AARs

[trippcor]

Re: AARs

I have been to both past I600 events which have been in my top 10 list for many years. This years surpassed those. The bar for 2007 has been set very high.

Having done the past two events as a POW, I decided to see what life was like outside the bars. Boy what a difference!!! I don't think I have worked so hard at an event in a long long time. The Federal Garrison always seemed to be needed for something. From guard, to fatique, to drill, to prisoner escort, to assitting with the spectator program and more, we were kept very busy. My deepest thanks and appreciation go out to all those that served in Co. A of the 157th NY!! You men all did your duty and did it well. It was an honor to serve with you all this past weekend.

Special thanks to Pat Craddock for allowing be to serve as his Orderly Sgt. It has been awhile since I have filled that role and was reminded how much work it is. Luckly I have some great folks serving as our SGTs and CPLs. Thanks to Sgts Blunt and Miller. You both ran your platoons expertly. Cpls Ewing, McCarthy, Runyon, and Spohn all did an outstanding job!!!

My most memorable moment was pushing Ed Marsh up against the Fort wall as he tried to grab a confiscated ham bone to try and sneak it back into the casemates. Seeing the look on his face and watching the ham bone fly through the air as all the other prisoners eyes followed it was priceless and earned me the nickname Sgt Hambone.

It was a great event and I am looking forward to the next time.

[BrianHicks]

Re: AARs

As everyone before has done, allow me to praise John Cleveland and Rick Josylin for their efforts in making this event come to fruition. They, more so than any others who participated, did the Bulls work in making this I-600 a success. Also allow me to praise Danny Brown and those women who portrayed the Civilian side of the event.

As many of you know, this was my first event as a Commissioned Officer. In the past I have portrayed the ranks of Private, Sgt, Orderly Sgt and SgtMaj.

Some of you may recall my having stated at one time, that I would not portray an Officer, as my career had been that of an NCO... and besides, I enjoyed actually having a job to do at events.

Well... the allure of better rations and better sleeping arrangements got the better of me. And it was well worth it! Not for the rations, or the sleeping arrangements.. but because of the men who served in the Federal Garrison, who did such a fine job, at so great an event.

I hope my Officers Impression was acceptable to those who served in our Company.

What made the event so successful? Or should I say memorable?

There are many images and experiences that I recall.

Touring the Casemate and looking at the Prisoners as I walked through. The eerie feeling each time I exited the steel bar doors, knowing that the prisoners had no such freedom.

The image of the prisoners playing chess, reading, and forming such a close band of camaraderie under the shared hardship of imprisonment.

Recognizing the strange symbol on a box form home addressed to a Capt. Leroy Carson, and later speaking to him in hushed tones and verifying that he was indeed a Brother, and then the three or four occasions later, secreting to him the meager relief that I could smuggle in (the sweet potatoes, the sausages, cheese, bread and cigars). As best I can tell, none of the prisoners, nor any of the Guards ever identified me as one of the smugglers of food stuffs into the prison cells.

During the second shake down, the men outside dropping hard boiled eggs. -That's the first time I've ever seen a line of men appear to be laying eggs! :)

The Sunday morning Church service, and offering my praise to the Officer who lead the services at it's conclusion.

Walking and talking with a few of the prisoners as they moved the hay form one side of the parade deck to the other side.

And of course, the Funeral of poor Fitz.

It was a great event, apparently enjoyed by all.

Perhaps next time I'll portray one of the prisoners.

Well done Gentlemen, well done indeed!

[lazarus]

Re: AARs

Being my second time being a confederate prisoner, this was definitely a different experience than the first. Many of the differences were very much appreciated such as not necessarily having real access to unlimited amounts of food. I never really felt any hunger pains and let's face it, you'll eat the onions if you have to. Here's to cornbread that tasted like cake and all my bunkmates wanting some buttercream icing to make it complete.

Here's to cutting hair with a straight razor, to having officers crush hard-boiled eggs in front of you after pulling them out of your pockets, and to trying to catch a pigeon to have a little new york chicken. Special thanks to those that spooned in the night, especially Saturday, and to those Yankees that attempted to try not to talk to us poor lonely officers. I also would especially like to thank the Lt. for warm stew and coffee with only three minutes to spare.

Finallly, here's to Fitzy, hearing pickles splashing to the floor, and finding out that tin plates are great for prying open the cistern for an escape but learning that plates don't float for anything in ten feet or more water.

Thanks to Capt. Blue and casemates 18 and 19!

Cheers!

[Dignann]

Re: AARs

Y'all made the front page of this morning's (March 8, 2007) NPS Digest, complete with photo.


Fort Pulaski National Monument
Living History Volunteers Participate In Unusual Event

On March 3rd and 4th, the park hosted one of the year’s most unusual living history events – an event that focused on the sacrifices of a special group of Confederate prisoners known as the “Immortal 600.”

