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Well, its good to see the AC standing back up on its hind legs--thanks to heaps of hard work by fellows that don't get enough credit for it. So here's this event announcement back up as well, with a few select changes from the original announcement.
Civilian Applications for Red River Campaign/Banks Grand Retreat
Folks have been asking for more details for a while—its high time I got some out. I’ve been slow, trying to find a time when I knew I’d be available to answer a whole bunch of questions in a short time frame. Given my spring event schedule, I haven’t been home much on the weekends and won’t be anytime soon. Therefore, now is as good a time as any.
When is this thing?:
The Red River Campaign-Banks Grand Retreat:
March 14-March 18, 2007 (or thereabouts)
Now, that's a firm date for the military--they will go live Wednesday morning.
The general run down from the military side of the website:
The Texas Ground Hornets will be
hosting an event that simulates General Bank's withdrawal following
the Battle of Pleasant Hill and his pursuit by the forces of General
Richard Taylor. This will be an immersive campaign event with
marching, skirmishes, the building of fortifications, picket duty,
period rations, and strict military deportment and decorum. The event
will be held in the piney woods of northwest Louisiana on and near
the route of Bank's 1864 withdrawal. As an added feature, there will
be a sizeable civilian contingent.
And that would be where we come in.
We may arrive on site as early as Sunday March 11--I know of two families who are planning on just that. Participants must be prepared to go live by 8:00 am Wednesday morning.
Oh, and the year is 1864.
I’m not from around there---Whereabouts is this thing?
Find Shreveport, Louisiana, on a map. It’s on the Texas line. Look south find Mansfield. You’ll notice that the roads look a little sparse in that area. That would be because some of them are macadam surface, and some are dirt. We’ll be down on those dirt roads south of Mansfield and Nachitoches. Yeah, if you can read a map, you can find it.
So, What Do I Wear to this Shindig?:
You know the drill on clothing standards--farming class, rural, late war. If you meet McDowell or Perryville standard, you’re fine. Since we’ve got a reasonable amount of lead-time on this, we can discuss the fine points of clothing once participants have signed on.
Key on this is that you have adequate period clothing to cope with a range of temperatures that could be anything from 15 degrees to 80 degrees, Snow is rare as hen’s teeth in this part of Louisiana, but wind and rain are almost guaranteed.
You’ll also need enough clothing so you can get by for a minimum of five days in the field; there are no laundromats within 40 miles of this place. Besides, you ain't going to your car anyway. There is, however, a creek, and a couple of folks bringing their laundry equipment. You’ll have to help haul the water, chop the wood and stir the pot if you want clean clothes. Bring your own bucket.
There is room for valid upper class impressions—especially those fleeing ahead or behind the army. The nearby Cane River area frames an opportunity for persons of color to portray upper class free men, with its strong background of mixed racial heritage including Indian, Black, European and even some Far Eastern ethnic groups.
I hear they have Hurricanes down there……
Yep. The good news is that March is NOT hurricane season. The other good news is there is a good bit of deadfall wood around. There will also be some nice chopped up wood. Bring an axe, and know how to use it.
What am I going to Eat?
That depends on how provident you and your household are. My green beans are already in the ground, and will be nice dried green beans by fall. There’s fish in the streams, we can prearrange for various livestock, but you’ll have to feed it, care for it, and deal with it. Pretty much up to you, as long as its period appropriate to the time and place. We’ll also look at some group purchases for salt meat, meal, grits and the like.
One family has stated intent to follow the dietary rules of a particular religious denomination of the period, producing a primarily vegetarian diet. Others of similar persuasion may wish to declare themselves...
What am I going to Drink?
Depends on whether you are Temperance or not.
Temperance folks have several resources. Provision will be made for each family unit to obtain an oak water barrel, to be filled and transported from a city water supply located several miles away. Or you may use various water natural water sources on site, and you are responsible for choosing a sanitation method that meets your standards. Or, you can bring all the plastic encased water you want, and hide it somewhere in the woods. As long as you transport it back in a period correct bucket, and haul out your empties on Sunday, we don’t care. Your choice.
Non-Temperance folks can bring their own, as long as it’s a period correct brew in a period correct container. Public drunks will be shunned. Private drunks will be gossiped about.
Where am I going to GO?
