2nd Kernstown, July 20 - 22, 2007

[dusty27]

Date(s): July 20 - 22, 2007
Event Name: Kernstown
Location: Kernstown Battlefield - just outside Winchester, VA
Host: Stonewall Brigade
Sponsor: Kernstown Battlefield Association
Discussion Format: Threads on Authentic Campaigner
Fed Infantry Contact: Chris Piering, CR cpiering@twcny.rr.com
CS Infantry Contact: Dusty Chapman, SWB dustyswb@comcast.net
Cavalry, both sides: Dave Myrick, CR dmyrick@mainecav.org
Artillery: Mike Martorelli, 1st PA.
Website: www.stonewallbrigade.com/kernstown07.html (http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/kernstown07.html)
Scenario: The event will feature a two-company Confederate battalion and a two-company Federal infantry battalion plus a Federal artillery section. The event will depict the actions of two regiments during the July 24, 1864 battle of Second Kernstown, between Jubal Early’s Army of the Valley and George Crook’s Federal Army of West Virginia. The battle ended in a stunning Union defeat and, coupled with the burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania just five days later, resulted in the formation of the Federal Army of the Shenandoah with Phil Sheridan at its head in early August 1864, with the resulting 1864 Valley Campaign.
Event Point of Contact: Dusty Chapman dustyswb@comcast.net
Event Type: "Campaign" style LH
Impression(s): The Federal portrayal will be one of the regiments in Mulligan’s Third Division: 23rd Illinois, 10th West Virginia, 54th Pennsylvania, 11th West Virginia, 15th West Virginia. CS portrayal will probably come from Gordon's Division, Terry's brigade of Virginians.
Preservation: Main goal of the event. All proceeds will go to the Kernstown Battlefield Association to restore stonewall on Pritchard's Lane.
Registration: Individual and online

[Charles Heath]

Folks,

This should be a most enjoyable event; however, I understand you may have to bring your own pies, pickles, and cheese. ;)

We had a good site visit to the 2nd Kernstown battlefield this past Saturday. As Dusty says, "This is a living history. The goal for the event is to raise preservation dollars and raise awareness of what the folks have around them. The public is paying to come to see us. Participants are expected to interact with the public during public hours."

A few thoughts:

The site itself is very nice, but not without a few modern items. The modern features include a few late 19th century ag buildings (no biggie), some loafing sheds, a few concrete pads, and some wire fabric and high tensile fencing. The site is still produces beef and hay, so the usual modern agricultural functions abound in the distance. This is a small price to pay, IMHO. Frankly, most of our NPS events have had about the same amount of modern intrusions. :p

The Summer 2006 issue of Blue & Gray Magazine is chock full of information about this battle, and is well worth buying a back issue, if you can find one. The photos are good, and the maps are better. Additional good news is a fellow is cranking out a book about this engagement with a hit-the-street date somewhere in early 2007. Perhaps that means prior to the July event in real world terms, as we all know how publication dates tend to acquire significant slippage.

The NPS synopsis of the battle from the ABPP website: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/ABPP/shenandoah/svs3-11.html

The site permits mounted participants, and the equine logistics don't appear to be overwhelming, so the usual suspects both blue and gray will no doubt receive an invite, and a number of them are already familiar with the site due to previous events.

The parking looks good for participants and spectators. Parking is rarely as simple as it seems, so we have a Plan B in place in case of torrential rain from the usual summer storms. In any case, they have access to a tractor, and we have plenty of tow chain.

The federal campsite is secluded from about 80% of the earlier mentioned viewshed boogers, especially at night. Water placement will be easy and convenient thanks to a farm lane, shade is plentiful, firewood suitable for cooking rations is already in place, and amateur geologists will enjoy the bounty. As a follow up to the fishing experiments at the 2nd Bull Run NPS LH and Old Bedford Village LH last year, the federal campsite is across a fence from a very nice looking pond.

