AAR Bummers

[jake.koch]

Re: AAR Bummers

I'm not quite sure how to feel about this event yet. It was perhaps the funnest two days I never want to do again. As part of the 3rd division, we had an extremely tough time with a stop/start/stop/start march along the river on a path only suited for mountain goats. We were on this trail for what seemed like an eternity after very little to eat. We were finally led to the top of a ridge, however they ran out of water and our foraging party was left with empty canteens. Apparantly this was the wrong ridge and we had to go right back down again. Fortunately Sgt. Roscoe thought ahead and packed iodine tablets, which allowed us to fill up our canteens in the creek. After marching up a bit we were sent out to forage and did not find a thing. The "highlight" was that I came within two feet of stepping on a forty foot cottonmouth, okay, maybe only three feet, but for one that doesn't like snakes it might as well have been. We continued looking for food and found nothing, water becoming a serious issue besides food, seeing as how we had had little more then a bit of bacon apiece between friday night and saturday morning. We were led to the top of an extremely high and steep hill by our guide who told us food and water was at the top. We were now all without water. Our guide left us saying he was going to get some. Forty-five minutes passed and he did not return. Fortunatley our sergeant had brought us a topographical map of the site, we pushed on our selves and found water, in serious threat of several heat casualties. After moving on, like manna from heaven, we found peanuts in the dirt of the roadway. In what may be the lowest point of my life we grabbed handfuls of dirty goobers. Moving on we found a wagon whose mules had been stolen by the rebs and three angelic women that gave us what I consider the best meal in my life. Following that we pillaged a cabin and ate like kings that night, after running into reb cavalry that told us the entire third division was lost, nobody knew where they were at, and gave us a truce for the night. At that point we considered calling it quits for the event. Being able to relax a bit that night and feast however, as well as picking some other lost sucker souls of the third division, we moved back to the cabin we had pillaged the night before, ransacking and attempting to fire the building, manning an outpost farther along the road, myself and two others were pleased to see a column of smoke rising behind us. Unfortunately we saw cavalry pickets ahead of us and had to skirt a large group of rebs through the woods, drawing their fire when we came out to the woods, falling back, a civilian told us other federals were right around the corner. I had one of the best period moments of happiness of my life when I spied the pickets of the 116th Illinois of a seperate federal division after being on our own since 2pm the previous afternoon. After a brief skirmish with reb cavalry and old men and boys called militia we fell back as rear guard of the column, eventually reaching safety.

Overall, the event had great potential, however there were major safety concerns with a chance of serious consequences, specifically the lack of water for our foraging party, and seemingly being abandoned by our guide on what we dubbed "hunger hill". There were parts of the event that worked and I thought were amazing, mainly the interaction with civilians. Two thumbs up for all of you. I have nothing but good things to say about the cohesion of our foraging party. We went through hell on saturday, but we tried to joke instead of complain until we were exhausted then said nothing. We trusted our sergeant, and our LT, Jeremy Bevard. Without them we might have faced serious water issues in the wilderness.

93rd Illinois
3rd Division
Bevard's Billygoats

[pipthelimey]

Re: AAR Bummers

I for one had a good time, but I was constantly amazed how plants could grow in ground that was 99% broken rocks. At one point on a picket line, a pard and I scrounged up enough rocks within arm's reach to build a small 1x1x2 fireplace with a chimney in the middle of an open field....

Feds, y'all looked great. I got suckered into prisoner-watching detail and so spent about 20 hours in the company of "them butterfly yanks" in their distinctive uniforms. Everyone carried themselves well and it was interesting to watch the interactions between the prisoners and their captors. I could see a few folks wondering how hard it would be to slip off into the woods, but I saw fewer and fewer of them as everyone realized that we fed them better and they didn't have to walk anywhere as long as they were prisoners.

The mounted fellows looked good and rode hard. I think Guy's got a healthy "lead the hell-raisers" gene. I loved watching him berate some militia for not moving fast enough.

Because I was on the aforementioned detail, a healthy chunk of the event was out of my view, but it's all good. I was pretty amazed at the scale of it for sure. I can remember when every authentic event in the southeast was populated by the same group of people and you could remember faces if not names. Now, I recognize 10% of the participants if I am lucky, a testament to both my diminishing memory and the speed at which our side of the hobby has expanded over the last 10 years.