Nearly 200 living history volunteers from around the nation helped to recreate one of the darkest chapters in American history. The event was entirely “immersive,” and included starvation diets for the prisoners and rigid military discipline for the guards.

The Immortal 600 prisoners were incarcerated at Fort Pulaski during the fall and winter of 1864-1865. These Confederates, each of them officers, won praise for their steadfastness, refusing to take an oath of allegiance that would have alleviated their suffering. Instead, they endured crowded conditions, diets of moldy cornbread and pickled onions, and a lack of warm clothing, blankets and firewood. Their punishment was retaliation for the harsh conditions suffered by Union prisoners incarcerated at Andersonville. Thirteen of the Confederates perished at Fort Pulaski, and were buried outside the fort.

The event was the largest of its kind at Fort Pulaski since 2000. Afterwards the participants donated more than $800 to the park. The donation will be used to purchase a complete set of implements for a brand new 30-pounder Parrott cannon. The 4,200-pound cannon will be unveiled in April 2007 during the 145th commemoration of the siege and reduction of Fort Pulaski. The cannon will be the largest operational reproduction cannon in the U.S.

http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5248

Eric

[sweetbriardaisy]

Re: AARs

I was very excited to attend IM600 - this was my second real Civil War event after spending a summer working at Ft. Delaware two summers ago. I was a little disappointed there wasn't a laundry set up, but that's something we can get going next time, I'm sure. Ft Pulaski is such a lovely little fort - well maintained and excellent facilities.

To Mr. Nelson (2LT Benjamin Grant, Company F, 42nd Mississippi Infantry), thank you for carrying my trunk in on Friday night. I was going to slip you some apple, sir, on one of the tours I led through the prison, but I never got the chance!

The first night without the public was great, even though four of us ladies left our beds and bedded down in front of the fire in the kitchen. Sleeping on the floor and stoking a fire all night really got me thinking about what servants went through to keep their middle class employers cozy at night. But waking up the next morning to officers standing over us as if to say "What's all this then?" was priceless.

I loved overhearing stories from Federals coming off of guard duty, telling the many tales of encounters with the prisoners. I think the most memorable time, for me, was after the public left and just listening to the sounds of the Fort.

I will definitely attend this event next time. It was wonderful! Well done to everybody who took part! :)

PS - Liz! Thanks for posting the pictures!

~Jenny Lynn

[CornFedComrade]

Re: AARs

I have to say that I had no idea where Mr. Carson was getting his supplies. I assumed he smuggled everything in on Friday and was very adept at hiding things. As I was eating pan fried sausage Sunday morning, I didn't dare ask where it had been residing before it entered my stomach. Thank you for your sneaky diligance Brian, and thank you for sharing your bounty Matt.

[blackhattertuck]

Re: AARs

Fellows,

The prisoners in casemate 18 will understand this. I just wanted to cite my source :)

From: Voices of the Civil War: Soldier Life by the Editors of Time-Life Books


On the following day I returned to the main reserves, which were in the ruins of an old mill. In the detachment was a young man named Hutchinson, dark-skinned, moody and strange looking, rarely speaking to anyone, and suspected of a hereditary disposition towards insanity.
Near him sat a young fellow named Merrit, a Baltimorean, whose only merit, that I ever observed, was embraced in his name. Besides being a physical coward he was a liar "when the truth would be better," and vulgar in word, thought, and action. He had drawn an obscene picture upon a peice of shingle, and handing it to Hutchinson, asked -- "How do you like your mother?"
Like a flash of lightning the insulted youth had sprung to his feet, darted to the stack of arms, seized the Captain's sword, and slashed at Merrit's scalp! With a blood-curdling scream the latter fled for his life, pursued closely by the mainac, whose stalwart arm hacked at his head, shoulders, and back at every bound! The act was so unexpected, and the cries of the flying wretch so startling, that few of us thought of interfering, though the man's life was in imminent peril.
Happily Captain Wampler, with more self-possession, seized a musket, and running across the arc of the circle, spang between the lunatic, and Merrit just as the latter stumbled, and fell headlong -- never to have risen again but for the brave Captain's interference. Hutchinson glared wildly at Wampler for an instant, but as the Captian's bayonet was almost at his heart, and as I, and others had now sprung to reinforce him, -- there was no chance to resist. Slowly dropping the point of his weapon, he allowed his arms to be bound, and remained in moody sullenness until sent to a place of safety. He never recovered his sainity, I believe. Merrit was painfully slashed about his head and shoulders; but I am not sure he got a great deal of sympathy; as his obscenity caused the whole affair, and doubtless threw the unhappy youth's mind off the balance.

Private Randolph A. Shotwell
8th VA. Inf.
December, 1861 Fairfax Co. Virginia.


I'm just happy the Yank sentry did not react in such a fashion!

