ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

[Barry Smithson]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Home, tired, finally clean and heading to bed. Great time! Well executed event. It was worth the time, drive and expenses. I have a lot of reading to do and more questions to ask.

It was great to finally put faces with names. I enjoyed riding and learning with all of you. To the team that put this on, Bully! It is much appreciated.

Hope to see many of you at Wilson’s Creek!

[IowaYank]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

14 hours later got me back in Waverly, Iowa unloading my horse and finally getting to bed at midnight. Long trips are just something you get used to when you live up here. I greatly enjoyed this weekend! It has been awhile since I have been able to drill with that number of troopers. Nice to do battalion drill!!! I had a great time in those last couple drills on Saturday afternoon, it was just great riding! Great to hang out with old pards like Jerry, Scott, Ethan, Kerry, Jeff, Guy, and Tommy as well as making new pards! Jason K., Chris D. and Jeff G., it was great to ride with you guys! You will fit right in I think!
Kaelin, Baker, and Heath.......you boys need to ride with us more often! You guys make great converts from the infantry!!

A couple observations and things people hopefully take away from this weekend:

1. Take things that Ken said in his talk such as only approximately 40% of the western troopers having a (1) revolver to heart! There is a big myth that you need to have a revolver if you are doing a cavalry impression! I would have liked to have seen less revolvers carried this weekend, especially after the very well published Inspection Reports showing the above mentioned fact that Ken has put out.

2. Hats- it has been said before but I'll say it again...........a good hat can make or break an impression! PERIOD! I think some need to spend a few dollars and get a good hat from a vendor such as Tim Bender, Clearwater, or Tim Allen. Saw a few more rumpled, floppy slouches in impressions than I would have liked.

3. Saddlery- Unfortunately there are still '04 conversions out there floating around that people are riding. They are not correct! Ken covered a large variety of saddles in his talk, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE........spend the money on something correct! You just have to keep your eyes open. I recently purchased a period English saddle off of ebay for $80.

Lets make sure we are all progressing and trying new things! Stagnation and complacancy in your impression breeds farbisms. Continually be checking that your impression is correct for what you are portraying. This is the first time I have done an event without a cartridge box or cap pouch (per Ken's inspection reports stating large amounts of Forrest's cavalry lacking these items). It worked out great putting cartridges and caps in my pockets and was very freeing not to be strapped down with boxes and belts!

Thank you Mark and Ken for putting this together. I know the hard, exhausting work that goes into putting on an event!

Dan

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

I recently purchased a period English saddle off of ebay for $80.

Those are some of the best deals you can get! I got one last season and only spent $40 to get it in ridable condition again, UNFORTUNATELY Shiloh lost quite a bit of weight this winter and it was giving her hot spots, had to bring out the Mac.....Oh well.

[kaelin]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Had a great weekend. It was good to meet new folks, and do something different. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Choate & Co., well done event.

I also would like to personally thank Ethan, Scott, Jerry,Jeff, Kerry, Guy, & Tommy for the help & instruction this past weekend. These are some great guys, who are willing to help & go the distance. I will mention Dan Chmler too, even though he didn't mention me in his AAR!!! It was good to hear from Dan.

See you all soon.

[IowaYank]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Whoops!!!! sorry Kaelin,,,,,,,,,,,,post edited!!! lol :-)

[TexCavly]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

"Wow!" That's all me and dad could say for a few hours into our return trip. I'll speak for us both in our appreciation for the Southern hospitality with which we were welcomed even by those who reside north of the M&D Line. We enjoyed every minute of it!

For me the instructionals were what took a normal drill and turned it into a school of the trooper. We learned much more by being there physically than we would be able to on the internet or in books.
I saw many impressions and many items that have fueled my fire of progress and the cogs of creativity have begun to turn.

I'm ready to see all of you again and look forward to riding with ya'll in the future. Many thanks for all of the complements, pointers, and tolerance.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Dan Chmelar hit the nail on the head. You came, you saw, you listened. Take to heart what you've learned and let's all strive to become more accurate in the way that we portray and honor these brave men.

