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The members of the Ol' Sipley Mess, in cooperation with the Old Northwest Volunteers (ONV), are proud to host the 2007 Civil War Weekend event at the Midwest's largest outdoor living history museum, Old World Wisconsin. Old World Wisconsin, located in Eagle, WI, is nestled in 600+ acres of pristine Kettle Moraine forest. It boasts several 19th-century ethnic farmsteads — all original buildings — and a 19th-century crossroads village. Each of the farms and most of the buildings in the village are occupied by 3rd-person interpreters who are dressed in clothing correct for the period that the structure they are working in represents.
EVENT SCENARIO—
It is April 1865 and the Army of Northern Virginia is on the run. Lee's army, piecemeal, is trying to stay ahead of the Federal infantry of the Army of the Potomac — while pushing aside the Federal cavalry of Custer, Devin and others. Culminating in the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, the Confederate army pushes west. Even after the surrender small units of the Confederate army, not knowing of the surrender, continue their flight.
For Old World 2007 we present that aspect of Civil War history. Remnants of the United Artillery of Norfolk (serving as infantry once again) and the 18th Georgia Infantry stumble across each other in a Virginia village, join forces, and fight together to stay ahead of the of the Federal army, including the 5th Wisconsin Infantry and other Wisconsin units. For freedom of interpretation, we will not specify the actual town we are portraying at the Crossroads Village. Confederate troops surrendered at a number of locations other than Appomattox.
As of this writing, we are planning on having only Federal Infantry and Cavalry, Confederate Infantry and Civilian impressions represented. The Federal Infantry will be portraying the 5th Wisconsin Infantry. John Wedeward will be serving as a staff officer and Mark Hidlebaugh will serve as field commander. The cavalry will work under the direction of the Federal infantry. The Confederate forces will be under the commands of Jason Reinholz and Andy Ackeret. Andy will be in command of the United Artillery of Norfolk (Mess #3) and Jason will command the 18th Georgia (Ol' Sipley Mess). The two Confederate forces will enter the Crossroads Village on Saturday morning from different poiints and will meet each other in the middle. They will then decide to join forces and work together since both units' numbers are greatly depleted.
Federal forces will enter the village from the north and will push the Confederates out of town, where the latter will find refuge at the Schulz Farm in the German area. The rest of the story will unfold during the remainder of the weekend. Two sets of schedules will be given out by the museum; one for Union and one for Confederate. This will allow the visitors the opportunity to pick and choose which "side" they care to follow. The Confederate forces will arrive at a scheduled destination and rest. During their rest, they will engage in 1st-person vignettes and interact with the period civilians. They will then get pushed off the property by advancing Union forces, where a brief skirmish may ensue. Once the Confederates are removed, the Union forces will rest and engage in 1st-person vignettes. This will be repeated throughout the day on Saturday and part of Sunday.
Sunday will see the final surrender of the Confederates once word comes that Lee has surrendered to Grant. The "Johnnies" will be paroled and offered what meager rations are left from the haversacks of their former foes.
This event has continuously been one of the highest attended events by the public each year. The museum has raised the authenticity standards for this event to keep in line with its other programs. Participants will be in 1st person throughout the weekend. Third-person interpreters will be assigned for each area/vignette to talk to the public.
There is a $15 registration fee, which will cover the cost of rations for the weekend. Any money left over will be donated to the museum. The program is open to Federal infantry and cavalry and civilian impressions. There is very limited space for Confederate infantry.
Point of contact for the program is Dave Frohmader
For more information and registration, please visit the ONV's website at www.oldnorthwestvols.org.
EVENT SCENARIO—
It is April 1865 and the Army of Northern Virginia is on the run. Lee's army, piecemeal, is trying to stay ahead of the Federal infantry of the Army of the Potomac — while pushing aside the Federal cavalry of Custer, Devin and others. Culminating in the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, the Confederate army pushes west. Even after the surrender small units of the Confederate army, not knowing of the surrender, continue their flight.
For Old World 2007 we present that aspect of Civil War history. Remnants of the United Artillery of Norfolk (serving as infantry once again) and the 18th Georgia Infantry stumble across each other in a Virginia village, join forces, and fight together to stay ahead of the of the Federal army, including the 5th Wisconsin Infantry and other Wisconsin units. For freedom of interpretation, we will not specify the actual town we are portraying at the Crossroads Village. Confederate troops surrendered at a number of locations other than Appomattox.
As of this writing, we are planning on having only Federal Infantry and Cavalry, Confederate Infantry and Civilian impressions represented. The Federal Infantry will be portraying the 5th Wisconsin Infantry. John Wedeward will be serving as a staff officer and Mark Hidlebaugh will serve as field commander. The cavalry will work under the direction of the Federal infantry. The Confederate forces will be under the commands of Jason Reinholz and Andy Ackeret. Andy will be in command of the United Artillery of Norfolk (Mess #3) and Jason will command the 18th Georgia (Ol' Sipley Mess). The two Confederate forces will enter the Crossroads Village on Saturday morning from different poiints and will meet each other in the middle. They will then decide to join forces and work together since both units' numbers are greatly depleted.
Federal forces will enter the village from the north and will push the Confederates out of town, where the latter will find refuge at the Schulz Farm in the German area. The rest of the story will unfold during the remainder of the weekend. Two sets of schedules will be given out by the museum; one for Union and one for Confederate. This will allow the visitors the opportunity to pick and choose which "side" they care to follow. The Confederate forces will arrive at a scheduled destination and rest. During their rest, they will engage in 1st-person vignettes and interact with the period civilians. They will then get pushed off the property by advancing Union forces, where a brief skirmish may ensue. Once the Confederates are removed, the Union forces will rest and engage in 1st-person vignettes. This will be repeated throughout the day on Saturday and part of Sunday.
Sunday will see the final surrender of the Confederates once word comes that Lee has surrendered to Grant. The "Johnnies" will be paroled and offered what meager rations are left from the haversacks of their former foes.
This event has continuously been one of the highest attended events by the public each year. The museum has raised the authenticity standards for this event to keep in line with its other programs. Participants will be in 1st person throughout the weekend. Third-person interpreters will be assigned for each area/vignette to talk to the public.
There is a $15 registration fee, which will cover the cost of rations for the weekend. Any money left over will be donated to the museum. The program is open to Federal infantry and cavalry and civilian impressions. There is very limited space for Confederate infantry.
Point of contact for the program is Dave Frohmader
For more information and registration, please visit the ONV's website at www.oldnorthwestvols.org.
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