The KBA has a website, however, the directions to the site are dated, as the road has more like five traffic signals as opposed to just two.

http://www.kernstownbattle.org/index.htm

We'll be using the wooden water huts again. They don't weigh much (empty) but are a bit bulky to move even in kit form. For those interested in being in the rear with the gear, and other Kabuki functions Thursday through Sunday for this event, just send an email to heath9999@aol.com

Yep, 2007 is shaping up to be another fine season.

[Wild Rover]

Dusty,

Quick Question- What sort of experiences (outside of camping on the original Battlefield and apparently fishing) will the troops have?

Thanks,

[dusty27]

Chris,

Still be worked out, but the highlight of the event for the spectators will be the recreated final assault by Terry's brigade against Linton's brigade of Federals.

Are we bringing anything new to this for reenactors? Not on a large scale. But this is the first time two sides will oppose each other on this field since the war ended.

[Wild Rover]

Ok,

Wasn't sure if it was a LH or battle reenactment...had heard both.

Pards,

[dusty27]

It has elements of both.

[dusty27]

Please visit the site at: www.stonewallbrigade.com/kernstown07.html (http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/kernstown07.html)

If you have any questions, please let me know.

[dusty27]

After talking with the KBA, it has been determined that we cannot offer any civilians a chance for a unique experience, so we will no longer have civlians attending the event.

Thanks for your interest.

[dusty27]

Bump.

There will be US infantry, cavalry and artillery at this event.

There will be CS infantry also.

[Hardtack Herring]

And CS Field Music. The Liberty Hall Fifes and Drums (Stonewall Brigade) will be on hand as well.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Today at the new Borders store that just opened a few miles from my house I picked up a new (2007 publication) book called, Shenandoah Summer: The 1864 Valley Campaign, by Scott C. Patchan. At first I thought this was some rip-off of Jeff Wert’s excellent 1987 campaign study, From Winchester to Cedar Creek, but it’s not. Shenandoah Summer covers the period between Early’s raid on Washington and the appointment of Sheridan to command the Army of the Shenandoah, so it’s covering ground that no one else has covered in a book-length monograph before, and—most important to folks planning to attend this event—it’s got three whole chapters on the second battle of Kernstown, including two nice, all-new, easy-to-read, CADD-drawn maps of the battle. Seems like a timely publication for this event. :)

[1st Maine Trooper]

Gentlemen,
I submit the casualty returns for the Federal forces engaged in the action around Pritchards Farm:
Third Division:
Col. James A. Muligan
Staff: 1 wounded (Col. Muligan mortally)
First Brigade
Col. Thomas M. Harris
23rd IL: 1 Officer 13 men killed, 3 officers 60 men wounded and 37 men captured/missing
10th WV: 12 men killed, 4 officers 53 men wounded and 43 men captured/missing
Second Brigade
Lieut. Col John P. Linton
54th PA: 1 man killed, 1 officer 13 men wounded, 2 officers and 32 men captured/missing
11th WV: 1 man killed, 4 men wounded, 11 men captured/missing
15th WV: 1 officer 3 men killed, 1 officer 6 men wounded, 14 men captured/missing

Artillery
1st Battery Ohio Light 1 man missing/captured
1st WV Light, Battery F: 3 men wounded, 2 men missing/captured

Cavalry
First Division
Brig Gen Alfred N. Duffie
First Brigade
Col. WIlliam B. Tibbits
1st MPHB: 1 man killed, 3 men wounded
15th NY: 2 men killed, 8 men wounded
21st NY: 2 men killed, 1 officer 17 men wounded, 1 officer 5 men missing/captured
12th PA: 1 man killed, 2 officers 17 men wounded

Please note that this list is not inclusive of all Federal units in action at Kernstown that day only those being considered for representation at the event. All figures come directly from the OR's.

Dave Myrick

[GrumpyDave]

And,

It's time to register!