Major credit to the organizers. I'm friends with them so I can attest to the work that was put into the organization and execution of the event. I am sure there were some snafus, but there always are in every event. When you have this many participants at an event on a property of this size, it is remarkable that there were no major disasters. I would recommend that anyone who wants to create an event of any sort of scale that you brainstorm with these organizers to get their advice.

Kind Regards,
Andrew Jerram

[NewHopeChurch]

Re: AAR Bummers

Wow. I missed this event due to a new job, and I've been feeling like shit about that all weekend long, thinking "right about now, the main army must be setting out", or "I bet they're firing some farms about now".
I served with Andy at IPW (probably where he learned about the iodine tablets), and would have done everything to be in his detail: he was one hell of a 3rd sergeant in Louisiana, and it was nothing but a pleasure serving under him. However, apparently this would have resulted in me being part of this crazy endeavor I just read about.

I gotta admit, while the period rush that would have come about from such a situation would have been awesome, period rushes alone don't keep a man fed and watered. I'm sorry that happened, lads, and a damn glad you got out of Georgia alive.

Looking forward to more AARs.

[pipthelimey]

Re: AAR Bummers

"an unseasonably hot day"

Only a yank would think 74 degrees is unseasonably hot. That's what we set our air-conditioners to in the summer time...

I wasn't with your column so I won't criticize you or your anger but I would like to note that the Flint River rose 6 feet in 36 hours. On top of planning and executing the largest progressive event ever, I doubt the organizers had time to walk all of the trails and make sure that every single mile on thousands of acres of land were still in the same shape that they had last left them.

The acquisition of a GPS device is a good suggestion though. Maybe they can take it out of the money for the Wray collection?

[Tyler Gibson]

Re: AAR Bummers

Friday night, my unit (4th Iowa) didn't recieve any rations, which set the tone for the rest of the event. We camped along a river, to awake at 6. We ended up leaving the campsite at around 8, hungry and cold, on a road that ended up flooded about 200 ft down. We then played the part of billy goats, and moved what seemed like 5 miles along a ridgeline (wasn't but a 1\2 mile or so) and we were the first to climb the rock wall at the end of the line, and then climbed a series of steep, rocky mountains, and soon ran out of water. after what seemed like an hour, we rouge'd out and found water (in the form of a stream) on our own, then found some corn (which ended up making up most of what we ate for the weekend) and rested where we were for a while, and went over still more rocky, steep hills to find the only civillians that we saw the entire weekend, and had the only fun we had the entire event pillaging the shacks and watching one burn. Camped there sat. night, and marched to the parking lot this morning. I saw more militia at the Cracker Barrell after the event than I did the entire event.

[HcSmitty]

Re: AAR Bummers

I feel much the same way. I thought a contingency plan would have been nice. We probally should have marched up the road we marched down this morning(that should have been the back up in my opinion). I wished the civilians would have been more dipursed and would have liked to have seen a few more cabins. I think the whole command structure was assed up.
I liked the stew we had sat night but i could have had that at the house. This is just what "I" think about what went down at "bummer" 09.

Hunter Smith
Liberty Rifles.

[jake.koch]

Re: AAR Bummers

Mr. Jerram,

Sgt. Roscoe is currently serving our country in the US Navy in Pensacola, FL. The last time I checked a map, that is farther south then your home in Georgia, so I believe he understands southern heat. I spent the summer in the Mississippi sun, being outside in period clothing eight hours a day, five days a week. I understand southern heat as well. The fact that you belittle our remarks about what we felt were serious issues is extremely disrespectful. I doubt that anybody in my foraging party would have appreciated your sarcasm about the GPS and the Wray collection, as much as I care about preservation, I am glad to see that you value that collection more then our health and safety.

[Capt51stALA]

Re: AAR Bummers

I was a corporal in the militia company E. I enjoyed doing what most Georgia militia wanted to do... sit around, sleep, eat, and not fight yankees with repeaters. I got to pull picket along the road Ms. Lawson was traveling on and got a good lip beating from her for be a "worthless pet". I would have let her and her party through the lines had our officers not been at the fork in the road just behind us, Our officers would have but in under arrest for breaking orders!. Also we believed the man with her was trying to count our numbers and would inform the Yanks of our numbers should they run into them. That was a great experaince interacting with the civilians.

