Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

[Charles Heath]

Date: 14-16 March, 2008
Name: The Occupation of New Madrid
Location: Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, MO.
Sponsor/Host: This is a special event by the Missouri State Parks.
Capacity: There will be a limit of 40 Federal troops, 4 Confederate and 15 civilians.
Registration: there is no registration fee however you will have to be registered to attend.
POC: Michael Comer
Email: Use the PM feature on the AC Forum for user "Huntdaw"
Website: None
Forum: None
Listserver: None
Preservation Component: None
Notes: New Madrid was part of the Confederate attempt to secure the Mississippi River. In conjunction with Island No. 10 just upstream the Confederates had the potential to cause a lot of problems for the Federals. New Madrid was the key to Island No. 10. The task fell to the Army under John Pope to take out the town. Guidelines will be forthcoming.

[Rmhisteach]

Re: New Madrid LH Dates TBA, 2008

Mike ,

Send us some details abou this un . We might could come over fur this un. .

RM

[Michael Comer]

New Madrid LH Dates and Info

Date: March 14-16, 2008
Name: The Occupation of New Madrid
Place: Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, MO.

Guidelines will be forthcoming.

Information: New Madrid was part of the Confederate attempt to secure the Mississippi River. In conjunction with Island No. 10 just upstream the Confederates had the potential to cause a lot of problems for the Federals. New Madrid was the key to Island No. 10. The task fell to the Army under John Pope to take out the town.

The city fell in March of 1862. Island No. 10 held out until April.

New Madrid was staunchly Confederate. A good amount of Bowen's First Missouri Confederate Infantry was raised in the town and county. Lincoln got 0 votes in New Madrid county in 1860. Federal occupation was not particularly appreciated.

The Hunter house was used as Pope's headquarters after the fall of the city. Pope had 140 men as a guard and the portrayal will have them camped in the yard and surrounding field. Many of Pope's men were still green since this is early in the war and not particularly well drilled.

To the best of our knowledge, the family continued to live in the house while Pope was around. The guiding impression will be Pope's escort and there will be a lot of interaction with civilians - not only the family but townspeople as well. The troops were on the alert because Island No. 10 was still manned and Jeff Thompson's MO State Guard cavalry was still in the area raiding and causing what mischief they could do. There will be an opportunity for limited Confederate portrayals but they will be deserters and captives.

This is a special event by the Missouri State Parks and there is no registration fee however you will have to be registered to attend. I have been given a small budget to put this on and will do my best to cover rations with it. There will be a limit of 40 Federal troops, 4 Confederate and 15 civilians. Male civilian impressions are welcome nd encouraged since the loyalty of the citizenry was certainly questioned by the Federals and there were men sent from New Madrid to Gratiot prison in St. Louis during this time.

The good - the site is the original 15 room mansion, built in 1859. It has 80%-85% of it's original furniture. You'll get to see some pretty neat stuff.

The bad - it's in town and there will be modern intrusions. However, the house is far enough off the road and quiet enough that it should not be a nuisance.

If anyone gets in town early enough on Friday and wants my tour of what's left of the siege I'll be glad to put it together. I routinely do one for the riverboats that stop here.

One last note: Our mess discussed the dates since it is the week after Pea Ridge. We set these dates some time ago but did not publicize them because we had to work out a few things first. We chose these because they are the closest weekend to the actual dates that New Madrid fell. We mulled over moving ours after that one was announced. We concluded that basing the event on historically accurate dates was important for the event in order to have the right feel to it. Both events have their own appeal and will attract who they will attract and there should not be a confliction problem. Those who are nearby and have enough kitchen passes may get to enjoy both.:p

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in attending or have any questions.

[Charles Heath]

Re: New Madrid LH Dates and Info

Michael,

That's what I call really filling in the blank spots! Thank you!

[coastaltrash]

Re: New Madrid LH Dates TBA, 2008

A week after Pea Ridge? Don't think I'll be making that drive that often that soon.

[Michael Comer]

Re: New Madrid LH Dates TBA, 2008

Yeah, I figured that would knock WIGroes out but if it was two, three or four weeks apart it would probably be the same story for those making a long drive. Plus, if we waited until warmer weather the mosquitoes would make life miserable. They're a lot worse here at night than they were at Vicksburg.

