Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

[Old Reb]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Should Raul be released from the stockade by next November, I am certain suitable duties as a chicken plucker can be arranged.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

You know, I think I'm going to try and come to this. You fellows come up our way to do things and it just seems right that we venture down into your territory now and then. If anyone else from this neck of the woods wants to go, arrangements can be made to carpool.

[ohpkirk]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Mike, You're a good man.

[csasoldier_61]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Mike,
Be sure your passport and other papers are in order before you attempt the cross the Red from Indian Territory.

Adam "OX" Johnson

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Definitely! From what I hear the Committee of Public Safety are ruthless.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

I'll get through alright I hope. I spent a few years living in Houston and my oldest offspring is a native born Texican so maybe I can talk my way out of any trouble.

[ohpkirk]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

I have had some people ask me for some info about the rations and post sutler during the event, so here you go.


Rations
Fresh Beef
cabbage
potatoes
beans
Salt Pork
Coffee
Hard bread (ship's crackers)

These items have been decided upon based antebellum contracts the post had during the year 1859 (the last year Fort McKavett was used as a military installation prior to the war) as well as what could be procured from San Antonio. By November 1861, Col. Henry E. McCulloch was using Fort McKavett for a redistribution depot for the frontier posts to the north that had elements of his 1st Texas Mounted Rifles. The post is located on the Upper San Antonio- El Paso military road so there were supply wagons passing through the post at a regular rate and the soldiers at this time would have not been want for food.


Post Sutler
The sutler who lived on post during the 1850's through 1870's was Samuel Wallick. During the event we will have a post sutler who will provide the prisoners and soldiers with goods as well as food and drink to supplement their rations. The goods will be priced at 1/10th the actual price, as is customary at other events. As part of each registration, the soldiers will receive 30 cts in sutler chit (equivalent to 3.00) to use however they wish (purchase items, gambling, etc.) additional chits can be purchased at the site Friday before the event starts.

Items available at the sutler store will include:

• matches
• stationary
• stamps
• clay pipes
• pipe and chewing tobacco
• spices and condiments
• socks
• soap
• towels
• sewing supplies (buttons, thread, needles, bees wax, etc.)
• fresh bread, cheese, shortcake
• ginger beer, and other drinks
• cards
• candles

All items will be in period correct packaging with facsimile labels where appropriate.

Directions and Proximity of Airports

Fort McKavett State Historic Site is located in the Texas Hill Country between Highway 190 and I-10. The site is 33 miles west of Menard and 40 miles northwest of Junction in south west Menard County. It is a remote site with very little modern intrusions and many interpretive opportunities for an event of this nature.

Airports within the proximity of Fort McKavett are:
San Angelo (1 hour to the north)
Austin (2 hours to the east)
San Antonio (2 hours to the south)
Dallas-Fort Worth (4 hours to the north east)

Mapquest map of the site

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Cody has long been a supporter of quality events across the country. His drive to even "close" events is typically 6-8 hours each way. I plan to attend to support his very fine effort and a truly unique event. I suspect this hard working young man would be grateful to others willing to make an investment in their time and resources to support the Fort McKavett event next November.

Having just read Utley's "Frontiersmen in Blue," I can say that there are several good descriptions of frontier Texas forts as well as primary source accounts of how many men were dressed and equipped.

Hope to see a good crowd of hardy folks at this one.

[Mcouioui]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Why am also far to you in France me... :( :( :(

[IowaYank]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Cody, any want for a mounted presence to do the 1st Texas Mounted Infantry impression?? Paddy Mac, you want to bring your horse along?? This is a ways off,,,,but sounds interesting. I'd be up for bringing a couple horses down from Iowa.

Dan

[ohpkirk]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Dan,
There is a want and need for mounted Texans. The mounted guidelines are still being worked on and will be up shortly. The scenario as it is currently under work will have the POWs starting Friday morning from 2-3 miles away and marching into the site accompanied by mounted Texans as if they were en route from Camp Verde. There are also scenarios in the work for the mounted troops to go on patrol during the event. The way the Texans operated was at any given time, only 1/3 of the company was on post while the other 2/3 were on patrol (1/3 going to the south toward Camp Verde and 1/3 heading north toward Fort Chadbourne).

I'll post more about the mounted elements when I finish the guidelines up.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

I have this one on the radar depending on airfare and such. Anyone in the San Antonio area that can possibly give me a ride to the site send me a PM. I will keep my eyes on this one. I would make a fine Yankees Prisoner, I will try and drum up some interest from the South East.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

I'm definately interested in this event. I'm working on getting my Yank impression up to snuff. I have to get some clothing, gear AND my Left Knee replaced, in time for this and other events latter in the year.

I like the interest being shown by others, and I too, want to join in as a Yank prisoner.

Kevin Dally

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

The rations alone are enough to compell folks to attend. The great danger is if "Whiskey" Harla attends and makes another meal of cabbage and candles. Last time that happened, the car ride home was horrific.

The drives young Cody has made to West Virginny, Kentucky, and the northern edges of Missouri are pretty extreme. While he's done that on his own accord, it would still be nice to see some support from folks who have counted on his attendance in the past.

[MustangGray]

Re: Imprisoned on the Frontier: the 8th US Infantry at Fort McKavett November 18-20 2011

Cody,

As you are aware I am working on some of my pards here to come up with a mounted contingent of Texans. I will also shoot you that info you asked for... I've been dawdling here lately and completely forgot about it until now!

I'm looking forward to the mounted patrols... if we see any sign of Camanch we'll be sure to come back and let y'all know, we don't want you to miss out on any of the fun!

For those who might have missed it, McKavett is a beautiful site that is very isolated. I've seen lots of stars (you know they're big and bright here!) but the light polution is zip out there and when I stepped out of the barracks in the middle of the night the stars spanned all the way across from one horizon to the next. It's an awesome fort... y'all come down for this one!