A couple of more of my personal pet peeves: - stampede strings. You never see them in any period photos. Loose them and get a hat that fits. If it doesn't, soak it in water and put it on your head until it dries. Breast straps / collars with hokey brass hearts. Simple civilian breast straps or a surcingle as a breast collar.

Try to do ONE thing at each event to get better!

To Mark, Ken, Art and Jerry Hughes - OUTSTANDING!! To Jerry Ross - once again, FANTASTIC! To all who drove so far and spent time and money, thanks for coming to play!! To the folks at Carnton - thank you for a beautiful facility and letting us play.

[Paul L Muller]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

I had a great time and was so glad to meet you all. The things the I got out of the event was packing lighter that I already do, my hat sucks!!I knew it before I came, and that point was really driven hiome during drill. I loved drill, and I can say that my horse learns faster than I. I get confused ...but if I had the oppertunity to drill more , I'd get it. I liked viddet duty, food rations, and the classes on pistol cartridges, personal items [ pipes , watches ect.] and the uniforms. If I can , I'll be back next year and hopfully bring some folks from up here. plm

[forrestcav]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

back home, almost rested and feeling good. I close my eyes and see a movie film of images running through my head. I had a wonderful weekend. Nothing beats spending time inthe field with my pards. Especially that saturday night when I smoked that fine cigar from Mark. The instructionals were great as usual, that ability to personally uniform jackets or touch originally CS issued pistols and leather goods. Drilling with four platoons is always a challenge and gives an appreciation for what it was like, especially when you go from corporal to platton sgt. I enjoyed the little touches too, like pay call, videttes, rations, etc.... It gets better every year.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

especially when you go from corporal to platton sgt.

OR, when you go from private to corporal! I have a whole new appreciation for ya'll.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Who the heck were the Federal infantry who hit us Firday night? That was a nice twist... and the Franklin PD coming through right after the firefight ceased...

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

That Police Officer must have been a Southern boy! The Fed Infantry was a great twist, though I'm still jealous that my brother was on vidett duty at the time!!!!

[Mike Ventura]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

The videttes didn't do a very good job of "videtting" - let the whole Federal army into our camp. ;-)

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

What can I say Michael's a "fresh fish", I told him afterword that he was supposed to shout a warning! Was fun though to get into a little nightime skirmish!

[Ken Knopp]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Gentlemen!!


Oh.......where do I begin? Could we have had a more perfect weekend of cavalry? The sunny, dry, warm days, cool nights, full moon, Carnton’s perfect CW setting as a back drop for our camp ambiance, almost 70 mounted troopers, period correct orders and duties, the wonderful comradery, cavalry training and education, lots of riding,.....on and on...
On behalf of Major Mark Choate please allow me to present the highlights (were they not “all” highlights?), recognition of notable contributors and express our most sincere thanks to those that made it possible.

Maj Mark Choate: (I must begin here). Gents, this man worked tirelessly, seemingly effortlessly for months. You cannot imagine the number of phone calls, emails, etc. in addition to personal expense incurred (surely you reailize that the $15 registration fee would not have covered all of this!) to make something like this come together. I am going to embarrass him here but.... Mark has exceptional organizational and leadership skills that makes folks feel welcome while being firm in judgement, visionary in concept, well thought out in detail and then execution. He would be exemplary in any business but in this hobby the cav should justly be proud to have him as ours.

Lt. Art Milburt: Art made the commissary activities come together in quiet but rare ability. Not seeking recognition or favor he arranged the quartermaster tent and wagon, gathered the rations, organized their issue, officer’s mess, did a helluva lot of cooking, helped the ordnance and pay master in his duties and yes, recruited and facilitated the surprise camp incursion by the Yankee force on Friday night. Oh!!..... And it was his idea for the “sick call”. (I know you guys just loved the spoonful of vinegar just before Sat’s meal- huh?) Mark made particular mention of him at our closing mtg on Sunday but his dedication requires particular note again here for all to see and appreciate.

