CS Effort at Franklin

[Gallo de Cielo]

Gents,

For those of you with interest in attending the Franklin event as CS forces, let me direct your attention to an effort currently underway on the other side of the line.

At present there is a battalion of seven companies in existance portraying the 6th/15th Texas Infantry. The battalion will contain 6 companies exclusively of Texans (the Red River Battalion and Texas Rifles, respectively) as well as a 7th company made of men from the Lazy Jacks Mess, the CHAP's, the Texas Groundhornets and a half-score of other units. A sizeable portion of the battalion will be the men who composed the Mansfield/Pleasant Hill Preservation March force.

Specific impression guidelines are in the editing stages and will follow in the next few weeks.

Here is what I've seen from our brigade higher-ups:
"We [the Mississippi Valley brigade] will have three full size wagons, two hourse drawn 12 pounders, a hardcore cav escort, 400 to 500 infantry and our own authentic sutler traveling (with his own wagon) with the other wagons. Not to mention a static battery of 5 six pounders in support. I am looking for the battalion to have around 200 troops itself."

It's a guess only but with 7 companies already on the ground the 200 man mark has been or will be shortly hit.

Additionally, as is referenced in the post from Dom, the deadline to get registered at the cheapest price ($10) ends at the end of the month so please move promptly if you want to get before that expires.

If you are interested in joining this effort, please contact me at baker@hendrix.edu

Many thanks,

Fred

[Alamo Guard]

Fred, Prehaps you could inform the folks a bit more what to expect. For example we are going all tactical all weekend. All first person based upon actual men who served in the 6/15th Texas, and who the chain of command shall be.
By the way you forgot to mention 6th Texas, Company K is gonna be the color company but Ill let that slide.

Dusty Lind

[PogueMahone]

Make it 8 companies. Cleburnes is in.

Orphans may apply within.

looking forward to it,

[Alamo Guard]

Joe, Wonderful news. This event is gonna be another dandy for sure. The night engagement will be closed to all excpet those directly on the field, no one from the camps, spectators, or just the curious.
The authenticity bar of The Red River Battalion is being raised. I hope to see ya'all on the field.

[coastaltrash]

Cleburne's will be there (I mean it IS Franklin) and guidelines for those wishing to come with us are on the Cleburne's website. I'm looking forward to going with the 9th.

[Jason Lewis]

To save time and headaches in searching for the Cleburne's website, click on the link below to see Cleburne's guidelines for the Franklin event.

Guidelines for Franklin (http://p204.ezboard.com/fwesternreenactorsforum62580frm3.showMessage?topic ID=256.topic)

[PogueMahone]

It should be noted that those guidelines were written prior to our commiting to the RRB effort. They are not the official RRB guidelines. I suspect they are close, though.

Just keeping it real.

[DougCooper]

Almost word for word on the guidelines with our company Joe. We do know from a letter of a soldier in the 6th/15th Texas that they stumbled on a pile of fed knapsacks "as high as a house" after Atlanta so double bags are a good call. We have Isaac and Campbell imports as a distant third choice. Of note, an outstanding seamstress is making a very accurate copy of the regimental flag for the event - see Echoes page 270.

[9thtxadj]

"Of note, an outstanding seamstress is making a very accurate copy of the regimental flag for the event - see Echoes page 270."

Doug, FYI, flag is completed, 100% had sewn and as close as we can get without taking the flag from Austin. With help from the State of Texas, Fonda, Mark Dolive and is marked as a REPOP so it's can't be sold as an original. Also, the flag in EoG is upsidedown.

Tom Stuart
AAG MVB

[Alamo Guard]

Kinda funy and Ironic that ya'all have gone from the 15th Texas Infantry at Mansfield and now to the 15th Texas Cav (dismounted) at Franklin. So tell me are ya gonna do the dance of the saber fairies? (Boy am I gonna catch flak over this post).

Dusty

[wardawg]

Dusty, what would a webfoot know about saber fighting ?

S.B. Dunn
D Co. 4th Va. Cavalry


"Gimme yore Crackers boys, I'll do yore fightin' for ya"

Battle cry of
Lt St. Pierre Gibson
D co. 4th Va. Cavalry---The Little Fork Rangers

[DougCooper]

Yeah, at our next event we are going to be the 15th TX ungunned artillery... :wink_smil

Seriously, every Texas soldier wanted to be in the cav - the demographics and geography of the state dictated most folks went around that way anyway and owned their own animals.

