Withdrawing to Fort Donelson-Feb 9-12, 2012

[Coatsy]

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

Jerry, that is great to hear! Help moving wagons? Of course! Some of us who are in Brian's company, helped push Mr. Stark's wagon up some sand ridges at the Piney Woods event in 2009. It was a LOT of running and pushing, but one of the highlights of the event for many of us.

Thanks!

[BrianHicks]

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

So far, these are the men registered for my Company:

John Lloyd
Robert Mitchell
Tyler Sneed
Eric Martin
Robert Orrand
Lewis Robinson
Dan Stewart
John Schoendorf
Peter Berezuk
Marvin Boyce
Herb Coats
Michael Comer
Michael Hoover
Houston Dickinson
Warren Dickinson
Jerry Hughes
Jerry Hughes Sr.
Fred Baker
Brett Carr
Tim Phyllis
Kiev Thomason

[Jerry Ross]

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

History of Fort Henry and Donelson from Along the Warioto by Ersula Smith Beach
General Pillow at Columbus , writing to the Alabama Committee on November 20th 1861 had reviewed the weakness in Tennessee. Experienced Tennessee troops were in Virginia; those now available were recent recruits, insufficient in numbers and weapons.
She (Tennessee) is not strong enough to sustain unaided the great conflict before us.Our Sister South must come to our support. We will furnish the necessary engineers to lay off the additional works on Tennessee River and superintend their construction and will provide artillery, if Alabama will provide the labor for construction and the troops to garrison the work, and make the river secure against the enemy. But all troops designed for our support must be armed. We can supply them with ammunition and with rifles and shot-guns, and our troops will defend our strongly- fortified positions as effectively as if they had the musket and bayonet , for the bayonet can never be used in intrenched works. If Alabama will furnish the means of constructing these works and the forces to garrison them, with arms, etc.,the troops of that state will be placed in them for the purpose of defending them, thus allowing her to hold the key of the gateway into here territory. ( The TN River would allow Union boats to flow in to AL)
The following day Gen.Tilghman was ordered to take charge of the area around the forts(Henry, Hieman and Donelson ) engineer Lt. Joesph Dixon reported from Fort Donelson to Lieut.Col. Jeremy Gilmer C.S.A. Army chief engineer: I wish you would get the general to give an order to press labor, for it cannot be obtained here in any other way. There are not more than 200 troops here fit for duty; the rest are sick or on leave of absence.

Gilmer at Nashville was facing problems of supplies, for on December 4th he reported to Dixon at Fort Henry :
I will procure the picks, shovels, spades, axes, bars, etc. you need for the in-trenchments, if it is possible to do so; also wheelbarrows, and have them forwarded to you at Fort Henry. It has been decided to send the guns -the 32 pounders -at Clarksville to Donelson and Henry, two to each work. We hope to get otherguns for each place at an early day.

[fortdonelsonrelics]

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

Remember - early registration ended today for the event. Registration goes up to $20.00 after tomorrow -

Company Commanders, by next week's end, I will send you a complete list of who you have coming and their emails so that you can followup and coordinate with your men.

Thanks again to everyone who has participated up to this point,

Happy New Year,

John Walsh

[fortdonelsonrelics]

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

First of all I want to thank everyone who has registered up to this point and has supported this effort. We had the event numbered right at 100 men and as of early registration, we have fullfilled over half that number, and even today I am getting more registrations in. I am very optimistic that we will field atleast 85% of our goal. With the time of year and type of event we have planned, it is outstanding. Not to mention we have over 12 states represented.

Secondly, I just got off the phone with a representative of Fort Donelson National Battlefield. They are very excited about everyone's enthusiasm. As they put it, this is going to be "THE Event" for the Fort Donelson 150th.

Things that maybe of interest to those who are attending. Kendall Gott, author of "Where the South Lost The War" will be doing a book discussion at 3pm and 6pm at Fort Donelson National Battlefield VC. He has written one of the best books on the campaign and it is now available in paperback (at about $13.00 cheaper than the original hardback was).

