Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

[suspenderless pard]

I know this is short notice, but we have around 10 spots available for Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013. This event will put you in the shoes of a detachment of confederate soldiers setting up winter quarters during the winter of 1863-64. Troops will be occupying an old winter quarters site left by Burnside in early winter 1863 before he concentrated his forces in Knoxville to defend off Longstreet. Participants will work throughout the weekend to start building winter quarters! Goal of the weekend will be for the men to be able to sleep in their structures by Saturday night. Men will work with teamsters to haul supplies. There will be foraging opportunities, interaction with the local citizens, and the usual guard and fatigue duties throughout the weekend! If you are interested please e-mail me at fedpard24@hotmail.com

Registration deadline is December 31, 2012.

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Time Line of Events for Valley Forge
Here is a time line of events that led up to the time our event is loosely based in January 1864. Information was pulled from “Campaign to Nowhere” by David C. Smith.
August 16, 1863 Burnside leaves his base at Camp Nelson Kentucky and marched toward East TN with around 15,000 men. Confederates under General Simon Buckner move out with little resistance.
September 3, 1863 Burnside enters Knoxville and sends forces into outlying areas to establish control of all of East TN.
September 9, 1863 Confederates at Cumberland Gap surrender. Burnside orders an advance eastward into upper East TN. After several fierce skirmishes near Bulls Gap and Greenville, Confederate forces are driven back. One the federals reached the Virginia rail line, East TN was considered was considered in Federal Control.
November 4, 1863 Longstreet leaves Chattanooga. Longstreet had a division of infantry under Major General Lafayette McClaws and Hood’s division, who was wounded and left in Chattanooga, under Brigadier Generals Micah Jenkins and E.M. Law. He also had three Divisions of cavalry under Major General W.T. Martin. Artillery was commanded by Colonel E.P. Alexander for a total of around 20,000 men.
November 14, 1863 Longstreet arrives west of Knoxville moving from Louden in force. Burnside retired to Campbell’s Station where he stubbornly resisted Longstreet’s advance. Burnside was driven to Knoxville and begins to fortify the town.
November 17, 1863 Longstreet lays siege to Knoxville. However, he fails to close off the French Broad River east of the city due to the maps he was using. City is resupplied by floating supplies by barge on the river into town.
November 27, 1863 3,500 men under Bushrod Johnson, who had been delayed due to misleading orders, reach Longstreet’s lines. General William T. Sherman was detached from Chattanooga and sent to reinforce Burnside so Longstreet’s hand was forced.
November 29, 1863 Attack of Fort Sanders takes place. Longstreet is repulsed and is forced to lift his siege of the city.
December 4, 1863 Longstreet leaves Knoxville.
December 5, 1863 Longstreet reaches Blaine’s crossroads and was joined by Major General Robert Ransom Jr. forces from southern V.A. Bragg also orders Wheeler’s cavalry back to Chattanooga.
December 6, 1863 Longstreet reaches Rutledge to rest and forage for two days.
December 7, 1863 Burnside orders Major General John Parke to pursue.
December 8, 1863 Longstreet passes through Bean Station to camp between Cloud Creek and Rogersville on the 9th.
December 9, 1863 Federal forces reach Rutledge.
December 10, 1863 Federal forces reach Bean Station and start to fortify it. Longstreet receives telegram giving him full command over all confederate forces in upper East TN. He recalls Martin’s cavalry.
December 12, 1863 Burnside resigns and is replaced by Major General John G. Foster. Word reaches Longstreet of Sherman moving back toward Chattanooga and decides to turn on his pursuers.
December 14, 1864 A rearward march was order. Around 2:00 p.m. 3 miles east of Bean Station confederate cavalry met Shackelford’s pickets and the federal fall back toward town. Federal retire as dark sets in and fall back along the Rutledge road. 500 casualties.
December 15, 1863 Longstreet discovers that Martin had not cut off the federal retreat route on the 14th. The federals slipped out and retreated back to Blaine during the night. Confederates pursue and encounter a fortified position four miles from town and are forced to retreat back to the main force at Bean Station. 23rd Corp under Brigadier General James S Spears move out of Strawberry Plains and head toward Blaine and halt at Nance’s Ferry on the 16th.
December 16, 1863 Martin’s scouts kill one of Spear’s scouts and he retreats back to the mouth of Richland creek on the 17th and prepared to accept battle.
December 18, 1863 Spears is reinforced by part of the 9th Corp and part of a Cavalry Brigade under Brigadier General W.L. Elliot.
December 19, 1863 Spears sends patrols but finds no concentration of confederates.
December 20, 1863 Martin pulls back to Rutlege and Spears takes up position around Buffalo creek. Longstreet orders his army to stat crossing the Holsten River at Long’s Ferry. Slow process getting his men across. The ferry could only carry one wagon and 30 men at a time.
