Prelude to Chickamauga

[Milliron]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Houston, I believe you were shot by our own battalion pickets coming back from your water excursion.

ROFLMAO, is all I can say.

I had a great time. Let's do it again. It will be my last event for a while, and I couldn't be more pleased. Thanks to all involved.

[toptimlrd]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Big thanks to Kiev, Tripp, Robbie, Nate, Coley and Hunter for this great event. Also a big thanks to all the guys in the 2nd Company for making me very welcome, especially Corey.

This soon after the event, some of my favorite recollections are watching the sun set while on picket duty Saturday night and at about 8:00 when the Critters snuck up on our little camp right under my nose by moving up along the tree line in the shadows until they were right at the fence and opened up, touche guys. If it weren't for that barbed wire, we would have been wiped out. I can tell you after that, every cow, bush, and falling twig had a whole new meaning. :-) The Sunday battle where we ran up the road flanking the Critters and Federals was also great, getting to the top of the hill and seeing all of the Critters being escorted by our guys, priceless. I also loved the early morning march outs on patrol. Thanks to the Federal Infantry for giving us such great target practice as they marched up that ridge early Sunday morning.

Wish it had been a bit warmer (or I hadn't decided to save weight by leaving my extra blanket in the truck) on Friday night, but I actually didn't mind the little bit of rain on Sunday morning, (wrapped up in the old Gum and went back to dream land). Great impressions at the homestead also, "Mr. Harris", you did an exceptional job in your portrayal; that double barrell was perfect.

Things like this just adds that little extra to the realism.

The only real negatives I have is all the land mines that were out there and I know at least one person who will be a little more cautious about where he lays his bedroll going forward. :wink_smil I hope you were able to get home without your pards discarding your greatcoat somewhere along the way. Also I know there was nothing that could be done about it, but the road noise was a little distracting at times.

Until next time, be safe guys.

[CFHicks]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

"We were convinced that we had reached some sort of portal to the society of beautiful women and lingered about for a while munching on Subway."

Eric, we figured they were strippers or 'working gals' till we saw that rich little creep roll up in the hummer to meet them, can't remember the last time I hated a guy as bad as I did him!

[AndrewMartin]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Thanks to the Federal Infantry for giving us such great target practice as they marched up that ridge early Sunday morning.

You mean our quick forced march up that ridge....and I only heard about 7 or 8 shots fired at us at a range of maybe 200 yards...I'll take those odds anyday. :wink_smil

[toptimlrd]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

You mean our quick forced march up that ridge....and I only heard about 7 or 8 shots fired at us at a range of maybe 200 yards...I'll take those odds anyday. :wink_smil

There were only about eight of us there and a couple of us were guarding our rear. :D If y'all had slowed down a bit, I'm sure we coulda squeezed off a couple more rounds. :wink_smil At least we saw one of you go down, darned if that corpse didn't shoot back later though :tounge_sm

By the way, where did y'all go, we went further up the tree line to try and cut you off but you never reappeared so we went after the Critters.

[Coatsy]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

The Corpse that did not die was the aquatic commander John Duffer. He had his life preserver on. I think that deflected the bullets.

And where did the Federal Infantry go? Back to Rossville and Chattanooga to deliever the detailed map! (I'll try to scan it and post a link soonish)

The sheep pen was not guarded on the eastern (closer to Hwy 11) and we had two choices where to go when we got to the pen. Down the road to the Rossville Rd (Hwy 11) or down the path, taking more shots, to the Farm House. So the commander choose to not get shot up.

I know you boys were itching for a fight, and we were itching not to get shot up. I'll tell you what charging across the ford and double quicking it was something else. I had a geninue fear of getting mowed down and that is another moment that will stay with me! Thanks guys!

[trippcor]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Now that I have had a chance to recover from this event both attending and putting it together, I thought I would post a few more thoughts. We set out from the get go with several key goals when planning for this event. The first goal was to try and raise money for a great site. Second goal was to continue to build on what we had accomplished at Return to the Ranks with several groups in Georgia, including the Critter Company, 10th Texas, GA State Line, and Prophet Boys Mess, coming together to put on events. Lastly to build an event that would challenge all those that came from the top down. While we are still waiting to get a final count from Robby concerning the donation, based on all the posts and comments I have received I think we accomplished all three. I could not be happier.

