At High Tide Federal Campaigners

[Spinster]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

Mr. Williams,

Rob Murray is currently without an internet connection, a matter that should be remedied later on this week. He's likely the one who can answer your question. As always with NPS sites, the permit issued will limit what can be allowed.

In the meantime, here are the standards and schedule for that march:

http://westernbrigade.org/

[BillO'Dea]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

I doubt very much that it would be looked kindly for anyone "just showing up". Either by the park service or Col. Jim Moffet. One might contact him, ask permission and be assigned to a company
Bill O'Dea
Salt Boiler mess / 122nd NY

[Charles Heath]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

Rob O'Delaware,

Shoot Jim an email at hqwesternbrigade@yahoo.com, as Rob O'Moustache is in motion.

[JEBminnesota]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

I don’t know of any AC campaigner battalion that will be conducting the march on Friday the 27th. The Western Brigade and the Army of the Ohio are the two battalions marching. But don’t take my word for it, I don’t know anything.

Contact the adjutant of the WB, Rob Murray at rmmurray@charter.net. His e-mail is up and running again, or you can wait until he post on the AC. He watches this forum like a hawk when he is not drinking scotch.

[flattop32355]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

He watches this forum like a hawk when he is not drinking scotch.

Do not be fooled: Rob will drink with anybody, not just the Scotch.

The NPS has supposedly wanted to know just how many of us would be taking part in the march. Only God and bureaucrats know why, but there it is. If one intends to march, I'd suggest doing it as part of a component unit of the WB or AotO.

It is also supposed that, once assembled, there may be some drill/manoeuver done as part of or prior to the actual the march. I'm too low on the totem pole to know any details, but that's the scuttlebutt from the trenches.

The PITA of it all is getting everyone to the PA monument when no vehicles are allowed to stay there. Much running of shuttle vehicles will occur from the event site to get us all there.

And when the NPS says NO CAPS OR CARTRIDGES ALLOWED, it means exactly that, with the possiblility of legal trouble for those who forget or ignore the order.

[Rob Murray]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

ALL,

The Western Brigade has received a permit for a "Living History March" on Friday, 27 June, from the PA Monument at GNMP to the event site. This was to have been for "Western Federal Infantry" ie, the Western Brigade and Army of Ohio and troops joining their respective battalions for the AHT event. As it does not look like we will have 350 marchers, we are willing to open it up to a few "Eastern Federal Infantry".

We will be marching as one Regiment. Company officers will be chosen by Cols.' Moffet and Minton, WB and AoO respectively. If you would like to take part in this march, you will need to contact me at rmmurray@charter.net

The march organizers ( The Western Brigade) reserve the right to say no to any individual or group of individuals as they deem necessary.

There will be no more than 350 marchers. The permit AND logistics prevent this.

Here are the essential points.

* Limited to 350 Federal Infantry Enactors.

* Assemble at the Pennsylvania Monument between 10:00 AM and Noon on Friday
June 27. The march will commence at Noon.

* There is no parking available at the PA monument - you need to car-pool over
from the participant parking area at the AHT event site.
http://www.wmhf.org/athightide/aerial.jpg We would recommend that if a civilian
or non-marching member of your unit can drive, that would be best. There will
be a charter bus arriving from Minnesota ("Northfield Lines") that can ferry
some marchers over to the PA monument - like car pool drivers: DO NOT
automatically count on the bus for your ride.

* The march route is about 4 miles long. We will cross these historic
features: Plum Run, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, the Emmittsburg Road,
Seminary Ridge and the Covered Bridge over Marsh Creek. We will end the march
at the event site by 4:00 PM - earlier if the weather is not too oppressive.

* ABSOLUTELY no cartridges or caps are permitted. Park Rangers WILL be
inspecting for these, and the fines are stiff. Make sure that ALL ammunition is
stored in your vehicle, or in arsenal ammunition cases and left at the event
site. Following the march, men will have some down time to retrieve ammo and
other items left at the event site.

* Edged weapons and pistols must remain in scabbards and holsters.

