Into The Piney Woods AAR

[Old Reb]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Now, Terry, you know you will be back in two years as General Antonio López de Santa Anna. You will be furnished with the Yellow Rose to "entertain you." Start working on raising that Mexican army! The rub is that Frank needs to put on some weight to accurately portray Sam Houston.

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

To go back to the bayonett charge. I was told to hold my ground until the other two companies came up. I took it upon myself to go up into the works. Finding that no one was there I went ahead down the road. Once again going against the order I was given.

I went against the order that Terry gave me and he is suffering because of my disobiedience. When you all caught up with us, Terry talked to me about this. He did not yell or scream he explained how I hurt the situation.
I think instead of pointing fingers we need to thank men like Terry who have for the past year given much time and effort to make this battalion go. Same would be for the rebels with Frank.


And I WILL be back in two years. I want to finish the march.
Holler

[Tarheel]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Marvin,
You were a STAR!!!!!! Taylor's Foreign Legion, as Billy so aptly named us, were hugely grateful for your presence. I gave us a unique dimension to an exceptional event. Please don't forget about our Battery Wagner chat. We'd most certainly cross the Atlantic for an event based on that scenario.
Also Billy; you were a fantastic addition to our ranks and, for those who may not know this, Billy marched for miles with not just blistered heels but bloodied flesh without one murmur of complaint. When he was finally forced to stop and remove his boots he exposed one inch square patches of blood red raw flesh on each heel. This was quickly dealt with and he then continued. Finally, on Friday morning when marching out he simply could not get his boots on so kept going in stockinged feet!!!!!! Amazing, foolish but truly amazing.
To Fred, Tom and all on either side who contributed to to making ITPW such a success, our deeply grateful thanks. The six Lazy Jacks arrived back in London this morning exhausted and damp but exhilarated. Even it its abreviated form and with the weather we endured, it could not have been better. Here's to the next one!!!!!!
Warm (and dry) regards to all,
Patrick Reardon
The Lazy Jack Medss, UK

[Ian McWherter]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Nathan,
That scenario did not play out the way it was supposed to and it was a blunder. My apologies to all. The way it was supposed to come off was Company B was supposed to act as skirmishers then retire back to the line not go through the works. We were not supposed to know that the rebs had abandoned the works and were to go up in a column of company's. Then we were to go on the right into line. That maneuver did not come off either. If it had then your company would not have gone through any underbrush and it may have been more memorable. Sorry for not having everything that was supposed to happen without a hitch, happen.

War's hell ain't it? Nothing goes off without a hitch ever! That's reality, that's what happened in the real war. Orders get confused, misunderstood, ignored based on real time events, that's why event coordinators should never over script any battle scenario. One has to be flexible and roll with the punches.

I commend Terry Sorchy for doing an outstanding job as Battalion commander! There were things that were simply beyond his control (he had to follow orders too), but I never saw him lose his temper or speak an ill word. I wish I could be so patient and calm. He took the time to speak with us individually to make sure we were having a good time and to address any of our concerns.

Three cheers for Terry!

[madasabagofcats]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I've popped in and out of the Forum today as Jet Lag and Real Life have interfered with my thoughts...got a bit of time now to jot down a few thoughts...

After nearly four days of the Kisatchie experience, and with a bit of reflection, I have to say ITPW has given me more insight into the Civil War and the men that fought it than any other experience in over twenty years of re-enacting.

It's probably best if I just list 'em - in no partickler order:

Hard marching, sometimes at a killer pace, just to keep ahead of the Yankees.

The weight of a haversack with a two/three day ration.

The benefit of well-worn shoes/boots and how difficult it would have been to march anywhere in new issue or 'exchanged' footwear.

The benefit of a Slouch Hat over a Kepi/Forage Cap in wet weather.

The difficulty in keeping ANYTHING dry in severely wet weather.

The reliance made on good mess mates.

The benefit of hot,strong coffee and how hard it must have been for the Southern soldier without that elixir of life.

'Waiting for the Wagon' - the frustration of the supply wagons stuck back on the trail

The chaos of capture - the very real fear of losing your comrades, your personal equipment and what kind of treatment you were going to get in the hands of the enemy.