Now about the specific scenario details which based on the posts I think some might find interesting. First we started looking for a historical basis for two small units to bump into each other in Georgia during the fall. It did not take to long to narrow it down to the period that we used for the event. Thanks to the research done by Herb Coats, he was able to find numerous small skirmishes that occurred in the fall of 63 in North Georgia before the Battle of Chickamauga. Thus our event name was born (Thanks to Andrew Jerram for coming up with it).

Originally we start planning to just have two patrols that stumble into each other. It however quickly became apparent given that we would have both infantry and cavalry and site size that if we left it at that then the event could be over by 10 am on Saturday especially if one or both sides were aggressive. That’s no good so we worked to refine the scenario.

Here is what we decided on based on research, our expected 2 Confederates to 1 Federal ratio and the site limitations. The Federals were to map the area a completely as possible and then return to their main force via the Rossville Rd (Aka GA-11). The Confederates were to be screening an imaginary force that was moving down the Lafayette Rd on Saturday then they were to try and hold the two fords on Chickamauga Creek (aka the creek in the center of the property). So which side actually was able to accomplish the assigned military goal?

Regardless of which side actually won, I think on an individual basis it was a great event. I know I was certainly challenged through out. Some of my more memorable moments in no particular order include:
1. Kiev running back after going to answer the call of nature saying three Critters had just popped up behind a log and had him dead to rights.
2. The ringing of the bell at the Harris Homestead some time around midnight after that area was suppose to be secure.
3. The Critter just riding by as we were resting at the Harris Homestead Saturday afternoon with our arms stacked.
4. Running into what we thought were just some federal pickets at the northern ford then realizing it was the entire company. (I thought this fight was a draw)
5. Standing Officer of the guard duty Saturday night and thinking I saw movement at the very edge of the camp only to have it turn out to be a bowel movement.
6. Finding out after the event that Coley knew it was me Saturday morning inspecting the rear rank of Capt Milbert's company. I had no idea we were being watched.

Thanks again to everyone that came. My hat is off to each and everyone one of you. Without you this event would not have been successful.

[NY Pvt]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

I thought I would take a couple days to decompress from the event before writing about it. In general, I had a great time and look forward to the next event like this. Thank you to all who put so much time and hard work to make the weekend a possibility.

Some of my thoughts: I enjoyed the early wake up in the dark both mornings. All company business was done in the dark which had added challenges especially considering that was prime time for the critters to do their evil deeds. I also enjoyed the slow and careful advance across the property, as not to advance to quick and leave our rear or flanks exposed. Also the CS commanders did a good job in using appropriate force ratios. Just because one company was skirmishing, they did not rush every possible reserve to the action. It was great to hear the battle roll and move in different directions. Another great feeling was when Cory Pharr ordered me to take two men, go up a wooded road and check the gate to make sure it was closed. We saw horse tracks and I could just see us getting gobbled up at any second. The critters also surprising us Saturday night was great, as it kept us on edge the entire night. I expected to wake up from my sleep with a pistol pointed at my head.

The fences were annoying. While they had their benefits, they restricted movement a lot. I was also upset on Saturday, as it seemed most of second company was, after we found an easy way through the barbed wire and could have attacked the federal’s flank on top of the hill almost unopposed, but were called back by the CS commanders to attack across the stream through a much more difficult route under fire. Of course looking back, this feeling of bad decisions and leadership were felt by many of the soldiers under Bragg at this time.

I also learned not to stay up the Thursday night before a physical event such as this. Friday night I helped ferry the CS troops over to the camp site and was one of the last to bed down. By Sunday morning, I was falling asleep every time I sat down. It was a completely authentic feeling, but I was in one grouchy mood. Thank you to all in 2nd Company who put up with me, you guys did a great job.

Also, in honor of one of the men who made this event possible. I took this picture late Friday night at registration, sorry Tripp. You had the frosty the snowman look going for you, minus the corn cob pipe of course.

[toptimlrd]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

The Corpse that did not die was the aquatic commander John Duffer. He had his life preserver on. I think that deflected the bullets.

