150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

The 150th Anniversary of the Battle of New Market is soon approaching, and a battalion is being raised to portray the VMI Cadets engaged on the Field of Lost Shoes. The goal is to recruit approx. 250 young men between the ages of 16 and 26 who can replicate the look of civil war period VMI Cadets, and a battalion representing the 22nd VA Regt. (G.S. Patton's).

VMI Cadet Battalion will be Commanded by Kirby Smith
22nd VA Regt. will be Commanded by Skip Owens

Some information on the Battle of New Market: http://www2.vmi.edu/museum/nm/ , https://www.google.com/search?q=batt...w=1120&bih=629

This events has a few elements.

Part I, The March - 'Down the Valley Pike' May 11-15, 2014: A contingent from the active cadet body of the VMI, along with others who are able will be recreating the historic march of the VMI Cadets from Lexington, VA to New Market, VA in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of New Market. This march will be done in period kit/ uniform...we will be marching where the cadet battalion, and men from Echols Brigade marched, eating what they ate, and sleeping where they slept, 150 yrs. to the day. It is understood that since this is during the week, it can be complicated with school/ employment schedules, if unable to participate in the march, it does not exclude you from participating in the reenactment.

Part II, The Reenactment May 16-18, 2014: This is the real focus of the event weekend, to have approximately 250 young men, of the right age (16-26) portray the VMI Cadet Battalion, and raise a battalion representing the 22nd VA Regt. (G.S. Patton's). The weekend will be spent living the life of the Civil War Era Cadet/ Soldier, leading up to the Anniversary Battle on Sunday May 18th, where we will form line of battle and take the Field of Lost Shoes.

Interested parties should contact me directly for additional details, Paul Boulden email: paulboulden@hotmail.com. Participants in the cadet battalion must be pre-approved.


Sincerely,

Paul B.

[JerseyMutt]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Posted on behalf of Paul Boulden.

1. For those who are interested in participating as part of the 22nd Virginia Infantry, here is the listing of companies:

Company A ( Border Rifles) - many men from Putnam County

Company B (Mountain Cove Guards) - many men from Fayette County

Company C (Fayetteville Rifles) - many men from Fayette County

Company D (Nicholas Blues) - many men from Nicholas County

Company E (Elk River Tigers) - many men from Kanawha County

Company F (Border Rifles) - many men from Jackson County

Company G (Rocky Point Grays) - many men from Monroe and Alleghany Counties.

Company H (Wyoming Riflemen) - many men from Wyoming County

Company I (Kanawha Riflemen) - many men from Kanawha County

Company K (Boone Company) - many men from Boone County


2. As of this post, only two companies have been claimed so far:

Company E, "Elk River Tigers" is being raised by the Independent Volunteer Rifles with Mike Hendricks as CO.

Company G, "Rocky Point Grays" is being raised by Augusta-Rockingham Reserve Group with Guy Gormley as CO.

Those interested in claiming a company as CO should contact Skip Owens or Paul Boulden.

-Respectfully,

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Cadet Uniform Jacket/ Trouser Kits (to be assembled by participant) are available for registered members of the cadet battalion.

Paul B.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Great work weekend in the Bushong Orchard, @ New Market Battlefield State Historic Park. We had 15 cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and about 10 additional volunteers brave the snow/ cold that his the Valley Saturday morning. Our workforce pruned about 15 mature apple trees, and spent a total of approx. 250 hours over the course of the Saturday and Sunday workdays. The Anniversary Reenactment will take place on the original grounds of the May 15, 1864 battle, including the deployment of the recreated VMI Cadet Battalion through the Bushong Orchard (site of heaviest Cadet casualties).


Paul B.

[JerseyMutt]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market - VMI Cadet Impression

VMI Cadet Impression Guidelines

Background Information: Cadets to be between the ages of 16 and 25, as were the ages of the battalion present at the Battle of New Market. The corps of the Virginia Military Institute was consisted of some of the most prominent families in Virginia. Those who weren’t from these families were working to improve their societal standing. This element is pointed out, because while the cadets had been on campaign, they made efforts where they could to maintain a neat and orderly appearance. In short this is NOT the impression to purposefully roll around in the mud, or provide false wear to the uniform.

Fatigue Jacket: VMI CadetFatigue Jacket to constructed of ‘cadet grey’ cassimere,broadcloth, satinette, or jeans. 5-6-button front, 6-piece body,2-piece sleeves.

