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

[Guy Gane III]

Re: McDowell

I had a great time!

I was impressed by the number of good impressions I saw (at least on the Fed side - I didn't see too many Rebs being on Lt. Col. Buffington's staff.

The Saturday drizzle was a bit discomforting but the attitudes of anyone I came across was just the opposite.

Although there were a few less than spectacular kits, you can't base the event on those things. Those with low kits still knew their drill and were well trained - from what I saw.

Standing behind the lines to actually observe more than usual, I have to mention the importance of awareness by the company commander and the orderly sgt. There was an incident that occured on Saturday (thankfully nothing happened) during the battle, but was quelled quickly when the accused left the ranks so as to avoid a conflict. The accuser was at fault, as I witnessed it. Safety is a huge part of this hobby and there are no excuses.

Overall, I had a great time and I wish my sore hip and legs would have been able to carry me up the mountain and through the battle. Except for my lameness, I had a blast and many thanks to those who organized the event.

Cheers,

[Desperado]

Re: McDowell

This wasnt one of my favorite events. I thought it was supposed to be authentic ? Gold foil bags of coffee ? C'mon. At least take the sticky price tags off, for goodness sake. The uniforms and such were better than a main stream event I reckon. I didnt see any rubber soled combat boots or people wearing blue jeans with suspender buttons sewed on.

And then there was the guys out there playing picket. They did a fair enough job, but why didnt the officers of the Companies let the men know what the pass words were ? It happened to me twice, I was stopped once and never having been told what the pass word was had a little akward trouble with the picket and he with me,as we didnt quite know what to do with one another. And then once on picket duty myself, the Sgt in charge just dropped me off at my post and never told me either the challenge or the pass. So having stopped someone I was never sure whether it was safe to let them pass or not !

And the battles. Good Lord. They were the dullest things I'd ever been involved with . Command of the battalion I was with seemed totaly inept. Inept, confused,contradictory. If this had been a real battle the Yankees would have routed us Rebs Im guessing. I've not been in this hobby long,but Ive never been under poorer leadership before,or leadership that seemed so poor. It seems the officers in charge didnt know how to do anything but fight only 2 companies at once and then only in skirmish line. Im used to considerable action and manuevering. Not standing at order arms watching 2 companies in skirmish line try to fight a whole yankee battalion.And any period mood I might have been able to work myself in would have been destroyed when the trucks came up to take us to the battlesite for the sunday "tactical" . 1st CS Mechanized Infantry ? Oh well, as cold as it was I was glad of the things honestly.

I guess in short I considere McDowell to have been a mainstream event with good uniforms and unfortunate officers ! I had some fun mind you, its better than stayin at the house and wastin time and you always get to meet new people and have a good time talking and fellowshiping around the various campfires which is one of the main reasons we all do this I reckon. I just had pretty high expectations for this event, and they were not in the least close to being met.

But thats just my opinion, like I said I had some fun and everyone else seems to have as well so my comments are not in the least meant to offend or upset anyone or take anything away from someone who enjoyed the thing. Or to upset anyone who was in charge, I dont know who any of the officers were so Im totaly unbiased anyway. This is just my observations and personal feelings. Dont nobody get upset with me.

D.Matthew Sharp

[Pvt Schnapps]

McDowell After Action Report

An in-depth view of the harassment of the civilian population of McDowell :) , and other stuff. This was my third McDowell, and the best, thanks to everyone involved.

[dixiecowboy25550]

Re: McDowell

Michael,

That was an interesting report. I couldn’t help but beam with some pride with mention of the "poor fellow buried under the guards” (not that I was a local ruffian or anything ;) )." That was enjoyable. I haven’t had as much fun in ages. Thanks to everyone for their hard work and dedication.


Andrew Marcum

[Chessa]

Re: McDowell

One thing I noticed at McDowell: As the pickets got younger, it got easier to pass through the lines ::snickers::

I had a great time :) Granted, it was my first event out of state (never slept in a tent at a reenactment before), but it was a good first event. We had pretty good food and a great group of civilians. I just wish I had come up with a better persona...

[dixiecowboy25550]

Re: McDowell

Outside of the food, I have a difficult time seeing the validity of any of your arguments.

Should guards and soldiers know the password in order to enter camp? Yes. However, is this the event’s fault or the company commander and sgt for not properly preparing their troops? Without a doubt, the company commander and sgt (men you obviously chose to join for the event) are at fault.

You compare the battle scenarios to mainstream battles? As someone who is not “new to the hobby,” No mainstream battle challenges the vigor like the two marches on Saturday and Sunday and the fighting on the treacherous terrain that followed.

While at first glance your selfish statement of the 1st CS Mechanized Infantry seems both enlightening and comical, I am certainly glad that the event organizers didn’t follow your nearsighted plan. 250-300 men marching up a curvy, mountainous US highway that is frequented by locals who have a tendency to speed sounds like a liability no sane person would face. Thanks to those wise enough to overlook the selfish outlook of those wishing to endanger the lives of everyone by marching that dangerous road. I can imagine the devestation if someone wrecked into a column of marching soldiers. Kudos to whoever actually considered this situation and made the correct choice.

