Westville AAR

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Westville AAR

Pete,

If you are truly sore over the cup and a half of sugar, I take full responsibility for the prank. I seem to recall your blackmarket price of the sugar at $2, but whatever it was let me know and I'll see that you, Jim, or whoever gets it. It may make you happy to know the sugar was used by one of the cooking groups. You mention a stolen bag, etc. which I truly know nothing about, so that may be another character of Westville's doing. And if your curt reply above is just your own prank back at me, well you just got me. Let me know.

[Chip]

Re: Westville AAR

I would like to take the opportunity to commend Jim Butler on organizing a truly wonderful event.
I came to Westville with relatively high expectations and to my delight, I was not disappointed.

I'm quite sure that there were many participants who came to the sudden realization that the intricacies of planning a civilian focused event on the scale of Westville are, for the mostpart, even more complicated than the dynamics of planning a similar sized military event.

My hat is off to all who helped transform Westville into a thriving wartime community!!!

And..... ...if anyone has seen Eustis running about, please immediately escort him to Dr. Warner for treatment.

I remain your humble and obdt. servant,

James M. Tye
District 22

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Westville AAR

GA Impressment Agent, Andrew Jay
(I didn't have a last name listed, so I had to make-up one. Oh well- inshallah ;))

Goals:
-Impress relief from all on local inhabitants list (achieved)

-Collect Property Taxes from all on local inhabitants list (achieved)

-Hire local Home Guard to make seizures of goods if necessary (slightly achieved since most people were willing to divvy up when asked. I used the home guard only once to guard the office when I wasn't there and accompany me to the Bryan House to talk to Miss Cynthia Davis after recieving a toungue-lashing from Mrs. Bryan)

-Shun and do not help the CS impressment agent (achieved- we even charged him rent for the office space- LOL)

-Speculate on stolen/blackmarket goods (achieved)

-Pay boarding House fee (achieved)

Goodwill Goal:

Go lightly or exempt poor and destitute individuals from taxation or impressment as well as aid the poor (achieved- I exempted the Farmhouse from taxation and brought them medicine and food. I took the laundress's old soap instead of further demanding money. I brought black market goods and extra stuff to the boarding house. I helped my relief agents give food/aid to the poor.)

Highlights:

1) Seeing Cynthia Davis's reaction to Joe Beetle and my visit: "Oh, you're the tax man..." Priceless.
2) Attending the show and realizing that my pathetic attempt to defarb my ticket by removing the picture on the bottom resulted in making it accidentally look like I had already attended. Many thanks to my Aunt Tilley and hope she recovers from seeing such a bawdy great time... ;)
3) The tavern... Winter '64 was back in full swing! Period conversation, debate and drinks is so much more fun than hanging-out in a modern bar! WOW!
4) A former yeoman farmer (Jay) pretending to be a man of means and people falling for it. All I had was a nicer jacket and top hat from ill-gotten gains and people believed me at what I was doing. Had someone challenged me, I would have been at a loss.
5) Staying at the boarding house with the CS impressment agent, Bernie Biederman, my mortal enemy was across the breakfast table from me every day. How awkward!
6) Linda Trent sneaked lard on the table instead of butter. I thought the butter tasted kinda funny.
7) Watching and dancing at a "whiteface" show. Damn good time from all! The more highbrow entertainment was refreshing. I felt like most yeoman gentlemen of the period probaby did while watching the performances... "when can I get to the tavern?" Totally a time warp experience!
8) I wasn't sure why I was collecting county property taxes being a impressment agent, but it seemed like a good racket to get money from everyone anyway. The Judge challenged me once by mentioning hiring for a "Tax Assessor" position, but I played dumb at it since I needed to collect "taxes" to fund my own corrupt pocket...
9) I wanted to make people not know exactly if I was good or evil, a help or hinderance. I think I was successful judging by the reaction of most everyone so far.
10) Realizing that GA in 1863 was fast turning into a "Survivor Island" where everyone began to prey upon each other or suddenly withdraw into themselves when the Yankees were bearing-down upon the land. Horrible, dire and a fearful way to live...
11) Nathan, Mr. Burke stealing stuff from our office... damn youUUU!!! LOL
15) Skinflint knife sheath makers... ;)
16) Helping the local inhabitants... yep, I actually did give useable stuff to the community even though I took stuff from others.

Again, if you missed it, you're at a loss for the best civilian event!

