Battle Of McDowell May 4-6, 2007 Highland County, VA

[Charles Heath]

Re: McDowell

I would ask about the gigantic fresh veges found in the Spring and the foil coffee bags, but that would be another topic...

Sam,

No doubt because of the giagantic pain in the ass it is to plan ahead, prep the soil, select the varieties, time the planting-harvest cycle to fit the event, grow the darn things, store them properly, transport same to far away places, and issue them to folks who may or may not know they didn't come from the local grocery store. I don't know about others who go through this process for events, but for the past 15 years we've had about as many failures as successes in this regard, and sometimes it is just plain nice to open up a can. :)

At least it is fertilized with mule manure.

[JimConley]

Re: McDowell

Sadly, it seems to me that the progressive/authentic/or whatever you want to call it movement is really in crisis. There were very few authentic looking impressions at the event. I'm out of touch with who all is considered the latest cool vendor to buy from but it is quite clear that many of the sellers of so-called authentic goods are inhibiting the quest for great uniforms and gear. Most of the uniforms I saw at McDowell looked like they were made from patterns made or altered by folks with little knowledge in that complex area. Shoulder seams were especially in disarray. It was disappointing to see because the "hardcore movement" is a worthy endeavor. Unfortunately, at the moment the movement is largely composed of people who want a high standard but are not able to exhibit one.

Just as a footnote to your post Sam, I've noticed that one of the things affecting the appearance of the clothing folks wear is they want their clothes to fit like modern clothes, which 19th clothing did not. Clothes of that time period (as you well know) were supposed to force the wearer's body into a strangely "inhuman" posture; puffy chest, small waist, with shoulder seams gently sloping away from the neck (not squared off). The conventions of period styles did not include "loose fitting" or "baggy" clothes we so love today. Thus, when someone buys a jacket, and they feel it binding a little under their armpits, they immediately assume it does not fit properly, when in fact, that pressure is an assurance that it does.

Sam and Bob,
These are two of the best posts I've seen on the boards in months. And I do wish it was something more folks would stop to think about when they get into this area of the hobby.

It'd be interesting to see a discussion on this with some more depth, but I fear it would go down hill rather quickly.

[Wild Rover]

Re: McDowell

Bob,

Good thoughts. I would also say that while not all participants at Mcdowell might have had what one would call a grade A+ kit, the military functionality of the participants were better than any event previous.

Folks "got it", and I would much rather be with folks who can operate and act authentically than folks in top grade kits.

Attitude and knowledge are hard to obtain, anyone can melt down a credit card and buy the uber cool kit.

Some folks love material culture, and some folks love military functionality, and some folks just love the action. But either way, end the end, we all have far more in common than we do not here on the cph side of things. we also benefit from helping each other along the authenticity journey, and not laughing at those perceived behind ( for often they are ahead of you in other matters).

Folks would do well to remember that.

Pards,

[BobDenton37thVA]

Re: McDowell

Over 20 years ago a man I respect very much told me to put on my uniform, get out all my books and stand in front of a mirror. He said it should be pretty easy to see whether or not your clothes look like those in the books.

And that advice is as good today as it was then. I think I might know the identity of that anonymous wise man myself!

Just as a footnote to your post Sam, I've noticed that one of the things affecting the appearance of the clothing folks wear is they want their clothes to fit like modern clothes, which 19th clothing did not. Clothes of that time period (as you well know) were supposed to force the wearer's body into a strangely "inhuman" posture; puffy chest, small waist, with shoulder seams gently sloping away from the neck (not squared off). The conventions of period styles did not include "loose fitting" or "baggy" clothes we so love today. Thus, when someone buys a jacket, and they feel it binding a little under their armpits, they immediately assume it does not fit properly, when in fact, that pressure is an assurance that it does.

As far as the rations go, yes, that needs improvement, at nearly all events. In early spring in the Allegheny Highlands only root cellar vegetables would have been available; winter apples (all shrivelled, but delicious when you cut away the exterior); potatoes, maybe some onions (small ones), ramps would have been available locally as well as morels (mushrooms). There were ramps growing, btw, near your campsite on the slope of the hill that was just above you. Fresh and preserved meat would have been available, of course, and bread. Its notable that being able to structure our unit's rations to the time and place of the portayal was always one of the 37th's favorite pastimes, in the days prior to these event ration issues.