December 22, 1863 Infantry still was crossing the river. Longstreet has his cavalry establish a line of defense across the valley. Longstreet establishes his headquarters at Russellville. He established a strong defensive position with both his flanks protected by a river, the Holsten to the north and the French Broad to the south. He could use the railroad to bring supplies down from Bristol or Abington Virginia and if the federals advanced they would have to do so up the valley that he straddled.
December 23, 1863 Federal resumed their movement to expel Longstreet and move toward Russellville. Around 5:00 p.m. pickets of both armies met outside New Market.
December 24, 1864 Federals split their forces. Four guns of Eli Lilly’s 18th Indiana Artillery and two brigades of cavalry left New Market around 2 p.m. and moved toward Dandridge. Skirmish ensues around Haye’s Ferry on the French Broad and the federals receive orders to move back to New Market. Loose on of Lilly’s guns.
Also Colonel Oscar LaGrange’s brigade of McCook’s division and the remaining two 3” rifle guns of Lilly’s artillery remained in position in New Market on the road to Mossy Creek. Federals push confederate forces during the day occupying the town of Mossy Creek and set up camp around the little Methodist church. The federals wanted to use Mossy Creek as a forward base after the railroad bridge was repaired over the river. Federals reported 2 killed and 9 wounded and confederates reported 17 killed.
December 25, 1863 Federal were up at daybreak in line of battle but no Confederates were in sight.
December 26, 1863 Steady cold rain starts. Federals were up early again. Lilly moves part of his artillery south to the home of William Mann and took position in the front yard. Remaining sections took positions to the North. Skirmishes take place all day. Around 4:00 federals start to withdraw back to town. Confederates put a heavy fire into the rear of the federals and Lilly is forced to stop and fire upon the confederates to allow the federals to fall back into town and back into camp.
December 27, 1863 Cold rain was still falling. 3:00 p.m. Sturgis orders his men to move across creek and for the confederates to “do something.” Federals advance between the two roads along the rail line with the artillery in reserve. Federals advance 3 miles to Talbott Station and stop.
December 28, 1863 Brigade of Infantry under Colonel Samuel Mott from the 23rd Corp advanced from Strawberry Plains to support the cavalry station around Mossy Creek.
December 29, 1863 Battle of Mossy Creek. Surgis splits his forces again like on the 24th because of fear of the confederate force still in Dandridge threatening his flank at Mossy Creek. Three guns of Eli Lilly’s battery were ordered back to Mossy Creek to set up a defensive line. The two remaining guns were sent with LaGrange’ s brigade to take position at Flat Gap seven mile outside of Dandridge to support that movement. Movement on Dandridge was made by all of Wolford’s division including the rear guard at New Market.
Confederate under J.T. Martin Division was recalled from Dandridge and was combined with Armstrong’s forces under Martin to drive the federals back. 2,000 men under Generals Morgan and Armstrong and eight artillery pieces started moving west at 8:30 a.m. They met the federals around 9:00 a.m. about ½ mile west of Talbott’s Station. Confederates start driving the federals back toward Mossy Creek. By 11:00 federals have reached the defensive line set up by Lilly and he opens fire around that time. Confederates are continually shifting to the right and hitting the federal’s left flank. Federal keep pushing reinforcements that came up from Strawberry Plains to strengthen the left.
Around 2:00 p.m. Lilly was forced to pull back to a rear position and opens fire. Around 3:00 Federals receive reinforcements that were detached to Dandridge that hit the confederate left. Confederates start to withdraw. Federals keep pressure of the rear and around 4:30 p.m. they were back in their lines that they started the day. Confederate lost 300 out of the 2,0000 infantry and 8 pieces of artillery. Federals lost 109 out of the 4,000 men plus the 7 pieces of artillery that were engaged. They also received around 1,2000 reinforcements later in the day to help turn the tide.
December 30, 1863 Temperature starts to drop. Federals and the civilians were busy taking care of the battlefield dead and wounded.
December 31, 1863 Temperature continued to drop. Bodies were frozen to the ground.
January 1, 1864 Temperature reaches -20 degrees. Pickets from both side mingled together around fires to keep from freezing to death. “The fury of the coldest winter in years had become the worst enemy of both armies.” P. 85
General Longstreet said “During the last few days of the year 1863 the cold of the severest winter of the war came on.” P.85
Troops of the Federal 1st Kentucky cavalry camped near New Market “the first of January 1864 the temperature fell to -29 degrees below zero and a picket post of six men were all frozen to death.” P. 85
Moxley Sorrell Longstreet’s Chief of Staff said “the primeval forests of oak and hickory were food for some of the grandest campfires ever seen, but we froze in front while scorching in back and vice versa.” P.85
Lewellyn A. Shaver of the 60th Alabama Infantry camped east of Morristown felt that “The Suffering of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge, if it equaled, certainly did not exceed that of Longstreet’s Army while located at this place.” P. 85