And where did the Federal Infantry go? Back to Rossville and Chattanooga to deliever the detailed map! (I'll try to scan it and post a link soonish)

The sheep pen was not guarded on the eastern (closer to Hwy 11) and we had two choices where to go when we got to the pen. Down the road to the Rossville Rd (Hwy 11) or down the path, taking more shots, to the Farm House. So the commander choose to not get shot up.

I know you boys were itching for a fight, and we were itching not to get shot up. I'll tell you what charging across the ford and double quicking it was something else. I had a geninue fear of getting mowed down and that is another moment that will stay with me! Thanks guys!

It was a great time wasn't it? :D Y'all must have cleared the sheep pen not too long before we got there, you were moving! Anyone know if the dog ever came home? Last I saw him he was heading towards the ford faster than a minnie ball.

[Coatsy]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Yeah we were booking it! And we did hear the potshots taken after you guys came over to the sheep pens.

Last I heard the dog is still MIA. But I am sure it will return. The sheep pens is where they get fed.

[toptimlrd]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Yeah we were booking it! And we did hear the potshots taken after you guys came over to the sheep pens.

Last I heard the dog is still MIA. But I am sure it will return. The sheep pens is where they get fed.

I don't think I've ever seen a dog jump a fence quite like that before, he looked like a champion steeplechase horse.

Thanks again for the gum blanket you sold me, it came in real handy Sunday morning. By the way, it doesn't look new any more :tounge_sm

[pipthelimey]

Thanks to the Critters

Gents,
My name has been falsely associated with this event's planning committee. I came to the first event planning meeting, but because of my work schedule, I was unable to do a single thing to help this event along. The credit belongs with the rest of the crew who worked tirelessly to bring together a host of elements that we don't normally see at our type of events.

There's been a little bit of gloating over the results of the Sunday morning skirmish, and although I went Confederate, I'd like to throw in something for consideration. When Captain Milbert's company attacked, the Critters had taken over 65% casualties in attacking Capt. Jerram's company, many of which were to draw attention to the fact that some individuals were standing conspicuously exposed, while not paying attention to the number of rounds fired at them.

I think we need to take the time to thank the Critters for the amazing element they added to the event. The constant paranoia over the threat of capture was incredibly realistic, and the combination of mobility and firepower that they presented didn't just multiply force, it raised it exponentially. Unless you were in company strength or more, you had no chance of doing any damage to their formation, except at loss of life or liberty. There were two times on Saturday when I had clear shots at Critters while on patrol, (Patrick and Zach I believe) but firing on them would have brought a maelstrom of crap. Secondly, the investment of time, money, research, and energy on their part has been so expansive as to boggle the mind. You guys add so much to every event I'm at, and I just wanted to say thanks.

Andrew Jerram

[Coatsy]

Fate of the "Guard Dog" at the Harris Farm

Gents, this is from Robbie Mitchell

"I conducted a school program at the Harris farm today and was pleasantly informed that the big white dog that we put to skeedadling at the goat farm has made his return. Word is he wasn't so white anymore and was covered in mud and filth.

Seeing that dog jump that fence and keep on running 'til out of sight has got to be one of my funniest re-enacting moments. It reminded me of that Chevy Chase "Funny Farm" movie."

The beast has returned.

[Half Rations]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Great Event! Learned a few things to.

1. CJ can sleep through anything
2. Guard dogs arnt good agianst Critters.
3. Kiev+Yoder= Lewis and Clark :sarcastic
4. Creeks are wet when you cross them 5 times.
5. It gets cold at night.
6. Rain only comes when you get out in the open.

Jordan Roberts
Prophet Boys Mess

[Coatsy]

Re: Prelude to Chickamauga

Jordan, I am glad you had a good time. I hope you can make it to our other crazy events in the future.

As for raining in when you are in open it is true! Also when you are under a tree canopy as well.

And just think about how many times the Boys of '61-'65 complained about having to cross a creek/river/swamp in less than desireable conditions, under fire, extreme cold, etc.

Just remember to yell at the officer on horseback telling you it is ok to cross a creek in very cold temps, just like Kershaw's men did to him.