The State and CS authorities quickly found out that they needed foot soldiers, not cav...so a majority of the regiments were dismounted. As you can imagine this was not looked upon favorably by these "high spirited" independent men. Dusty tells the story of the 2nd Texas Cav retaining their horses at gun point when ordered to give them up...the authorities were persuaded to look elsewhere for infantrymen.

I have often wondered why some of the mainstream units who are CS reenactor dismounted cav don't look to some of the hard fighting dismounted Texas units as an example. There is a group out here that insists on doing Terry's Texas Rangers with nary a horse in site...but then again, the 15th TX Dismounted Cav and others did not drag sabres around or wear yellow trim...so I guess that would not do :sarcastic

[wardawg]

Doug, I hear you. My response was guided by the fact that our unit does not participate in the "dance" you mentioned, and was my sole motivation. We do saber CHARGE, however, patterning ourselves as close to original CW cav tactics as possible, which is described in numerous accounts, the most notable being the vicious, swirling saber charges in all four battles at Brandy Station. We charge at the gallop, maintaining two solid ranks, reduce to the trot imediately before impact (for safety's sake), hit like a freight train, then rally, regroup, and immediately charge. With the exception of some of the USV groups, very few units can withstand this. Our second and third rallies and charges are normally against confused, disorganized, masses of fellas looking to "dance", but we never get sucked into this.

Unlike you Western brethren, our particular regiment was noted for saber fighting (thus they had to be carrying sabers). The fellow I base my impression on, First Lieutenant St. Pierre Gibson, of Rixeyville Va. (12 miles from my home) had a reputation as a terrible opponent to face with a saber, in fact he beheaded two Yanks with single blows. He was killed at Westminister Maryland in a running fight where 800 Confederate horsemen attacked and scattered 1500 Union Cavalry, and was one of only two Rebels killed in that fight, while the Yanks lost 28! At our first ordinance issue, immediately after First Manassas we were issued 147 sabers.

While we attend mostly mainstream events, the only mainstream thing about us is our camp. We're careful to hide the coolers and drink our libations from a mucket, but we do have too much canvas. At a re-enactment two years ago, collectively as a unit, we tossed all our cots into the fire, and have slept on the ground ever since. Part of my job as Adjutant has been to improve authenticity, so this was a great moment for me. We do favor the Texas style of too many pistols, but this is steadily improving. The men are learning the advantages of fighting with carbines, from horseback and on foot, and this is definately an improvement.

Out of 23 dedicated riders, there's not one piece of "farby gold" to be seen except for LT stripes and NCO insignia. We had two guys who insisted on wearing it, one time they went to the Lt to complain about all the sheeeet they were getting, and he told them to go join a "staff" unit. No ostrich plumes either.

Although we're not attending Franklin as a unit, many of us are attending in the First Confederate Division. You will have no problem spotting us, we'll be riding around hellbent for leather, screaming like Irish Banshees, and I can guarantee you won't see us dancing with any fairies.

As a Cavalry soldier, I can tell you there is no greater rush than flying across some field in a tight formation directly at an approaching unit. That crash on impact, man, that's almost as good as sex!!

S.B.Dunn

"Gimme yore crackers boys' I'll do yore fightin' for ya"

1st Lt. St. Pierre Gibson
D Co. 4th Va. Cavalry--The Little Fork Rangers

Mr. Dunn,

Forum rules require you to sign your FULL name to your posts. You promised to read/acknowledge/abide our rules when you applied to our forum.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1034 (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1034)

Please consider this your First Warning.

Scott McKay, moderator
Authentic Campaigner Forums

[DougCooper]

SB - I was responding to Dusty's comments, not you - no worries. He was just kidding about the sabre dancing.

[tenfed1861]

I'm wondering where can I find info on the 6th/15th TX.Maybe online perhapes.
Cullen

Cullen,

This is your SECOND WARNING for not signing your Full Name to your post.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1034 (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1034)

Scott McKay, moderator
Authentic Campaigner Forums

[DougCooper]

http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/franklinlinks.htm - Mark Tackitt made up this handy page with all the links for Franklin from the top all the way down to our company (B, G, H consolidated). We are working feverishly on a large background piece that will be distributed in plenty of time for preparation, as well as links to other stuff.