Chevrons: Principal Roles forCadet Officer’s/ and NCOs should follow the 1856 Rules and Regulations, Article XIII 180 - Cadets acting as officers and non-commissioned officers shall be distinguished by the following badges:

• Captains: Chevrons of four bars of single lace on each arm above the elbow, points up
• Lieutenants: Chevrons of three bars of single lace on each arm above the elbow, points up.
• Adjutants: The Lieutenant’s chevron with an arc
• Quartermaster: The Lieutenant’s chevron with a bar
• Sergeants: Chevrons of two bars of single lace on each arm above the elbow, points up
• First Sergeants: The Sergeant's chevron with a lozenge
• Quartermaster Sergeant: The Sergeant’s chevron with an arc
• Sergeant Major: The Sergeant’s chevron with a horizontal bar
• Color-Bearer: The Sergeant’s chevron with a star
• Corporals: Chevrons of two bars of single lace on each arm below the elbow, points up
• Corporals of the Color Guard: The Corporal’s chevron with a star

Headgear: A tremendous amount of photographic evidence exists, to suggest that by May 1864, the cadets has switched to ‘Black’ (Navy Blue) Kepis, from their previous ‘Black’ (Navy Blue) McDowell Brim Forage Caps. While some portion of the corps may be represented by McDowell forage caps,the emphasis for this impression should be placed on kepis. NO WHEELCAPS will be allowed, the Institute began phasing these out in 1858,and by 1862, these would have been seen as relics of the old corps.

• Cap Cover: We know the VMI Cadets had painted cap covers, and it is likely that officers of the Institute may have had these available.

Footwear:

• Jefferson/ Monroe Bootees, or Oxfords.
• Standard Brogans will also be acceptable.

Trousers: Trousers constructed of period pattern, should match jacket in color/ material.
Black trim on trousers is optional, maybe black piped welt or 1 inch woolen strip.

Shirt: Period-shirt pattern are required, white shirt preferred.
Detachable Starched White Collar also preferred.

Stock/ Cravat: It is likely that the cadets wore a variety of styles of neck ware into the battle,some of the cadet images from the period (e.g. Stanard, and McDowell)seem to exhibit the pre-war pre-tied black silk stock, in accordance with the 1856 Regulations. Other images can be surveyed that seem to exhibit, a variety of non-uniform ties.

Drawers: Period-drawers pattern.

Socks: Period knit sock pattern, may be cotton/ wool.

Weapon: It is likely that in order to field a full-sized cadet battalion, there will need to be some compromises made on the part of which weapons are represented.ALL WEAPONS will be subject to a safety inspection, with particular oversight on the Lorenz rifles, and M1851 Cadet Muskets. The following list is ranked in order of ‘preference’ of weapons in the cadet battalion. All weapons to be clean and serviceable, and to include bayonet.

• Austrian Rifle w/ quadrangular bayonet: Cadets received 200 Austrian Lorenz rifles in November of 1863. Due the scarcity of safe reproductions, it is not likely that a full battalion will be fielded. If individual portrayal brings a Lorenz Musket, it will be subject to Safety Inspection prior to being admitted to the field.
• M1851 Cadet Musket: Prior to the Cadets receiving the ‘new’ Austrian rifles, in November of 1864, they were using the M1851 Cadet Musket. It has been surmised that some of these may have been present at the battle of New Market, but is more likely that these muskets present on the battlefield, would have been in the guard assigned to the artillery detachment, and separate from the infantry battalion. Due to the scarcity of safe reproductions, it is not likely that these will be evidenced on the field. If individual portrayal brings a M1851 Cadet Musket, it will be subject to safety inspection prior to be admitted to the field.
• P1853 British Enfield Rifle Musket: There is some debate as to when exactly the cadets exchanged their Lorenz rifles for Enfield Rifle-Muskets (immediately following the Battle of New Market vs. in Richmond post-battle).
• M1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket: Cadets never known to have fielded with these.
• M1842 US Musket: Cadets never known to have fielded with these.

Waist Belt:

• Sword Bearing Cadet Officers/ NCOs: Appropriate belt from which to hang sword (note, plain black leather waist-belt, may be supplemented by frog from which to carry cadet sword).
• Rank/ File: Plain black leather roller buckle belt.

Bayonet Scabbard: All sewnGaylord pattern bayonet scabbard preferred. Two-rivet Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbards permitted.

Cap Pouch: Any period black waist-belt mounted cap pouch.

Cartridge Box: Any period black waist-belt mounted cap pouch.3

Canteen: It is likely that the cadets had a range of canteens present on the field of battle, and so several options exists. In order to retain some measure of uniformity, the following is a list of acceptable canteens in order of preference:

• Wooden Gardner Canteen: Original wooden canteen carried by Cadet Charlie Read, is on display in the Virginia Museum of the Civil War.
• Federal Smoothside M1858 Canteen: The post-war painting of Cadet B.A. Colonna illustrates the use of a Federal Smoothside canteen.
• Tin Drum: Plain Tin Drum Canteen.

Haversack: It is known that each cadet had a haversack, but it is unknown of what style/ pattern the cadets were using. Since Gilham’s Manual of Instruction, was written while Gilham was Commandant of Cadets at the V.M.I., his sketch of a proposed haversack provides a good point of reference for what the Civil War era cadet haversack may have looked like. His pre-war sketch compares very favorably to post-war painting of Cadet B.A. Colonna.