Thanks to everyone that made it possible! -Johnny Lloyd

[majdoc]

Re: Westville AAR

All I'll say is it was a blast.
Jim many thanks for your time and effort.
Would not have missed it for the world. Will be there is 2 years as good ol(not old) Doc Porter.
The only complaint I have is for 2 events now I have never had my picture taken. Incognito I guess.

[Bill]

Re: Westville AAR

"15) Skinflint knife sheath makers..."

John,

I made your knife sheath. My skinflint employer set the price!

I guess I should be thankful, Mr. Singer allowed me to keep my job after taking him to court.

James William Price AKA:

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Westville AAR

Mr Jay, Skinflint? You tried to pay me with a worthless check! (I am proud to say I remain as yet, firmly perched, if only temporarily, on the proverbial turnip wagon)

Mr Price, Yes, and you were damned lucky to keep your job! Especially after your insolence at the Tavern Saturday night. And that, on top of your tremendous good fortune in even being allowed into the Gentlemen's Room that night! You should have been shown the door!
Hmmmmm, after thinking of it further, .........consider yourself FIRED for 2012 er, 1865.


Ken R KNopp a.k.a. John Singer

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Westville AAR

Mr Jay, Skinflint? You tried to pay me with a worthless check! (I am proud to say I remain as yet, firmly perched, if only temporarily, on the proverbial turnip wagon)

Mr Price, Yes, and you were damned lucky to keep your job! Especially after your insolence at the Tavern Saturday night. And that, on top of your tremendous good fortune in even being allowed into the Gentlemen's Room that night! You should have been shown the door!
Hmmmmm, after thinking of it further, .........consider yourself FIRED for 2012 er, 1865.


Ken R KNopp a.k.a. John Singer

Mr. Singer, Can you only imagine what the Yankees will do with a Boot Shop?!

James LOgan (friend of Jim Butler)

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Westville AAR

Mr Logan, ahhhh Jim,...... Can I detect an proverbial "Oh- Oh" ? The word "pillage" comes to mind however "arson" I would pray would not also be included.
BTW, I am working on some Yankee Cavalry for you. When scenarios start to gel please get in contact with me.
Also, my offer of Yank cav guidelines still hold. Just give me some units #'s etc. to work with. I only ask that we re-construct and I be attached to the Singer Food Group. We may not eat much in 65 but we will eat well with those wonderful and talented ladies at the fire.

BTW/2: I posted a bunch of new photos of the event today on the Yahoo group site.
Ken R Knopp

[Bill]

Re: Westville AAR

Mr Price, Yes, and you were damned lucky to keep your job! Especially after your insolence at the Tavern Saturday night. And that, on top of your tremendous good fortune in even being allowed into the Gentlemen's Room that night! You should have been shown the door!
Hmmmmm, after thinking of it further, .........consider yourself FIRED for 2012 er, 1865.


Ken R KNopp a.k.a. John Singer

Mr. Singer, Mr. Knopp, or whatever alias you may be using these days,

I was invited into the Gentleman's room of the tavern by Mr. Seymore, the accountant for the Westville Bank & Trust Company. A gentleman of the highest repute. If I seemed disrespectful, it was only because you deserved it, after winning judgments against a widow and an injured working man, in an obviously fixed court! By the way, you can't fire me, I quit.

Your humble servant,
James William Price

All kidding aside, I had a great time working in the shoe factory. I'm already looking forward to the next installment of the Westville saga. Many thanks to everyone involved with putting on this outstanding event. And Ken, thanks for being a great foil. (At least your wife stood up for you!) :)

[DBAR1918]

