"After the Battle: Fredericksburg 2007": Oct 26-28, 2007

[Kevin O'Beirne]

The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), Stonewall Brigade, and Columbia Rifles are pleased to announce a semi-immersive living history event, “After the Battle: Fredericksburg 2007”, to be held on October 26-28, 2007 on part of the Fredericksburg battlefield.

The event site is CWPT’s 207-acre “slaughter pen” property, site of heavy fighting between Stonewall Jackson’s corps and Union troops under John Gibbon and George Meade, near the southern end of the Fredericksburg battlefield. The site was preserved when CWPT acquired it in June 2006 for $12.5 million, making it the most expensive purchase — and one of the most significant — in CWPT’s history. Outside the boundary of the National Park Service’s property, few parts of the Fredericksburg battlefield that saw significant fighting remain unspoiled, except the “slaughter pen” site.

The event will feature opposing picket lines portraying what happened at the “slaughter pen” in the days immediately following the December 13 battle — from the evening of December 14 through December 15, 1862 – including opposing picket fire, a truce for collecting the wounded and burying the dead, and a Federal field dressing station.

Approximate participant numbers are envisioned as follows:

• Confederate: 50 to 75 infantry.
• Federal: 50 to 100 infantry and three to six medical portrayals

The total number of participants is not capped. The potential exists for a limited number of mounted personnel, portraying couriers. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate artillery at this event.

At the request of the CWPT, the event will include a limited public interpretation aspect: a guided tour of the site for spectators, led by National Park Service ranger Frank O’Reilly, author of the 2002 book The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War of the Rappahannock. The tour will be approximately two hours long on Saturday afternoon and is limited to 200 people. Mr. O’Reilly, an active preservationist, has agreed to support the event by leading the tour and contributing his research to assist the event planners.

This event will be held on the only undeveloped part of the Fredericksburg battlefield that saw significant fighting where a reenactor event with opposing forces can be held. All other sites are either within the National Park Service park (where opposing force portrayals are prohibited) or developed and unavailable.

This event is co-sponsored by the Stonewall Brigade (Confederate contact Mike “Dusty” Chapman, dustyswb@comcast.net) and the Columbia Rifles (Federal contact: Kevin O’Beirne, kobeirne@adelphia.net). The event team includes most of the same folks who planned and ran the 2005 Payne’s Farm event in cooperation with CWPT. An event website will be up in the winter of 2007 at www.stonewallbrigade.com.

We are looking for dedicated reenactors with good late-1862 portrayals to help us commemorate the battle of Fredericksburg and its aftermath. We hope to see you at “After the Battle: Fredericksburg 2007".

[ley74]

A great site and, without a doubt, slated to be one of the "Top Events" of 2007.

For those of us who live or work near this site, it is a pleasure to have this property saved. Thanks Kevin for pulling this together.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Ley,

Thank Dusty. Like he did at Payne's Farm, he's the one who talked CWPT into letting us use the land. Actually, this event has been in the planning/discussion stages with CWPT for at least six months. Little could be said about it publicly until we received the official "authorization" letter from CWPT, which arrived this week.

I also want to note that Eric Mink has been involved in this event and is being, as usual, a big help.

The Federal bandaging station at Fred2007 will be run by "Dr. Sawbones" Briggs, and Charles Heath will be handling logistics. Seeing how the event is on one piece of land (albeit a good sized one, but still just one piece of land) Charles ought to have a much easier time of it than when he's supported linear events with water supply and many other things.

Eric's doing a lot of early leg work on researching the US and CS units on the site on the dates the event will represent, so we can select the regiment that will be potrayed by each side.

[ley74]

Thank you Dusty and Eric.

You boys and Charles know where to find me if we can do anything. This is truly exciting.

One quick question... Would it be possible to work in the CVBT land across the tracks? It appears to run adjacent to SPF, in the northwest corner.

