

[Doughboy]

Missed all of you guys.

[Pvt Schnapps]

I found this to be an excellent event, fully as much fun as two years ago, but with more participants and variety. My best to the organizers and all participants. AAR attached. Enjoy!