Vicksburg 2007 Update

[coastaltrash]

The event website for Vicksburg 2007 is now online and information can be found here: http://www.westernindependentgrays.org/Vicksburg/

Registration is now open, if you plan on going CS I suggest you not delay. Registation for this event will be handled like Rich Mountain, once CS is filled you will have 2 options, either sign up as federal or miss out on one hell of a time.

A comment on food. This is what some have called a "flat haversack event" in the past. The meaning of that is, that unless you have a special diet you must regulate (diabetic, hypogloc. ,etc- and NO being hungry is not a special diet) you must show up with, AN EMPTY HAVESACK and be prepared to be on your own for Friday night. There are plenty of places to eat in Vicksburg, and there will be 2 trash cans at registration where the haversack will be inspected before registering. THIS WILL BE A HOT EVENT, but well worth the effort.

A quick comment on preservation as well. The remainder of the funds for this event will be donated to the park, and the money will be earmarked to reclaim land. No by reclaim I do not mean purchase, this will be donated to the fund to help clear trees and restore historic tree lines at Vicksburg. Donations for this effort will be accepted. Check back on the website often for Bully Buys on Columbus Depot jackets and some other items.

[Ken Cornett]

Drop Haversacks!!

[coastaltrash]

CS people have started to register, numbers are limited.

[coastaltrash]

After many emails- You may now pay with a check to register for this event- MONEY ORDERS ARE NOT THE ONLY WAY.

[Dale Beasley]

Was outside working and was thinking about Vicksburg 07, do you think and should we plan, on it being hot?

[coastaltrash]

As Dennis Neal is fond of saying, "It will only smell hot"

[BenjaminLDavis]

Least there won't be no complainin' it's too cold for this one! Tell Admiral Duffer to expect
some Midwestern accents in his command - we are looking forward to it.
Pat - do us Yankees get grits too?

[coastaltrash]

As long as Terry doesn't try and put sugar in it like last time. See that's a mistake that can easily be forgiven in Tennessee, but Mississippi is a whole different story!

[Charles Heath]

"It will only smell hot"

So long as the vinegar doesn't freeze solid, and we don't have to cut the frozen pickles from the crock with an ax, then everything will be just fine.

[unionprivate]

Forgive me for not understanding, in regards to the haversacks. Youre telling men not to bring food, cause it sounds like youre gonna issue rations. Great, no problem. However, youre telling men dont bring any food, so youll have to buy dinner friday eve. Why not just bring rations for one night? Youre forcing the men to have to buy food, maybe thats an expense that people dont want to endure, not to mention thats sounds illogical. Just my $.02, unless I missed somthin.

[coastaltrash]

Nope, you pretty much hit the nail right on the head. Well, it's worked before, pretty sure it will work again.

Rations will be issued from a central commissary and there is no need for any extra food items. Most people tend to venture out anyway or grab something on the way in. I'm not saying they need to eat steak dinners, but outside food is not allowed.

[BrianHicks]

Forgive me for not understanding, in regards to the haversacks. Youre telling men not to bring food, cause it sounds like youre gonna issue rations. Great, no problem. However, youre telling men dont bring any food, so youll have to buy dinner friday eve. Why not just bring rations for one night? Youre forcing the men to have to buy food, maybe thats an expense that people dont want to endure, not to mention thats sounds illogical. Just my $.02, unless I missed somthin.

I have simple solution for you.

Bring a small ice chest in which you have food for Friday before the event begins. Before the start of the event, or if folks leave the site that night to go out and eat, go to your vehicle and enjoy what ever you brought for the meal. If it needs to be cooked, bring it back to the bivouc site and use the fire.

Although I don't know the plans for the event. I'm guessing that rati0ons will be issued late Friday night, or early Saturday Morning. If you are coming Confederate, and the event is true to history... I'd anticipate being a little hungry all week end.

[Charles Heath]

However, youre telling men dont bring any food, so youll have to buy dinner friday eve. Why not just bring rations for one night? Youre forcing the men to have to buy food, maybe thats an expense that people dont want to endure, not to mention thats sounds illogical.

Mike,

Do us a favor and kick Boyo Ryan and Lanky Pete in the hindparts to get them to mosey on down to Vicksburg for this event. Looks as if the WNY fellows may have more than one or two coming from out of the woodwork, as scary as that may seem.

