Battle Of McDowell May 4-6, 2007 Highland County, VA

[SamuelCathey]

Re: McDowell

I have mixed thoughts on the value of forums and rarely attend battle reenactments but thought I would take a moment and toss out a couple thoughts. In past years I probably would have been tempted to rant and rave, but here in my late 30s I have hopefully mellowed.
I enjoyed camping and being by the river at McDowell. What a beautiful place. I also talked to several people I had never met before. People seem very nice and genuinely into the Civil War. Sadly, it seems to me that the progressive/authentic/or whatever you want to call it movement is really in crisis. There were very few authentic looking impressions at the event. I'm out of touch with who all is considered the latest cool vendor to buy from but it is quite clear that many of the sellers of so-called authentic goods are inhibiting the quest for great uniforms and gear. Most of the uniforms I saw at McDowell looked like they were made from patterns made or altered by folks with little knowledge in that complex area. Shoulder seams were especially in disarray. It was disappointing to see because the "hardcore movement" is a worthy endeavor. Unfortunately, at the moment the movement is largely composed of people who want a high standard but are not able to exhibit one.
I'm going to keep this short because angering folks who are sensitive about their impressions (and for some reason we all are) is not my intention. Over 20 years ago a man I respect very much told me to put on my uniform, get out all my books and stand in front of a mirror. He said it should be pretty easy to see whether or not your clothes look like those in the books. That advice works just as well today. I would argue that a sizeable chunk of the campaigner hobby would be on the hunt again for great items following some very honest evaluation of their own kit.
Anyway,enough said about that. I would ask about the gigantic fresh veges found in the Spring and the foil coffee bags, but that would be another topic...

Sam Cathey

[BobDenton37thVA]

Re: McDowell

Over 20 years ago a man I respect very much told me to put on my uniform, get out all my books and stand in front of a mirror. He said it should be pretty easy to see whether or not your clothes look like those in the books.

And that advice is as good today as it was then. I think I might know the identity of that anonymous wise man myself!

Just as a footnote to your post Sam, I've noticed that one of the things affecting the appearance of the clothing folks wear is they want their clothes to fit like modern clothes, which 19th clothing did not. Clothes of that time period (as you well know) were supposed to force the wearer's body into a strangely "inhuman" posture; puffy chest, small waist, with shoulder seams gently sloping away from the neck (not squared off). The conventions of period styles did not include "loose fitting" or "baggy" clothes we so love today. Thus, when someone buys a jacket, and they feel it binding a little under their armpits, they immediately assume it does not fit properly, when in fact, that pressure is an assurance that it does.

As far as the rations go, yes, that needs improvement, at nearly all events. In early spring in the Allegheny Highlands only root cellar vegetables would have been available; winter apples (all shrivelled, but delicious when you cut away the exterior); potatoes, maybe some onions (small ones), ramps would have been available locally as well as morels (mushrooms). There were ramps growing, btw, near your campsite on the slope of the hill that was just above you. Fresh and preserved meat would have been available, of course, and bread. Its notable that being able to structure our unit's rations to the time and place of the portayal was always one of the 37th's favorite pastimes, in the days prior to these event ration issues.

Anyways, enough of my blithering...
Bob D.

[Wild Rover]

Re: McDowell

Bob,

Good thoughts. I would also say that while not all participants at Mcdowell might have had what one would call a grade A+ kit, the military functionality of the participants were better than any event previous.

Folks "got it", and I would much rather be with folks who can operate and act authentically than folks in top grade kits.

Attitude and knowledge are hard to obtain, anyone can melt down a credit card and buy the uber cool kit.

Some folks love material culture, and some folks love military functionality, and some folks just love the action. But either way, end the end, we all have far more in common than we do not here on the cph side of things. we also benefit from helping each other along the authenticity journey, and not laughing at those perceived behind ( for often they are ahead of you in other matters).

Folks would do well to remember that.

Pards,

[JimConley]

Re: McDowell

Sadly, it seems to me that the progressive/authentic/or whatever you want to call it movement is really in crisis. There were very few authentic looking impressions at the event. I'm out of touch with who all is considered the latest cool vendor to buy from but it is quite clear that many of the sellers of so-called authentic goods are inhibiting the quest for great uniforms and gear. Most of the uniforms I saw at McDowell looked like they were made from patterns made or altered by folks with little knowledge in that complex area. Shoulder seams were especially in disarray. It was disappointing to see because the "hardcore movement" is a worthy endeavor. Unfortunately, at the moment the movement is largely composed of people who want a high standard but are not able to exhibit one.