[Dignann]

Another book, this one a reprint, that is good on the campaign and benefits the Kernstown Battlefield.


Confederate Memoir May Secure Past For Future

By Jeff Mellott

The Daily News Record [Harrisonburg, Va.]
May 15, 2007

HARRISONBURG — Madaline "Mitzie" Preston of Rockingham County has a personal interest in the 13th Virginia Infantry Regiment that fought in the Civil War.

One of the five survivors of the regiment’s Company H, John Smith of the Middletown area, is an ancestor, she says.

It was only natural, then, for Preston to reprint a memoir of her ancestor’s commanding officer, Capt. Samuel Buck.

She hopes the reprinting of the book will help protect Civil War sites and educate the public about history.

War Service

"I admire anyone who takes a stand," said Preston, who lives near Lake Shenandoah.

The memoir, "With the Old Confeds: Actual Experiences of a Captain of the Line," details Buck’s service with the 13th Virginia.

The regiment, formed in April 1861, was mustered into Confederate Service in May at Harpers Ferry.

The regiment served under Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson during the general’s 1862 Valley campaign.

The list of battles in which the company fought includes Cross Keys and Port Republic in Rockingham County, according to the memoir.

Serving with Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, the 13th Virginia stood guard at Winchester, while the Confederates marched to Gettysburg during the summer of 1863.

The company saw fighting near Richmond in spring 1864 and went with Gen. Jubal Early on his march on Washington, D.C., that summer.

They saw more action that fall at the battles of Third Winchester, Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek.

The regiment rejoined Lee for the remaining fighting at Petersburg and was at Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in April.

War’s End

Buck’s application to join the cavalry was approved in March 1865. He returned to the Shenandoah Valley, purchased a horse and intended to fight with partisan rangers. But the war ended before he left the Valley.

"I can’t imagine walking all over the state, cold and hungry and sleeping God knows where," Preston said from her office at James Madison University, where she works on the administrative staff at the College of Business.

Battlefield Preservation

Preston plans to donate proceeds from the book to the Kernstown Battlefield Foundation.

The foundation owns and maintains battlefield property related to the First and Second battles of Kernstown. The battlefield property has 115 acres in Winchester and 200 acres in Frederick County, said Larry Duncan, president of the Kernstown Battlefield Association. Help to preserve the site is welcome, Duncan said.

"For a small nonprofit, this is a godsend," he said.

Preston said she hopes the reprinting of the 82-year-old memoir helps educate people about the importance of history, in general, and the Civil War, in particular.

"Understanding history is a way to understand your community and the world you live in," she said.

http://www.dnronline.com/news_detail...D=10264&CHID=2


Eric

[dusty27]

One month to register for this event. Get 'em in..................

http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/kernstown07.html

[GrumpyDave]

Here is something of interest for those who will be attending as Federals. Also, remember it's time to register!

Guys,
As you're probably aware by now, there will be a minstrel show at Kernstown. One of the Federals, Pete McCarthy has written up some skits for the show. Should be quite interesting and certainly colorful entertainment! If anyone is interested in participating please contact Pete at the email address below. You can tell him I sent you. Unit reps, please forward the the men in your unit. Thanks.......Jer

maccaithaigh7@aol.com

Character List



“I Just Don’t Understand”



Narrator

Battalion Commander Rob Grandchamp

Squad of Soldiers

Confederate Soldier



“My Lost Youth”

Reader



“Rapunzel”



Narrator

Father Garr Gast

Mother

“Thin” Witch Bill O’Dea

“Fat” Witch

Prince



“The Arab and the Camel”

Narrator

Arab

Camel



“Hambone, Prints from Denmark (Mississippi)



Narrator

Hambone McPhee

Pig Knuckle Fontaine’s Ghost

Goldencrants Boudreau, Hambone’s friend

Felonious N. Tent, meddlesome old man

Afeelya Payne, a young gentle woman

Sow Belly McPhee, Hambone’s momma

Skeeter Craw, Money Lender

Cutter, Skeeter’s knife man


:D

[GrumpyDave]

This is the "It's time to register" bump.:tounge_sm

[dusty27]

We are extending the registration deadline to June 30.

