Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

There have been important recent developments regarding this adjunct effort.

Upon the conclusion of the BGA Gettysburg event, as Colonel Eichler dismissed the battalion one final time, Dom Dal Bello stepped forth to make an anouncement.

The Army of the Pacific will be reforming under his command and forming a battalion specifically for the BGA Chickamauga event. This message is not an AoP announcement per se, but rather a notification that the 24th Missouri under Cal Kinzer, portraying the 8th Kansas Co. F adjunct, will be forming as a company under Col Dal Bello's AoP banner.

This is a logical move for a couple of reasons. First and foremost the command structure and core of the 24th Missouri has extensive past experience working with Col Dal Bello's AoP, ie. we know what to expect, and the quality of the experience. We count, Raymond, Perryville, Franklin, Corinth, and TAG as examples where this company has served as an entity under the AoP.

Secondly, this move will enhance the experience of the various individuals who have committed and signed on to the 24th Missouri for this effort.

Lastly, questions have been flying fast regarding registration, ammo issue, ration issue, schedules etc. While it has been the practice of Colonel Dal Bello to provide his own communiques in the past, and we can expect such in the future, I want to stress that inquiries regarding this company specifically continue to please be routed through Cal Kinzer. He can be reached at ckinzer@juno.com

To a man, the leadership of this adjunct effort is committed to building on the momentum of this company's bully experience at BGA Gettysburg, and providing a first rate effort for each and every individual who signs onto our rolls.

[DougCooper]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Wow, this is great news indeed.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Well, though I have a nice amount of Living History events in my past, I only have ONE National event under my belt, the disastrous 01 Raymond Mississippi event. :cry_smile

This is obviously shaping up to be a bigger event than my limited experiences lets my mind's-eye envision!

Having committed to the 24th Missouri effort, I'm thinking my gosh, what all am I going to experience at THIS event!

With a new Tim Bender Hardee Hat on the way, I'm looking forward to standing in the ranks with those going!

Sure have a lot of questions to get answers to.

Kevin Dally

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Cal will be passing along information via electronic mail as it comes down, through our monthly unit newsletter, The Skirmish Line. As a matter of fact, this missive will be accelerated to a bi-monthly timetable to account for the Chickamauga info. If there is any individual out there who wishes to be included in this information chain, aside from those of you Cal has already been in contact with, I encourage you to message him personally stating such desires. Cal can be reached at: ckinzer@juno.com

As of now, the plan is to give Dom time to decompress from his Gettysburg cross country, and for us to concentrate on company business. As the word starts to filter out from battalion, it will be passed along. In the event of data overlap, some of you out there committed to this company may be old vets and still on the Army of the Pacific email list, I highly urge you to treat Cal's word as conclusive for what comes down from battalion may be modified for our company purposes.

So in other words, stay loose! Lol... for as many times as I used that phrase in Will Eichler's battalion at BGA Gettysburg it may as well be our company motto...

[dom]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Pards....

[Please forward to interested comrades]

A few good men wanted!
As discussed in Pennsylvania, we are forming a progressive Federal Infantry Battalion for Chickamauga, continuing our efforts to push the envelope in all areas of reenacting.

This event is to be held at Mountain Cove Farms, Walker County, Georgia, September 19-22, 2013.

The battalion will be commanded by Dom Dal Bello.
We will serve as the 2nd Battalion of the Army of the Frontier under Steve Dunfee.
The guiding impression of the brigade is Heg's Brigade (25th Illinois, 35th Illinois, 8th Kansas, 15th Wisconsin), 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th A.C.

We have three companies already in place. The goal is to field 4 to 6 solid companies.


Company Officers and Battalion Staff:
If you wish to serve as a company officer or in a staff position, please let me know as as soon as possible.
Ideas for rations and first person experiences are welcome.


Registration through the AoP website... look for AoP registration to open by the end of the month.

Rations will be issued; details to be announced.