Saturday by chance we captured what we beleived to be a band of militia deserters /raiders. We had been told by one of our company who had been pressed by the raiders to pillage a home of good Georiga women. Upon learning of this they just happened to walk by us, we soon over took them with the help of an officer and placed them under guard (with the Yanks captured by Wheelers men). Yet later I heard they were found not guilty of the charge pillaging and were sent back to their militia company. All together I gained a great experiance of what a militiaman experianced, days of simple guard duty and sleeping (during the day, it got cool at night) followed by brief and horriable moments of battle.

When the Yankee's hit our lines on Sunday (on what I see some Yanks called Porkchop hill, I called it Heartbreak Ridge)I decided that it was not my place to stand and try to defeat Sherman's boys this day. I did stay with my company and helped liberate some of our militia boys who were captured and used as human sheilds for the Yanke advance aginst our artillery piece, yet for the most part I tried to stay out of a yank's gun site! Great attack by the Federal forces I got a great period rush when we were fighting near a cabin and a woman was screaming in fear with the battle roaring all around her home!

Overall, a great event from my experiance, Our company did a good job of keeping first person till late Saturday. My company commanders did a great job, and I enjoyed fighting with, camping, and looking after the boys in Company E. Yet my thoughs and prayers went out to those Yanks who got lost and were with out food and water.

The rations were also great, as much sweet potatos and corn one could eat, in fact, when I saw potatos and corn at the resturant I stoped at on the way home I almost got sick from the site of them. HAHA:tounge_sm

Great event eventhough some things went "wrong"
Michael Mumaugh

[MSG_61]

Re: AAR Bummers

I usually don't say a lot of things on here for various reasons, but I felt that this thing needed to be said.

Y'all talk all this talk about wanting to be like the soldiers of old. To experience what they experienced and live the life that they lived. I tell you the truth when I say that this past weekend was as close as you are ever going to get to truely living the life that they did. In my opinion, this was truely an authentic experience. The average soldier was hungry, thirsty, tired and often times pissed at the folks who were in command. They were made to deal with the most difficult of challenges and rose to the occasion. I'm sorry that most of you weekend warriors didn't get to burn enough powder or forage enough food to keep you full at all times. The true soldiers often times never experienced those things. Those of you that were or are in the military and are in front line/grunt units know what I mean.

Personally I was in the militia company so I didn't see a lot of the stuff from the Federal side. We too had shortages of water and food because all of those things had to be trucked out to the Federal companies that were out there. I hate that a lot of you had a bad time, and maybe some things could have been handled differently, but knowing the folks that put this on, I am confident that they had all things accounted for. Before you go chewing on your hat and cursing up a storm at the folks that put this event on, you need to find out everything that happened. One thing that I noted over the weekend from a lot of the complainers was that a lot of the guys I noticed seem to be the sort that were not cut out for this side of the hobby. As the great Mr. Rideout used to say, "Know your lane." Some of y'all may not be cut out for this sort of thing. Maybe you would feel a little better at something a little more mainstream where you can have your opportunities to burn powder and have more of the comforts that you seek.



Casey Graber
Co. A 11th GA Militia

[robwall1861]

Re: AAR Bummers

I am also one of the ones who missed to event, but mine was due to car issues, work schedule worked out fine for me. Glad you all had a good time and hopefully there will be another one like it:).

Sincerely,

[Capt51stALA]

Re: AAR Bummers

Casey, agree with ya totally. The event had a great authentic feeling to it! Those who just wanted to burn powder I think were a little mis guided in what this event was to be. Would being in a little more action be nice? yes, but I enjoyed just camping, marching, and trying to experiance the life of the average militia men.

Michael Mumaugh

[briangauthier]

Re: AAR Bummers

A 4th Iowa Perspective:

(On a side note, this will only partially be in 1st person. This is the account of a member of the 4th Iowa, 1st Division)

Arriving late Friday night, I got lost. I ended up asking a Confederate pard for directions back to registration about 8:40pm. Whoops. When I finally found registration and joined my foraging party, I only had about 30 seconds to get into the mood. Now, mind you I've been stoked about this event for months now to break up the hum-drum of teaching in rural Mississippi. I was out for See-sesh blood!