This one promises to be unique. Get 'em in.

[dusty27]

Work day went well today. Thanks to the crew of 12 that helped cut and split wood.

Hope folks can make this one. The show alone will be worth the price of admission.

KBA is really pushing this one and there will be an article in the Washington Post on July 1 regarding reenacting in the DC area. Both the Kernstown and Fredericksburg events will be mentioned.

Looks like we will be accepting registrations up until about 1 week before the event, so if you can meet the uniform guidelines, please give this event a look at www.stonewallbrigade.com (http://www.stonewallbrigade.com)

[Mcguire]

What are the approximate numbers of registered participants for both sides at this time for this event?

[dusty27]

David,

Not sure why you want to know that, but it is about 35 per side, including two guns crews (Fed) and some cavalry (Fed).

CS is only infantry.

[CAC]

I went to the one that the SWB did a couple of years ago as a spectator. Dusty had a pretty good speech nailed down on the efforts to preserve what's left, a few modern buildings is putting it kinda lightly. I used to eat my lunches up there a few years ago, before they put in the "Battlefield estates". There's nothing like a suburban sprawl to ruin a man's view and lunch.

[Cornfed]

I stood on Henry House Hill at Manassas back in April and was really amazed with the view. For the complete 360 you could not see one modern thing. Of course, Rt. 234 and 28 are there but, what the heck, they were present during the war. We have to thank the US Gov't for perserving a great chunk of this battlefield and the scene just described. Unfortunately, if battlefields are saved in the future, it will be accomplished at the grassroots level like we have seen in recent years. A portion of the Kernstown Battlefield was saved in this way. Yep, there are modern buildings present but there are over 200 acres of a great looking battlefield, complete with a period home that begs to be interpreted and supported.

[Texyank]

Anyone heading to Kernstown from the VA Peninsula and would like to share the ride/gas/drive?

I am pretty good company and can listen to nearly all forms of music.

PM/email if you are interested.

trekbiker1500@verizon.net

[dusty27]

Jason, try Paul Herring at herringnva@cox.net

[Charles Heath]

I had fun. How about you?

(Grumpy Dave's rain curse is broken.)

[Pvt.Bowz]

Charles and all,

I had a great time. Getting to camp and fight on an actual battlefield and raise money for preservation is always a great experience. The Federal company was a great group of guys to share the experience with and I thank them for letting me fall in with them. The minstrel show was absolutely hilarious and a blast to be a part of. Three cheers for Dusty and Charles for putting on such a great event! I hope we were able to raise enough awareness to keep the city of Winchester from swallowing up such an important location in ACW history.

Thanks again,
Sowbelly McPhee
a.k.a. Bob Bowser

[JStiles]

Thanks to all the guys who came out. It was great meeting a lot of folks for the first time. From my perspective, the demos and "battle" recreation came off very well. Yeah, I had fun. It was great to work with Chris Piering and Dusty to put the scenarios together. A special thanks to all the acts in the minstrel show and Pete McCarthy for heading it up. And I believe we raised a pretty good chunk of change for KBA..........Jerry Stiles

[dusty27]

Final tally for the stonewall:

$2,745.00

Thanks to all who contributed

[1st Maine Trooper]

Dusty,
Is there an estimate of the total needed for the current project?

Dave Myrick

[dusty27]

Dave et al,

The KBA thought that $3,000 would be the amount needed to do the work they wanted to. The $2,745.00 posted was only what I handed over from registrations and donations. They had money come in from the gate and sales of food and bookstore.

I think for the amount of guys that participated, we did very well and they appreciated it very much.

Thanks again to all who participated.