Banks' Grand Retreat

[Gallo de Cielo]

Greetings all,

It is my pleasure to announce the completion and opening of the new event website for Banks' Grand Retreat. Direct your browsers to www.banksgrandretreat.com

This will now serve as the official event website. I want to publicly thank Mr. Bill Treadway, a forum member and west-coast campaigner, for heading up the development of the new website. Thank you Bill!

Additionally, registration is open!

Feel free to post on the event buletin board (linked on the new webpage) and be sure to get your registration in promptly!

A few things of note-

All participants will need to arrive with 2 days of proper rations. We WILL inspect for this. We will field-issue rations mid-way through the event but you'll need food sufficient to tide you through until that point.

A high Federal-to-Confederate ratio will be maintained. As this event is about the experience of soldiering, I urge you to come in Blue. Those of you who have served with or under John Duffer know that he will be an outstanding Federal commander.

More details as well as images of the event site will be posted here and on the event website in the coming weeks.

What we need presently are fighting men, fellows able to march 6-8 miles a day and live a soldier's life. We'll be in the piney woods of Louisiana, near Natchitoches, virtually removed from any and all modern intrusion.

Respectfully,

[firstexas]

My pleasure Fred.

I must take this time to thank my dear friend and webmaster Jackie Smith for all of her help on the website. She did an awesome job all in her "spare" time. Thank you Jackie for helping get this event started on the right path.

I am really looking forward to this event and working with some new pards. If there is anyone in California planning on attending BGR and needs any help with logistics, etc. please feel free to contact me at Bill@newsensations.com
There are about eight of us so far who are planning on making the trip. Take care and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Best regards, Bill.

[Old Reb]

The website looks great and thanks for the fine contribution to what should be an oustanding event. I look forward to seeing the hardy western folks in Louisiana next March. I look forward to seeing the hardy eastern folks also. Didn't want to leave anyone out.

[Spinster]

And the civilian portion of this event is shaping up nicely as well.

Looking Forward

[Tarheel]

Please allow me to support what Fred has said about this exceptional event. Having crossed the Atlantic to march with the Ground Hornets and CHAPS at Mansfield, Franklin and Corinth there was no way we would miss this one!!! To date 14 of us are coming which is the largest contingent we've ever mustered and it will include three of our close French friends who regularly cross The Channel to join us for UK events. We're delighted they've joined us for this one as we then shall have "genuine" French speaking Cajuns in our ranks for a Louisiana event. We're counting the days; great if you joined us.
Kind regards,
Patrick Reardon, Lazy Jack Mess, UK

[MO-Pard]

We're sending a contingent as well!

The Taters will be supporting the Ground Hornets. This will be the Ultimate Campaigner event of 2007, from the sound of it.

Start getting in shape now!!!

Best Regards,

[AZReenactor]

Just to help balance things out there should be a few of us Federals from the far west there as well.

[DougCooper]

The CHAPs are coming from the Pacific Northwest and will likely join the other west coast campaigners with Bill Treadway and So Cal boys in gray.

For all boys in blue - remember to the check the website reading list and pick up a copy of the 81st Illinois Regt History. At only $10, it is a steal and great reading.

[Lone Guard]

Just to help balance things out there should be a few of us Federals from the far west there as well.

And hopefully one more if I get some nice professors next semester.

[Alamo Guard]

I know It just wouldnt be the "Red River Campain" without a few of the Red River battalion thrown in somewhere?

[Silas]

I know It just wouldnt be the "Red River Campain" without a few of the Red River battalion thrown in somewhere?

I don't know if the RRB's will be present in any size; however, I spoke to Fred Y while the tent flys were being struck at Perryville. Said he'll be there - as a private. He'll be letting someone else have all the glory and the headaches that come with command. I can relate and appreciate that. My intent is to be private in the ranks harassing officers in a period manner as much as I can get away with. Seems only fair to spread the misery.

[Gallo de Cielo]

All,

As the event grows steadily closer, we are rolling out the preservation raffle. View the new thread in the "Approved Vendors" section for more details.

Items already volunteered for the effort include a custom-carved Randy Ubben pipe and goods from Cody Mobley (The Company Tailor) and myself.

Additionally, look for a few updates, including a "what's new/announements" section on the Banks' Grand Retreat website within the next few days.

Images of the site will be making an appearance in the very near future as well.

Get registered and get ready!

Cordially,

[Campjacksonboy]

I'm really looking forward to this. Just to set your minds at ease don't be easy, be afraid be very afraid John Duffer and myself will be doing what it takes to make this one of the top 10 events on your list.

For my CS compatriots. When registering there are three commanders raising compaines. They are Chuck Tucker, Phil Graf, and Brian Harmon.
See you there.
Frank Aufmuth

[Gallo de Cielo]

All,

Just a quick note to inform you of a new feature on the event website. A "News and Updates" section has been added. That page will serve as the best point for new and breaking news. The event bulletin board is another excellent point to head for news and discussion.

www.banksgrandretreat.com

Tom and I are conducting a site-walk in the next few days and images should be making their way up very soon.

Get walking, get a comrade, and get registered.

Kindest regards,

[Old Reb]

Frank,
I don't have ten events on my list. How do I handle such?

[biddler165]

If this is not the correct place for this post, please feel free to move it. With the anticipated distances to be covered, Soldiers need to be thinking about foot care. As any Infantryman knows his feet are his best friend, next to his musket.

[Lucky]

If this is not the correct place for this post, please feel free to move it. With the anticipated distances to be covered, Soldiers need to be thinking about foot care. As any Infantryman knows his feet are his best friend, next to his musket.

