Banks' Grand Retreat

[biddler165]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

If this is not the correct place for this post, please feel free to move it. With the anticipated distances to be covered, Soldiers need to be thinking about foot care. As any Infantryman knows his feet are his best friend, next to his musket.

[Lucky]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

If this is not the correct place for this post, please feel free to move it. With the anticipated distances to be covered, Soldiers need to be thinking about foot care. As any Infantryman knows his feet are his best friend, next to his musket.

Good point. It also might be a good idea to prepare by walking great distances in the same shoes one is planning on wearing at the event. Probably stating the obvious.

Brian DesRochers

[DougCooper]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Having marched literally hundreds of miles in this hobby (it's our unit thing) there are some old lessons that still live at the age of 150 or more. You will need:

1. Shoes that fit and are reasonably broken in

2. Well fitting wool socks, the tighter weave (period correct) the better. Cotton socks get wet with sweat and don't dry, not something you want over any distance.

There is an old adage that nothing prepares for an activity better than doing the activity. If you don't routinely march, get out there and start. We are not talking a 12 mile forced march or a great distance. Work up to wearing the entire kit you will have at the event for 4-5 miles, a rather short distance. You will learn:

1. The best way to wear your knapsack or blanket roll and how to pack it.

2. What you can leave at home

3. How to carry the weapon most comfortably

4. Your pace and level of fitness

The event will average 6-8 miles a day, mixed with other standard soldier activity of a unit on marching campaign. This is not a long distance, but it would be useful to know what it feels like so plan on a number of weekend marches to get ready. And best of all, if you are not in shape, this will help, and make your whole hobby experience better to boot. A good pard also recommends working on your abs if you are out of shape there, as they support you. Sore backs normally start with weak abs. Nothing fancy here.

The weather will be great for marching - low 60's in the day and 40's at night are the averages. Nice.

But beyond that, just plan to be a soldier, and all that entails. Nothing to fear, but something to prepare for and look forward to.

[Old Reb]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Doug,
Thanks for the information and especially the promise of such good weather.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Never seen average temps like that in these parts, here's to wishful thinking.

[DougCooper]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Never seen average temps like that in these parts, here's to wishful thinking.

Weather.com does not lie - they just record :)

[Alamo Guard]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Doug,
One thing the possums of long ago did which we should learn as well. Rather than have every man bring a boiler, frying pan and other goodies learn to share the load and mess up.
Another thing is bring extra pairs of socks and rotate them each night. Do not attempt to march along in same socks or your feet shall be a ball of blisters.
There are commericial products out there in sports departments you can add to the bottom of your feet to toughen them up. It applies like paint and dries clear.
Lastly inspect your feet and if you get the chance soak them and massage them. Then dry them completly.
I would rather bring two gum blankets and a blanket for the weather. Rather keep dry than try to dry out traps after a long day of marching, firing and avoiding the details of the second sgt.

[biddler165]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

This may need to be moved to the sinks, so moderators feel free to do so. The attachment is the manual that the Army currently use to train its Soldiers for foot marches. If you take out the references to tanks and helicopters there is some very good information, especialy info about foot care and training for extended marches.

[Old Reb]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Since I know Dusty and Rick well, and know both being soldiers of the real world, and not just the keyboard type, I would highly suggest that any information they offer be taken seriously. The manual is dead on. Excellent! As for the ideal weather predicted as an average by weather.com, that average also includes a record high of 90 and a record low of 23 so averages are just what they are.

[Campjacksonboy]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

pack light, come prepared for the elements- bring a painted canvas or gum blanket.
I remember RRI when it rained everyone's matches failed and it was flint and steel that saved the day.
Frank Aufmuth

[Spinster]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Hush Frank! Now I'm going to have to spend more time with my flint and steel. Time spent with it in the year 1740 is quite enough thankyou.

Though in that same vein---the absolute best period Christmas present I ever received
( and better than most modern ones , except maybe that diamond that I don't wear to events) came from the always kind and resourceful Col. Keith Bartsch.

A small tin box with a tight lid, not much bigger than my palm, modern paint burned off in the fire and carefully blued----and filled with fine slivers of lighter pine.

Not something that every man or woman needs to carry, but something that a few folks do need to have at hand.

[Cottoncarder]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Thought about a nice little duck "wallet" coated with some Japan Varnish or several coats of Lin Seed Oil mixed with Turpentine to protect those precious Lucifers. Put your mind in their place. They would have used any means available to protect their most precious items. A scrap of oil cloth with Lucifers wrapped within and bound with whatever means available to them. Knotted together twine from rounds perhaps? For the Feds a bit of braided Spanish Moss from whence you came; an old shoe lace? For the Texicans a bit of raw hide; an old shoe lace as well.

Admittedly, I do have the advantage of being familiar with the terrain when I was a child. Prepare your wallet and when you get there, take a look around. What is there that I can use to tie this up? Embrace the challenge and use your survival skills. They did and so can you.

Put your items in your haversack in perspective. Do I walk first, eat first, etc.

With you Mrs. Lawson, not too crazy about using the flint either. But will if necessary.

[Wretch_1]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

As Uncle Tom stated. If I were a smart fellow I would really look into what Rick put out. Very good info in there, the key to it is that is is simple you just have to do it to take care of yourself and be able to complete and enjoy the 14th through the 18th of March in good marching order.

[Wretch_1]

Re: Banks' Grand Retreat

Crap, my sign on did not go. Sorry Mods. Have mercy on the Wretched One


Brian Harmon
"Wretch"
Wretched Mess
Texas Ground Hornets
CO A 15TH TEXAS INFANTRY

"CO F 39TH BSB 2ND FSC 39TH BCT"

[Campjacksonboy]

Military Info

Hey everyone
Anyone going CS needs to brushup on their guard duty either out of Mahan's, Customs of Service, Butterfields, or whatever. I have some additional resourses for the asking if anyone needs it.
Frank Aufmuth