36-hour vs. week long

[Campjacksonboy]

Some of you were at BGR and one (If not both) of the Red River Campaigns.
If so feel free to add comments below for the folks that are new to this.
After two days the event will continue but will you be ready?

Unlike the typical event the various commands will be completely self sufficient living out of haversacks and wagons. Things like rations are covered and water will come out of creeks. However some have never been to an event of this scale. What should they add to their kit? It was suggested that I remind people of the usefulness of things like period tooth brushes, soap, and Toilet Paper.

Besides the blanket, uniform, musket, and accutrements there are other things that should be brought. Even the period sources mention cleanliness as a sign of a good soldier. One might want to consider throwing some lye soap into the knapsack. Last time I checked Fall Creek had period toothbrushes with the bone handle. Toilet paper was mentioned as a must have but that can disintigrate easily. I suggest scraps of old cotton such as muslin. It tears easily is still useful when wet and is still biodegradeable, albeit, the process is a little slower. In addition the muslin can also be used for cleaning muskets.

You will need to clean muskets. Said cotten cloth will also come in handy cleaning muskets as each soldier will want to clean his musket daily.
A worm with cloth on the end of a ramrod will suffice. Although enfields have that nifty hole at the business end of the ramrod. For rust that white campfire ash does wonders keeping muskets bright. A good musket cleaning kit ought to include a nipple wrench, screw driver, cone pick, cleaning patches, and worm (if practical). Enfield cleaning tools also have a small compartment for oil.

Regarding shelter neither army will have tents as seen at static camps. However a good oil cloth, floor cloth, painted canvass or gum blanket will prove wonders keeping the rain off when sleeping. If you don't have one yet a 4-5' x 7' piece of painted canvass will work wonders. I once laid under one in the middle of an open field during a thunderstorm and stayed perfectly dry. Its well worth its weight.

Socks have been mentioned before. Three pair wool and three pair cotton will keep one well set for the week so that every man will always have at least one dry pair of socks.
I'm sure there's more but I have to teach now.
Frank

[Gallo de Cielo]

The good Baron, Bard of Athens, leader of the Aufmuth Legion, and founder of the shreiking whistle mess, is spot-on with his post.

When other events end, Piney Woods will be in its second day- with three more yet ahead. No parking lot nearby. No ability to change what you are carrying, add something, leave something.

Carry some scrap light rag material for cleaning your rifle and for cleaning the business end of your colon barrel.

If you've "conditioned" for this event by doing nothing, watching TV and drinking cokes, we'll likely be scraping you off the ground on the second morning or watching you get trucked off in shame. Get your butt in gear and be ready. Better to be over-prepared physically than under-prepared.

Lastly I'll mention that folks will need to buck-up mentally. It might be wonderful weather. It might rain. It might be cold. It might be hot. It's likely it'll be a mix of all that. Part of soldiering means standing watch, doing duties that you might prefer to avoid, and standing with your comrades in arms. No lone rangers. No balking or shirking. If you are not prepared to follow the requests of your commanders and NCO's keep your ass at home.

As Holler has said in another thread- a month from today we'll be doing this for real.

Registration numbers look excellent. If you are nursing things out until the deadlines, get your forms and funds in!

The Yeti, the Whistle, Dick Taylor's Ghost, Tom, myself, and all the rest of the Ground Hornets look forward to soldiering with like-minded folks at Into the Piney Woods.

Regards,

[AZReenactor]

One item not mentioned that many fellows found invaluable at BGR is a small container of foot and crotch powder. Corn starch is the main ingredient in these and baby powder and works well to deal with the itches and rashes on feet and nether regions that are likely to appear on fellows not used to being hot, dirty, sweaty, and damp for days on end.

Fellows who had it last time were glad of it and those who didn't mentioned that crushed hard tack or corn meal just didn't work the same. ;-)

[Campjacksonboy]

...Wool Keeps its insulation qualities when wet. A wool shirt may be handy as will a wool sleeping cap.

Any medications ie: insulin put in a poke sack. Have it when needed.

mole skin might be a good thing to have too. Somebody out of 200 men and civilians will get blisters.
Frank

[Mcouioui]

Think by Mess,
Had the necessary for start a good night camp fire, dry matches in a good period conditioning, cloth dipped into the candle wax or the small candles part, by example.
Transport with you the minimum for living, share the charge by Mess, not necessary one frying pan, a boiler, an axe, car, etc. By guy.
One guy will carry the frying pan, other one the boiler, car, etc. For two, three or four guys. Make collective, be a good company, a good Mess, a good companions in the listening yourself and your comrades, and we shall be a great regiment I do not doubt.
For the soap, why not, but no razor, you will have not time for that I think, divide accessories by Mess.
For the toothbrush, I have not, if has apples in the rations, that works well to wash teeth, otherwise finger with the white ash, that also works.
Think as we told it to you change socks, don’t sleep the wet feet, think night cap or camp.
In the BGR, we have they warmly days and cold at nights, but effectively, every weather are possible and all in the same day also…
If you have some coffee in grain, instead of trying to crush him at the bottom of your car with your bayonet, put in a small bag, find a stone or an stump as supports and knock with the back of an axe.
I deliver there, my personal analysis in my relation with my Mess, it is my opinion, it is always debatable…

[Big Whisky]

I can't add to whats been said about supplies, but don't forget to bring the right attitude. I was surprised at both RR2 and BGR at the men who quit after one day. They did not even make it to the hard part. If you can get past the 3rd full day you can finish the whole damn thing.
Get it in your mind now. You won't be an individual, you will be part of a team. If you quit early, all your friends will have to work harder to cover for you.
Get your head straight and your ass will follow. I've seen weak, fat stubborn men keep up with athletes.
Frank J Marek

[NewHopeChurch]

I actually keep reproduction CS banknotes for my toilet paper...

[stx]

Thanks for posting all the suggestions. This is my first campainger event and it's good to find out the tricks to surviving the event. Two years ago I suffered a knee injury and after surgury decided to give up sports, so needless to say I've gotten a little out of shape. However, the last couple months, partly to get ready for IPW and partly just to be healthier, I've changed my eating habits and started working out more to get in shape. Hopefully I'll be ready to go by next month. Any other suggestions would be great, and I know from talking to Will and Mr. Comer I'll be with a great group of guys (the only thing I'm not looking forward to is 28 hours total in a car, but I'm sure someone has it worse)

[unclefrank]

Jonathan has a great idea about using Rebel bank notes as TP. I've got a bunch of those myself, but it may feel a bit rough when applied to my tender backside. Too bad we are not retreating, we could leave a nice trail of "used" backnotes for the Rebs to find and follow!

[Mcouioui]

I like very much this idea too, I adopt it, Houra for CS banknotes...