CS Ordnance Works AAR

I’ve waited for a few days to pass before posting an After Action Review of the Westville 1863 until after I had attended our October Board meeting at Westville and waited to see pictures posted on the website photo album of the CS Ordnance Works. Since few folks from the rest of the village made it down to see the range of activities, here is a review of the five days efforts and “goals” achieved by the artisans at the Works.
It took a rather full sixteen foot Penske truck to transport the materials to and from the Fortson Arsenal. It was like a rail car from Harpers Ferry traveling to Richmond in 1861! The Wells House was a perfect facility for the indoor and outdoor activities, and it was a pleasure to have the Dress Shop as neighbors. Our assigned goal was to produce ammunition and pay contract laborers to learn how and to perform the tasks. Here’s what the team accomplished.
The casting operation produced over 1,000 lead bullets from buckshot from gang molds, to musket balls, to Pritchett Enfield balls, all from original molds. These were trimmed after cooling and carried into the cartridge laboratory to be rolled into paper cartridges. Four ladies learned the mysteries of rolling, tying, and filling over 500 “Minie’” and Buck and Ball cartridges at the rolling table. They were tyrants. When they began to run out of cut rolling papers or a type of bullet, they made sure we dropped what we were doing and cast or cut what they needed. Even the assigned Home Guards set down their shot guns and pitched in to cut paper. Families and school groups particularly enjoyed seeing the melted lead cast into bullets.
The repair facility worked on a revolver, three shotguns, and loaded a few weapons brought to the bench. In addition, there were twenty-two original or authentic firelocks stacked for “repair” from the battlefield of Chickamauga or flintlocks awaiting percussioning. A shot gun (with bayonet), a “Mississippi”, and twenty-five cartridges and caps were provided to the Home Guard, as well as a country rifle and wooden rifle to the “Nancy Hanks” Amazon Warriors who drilled at the Henry House. The Georgia Impressment Agent, “Mister Jay”, was provided a loaded revolver with holster and belt. A handful of finials were cast for the boot makers, and at least one was incorporated in a new pistol holster for the village mayor. Five hatchets or axes were sharpened for the Carpenter’s Shop and over a dozen knives were sharpened for cooks and pockets. One exemption was issued and one “furloughed Soldier” turned out to be a deserter.
Each day laborer was paid at the end of each shift and it is surprising how many could not sign the Day Book and required a witness. Three of the ladies returned for multiple shifts on three days to roll cartridges and we couldn’t have done without them. Of interest, our two best bullet casters were fourteen years old, and several participants from other activities dropped by to learn how to cast and roll. Two of the many wooden ammunition boxes dropped off by Greg Deese are now at the Columbus Museum and the Port Columbus Naval Museum, and the model ammunition produced will be part of 150th exhibits. I particularly wish to thank all the kind folks who pitched in on Wednesday and Sunday to help unload and load all the “stuff”. It will take all winter to sort it back out.
I’m glad I was offered Westville scrip rather than wooden nickels over the five days for services or repairs. I’d rather buy bizarre fluids and goobers at Nuckel’s than bid on a single slipper at the court house. I found that most folks appreciated a service or repair and I was happy to do stuff for others, whether they had something to barter or not. The one greatest exception was Bev Simpson and the folks at the Henry House who not only provided meals, but made sure that we always got something to eat and sent over plates when we couldn’t leave the works unsecured. From honey-cured hams, to Dutch oven breads, to processing ducks and chickens from leash to plate, I’ve never eaten better from around a fire in thirty-seven years of costumed interpretation. Freshly-churned butter, cornbread and soft bread, dried peach and oatmeal crisp, as well as the standard fare others enjoyed “downtown”, were enjoyed on benches, fence rails, and tables outdoors. I also noticed that anyone who came by, including some suspicious military-age types, a runaway, and a college intern were treated to a meal “on the house”. I’m happy to hear that others had similar experiences.
On Sunday, after the event ended, I took a few pictures and have received more from other sources. A few are posted in a folder on the SOS Yahoo Group website and in my folder here at AC. I’ll see ya’ll at Fort Moultrie in January.
Sergeant James Cooper
Acting Military Storekeeper
AKA, Dave Stieghan (dbar1918)

[redfizz]

Re: CS Ordnance Works AAR

This was my second immersion event. I stood out like a sore thumb at the first immersion event and I took many mental notes and asked many questions in order to improve. (And I threw out every piece of my not-so-authentic gear!) This time I seemed to only commit one major faux pas instead of many - and those of you who know what it is, all I can say is thank you. Thank you for your patience and willingness to teach me. It's people like you who are willing to take immersion newbies and nurture us into knowledgable reenactors. I, along with other newbies, am desperate to learn. We are going to make mistakes, just as many of you had when you first started, but we all have a similar goal in this hobby.

I met some of the most interesting...um...characters. I enjoyed W. Tatum's witty repartee who kept me on my toes. (And thank you again for the book reference!) I enjoyed watching my fellow women make the commissioner have to explain himself and what he was really doing with all of that food. I enjoyed our ad hoc visit from the preacher. Beth Crabb was such a joy to work along side. And I especially respected Linda Nyland's commitment to authenticity, which I learned a great deal from.

My sincerest respect goes to Jim, Linda, and Bev Simpson. You three deserve a standing ovation. I am looking forward to 1865. Hopefully I will have learned a lot by then that you won't know if you really met me or my personna!

Mrs. Virginia Brown
Friend of Angela