Ammunition will be taken in/issued at the company level to ensure company quality control. Each company should have sufficient ammunition boxes to hold reserve ammunition for their company. Reserve ammuntion will be stored at battalion "depot"; each company will mark (in chalk) their ammunition boxes.

Uniform and Equipments: The standard western federal kit; details to be forthcoming from the Army of the Frontier.

Drill and presenting a campaigning appearance and experiernce will be emphasized.

More info to follow.


It will be an honor to serve with you.

Forward,
D.J. Dal Bello
djd_93116@yahoo.com

[hernicus]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Gentlemen:

The AOP Progressive Campaigner Battalion is now open for business!!!

Registration for this battalion is done THROUGH THE AOP, not directly through the event website.

Please go to the AOP website www.armyofthepacific.com to get more information and to register.

Again, registration is NOW OPEN!!!

"A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat"

[24thVOL]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

For those who have registered in this company before the announcement at Gettysburg, I suggest a link for the option of paying for rations only, since we have already put forth funds for registration. That or take care of it under the table, so to say going around the AOP site.

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

With less than sixty days left for this event, we have finalized some important details for the 24th Missouri/8th KS adjunct and wish to get that word out to our participants. As previously announced, this company will serve at the BGA 150th Chickamauga event under the Army of the Frontier (AoF) flag, led by Steve Dunfee. Looking to keep like minded individuals and companies together, the Army of the Pacific (AoP) will form as a 2nd Battalion within the AoF, and the 24th Missouri/8th KS adjunct will help comprise that battalion. Colonel Dal Bello has stated to have three companies in place, with an aim to field a total of 4-6. Please see the related AC thread under the 150th Chickamauga Progressive Battalion for further information.

Due to the advanced progress of registrations for the 24th Missouri/8th KS adjunct effort, and in respect to the experience initially offered, registration for this adjunct company will remain through the BGA Chickamauga link as follows:

http://www.150thanniversarychickamauga.com/registration.html

-Click on the 'Register Now' tab
-When completing the registration form enter 24th Missouri in the Unit Name line and FB/AoF on the pull down menu for Affiliation, US for Army,
and Infantry for Branch.
-Complete rest of form and submit as required.

The registration fee of $20 rises to $25 on August 5th.

Once registered, send a personal email to Cal Kinzer at ckinzer@juno.com letting him know you have registered, also giving him a good email address which will get you on the company circulars being sent out via email.

Though registration for this company will continue through the BGA Chickamauga website, battalion leadership will still allow its members the opportunity to draw rations through the AoP commissary. This issue will include, but is not limited to:
Meat (e.g., ham/slab bacon), bread, coffee, potatoes, onions, peaches, tinned tomatoes, candles, and other standard AoP fare. Any individuals who are committed to the 24th Missouri/8th KS adjunct, and wish as an option to draw rations from battalion, can send an email stating such desires to the company point of contact at: mphineas@sbcglobal.net. They will then be given the specific instructions on how to do so. Battalion ration fees are $15 for food, with an additional $5 for packaging and shipping to Georgia, for a total of $20. Deadline for signing on for battalion rations is 20 Aug 2013.

Leadership has determined ammunition issue will be conducted at the company level, and boxes provided for men to store their rounds. It is the company's desire to give the men opportunity to receive their own arsenal packs during any re-issue. Therefore the men are instructed to 'bundle' any stored arsenal packs together in bundles of four (40 rounds), with their name written in pencil on a slip of paper attached. This will ensure NCO's distributing out of the ammo crate can call that individual soldier forward to receive his rounds. It is hoped the company will procure two crates, which will allow issues before both Saturday and Sunday battles, with the soldiers placing any rounds they wish to be issued before either battle in the respective crate.

Additional information will soon be forthcoming regarding possible impression vignettes for the 8th Kansas Company F, as well as specific first person roles/opportunities etc. It is planned for the 2nd Battalion to form with the entire AoF brigade to specifically portray the 8th Kansas en masse during the Saturday Viniard Farm battles, and perhaps evolve into other regimental impressions from Heg's Brigade throughout the weekend. Please periodically check this thread as well as our 150th Chickamauga Federal Campaigner Company page on Facebook for updates!

