150th Battle of Pickett's Mill May 30th - June 1st, 2014

[Coatsy]

And away we go......

What: 150th Battle of Pickett’s Mill

When: May 30th through June 1st, 2014

Where: Pickett’s Mill State Park, near Dallas, Georgia

Who: Host Group - Armory Guards

POC: Herb Coats - hcoats007 @ gmail . com

Preservation Effort: Proceeds goes to the park

The Plan: This event is the recreation of the Battle of Pickett’s Mill following the battle as close to “real time” as possible. For the 150th Anniversary of the battle, the park staff has asked the Armory Guards to host and coordinate the battle reenactment. The impressions are the 8th - 19th Arkansas Infantry, Consolidated, and the 5th then 9th Kentucky (US) Infantry. Confederate cavalry slots are available in limited numbers and by invitation only from the event hosts. The Armory Guards will have members as the event planners, and as “staff” on each side to ensure that the scenarios are followed as closely to the original steps as possible. This event is not a tactical, but think of it as an immersive battle reenactment. If you’ve attended Prelude to Chickamauga, any recent Pickett’s Mill events, Mustering In, 1861, Guarding Savannah, or Bummers, you know what to expect from the AG. Accurate and authentic impressions guidelines will be enforced. This will not be an “easy” shoot-bang, or 'enactor festival. It will be late May in Georgia so it can rain, it will be hot and humid, there are hills galore (be in shape, no doubt), and the bugs hate everyone equally at the park. Who wouldn’t want to “soldier” on here? This event is by us and for us.

Military Command: This will be solidified in the near future; there will be AG members on each side as battalion staff members/battalion commanders to make sure the correct scenarios are followed. Again, the scenarios come from what actually happened.

If you consider yourself a campaigner, and a student of the Atlanta Campaign, then this is the spring 2014 event to attend. Invitations to authentically minded groups will sent out soon, and men who can raise a company to the event specifications may contact the AG. We are looking to have each battalion field 10 companys.

Look here for more information regarding command structure, kit guidelines, and of course historical information. You have two years to prepare!

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

Can't wait!!

[John Legg]

Count me in!!

[Steve Acker]

Pickett's Mill has always been the best site and you guys are top shelf at whatever you do so thanks for doing it again. The two PM's I attended are in the top five of my all time favorites.

Steve Acker

[toptimlrd]

Everyone, please take to heart Herb's message about being in shape for this one. If you have not been to Pickett's Mill before it consists of very steep terrain.

[M_Kupsch]

The terrain, the heat and humidity out there can really zap you. Plenty of time to get ready though, and I look forward to it.

[blueboy]

I'm in!!!!!
Matt Bohnert
T.I.G.Mess

[thad gallagher]

Looking forward to this one!!!

[Coatsy]

Gents,

Thank you for the kind words. The guys posting here are 100% correct about the terrain.

A good guide to go by for being able to participate fully in the event is: "Are you able to walk 5 miles in your full kit with sharp elevation changes in warm/hot weather?" We are two years out from this, so there is plenty of time to get prepared.

[dixieflyer]

Herb,
As someone whose roots go back at that site before there was even a visitor center on site, you know I'm going to be all over this.

[Mtn.Guerilla]

A good guide to go by for being able to participate fully in the event is: "Are you able to walk 5 miles in your full kit with sharp elevation changes in warm/hot weather?" We are two years out from this, so there is plenty of time to get prepared.

No doubt! This will be a great event on pristine ground, by top notch planners.But with that said heed their words on the terrain, this will NOT be one you can't just show up for unprepared. Get your stairmaster dusted off and ready!

[majdoc]

My chigger bites from last weekend cant wait. From the one of us who did the roll of mountain goat it was a hoot. We did not use trail or roads just cross country.
Doc

[Coatsy]

Gents,

I just wanted to post a quick news blurb for THE campaigner event for the 150th Atlanta Campaign in 2014. We are working on setting up a little "something" for those of you who like to arrive earlier than most at events. Look here for more information soon. Also, we'll have more news about kit guidelines (they won't change much from the already well researched park guidelines), commanders, and group invites. Thanks all, and have a great Christmas!

[GWagner]

Gents,

I just wanted to post a quick news blurb for THE campaigner event for the 150th Atlanta Campaign in 2014. We are working on setting up a little "something" for those of you who like to arrive earlier than most at events.

