Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

[Jerry Ross]

Hello Y'all,
Here are the guidelines for the event. John Walsh will be posting the registration form tonight.
-We will start Thursday night February 9th and camping off site. Vans provided by the NPS will transport you to the site.
-Friday AM will march towards Fort Donelson recreating 10 miles of the retreat from Fort Henry.
-Saturday and Sunday will be a static living history program.
-We will portraying units leaving Fort Henry.
-Horses will be allowed on the park for the weekend.
-3 companies of infantry ,1 company of Cavalry, 2 wagons
-Registration will open the end of September 15th
-Cost $15 early payment to pay for food and donation to park
This will go up the closer the date


contact John Walsh or myself if you would like to help.
Jerryrosssgt@hotmail.com
john@fortdonelsonrelics.com

Withdrawing to Fort Donelson Guidelines Feb 9-12 2012

Coats – jean, cassimere, satinette construction with hand-sewn buttonholes at a minimum.
1. Frock coats
2.Civilian Sack Coats
3.Commutation shell jackets.
Black trimmed optional

Overcoats
1.Civilian
2.Weller style
3.Carpets
4. Bear or Buffalo robes

Pants– jean, cassimere, satinette construction with hand-sewn buttonholes at a minimum.
1. Military pattern
2. Civilian pattern
NO federal sky blue trousers will be allowed.
Wide black stripes optional

Shoes
1. Civilian pattern shoes and boots
2. Confederate Issue Shoes
3. Infantry Boots
4. Federal Brogans- Last Choice

Headgear
1. Civilian slouch hat
2. CS kepi black trimmed optional

Shirts
Civilian pattern shirt made of woven material hand sewn buttonholes

Drawers – Canton flannel or cotton muslin / osnaburg of military or civilian pattern

Socks - Woven wool or cotton socks with natural colors.
NO elastic or rag wool socks-
Accouterments

Cartridge Boxes
1. CS issue boxes – preferably something early war western theater – Magee and George, Baton Rouge Arsenal
2. English Import Cartridge Box
3. US Issue Cartridge Box

Cap pouches
1. CS issue cap pouches – same as cartridge boxes
2. English Import Cap Box
3. US Cap Box

Belt
1. Fork Tongue
2. Spoon and wreath
3. English Import Belts
4. Roller buckle

No Federal Belts allowed.

Bayonet scabbards
1. CS issue
2. English Import Scabbard
3. Federal scabbards- strongly discouraged, but if you lack a CS scabbard these will be accepted.

Haversacks –
Documented Confederate issue haversack of painted or unpainted cloth.
No federal haversacks.

Canteen
1. CS tin drum
2. wooden drum canteen

Knapsacks
1. Mexican war
2. CS single bag including English Import Knapsacks
3. Militia hard packs
4. BEDROLLS are also allowed. NO Federal Bags,.

Long arms
1. 1853 Enfield
2. 1842 Springfield
4. 1855 Springfield, 1816/22 conversions 5. Flintlocks to Mississippi Rifles 6. Full length shotguns

Blankets
1. Civilian coverlets or 2-piece blankets
2. CS issue blankets

Tents and flys are highly encouraged because of threat of severe weather.
Wagons are being used to transport from site to site. Canvas and poles will need to be marked to keep together.

Eyewear
1. Period frames only.
2. NO modern eyewear of ANY kind! (Contacts excluded)

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

Here you go - Registration is now open - print off the form and mail it in with the payment.

Registration Link; http://www.fortdonelsonrelics.com/im...20Donelson.pdf

Disclaimers for this event:

1. No Refunds - these funds are going towards rations and park donation
2. You will not have access to a car or most likely cell service - this will be campaigning.
3. If you have a medical issue that would cause you to second guess this event - don't do it. However, if you want to participate, feel free to register, skip the march and come and play Saturday through Sunday.
4. We will not be disclosing the location of the Thursday night camp at LBL to keep traffic out of that area.

Overall Schedule:

Thursday, Feb 9th - Sign in at Fort Donelson National Battlefield Visitors Center - 3pm - 9pm
- Cars will be left at Fort Donelson Parking areas
- Last Shuttle to Fort Henry Area Leaves at 9:30PM

Friday, Feb 10th - Sign in at Fort Donelson National Battlefield Visitors Center - 7am - 8:30am
- Last Shuttle to Fort Henry Area Leaves at 9:00AM
- Break Camp - Load Gear Into Wagons
- Column will leave Fort Henry Area at approx 9:45AM
- March to Friday Night Camp Area - Wagons Will Meet - Set Up Camp
- Marching Distance Approximagey 5-6miles

Saturday, Feb 11th
- AM Camp Will Break - Load Gear Into Wagons
- Column Marches Out to Fort Donelson to Trace
- From the Trace we will pick up a police escort to Hwy 79 to Fort Donelson in view of the public
- Column arrives at Fort Donelson and sets up Camp
- We will do two firing demonstrations in the afternoon
- 4:00 Event officially over for those who want to leave

Sunday, Feb 12th
- For those that are left -
- Two Firing Demonstrations 1 in AM - 1 in PM
- Break Camp at 3pm

John Walsh

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

For your impressions, our sources indicate these were the units that evacuated Fort Henry on or around Feb 6-7th, 1862 to leave for Fort Donelson.