Your expectations weren’t met. What were these expectations and what did you use for your basis? As someone who has attended multiple events, both “mainstream” and “authentic” I have a difficult time seeing how someone with little experience in the hobby can form these expectations, be so critical of an event’s authenticity, and have such negative feedback toward event leadership.

[ContinentalMorganGuard]

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

All events have their down falls, but you have to go with an open mind and not let things bother you. Sure, being my first McDowell my expectations were very very high. However they weren't met because I was basing my expectations on the website and my friends previous experiences. Yeah the rations kinda blew my period rush for a second, but I had a great weekend over-all. I think we have to remember we live in the 21st century, even though we would rather be in the 19th, so we'll never escape modern world completely. Maybe I got lucky because my company built the bridge, then got to secure the Federal HQ, and slept in captured tents. The battles were great, and as I'm telling my friends this was one of the best events I've ever been too in 11 years in the hobby. Like I said it had its pit falls but I had some great first person moments, enjoyed great senery, and for the most part the guys in my company were awesome. I'll be back in two years, Lord willing!

[billwatson]

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

So the biggest glitch at this McDowell was an oversight that led to no repackaging material for the Confederate coffee. It's easily fixed. It could have been fixed this time if we'd known at the "other" camp that there was a problem, because I think we could have come up with the material to handle it, one way or another. Or there could simply have been no coffee issue; might even have been more accurate, they'd have had to wait until they took over the federal camps to scavenge coffee.

I think also that D. Matthew Sharp just volunteered to invest his time two years from now helping us prevent the problem. That would mean arriving Thursday night or Friday morning with the right sacks and pitching in when the rations arrive and need to be dealt with before most of the guys get there. Thanks, D. Matt, for embracing the attitude that all the participants are investors in the enterprise with a vested interest in making it come out better each time, rather than consumers of a product. See you in May 2009.

[LindaTrent]

McDowell 2007?

I see civilians were at McDowell again this year. Anyone care to give a report? I had other commitments (close to home) and didn't even look into going this time.

Thanks, and looking forward to the reports!

Linda.

[Chessa]

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

Hi Mrs. Trent!
I'm actually working on a report from the civilian side of things so my reenacting group can put it in the newsletter. I'd be happy to email it to you when I'm done or I could post it here. :)

Chessa Swing

[LindaTrent]

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

I could post it here. :) Chessa Swing

Hi Chessa,

You could post it here, as I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering how it went.:tounge_sm I was at McDowell in 01 as a local dairy farmer, 03 as a traveler, and '05 as Mrs. Leonard Propst (out at "Davis Run"). This year I decided to skip McDowell as I've been cutting back on events, but I've been looking forward to the AARs.

So if you don't mind... ;)

Thanks,

Linda

[Chessa]

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

Alright!

Here it is. I'm planning on doing a little more editing (my spelling is horrid), but you'll get the drift :)


The Battle of McDowell 2007

As we awoke to reveille early Saturday morning, the smell of burning wood and fresh, cool mountain air filled our tent. Arising to clothe ourselves, we were soon out of our weekend abode, fully dressed in our period attire. The Federal Army had neglected to issue the town civilians rations; but a kind gentleman brought us some authentic Virginia Brunswick stew for breakfast. We soon had taken our places on our respective front porches scattered from one end of town to the other. The blue-clad Union soldiers marched to and fro, warily watching the civilians as they knitted, sewed, and chased cutely dressed toddlers (who, very enthusiastically, found new bugs and creatures around the house).
After a few hours of such tasks, some civilians went to address some issues at the Union Headquarters. This was much easier said than done, as pickets had been placed every so many yards and had been ordered to ask for passes (the only place to acquire such passes was at Headquarters). So, after passing the first few pickets, our friends got sent back. Upon trying later, they were told that if they came back, they would be shot on site. Of course, at the same time, the Federal soldiers were dealing with a group of very rambunctious boys who insisted on harassing them at every turn. (A few girls tried to get involved, but being in many petticoats, it was hard to keep up). The boys would sound a taunt and then would follow the sound of guns, firing one after another in perfect time. Each time, they somehow managed to escape, causing the soldiers many a headache. Around noon, the group of town boys brought us our rations. We had a feast of bread, onions, potatoes, bacon and a few pieces of beef. Though not top notch quality, we didn’t starve. After leaving our rations, the boys proceeded to annoy the soldiers more. Soon after, they were all arrested and marched through the streets. To no avail did some civilians try to reason with the soldiers to release their beloved neighbors.
Later that afternoon, we were told that the Confederates had come into town, saving us from the Yankee invasion. Many civilians grabbed their belongings and went to meet them. Realizing they had already passed, we watched the battle that ensued from afar, shouting to our boys in gray to keep up the good work. In amazement did we watch as company after company ran down the side of the hill, seemingly to never stop coming. As the battle was almost over, we ran back to our houses, catching glimpses of gray clad men tumbling down the hill. Soon the town was filled with a flood of Union soldiers, retreating from the fight. Immediately the Confederates followed, finding blue clad soldiers running and hiding. Finally, the Confederate Army had flushed out all the Federal soldiers.
About 5:30, it began to rain. First a light drizzling rain, and then a heavy, cold rain followed. After having eaten dinner, we played with the children, sewed, and did various other small things in our tent, as some Confederate soldiers (persuaded by the bottle I believe) escorted us off our front porch with the permission of the house owner. Later that night, after the other civilians had gone inside a local house to escape the inclement weather, a soldier appeared with some choice cuts of meat to share with the civilians. The few civilians still outside went to bed. The night was a cold and windy one, on top of being wet. The wind gusts underneath the tent flaps and made it hard to sleep. The little one with us slept fine, as she was protected between my friend and I.
Sunday morning, we found it hard to wake up. Earlier, we had realized that some of the soldiers from the front porch had slept in the un-watched tent next to us. They had started the fire back for us, and were up talking. We stayed in our tent for a little while, then got dressed and stiffly made our way out of our weekend home. Having eaten a few morsels for breakfast, we went and mulled about the town, looking at more Merchants and going about our work. Soon the Church bells rung. As we went into the church, the kind towns people smiled and welcomed us. Many of them had come in their charming costumes. We were disappointed when we realized there wasn’t enough room, but as we were about to leave, a few young women moved to let us and our massive skirts in. We sat down and the service began. We sang the period hymns Amazing Grace and O For a Thousand Tongues. After the service was over, we were thanked for coming to the town and asked if we would like to eat afterwards. We declined as we had already agreed to meet some friends in the next town for a museum trip. As we loaded up our horse-less wagon, we left the charming valley and proceeded to trek homeward.