Best Granbury's Brigade specific books are:

This Band of Heroes, by James McCaffrey

The Finishing Stroke, by John Lundberg

[wardawg]

SB - I was responding to Dusty's comments, not you - no worries. He was just kidding about the sabre dancing.

My apologies Doug, and I'll humbly butt out. I'm new to these forums and such, as well as AC in general. I find it difficult to keep up sometimes.

We're doing our first AC type event at Monocacy this month, and I'm very excited about it.

I'm also glad to see you guys don't dance with fairies either.......S.B.Dunn

[Strawfoot]

"As a Cavalry soldier, I can tell you there is no greater rush than flying across some field in a tight formation directly at an approaching unit. That crash on impact, man, that's almost as good as sex!!"


"Crash on impact??????" Yikes! And us poor foot soldiers are not even allowed to touch our bayonets in the field at an event...

All Kidding aside... There is an authentic cavalry group called the Critter Company, and they are among the best there is. I would recommend studying them if you are serious about moving your group in a more authentic direction...

Good luck!

Mike Phineas
Arlington, TX

[wardawg]

Mike, thank you for your advice, and this confirms what I've been told several times before. I have heard they disdain the Saber as unauthentic, and for Western CS Cav it is. I saw them in the field at ITW, and they have an awesome impression and appeared to be good riders. I was observing on the sly, but I did have my fieldglasses, so I got a decent look.

Regards............S.B.Dunn

[tmdreb]

The Critters are kinda scary up close. I sure am glad they were on our side at TAG.

Doug, the problem with doing authentic dismounted cav is that it's basically an infantry impression with a different name. That means no tall boots, no 8 pistols each, no sabres, etc. There was a guy who randomly showed up at Mansfield once and wanted to fall in with us at an LH with his 34th TX Cav (dismounted). This would have been cool, seeing as how the 15th was brigaded with the 34th, but he was all decked out in yellow trim, boots, pistols, sabre and a chicken. Didn't have a canteen, but he did have a chicken.

There was actually a CS sabre charge at Pleasant Hill. The troopers were cut down in droves, so they probably would have been better off leaving the blades at home.

[Alamo Guard]

The returns for weapons used by this battalion reveal that they were in fact for all intensive purposes an infantry unit. Like Doug had mentioned the Texas frontier had raised many a boy in the saddle since he could walk. The 6th Texas had a hard time finding a "few good men" to fill their ranks as infantry. Company K at first was supposed to be made up of prison convicts due to this shortage. The government rejected this idea and the Alamo Rifles a pre war militia unit was used. The Alamo Rifles were one of the few companies who were versed in company drill when this unit was founded in Victoria Texas. They had also seen service before the war, against indian incursions and at Twiggs Surrender in San Antonio in Feb., 1861.
It appears now all companies are filled for the 6th/15th Texas as far as company assignments. Some companies may need additonal men to fill out their ranks however.
Phil's story about the man in the chciken guts reminded me of a fella who once showed up at one of our events. He was wearing a butterick pattern of a light grey cotton uniform. On the sleeves and collars both were enough yellow trim to outfit a battalion. He had two pistols, one in a holster, on which sprayed in white paint was "CSA", another pistol was jammed in a sash around his waist. A large bulky shiney saber, knee high boots, a floppy hat with more gold braid topped by an ostrich plume completed the ensemble. He walked up to our unit camped under the shade of a large pecan tree and asked "You men need an officier to lead ya'all in battle"? We declined his offer and marched on to the field. The last we saw of this stoic figure he was standing behind a fieldpiece waving his saber over his head shouting profanity laced encouragement to the men on the field.
Situations like these serve as a reminder how far we have come, where we are going in this hobby, and why we dont want to ever go back.

[Gallo de Cielo]

Gents,

I'm not a moderator here but perhaps we can let go topics such as "to saber charge or not to saber charge" and "worst dismounted impressions ever."

This is a folder, and a topic within it, designed to pass along info about the authentic CS contigent at Franklin.

To add to what Dusty most recently said, I'm not positive that every company is formed and full but we're certainly getting pretty close to that point.