Take care,

[dusty27]

Ley,

Nice idea but two problems; 1) on my CWPT map, the land isn't adjacent and 2) crossing the tracks isn't possible.

[ley74]

Dusty:

That why I am a bean counter, not a cartographer.


Thanks,

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Ley,

Railroads are usually very particular about folks playing on their tracks and sort of frown on such behavior, at least unless you have a permit from them, and pay their exhorbitant charges to have a flagman (or more than one) present on the line while anyone's in their right-of-way. :)

[DougCooper]

Kevin, Dusty and Eric have done Yeoman's work getting this baby off the dime. Credit Jim Campi at CWPT for recognizing the need and putting it in the hands of the folks who will make it happen, and then expediting approval. Getting it on the schedule was not easy either. It is the latest episode in the synergy between CWPT and the living history community and will be an example of the type of event planned and conducted by the CWPT Advisory Council.

We rarely get to bring all these pieces together for such a great cause. Be there and be part of something special.

[One_Helluva_Mess]

... truce for collecting the wounded and burying the dead...Hello. Excuse me for asking what may be a dumb question, but I was just wondering how the "burying of the dead" is going to be portrayed. Will you have living historians representing the dead? If so, how long will they be "dead?" A burial suggests that ground will be broken, or is this going to be one of those LH burial details where the "dead" are "somewhere over there" and never actually seen, the shovels for digging graves are non-existent, and an actual burial detail never actually takes place?

My apologies if my questions seem cynical. The reason is that I've seen these type of invisible "burial parties" before and they are downright silly. The public isn't fooled by them at all. Will there actually be "dead," i.e., participants lying very still on the ground for a half-hour to 45 minutes, gathered in rows, placed in a trench, covered with blankets and then having at least a few shovelfulls of earth thrown over them? Or will this be the typical "were talking about it as if it's happening but not actually doing anything." :confused:

I realize this is a quality event and the hosts are top-notch, but I gotta ask the questions anyway. :)

[dusty27]

Tom,

My advice would be to show up and find out for yourself.:wink_smil

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Hello. Excuse me for asking what may be a dumb question, but I was just wondering how the "burying of the dead" is going to be portrayed. Will you have living historians representing the dead? If so, how long will they be "dead?" A burial suggests that ground will be broken, or is this going to be one of those LH burial details where the "dead" are "somewhere over there" and never actually seen, the shovels for digging graves are non-existent, and an actual burial detail never actually takes place?


Dusty's reply is an excellent one and, needless to say, I won't elaborate on it further, because it's something that participants will see and experience when they are at the event. That said, when considering whether to attend an event and what type of things will happen during the event, consider the record of the folks running it. The same folks who planned and ran Payne's Farm 2005 are running Fredericksburg 2007.

That said, I will at least say this: we don't plan to bury any reenactors alive. At least not against their will. :p

[One_Helluva_Mess]

Sorry, I'm new here. Didn't realize that elements of this event can't be revealed before-hand. I guess I should have just asked a general "how to authentically bury the dead" question under a "how to" thread.

[Charles Heath]

Didn't realize that elements of this event can't be revealed before-hand.

Tom,

As you no doubt realize from attending and reading about many events over the years, one of the constant features is keeping a few cards face down on the table, so participants have some aspects of the event that have not been telegraphed beforehand. This isn't new material.

[FlatLandFed]

Misser Heef,
But will there be sport fishing again? I've missed out on this activity in the past. Are the purveyors of record bringing the leftover desecrated vegetables from the Manassas Junction area? That might could raise the dead all on its own!
Best regards,
Paul Hadley

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Paul,

No pond at this site, and no sutlers either. :) Of course, you could wander back to the Rappahannock and cast in a line, as long as you have leave from the Officer of the Guard. :)

Others,

Nothing wrong with asking questions on this event--it's just that it doesn't mean that we are able to, or plan to, answer all questions asked to the very fullest extent the requestors may like. However, we will certainly provide as much information as possible so that folks attending this event know the basics of what to expect relative to skills required and level of exposure planned (ala Rich Mountain's Great Knapsack Controversy) and other items necesssary for folks to come to the event with the "tools" necessary to enjoy it. That said, as Charles notes above, to keep the event interesting for participants we don't necessary reveal everything prior to the event.