This was a great event. The town people seemed happy to have us there, preparing the bread and meat for us! I felt very welcomed and very much appreciate their kindness.

[Strawfoot]

Re: McDowell

This wasnt one of my favorite events. I thought it was supposed to be authentic ? Gold foil bags of coffee ? C'mon. At least take the sticky price tags off, for goodness sake. The uniforms and such were better than a main stream event I reckon. I didnt see any rubber soled combat boots or people wearing blue jeans with suspender buttons sewed on.

And then there was the guys out there playing picket. They did a fair enough job, but why didnt the officers of the Companies let the men know what the pass words were ? It happened to me twice, I was stopped once and never having been told what the pass word was had a little akward trouble with the picket and he with me,as we didnt quite know what to do with one another. And then once on picket duty myself, the Sgt in charge just dropped me off at my post and never told me either the challenge or the pass. So having stopped someone I was never sure whether it was safe to let them pass or not !

And the battles. Good Lord. They were the dullest things I'd ever been involved with . Command of the battalion I was with seemed totaly inept. Inept, confused,contradictory. If this had been a real battle the Yankees would have routed us Rebs Im guessing. I've not been in this hobby long,but Ive never been under poorer leadership before,or leadership that seemed so poor. It seems the officers in charge didnt know how to do anything but fight only 2 companies at once and then only in skirmish line. Im used to considerable action and manuevering. Not standing at order arms watching 2 companies in skirmish line try to fight a whole yankee battalion.And any period mood I might have been able to work myself in would have been destroyed when the trucks came up to take us to the battlesite for the sunday "tactical" . 1st CS Mechanized Infantry ? Oh well, as cold as it was I was glad of the things honestly.

I guess in short I considere McDowell to have been a mainstream event with good uniforms and unfortunate officers ! I had some fun mind you, its better than stayin at the house and wastin time and you always get to meet new people and have a good time talking and fellowshiping around the various campfires which is one of the main reasons we all do this I reckon. I just had pretty high expectations for this event, and they were not in the least close to being met.

But thats just my opinion, like I said I had some fun and everyone else seems to have as well so my comments are not in the least meant to offend or upset anyone or take anything away from someone who enjoyed the thing. Or to upset anyone who was in charge, I dont know who any of the officers were so Im totaly unbiased anyway. This is just my observations and personal feelings. Dont nobody get upset with me.

D.Matthew Sharp

I did not attend this year's McD fiesta, but had a decent enough time at the one in 2005. Fresh beef off the hoof, ah... It's all about expectations you see...

Anyhow, everyone is entitled to their opinion of events. But I think there will be more than a few of us here who will be keeping a close eye on your sig line, and what events you attend in the future.

Unless you make a serious effort to attend any number of the more universally accepted authentic events advertised on this forum (McD was not REALLY considered one of them) then your above rant will carry very little weight here.

Sorry, I just call em' as I see em.'


Mike Phineas
Arlington, TX

[Old Reb]

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

I've been quiet lately. Been thinking about this little hobby of ours. After all that thought I am convinced it is just a hobby and bashing others because they do it one way and others do it another way ain't worth dry spit on a hot day! Go where you want to go with whom you want to go with and let it go at that. Very few of us could tote a bag of horse manure when compared to what the real men in the real war experienced. There is no sense other than vanity and ego to say one way is better than another way or one person is better than another because of where they go or where they bought their kits. Told you I had been thinking.:)

[Charles Heath]

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

Uncle Tom,

...and here I was just a studyin' over Mike's post, and considering just how wonderful it would be as a nominee for AC Forum Post of the Month for May.