The original 6th/15th TX Consolidated fought as two battalions. The 6th TX operated a 6 company battalion composed of the original 10 companies condensed into 6. The 15th TX was even smaller, fielding only 4 composite companies of its original 10. The two units fought under one flag (see Echoes) but operated as two seperate wings. That's precisely how Fred Yokubaitis, the RRB commander, is laying this one out. Right now, the 5 normal standing companies that compose the RRB along with one other company will form the 6th Texas while the authentic adjunct contigent is forming the 15th Texas. As some of the previous posts illustrate, this will be a pretty diverse blend. The Cleburnes are on board in company strength, the Texas Rifles in company strength, as well as the company I'm a part of composed of the Texas Ground Hornets, the Lazy Jacks, the CHAP's and a few stray guests. I've also heard talk of some of the 1st Georgia State Line boys coming out and some of Sam Doolin's (of canteen fame) pards from Colorado coming down.

It's far enough in advance yet that there will certainly be some flexing and adjusting but even at this relatively early point, things are looking very good, at least in my opinion. The campaigner battalion, and its parent brigade, will campaign for the entire event. There will be mobile artillery, a period traveling sutler, and a number of supply wagons along as well. On top of that we'll be conducting picket posts, fighting in the dark at Franklin, and participating in several other unique opportunities. What's the last national level event where those sorts of provisions were in place?

As I've said previously, no one should attend with the impression that this is a huge EBUFU event but I will say that everything I've read from the event organizers indicates a promising level of detail and effort and I think we'll all have a fine time.

Kind regards,

Fred Baker

[DougCooper]

In the new book on Texans in the Tennessee Campaign "The Finishing Stroke" by John R Lundberg, the author cites the unpublished letters and diary of William Young of Co A, 15th TX Dismounted Cavalry. Young wrote his sister on November 17 after the troops had been in Tuscumbia AL waiting to cross the river into Tennessee. This is the place Hood had gathered supplies for the invasion and where the huge load of uniforms and shoes had been received. Young states "With this army we can tough it out 4 years longer. As for rations and clothing we have done very well since here."

If you can get this book, buy or borrow it. It reads well and there are a good number of letter and diary accounts from Granbury's soldiers, including many from the 6th and 15th Texas.

It has a good account of the stripping of black federal prisoners of shoes and clothing at Dalton, foraging across northern Alabama and good info on their hopeful mindset, most of which can be summed up with "if marching can turn the tide, lets march...because marching beats fighting anytime." Atlanta had been tough on Granbury's men. It also has a complete roster and casualty list.

Even more important is the actual QM report by Lawton showing what he forwarded to the AoT at Tuscumbia, AL. Kevin Dally dug this out of:
Confederate Industry: Manufacturers and Quartermasters in the Civil War.
2002. Harold S. Wilson. Univ. Press of Miss. ISBN 1-57806-462-7

Page 127...
" on Nov.8th Lawton sent Hood's command at Tuscumbia another supply consisting of 28,408 Jackets; 38,305 pants; 36,865 pairs of shoes; 21,561 drawers; 17,910 shirts; 40,800 pairs of socks; & 141 bails of Blankets...
The Confederate Army of Tennessee that fought the Battles of Franklin on Nov.30, & Nashville on Dec. 15 was dashingly outfitted." (The last part is the author's opinion).

Further reading shows an additional 6500 pairs of shoes and 2900 blankets shipped to Hood during this same time frame.

So taken all together, using first person CS accounts, QM records, federal accounts and even the post Franklin photo of CS prisoners (limited use of course), the evidence clearly states that the troops were well uniformed and equipped when they left Alabama in mid-November to begin the invasion. By Nashville, their shoes were wearing out due to the hard marching and awful weather and they were suffering from exposure due to a lack of tents and overcoats. On Nov 22 as the 15th was sent out as advanced guard, Young says "it was freezing like blue blazes." The boys probably wore every item of clothing they had and supplemented with whatever they could get from home or from the enemy. Mail was very intermittent during the invasion so most items would have been received prior to that (also mentioned in Lundberg's book). The frightful weather conditions at Nashville are well documented including accounts of CS troops digging holes in the ground and lining them with sticks to keep them out of the wind and rain/sleet/snow.