Anyways, enough of my blithering...
Bob D.

[SamuelCathey]

Re: McDowell

I have mixed thoughts on the value of forums and rarely attend battle reenactments but thought I would take a moment and toss out a couple thoughts. In past years I probably would have been tempted to rant and rave, but here in my late 30s I have hopefully mellowed.
I enjoyed camping and being by the river at McDowell. What a beautiful place. I also talked to several people I had never met before. People seem very nice and genuinely into the Civil War. Sadly, it seems to me that the progressive/authentic/or whatever you want to call it movement is really in crisis. There were very few authentic looking impressions at the event. I'm out of touch with who all is considered the latest cool vendor to buy from but it is quite clear that many of the sellers of so-called authentic goods are inhibiting the quest for great uniforms and gear. Most of the uniforms I saw at McDowell looked like they were made from patterns made or altered by folks with little knowledge in that complex area. Shoulder seams were especially in disarray. It was disappointing to see because the "hardcore movement" is a worthy endeavor. Unfortunately, at the moment the movement is largely composed of people who want a high standard but are not able to exhibit one.
I'm going to keep this short because angering folks who are sensitive about their impressions (and for some reason we all are) is not my intention. Over 20 years ago a man I respect very much told me to put on my uniform, get out all my books and stand in front of a mirror. He said it should be pretty easy to see whether or not your clothes look like those in the books. That advice works just as well today. I would argue that a sizeable chunk of the campaigner hobby would be on the hunt again for great items following some very honest evaluation of their own kit.
Anyway,enough said about that. I would ask about the gigantic fresh veges found in the Spring and the foil coffee bags, but that would be another topic...

Sam Cathey

[lhsnj]

Re: McDowell

Chris

I had a great time at this past McDowell. For me it was the best of the 3 (01, 03, 07) that I have attended.

Here were some of the highlights for me:
-Helping to finish the bridge across the creek for the Confederates to use to pass over.

-Running guard details at the headquarters area and being able to interact with spectators as we helped them off the wagons. Also I was able to have a short (15minute) interaction with one of the ladies (Mrs Robert Stitlington) from town who encountered my picket line.

-The fight on saturday and not knowing every detail of what was going to happen and having to react to what I saw and what the orders were.

-Being the skirmishers to advance into McDowell and help secure the Hull House and witness the surrender of the officer and guard detail there to my officer.

-Sunday's fight on the hill and seeing those Federals come up that hill at us and just the smoke, noise and confusion as we countered and fought and moved to the flank.

Thanks to Bob, Dave, and all the others for putting in the time and effort for this event.

[hendrickms24]

Re: McDowell

Chris,

This McDowell was my third one and each having been enjoying and a different experience for me. Each McDowell event I had a different job to do either as a Corporal, Orderly sergeant and this past event as an Aid de Camp to Gen. Milroy. This year’s event has been the best one for allowing the spectators the ability to interact better with the reenactors then the past two events. Through out the day we had a flow of people coming through the Brigade Headquarters and they asked numerous questions. The spectators were also able to see some interaction between the period citizens and the Federal chain of command and seemed to enjoy it. The camp guard was busy through the day dealing with the civilians and I felt sorry for the corporal and sergeant of the Guard who never seemed to get a break. As for my job, I helped with the duties at the HQ, which seemed to go from complete boredom to a flurry of activity in a heartbeat. Sometime in the morning the AAAG Josh Mordin, the Provost Lt. Hill, and myself went around, inspected the battalion camps, and reported the deficiencies to each company commander. The biggest issue I saw was the same old tarnished brass on the soldiers but in all most of the camps where in good order.

I will not go into the Saturday battle but I can understand why ADC where mounted during the actual Civil War. Running back in forth between the battalions was a little tiring. :tounge_sm The Sunday really did come out nicely and the battalion and company officers did a good job moving the troops were they needed to be when asked to do so by Mr. Watson.

later,

[Wild Rover]

McDowell

Gents,

Seen some AAR's, interested in seeing what folks on the AC think. IMHO it was the best Mcdowell yet.