For now, the important step is to get registered, and send an email to the company captain at CKinzer@juno.com, so we can get you on the circular list.

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Bloody CHICKAMAUGA

Six weeks to the day in which many of us will be departing for Georgia, and the company is shaping up nicely! As of now we have 22 men registered on the BGA website, with at least half as many more committed on to the rolls. The 24th Missouri/ 8th KS adjunct will be part of the 2nd Battalion, commanded by Col. Dom Dal Bello, of the Army of the Frontier (AoF) Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Steve Dunfee. The current company roster stands as follows, the men listed by name, home state, and first person name:

Bryan "Father" Brooks (OK)
Sean Cowger (IL)
Jim Crawford (IA)/ (Thomas Jefferson Saylor)
Kevin Dally (TX)
Eric Gott (OH)
Sean Harla (TX)
Nathan Hellwig (IA) /(Harrison “Holler” Hollaway)
Jay Hollenbeck (CO)
Nathan Hollenbeck (CO)
Wesley Keeler (IA)/ (John Wesley Keeler)
Cal Kinzer (OK) CAPTAIN
Jeremy “Corn” LeCrone (TX)
Trey Meador (TX)
Robert Muehleisen (OH)
Mike Palada (IA)/ (Lemuel “Lem” Ellington)
Mike Phineas (TX) 1st Corporal
David Russell (AR)
Frank Siltman (OK) 1st Sergeant
Jonathan Siltman (OK)
Shawn Spicer (MO)
Scott Sproat (OK)
Mark “Plug” Vlahos (TX) 2nd Sergeant

It is not too late to become a part of this team. If you plan to fall in with our company, we need you to do two things (1) register on the event website and (2) send an email to Cal Kinzer at ckinzer@juno.com stating that you have registered. This not only allows us to get a handle on how many men to expect, but also to screen people for possible authenticity or safety issues. We don't want to have people we don't know simply showing up at the event.

To register, go to the event website at http://www.150thanniversarychickamauga.com/. Click on "Registration" at the top of the page. Click on "Register Now" at the bottom of the page. Fill out the form and either mail it in or register online using PayPal. In addition to your personal information, list the following:

Unit Name: 24th Missouri
Affiliation: FB/AoF
Army: US
Branch: Infantry
Number of Participants: 1 (if registering only yourself)
Camping: Period - Campaign

The sponsors have been swamped with registrations, and new ones are constantly coming in. The list is being updated fairly promptly, but there may still be some names that have not been added. So keep checking to make sure you are on the list. If not, it would be a good idea to drop an email to the sponsors.

The AoF plans to represent Col. Hans C. Heg's 3rd Brigade, of Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis' 1st Division, of Maj. Gen. Alexander M. McCook's XX Corps. The entire AoF will portray the 8th Kansas Infantry for the Viniard Farm Scenario, with our battalion then generating into one of the other regiments of Col. Heg's Brigade (25th Illinois, 35th Illinois, or 15th Wisconsin). Specific uniform details and guidelines have been posted previously in this thread and still apply.

It is presumed that perhaps 120 rounds per man should be sufficient. Ammunition will be handled no higher than the company level, with regards to both the storing and issuing of such. Please be wary of going light on ammo, as ALL Federal units will be busy in the scripted battles. At BGA Gettysburg, this company went through several ammunition issues throughout the weekend. Many veteran campaigners later earnestly stated how surprised they were at the amount of ammunition used, as the scripted battles were flowing at a steady pace as opposed to being “powder burning” affairs.

Fires will be constructed above ground but there are plenty of rocks to make a fireplace. For rations, we plan to keep it simple and offer each individual or mess the option to either bring their own or draw from battalion. Those men wishing to draw battalion rations will please send an inquiry to mphineas@sbcglobal.net for further directions. For those men bringing their rations, all of these items must be carried and stored in proper period containers on the person AND in camp.