The importance of 'ditching' your shelter when rain threatens.

The vital work done by Corporals in the ranks, in camp and on the march.

...and the importance of Officers/Sergeants/ 'helpful' local citizens in exaggerating the distance left to camp rather than the continual mantra of 'just over the next ridge' (that's just a personal feeling...:tounge_sm)

All in all, a fabulous event, wonderful folks to work with, some great experiences with fellows both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, some uproarious moments that had me in stitches, some miserable moments that nearly had me in tears, some great new friends made and some reminders of the sheer willpower and determination of ordinary men and women to 'get the job done' when it needs to be done.

I'm proud to have served with you all; thanks to the Groundhornets for a spectacularly brilliant experience, to Captain Jackman's Jayhawkers/Jackasses/Jannisaries European and American and to Patrick 'Rumble' Reardon for making it all possible for me to experience.

'Go again, Sir?'

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

The benefit of hot,strong coffee and how hard it must have been for the Southern soldier without that elixir of life.

After a day of short rations and long marches, I watched leiutenants Arnold and Thomason and several others take a healthy gulp from a cup of "Silasbucks". Their eyes rolled to the back of their heads as they exclaimed...
"Tell me you can make this again!" - Tim
"Oh, thank you God!!!" - Kiev

I'd like to echo Ian's post:
Things never go as planned. Event coordinators and overall commanders shoulder a large burden for the success of an event. They are responsible for scores of details that the average attendee need not consider, from safety and food, to scenario and the details of running a battalion.

I think it is good to ask questions about how an event was run and let folks know that their are parts that you didn't like. However, after a year or more of recruiting, planning, checking and rechecking the details, and shelling out plenty of one's own money for the good of the event, naked complaints will not likely be well-received by those who organized or ran the thing. I'd recommend a constructive approach.

For the Record: I had a great time at the event. I am very proud to have stayed in-line for each day's march and for the chance to help folks learn some battalion drill, lead Company B on an advance, set picket posts and outposts, go searching for "The Lost Patrol", and help run the Federal battalion. These are memories that will be with me for a long, long time. I am very grateful for the faith that Terry showed in me by selecting me for this position and for his patience and mentorship before and during the event. I learned a lot last week, and that's why I'm in the hobby!

[NewHopeChurch]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

After a day of short rations and long marches, I watched leiutenants Arnold and Thomason and several others take a healthy gulp from a cup of "Silasbucks". Their eyes rolled to the back of their heads as they exclaimed...
"Tell me you can make this again!" - Tim
"Oh, thank you God!!!" - Kiev

It made its way down to Co. F as well, and I swear to God, that was the most welcome taste of the whole event. :D

I'll add some kind of constructive post of my own, probably tomorrow.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Just realized that the event was called off on Friday the 13th.

Mua ha haaaa!

[Coatsy]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Ladies and Gents of Cyber Reenacting,

First off monumental thanks go out to Fred and Tom plus their support staff for making this happen. Special thanks to the Bayou Yeti for not eating Marvin, but you owe me a pocket knife.

Piney Woods was a grand adventure for me and my Georgia Pards. (Scotty and Marvin get bunched into this mess as well) I was in Company G (The G Unit) under the command of Capt Paul (Other Rob Murray) Bunyon and Lt. Kiev “Mayor of Tiny Town, Ga” Thomason. The men I served with came from all over the US. We had Trans Miss, Western, and Eastern lads under the brass “G” and we made the best of temperature changes, late night picket duty, cooking bacon in the dark, (for realz) being routed by Johnnies, only to rally and charge back, to make the bestest homeless shelter ever created in the Piney Woods, keep a manly fire going in upside down/sideways/right side rain, and marching just over the “one more hill” that the Good Professor Fred told us was up yonder.

Of course a week with the same group of gents makes you pals and pards, but we really came together as a company and it was pretty damn good. I would like to think the prowess of my section, 1st section of 1s platoon aka “Best Section”. JJ, Martin, Clint, Jamie, and Caleb were constant pards on the march and kept me on my toes. Well that and the blisters on my heals kept me on my toes. You guys are good comrades. I’d like the thank my mess mates, Lewis and Jordan. Pooling our resources kept us from going to “Uncle Hank’s” and that is a good thing. The NCOs were good chaps and did their jobs well, I can’t believe we worked as well as we did.
Now onto the “moments”

Marching and marching and marching and marching. Yeah we did that.