Grapeade and pie?

Looking forward to this one!

[Johnny Lloyd]

The Skunk Ape will find you at the Mill.

Let me know if you need some place to crash if you are from out-of-town and attending this event. I can offer some room (to the first that call it) at my house since we live about 40mins away from the site. Hope it helps get more people to the event.

:cool:

[Coatsy]

Make sure you clear that with Joni first.

[huntdaw]

Thinkin' about coming down and playing on the big guns for this one. Got an invite to help crew a gun.

[toptimlrd]

C'mon down Michael, you know we'll have a great time!

[Jjs63004]

Herb,

I guess I should start the process.

Joey Szahowski

[Co D-1st FL]

I'm very interested.

[Coatsy]

Thanks for the interest folks. I can make the announcement that the military commanders for the event are Joe Blunt leading the Federals, and Brian Hicks leading the Confederates.

I've been slowly sending invites out to different groups in regards to companies for each side.

I'm also working with the park to allow a early set up for Friday for those who can manage the time off. I'll post more after the next meeting.

And actual website should be ready to roll within a few weeks. Thanks all.

[Resaca]

Thanks for the update Herb, looking forward to it !

Tony Patton

[pvt_jb]

The ONV will be raising at least one company for its members for this one.

[Coatsy]

Glad to have the ONV on board Jeremy. The park staff has given full approval for a "early bird special." There will be an Atlanta Campaign-style outpost setup for those who want to arrive Thursday night/Friday morning. This will encompass most of Friday, and recreate both forces stretching out along the Dallas/New Hope line. So, there is something for all of you early arrival types now.

[Coatsy]

I've sent more invitations to campaigner groups to form both Federal and Confederate companies. Also, I am pleased to announce that Mark Choate has agreed to head up the Confederate cavalry effort for the event. All wanting to attend as CS cavalry must go through Mark. No exceptions. There will be NO Federal cavalry because they weren't present at the actual battle.

The website should be up and running by next week. Real life slowed me down some this week.

Preservation Note: All funds not used for rations and event costs goes to the park. For the only section of Atlanta Campaign core battle field left un developed, it doesn't get a lot of love from the state. The park's hours have been cut to three days a week for visitation, and only one full time ranger. An event like this will help show the state that people do care about the park and its significance.

[Mtn.Guerilla]

I've always loved the events there, beautiful land and actual battlefield to boot. Guess I better go ahead and start my regiments on the ole' stairmaster, that place is an arse kicker.

[Dan Limb]

Is this event by invitation only, or will it be possible for some of us Pacific Northwest webfoots to come along and join the fun?

Thanks,

Dan Limb
Proprietor, T.H.E.M. facebook group

[Coatsy]

The event is invite only in regards to forming companies. As in I've invited known groups, and campaigners with good reputation have contacted me to form companies for each side. It is up to these groups to fill out their ranks with campaigner types. So, when I get that pesky website set up, the companies and POCs will be available. If you can meet the guidelines, contact a company POC.

If you need more information feel free to contact me via PM.

[Silas]

Dan, I'll post something on THEM about it.

[Jerry Ross]

One of my favorite moments in reenacting was at Pickets Mill. I forget the year,but us that were riding, dismounted and moved a cannon (with alot of help ) and masked it on a road. As soon as the infantry advanced, we blew them to @#$^ ! Then reloaded and did it several more times till the infantry realized were were not going to quit and some got real close and may have been powder burned by the cannon!!! We were sure shoving loads down the barrel as fast as any real crew who were trying to stop a wave of the enemy. Ohhhh yeah !!!
Don't think Mark Choate will let me top that !

[Coatsy]

The event website is up. Registration is not open yet. This will happen post 150th Chickamauga events. The companys are not listed since we are still lining up commands, etc. But there are general histories regarding the battle, the commands, and other tid bits. The website will more than likely get additions as we move along.

http://armoryguardsevents.webs.com/

[coastaltrash]

Aw mang...histury?! You xpect us to read??

[Ambrose Bierce]

I recommend Ambrose Bierce's (go figure) "The Crime at Pickett's Mill" as he was an eyewitness to the battle. Certainly, his account was not to everyone's liking when published as his lambasting of commanders and decision making was not well received by contemporaries. Controversy has always been popular.

I might even dust off the traps for this one.

[dixieflyer]

Ergo why old Ambrose is my favorite author of the war.