Y'r Ob'dt Sr'vt

[Rob]

Re: AARs

From the Saxton diary:

"Thanksgiving day," the 24th of November, 1864, was observed as a holiday. For some reason the halyard on our flagstaff had come down and we could not hoist the flag. The fort was 25 feet high, the flagstaff extended thirty or forty feet above this. We invited volunteers to climb the flagstaff and insert the rope over the pulley. Several tried and failed. Then we sent to some vessels and got some sailors, who also tried and failed. We were anxious to get the flag up for the prisoners had caught on to our dilemma, and were laughing at and taunting us. Finally Sergeant Cummings of Company I undertook it and he succeeded and climbed to the top, inserted the halyard and came down with the rope in his mouth. Then we sent up "Old Glory" with a tremendous shout, and the Colonel excused Sergeant Cummings from duty for a week and the officers raised him a nice purse.

[CornFedComrade]

Re: AARs

Adam,
I personally liked it when the guard at the opposite end of our cell was approached with a remark concerning his sister.

"I don't have a sister..."

I know it's hard to say what the Immortals state of mind was at all times, but one would hope they were able to turn to humor in order to keep their wits about them. Of course, our mood was a little lighter knowing we would be set free on Sunday afternoon.

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: AARs

Hey Yank! Mail Call!...............................(Evil Look).....Hahahahhhaaaaaaa!

The thing I found most interesting is that the guards returned the envelop each time.

[trippcor]

Re: AARs

Hey we were trying to help but several of y'all made it very hard. Standing at the open casemate eating ham is a good way to invite an inspection!!!!

[Rick Joslyn]

Re: AARs

Just received this in today's mail. Thanks Everyone.


United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Fort Pulaski National Monument
P.O. Box 30757, Hwy 80 East
Savannah, GA 31410

March 5, 2007

Lt. Rick Joslyn
Event Coordinator
Fort Pulaski Immortal 600 Event 837 Jones Street
Sparta, GA 31087

Dear Rick:

I would like to thank you for organizing and participating in one of the most successful events in the history of Fort Pulaski National Monument. The Immortal 600 event on March 3-4, 2007, featured more than 120 very talented and dedicated living. history volunteers who traveled from around the United States. Please pass along my deepest appreciation to everyone who made this such a memorable Civil War event.

Your "immersive" techniques, including the use of starvation diets for the Confederate prisoners and 24-hour guard details for the Union guards, ensured the highest levels of historic authenticity. Visitors and participants alike praised this powerful presentation style, and everyone appeared satisfied and moved by the experience. The park was filled to capacity thanks to the event. The park also received some very favorable coverage from the local news media. A special film crew from the Georgia Technology Authority was on hand to develop a documentary on the sacrifices ofthe Immortal 600. Thank you for providing them access to all of your activities throughout the weekend.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of $800. Please let your group know that this money will be used to purchase a full set of artillery implements for our brand new reproduction 30-Pounder Parrott cannon. Thanks to your generosity, your participants can enjoy the satisfaction of being part of a milestone in Civil War living history. When unveiled in April 2007, the cannon will be the largest operational reproduction cannon in the U.S.

Again, thank you for your fine efforts. We look forward to another Immortal 600 event in 2009!

Best regards,

Charles E. Fenwick
Superintendent
Fort Pulaski National Monument

[Rmhisteach]

Re: AARs

Rick,

If you are abvle to . Could you post any links to local news coverage . I have been unable to find any vai googel & of course The Republican ? Press up here in Yankeeland does not cover southern interest Items. I would like to see some pics and of courase If I had a camera in the cell which I did not it wmost certainly would have been confiscated by Col. Brown and his thugs. Ha ha

Rod

[CFC]

Re: AARs

Gentelmen

I have been thinking long and hard about this event. I have tried to explain it to one's that should be able to understand with no luck only ending with you have togo next time that is the only way you will be able to get it. This event was like nothing I have ever done.

This event is to personal and I have decided to keep it as such.

Although we did a steller job and I want to take nothing away from that their are some things that I will improve of myself in order to make this event better for me when it rolls back around.


I will be more ragged in apperance ( I feel that I was to clean)
I will not fill up before arriving to the event ( I never felt hunger )
I will only draw a half of ration if any at all. ( I feel that their was to much food available)
I only went in with my cup,coffee cooler,writting case, and the clothes on my back and I know that I can thin it down even more. ( I was over dressed)

These are just some of the things that I know of that I can do for myself to improve the event atleast for me.

Sgt. Major
Charles Busby

Jasper Massey
Corn Fed Comrades
WIG
ONV

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: AARs

I'll echo that sentiment, Sgt. Maj. I felt that many of us also looked too clean for not having been able to get new clothes for a couple of months. Mr. Hank Trent was a real inspiration to me on how to really research a role and portray it with his portrayal of Fitz. The thing I experienced most physically was the caffeine withdrawl headaches. Every time I coughed on Sunday it was as if somebody had my head in a vice and they tightened it a little more each time. Many people might say it also but before nextime, I'm going to loose some weight- not just for the role, but for myself.

P.S. I'm glad you boys all made it home safe and in one piece. I know that was a heck of a drive.