Just as a footnote to your post Sam, I've noticed that one of the things affecting the appearance of the clothing folks wear is they want their clothes to fit like modern clothes, which 19th clothing did not. Clothes of that time period (as you well know) were supposed to force the wearer's body into a strangely "inhuman" posture; puffy chest, small waist, with shoulder seams gently sloping away from the neck (not squared off). The conventions of period styles did not include "loose fitting" or "baggy" clothes we so love today. Thus, when someone buys a jacket, and they feel it binding a little under their armpits, they immediately assume it does not fit properly, when in fact, that pressure is an assurance that it does.

Sam and Bob,
These are two of the best posts I've seen on the boards in months. And I do wish it was something more folks would stop to think about when they get into this area of the hobby.

It'd be interesting to see a discussion on this with some more depth, but I fear it would go down hill rather quickly.

[Charles Heath]

Re: McDowell

I would ask about the gigantic fresh veges found in the Spring and the foil coffee bags, but that would be another topic...

Sam,

No doubt because of the giagantic pain in the ass it is to plan ahead, prep the soil, select the varieties, time the planting-harvest cycle to fit the event, grow the darn things, store them properly, transport same to far away places, and issue them to folks who may or may not know they didn't come from the local grocery store. I don't know about others who go through this process for events, but for the past 15 years we've had about as many failures as successes in this regard, and sometimes it is just plain nice to open up a can. :)

At least it is fertilized with mule manure.

[S.D.Foster]

Re: McDowell

Overall, I enjoyed the event. This was my first time to McDowell. Here are a few reflections:

THE GOOD:
People conducted themselves in a military manner (at least from what I saw on the Federal side)
Most impressions I saw looked good. But I do agree there were a few things that could have been easily amended.
The march up the mountain on Sunday was great.
The weather on Friday and Saturday (until dusk) was as perfect as I could have hoped for.
Some great vendors were set up at McDowell, and all that I met were friendly and informative, even if you didn't end up buying something.

THE BAD:
I was a little disappointed to find out that things were unclear at registration. It took some time to discover where the civilians were supposed to be (I brought a few of them with me).
I was looking forward to an issue of hardtack with the rations. Some of the rations ran low when my company went for rations, but we were all fed and to my knowledge nobody went without.

THE UGLY:
The rain Saturday night was OK, but the wind afterward was a bit more unpleasant. But that is not the fault of anyone at the event!

I will most certainly plan to attend future events at McDowell.

[billwatson]

Re: McDowell

It is the darnedest thing that you just can't beat a produce vendor into believing that you really, truly want 300 pounds of SMALL, UGLY carrots or onions or whatever.

Ron Myzie and I were talking about the lack of repackaging of the rations we saw at the Confederate camp and trying to figure out how to avoid that at future events. The "event" supplied the rations, and the respective commands were to handle breakdown and repackaging into appropriate containers and whatnot. That happened OK on the federal side, but apparently not on the Confederate, and we were feeling bad about it and wondering if there's a step in the process we've overlooked. What we might do is jointly volunteer to provide Confederate commissary services at an upcoming event. That would give us a chance to see how things work over there and maybe figure out adjustments to make at the "event" level.

The price of hardtack went up since last June, and we decided to just skip it this time, especially given the last-minute rush to registration. The stuff needs to be ordered well ahead for the order to be met satisfactorily.

Sam, I wish I'd known you were there, I've looked forward to meeting you for some years now.

[nrandolph]

