Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

[Seth Hancock]

WHO: Event Host: Mess No. 1 - Lead Coordinator Seth Hancock

WHAT: This event will recreate, on the 155th Anniversary of the surrender of Fort Henry, the advance on Fort Henry by the 31st Illinois Infantry Regiment. Travelling through remote and non-modernized period roads, the 31st Illinois will advance along a large portion of one of the approximately six mile original routes from Bailey’s Ferry and Camp Halleck, the original Federal staging area, to Fort Henry. This advance will be contested by the patrols and pickets of the 10th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, which originally garrisoned the fort. These patrols and pickets will be at the same locations as those used 155 years ago. After completion of the march towards the fort, the 31st Illinois will occupy the captured campsites of the Fort Henry garrison.

As a part of this event, there will be a short (less than two hours in duration) living history program for visitors to the Land Between the Lakes. This living history is planned in conjunction with an annual Land Between the Lakes program that educates visitors on the history of the Fort Henry site and campaign. This living history is a nice “thank you” to the Forest Service and Land Between the Lakes for their cooperation in allowing this event, as well as the Picket Post event.

WHEN: February 3-5, 2017. Event Check-in will begin at noon on February 3, 2017, with all participants to be present by 11:30 P.M. CT on Friday, February 3, 2017 (unless other arrangements are made in advance with the event organizers). The event will conclude at approximately 10 A.M. CT on Sunday, February 5, 2017 (we’ll have you home in plenty of time for the Super Bowl).

WHERE: In the vicinity of Fort Henry, Tennessee, in Land Between the Lakes. The location is approximately 10 miles from Dover, Tennessee. Additional location details will be provided to those registered prior to the event.

GUIDELINES: The Federal Uniform Guidelines can be found on the event web page here:

http://mess1.homestead.com/advanceon...uidelines.html

The Confederate Guidelines will be posted soon. Stay Tuned!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Commanders: The 31st Illinois (US) will be commanded by Ken Cornett and is capped at 50 participants. The 10th Tennessee (CS) will be commanded by Whit Barr. Confederate registration is by invitation only.

Registration is currently available through the event Facebook page and the Mess No. 1 website. Registration is $20.00.

Registration for Federals is NOW OPEN. You can register for the event right on our web page here:

http://mess1.homestead.com/advanceonhenryregistration.html

PRESERVATION: All proceeds will be donated to civil war battlefield preservation and/or educational purposes.

GUIDELINES, WEB PAGE AND FACEBOOK PAGE: Impression guidelines, research, images, and additional historical background are available at the event web page:

http://mess1.homestead.com/advanceonhenry.html

For communication leading up to the event, visit us at our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdvanceonFortHenry/

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

[WestTN_reb]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

We did some research on the 31st for an aborted adjunct we were planning. One of our guys turned up info that they were issued kepis. Most interesting of all was their arms, which were listed as "converted Queens arms muskets." They carried these up through Donelson, not receiving better muskets until afterwards, if I remember correctly.

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

I want to chime in here to say that this is definitively a Mess No. 1 production, but specifically, this is Seth Hancock's vision. Seth joined Mess No. 1 this year and we are excited to have some new organizing blood. Ken Cornett will be commanding the Federal Company. Gonna be a good one!

[Seth Hancock]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

John, that research is not far off the mark. Check out the links and you'll see an image of a member of Company C (I'll have to double check) of the 31st Illinois--appears he may be wearing a kepi. As for weapon, the regimental history prepared about 20 years after the war indicates that they were issued Enfields while disembarking from the steamboat at Bailey's Ferry, just prior to the advance on Fort Henry.

[john duffer]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

This should be a cool event (no pun intended - February at LBL). A lot of the outer trenches at Henry are still present and in remarkable shape, at least as of 2005.

[Seth Hancock]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

I've contacted a few people, via email and Facebook, on paperwork housekeeping matters. Check your spam folders, etc. Thanks.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

Sounds like an interesting event. Ft. Henry gets overlooked a lot.