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Safety, Event and Dress/Uniform guidelines
Event Rules
Please read the following guidelines for the event.

1) Participant must be sixteen to carry a musket at the event. Anyone under the age of eighteen must have a parent or guardian sign the registration and release form.

2) Absolutely No Walk-Ons allowed. You must pre-register by December 29, 2012.

3) Please fill out all information on the registration forms. You are not considered to be “registered” until we have your fee + all registration forms.

4) There will be 3 start times on Friday: noon, 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Please be in kit 30 minutes before the start time to be inspected. Please plan to arrive at least an hour before the start time to give us time to load the wagons with your baggage and tentage. If you can’t arrive at that time please contact me and make other arrangements.

5) All participants are expected to stay for the duration of the event unless there is a true emergency or you make arrangements ahead of time with the event organizers. Event will end no later than noon on Sunday.

6) All attendees are expected to meet the Uniform Standards established for the event. The organizers retain the right to ask any participant to leave who does not meet those standards.

7) Attendees will stay in uniform for the duration of the event.

8) There will be civilian interaction at different points of the event. Please do not handle any civilians unless you are part of a pre-arranged scenario. Also all civilian articles are off limits. Please respect others belongings.

9) NO visible modern/anachronistic articles of clothing or personal accoutrements. This includes hat brass, enlisted men with side arms, hat decorations, uniform decorations such as medals/badges, ‘hill billy’ floppy hats, modern eye glasses, wrist watches, etc. Haversacks will be inspected. Cell phones, saving event staff, are not permitted on site.

10) No inappropriate behavior will be tolerated. Event organizers reserve to ask any participant to leave at any time.

11) No illegal substances on site.

12) Please respect the wagons and mules. Be prepared to help with any need that may arise.

13) Be respectful of the land owner and his property.