* Weapons are ONLY permitted on park property during the assembly (10:00 AM -
Noon) and during the march - and in our designated locations. If you plan to
visit the park before the march, or on Sunday, you MAY wear your uniform, but
you MAY NOT carry your weapon.

* This is a military march - commemorating in a very abbreviated form the
approach march of the Union Army to Gettysburg. Civilian reenactors are not to
follow along like a gaggle of camp-followers. Civilians can parallel our march
route in vehicles, take photos, etc.

* At this time, all men must be on foot.

* You may camp and park your vehicle at the AHT site on Thursday.

* If you are able, wear full marching order (including knapsack / bedroll) on
the march. If you do not feel that you will be able to make it that heavily
loaded, light marching order is permissible. Full canteens are REQUIRED.

* Captains are responsible for any litter generated by their company - pack it
out.

* Field music is encouraged to come on the march.

* As curious as this may seem to you, we are requested to NOT engage the
public. For a number of reasons, our march is not a traditional "Living History
Encampment" and therefore we are more supposed to be seen by visitors, rather
than talk to them about our activities. If a visitor approaches you, politely
answer their questions. Do NOT post interpretive 'narrators' if your company is
drilling, etc.
This is a rare opportunity to bear arms on some of the nation's most hallowed
ground. With the amendments we have received, it will also give us a good warm
up for the event, as we can drill and maneuvre as we cross the
fields of Gettysburg.

Remember, if you are registered with either the WB or AoO, you are already included.

Rob Murray
Western Brigade

[Rob Murray]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

Note to all.

The Western Brigade Ration registration will close Sat. June, 14th. Envelopes postmarked that day will be accepted. You've had your chance.

[Charles Heath]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

The Western Brigade Ration registration will close Sat. June, 14th.

Rob,

The modest sample pulled from each vat of salt pork has proven to both pleasing to the eye, and quite tasty. Yum!

[FlatLandFed]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

Yum, indeed! Looks like another winner. What vegetable fare is in the offing this time out, Mssr Heaf?
Cheers,
Paul Hadley
Proud survivor, 2nd Manassas LH (but caught no fish!)

[Charles Heath]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

. What vegetable fare is in the offing this time out, Mssr Heaf?

Paul,

The event rations are based on what the 1st Minn. was actually issued at Union Mills, MD, on the march up to G'burg with the 2nd Army Corps, as detailed in James Wright's memoirs: No more Gallant a Deed published by the Minnesota Historical Society in 2001. This book is a darn good Army of the Potomac enlisted man's account, and well worth reading. Those rations, as stated by someone who was there at the time of issue, were salt pork, hard bread, coffee and sugar. We are planning to issue the same. Foraged items, as this is not a flat haversack event, may vary considerably according to late June 1863 produce availability in that part of the world.

The poor fellows who have their work cut out for them are the company third sergeants. I'm glad not to be in their shoes.

[DougCooper]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

In case there is not a grits thread I just want to say: Charles, you done good at AHT. The rations were accurate as to type and quality and greatly added to the event. The compressed area you had to work with was a challenge, but you and "Mrs Thompson" and the assistants made this special.

The other thing I liked was the troops initially did not know there would be another issue the next day, so were busy Friday night trying to cook and then plan what to eat...just as it would have been. Personally, I don't know where you got those porkers but they trump all other porcines I have met on the victual scene in this hobby.

I have their late visages saved as a remembrance to their sacrifice for the Union. :)

Well done.

[Spinster]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

Thank you sir. Officers are rarely formally introduced to contract cooks, and the sounds of war are often deafening.

That would be "Mrs. Compson".

Perhaps you've met my son Benji somewhere along the way? He seems to corresspond with senior officers on occassion....

[nrandolph]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

Mrs. Lawson,

Thanks again for our "how to prepare and cook hominy" lesson you gave us Friday afternoon. The staff seemed to enjoy the hominy pretty well, even several commenting that they'd had it before and weren't crazy about it but enjoyed it Saturday morning. I had mine with brown sugar while Bill Watson had his with salt and pepper, and I saw some put molasses on it and declare it good.