[Seth Hancock]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

The CS impression guidelines are set forth below. Please note, the CS contingent will NOT be portraying the 10th Tennessee. Based upon some additional research, guidance, and feedback, the unit portrayal has been changed to the 4th Mississippi Infantry. Many thanks to Jon Harris and his team for developing these guidelines.

CS Guidelines (Generally in order of most preferred)

*Coats:
1) CS Infantry Frock w/ attached Infantry Collar and Cuff Trim of dark Blue (covering the entire circumference of the cuff). This can be done to where it is temporary - if done carefully and strategically. Consider it...
2) Untrimmed CS Infantry Frock, of graded cloth of similar colors and hues, with a special request of browned or oxidized jeans.
3) CS Infantry Frock w/ French Blue collar and cuffs with partially wrapped cuff trim (i.e. the 'Tennessee Pattern' Frock) - OR - CS Infantry Variant Frock with Blue Trim on collar only.
4) Civilian or Civilian-Patterned Skirted Coat of Gray or Oxidized Natural Colors and Hues. Civilian patterned overcoats and overfrocks of similar color and hues are strongly desired.
* CS Military Overcoats and/or Short Jackets are discouraged and are not desired.

Trousers:
1) Infantry Pattern trousers matching (or closely matching) the coat colors and hues w/ attached 1/2 Inch (w/ variation) natural fiber tape trim of a black or drab color.
2) Any Civilian or Infantry Pattern Trousers in earthy colors and hues with the above attached trim. Try and match or coordinate with your coat and/or your kepi if you wear one.
(Yes, we like trim...)

Headgear:
1) A kepi of matching (or coordinating) Gray or Oxidized Natural Colors and Hues. (w/ or w/o black/drab trim & w/ non-functioning visor)
2) Any style wide brimmed hat of a flat or telescoped crown in a darker color (black/drab, brown or dark gray) that could have been offered as an early issue. Pin it if you want..
3) Any wide brimmed civilian style hat or slouch hat (Darker tones are preferred) in a more limited number.

* Miscellaneous Gear:
- Accoutrements should be of a non-descript nature and in good order matching the weapon's ordinance, ideally, if you are able.
- Shoes should be of correct manufacture and may not be of obvious US Issue.
- CS Haversacks of documented order are required.
- CS Canteens of documented order are required.
- Blankets and clothing should be of CS or Civilian procurement. Carpets and horse blankets and heavy wool trade-weight blankets are encouraged for this impression, to be used as wraps and ponchos.
- Knapsacks are discouraged for this event but may be accepted in very limited numbers. Bedrolls, Tumpline Rolls, Hobo Rolls, Carpet Bags and Valises rigged to be attached and carried on your person - are strongly suggested.

** Arms:
1) Smoothbore Muskets of Common Manufacture or Common Conversions
2) 19th or near 19th Century Flintlock Muskets
3) Southern Manufactured three-band Percussion Rifles (US Arsenal Copies)
5) Mississippi Rifles
6) US Period-Contemporary Percussion Rifles
7) Austrian Lorenz Rifles

** Please have a bayonet.

* US issue items are Strongly Discouraged.

FOR THE FEDERAL AND CONFEDERATE GUIDELINES, CLICK HERE

[Seth Hancock]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

Quick update on the funds raised by registration fees for the Advance on Fort Henry event. I've spoken with Brian McCutchen, Superintendent of the Fort Donelson battlefield. We're still in the planning process, but we intend to have the money used for additional interpretive signage at or near the Fort Henry site. NPS does not control the site (that's Forest Service/Land Between the Lakes), but NPS is in charge of historical interpretation for the sites relating to the Fort Donelson campaign, including Fort Henry. NPS and FS/LBL have been in discussions about this, and it looks like this donation will be used, in collaboration by both agencies, to make Fort Henry a better site for visitors.

Thanks again to those that have registered/paid. To those on the fence, it's going to be a good event and well worth your time and efforts.

[Seth Hancock]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017



To All Participants of Advance on Fort Henry:

We have some IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS for the event. If you are attending, please read very carefully.