Bummers can best be described as a lot of great ideas that could have used a little more foresight. That having been said, the event coordinators deserve some credit for their idea of creating an event based on foraging parties. To my knowledge, this is a relative first for the hobby. The first hiccup came with the "torches", or rather, the 1"x2"s with cloth wrapped around them. Again, torches was a great idea. Maybe something happened and the material was unavailable. Not that big of a problem, but just something for us to bitch about. We made it to our campsite along the river, which was awesome, and passed a fitful night. About 2 am we were awakened for a guard posting that was completely haphazard. We were told by a corporal to just "go up there and spread out". Whatever that meant. We weren't even told which way to face. So, we set out up what we thought was possibly the worst terrain ever; loose rocks, leaves and an incredibly steep incline which left us all, tired as we were already, with little energy to go higher. Needless to say, nothing happened and after our shift was over, we just came right back down and went to bed. This is where the meat and vegetables will kick in.

Saturday morning: Woke up about 6:00 am. Very tired as we were on guard post the night before. Ate nothing since we were not issued anything besides salt pork. Nasty stuff. Began to march about 8:45 across what started as a road. This road parallels the aforementioned river. We could not stick to it long, as it had been washed out, so we took to the woods. It was incredibly slow and painful going. The 4th Iowa led the way behind other elements of the 1st Division. (it should be noted that several elements of the 1st had already departed without the rest of the Division) For about 3-4 miles we traversed very steep ground, with the mountain to our left and a sharp drop down to the river on our right. We also had not seen water since we set out, (along with no food still) and were getting desperate for water, food, and someone to blame. About 12, we came to a place where there was no longer any room to move along the ridge. We either had to turn around, or go up. I'm proud to say that the boys of the 4th proved their mettle and owned the challenge. We were the 1st element up of the 1st Division and subsequently blazed the trail that the rest of the 1st and parts of the 2nd came up after us. We rested as the 2nd came up behind us, and as soon as they arrived, we left again. We went down the hill, this time on the interior of the ridge, and stumbled across a water source; a small stream that runs to the main river also has a series of waterfalls from which we gathered water. It was pure bliss, especially after we had been cursing anyone with more material on their shoulders than us for their lack of common sense for leading us til our feet bled. The 4th Iowa boys coined the term, "Shermans Billygoats" and also used the term "Billygoat Brigade". Bummers we were not that day.

ONce we traveled up the small valley to get water, we followed it, desperate at this point to find food. We eventually did in the form of good Georgia corn and sweet potatoes. We hurriedly stopped in the next clearing and cooked up the corn. Some ate it raw. Most had not eaten in over a day and were starting to feel the effects after the gawdawful march from that morning. We swore we would not go up any more hills. While we were cooking, we encountered a small group of Wheelers cavalry. They began to ride down on top of us, but were turned back as another of our sister units came up behind us and deployed as skirmishers. We thanked them mightily and offered some of our forage. It was in this clearing that we also discovered a member of the 14th Indiana, of which was completely obliterated by the Georgia see-sesh earlier that day. We encouraged him to come with us, which he did. After several hours of rest, we finally made it to our prized jewel: Georgia locals. Most of 2nd Division was already there so it was slip pickins but we managed to forage about a pound of ham, a half pound of coffee beens, several eggs, noodles, potatoes, sweet potatoes, smoked beef, milk and honey, not to mention all the fineries that we decided the locals must not have need of anymore. We were surprised that with so many Federal troops present, that a) no one had had the presence of mind to kick the rotten see-sesh out of their houses, and b) liberated some of them from their weapons. We did both, took what we wanted, and then initiated the torching of the house, all to the tenor of those rotten women throwing plates and cursing President Lincoln. Things got hairy when a See-sesh woman nearly took the head off of one of our corporals with a pistol. Thankfully the Lieutenant had the presence of mind to relieve her of her weapon and such foolish ideas. I suppose the presence of 5 armed men also encouraged her to see it our way. We dined like kings that night, abandoning the wretched corn for a stew made by transplanted Iowan who grew up on the Gulf Coast. After that, most of us promptly bedded down and enjoyed the comfort of fist-size Georgia rocks. As we bid farewell to the de-housed populace, some of the confiscated items were returned to the good folk of Molena . . . in pieces! Not only did they lose their abode but most of their possessions with it. All in all, aside from the gawdawful walkin and the piss-awful locals, not the worst of forages I've been on. We moved on out of the area about daybreak to the sound of gunfire behind us, but we didn't care much. We had got what we came for.