Uniform Guidelines for Valley Forge
Keep in mind that Longstreet’s command got approval on September 5, 1863 to start their western campaign. Longstreet’s men were resupplied with new equipment and uniforms before starting this campaign. They, however, had not been resupplied with clothing since that time. Over five months of hard campaigning had taken them from Virginia to Georgia to East Tennessee. They had fought through several engagements and had been involved in two sieges by the time they went into camp in Russellville. Needless to say the “new uniforms” that they were issued back in the summer had long worn out. Also most accounts of winter 1863-64 puts the confederate in much better shape that the federals during the same time period. Use of U.S. items is strongly discouraged except for overcoats.
Participants should keep this in mind as they plan for the event!
Coat:
Jackets should be of period correct materials; hand top stitched, and must have hand sewn button holes.
Richmond Depot Type II or III Blue-gray material
“The "Type II" Richmond Depot Style shell jacket was probably issued as early as the Spring of 1862 and continued to be issued at least until the fall of 1864 though there are references to some soldiers in Petersburg, Virginia being issued cotton/wool jean cloth jackets and pants as late as March 1865. The "Type II" was without a doubt the most prevalent government issue uniform jacket in the ANV from the fall of 1862 until the summer of 1864.”
Frock Coat, military issue and homespun jean cloth, non-descript, colors grays and browns (Limited Use)
Commutation Coat, little to no trim (limited use)
Trousers:
Confederate Issue Richmond Depot Richmond blue
Civilian
Shoes:
Confederate Issue
Civilian Boots or Footwear
English Import
Federal Issue (limited use)
Socks:
Military Issue (cotton)
Civilian (knit woolen)
Shirts:
Confederate issue
Civilian shirts. (Hand-sewn 100% natural fiber. Patterns must be woven, no prints, with and hand sewn button holes.)
Drawers:
Civilian
Confederate/ Federal Military issue
Hats:
Slouch Hats military issue or civilian (made of fur felt) Edge of brim as well as hat bound with silk. (no poorly shaped abused slouch hats
Kepis (military issue) Blue-Grey or brown wool jean, tarred canvas or leather bill, leather sweatband
Hats (cotton or jean cloth, all hand sewn)
Overcoat:
Civilian (wool or jean wool)
Military issue (wool or jean wool)
*due to the time period of the events we will allow federal overcoats if no other can be obtained (very limited use)*
Belts:
Any Army of Northern Virginia identified plate or buckle.
Georgia Frame Plate (EOG/CS - page 190 & 195)
C.S. "Forked - Tongue" Buckle (EOG/CS - page 196)
Roller Buckle (EOG/CS - pages 192 & 195)
Richmond Arsenal - painted canvas - Roller Buckle or used with plate.
Cartridge Box & Cap Box:
Any Army of Northern Virginia identified Cartridge and/or Cap box.
Richmond Arsenal Cartridge Box (EOG/CS - page 197)
English Made Imported Enfield Pattern Cartridge Box and Cap Box
Christian S. Storms (CS Storms of New York, NY - Contractor box)
Captured Federal issue 1855 .58 cal Cartridge/Cap Box - Early versions (limited use)
Scabbard:
Any identified ANV frog and scabbard.
Imported: English frog and scabbard. (EOG/CS - page 39)
U.S. non-regulation 7 or 8 rivet pattern. (EOG/US - page 202)
Haversacks:
Any Richmond, Documented Confederate Style, or Captured Federal Style Haversack is acceptable.
C.S. Issue - Bag of identified C.S. pattern. Button or buckle enclosure. (EOG/CS - Page ##)
Canteens
Wooden Style - Made of cedar/cypress/cherry/etc. Various styles. Confederate and British manufacture. (EOG/CS - page 209)
Tin Drum Style - various styles and sizes. Avoid oversize or very large canteens of this type. With or without jean or wool cover. Strap may be cotton, linen or leather or a properly documented style. Leather straps must have proper hardware. (EOG/CS - pages 210 & 211)
Packs:
The Richmond Depot stopped manufacturing knapsack in the summer of 1863.
Mexican War Pattern (EOG/CS - page 39)
Imported English - S. Isaac & Campbell Co. or Ross & Co. (EOG/CS - page 207)
Confederate Issue
Federal Issue Double Bag - Limited Confederate use (EOG/US - pages 212 & 213)
Kibler soft pack-(EOG/CS-page 202)
Blankets and Ground cloths
Civilian - 100% Wool or Jean (No synthetic blends muted earth tones. Browns, grays, and blue are acceptable colors. Bindings should be hand sewn.)
North Carolina Issue (EOG/CS - page 203) or Other Confederate State Issues
Quilts - "Homespun" i.e. all handmade - All natural fibers. No "bright" or otherwise modern colors. No modern patterns
Captured U.S. Issue - U.S. Issue blankets of either gray or brown. (EOG/US - page 214)
*it will be January and cold so bring whatever you need to keep you warm in the way of blankets. Those will be stored in the tents/quarters during the day. Participants must keep their living quarters in a neat appearance at all times. We want you to be warm, but don’t want us to be untidy! *
Ground Covers:
Linseed soaked cotton canvas - with or without grommets.
Linseed oil & Lamp Black mix painted cotton canvas or drill - with or without grommets.
Confederate Issue Oil Cloth - Canvas painted with oil or enamel paint. With or without grommets.
Captured Federal Issue Rubber blanket or poncho. Limited use (EOG/US - page 215)
Rubber coated linen or cotton sheeting. Imported limited use.
Weapons:
P 1853 model Enfield rifle musket
Austrian Lorenz
M 1861 Springfield rifle musket
Smoothbore muskets M 1816 conversions and M 1842 Springfield