Functioning as a mess. Yeah we did that.

Pushing a wagon up to the ridge top. Yeah we did that.

Guarding some “Cajuns” that got captured. Yeah we did that. (Hope the Johnnies enjoyed the first set of guards near the creek.)

Not giving up, when the Johnnies stood their ground. Yeah we did that.

Not giving in to some crap weather on Thursday evening/Friday AM. Yeah we did that.

Being the most acrid, witty, and inflammatory company. Oh yeah…. We did that!!!!!

And Jesus Wept.

~Herb
Formerly Cpl Edgerington L. Cumberbatch IV
of Co. G, 24th Iowa

(No Stick Forts were harmed in this message)

[Coatsy]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Another note.

Even though the boys took out their frustration in a fir per manner towards the battalion staff. I'd like to say a hearty "Thanks" to the gents that were on staff for the 24th Iowa (recreated) this past week. I've been an NCO, company commander, and a subaltern at events, but these have been just a regular weekend events. Piney Woods was not so "regular." (And that's a positive thing) Terry (Never missed a stream), Silas (Judge of Salem), John (Wicky Wicky Wicky Wickett), The Heef (plus Tatum), and John J. Rambo Hicks did a lot to keep out blue asses moving. We cried "Martinets", we wanted to get the hell out of Dodge, but these men kept us moving, fed, and on track to chase the Johnnies.

I don't envy their positions, but they did a good job at seeing that we stayed the course.

I would also like to think the mule skinners. These gents had their four hooved friends to take care of as well as our gear and ammo. Without these folks we'd been in a tight spot.

Finally my thanks to the Distinguished Opposition. I saw most of you from afar, but I hope the Johnnies had a good time as we did.

[bhutton]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Hello to All,
Finally catching a few minuites to recap the wonderful,painful, joyful experience of ITPW.I met a lot of new people, saw several I had met at previous events and had a very memorable experience, I lived for a brief moment as they lived, I commented to my buddy JJ that the life of a private must have,as we say today, 'sucked'.
The first days march was a little trying due to the heat , but I was wishing for that 'heat ' on Wednesday and Thursday. We marched into the 'Howling wilderness" being delayed by Confederate dismounted cavalry. Tuesday nights camp was dry and pleasant , the following afternoon after a long hilly march we encountered the enemy in force and could not dislodge him from his hill top fortifications,Some of us on the left of Co 'G' were flanked and almost captured, I barley escaped after tearing through the thorn bushes and tearing up my self in the process, we reformed behind our 'hasty' and sallied out to capture some of the 'Rebs' that had pursued us. Later that night I experienced guard duty, the weather growing colder and a sleepless night, Next morning we pushed wagons up a hill, reformed and found the Confederates had left their works in the night, the march contunued the rain started on and off that afternoon. Somewhere around 3PM or so we againg ran into entrenched opposition, it began to rain a little harder, we could not drive them off.
We again made camp, collected as much damp wood as we could find, set up shelter and tried to stay warm . Myself and comrade JJ built a gum-rubber tent and huddled under our bankets, we survived reasonably warm but damp.
The last morning, the rain was falling harder,we beat a hasty retreat across the fields to the road, saluted our Confederate comrades, and headed back to camps Cane & Lotus.
Thanks Terry, Rob,Kiev,Joe and all the others of Co 'G'. Thanks to all the organizers, Fred & Tom, and all the rest for all their hard work and for an experience I will never forget.

Bob Hutton

[ajroscoe]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I served as the third sergeant of F company under the name of John Hershey at IPTW. During that week, I observed some of the very best and the very worst of soldiering. I saw men all across the battalion caring for their partners, especially on that hell of a Thursday night, when men got their buddies warm, got coffee or hot water into them, and helped them dry out their clothing. There were men who stayed up practically that whole night, checking on their men, like Eric Selvig, one of my corporals, who kept his whole shebang going that night. I saw men in my company take on detail after detail without ever missing one, though complaining like old soldiers that it was the next sections turn. I saw men share some of the last food out of their bags with comrades who had none, just as I saw men who had water share some with a friend who was out. Whenever someone fell out, his gear was split among the company and everyone carried on, some men moving with two packs for quite a ways. On Tuesday, I say Mr. Hicks doing that, and I think that might have been one of the most inspirational things I saw that whole week.

