Unison Ride

[Tom Craig]

Hey All,

I am following Ken's suggestion that we break out events into their own thread.

Date: TBD, somewhere in the mid Septmeber - mid October time frame
Where: Unison, VA (Loudon County, VA, near Middleburg)
Who: All Federal and Confederate cavalry that can meet the standards

Scenario: Unison was the site of cavalry skirmishing in the fall of '62. The event will follow in the footsteps that action. The exact details are still in the process of being finalized, but it is very safe to say that the event will feature cross country riding of at least 10 miles, with skirmishing between CS and US cavalry. The ground is the actual ground, and is largely prisitine.

This will be the 4th year we have held an event in the area, and each year it has been a bit different, but always very successful. Formal details such as impressions and standards will be available later. With any luck, a date will be confirmed by the end of the month. I will keep everyone posted as news develops.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Unison Ride

I would give a kidney to do something like that.

[1st Maine Trooper]

Re: Unison Ride

Chris,
Keep your organs and catch a ride up for this one. The last one (for Fed Cav) featured all night picket line watches, foraged rations including 4 live chickens and other local fresh delicacies, riding completely around John Sweeny and his guys to catch them unawares and from behind, fording numerous streams and creeks, scouting, patrolling, saber charges down roads barely wide enough for 5 horses in columns of fours, night time skirmishing, both mounted and dismounted and then there is Jerry's chase of that pesky Rebel from Saturday night's camp vicinity. Oh and lots of riding. Total distance covered during the weekend was around 20 miles.

If anyone is interested I have the Fed impression guidelines from last year's event still and can email them. The guidelines for this year's event will be very similar.

Dave Myrick

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Unison Ride

Fellas,
Count me in again. Thanks for last year's good time . Ya the break neck chase trying to catch Steve Purvis was awesome! I will play either side in the next one to make sure we have a good even match if needed.This was the best Cav vs Cav event . I think it made me want to keep going in the hobby.

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Unison Ride

Chris,
Keep your organs and catch a ride up for this one.
Dave Myrick

I will drive to the ends of the earth at the drop of the hat... but I aint got a pony... nor am I a horseman.

I have been taking a few lessons and am researching a saddle to buy so I can have my own tack. I like to rent horses locally and want to trail and lesson with period correct CS tack.

[YMikels]

Re: Unison Ride

Mr. Rideout,

I sent you a pm.

Highest regards,

Brian Y. Mikels

[Tom Craig]

Re: Unison Ride

Hey All,

For those of you trucking a long way, there are a number of decent loaner horse options. Some come with tack (for a fee) and others are BYOT, but if you need tack, there is plenty of time to borrow/buy it between here and the fall...where there is a will, there's a way!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[ethan harrington]

Re: Unison Ride

Christopher Rideout
Don't buy a C.S. saddle just yet I might have a good suprise for ya in a few months!!!!!

Ethan Harrington
Critter.

[T.Kern]

Re: Unison Ride

I beg to differ, no one has ever ridden around us catching us completely unaware. I do though, recall a couple years ago catching ya'll and your horses unsaddled!

The date for this event is Oct 10th. We will try and get the word out and maybe a website. Their is extra equipment (as usual) for anyone who is not up to snuff and would like to try.. There will be no farbs here, no paints , no stampede strings , no farb women, no pistoleers, no coolers... maybe even cavalry that knows how to properly draw a sabre!
We are looking to have fed Inf, fed cav, CS art. and CS cav. The event starts Friday night runs till Sunday morning

Todd Kern

Chris,
Keep your organs and catch a ride up for this one. The last one (for Fed Cav) featured all night picket line watches, foraged rations including 4 live chickens and other local fresh delicacies, riding completely around John Sweeny and his guys to catch them unawares and from behind, fording numerous streams and creeks, scouting, patrolling, saber charges down roads barely wide enough for 5 horses in columns of fours, night time skirmishing, both mounted and dismounted and then there is Jerry's chase of that pesky Rebel from Saturday night's camp vicinity. Oh and lots of riding. Total distance covered during the weekend was around 20 miles.

If anyone is interested I have the Fed impression guidelines from last year's event still and can email them. The guidelines for this year's event will be very similar.

Dave Myrick

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Unison Ride

Just wanted to bump this thread . I know there are a few new guys floating around the website that might not know about this event . Several of us from the TN/KY area are planning on a road trip to VA .

Tom and Todd,
I am really looking forward to this event yall have been working on the last few years.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Unison Ride

To all,

Plans are moving forward for the latest incarnation of this excellent event. We will have detailed info published (probably) by the end of June at the latest.

To remind anyone who hasn't heard of this event, the ground is prisitine, and is the original battlefield. It truely is an EBUFU event and proceeds go to historic preservation.

If you are a cavalryman this is the event for you. If you are Fed infantry we will have a place for you as well, with plenty of marching all on dirt roads.

Stay tuned,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[GBaylor]

Re: Unison Ride

I'd like to echo my associate's comments regarding this event. The land is the exact location where Stuart's and Pleasanton's troops clashed for three days in the Autumn of 1862. This a scripted scenario, with everyone living out of their saddles for the weekend. Horses need to be fit, shod, and ready to cover at least 15 miles while engaging the enemy. The authenticity standards are set high. If you can meet the standards, then you're welcome to attend. There are some of us who have extra correct tack, but those in need must contact their respective commanders about this. If you're not a good equestrian, then get on a horse this Summer and ride (not just once or twice before the event, but 3-4 times per week until October).

You mentioned riding around me last year Tom. Why not mention that six of us "Johnny's" scattered 18 of you Yanks in those saber charges.

Humbley yours,
John Sweeney
Valley Light Horse

[sam H]

Re: Unison Ride

You mentioned riding around me last year Tom. Why not mention that six of us "Johnny's" scattered 18 of you Yanks in those saber charges.

This was probabally the only time I have been genuinley scared of c.s. cav at an event. It was awesome.

[GBaylor]

Re: Unison Ride

All kidding aside, you boys looked good out there. I hope that you have an equally good turn out this year.

There will be no public program this year, so we'll be tactical the entire weekend.

John Sweeney
Valley Light Horse