Re: McDowell

Well, as someone, who with my good friend Mark Trail, worked the commissary and HQ mess, we did our very best to avoid any modern packaging. I know that it was always a concern to Ron Myzie and Kevin Kelley, our sergeant.
That said, Mark and I had a real blast! We had both "volunteered" to Ron way prior to the event and it just felt like home for the both of us. I'm sure we have Ron to thank for that atmosphere, along with the other members of the HQ staff. They were considerate and appreciative, probably not a period quality of all the officers at HQ!
I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of work we had, cutting up the bacon slabs, and the beef quarters (a first for me), peeling potatoes, and cooking nearly non-stop from Friday eve till Saturday eve, just don't e-mail my wife and tell her!
We had a good little scenario late Friday night with a Mrs. McGillicuddy and the two Wise sisters making their way into camp for rations, being questioned and finally allowed to draw rations and being escorted out to the end of our lines by the provost (Josiah Hurd?) and myself.
Saturday's battle was interesting to watch from our perch about a thousand yards up on the rise away from the action. It was easy to see the moves and counter moves of both sides from our view. Our officer (Ron) finally decided we were in danger of having our one road of retreat cut by the advancing rebels and he climbed aboard the wagon, which had the commissary gear, told the driver to move it, and Mark, Kevin, and I took off running in full gear behind the galloping wagon (cough, cough) for a half mile or so.
Saturday evening and night was rainy, but Kevin got up from time to time throughout the night to insure that we had a hot fire for some coffee at wakeup. Got a bit cool toward dawn also.
The march up to the battlesite itself was invigorating, and a good wakeup. I'll have to say that I've seldom, if ever, attacked up a 45% grade, and after the third time up, I made it to within about twenty yards of the Confederate lines, took a hit, and collapsed on the ground panting and allowing my burning thigh muscles a chance to recuperate. The battle was well done.
I'd also like to thank the guys in Co.A, 3rd Loyal Virginia for having Mark and I step into their ranks Sunday. They were alot of fun and made us feel very welcome! Thanks also to Bill Watson and all the officers at HQ and some of the boys of the 82nd Ohio, who we shared our cooking fire with in town.
Mark and I both enjoyed the event and it was certainly the better of the two McDowells we've been able to attend.

Neil Randolph
1st WV

[Arthur Stone]

Re: McDowell

Gents!
I for one had a great time at McDowell this year. It was a different experience for me to do a war correspondent ( Alfred R. Waud). Accompanied by my friend Joe Bordenaro as Joseph Borden from Philadelphia. We were treated rather well by the federals all in all. It was good to see old friends, and meet new ones.
We missed out on our rations for the event because we were run out of the civilian camp, to which we registered. Live and learn I guess!
The highlight of the weekend for me was to be on the hill with the Pittsburg Battery, when the Rebs attacked and overran the gun. The first shot of canister took down 20 of those brave lads. We couldn't get out of there fast enough! And finding an" A "frame for Saturday night in the federal camp. We had around eight lads in there and laughed all night. The boys from the 13th and 14th N.J. and Rich Hill (Lt. Josiah Hurd). It was good to see him out in the field again.
My hat is off to the organizers, Great job! Hope to see you at the next one.

Alfred

[Eric Wisbith]

Re: McDowell

For me the part that takes the cake was no women and children in uniform. I havent seen that since the early '90's, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Running a line of pickets halfway up the mountain and maintaining it thru the night was cool, even with the rain. I woke up about 3 AM and the moon was shining through the mist, awesome!

[Charge Bayonets]

Re: McDowell

Hey,

I had a great time.

Thanks for getting the event togather.

This was my second trip to that tiny town, and I half expected it not to be as good as my first. (I was just in such awe at what I went through as a new guy last year.)

rations weren't bad, (did miss the hardtack, but I understand) weather bearable, gorgeous setting.....

The fights were great
(Even if my company did get worked over more than once..
Saturday for example:
"Ok, you're going down this hill, and you're not coming back up"
Great.
Worth every awkward slide to the bottom though)
Yanks impressed me.

I really had a great time.

Thanks again event coordinators.

[Knapsack Matt]

Re: McDowell

The event was pretty good. Randy sorry I had to take you prisoner.

Matt

[frankstevanus]

Re: McDowell

Definitely a step up from the typical "powder burn-saber dance" mainstream event.
And Chris and company did a great job organizing the activities. Best thing, my over weight horse lost about five pounds running up and down those mountains. Good stuff!
Thanks Chris

[Wild Rover]

Re: McDowell

Frank,

Be sure to thank Bob, Dave and Bill...I was just there to play!

You were a life saver. Funny when 21st Century mthods fail, 19th Century methods save the day.

The guy who went down is ok, talked to him, it was a blood sugar thing, he will be more careful next time.

Pards,

[John Slade]

Re: McDowell

Comrades,
I am the young confederate who took sick early on Saturday. I want to thank all of you for your help, and for finally getting me to Saunton. I am sorry if my inability to perform my soldierly duties brought down the experiance of others. Just remember sickness killed more than battle, and it didn't stop for the campaign. However this is not ment to defend myself, but rather to thank others.
I loved the event and am really looking forward to coming back in two years. I especially loved building the bridge and look forward to further and more ambitious projects in the future.
Finally, I was sent to the hospital without my gear, and while I have most of it back, I am still missing two items.
1-a black untarred, federal pattern haversack, with a tin cup on the outside, an poke sacks inside.
2-a medium brown blanket with tan stripes on the ends.
any help will be appreciated.

Thanks again.
A.P. Duafala
27 Va G
Wheeling's own Shriver Greys