[Huck]

Re: AAR Bummers (First Company of Uncle Billy's Billy Goats)

After Action Report for the 10th Iowa 3rd Division Under the Command of Capt. T. Sorchy.
From One of Uncle Billy Billy’s Goats

First I want to thank Greg Richardson for coming to a strangers rescue at the last minute, when a friend vehicle broke down in the middle of Missouri, (they were hauling my Springfield and ammo). So to my pards had to turn back and drive back to Colorado, you fellows missed an interesting event. I will sum this up, to the Armory Guards Mess 1 and everyone else who put on this event, I had a blast! To the State of Georgia, thank you for being so low, near sea level, I can breathe, you fellows seem to have a thing called oxygen.

Ok on with the AAR, well after flying in to Atlanta Friday at around noon, on my way to picking up my baggage, but who did I see, John Lloyd and a few other of the boys from up his way who also flew in about the same time and I was glad to see someone I knew. But for some strange reason the same thought ran through our heads, “that only someone heading to Bummers would wear his Hardee hat in the airport”. Shook each other’s hands grabbed our luggage and said see “you at the site” and we went our separate ways. Now, my friend Carl, who was already in from Colorado, was on his way to pick me up, but he was in more of a pickle than I was. See the short of the story is, our buddies who were driving in from Colorado, they not only were hauling my musket and rounds but they were hauling all his gear, he only had his uniforms and with that he was debating flying out Saturday morning. Good things that the smell of a great event, with like mind fellows, kept him around for the weekend. Especially since Carl drove me to the site. After we both checked in, which was smooth and effortless, I went around talking with all my friends. As I was talking with Tripp and told him about my weapon issue and flat out stated that he had a Spencer if I wanted to use it. My eyes about bugged out at this one in a life time chance. I jumped at it. Tripp with this offer killed two birds with one stone, weapon and rounds. With Greg’s Springfield, I would have still had to get rounds. I still owe Greg a huge thanks and even a beer for his offer. Then after walking around registration talking with old and new pards, found the Taters mess who I was falling in with, it is always great to see those boys. Mike, Dave, Jay, TJ and the gang. Finally got dressed and continued to hang around registration. Saw my long time pard Joe Blunt, man it was great to see you again, seeing you was a pleasure. I am going to get that coffee pot and a few other things from you that I saw you were selling.
At last went back to the vehicle, got changed and headed back to the registration area, waited for a while and then order to fall in on the road. The 10th Iowa ran through a quick inspection, lit torches and marched out with a spring in our step as “men who worked hard, with a will in that work to destruction”. Marched somewhere around a mile more or less, sometime around 10pm we were hit with light gun fire fronted and repulsed rebels with minimal effort. The 10th Iowa then went up the first of many hills (now with the river to our backs) found a road from which the rebel fired on us from and camped for the evening. The men fell out and started cooking our bacon rations that was issued earlier in the evening. Let say the haversacks were as empty as our stomachs and the meat went down without any issue, for once it was fresh however we not issued any salt, coffee, hardtack or sugar. The evening was comfortable and pulling picket wasn’t any problems. At times we were worried that the cavalry (maybe some of those General Wheelers “Critters”, I have heard a great deal about) would strike terror out of nowhere and then vanish. But we were lucky that first night, very lucky.
The next morning the order to rise and prepare to march, all remain rations we had were consumed canteens filled and the 10th Iowa prepared to march. Orders were to move back down the hill and marched by the right flank, to continue the line of March from the previous evening with the hill to our left and the river on the right. Now this is the part where we became Uncle Billy’s Billy Goats, a large mile long section or so of that river road was washed away do to the storm that rolled through the area. For about the next 5 hours or so, we tried to make our way along that washed out road. Little did we know there was a parallel road we could have used half way up the hill. We continue along that goat path well into early afternoon, until at last reached a stopping point, were TJ and Jay as well as a few others went and got water for the fellows. Once they returned and the company was slightly refreshed, 10th Iowa was order to march along their appoint route, at this time the road moved away from the river and the road became as level as level could be, compared to the mornings route. During this section of the march, members of the 10th Iowa were detailed to search for food that was reported in the area, however the men had no luck. So with the lack of food bellies, our hearts filled no love for any of the locals be them friendly or foe, at least in our eyes. Then 3pm, six of us were detailed to get water from a reported well on top of a hill. Little did we know it was still about a mile walk away? The whole time while on this water detail we feared the Johnnies cavalry that we heard were in the area, would strike without warning, we could see the hoof tracks. Now at this time I realized how tired I was, I notice that my stride got smaller and smaller, and this was the easiest uphill climb the whole day. But we were glad it wasn’t Kennesaw Mnt.