Mess Furniture: Cadet Colonna on the McDowell Campaign, “…each had a tin cup and plate,haversack and canteen…” From this we can assume that 3 years later, with active campaigning to support Averill’s Raid, and the New Market Campaign, that cadets would have maintained this minimal semblance of necessities. A wooden spoon is on display in the Virginia Museum of the Civil War, also attributed to being present at the Battle of New Market. Each cadet shall have:

• Tin Cup
• Tin Plate
• Spoon

Blanket: Blankets should fall within acceptable military and civilian patterns. May be blankets,coverlets, or comforts.
Ground Cloth: Not required, but highly encouraged. Period Gum Blanket or Oil Cloth permitted.

Tent: Some representation of tents/ flies may be allowed since it is known that the cadets had some of these means available. Tents and flies should be of period design. Use of tents/ flies will be restricted to the storage of supplies (e.g. medical, commissary, spare clothing).

- - - Updated - - -

Echols Brigade - 22nd Virginia Infantry Impression Guidelines

Background: The uniform guidelines are intended to describe ‘the look’ that would have been common to the soldiers of the Echols Brigade specifically those of Colonel G.S. Patton's 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment (1st Kanawha Regiment). Uniforms and equipment should be functional (as theirs was), and should represent the look of soldiers on campaign.

It is highly desired that participants to the campaign element representing Echols Brigade – 22nd VA . attempt to comply with these guidelines in as many ways possible. It is recognized however, that not every single point can, or will be met by every attendee. Please read with an open mind, and should questions arrive regarding specific circumstances, contact the organizer Paul Boulden, or the respective sponsor for the company you wish to join for the weekend.

The men of Echols Brigade had remained in winter quarters at Caldwell Mountain, and the Greenbrier Valley when they received word to make their way to Staunton. They began the New Market Campaign during the early days of May, arriving and taking bivouac at the edge of town. They remained in camp but for a few days, awaiting orders. The cadets from VMI arrived in Staunton on May 12, and were joined to the command of Echols Brigade. It was on the morning of May 13, that the long column departed Staunton and headed North, “Down the Valley Pike” for the final 50 miles to the small hamlet of New Market.

Headware: Hats should be of period style, and in general without adornment (no hat brass, coon bones, feathers…etc.).

• Slouch Hat
• Kepi/ Forage Cap

Jackets: The year is 1864, uniforms coming from Richmond had seen a change in materials and the level of details over the war years. It was rare that every soldier serving received uniforms within the same issuance, as such there is plenty of room for interpretation on what the men of Breckenridge’s Army looked like. It will be left to the sponsor (Company Commander) of each company to decide what the final ‘look’ of their troops will be. See the Company of Military Historians article by Les Jenson for detailed description of the military jackets (http://www.military-historians.org/c...federate-1.htm).

• Richmond Depot Type III
• Richmond Depot Type II
• Wytheville Issue Jacket (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ght=wytheville)
• Civilian Jacket/ coat – limited

Trousers: Participants should stick to CS style or Civilian Pattern trousers of the following materials; wool, jeans, linen, cotton. Use of Federal Trousers will be HIGHLY discouraged.

Shirt/ Drawers: Shirts to be constructed of period materials (muslin, osnanburg, cotton homespun, cotton flannel, wool flannel) and cut on period patterns. Buttons should also be of period materials (glass, bone, tin).

Shoes/ Socks: Shoes/Boots should be of correct style/ pattern for the period. Modern Combat/ Hiking Boots will not be allowed. Socks should be of natural materials, and knit according to period style/ pattern.

Blanket Roll vs. Knapsack: Review of the QMD records available to date has not supported the use of one type article over another. Whether or not knapsacks are used will be left to the discretion of the company sponsor. Knapsacks used should be of period pattern. Blankets should be natural materials (wool/ cotton), and of good construction. Modern Army Blankets will not be allowed.

Rain Fly/Ground Cloth/ Poncho: Participants are encouraged to bring rain flys/ground cloths/ponchos. These should be items that can be packed and carried on the soldier. We will be on campaign. Ground cloths/ponchos may be of rubber or painted oil cloth.

Weapon: It is likely that in order to field a full-sized battalion, there will need to be some compromises made on the part of which weapons are represented. ALL WEAPONS will be subject to a safety inspection. All weapons to be clean and serviceable, and to include bayonet.

• P1853 British Enfield Rifle Musket
• M1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket
• M1842 US Musket

Bayonet: Correct pattern for your rifle/ musket.

Waist Belt: Any common Confederate belt.