Good point. It also might be a good idea to prepare by walking great distances in the same shoes one is planning on wearing at the event. Probably stating the obvious.

Brian DesRochers

[DougCooper]

Having marched literally hundreds of miles in this hobby (it's our unit thing) there are some old lessons that still live at the age of 150 or more. You will need:

1. Shoes that fit and are reasonably broken in

2. Well fitting wool socks, the tighter weave (period correct) the better. Cotton socks get wet with sweat and don't dry, not something you want over any distance.

There is an old adage that nothing prepares for an activity better than doing the activity. If you don't routinely march, get out there and start. We are not talking a 12 mile forced march or a great distance. Work up to wearing the entire kit you will have at the event for 4-5 miles, a rather short distance. You will learn:

1. The best way to wear your knapsack or blanket roll and how to pack it.

2. What you can leave at home

3. How to carry the weapon most comfortably

4. Your pace and level of fitness

The event will average 6-8 miles a day, mixed with other standard soldier activity of a unit on marching campaign. This is not a long distance, but it would be useful to know what it feels like so plan on a number of weekend marches to get ready. And best of all, if you are not in shape, this will help, and make your whole hobby experience better to boot. A good pard also recommends working on your abs if you are out of shape there, as they support you. Sore backs normally start with weak abs. Nothing fancy here.

The weather will be great for marching - low 60's in the day and 40's at night are the averages. Nice.

But beyond that, just plan to be a soldier, and all that entails. Nothing to fear, but something to prepare for and look forward to.

[Old Reb]

Doug,
Thanks for the information and especially the promise of such good weather.

[coastaltrash]

Never seen average temps like that in these parts, here's to wishful thinking.

[DougCooper]

Never seen average temps like that in these parts, here's to wishful thinking.

Weather.com does not lie - they just record :)

[Alamo Guard]

Doug,
One thing the possums of long ago did which we should learn as well. Rather than have every man bring a boiler, frying pan and other goodies learn to share the load and mess up.
Another thing is bring extra pairs of socks and rotate them each night. Do not attempt to march along in same socks or your feet shall be a ball of blisters.
There are commericial products out there in sports departments you can add to the bottom of your feet to toughen them up. It applies like paint and dries clear.
Lastly inspect your feet and if you get the chance soak them and massage them. Then dry them completly.
I would rather bring two gum blankets and a blanket for the weather. Rather keep dry than try to dry out traps after a long day of marching, firing and avoiding the details of the second sgt.

[biddler165]

This may need to be moved to the sinks, so moderators feel free to do so. The attachment is the manual that the Army currently use to train its Soldiers for foot marches. If you take out the references to tanks and helicopters there is some very good information, especialy info about foot care and training for extended marches.

[Old Reb]

Since I know Dusty and Rick well, and know both being soldiers of the real world, and not just the keyboard type, I would highly suggest that any information they offer be taken seriously. The manual is dead on. Excellent! As for the ideal weather predicted as an average by weather.com, that average also includes a record high of 90 and a record low of 23 so averages are just what they are.

[Campjacksonboy]

pack light, come prepared for the elements- bring a painted canvas or gum blanket.
I remember RRI when it rained everyone's matches failed and it was flint and steel that saved the day.
Frank Aufmuth

[Spinster]

Hush Frank! Now I'm going to have to spend more time with my flint and steel. Time spent with it in the year 1740 is quite enough thankyou. :rolleyes:

Though in that same vein---the absolute best period Christmas present I ever received
( and better than most modern ones , except maybe that diamond that I don't wear to events) came from the always kind and resourceful Col. Keith Bartsch.

A small tin box with a tight lid, not much bigger than my palm, modern paint burned off in the fire and carefully blued----and filled with fine slivers of lighter pine.

Not something that every man or woman needs to carry, but something that a few folks do need to have at hand.

[Cottoncarder]

Thought about a nice little duck "wallet" coated with some Japan Varnish or several coats of Lin Seed Oil mixed with Turpentine to protect those precious Lucifers. Put your mind in their place. They would have used any means available to protect their most precious items. A scrap of oil cloth with Lucifers wrapped within and bound with whatever means available to them. Knotted together twine from rounds perhaps? For the Feds a bit of braided Spanish Moss from whence you came; an old shoe lace? For the Texicans a bit of raw hide; an old shoe lace as well.

Admittedly, I do have the advantage of being familiar with the terrain when I was a child. Prepare your wallet and when you get there, take a look around. What is there that I can use to tie this up? Embrace the challenge and use your survival skills. They did and so can you.

Put your items in your haversack in perspective. Do I walk first, eat first, etc.

With you Mrs. Lawson, not too crazy about using the flint either. But will if necessary.

[Wretch_1]

As Uncle Tom stated. If I were a smart fellow I would really look into what Rick put out. Very good info in there, the key to it is that is is simple you just have to do it to take care of yourself and be able to complete and enjoy the 14th through the 18th of March in good marching order.

[Wretch_1]

Crap, my sign on did not go. Sorry Mods. Have mercy on the Wretched One


Brian Harmon
"Wretch"
Wretched Mess
Texas Ground Hornets
CO A 15TH TEXAS INFANTRY

"CO F 39TH BSB 2ND FSC 39TH BCT"

[Campjacksonboy]

Hey everyone
Anyone going CS needs to brushup on their guard duty either out of Mahan's, Customs of Service, Butterfields, or whatever. I have some additional resourses for the asking if anyone needs it.
Frank Aufmuth