I saw leaders who went out of their way to take care of their men, I also saw leaders who didn't care at all about their men. One of the LT's in our company, Heath Hammond, brushed down the mules for Mr. Heath so that our company could get a chicken on Wednesday, though he had his own diner already. I saw a LT in another company smack and then swear out one of his men over a drill movement. I saw men stand double guard duties so that their company mates could get something done, or rest after falling out on a hot day, and be happy to help out. I saw men of one company shirk their guard duty, leaving other men on the line long after their turn was up because getting up in the middle of the night was too hard for them. The men dealt with 1/3 bread rations by pooling together what they had and making the best of it.

To the men of F company: you did an outstanding job, every single one of you. I never saw men snap at each other, I never saw an order ignored, I never saw someone disrespect an officer or NCO in the company. But more than that, I saw men who bonded together through a week with extraordinary cheerfulness and emerged as one coherent company. Even though we pulled duty every night, everyone remained positive and proud of the fact that we were so reliable of a company. You all were patient and brotherly to the men around you, which went a long way to making the event as amazing as it was. To my corporals, Eric Selvig, Charles Mathias, Christian Jebb and Gus Wimmer-Brown, THANK YOU. You all did an incredible amount of leg work keeping the company going. You all ran your details well, and served as the all important link between the sergeants and the men. I would gladly have any of you in that capacity again. You were leaders and managers of great skill. To Perry Scofield and Will Eichler, my fellow sergeants, you two did an outstanding job this week and set a wonderful example for the men. Will, you got me into this event and you gave me a tough job, for which I am eternally thankful. To Heath Hammond, Michael Commer, and Carl Clink, the officers. You all did a wonderful job. Mike and Heath, as LTs, you both stayed very active and did not just sit out of the way. You took a lot of the burden off of the sergeants shoulders and were amazing leaders to work under. You fought for us, provided for us, and cared for us, as well as any officer in the military today. Finally, to Steven Hall and Brandon Heath, our medics, for all the extra work you put in caring for the men, thank you. You made the difference out there many times and I thank you for that.

Terry, John, Silas, and Brian, you all were an extremely able staff and I was glad to be able to serve under you and see how you all operate. It was a pleasure. Tom and Fred, thank you for a stellar event, and Fred I enjoyed our talks up on the advance, you are great men.

At this point, I am proud to say that as a member of the Freezing Effers, I served Into the Piney Woods!

[unclefrank]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I think that sums it up very well Andy. Once again thanks to you and Will for saving my tired old ass.

[Carl A Clink]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

After we advanced on the works that Thursday morning I had a real moment in the abandoned camp. We co.F pushed through there works, the sight of the abandoned camp with fires still smoking and litter all around made it kind of eerie. But the sight that really knocked me back was the grave near a tree with a crude head board. I didn't have time to really read it but he was a cavalry man. We then pushed on. I will remember the grave and how touching that moment was for me. Years ago while at an event we crossed a stream and there leaning up agenst a tree was a dead reb with his intestins hanging out on the ground. What a sight it was. I know it was fake but it really hit one right in the face with how horrable it must have been. Thanks to all who go that extra mile for the benafit of others.
Just my two cents
Carl

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

But the sight that really knocked me back was the grave near a tree with a crude head board. I didn't have time to really read it but he was a cavalry man. We then pushed on. I will remember the grave and how touching that moment was for me. Carl

Carl,

The crude marker on a wood plank read: "J.D.R. 2nd La Cav 1864". We put it up that morning as we were feeling nostaligic for one of our pards who originally did much of the legwork to get us invited to the event, but has since retired from the hobby. We decided that we wouldn't be there most likely if it weren't for him and we wanted to leave behind a small token of gratitude.

I'm glad it helped move you to a different level.