Also, the Civil War Preservation Trust has been holding land for quite sometime in the Dover area, the largest parcel is most noted as the "Breakout Area" and is the land in which the most significant land battle occured. Jim Lighthizer of the CWPT has been invited to this event, Saturday the 11th, and as of now looks as if he is coming.

The Governor's office and the State Representatives have also been invited as of yesterday via official letter from FODO and confirmations are pending.

The park has also been in talks with CSPAN and other local and regional media in regards to the 150th acitivities and it is also anticipated that they will be present as well.

I don't want anyone to be concerned that its going to turn into a circus, remember over half the event is going to be non-spectator. However, I do want you to know that what you are doing is very important to a great many people. From the local community, to the National Park, and most importantly to our ancestors.

On behalf of Jerry and myself, I want to again thankyou,

John Walsh

[Jerry Ross]

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

Hello all ,
I am not sure if I gave the address for Fort DonelsonThis was copied from the Fort Donelson website


Using a GPS? You can use the following addresses:


Visitor Center: 120 Fort Donelson Road, Dover, TN, 37058



Fort Donelson National Cemetery/ Park headquarters: 174 National Cemetery Road, Dover, TN 37058
Dover Hotel: 101 Petty Street, Dover, TN, 37058

PlaneThe area is served by airports in Nashville and Jackson, Tennessee or Paducah, Kentucky. Car rental services are available.

CarThe park is located in Dover, Tennessee, northwest of Nashville. From Nashville, take I-24W to Clarksville (Exit 4). Take a left on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, until you reach 101st Airborne Division Pkwy/Hwy 374. Take a right at this intersection. Follow Hwy 374, until you reach Hwy 79. Turn right on Hwy. 79 South. Follow signs to Dover (approximately 30 miles). The visitor center is one mile west of the town.
From Paducah, KY: Take Interstate 24 East to exit 31, and go south on Hwy 453 to Land Between the Lakes (LBL). Follow this road through LBL to US Hwy 79. Take a left on US Hwy 79; the park visitor center is approximately 1.3 miles.
From Murray, KY: Take 641S to Hwy 121. Drive approximately 30 miles on Hwy 121, until you reach Hwy 79 at Paris Landing. Take a left on Hwy 79, and follow signs to the park (approximately 13 miles).

[fortdonelsonrelics]

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

All,

I had the last planning meeting with FODO today and everything looks to be in order for a great event. Registration is still open and I am still getting a couple about every day.

If you are sitting on the fence about the event or have questions, please let Jerry Ross or I know. I would hate for you to miss out a unique opportunity such as this.

Thanks again,

John Walsh

[Jerry Ross]

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

Fellas,
We are a month out from the event . Two days ago it was at 50+ degree mark and this morning the wind chill factor was 15. This weather pattern was accurate for the battle and might happen again. Come prepared for the weather change.

[fortdonelsonrelics]

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

Note - I just deposited tonight, the last big batch of registrations I have received dating back it Nov/Dec.

Also, the issue of the Blue Gray Magazine coming out this week has Fort Henry - Donelson as the featured article,

John Walsh

[jessiethepirate]

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

will be sending the reg form out in the next few days, it is still open?

thank you

jesse byrd
breckinridge greys
casey 424 f&am

[Jerry Ross]

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

Jesse,
Yes , we are still open for business. Glad to have you .

To everyone,
We have slots left open, but don't delay send in your registration today!

[Daniel]

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

Hello John and Jerry,

Do you have any idea where we will be parking?

Dan Stewart

[Jerry Ross]

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

Dan,
When you check in at Fort Donelson visitors center they will direct you to parking. They have several paring sites on and near the park. It will depend when you arrive as to which one they put you in. Sorry to be so vague.They will pick you up and transport you to the event site as soon as you finish registering.

Here is the GPS address for the Visitor Center: 120 Fort Donelson Road, Dover, TN, 37058

[Daniel]

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

Thank you Jerry. I am looking forward to the event.

Dan Stewart

[fortdonelsonrelics]

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

Help Needed -

I have a gentleman who needs a size 15 - 15.5 Brogan. Does anyone out there have used pair for sale?

You can email me at john@fortdonelsonrelics.com

Thanks in advance,

John Walsh