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Gents,
In early December 1863, General James Longstreet abandoned his position in Knoxville and headed northeast. After turning on the Federal army at Bean’s Station on December 14 and 15th , Longstreet headed to Russellville, TN where he set up winter quarters. The subsequent winter of 1863-64 was one of the coldest winters on record in East TN giving it the nickname Valley Forge of the Civil War.
The Mossy Creek Mess would like to invite you to “Valley Forge” January 18-20, 2013 at the Smiley Clapp Farm in Corryton, TN. This is the same farm where Race to Knoxville was held a few years back. The event will put you in the shoes of a detachment of confederate soldiers setting up winter quarters during the winter of 1863-64. Troops will be occupying an old winter quarters site left by Burnside in early winter 1863 before he concentrated his forces in Knoxville to defend off Longstreet. Men will start the weekend with common A-Frame tents and will work throughout the weekend to start building winter quarters! Goal of the weekend will be for the men to be able to sleep in their structures by Saturday night. Men will work with teamsters to haul supplies. There will be foraging opportunities, interaction with the local citizens, and the usual guard and fatigue duties throughout the weekend! We will have a cook and the men will work with him to procure local supplies to supplement the issued rations!
The event starts at 8:00 a.m. on Friday January 18 and will end at 12:00p.m. Sunday January 20. If you can’t be on site when the event opens up we will have two other arrival times for you to come into the event. This is an invitation only event. It will not be promoted on the usual forums unless desired numbers have not been reached. If you receive the invitation you are invited! Registration will be capped at 35 men. Registration will open in March 2012.

[Coatsy]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Guys, Sean and company have really put a LOT of work into this event. I've seen the progression of the cabin/shack frames over the past months over on BookFace, and it is impressive. The site where the event is being held is outstanding, and not too far from Knoxville. Don't miss this one.

[pineyboy]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

68452_10151121595978483_1437431201_n.jpg482997_10151121596728483_1211878988_n.jpg61931_10151148646718483_1721023204_n.jpg534016_10151350450232853_1072325169_n.jpg68188_10200194430647990_1727537364_n.jpg

Here are a few pictures of the Officer's Quarters and Cook house. More to come after our next work day.
Thanks

[pineyboy]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Just a little reminder:

Registration closes DECEMBER 31 so get your papers in before to insure your spot! Hope to see you there.

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Impression will be Co. C 4th Alabama for the event. Just a reminder that registration must be postmarked by December 31.

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Gents,

Just a reminder that your registration must be post marked by today. Anyone still interested in coming should contact me at fedpard24@hotmail.com after this date. Thanks

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Got an address for the ole GPS?
Thanks!

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Directions to Valley Forge
If you use Mapquest or GPS, the entrance is immediately past the following address:

10008 Washington Pike
Corryton, TN 37721

Directions from Knoxville:

Take I-40 East to exit 392 toward Knoxville Zoo Dr.
Merge onto Rutledge Pike NE/US-11W toward Rutledge/Bristol
Go 11.8 Miles
Turn Left onto Circle Rd.
Go 2.1 Miles
Turn Right onto Washington Pike.
Entrance will be approximately .1 mile on right.

Directions from Dandridge (For those coming from Virginia):

Take Exit 417 Dandridge/Jefferson City (First Exit after 1-81 split)
Hang a right toward Jefferson City. TN-92N
Go approximately 6.8 miles.
Turn left onto US11-E.
Go 12.4 Miles.
Turn Right onto Mascot Rd. Go 2.4 Miles.
Stay Straight on Mine Rd. (Mascot Rd. Hangs a left and goes across train tracks) go another 2.4 Miles.
Turn Right onto Rutledge Pike.
Go 2.2 Miles.
Turn Left onto Circle Rd.
Go 2.1 Miles
Turn Right onto Washington Pike.
Entrance will be approximately .1 miles on the right.

Call if you get lost.

Sean 865-591-8987
Smiley 865-621-2978 (land owner if you can’t get me)

[elcid01]

Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Sean is there a intent to do this next year? 150th? With short notice I can't make it but would love to do something like this next year. Thanks! Stay warm!

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

No this will be my only shot doing this. The landowner is tearing down the fort after this October's event and I'm really don't know how much use we will have after it goes back into cattle production mode. Maybe another small one in the future could be possible.

[lukegilly13]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

A funny note...when I put the address in on my iMaps app on my iphone, the satelite images were taken during the mainstream event held here. There are cars parked in the parking area and tents up everywhere....sort of makes it easy to find haha.

[Brent Brumagin]

Re: Valley Forge January 18-20, 2013

Sean,

I know we are all excited to head out to East TN. Thank you for putting this together. I know a lot of harwork and effort went into the prep. Looking forward to seeing you all onsite.

Thanks.

Brent Brumagin