[One_Helluva_Mess]

Tom,As you no doubt realize from attending and reading about many events over the years, one of the constant features is keeping a few cards face down on the table, so participants have some aspects of the event that have not been telegraphed beforehand. This isn't new material...Well, to me it is kinda new material. I'm just now coming out of the murky fog of the mainstream and don't have enough quality events under my belt yet to know what's what, so a couple of assinine farb burial details have left me ol' fingers a tad burnt.

[ley74]

Trust in the Force, Luke.

[nrandolph]

I TOTALLY agree with Ley! If you were at Payne's Farm or heard about it you should know that these folks have set the bar very high. I trust that they will, once again, come up with a great event. I really don't want to know anything except the bare bone basics. Come to the event itself and enjoy the surprises and moments as they come! It sure beats getting a schedule of events handed to you at registration!

Neil Randolph
1st WV

[One_Helluva_Mess]

Come to the event itself and enjoy the surprises and moments as they come! It sure beats getting a schedule of events handed to you at registration!

Oh, yes.... I have been converted! :shades_sm

[BillO'Dea]

"That said, I will at least say this: we don't plan to bury any reenactors alive. At least not against their will. "

Kevin,
I'm willing to bring two, perhaps three period shovels, I imagine for show only purposes as I doubt digging into National park ground would be allowed.
Bill O'Dea
Salt Boiler mess (http://www.rugglesrag.com/salt_boiler_mess.htm)

A very long time ago we buried Chris Piering Jr. alive, well briefly.
And it was silly, but fun.

[Charles Heath]

Sticky,

Bring your shovels.

Now, for the really important stuff, you should be prepared to wet a line at 2nd Kernstown in July.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Bill,

This event is not on NPS ground. As Charles said, please bring your shovels, as long as you're willing to have them used.

:)

[Becky Morgan]

A very long time ago we buried Chris Piering Jr. alive, well briefly.
And it was silly, but fun.

Dear sir, the phrasing of that sentence leads me to inquire: was Mr. Piering buried briefly, or alive briefly after the burial?:eek:

On a more serious note: a photographer might find such an event to be an interesting, if unsettling, subject. I hope someone will be recording events for posterity.

--Becky Morgan

[BillO'Dea]

Sticky,

Bring your shovels.

Now, for the really important stuff, you should be prepared to wet a line at 2nd Kernstown in July.

"Oil-can" :) ,, I've always been willing to have the shovels used. It's why i bought them. And i'd bring the bamboo poles to any other event where they'd be useful. You bring the bait this time.
Bill
Salt Boilers mess (http://www.rugglesrag.com/salt_boiler_mess.htm)
Syracuse NY

[Charles Heath]

This quote from Thomas B. Marbaker's History of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers may help set the mood:

"On the morning of the 14th the regiment was ordered to cross the river and take position in the second line of battle, but it was soon ordered to the front line to relieve the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania; two companies, D and I, Captains Luther Martin and John T. Hill commanding, being detailed to relieve the pickets of the Twenty-sixth Pennsyvlania. A the marched out to take position, the enemy poured upon them a galling picket-fire. Though it was their first experience, their "baptism of fire," they did not falter, but as coolly as as steadily as veterans marched to their position, and even drove the enemy's pickets a short distance. A brisk picket-fire was kept up by the opposing lines.

Early in the morning the enemy had attempted to place as battery in front of their main line, so as to command the position of our brigade, but a company of riflemen from the Second New Hampshire, who had taken an advance position, made it so warm for them that they quickly sought shelter. About noon as suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, that the wounded and dead of both sides might be collected.