Now you’re probably wondering if we ever found water, yes we did were the local guide, with a slight bit of distrust, after all he was a local, but Uncle Billy trusted him so we did. He told us were spring could be found and it was. Well our orders were to hold that spring for the regiment, and wait for the 10th Iowa marched up there to us. Meanwhile we filled our canteens and a few members went and found the 10th, marching its way up to the top of the hill was we were posted. Now while we were waiting for the unit under the command of Capt Sorchy to get on top of the hill, a local farmer by the name of Mr. Coats, Herb Coat is his name, a local person, who we couldn’t find out if we was friendly to the union or a secesh scum, was hauling a wagon load of corn and sweet taters to market, when he happen to pass our detail He was more than happy to feed Uncle Billy’s Billy goats. Soon the 10th Iowa arrived about sundown, rations were issued and the men formed up in their messes and start cooking. However no meat could be found and the men wanted something a bit more than sweet taters and ears of corn. We search our empty haversacks and enough meet and rice was found in the fellows I messed with to make a soup and my cup full of coffee was split among us. After a hardy meal was consumed the boys fell fast asleep. The 10th Iowa was in a safe secured area while the rest of the division was in the area. That evening was slightly cooler than the evening before, but the freeman who joined our company kept the fires burning bright. He also was able to locate more coffee and sugar for us. That man earned his freedom and was well gratefulness of the company.
Now by first light the 10th Iowa was up and greatly refreshed from a good night’s rest and willing to do Uncle Billy’s will, which by this time had swelled up inside of us like a unstoppable wave washing on the beach, because of the day before. As we marched down the road a bit we happen to come across a covered wagon with three women, of which, let’s say, had questionable loyalties, but since they we ladies and didn’t give us any issues, we only took some of their food. Now on to the next farmstead, when we arrived, it was a completely different story, because of their reaction to us as we marched down the road.. Because of which, we let say we swarmed all over that farm like a sea of locus, this farm was full of secesh scum and they we made to pay for their disloyalties to the Union. The men rounded up and questioned and their women seem to let their vermin us hated for Uncle Billy’s soldiers, which caused them to lose all or most of their most precious items, china, crystal ware, all sorts of preserves, a ham, eggs and chickens , we took everything they had. One woman acted as if the chicken she was holding was her infant child. We figured she wasn’t right in the head. Now this is where your writer of this story, should smell something before he takes drink out of a bottle, especially the one he thinks is cherry preserves. It was soap! That is right my friends, soap. I took a big old swig of it and about lost it my mind and the boys had a good laugh. It took many jugs of sprits and even vinegar to clean my mouth out. They always said my mouth need to be washed out with soap for the number of times I took the lords name in vain. Now hours later I still have the taste in my mouth.Well, now my mouth is clean and I can start over, which we did on the next farmstead we happen to come across. This is where things got interesting.
Well after we taught this family a lesson about the price they had to pay for their disloyalties to the union, a small band of General Hood’s, Militia Army arrived, we pushed them aside and advanced to the next farm. And once again your fellow traveler was in the lead. During our march up the hill the second farmstead, I found a English Sword, but I had to turn in.
We found the next farm a short distance down the road, we approach the farm house and to us what looked like women trying to hide things under the floor boards we kicked open the door to step inside only to be met with dishes flying at our heads, one dish flew out the window at me barely missing my nose. About this time one of the officers, Lt P. Caddock step up inside the doorway, with the look of the devil in his eyes, staying that any of us stepped one foot inside that house, he would clean our “blank” clocks, and we felt, he meant it! Little did we know one of the women, was in the house, was giving birth. We figured General Hood need fresh replacements. I will be honest with you, these women had no love for the union, and we expected that the birth fluids would end up on one of us, since there were extremely willing to defend their kin even in the face of over whelming force . One but the only reason way we didn’t burn the house down around these women was because he have great respect for Lt Craddock. However the 10th Iowa continued to filled their haversacks and canteens and enjoyed the spoils of our plunder. We had felt that the best way to end this war was to make it as painful on the women and children of Georgia as possible. This war has gone on long enough. We were down there away from our families and they should be made to feel the pain. But we respected a new mother and her child, and didn’t burn the house down around their ears. So I guess you could say we boys from Iowa are gentlemen. But if I ever meet a woman like that, who throw dishes out the window, I don’t know what I would do. Hopefully not all of the women in Georgia are that way. Now after we took care of Uncle Billy’s business we prepare to move down the road, which was now blocked once again by seceeh soldiers. A hot exchange of lead was traded, none of the company was hit and the seceeh was once again pushed aside and Uncle Billy’s Army moved closer to Savannah.
Sweet Taters eaten, to many, Sweet Corn Consumed, too much, One ham consumed, many dishes broken, Preserves eaten, not enough, One soap bottle emptied, one, Chicken taken from seceeh masters, 5, Free-men shown the way to their freedom….. two., Dish thrown, a few, One baby born, one, Ammo used, not enough, Jugs of sprits rationed to the Army, not enough for even the Taters Mess of the 10th Iowa.