The event is shaping up as follows-

Scenarios:
Fri PM- Reed's/Alexander's Bridge; non spectator except for VIPs.
Sat AM - Combined Cavalry action, spectator battle.
Sat PM - Viniard Farm/Death Ditch (Heg's action AoF as 8th Kansas), spectator battle.
Sat evening - Cleburne's night attack, non-spectator.
Sun AM - Longstreet's Breakthrough, non-spectator.
Sunday PM - Snodgrass Hill, spectator battle.

We are also looking at possibly doing the Jay's Mill fight Sat AM as a non-spectator battle. Additionally there will be a partially scripted tactical along Pidgeon Mountain overnight on Thursday. The terrain is steep but McCook's troops crossed it in 1863. We will NOT be doing this as a company.

Although the event technically runs from Thursday September 19th to Sunday September 22nd, the event will not be going active until Thursday evening. The company will stand for roll call Friday morning. We will also try to find some time during the weekend to cut everyone loose for visiting the sutlers to peruse and purchase gear - or to just rest around camp and visit with pards.

The MapQuest and GPS coordinates are 838 Dougherty Gap Road, Chickamauga, GA. Coming from the west as you descend Lookout Mountain the first thing you hit is the entrance to the federal camp. You can drop your gear there, and then proceed to registration and parking. Please try to be on site no later than first light Friday morning, at which time the company will go active.

As the event draws nearer, more information will be forthcoming in relation to our 8th Kansas impression. Possible vignettes and other developments may be in the cards as well. For now, the concentration is to get the company registered and organized. Further rank assignments are still pending, determined in relation to final size of the company. Any interested parties are encouraged to contact Captain Kinzer.

More to come.

[Strawfoot]

Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Well, we have reached the end of registration and recruiting for this effort, and will now wind down into our pre-event prep. The list below details the company roster as registered on the BGA site. We have had several interested parties suggest they may attempt to still attend, my advice would be to contact the organizers and inquire about late registration possibilities. The company will remain flexible as far as the event organizers allow, as far as accepting latecomers. The company roster stands as follows:

Chuck Anfield (IL)
Bryan "Father" Brooks (OK)
Sean Cowger (IL)
Jim Crawford (IA)/ (Thomas Jefferson Saylor)
Kevin Dally (TX)
Ben Garmer (MO)
Eric Gott (OH)
Sean Harla (TX)
Nathan Hellwig (IA) /(Harrison “Holler” Hollaway)
Jay Hollenbeck (CO)
Nathan Hollenbeck (CO)
Wesley Keeler (IA)/ (John Wesley Keeler)
Cal Kinzer (OK) CAPTAIN
Mal Kirill (Russia)
Jeremy “Corn” LeCrone (TX)
Jeff McIntire (OH)
Trey Meador (TX)
Robert Muehleisen (OH)
Mike Palada (IA)/ (Lemuel “Lem” Ellington)
Mike Phineas (TX) 1st Corporal
David Russell (AR)
Erik Selvig (CO)
Frank Siltman (OK) 1st Sergeant
Jonathan Siltman (OK)
Shawn Spicer (MO)
Scott Sproat (OK)
Mark “Plug” Vlahos (TX) 2nd Sergeant
Weldon Svoboka (IL)


All of the individuals on this list should be on the 24th Missouri email chain to receive our bi-weekly newsletter, where we have been sending out company updates in relation to event details. These may increase as the event draws near. As of now the plan is to stand for company formation Friday morning in the AoF camp. During the Saturday afternoon battle reenactment for Viniard Farm the company will evolve into it's impression of the 8th Kansas of Heg's Brigade.

