Outpost III - AAR Thread

[Coon Dawg]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Joel-

Which one is you? I'd like to know the man I've been talking to before.

-Johnny

I am the one on the left with the kepi.

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess

[Coon Dawg]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Nice pictures Joel. There are several good looking fellers in there somewhere. We don't look too bad for the wear.
Great talking with you this weekend.
Cheers

I thought you might like these. Great meeting you as well. Sorry about your dear old friend of 14 years.

Joel Phillips
The Flatlander's Mess

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Please tell me that someone is writing an article for the Historian for this one? We need to get this out there to people outside our little world. A few of us wrote articles about the last couple of events. Who is next? If someone is out there thinking about it, ask yourself, why not? ;)

I'm thinking of seeking publishing of my diary entries and maybe Ricky Jones will do so as well for the Confederate POV. (Ricky and I were originally going Fed together but he decided he wanted to go gray so we came up with a cockamamie plan to keep diaries so one could read about what the other went through, what was similar and what was different, on the way home.) I also think it would be cool for the two commanders to write about their strategies and what worked and what didn't. You're right, this was too great an event to let this opportunity slip by us.

[pipthelimey]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I had a blast. Even though I spent two years as a mainstream adjutant, and have done it at c/p/h events before, I was stunned by the volume of paperwork required to maintain a battalion in the field. Thankfully we weren't there over a month as that required a whole other set of forms. Being a staff officer with a limited role is a very interesting way to view an event like this. On the field I didn't have much to do other then help the Lt. Col. communicate with companies and be an extra pair of eyes for him.

For me, the highlights were personal interactions. Getting to meet Don Smith and talking over common ground with him made my weekend, even without the rest of the good stuff. The homestead was incredible, and the outhouse looks much better now that Don has graced it with a two foot wide, (and incredibly detailed) Federal seal.

The companies were well formed and well led. They all did their duty with less bitching and moaning then I have ever heard. The rations were authentic, yet ample, and the fact that the beef was precooked precluded a lot of problems.

As for the civilian interaction, I was privileged to have such a fine lot of folks working to help create what I think of as a tapestry. It's impossible to get into the "moment" without a 360 degree surrounding of it, and they made my weekend especially memorable. I'm lousy at first person, so I didn't talk much to them, or interact with them much, as I didn't want to ruin anyones experience. Forgive me ladies, as I really would have liked to chat with friends I have met along the way. Carrie, I am sorry I couldn't repair your shoe better! :)

The Federal side may have been a little more successful over the weekend, but that didn't have to do with the men or the leaders half as much as it had to do with four things:

1) We siezed the best ground on the site first. We had open yet covered lines along which we could quickly shuffle troops, (as Capt Ewing et al found out) to cover hot spots. Our picket posts overlooked the CS picket posts.

2) We had excellent maps. The confidence that they instilled made difficult maneuvers possible. They showed potential weaknesses as well. Don Smith deserves all the credit for these. If you didn't get the chance to see any of them, get a copy when they are available. They are impressive.

3) Communications: The two buglers we had enabled the battalion command to simeaultaneously move three companies at once, (as happened Sunday morning) and enabled us to summon the detached company or the cavalry instantly. Cheers to the buglers!

4) Cavalry: Our mounted company, (the Critters) are an incredible bunch of guys. Their tireless efforts secured vast areas of ground with a minimal amount of men. They prevented suprise attacks, they gave incredible amounts of raw intelligence, and any one of them could be counted on to render a sound judgement of what they had seen. Their firepower was also impressive. The Spencer gives an amazing tactical advantage to mounted troops. Their speed x firepower was crucial in repelling the Confederate attack Saturday afternoon, as well as rolling the Confederate left flank on Sunday. I can't forget the image of a Critter sitting astride his horse in the moonlight on Saturday morning. I also can't forget the image of dirt clods flying as they barrelled across our plateau in support of our left.