10th Tennessee
15th Arkansas
48th Tennessee
51st Tennessee (Not full battalion strength)
4th Mississippi
26th Alabama
27th Alabama

Also - as noted in an earlier post - weather can change within hours in this area in February, as a result, please plan accordingly.

John Walsh

[BrianHicks]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

I am recruiting for, and will the commander of a Company representing the 48th Tennessee. Most of you know me as having worked to present the Backwaters 1865 event there at the LBL site. I am familiar with the terrain some what, and look forward to this 150th event for the Fort Donelson National Battlefield.

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

Gents -

1 Company of Infantry - Commanded By Brian Hicks - 48th Tennessee

2 Company of Infantry - Awaiting Confirmation -

3 Company of Infantry - Open

1 Company of Cavalry - Ethan Harrington - Gantt's 9th Tennessee Cavalry

Contact us directly if you are interested in commanding the last company.

For registering, simply put the commanders name on the line of the registration form when you send it in. Once we secure the other two companies command - we will post.

John Walsh

[dixieflyer]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

In the listing on the guidelines: is the number indicative of preference? In other words, is #1 more desirable than #2 or #3? Or is it just a general list?

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

In the listing on the guidelines: is the number indicative of preference? In other words, is #1 more desirable than #2 or #3? Or is it just a general list?

The guidlines are general reference.

For further research on the historical context - here are some good references:

"Where the South Lost The War" Kendall Gott - Recently re-published in paperback - or here: http://books.google.com/books/about/...d=GOZ-OWNjSHUC

"The Battle of Fort Donelson: No Terms But Unconditional Surrender" By James R. Knight - or here: http://books.google.com/books?id=Dau...page&q&f=false

Forts Henry and Donelson: The Key to the Confederate Heartland By Benjamin Franklin Cooling - or here: http://books.google.com/books?id=EEG...page&q&f=false

John Walsh

[desotobob]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

Mr. Walsh - form printed and sent in today.
Mr. Hicks - my ancestor was in the 49th, so I will be proud to serve with you in the 48th.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

Thanks John! I more or less have 90% of my impression lined out for this, and seeing the M1816/1822 at #4 made me think it was not a preferred arm. I was looking forward to carrying this weapon at Donelson since I won't get to use it at the Shiloh or Perryville events. My only obstacle right now is a knapsack and overcoat. What to do, what to do. :)

[mboyce]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

I just printed the form, and it will go out in the next few days. I look forward to representing Arkansas.

[BrianHicks]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

Mr. Walsh - form printed and sent in today.
Mr. Hicks - my ancestor was in the 49th, so I will be proud to serve with you in the 48th.

Sir, you are always welcome. We'll Jerry Hughes and his son in the ranks with us. His GGGGrandafather was in the 48thm, and was surrendered at Donelson.

[BrianHicks]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

This is form research Jerry Hughes has been doing:

'I'm going through microfilm for the Military Board and the Adjutant General records to see if I can any specifics on the types of weapons in the Tennessee arsenals in the fall of 1861. I did find some telegraphs to New Orleans inquiring about purchasing 5000 to 6000 percussion hammers for 69 calibre and suitable cones. I also found where they purchased 2000 mess kits for $21, but no description of them. I'll let you know if I find anything."

Which would indicate that there were perhaps 5-6000 Model 16/22s in Tn. Arsenals that were likely designated (or in the process) to be converted to percussion use during the Fall of 1861. With such information, (and lacking any other guidance at this time) I'd like to see .69's as the weapon of choice for the 48th Tn.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

With such information, (and lacking any other guidance at this time) I'd like to see .69's as the weapon of choice for the 48th Tn.

I'm all over that, and have a .69 CS box to go with it. I may pick up another Morrow & sons .69 box though. I cannot imagine a more appropriate box for Donelson than a Nashville-produced box. Wish I still had the one a friend of mine made me years ago.

[Daniel]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

Col. Heiman wrote in his Fort Henry report, "With the exception of the Tenth Tennessee and the Fourth Mississippi these were all new troops , who had just entered the service. They were not drilled, were badly equipped, and very indifferently armed with shot-guns and Tennesee rifles. " He called the 48th Tennessee and the 51st Tennessee "skeleton regiments, containing together not more than 400 men."

Years ago, while looking at the Records of the State of Tennessee Military & Financial Board, I saw a list of equipment which was delivered to Capt. Morgan at Fort Henry on July 4, 1861. I believe this to be Co. C, 10th Tennessee commanded by Captain St. Clair M. Morgan. The were issued 80 flintlocks, 80 cartridge boxes, 80 brush and picks, 160 gun flints, 80 gun slings, 80 waist belts, 8 spring vises, 8 ball screws, 4 saber belts, 84 knapsacks. And remember this is one of the better equipped units.

Dan Stewart

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

Very nice - only up for 2 days and I'm already getting registration forms in the mail !! Momentum is building - thanks to everyone who is supporting this event!

John Walsh