The following excerpt is from the Museum of the Kansas National Guard-



"On the 19th instant we marched at 8 o'clock, and at half-past 11 reached a point near General Rosecrans' headquarters, The Brigade filed through the woods to the right, and after marching about a mile was rapidly formed in line of battle, the Fifteenth Wisconsin, Eighth Kansas and Thirty-fifth Illinois being in line, and the Twenty-fifth Illinois, a reserve, directly in our rear. We then moved a mile to the right; then, by the left flank, forward in line. We had not advanced more than a hundred yards when the enemy, concealed in the timber and behind fallen logs, opened a destructive fire on us. The men replied with promptness and effect, and pushed forward vigorously. The fire at this time became deafening. The Twenty-fifth Illinois was ordered into line, and came up gallantly. The stream of wounded to the rear was unusually large. Still the Brigade held it's ground, cheered on by the gallant but unfortunate Colonel Heg, who was everywhere present, careless of danger. The enemy was constantly reinforced, and at last flanked us on the left, pouring in a deadly fire down our lines. Colonel Heg gave the order to fall back, and the men slowly retreated, taking shelter behind trees, firing at the advancing enemy , and stubbornly contesting every inch of ground. Fifty yards to the rear they were again formed and again advanced, almost regaining their original ground, but were again compelled to fall back by overpowering numbers. Almost half the brigade was killed and wounded, but the remainder, falling back to a fence a short distance to the rear, held the enemy in check until reinforcements came up and relieved them, when they fell back across an open field, taking position in the edge of a forest behind a log barricade. What remained of the Brigade I here reformed with the assistance of Captain Morrison, A.A.G. of the Division, and again advanced across the field, taking our old position behind the fence, and remaining there until nearly dusk, when the ammunition of the men being almost exhausted, we withdrew to the barricade in the edge of the woods again. Just at dusk we were withdrawn, by order of General Davis, and went into bivouac.

"During the night of the 19th the Brigade changed its location, crossing the Chattanooga road and occupying a strong position on a ridge in the woods north of the road. Our ammunition was replenished to ninety rounds. At noon we received an order to support General Wood on the right. We advanced across the road again, formed in line of battle, and were then advanced to near a small barricade on the edge of the woods, fronting on an open field. Finding the barricade occupied by our troops, the Brigade moved by the right flank to the rear of General Carlin's Brigade, and was ordered to lie down in a small ravine. The order had hardly been executed, when I received an order to move back by the left flank and take a position on the left of General Carlin's Brigade, the troops that occupied that position having been moved away to the left. I directed the movement, passing General Carlin's position, and moving by the right flank forward to the breastworks. The three regiments on the right of the Brigade reached the barricade, but the Thirty-fifth Illinois, the regiment on the left of the line, had not reached its position, when the enemy rose up from the tall weeds in front and advanced on us four columns deep, pouring in a destructive fire. The left flank of the Brigade was entirely exposed, as the troops that had occupied that position had moved so far to the left as to be out of sight, and we were soon flanked and exposed to a destructive enfilading fire. The enemy in front was terribly punished as they came up. Our men fired coolly from behind the barricade, and with terrible effect. The Brigade held the position until the enemy had mounted the barricade, when, flanked on the left, and overpowered by overwhelming numbers in the front,. they fell back in confusion, partially rallying about two hundred yards in the rear, but finding all supports gone, and the line on the left in disorder, breaking again. On the brow of the hill in the woods they again rallied and formed in line, leaving the field in the rear of General Sheriden's Division, which had been partially rallied at the same point.

"I enclose herewith a list of the killed, wounded and missing of the Brigade during the two days' engagement. By far the larger number were lost on the first day, our loss on the 20th being light. On the second day we had hardly six hundred men left in the Brigade when we were thrown into the fight. These were opposed by at least two full Divisions of the enemy's army. The list accompanying shows the loss to have been fully sixty percent of those engaged, and amply attests the courage, stubbornness and determination with which the troops fought.

"Where all behaved so gallantly, it would be invidious to mention individuals as particularly conspicuous in their actions. The vacant ranks, eloquent with heroic memories of the dead, speak for our absent comrades. The living, who fought by their side during the terrible storm of the two days' conflict, have again established the invincible courage of the defenders of the Union.

