Marmaduke's Raid 1863

[Campjacksonboy]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

James
If all goes well it will indeed be the same place.
I will contact you off the forum.
I could use some help
Frank

[Campjacksonboy]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Keep your calendars marked things are progressing well. Anyone wishing to help can go over to the preservation forum and buy raffle tickets for Mr. Gobtop's raffle for the federal kit.
These forts are virtually untapped academically and untouched by the reenacting community.
More information will be out soon.
Thanks Rob.
Frank Aufmuth

[Shotgun Messiah]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

mmmmmm untapped... {drool}

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Frank and I did some work on the site a couple of weekends ago. I'd like to describe the valley for those of you who haven't seen it. It's pristine woodland, about 70 acres in all. The valley is a cool, ferny, mossy, quiet place. The ground is studded with glittering geodes and creek-washed rocks. Not to get too poetic, but it really is a beautiful place. It's about 2 miles from Clearwater Lake, where I suppose we could swim after the event is over on Sunday.

What is particularly interesting to me is that there are no manmade features (other than the road Frank and I worked on) newer than, say 100 years. There are two overgrown 19th century sinkholes created by lead or iron prospectors, and several "marking trees" shaped by (we think) Cherokee Indians about 200 years ago. When you're actually in the valley you hear nothing except wild birds. The civilians will be in a little grove, at least on the first day, somewhat below the hill where the federals will have their redoubt.

Within a 15 minute drive there are several Civil War-era redoubts and forts, most of which have been sadly neglected. The one called Ft. Benton is the target for our preservation efforts. One thing I'd like to add, too, is that for those men who have been interested in the possibility of doing a civilian impression, this might be the perfect opportunity. The southeastern Missouri men who were avoiding capture & conscription by both armies fled into those woods, calling themselves "Mossbacks." The men who join our refugee band would have to be constantly on the alert, hiding from both armies as well as bushwhackers.

I'm going to try to add two pictures -- one is of Clearwater Lake, the other is the top of the hill leading to the valley.

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Sorry about the double post, let me try that again. Here are the pics.

[Campjacksonboy]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Thanks Silvana!
And to shoot down the boo birds, Silvana only saw part of the 70 acres. There is an additional plot of unknown acreage, perhaps over 1000 that will also be at our disposal. Not to mention the roughly 5 miles of gravel and dirt roads for the Confederates marching in. Spring, Lake, River, creek, bla, bla, bla.
Frank Aufmuth

[DougCooper]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Check out the satellite photos of this area and you can see its pristine nature very well. Nary a modern anything along the route.

[WestTN_reb]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Count me in for this one. It's close to home, and sounds like fun. I'll even go Federal just for the heck of it.

[rkg]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Thanks for the shots Silvana, my grandparents lived very close to there when I was younger. My dad, brother, uncle, and I used to go fishing over at Clearwater lake. You picture brought back a pleasant memory. Thanks again,

Robert Gobtop
Ol' Sipley Mess
ONV
Mo Forts Raffle
"Just tryin' to help save some forts and clothe 1 Fed."

[LindaTrent]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

I've been in touch with Silvana, and we're planning on attending. Ain't close to home though.

Linda.

[Old Reb]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Yo, Frank,
Can I bring a group as partisans, ya know, armed civilians that are not loyal to no one and mainly want to drink whiskey and steal from the unarmed civilans? We could pitch in with the rebs or the yanks for whiskey, bacon, and coffee. Loyalities would not be tops on our list.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Uncle Tom,

I'm fixin' to go do some bushwhacking myself, but more towards "Manassas Gap" than the Sho Me State. The event is only on about 5 square miles, so it isn't anything big enough for the Trans-Miss folks to be interested in doing. This hobby never gets dull....

[Old Reb]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Marse Frank has offered the more unruly and independent folks of the Southern Trans-Miss a pretty sweet deal and while the amount of whiskey, bacon and coffee is still open to negotiation, the idea of terrorizing innocent civilians and maybe taking a few pot shots at wayward yanks has definant possibilities.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Mr. Frank has asked me to command a Confederate company at this event. The other two company commanders will be Mike Kupsch and Doug Cooper I believe. With the idea that it is never too early to plan and with Mr. Aufmuth's blessing, I am beginning my recruiting drive.

Mike and Doug are mighty fine fellows and will make excellent commanders. But, I would also like those of you coming to this event to consider joining up with my company when registration time comes. I would consider it an honor indeed.

Marmaduke's Raid is being held in my old stomping grounds so I won't get you lost like that city feller and westerner might do. I'll keep you out of the poison ivy but can't say the same for ticks and chiggers. And any spoils gathered along the way will be divided liberally among the men.

I would also advise folks that this is some rugged SE Missouri country where just about everything is on a grade. It's like a Rich Mt. but the hills aren't as big. There are a lot more of them though. It's also like a BGR except the hills are a bit steeper and there's a lot more of them. Either way there are a lot of hills with a nice valley thrown in for some variety. Please prepare yourself accordingly.

All for Missouri!

[Alamo Guard]

Re: Marmaduke's Raid 1863

Wonder if there is need for a preacher in the wilds of S.E Missouri?