It was a pleasure to meet and have some time to talk with you after reading many of your informative and entertaining posts on this forum. Thanks again!

Neil Randolph
1st WV

[DougCooper]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

Thank you sir. Officers are rarely formally introduced to contract cooks, and the sounds of war are often deafening.

That would be "Mrs. Compson".

Perhaps you've met my son Benji somewhere along the way? He seems to corresspond with senior officers on occassion....

Hah! Funny, we had a debate about the spelling and I settled on the one that was in the majority - wrong. I met him but did not make the connection other than he was a quite willing apprentice!

I re-learned the valuable lesson of lingering around the cook house and so kept our company well fed through the entreaties from you to eat more pork!! We sent at least 5 men from the company up there over the weekend with strict orders not to identify themselves other than "from the battalion."

The Switchel and Ginger Beer were tonics of inestimable value and the molasses and sorghum ditto. I imagine anyone stopping for a late lunch after the event felt a little wistful at being reduced to buying a #5 medium. ;)

[Charles Heath]

Re: At High Tide Federal Campaigners

In case there is not a grits thread I just want to say: Charles, you done good at AHT. The rations were accurate as to type and quality and greatly added to the event. The compressed area you had to work with was a challenge, but you and "Mrs Thompson" and the assistants made this special.

The other thing I liked was the troops initially did not know there would be another issue the next day, so were busy Friday night trying to cook and then plan what to eat...just as it would have been. Personally, I don't know where you got those porkers but they trump all other porcines I have met on the victual scene in this hobby.

Doug,

Quite a few people contributed to the Western Brigade's Commissary of Subsistence at Andersburg, and there is no dang way to thank them all without leaving out a few, but thanks go to Bev, Abby Walker, Bob Doer, Terre-with-an-E, Terri-with-an-I, Bill Bitting, The Burkholters, Rob Murray, Doug Oakes, Jeffy Henion, Sam Walton's Mercantile, Giant Eagle Market, Lotte's International, Brunswick Ag Co-op, Jim Moffet, "Kid Kommissary," "the human forklifts," the stalwart folks in Minnesota who baked the hardtack, and most especially "The Dave." Dave is a jewel in the rough, and any man with 27 years experience with M2 burner units ought to be able to figure out this business in a heartbeat. We speak the same language, as in "They had a kind of B-Ration back then. Remember those?"

This was proof we could issue battalion rations in a 4' x 10' area. As usual, I saved some numbers and odds and ends for a post-mortem, that may generate some chuckles. Company G gets a tip of the well worn dress hat for actually reading their pre-event info. If they didn't, then they sure faked it well.

Rob and I went over the spreadsheets by phone just before the event and lined out the people who had RSVP'd "no" in the weeks before the event. Those rations were held in reserve, and combined with the officer's marching rations (few partook of their hardtack and pre-cooked salt pork Saturday morning), so we had enough vittles overage on hand to supplement the rations for anyone who thought they had "skimpy rations." The good news is we didn't have to teach "the school of the sweet potato."

The roast & ground corn really mellowed out the issue coffee. The red " salt rock" was not used, but it did find its way to the bottom of the barrel. There was no bottle of whiskey in the bottom of the salt pork barrel. If anyone did sample the whiskey in another container, they'd have found it was actually a fair amount of potent anchovy sauce. The toad in that one company's salt pork ration breakdown was a natural happening. He just hopped in there I guess. ;)

I have an AAR working up in between trying to keep three irascible editors happy, and will try to get that posted soon. I'll mention two items, one of which is a no brainer, and the other may be a surprise to some:

1. One of the biggest opportunities before us is in the area of functional staff work. Just as the armies had to train up during the expansion of 1861-1862, we need to do the same. Just as political appointees were mostly a waste of time back then, the decorative, nonfunctional, and generally useless as a teat on a boar hog, staff swelling, staff officer is the bane of these larger events.

2. For the most part, I'm in agreement with Spudman and Jimbo, and I'm looking forward to Fox's Gap in 2009. :)