"The effective fighting force of the Brigade when it went into the engagement of the 19th instant was as follows, viz.:

Twenty-fifth Ill. Vol. Infantry: Com. officers present, 17; enlisted men present, 320; aggregate, 337.

Fifteenth Wis. Vol. Infantry: Com. officers present, 19; enlisted men present, 157; aggregate, 176.

Eighth Kansas Vol. Infantry: Com. officers present, 24; enlisted men present, 382; aggregate, 406.

Thirty-fifth Ill. Vol. Infantry: Com. officers present, 18; enlisted men present, 281; aggregate, 299.

Total: Com. officers present, 78; enlisted men present, 1,140; aggregate, 1,218.

The loss of the Brigade during the two day's engagement was as follows, viz:

Twenty-fifth Illinois: Com. officers killed, 0; com. officer wounded, 11; com. officers missing, 1; enlisted men killed, 10; enlisted men wounded, 160; enlisted men missing, 23; aggregate 205.
Fifteenth Wisconsin: Com. officers killed, 2; com. officers wounded, 6; com. officers missing 4; enlisted men killed, 3; enlisted men wounded, 47; enlisted men missing, 49; aggregate, 111.

Eighth Kansas: Com. officers killed, 3; com. officers wounded, 9; com. officers missing, 0; enlisted men killed, 41; enlisted men wounded, 170; enlisted men missing, 20; aggregate, 243.

Thirty-fifth Illinois: Com. officers killed 3; com. officers wounded, 5; com. officers missing, 0; enlisted men killed, 14; enlisted men wounded, 125; enlisted men missing, 13; aggregate, 160.

Total: Com. officers killed, 8; com. officers wounded, 31; com. officers missing, 5; enlisted men killed, 68; enlisted men wounded, 502; enlisted men missing, 105; aggregate, 719.

"Since the battles on the 19th and 20th the brigade has been largely recruited by returned convalescents, and by two full companies of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteers, which joined us on the 21st from detached service at Island No. 10. Many of the men slightly wounded have bravely returned to duty, considerably augmenting our force. I am, Captain, very respectfully,
"Your most ob'dt serv't,
"JOHN A. MARTIN,
"Col. Comd'g Third Brigade.

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

The event is at last is upon us, with the following list constituting the final roster of the 24th Missouri/ 8th KS Federal Campaigner company adjunct. Those still wishing to participate at this point must work out any arrangements with the event organizers personally. We will of course work with any such individuals to add them to the team. One final email circular should go out to the registered rifles this week. Good luck, and safe travels.

Chuck Anfield (IL)
Bryan "Father" Brooks (OK)
Sean Cowger (IL)
Jim Crawford (IA)/ (Thomas Jefferson Saylor)
Kevin Dally (TX)
Ben Garmer (MO)
Eric Gott (OH)
Sean Harla (TX)
Nathan Hellwig (IA) /(Harrison “Holler” Hollaway)
Jay Hollenbeck (CO)
Nathan Hollenbeck (CO)
Wesley Keeler (IA)/ (John Wesley Keeler)
Cal Kinzer (OK) CAPTAIN
Mal Kirill (Russia)
Jeremy “Corn” LeCrone (TX)
Jeff McIntire (OH)
Trey Meador (TX)
Robert Muehleisen (OH)
Mike Palada (IA)/ (Lemuel “Lem” Ellington)
Mike Phineas (TX) 1st Corporal
Matthew Rennier (IN)
David Russell (AR)
Erik Selvig (CO)
Frank Siltman (OK) 1st Sergeant
Jonathan Siltman (OK)
Shawn Spicer (MO)
Scott Sproat (OK)
Weldon Svoboka (IL)
Mark “Plug” Vlahos (TX) 2nd Sergeant
Kevin Waggoner(IN)

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Just confirmed of course walk on registration is available for the 150th Chickamauga for $35. Any qualified individuals still wishing to do so will be welcomed to this effort, with the only stipulation being to email Cal Kinzer at ckinzer@juno.com to inform of plans. I know of at least one person who was going to need up to the last minute for plans to develop.