Overall I had a blast. I met some great new people, and met back up with some old pards. I am looking forward to 2008!

Kind Regards,
Andrew Jerram
Late adjutant of the 89th Illinois

[John Legg]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Oh Joel,

Your the one that threatened to blow my head off on sunday! Ha! Im glad we met up after we made that truce.


I had a fun time all weekend. I am finishing my AAR, and will have it posted in the next few days.

John

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Legg,

my favorite line this weekend was, "Alright, Legg, what did you screw up now?"

[DougCooper]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I only have one question. Why didn't the federal companies persue? As I looked back up that hill I was greatly relieved to see blue sky and no "sky blues." Even more so greatful that you all allowed us to show ourselves out the side door. *By advancing to the edge after we left it you could have fired into the tops of our heads and ended Company F right then. I was curious why you didn't.

Frank Aufmuth

Frank - was that your tin horn bugle we heard? Brings back great memories.

It was probably a universal feeling that it was prudent to fight you in the open using our interior lines and buglers, rather than plunge more into the forest and find ourselves in a real fix, not able to properly support each company. We moved Co A into the little finger of woods on your far left flank to push Craddock's boys on the other side of the woods Sunday AM. All of a sudden we were attacked to our left rear and only escaped to our right via single file on the run through an opening into the big field and the protection of the Critters. I imagine that was Pat's other platoon and the trap nearly worked to perfection.

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

"We did as we wuz told, and boy did we pay the price."

[TKlas]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Gents,

Many thanks to Art Milbert and the WIG for a very good event. I really enjoyed it being in the ranks with my comrades in the ONV under Captain Gerow, Lt. Argue, and a fine NCO staff. I also wanted to thank those whom came out in the ONV company whom normally do not attend c/p/h events. Your presence was encouraging and I hope you gents had a great experience and want to attend some higher end events in the future with us. To the men of Company "A" 89th Illinois, it was a pleasure to serve with all of you.

Some more highlights for myself:

1. Good use of tactics during the weekend by both sides.
2. First person use was very evident at this event. Thank you to those whom stayed in the moment as it made for a far more rewarding experience.

3. The working together of many familiar faces on the federal end with SCAR, GHTI, ONV, Southern Guard, Mess #1, Hard Case Boys, and many others. It will be interesting to see if the new Federal Campaigner group will take root. I wish you all the best as an old AoP'er.

4. The use of the bugle for the weekend was excellent. Many thanks to RJ and Randy. And RJ it was good to see you at a c/p/h event. Don't be a stranger.

5. Seeing Terry Sorchy and his staff excel at this event as this was a role relatively new to Terry as federal commander. Congratulations Terry as you did an excellent job organizing and being able to get your staff on the same page tactically for the event.

6. As always, getting to touch base with some pards before and after the event. Many thanks to Chris Utley of Carter and Jasper for letting many of us stock up on some good knitted wool scarves & mittens before the event. They came in handy with the conditions during the event.

7. Brian Hicks taking time with our Company near the conclusion of the event of the importance of the land we used during the event. Thanks Brian for giving us the big picture and awareness efforts to preserve what can be saved near Rippavilla Plantation.

8. The storied beef and bloody beef ration was high conversation in the federal ranks. Charles would have been proud but not quite on the level of the three meat mystery stew of Shiloh NPS LH fame.

9. A great event to cap off the 2007 season with. Looking forward to the upcoming mess and ONV Winter meetings to plan for 2008.

Clear the track,

Enoch Sharp
Private - Company “A” 89th Illinois Vols.