Bayonet Scabbard: All sewn Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbard preferred. Two-rivet Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbards permitted. 7-rivet Federal Scabbards are HIGHLY discouraged, as these did not go into production until 1864, and it is unlikely that the men of Echols Brigade would have had the opportunity to capture prior to the battle.

Cap Pouch: Any period black waist-belt mounted cap pouch. Proper British Accoutrements also accepted.

Cartridge Box: Any period black cartridge box. Proper British Accoutrements also accepted.

Canteen: It is likely that the members of the 22nd VA had a range of canteens present on the field of battle, so several options exists. In order to retain some measure of uniformity, here is the list of acceptable canteens in order of preference:

• Plain Tin Drum Canteen.
• Wooden Gardner/ Staved Canteen
• Federal Smoothside M1858 Canteen. The post-war painting of Cadet B.A. Colonna illustrates the use of a Federal Smoothside canteen. The use of Federal Bullseye canteens will be highly discouraged as these were not in production until 1863, and it is unlikely that the men of Echols Brigade would have had the opportunity to have captured such article prior to the Battle of New Market.

Haversack: It is unknown of what style/pattern the men of Echols Brigade were using. Any period pattern haversack will be allowed.

[JerseyMutt]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

An update on companies for the 22nd Virginia...

We now have 3 sponsored companies:
Company E, "Elk River Tigers" is being raised by the Independent Volunteer Rifles with Mike Hendricks as CO.

Company G, "Rocky Point Grays" is being raised by Augusta-Rockingham Reserve Group with Guy Gormley as CO.

Company K, "Boone Company" is being raised by the West Augusta Guard with Waverly Adcock as CO.

For those who are interested in raising a company for this adjunct, here are the remaining companies:
Company A ( Border Rifles) - many men from Putnam County

Company B (Mountain Cove Guards) - many men from Fayette County

Company C (Fayetteville Rifles) - many men from Fayette County

Company D (Nicholas Blues) - many men from Nicholas County

Company F (Border Rifles) - many men from Jackson County

Company H (Wyoming Riflemen) - many men from Wyoming County

Company I (Kanawha Riflemen) - many men from Kanawha County

Those interested in claiming a company as CO should contact Skip Owens or Paul Boulden.

Application requirements are listed on the adjunct's Facebook Page.

[poilu1917]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Just a heads up to those planning Cadet Impressions... I got insider info that Corner Clothiers will be offering a package deal soon for a plain white shirt, detachable collar, and a black cravat to support this effort. I can post more info when it becomes available if desired.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

For individuals registering with the VMI Cadet Battalion (ages 16-26), Cadet Uniform Kit (YOU ASSEMBLE/ SEW VMI Cadet Jacket and Matching Trousers) is being offered for a fee.

Reproduction VMI CADET Buttons based of originals will be available (limit 6 per jacket) for additional fee. Contact me directly if interested.

NOTE - MUST BE REGISTERED WITH CADET BATTALION for the Uniform offer.

paulboulden@hotmail.com


Paul B.

[KevinBarnes]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Here's something the cadets might be interested in cadet musket

[JerseyMutt]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

For 22nd Virginia folks as an addendum to the impression guidelines:

Looking through the 1864 chapter of the 22nd Virginia Infantry, Lowry notes that the unit was inspected on May 6 (the day they marched from Camp Gauley towards Staunton) and "were found to be well equipped and armed, and all had been supplied with a full compliment of clothing" (p. 57).

This means that, while they would obviously be a bit dusty and dirty marching from Camp Gauley to Staunton (and ultimately New Market), they would be far from ragged. To the best of everyone's ability, efforts should be taken to ensure that your clothing and equipment are in fairly good order and does not appear too worn out.

Reference:

Lowry, Terry. 22nd Virginia Infantry. Lynchburg, VA: H.E. Howard, 1988. Print.

[MissMia]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Any need for a cook? This seems like a cool event.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Any need for a cook? This seems like a cool event.

Miss Mia,

Thanks for the interest! Sent you a Facebook PM to discuss.


Paul B.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

For some insight into the 22nd VA Regt., check out the QMD records that are being posted 1862, 1863 on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/150NewMarket

Paul B.

[poilu1917]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Fellas,
Kara just posted her package deal info with those taking part in the cadet effort in mind (but open still open to anyone else): http://cornerclothiers.com/

I hope this helps.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: 150th Anniversary - The Battle of New Market

Button Proofs.jpg - VMI Cadet Buttons - being reproduced to support Cadet Impression

Registrations now coming in for the VMI Cadet Battalion and the 22nd VA Regt. (Patton's). We have the following companies sponsored so far for the 22nd VA Regt.:

22nd VA Regt.
Company E "Elk River Rifles" - IVR, Mike Hendricks
Company G "Rocky Point Grays" - VMI Alumni Company (Augusta-Rockingham Reserves), Guy Gormley
Company K "Boone Company" - West Augusta Guard, Waverly Adcock

Paul B.