For the Federals

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: For the Federals

I agree fully Mr. Lloyd. That is why I am expecting the Hearty, campaign types on this side of the hobby to step up to the challenge and fill our ranks:baring_te We must act as one for these events boys. Thats how we make ITPW happen. Thats how we will make Bummers happen. But we all have to contribute.:tounge_sm
Cheers:D
Terry Sorchy

Yessir... Another big challenge-and still one for today's military- is sustaining the soldier's energy level throughout the campaign. I feel our attention spans and physical fitness levels are WAY shorter than your average person of the 1860s as compared with today.

We only have to do it for a week at max- but our forebears had to do it for way longer. It gives me so much more respect for them and perspective of their lives.

All the best- Johnny Lloyd:wink_smil

[Rob Murray]

Re: For the Federals

Folks,

You will be hot, cold, wet, dirty and muddy. Hopefully, not at the same time but it could happen. You need to be prepared for anything and what you are not prepared for, the members of your mess or company will help you. At BGR, Iwatched a bunch of guys who didn't know each other gel and become a company. It was one of my finest moments in the hobby.

As Tom has stated, this may be the last time an event like this is held. If you can, I encourage everyone, whether "maintream" or "campaigner", to attend this event. And when you're plodding along, trying to put one foot in front of the other, someone will be there to encourage you to keep going.

So get those registrations in and we'll chase the "Bayou Yeti" through Kisatchie.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: For the Federals

You will be hot, cold, wet, dirty and muddy.

And THAT's the fun part...

When yer freezing cold, just huddle together and say... "I love this sh_t!!!"

If it ain't rainin', we ain't training...

All the best- Johnny Lloyd:wink_smil

[yankee]

Re: For the Federals

Well, This will be my first c/p/h event and I can not wait!!!! So excited!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

[PVT.THIB]

Re: For the Federals

Guys,
Just to give you an idea about what Rob is talking about, yesterday here in Natchitoches (about 30 mins from the event site) it was about 70 degrees and dry as a bone. This morning I woke up and it had dropped to about 40 and it is misting hard and everything is damp. Yesterday I wore shorts and a tee shirt and today I will have to layer up. This is what you have to look forward to boys, especially coming in the unpredictible month of March!
Have fun gents,
Jason

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: For the Federals

Wool works for ANY weather... or so it seems.

All the best- Johnny Lloyd:wink_smil

[Old Reb]

Re: For the Federals

The Ground Hornets scouted part of the trail today. The part we scouted was not used durning BGR. It was cold, wet, muddy, very hilly and we marched hard and fast and covered what will be the route Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday. The purpose was to confirm bivouac sites and water sources. The mission was successful. I probably will not be able to walk tomorrow, but it is a fine place. Lessons learned or relearned; Louisiana is not flat!!! You need to be in shape! I need to be in better shape. I am not as young as I was for BGR.

[3rd arkansawyer]

Re: For the Federals

Uncle Tom one thing I noticed today after we covered 12 miles in 8 hours was the young ones was as tired and stiff as us older ones. I totally agree with you though, you must train, train, and train some more! If you come expecting to conquer the "Louisiana Mountains" you will be the one conquered! I sure had a goodtime today with you and the boys! It was just a teaser for March.

[Old Reb]

Re: For the Federals

The eight hours for the mileage was total time and included the forty five minutes it took taking care of the men that were either lost, or sent looking for those that were lost and the one hour for a noon time break. And the total mileage marched was 14 miles because we marched nearly two miles from the Friday nights bivouac site to the trail. Thus, it was six and one half hours for fourteen miles and before anyone gets pumped about the short distance, it was over very hilly, very sandy and very muddy trail. We don't want anyone to be fooled by the map distance of the event, because anyone that has been in Kisatchie knows that maps don't tell you much about the condition of the trail. But the point is, be prepared. Thanks Larry for being there.

[PogueMahone]

Re: For the Federals

Tom,

How many creeks did you cross? How were they running?

[Old Reb]

Re: For the Federals

Joe,
Though we had a light, cold rain Friday night and Saturday morning, it was not enough to effect water flow. It has been several weeks since there has been a good rain. So, we were concerned, but found four good flowing creeks on the part of the route we scouted, and maybe four others with a small flow, but with available water.

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: For the Federals

Joe,

One of the reasons we did the hike was to check creeks. This has been a fairly dry winter in Kisatchie but even so there was good water where we expected it. I don't recall the exact number- four or five at least. Some were small and shallow, others a bit deepr and wider. And we were on the upland portion of the trail. The lower area is where we'll pass through later in the event. If there is water upland we know it'll be more than fine downstream.

As has been said in the last few posts- train up. Our mission this weekend was to move fast and scout the route. During the event there will be fighting, skirmishing, and the many other glorious duties that soldiers are called upon to accomplish, all with full pack, traps, and a musket.

And for those who remember the "charcoal forest" with great fondness, know that the Forest Service has burned 8,000-10,000 acres thus far, part of which we'll pass through. It's likely more will be blackened prior to our arrival. Some parts we passed through were still smoking. One huge log was rolled over and coffee boiled on it.

Regards,

[Old Reb]

Re: For the Federals

We were unable to carry the big burning log with us, but I wish we could have done so!

[Phil McBride]

Re: For the Federals

In regards to lessons re-learned on the scouting march yesterday, one thing I heard discussed by several men towards the end of the "walk" was socks. By then everyone's shoes were soaked through and caked with mud, helping to seal in the moisture, so the shoes were heavy and not going to dry out anytime soon. Even those who were wearing a pair of cotton socks under their wool socks were feeling that in-the-brogan friction that leads to blisters. The trail is used by 4-wheelers during the summer months and we often found ourselves not only climbing and descending steep hills, but also walking on the sides of the rutted trail, to avoid mud or puddles in the center, causing a side-to-side friction. Tough on socks and leads to blisters. I also personally was dealing with new wool socks that were not as tight on my foot as needed.

Bottom line learned from a wet march, rather than have one spare pair of wool socks, I recommend 2 spare pairs, all that fit real snugly. A sheet of moleskin is going in that meds poke sack along with the other stuff.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles

[Auld Pelty]

Re: For the Federals

Regarding Phil's words of wisdom. I took 3 pairs of cheap sutler's socks to BGR and never got a blister until Sunday morning---it was just a pinky blister. Yesterday, I removed a pair of socks bought from a vendor all will reckonize and had to remove them at the first rest stop to replace them with the rag wool socks. It was too late and I got blisters on the bottoms of both feet.

If the socks do not fit snuggly, your pain will be ugly.