Once again I must thank
The Armory Guard for a great event.
Greg Richardson for hauling a weapon to an event because mine was in a vehicle stuck somewhere in Missouri.
To Tripp Corbin thanks for the Spencer Rifle.
To my Friends in the Taters, it was great seeing you again and is glad I always have a home to fall in with.
To my friends
Joe, Pat, Brian, Tripp, Eric and many others, it is always great to share a wonderful event with you all.
To Anna, Silvana and Ladies, in the second cabin we hit, you always seem to be in the most interesting roles that all of us get to interact in or around. I still to my dying day remember that sight of dishes flying at our heads.
Mrs. Lawson, your yarn is wonderful.
Herb, 3rd Division owes you a huge kiss on the forehead for bending over backwards with getting the food and water to us on the ridge.
To my friends Ray, Marc and Mark, you boys were missed.
To Carl, I think you had a great time.
To the rest of the 10th Iowa and to all of the 3rd Division, you are always be in Georgia at least, Uncle Billy’s Billy Goats.
To Jordon our civilian scout, that is one of the greatest lines I have ever heard, Bummers, arrive here hungry, leave Happy! Sounds like it could be a Georgia I-Hop commercial.
Dave West, that snuff sure clears the pipes.
To anyone who would like to do an event in a set of trenches, please let me know, we have them dug, photo from our last event can be found on my Face-book Page under William_P_Green_Jr@yahoo.com

[ajroscoe]

Re: AAR Bummers

I have to say, that I enjoyed an event where my goal was to avoid combat. I think I fired about 6 rounds the whole time, and those rounds were in the rear guard action with the 2nd Division, once we had hooked up with them. My group went cross-country to avoid a fight - granted one we were outnumbered in. I think that's something we don't do a lot in reenacting is look for times to avoid a fight. Oh, and Casey, I know plenty my complaints weren't about privations, they were about legitimate safety concerns. There is a big difference there. I have no problem campaigning. I have a problem when people stand a fair chance at serious injury/dying through neglect.

[AndrewMartin]

Re: AAR Bummers

Wow! I'm stuck in an RV heading back to Indiana with the rest of my pards who attened this event as the 1st MO engineers. I'm sorry but I needed to post something before this shit gets out of hand! First of all, please no more posts from those who didn't attend this event saying things like "thank God you made it out alive".

I believe that truely 75 percent of us so called hardcores belong in mainstream events, sleeping in a A-frame, with a sleeping bag, 2 bales of straw, and a water hose within 50 yards. Maybe you think you're hardcore because your coat was purchased from so and so, or you recently had you musket defarbed. Regardless, all I ask those that post their AAR's damning the event staff who are in many's opinion some of the best our hobby has to offer. Is to take a look in the mirror and ask youself, if you even belonged at an event like this! Most of what Mr Roscoe described happened to our party and we loved it. Did we get lost, yes! Did we need to boil water at one point, yes! I mean my god there was a stream at the base of every hill.
All this happened and we loved it!
I saw way too many federals that shouldn't have attended this event based on the shape they appeared to be in. Or worse the mindset that they were in while participating.
I will post a full AAR tomorrow....
Andrew Martin 1st MO Engineers