[John Grimes]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Unfortunately due to my unexpected early departure from the event, my AAR comments are quite short. From the posts here and seeing you fellas on Sunday in the wagon park, it looks like all had a great time and the event was quite the success.
My observation for future event planners. Make sure to publish a plan for late arrivals. As Mark Susnis stated earlier, we arrived after everyone departed the wagon park. We ended up wandereding a few hours trying to find everyone (anyone). The issue this causes: 1) event staff not having accountability of personnel 2) loaded weapons on the battlefield that have not been inspected 3) no way event staff can react in the event of injury 4) in an attempt to get into the “game”, late arrivals potentially impacting negatively on those already in the scenario by their actions. For example, pickets challenging people in the dark and the late arriver not knowing the countersign or showing up in areas unexpectedly and not following the scenario.
Recommendations, Keep someone posted at the wagon park (the confederates did, the federals did not) or prior to the event, establish a plan and post it to the event website. A few examples, a) if you arrive late stay at the wagon park and someone will be by at the top of the hour to escort you b) head down a specified road for a certain distance and when challenged by a picket provide a predetermined countersign (requires the picket to be briefed to expect late arrivals).
From my short time at the event I saw at least one other group who arrived late and experienced similar issues as Mark and I.
Wish I could have stayed, sounds like a missed a good one.

Signed,
John Grimes
The “should have taken an earlier flight” Mess

[Phil McBride]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Great event and I have a few decent photos to post, but can't figure out how to get the thumbnails posted. Any help would be appreciated.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles & Co A, 20th TN

[paulcalloway]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

If you attach the photos to a post, the software generates the thumbnails automatically.

Cheers -

[BrianHicks]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Unfortunately due to my unexpected early departure from the event, my AAR comments are quite short. From the posts here and seeing you fellas on Sunday in the wagon park, it looks like all had a great time and the event was quite the success.
My observation for future event planners. Make sure to publish a plan for late arrivals. As Mark Susnis stated earlier, we arrived after everyone departed the wagon park. We ended up wandereding a few hours trying to find everyone (anyone). The issue this causes: 1) event staff not having accountability of personnel 2) loaded weapons on the battlefield that have not been inspected 3) no way event staff can react in the event of injury 4) in an attempt to get into the “game”, late arrivals potentially impacting negatively on those already in the scenario by their actions. For example, pickets challenging people in the dark and the late arriver not knowing the countersign or showing up in areas unexpectedly and not following the scenario.
Recommendations, Keep someone posted at the wagon park (the confederates did, the federals did not) or prior to the event, establish a plan and post it to the event website. A few examples, a) if you arrive late stay at the wagon park and someone will be by at the top of the hour to escort you b) head down a specified road for a certain distance and when challenged by a picket provide a predetermined countersign (requires the picket to be briefed to expect late arrivals).
From my short time at the event I saw at least one other group who arrived late and experienced similar issues as Mark and I.
Wish I could have stayed, sounds like a missed a good one.

Signed,
John Grimes
The “should have taken an earlier flight” Mess

John,

The event organizers provided for a representation at the registration site, and direction to the federal step off point. The event was planned for a step off from the parking areas, no later than midnight, with the objective going tactical at 4am. This plan was followed. While it is understood that some people have real world activities that preclude them from being able to meet these time lines, effective communication to either the event staff, or your sides commander would have been instrumental in determining the need for a ground guide from the step off point to the initial camp sites.

[John Grimes]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Brian,
I understand that the event organizers had a plan for those arriving on time, posted it on-line and executed as stated. And I acknowledge that, “The event organizers provided for a representation at the registration site, and direction to the federal step off point.” Had no problem finding the step off point. However, that is as far as the directions went. I had every intention of arriving prior to the designated start time; now only if the airlines had executed their plan just as efficiently as the Outpost staff.
I was not trying to lay blame, just making an observation for consideration when organizing future events.
BTW, my chain of command was aware I was arriving later. See: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...9&postcount=48 As well email communications with my chain of command prior to the event.
Could there have been better communications? Of course. So another AAR comment, call if you are going to miss your expected arrival time and don’t schedule your flights so close to the event if it can be helped (lately you can count on flight delays).
As for the communications between my commander and the event organizers, I can not comment.

V/R
John

[Phil McBride]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I think I got it finally. Duh. Enjoy the photos.

Phil McBride
Co A, 20th TN