Then occurred one of the strange sights of the war -- one that took from the battle-field a little of its horror, and seemed to turn for a while the crimson robe of carnage to the white hue of peace. From the picket-lines on either side he men advanced and held friendly converse, seemingly forgetful of the fact that but a few minutes before they has been endeavorign to take each other's lives and in a few minutes more they would again be intent upon the same purpose. Papers and other articles that could be spared were exchanged for Southern tobacco -- an article that was always in demand. In two or three instances friends on ante-war days met and discussed the situation. But soon the true was ended and the work of death began.

Near our skirmish line was the ruins of a house that had been destroyed by fire. The chimney remained nearly intact. One of our men, thinking it a favorable position, climbed to the second story, and safety hidden in the remains of a capacious fire-place, picked off the enemy at leisure.

Companies D and I were relieved by other companies of the regiment in the evening, but their numbers had been lessened -- Christopher Graham, of Company I, and Warren Green, of Company D had been killed; John Williamson, of Company D, mortally wounded. He died on the 15th. The wounded were Peter Burk, George Davis, Edward B. Nelson, and George Barnett, of Company D.

After the shades of night had hidden us from the watchful eyes of the enemy we took the bodies of our fallen comrades, and, wrapping their blankets around them, laid them to rest in soldiers' hastily-made graves. A few remarks, a brief prayer, and the ceremony was ended; but the solemnity of the occasion will never be forgotten, for, though disease had made vacancies in our ranks, and we had followed a number of our comrades to the grave, these were the first to die in actual conflict, and despite any assumed carelessness, the question would arise, "Who next?"

But little fighting occurred on December 15th, and about ten o'clock P.M. the regiment received orders to quietly recross the river, Burnside having determined to withdraw his army."

The recent CWPT mailing has a heck of a fine map of this area, too.

[bAcK88]

I thought maybe this excerpt of John Haley might also be of interest.

December 14th,

It being Sunday, we made no demonstrations, and the enemy, also of a devotional turn, made no disturbance until afternoon. As we are suspicious that they might attempt to get a hold on our flank, it was deemed necessary to throw back our left so that our flank rests on the Rappahannock. After this a flag of truce was sent to protect our men who went out to bury the dead and bring in the wounded. The Rebels thronged the works opposite and gave us an idea of the number of our opponents. Most of them are clad in blue, so it is a plain case that our dead have been contributing largely to the Rebel wardrobe. The truce was limited by the Rebels to two hours, consequently we didn’t even get all the wounded, and the defunct ones were left unburied.

Officers, Union and Rebel, found time to meet on the picket line and wet their whistles, then separated. As our stretcher-bearers were bringing in a wounded man, a Reb picket discharged his piece and one of our men was minus a toe. Perhaps this was accidental, but we chose to regard it as an exhibition of treachery. After the truce ended, the pickets resumed firing incessantly till darkness put an end to it.


Haley, John W, The Rebel Yell & the Yankee Hurrah: The Civil War Journal of a Maine Volunteer, ed. Ruth L. Silliker (Camden, ME: Down East Books, 1985), 60-61.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Great stuff, Bill. Thanks for posting it.

Haley's 17th Maine was in the Third Corps, like the Yanks we'll be portraying at "ATB: Fred2007", so the account is actually germane to the event. I'd have to look up some troop movement maps to see where the 17th Maine was in relation so the event site on December 14. That said, the truce is described accurately per the accounts from the Federal regiment we will be portraying at the event.

Haley's memoir is not only easy to read, but entertaining as heck (he's highly sarcastic) and very descriptive. Really one of the better enlisted man's memoirs of the war.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

We're busily working on the website for this event, and apologize for the delaly in getting it completed. Current plans are for it to be up and running, with registration open, about June 1.

[dusty27]

http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/afterthebattle07.htm

[Kevin O'Beirne]

What Dusty's trying so eloquently to say is that the event website with participant standards is now up, and registration is open.

Hopefully we can get a full event folder here on the AC Forum now. :)