As we have said elsewhere on the A/C and the various forums on the event, the jury is still out on the type jacket most prevalent among the boys, but as Atlanta was eliminated and Augusta and Columbus largely cut-off, most of the stores gathered just prior to the invasion must have come from Alabama Depots, making the jackets produced at those places a good bet. These include Dept of Alabama, Columbus Depot and Mobile Depot (Mystery) types.

[Alamo Guard]

Its really great to see the cross sharing of information between the various organizations. Its like we are getting closer to each other already. Lets ensure this pipeline remains open.
For any of you in the Texas area, the Red River Battalion is having their semi-annual muster on Sept 11th., in Mexia Texas. Feel free to come and join us.

[PogueMahone]

It isn't really spelled out in prior posts, but one of the most impressive things about this RRB effort is that we have enough organizations and men to recreate the 6th/15th Texas battalion. We have 6 consolidated companies of the 6th and 4 consolidated companies of the 15th, per the original. How often do we see an actual 10 company battalion functioning in the field? The numbers breakdown averages out to something like 23 men per company and I believe the battalion will pass the 230 mark in numbers.

Looking forward to battalion drill,

[Alamo Guard]

I have been rereading "The Gallant Hood" by John P. Dyer. Just wondering the outcome of the battle if Gen'l Forrest had been allowed to keep his force intact and been supplied one infantry division to attack Wilson Cav on the flank?
I guess Ole John B., was still upset with Cheatham and allowed Brown and Cleburnes Divisions to be part of the greatest stalemate in american history.
Gen'l Hood lost two major generals and ten brigadiers and nearly 6000 men of other ranks.

[12thtxPvt]

Its really great to see the cross sharing of information between the various organizations. Its like we are getting closer to each other already. Lets ensure this pipeline remains open.
For any of you in the Texas area, the Red River Battalion is having their semi-annual muster on Sept 11th., in Mexia Texas. Feel free to come and join us.

Dusty,
Would that be at the Confederate Reunion Grounds?
I live a short distance for Mexia, in the community of Freestone just south of Teague. I plan to be at Franklin with the 12TH TEXAS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
http://www.geocities.com/rebel12th/index.html
I would like to come out and talk with you!

Pvt. Phillip Allen
12th Texas Volunteer Infantry
Company 'A'

[Alamo Guard]

No, Its at Old Fort Parker. We spend the weekend in company and battalion drill. We get together twice a year and spend the weekend ensuring we don't look like fresh fish at events, and it pays off.
Feel free at stop by and talk to any of us there. Ill be the tall 1st Sgt of Company K.

[tmdreb]

Fascinating.....my name is Philip Alan Graf, and I used to be with the 12th. I'm sure I'll see you around somewhere.

[Alamo Guard]

Men, I hear so much about ya'all geeting new clothing for the event, which is down right dandy. I think though many of the men would not have drawn complete uniforms or might have had mix and match.
I think it might be a mite funny to see complete squads in brand spanking new clothes after marching so long from northern Georgia and Alabama.
I suggest a mixture of old and new. It appears the worn ragged rebel didnt really surface until after the defeat at Nashville, when the army fell apart.
During the Nashville "seige" due to the extreme cold weather there are accounts of the rebels wearing every pice of clothing they could lay their hands on to wear as there was a drastic shortage of overcoats and winter clothing.
I bet they were about frozen after that ice storm and I bet quite hungry as it says wagons couldnt even move on the icy roads.

[Alamo Guard]

Just read on NSA Board it appears there are about 6000 signed up for the event so far.

[Jim of The SRR]

Does anyone else think it will be ridiculous if there are 4000 Confederates and 2000 Federals there? I believe the NSA should limit Confederate registrations to control this. Better to have fewer numbers rather than odds that are frankly stupid.

Regards,
Jim Butler
The SRR

[PogueMahone]

Jim,

Having been present at the N/SA annual meeting this past July, I can tell you that the FCD asked the FFD what was being done to increase the membership of the FFD. They were sending the message that the FCD is tired of galvanizing to balance numbers.

That said, ignore number breakdowns. Folks register based on their affiliation, not what impression they are doing. You might have an entire CS brigade in blue, but they are registered as Confederate because they are members of the FCD. But, undoubtedly, you will see more CS than US at this event, don't get me wrong.

not helping one bit with the unbalanced load,