Pards,

[CJDaley]

Re: McDowell Event - A Brief History (of the event)

As we approach the 10 year anniversary of the first McDowell event, I think it's important to re-read Bob's last paragraph about what this event has meant to battlefield preservation:

In 2000, the McDowell Reenactment was accorded the unique privilege of being designated a Library of Congress “Local Heritage Festival” event, the first CW reenactment ever honored as such. The event committee continues to work in concert with various preservation groups, including the Civil War Preservation Trust, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation, the Lee-Jackson Foundation, and others.

[BobDenton37thVA]

McDowell Event - A Brief History (of the event)

The idea to hold what is now known as the "McDowell Reenactment and Living History" was born in the Town of McDowell in May 1996, when Travis Haymaker, Randal Haymaker, and I decided to visit the little town in Highland County to see “what was going on” and privately commemorate our ancestors’ participation in the much-neglected and poorly known battle. Being familiar with the area (I first visited Highland when I was only 16 years old, and have been in love with the region ever since), I couldn’t wait to get there. We bedded down on Friday night, without tents, at the base of Sitlington’s Hill, only to be rudely awakened the next morning by a crashing thunderstorm. Soaked and still sleep-eyed, Reverend Les Leprade of the McDowell Presbyterian Church took us into his home and gave us a “little something to eat…” (a full breakfast!)

In fact, a tiny event was being held at the church that weekend; mostly staffed by local reenactors and townsfolks. We volunteered to give a public lecture, and then the conversations began with the Highland Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce that would eventually lead to the McDowell event that we know today.

The first “official” McDowell was held in 1997, and was originally conceived of as a “Confederate & Period Civilian Only” living history. The Chamber asked us if we could get “some Federals to shoot at”, and the event suddenly morphed into a reenactment! It was literally our way of sharing Highland County with our friends, that (and not preservation, per se) was seen as the principle goal, at least initially.

At the time, our battalion (known then as the “5th Battalion”) was one of the only groups to have an official period civilian unit, the Atlantic Guard Soldiers Aid Society (AGSAS), and the McDowell event would provide a perfect venue for this growing portion of the hobby. We also provided an opportunity for period-dressed local youngsters to bedevil the soldiers, particularly the Federals, hence the “town boy” impression was born.

Conceived from the beginning as a “history heavy” event, the working parameters for McDowell were not born in a vacuum. We purposely modeled it after ones that we had attended over the years that were successful, had unique and innovative aspects, and reasonably strict rules. We borrowed (with permission), the rules and regulations from Susan and Nicky Hughes’ wonderful Shaker Village event; the idea of “moving” battles, and alternating spectator and non-spectator battles in one event was taken from the early and well executed Neshaminy State Park events (the brainchild of a nearly forgotten reenactment scenario innovator, Scott Shablin); any and all reenactments and living histories that had good ideas involved in them were used as models.

McDowell soon gained a reputation for extremely strict rules, which dissuaded many from attending. However, it also began to be seen as a sort of "grail quest" for many eastern reenactors. The ability to say, “I was at McDowell…” took on almost mystical quality, like a pilgrimage of sorts, much to our wonder & amusement. Of course, as the event grew in reputation, so did its detractors; but the magical quality of Highland County, the site, and the warm and welcoming folks of the region continued to sustain the event.

The 1999 event saw the beginning of a concerted preservation emphasis, which, unfortunately, raised the ire of a few outspoken locals individuals opposed to this effort. The local opposition to the event has finally run its course and sputtered out; thankfully, the great majority of the folks there enjoy the reenactment, and look forward to its occurrence “on the first full weekend in May of the odd numbered years”. The concept of the town being occupied by the Federal troops and harried civilians was solidified in ’99, and used as a modus operandi through 2003. (Ironically, there were only two families in McDowell during the original occupation, the majority of citizens being hidden in the Davis Run Valley).

A different approach was taken in 2005 (i.e. CS in town, US out of town, two separate but equal groups of civilians, and a distinct emphasis on 3rd person interpretation combined with 1st person). Some things worked well, some didn’t. We will be returning to the original, and more accurate scenario in 2007 (i.e. Federals and two families of harried civilians in town on Saturday).

Its notable that in 2000, the McDowell Reenactment was accorded the unique privilege of being designated a Library of Congress “Local Heritage Festival” event, the first CW reenactment ever honored as such. The event committee continues to work in concert with various preservation groups, including the Civil War Preservation Trust, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation, the Lee-Jackson Foundation, and others. We will be forever grateful for the participation of the C/P/H community in making all the McDowells from the first event to today such resounding successes!