If by some chance you are riding down with the other WNY lads, just remember to use a 96-quart or larger cooler filled with sandwiches, dips, fresh fruit, crudites, popsicles, sodas, and maybe a whole cooked ham or two. Pete, Ryan, O'Bee, and Sparky are all growing boys, and will want to dine well (at your expense) during the trip from NY. You've seen these guys eat, and it isn't a pretty sight. It's worse than what happens when we switch out Landrum's (Dapper Dan) and Runyon's (Fop) hair pomade in the middle of the night. Oh, the humanity!

Those departing from The Bunker in MD will have a travel snack packed by my child bride for the trip to Vicksburg, and it will typically be enough to have fed the Donner Party for 43 days. I wonder if Pukin' Bill Backus can make this trip....

The rebs will be eating mule and pea bread. Your issued rations will be much worse. :eek:

[bAcK88]

Those departing from The Bunker in MD will have a travel snack packed by my child bride for the trip to Vicksburg, and it will typically be enough to have fed the Donner Party for 43 days. I wonder if Pukin' Bill Backus can make this trip....


Barring a disaster I'll be there and maybe with some other New Englanders.

[Charles Heath]

Barring a disaster I'll be there and maybe with some other New Englanders.

That's the style, Bill. That's the style. :)

Kidnap Frank L. whilst you are at it.

Let's see if we can poke the POC'Rs a little harder now....

[ley74]

Charles:

This will be a heck of a trip, starting a heck of a week. You might as well stay south boys and join us in Emporia, Virginia for the "Virginia Pork Festival". All the pork and beer you can handle for $25. You WNY and NOTB (North of the Border Boys) let me know by February 15 and the POC'R Boy's webmeister will treat you to one of Virginia's treats. We owe you a few.

[Charles Heath]

Ley,

I do believe I'll do both, and will be paying my respects to the fine work of Lt. Peter Conover Hains out in Vicksburg. If there is an Engineer Hall of Fame, I sure hope this veteran of the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War One is in it.

Besides, we'll need your help cutting up some meat out yonder, and I know you can handle that. That way you'll really appreciate the vittles in Emporia the following Wednesday.

Plus, they have nice markers: http://www.nps.gov/archive/vick/oh/oh56inf.htm

[Lucky]

Why registration for this isn't already full is amazing. I mean, its on the actual ground!!Why any of the 2007 event registrations aren't already full is also hard to comprehend, given the locations. One could really do nothing BUT NPS stuff next year and have a very full season. Banks Grand Retreat and the Outpost/Tag event just serve as good side orders.

Brian DesRochers
Flankers Mess

[coastaltrash]

Just a quick reminder:

CS registration has about 15 spaces left so those folks kicking the idea around should make a choice very soon. If not, as stated on the website, you can sit this one out, or come as a federal....like me.

Look for updates to the website soon, including a Bully Buy from WW&Company, pictures of the site we will be at and more. Happy Holidays to all, hope to see you all in June...well not all of you..... but 140 or so would be nice!

[Alamo Guard]

After the empty haversacks comment I suspect those of us who have registered as Alabama Boys can look forward to a weekend of peabread, mule meat and roasted accorns:tounge_sm , heheh.

[Old Reb]

Dusty,
Since mule meat, peabread, and acorns is my normal meal, I was hoping for some form of rodent nicely roasted and maybe a sweet potatoe.

[Pritchett Ball]

I am looking forward to this event!

OK…I have to ask, what do those in command of the forces, have in mind for the participants at this event at Vicksburg? What do you envision for us doing, so we can be fully prepared.

Respectfully:

Kevin Dally
Waco Guards

[coastaltrash]

Hey Kevin,
Information like that usually isn't given out until you actually do it. The boys back then didn't know, and neither will anyone else going into it. All I can tell you is to expect to live 2 days like they did during June 1863. Constructing period defense work, drinking water, eating period food, drinking water and having a full day of work ahead of you when you roll out of the bedroll...and drinking water.

Hope everyone is really looking forward to this as much as I am

[Pritchett Ball]

"and drinking water"...

I was counting on you saying THAT!

Ok, what do you require as far as cartridges for this event...will we be firing at all?