BTW glad to see this nest of Infidels website back up lol...

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

The 150th Federal Campaigner Company adjunct for the 150th BGA Chickamauga is now in the books! We of the 24th Missouri Infantry extend a heartfelt gratitude to the men who attended and supported this effort. Event attrition was a minimal 10 percent, even with strong forecasts of rain and inclement weather casting a shadow over the festivities. We lost one man and his mess, due to physical injury, but remained the strongest company in the Federal Army of the Frontier, and one of the largest campaigner companies in either army. We had men from Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Ohio, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and even one recruit from Belarus, Russia who strolled into camp straight from the airport toting his samsonite suitcase and ready to rock!

I personally have fallen in with many entities and units during my time in the hobby, and this company ranks among the strongest of them. We stoically endured 12 hours of driving rain, sitting and taking it in camp, keeping the fires stoked, keeping our spirits professional and light. We overcame a 100 acre field of cornfield stubble (which took it's toll as the battalion maneuvered through it all weekend), was mistakenly marched through a dense underbrush of five foot tall ragweed on our approach to Snodgrass Hill, and dealt with the usual high jinx and tomfoolery which accompanies large scale national re-enactments, and the flotsam and jetsam which accompanies such. The men were businesslike and upbeat through all of it. And as we emerged from the ragweed jungle onto Snodgrass Hill, in view of the entire event, and I looked left to see the company lines quickly reformed compact and straight with the men's faces ready for whatever was next, I knew our effort was a success.

Outside of our efforts, personal highlights of the weekend of course were seeing old pards... Along with my brothers in arms, saw Joe Blunt (who had another company in the battalion), the Rat Tail guys, and Eric Tipton, Ken Cornett, Joe Liechty of Mess#1, our 8th Kansas pards, the Holmes Brigade just to name a few, and experiencing some fine drill under the tutelage of the hobby's premier drillmaster Dom Dal Bello. The event story to be remembered is Sean Cowger awakening Saturday night and hearing the shuffling of some critter trying to drag off his haversack in the darkness. After shooing the pest away he then took his haversack and placed it next to Shawn Spicer's sleeping head before going back to sleep lol...

Gratitude again to those men who made the effort, and for being part of the team. Attached is a photo of the company, standing tall Sunday morning before the battle of Snodgrass Hill, which is looming in the right background.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

I joined up with the 24th Missouri boys for my 1st time at this event, and they proved to be my kind of unit.

Everyone was nice, helpful, worked together, no ego problems, I was made to feel like I had been with them all along!

I sure didn't mind those who quietly took me under their wing in the ranks and prodded me into place in drill, helped me set up another shelter half to mine so the feller from Russia could get under cover! During the rain folk helped with getting fires going, shared combined rations for stew...

This was my 1st National Reenactment since the 01 Raymond event, and I like how this event turned out. Strange to be shooting at boys on the Confederate side who in years past I had been in the same ranks (WIG, Armory Guards, Independent rifles, Red River Battalion) with!

While I don't get excited about battles, the camp site we were at was to my liking. We couldn't see modern intrusions, porta-johns and water were close, but out of sight, no wall or A-frame tents, only shelter half's set up in various ways. One of those settings in the woods that make you think it all looked like what you read about!

In a few days I hope to have some pictures I can post. Good uniforms and equipage on these Missouri boys, they know what to look for, they care about their impression.

Mike has every right to brag on em!

Kevin Dally

[Strawfoot]

Re: Federal Campaigner Company for 150th Chickamauga

Well... Other than when you started in with that crazy evolution at the command of 'stack arms' I'd say you fit in perfectly with us Kevin, lol... Glad to have you aboard, and your gracious demeanor and upbeat attitude were most welcome in the company.