Bob Denton
Reenactor Coordinator
McDowell 2007 Event Committee

[Duke20thSC]

Re: Battle Of McDowell May 4-6, 2007 Highland County, VA

Thanks, Doug.

For those of you who don't know Doug, he is too humble an individual to acknowledge his role in helping to make this event the preservation money maker that it is and the keystone event of alternative events here in the East that it has become. Doug was the Federal commander in 1999 when there were a mere 88 Federals facing a horde of probably 300+ Confederates. The groundwork was laid for future efforts for the authentic reenactor which included:
1- Strong civilian presence;
2- Federal occupation of the town per the historical record;
3- Quality material culture standards for Federals and civilians;
4- Scenarios matching the diary accounts;
5- Close working relationship with the county historical society.

It was for these reason that, as the Federal commander in 2001 & 2003, I recruited Doug's participation, which did take place in 2003. He shared our vision for the event and did his utmost to carry it to completion.

It's a good event. If you can attend, you need to do so. If you miss it, you'll regret it.

[DougCooper]

Re: Battle Of McDowell May 4-6, 2007 Highland County, VA

This event...and the extraordinary effort the town and the county have put in over the years (first event was 1997) have yielded a real success story. CWPT's latest campaign is to save the remainder of the battlefield. It ain't just a couple of corners or one section - its pretty much all of it that will never hear the sound of bulldozers. Without Bob Denton and the long list of folks who have made this happen for so many years, I think it is safe to say McDowell would remain obscure...not saved and eventually ruined. Bob started trying to save this battlefield long before many of us could spell CWPT.

It won't take too many more years before the growth begins to invade this beautiful little corner of Virginia...but they won't be able to touch McDowell if we can raise the final amount to keep it beautiful forever.

Can't beat that - and the Living History Community was indeed the prime mover in this one.

Well done Bob.

If you can't make it to the event, or even if you can, get on over to CWPT and plunk down some change to help secure the final piece. www.civilwar.org

[Duke20thSC]

Re: McDowell Registration Will Close 4/20/07

This is a fine event and worthy of support. It has always served good purposes by raising money to fund restoration of historic buildings, purchase of battlefield properties and educational programs associated with Jackson't 1862 Valley Campaign. There have been tremendous research efforts in the past providing participants with information for the event and their impressions. It truly stands as an ideal example of a longterm commitment of the authentic community to a project. As such, it has earned a place on the calendar.

[BobDenton37thVA]

McDowell Registration Will Close 4/20/07

Folks,

All those interested in attending the 2007 McDowell Event should be aware that registration will close on April 20, 2007. Although we will accept registrations from members of invited units after this time; we will not be able to guarantee rations issue to anyone who has not registered by the cut-off.

Thanks,
Bob Denton
2007 McDowell Event
Reenactor Coordinator

[BobDenton37thVA]

Re: Battle Of McDowell May 4-6, 2007 Highland County, VA

I have reinstated this announcement in this folder. It is the folder that seems appropriate for the invited guests based on Matt's definitions.

It is for the discussion of the event by THOSE WHO PLAN TO ATTEND from our community. If you ain't going, you have your reasons. They don't need to be shared here.


I will personally watch this thread and all others concerning McDowell carefully...............

Thanks Dusty.

I personally don't care what "category" McDowell falls under, as long as those who need the info this forum can provide regarding the event can get it. IMHO that's the power of the web. All else is so much 'jaw-jackin', to use some good old period jargon.

Categories are an artificial construct anyways. They are a convenient way of transmitting information, but are useful only when we all agree on what we are talking about. Thus, the definition of what comprises a "mainstream" event here may be very different from what comprises one elsewhere or to other people.

On the event's website http://www.battleofmcdowell.org I have tried to be truthful about the event's goals and objectives, and have updated all the guidelines and regs as per the instruction and edits sent to me by the US, CS and Civilian coordinators. If those objectives and/or standards do not dovetail easily into the "semi-immersion", or any other category, so be it. As long as the event info gets disseminated and folks with reasonabe questions can get what they need to know answered in a timely manner, then the AC forum is serving an important service for which I, and the event committee, are personally grateful.

Regards,
Bob Denton