Believe me, we gave it a lot of thought but still came to the same conclusion time after time.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

In order to better deconflict and allow others to be able to attend, we are going to push this event back one week. This will make an off week between Pea Ridge and this event. I know there are folks in Missouri and Illinois who would like to do both events and hopefully this will make it easier.

The new dates will be March 21-23.

[Michael Comer]

Impression

The unit being portrayed at this will be the 47th Illinois. 140 of them were pulled to act as Pope's guard and will be encamped around the house that served as Pope's headquarters.

By the way, these boys were carrying Lorenz muskets so it is a good chance to use one of those if you have it.

Further guidelines and standards will be posted soon.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

Unfortunately, I guess we will be going back to the original dates of March 14-16. It was brought to my attention today by one of my staff members that Easter is early this year and the weekend of the 21st is when it is. We have an annual egg hunt the Saturday before Easter. I am afraid that a bunch of kids running around looking for 1,000 candy filled eggs would be very anachronistic indeed.

So, the original dates will have to stick. Sorry for any troubles it may cause. I was trying to meet the needs of as many people as I could but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Impression guidelines for Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

New Madrid Living History
March 14-16 2007
Impression: 47th Illinois
Major: Michael Comer - Pope's adjutant
Captain: Harrison Holloway - Company commander
Lt.
NCO’S:TBA

This Living History is capped at 35 military participants

This is General Pope's bodyguard so they should look pretty sharp and uniform. Uniform in good repair and clean. Buttons and plates polished bright, shoes blackened, leathers clean and blackened.

Although veteran from their earlier actions, this unit still needed work on drill as did much of Pope's army. We will also be posting guard, and other garrison type activities. Food will be provided through the commissary.

Weapon:
1. Lorenz
2. 1861 Springfield
3. 1842 Springfield
4. 1853 Enfield
All should be “bright”.

Coat:
1. State Jacket
2. Sack Coat
No frocks
Greatcoats should be used!!

Trousers:
Enlisted Men: Sky Blue of correct period construction
Officers and staff may wear dark blue or sky blue trousers

Traps:
.58 Box with sling and all plates
Cap pouch of correct period construction

Canteen:
Smoothside with brown or gray jean covering - can have leather or cloth strap

Haversack:
Painted cloth issue haversack

Bayonet Scabbard:
2 rivet or sewn
No seven rivet!

Double bag knapsack.
No bedrolls.
If you need a knapsack let me know ASAP!

Hat:
Forage Caps

Shoes:
Brogan pegged or sewn
Boots

Tents: A-frames
Wall tents
Sibley’s
No shelter Tents!!!

[Old Overholt]

Re: Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

Mike -

I'm sure that a number of Holmes' guys will be interested in participating even given the proximity to Pea Ridge, and we have listed it in the newsletter. Should we direct folks to you or to Holler in terms of registration of Federal participants?

Thanks,

[Michael Comer]

Re: Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

Aaron,

One of my messmates is working on a registration form and we will have it posted this weekend hopefully. These will be sent to me and I will pass on numbers and other info to Holler.

If you have any questions or concerns etc. just direct them my way and I will be glad to help you with them.

Glad to hear you're interested.

[Old Overholt]

Re: Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

I have fond memories of the '85 and '87 events there and look forward to coming down again. Does Lynn Bock ever show his face in a Civil War uniform anymore around New Madrid? I don't think I've seen him since the '87 event. My recollection is that he is one of a few people who can locate the current Island No. 10 site, but that it is on private property.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Occupation of New Madrid 14-16 March, 2008

Nope, Lynn doesn't do anything in that area to my knowledge. I invited him to a couple of things a few years ago and he didn't act too interested. You might see him at this event but as a spectator more than likely.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Registration - Occupation of New Madrid

Registration is open. Please use the attached form. Slots will be filled in the order they are received. If you desire to do a male civilian or Confederate, please be advised that you may be incarcerated under guard for various periods of time.

Confederate guidelines and impressions will be posted shortly.

Male civilian impressions are encouraged.

Female guidelines are on my other computer that has a fried motherboard. I have a new board ordered which should be in tomorrow and I'll be installing it tomorrow night. If all goes well, I'll have the civilian guidelines posted by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Please feel free to contact me by email or pm if there are any questions.