Jerry Hughes: Assisted Art all weekend. Could not have done it with out him. Thank you Jerry for your dedication to the hobby and making our cav event a great success. An infantry web foot friend but forever welcome in our camp.

Lt. Mike Ventura: Mike wore two hats- that of quartermaster/paymaster and ordnance officer. He printed the pay receipts, facilitated the personal issue of pay for each man, organized the cavalry equipment inspection reports in addition to working day and night with Art in his duties. Staff officers are often scorned but let me tell you....the army -even at our hobby level could not run without them. Mike did it all with great ability and attitude.

Jerry Ross: provided the meat for the rations and cooked Saturday nights company meal in wonderful period culinary fashion. Thanks Jerry!

SPECIAL NOTE: Our “cavalry Class” presentations were the best the hobby has ever seen in one place and time- and I say that bar none!!

Matt Woodburn: Can you guys believe you not only got to see 15 rare CW revolvers but got to touch and hold them? Some had Battle of Franklin provenance! A Spiller & Burr, Leech & Rigdon, Lemat, Kerr, etc, etc....and a Confederat Dance!!!!! I have never seen one up close- let along got to handle it!!! Where in the rest of your life can you expect to do that again? A rare - no!, never again opportunity treat!! Thank you Matt!

David Jarnagin: David brought over two dozen original CS and Federal cartridge/cap boxes, belts, boots, etc. for us to see. His Power Point presentation about period leather and the Federal evolution to CS adaption of accoutrements was the first ever of its kind I have seen in this hobby. I am not sure if everyone appreciated what they were hearing but David’s knowledge in 19th century leather and its CW applications is second to none.

Myers Brown- Curator of the Tennessee State Museum: Myers presented the history and story of uniform production then- let us see four Confederate Tennessee cavalry shell jackets! This was another one of a kind rare treats!....not to mention the ultra rare Morrow and Son (Nashville) CS cavalry holster. And, no one had to look through a glass plate to see any of it.....it was all right there especially for us at the COI!!

Then....how about the applicable tools of the trades of the CW cavalryman including:

Period Horsemanship by Ronnie Tucker (something we all work on)
Period Horse shoeing and horse care by Kane Rubalcaba (something we all need to know more about)
Preparing Arsenal ammunition packs by Dan Chemelar (very detailed and helpful)
Correct Horse Holding and Linking by Mike Helton (again something we need to do more of for safety and its period correct)
Period Firearms by Chris Stewert (exceptional!!)
The Cavalry Campaigner by Joe Alliston (sleeping warm and dry, starting fires, etc. All great, very useful details from experienced hands)
School of the Sabre by Tommy Helton: (I know this is not something we do a lot of here in the west but very important in the period.)
Rounding off Your Impression by Mark Bridges (really cool and fun things like period pipes, tobacco, watches, hats and more)
And,.....all of the experience of the line officer's and NCO's was on display with their hard work. Great job all!


Of course.....the night videttes, picket duty, feeding by company and of course ....lots of period correct drill with large numbers in the saddle was impressive and educational. One person told me it was like going to C.S.U. (Confederate States University) for cavalry. Another said it was sensory overload....which is why we sent you home with about 15 different printed hand outs. You can read up and work with these instructionals at home to improve your impression and enjoyment of this hobby. Most of all it was a chance for like minded guys to get together to share ideas, information, have fun and organize for future cooperation. I am probably forgetting someone so please forgive me but....Thanks to all that made it possible!!!!!! Wasn’t it grand???

The best ever, anywhere but.....how do we top it next year? Well, I have a great idea but what about YOU?


Ken R Knopp

PS: The "cup runneth over" photo was a shot of morning coffee for Matt Woodburn. Courtesy of his favorite equine! With uncanny accuracy, the same horse that ejected him last year gave his morning cup of java a bullseye shot of road apple expresso!! True!!