Kevin Dally

[coastaltrash]

Hey Kevin,
I'm going to do another update post in a few minutes, but to answer your question, yes we will be firing. Historical accounts show that these men were firing between 60-80 rounds per man PER DAY. But I would suggest 70 properly rolled and bundled rounds. The artillery for this thing will be quite busy as well.

[Charles Heath]

Since mule meat, peabread, and acorns is my normal meal, I was hoping for some form of rodent nicely roasted and maybe a sweet potatoe.

Uncle Tom,

You'll be delighted to know we found a great reference for rice ground into meal circa mid-June 1863. The man did not specify whether the rice had been threshed or not. :p

...and that old pea bread really "don't keep."

[rmeyer]

First of all I want to wish you all a good time at this event. I organized a very similar event there 6 years ago when I was a seasonal, and we had a blast! Now for the warning....

1. the mosquitos are horrible at night and I MEAN horrible so either gets some period bug repellant together or soak yourself in OFF.

2. He aint kidding about the water thing, and there needs to be water points out in the trenches, just to give you an idea, when we got in the car at the end of the event the gauge read 124 Degrees, you can literally be over come with heat just walking to the water point if it is too far out. Park service requires you wear your wool when firing (or at least they use too) and there is NO SHADE out there, If you start drinking water when you get out there you are too late, you need to start drinking the suggested amount (I think it is a gallon a day) about a week before so you guys will be hydrated when you step foot out there.

3. Vicksburg has a tendancy to have afternoon thunderstorms, they are usually quick and can be violent so keep that in mind as well.

4. Definatly take time to check out the Old Courthouse Museum in Vicksburg, Very neat place and well worth the money ( I think there is a small fee)

5. For all you Yankees coming down, if you dont know what fire ants are, learn, they are everywhere out there and can make life miserable

Good luck on the event,


Ryan Meyer
Skulkers Mess

[huntdaw]

1. the mosquitos are horrible at night and I MEAN horrible

What a cheery thought. Where I live they're the same way but it doesn't mean you ever get used to it. And they just love me - I must put out some great CO2 or something. Nasty little creatures-still wondering why the Lord made 'em.

[Dale Beasley]

Had Reserves in Vicksburg the other-day ...you know...it smelled like HOT and RED-BUGS to me?

[Old Reb]

Ah, the boys shouldn't fret about it being hot and humid, 'cause it will be. As for scenic places to visit on your way to and from the park, try the Big Black where you can see the old foundation of the original railroad bridge and if you had the time, setting out a trot line might produce a few sizeable catfish.

[Alamo Guard]

Hot humid weather, mosquitoes so big they have lic. plates on their butts, hmmm if it wasnt for the good company at this event....
Sounds like regardless we shall have a grand time.

[Shotgun Messiah]

Lawdy, I am drippin at the thought.. this is what I am waiting for all year... I want to suffer here...( I am sure Pat and Mississippi will provide that) it will be half the fun.
Course Vicksburg is special to me.
So Skitters beware I will eat you for dinner, ( Pea Bread an' Blue Mule Meat will suffice)
Heat?
HA! You ever lived in Misery(Missouri for the uninitiated) before?.....Mississippi is a cakewalk!!

There will never be a Grander collection of souls than here, in my personal opinion.
On To Vicksburg!!

[coastaltrash]

Once along time ago Justin Runyon offered me some advice on heat and it causing one to leave early from an event. His advice was to stick butcher paper on your car seat, so your candy ass wouldn't stick to the seat on the way home. Since then I've modeled my living history ethics and practices from that.

All jokes to the side-Ryan's words are true and I would take them as the Gospel According to Ryan. He did what we are doing every DAY for three months, and thanks to a friend, everyday for a while over in the Sandbox. I can promise you will have water on site, but it's my responsibility to make sure you are okay ON SITE, everyone that registered needs to take care of themselves BEFORE hand.

The bug issue is being worked on, anything else?

[Dale Beasley]

but it's my responsibility to make sure you are okay ON SITE, everyone that registered needs to take care of themselves BEFORE hand.

The bug issue is being worked on, anything else?[/QUOTE]

Good points...on target...Your work-out plan should be three months out.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

I'll be packaging some CS rounds for a comrade attending the event. I was curious as to which Arsenal/Date would be prefferred on the label?

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04