FEDERAL COMMAND STRUCTURE - Mess No. 1

Mess No. 1 will be providing the Federal command structure for the event:

Captain Ken Cornett
Lieutenant Evan Zimmerman
1st Sergeant Joe Liechty
2nd Sergeant Eric Tipton
3rd Sergeant Seth Hancock
1st Corporal Scott Bierer
2nd Corporal Dave Wellerding
3rd Corporal Craig Flick
4th Corporal Steve Ewing

STATIC CAMP (FORT HENRY) - Led By Matt Woodburn

Historical Background

Both the 10th Tennessee and 4th Mississippi had garrisoned Fort Henry since the fall of 1861 and had established semi-permanent camps in the area surrounding the fort. Contemporary drawings of Fort Henry show a large number of tents that were utilized initially by Confederate forces, and then abandoned upon the Confederate surrender and retreat. Contemporary accounts from Federal soldiers indicate that these pre-existing camps and tents were used by the occupying Federal forces prior to the advance on Fort Donelson. Large quantities of foodstuffs, clothing, and camp and garrison equipage were also captured in the camps.

The Plan

The event organizers intend to recreate a portion of the Confederate camp as a part of the event scenario. This static camp will be manned by a small number of participants prior to the arrival of the Confederate and Federal forces. The event organizers are pleased to announce that Matt Woodburn has agreed to lead this static camp effort.

We Need Tents

Ideally, we would like to have tents sufficient in number for all participants on Saturday night. All participants, both Federal and Confederate, are asked to bring a tent if possible. We are looking for A-Frames, Wall Tents, Sibley's and Fly Tents. Further, these tents should be bundled and marked with the owner’s name so that no confusion as to tent ownership ensues. These tents will be collected at registration/parking, and will be taken by the event organizers to the static camp location. These tents will then be set up in time for the arrival of the Confederate and Federal forces on Saturday, as well as the living history component of the event. The benefit to having this static camp pre-established is two-fold: (1) it is historically accurate and will provide an authentic backdrop to the conclusion of the march and the living history activities; and (2) it will hopefully give everyone a covered spot to sleep on Saturday night in case of inclement weather. Note that these tents will only be used for Saturday night. The regimental history of the 31st Illinois noted that, for the two nights prior to the advance on Fort Henry, the men camped without benefit of tents. It elaborated that “[t]he camp at Bailey’s landing in the woods, on the hills by the river, was chill and uncomfortable and the men bivouacked that night around the camp fires without tents, exposed to the fall of snow and rain.” As such, at Friday’s camp, we will permit tent flies but no tents. Shelter halves had not yet appeared in the west and are not permitted.

FOOD FOR THE EVENT - No Rations Provided

We will not be providing rations for the event, so every participant will be responsible for their own rations. We ask that you bring period-correct items in period containers. There will be supplemental food provided on Saturday night after the living history. The regimental history of the 31st Illinois noted that, just prior to leaving Cairo in early February of 1862, a new sutler had sold, on credit, to members of the regiment. Further, “most of the men supplemented the contents of their haversacks by additions of sausage, cheese, canned goods, and tobacco, to various amounts, ranging from twenty-five cents to two dollars.” Another soldier in the same brigade as the 31st noted that they departed Camp Halleck/Bailey’s Ferry on the march to Fort Henry with two days rations in their haversacks.

FEDERAL REGISTRATION - Closes December 31, 2016

Confederate registration is closed. Federal registration will close on December 31st. We want to finalize our numbers one month prior to the event. We also ask that you let us know if something has come up that will prevent you from attending the event. We understand that real life sometimes gets in the way, but as a courtesy, please let us know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.

To Register as a Federal For Advance on Fort Henry, CLICK HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this post, please reply to this thread. Thanks Everyone!

All The Best,

Mess No. 1

[Seth Hancock]

Re: Advance on Fort Henry - Dover, Tennessee - February 3-5, 2017

To those registered for the event--I've sent an email with event details out this evening. Please check your spam folders. If you are registered but did not receive the email, please contact me ASAP.