A one seat outhouse with a deep pit and a sack of lime will be on site. It may be a ways from where you live, but you can walk to it anytime you’re of a mind to.
Over the years, we’ve experimented a good bit with various methods of dealing with human waste in a safe and sanitary manner. We’ll discuss a variety of options available to your household, and the choice will be up to you. You’ll need to be prepared to empty your own chamber pot—there will not be any little blue houses or big pumper trucks to do it for you.
What am I going to Do?
How you amuse yourself is your business, as long as its period appropriate. Hauling water, splitting wood, tending fires, tending livestock, hugging children, cooking, laundry, and generally keeping body and soul together will occupy a whole lot of time. The rest is up to you.
At some point, it’s likely that some army or another will show up. Doesn’t matter where your sympathies lay, anytime any army shows up, it’s generally a bad thing. Rules of engagement will be publicized to insure that all are in agreement as to how we interact.
What else am I going to Bring?
Besides your period correct clothes, yourself, and a good attitude, your material goods should be of proper construction and materials for the period.
What’s the general area like?
Dirt roads, piney woods, streams, rolling pasture, cows, coyotes, squirrels, raccoons, snakes, armadillos, spiders and bugs. If you want to do some traveling by foot or by horse, we’ll help you map out your logistics. We’ll not tell you where the army is going to be, or how to avoid them.
Seems like I’ve got a lot to decide here---What’s your job in all this?
As Civilian Coordinator, my job is to ensure the safety of the common water supply and the outhouse, coordinate with on-site medical and communications, articulate ground rules and ensure the common good.
On site medical will include certified Paramedics, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners, with modern communications equipment, and appropriate medical supplies. The hospital is about 30 miles away.
So, How do I sign up?
If you’re reasonably content with the conditions outlined above, willing to work in good faith with others to resolve questions and issues, and are capable of Playing Well With Others, you are invited to apply for Red River III, by assembling your 1864 family and applying as a Household.
Households in the 1860's consisted of closely related individuals, extended family, servants, hired help and others, of a variety of ages, ability and social station.
Households shall:
(1) Live and cook together, from a mixture of event provided rations and any period foods you wish to bring.
(2) Be capable of performing daily chores, including chopping wood, hauling drinking and washing water over considerable distance, and transporting their chamber pots to an outhouse.
(3) Provide their own shelter. Tentage is allowed, but households are encouraged to build pre-fab structures, assemble them on site, and then remove on the last day of the event.
(4) Entertain themselves in various period chores and pursuits.
Complete applications will be considered beginning July 1, 2006, and consist of the following:
(1) Listing of all proposed household members, with name, contact information, age range (under 10, 10-20, 20-50, 50-60, 60+) and gender, along with recent events attended.
(2) Photographs of each person, in period dress (this may be a modern
photo or a scan of a period image)
(3) A short paragraph listing the period skills your household can bring to this event, or other unique contributions you can make to the community.
(4) A designated Head of Household who will function as event contact and speak for the household in any decisions to be made.
Completed applications may be submitted electronically to rrcivilians@bellsouth.net
Or mailed to:
Terre Lawson
20 Oakwood Court
Tuscaloosa, Al 35401
Since the site cannot support a large number of civilian participants, these applications will be used to construct a community comparable to those in the area. In other words--you get extra points for children, old folks, period trades, animals and such like in your household.
Once households are accepted, common food purchases agreed upon by the Heads of Household, along with medical supply and other event expenses will be determined. The civilian event fee will then be due in full within 60 days, and will not be refundable. Provision will be made for a lower fee for children under age 10.
Substitutions will be considered provided the substitute is of the same age range and gender as the replaced participant, but are not guaranteed.
I’ve got other questions. Where do I find the answers?
Ask here, or by email at rrcivilians@bellsouth.net
Don’t use my private message box—it stays full even when I clean it out.
I may not know the answer, and if I don’t, I’ll tell you. I don’t do computers on the weekend. And for the next several weeks, I’m leaving for events at first light on Friday, and won’t be back until Monday night.
I don’t know anybody else who wants to go—what do I do?
I’d suggest you get to know some more civilians. Perryville and Shaker Village would be a good places to start.
Kind Regards,
Civilian Applications for Red River Campaign/Banks Grand Retreat
Folks have been asking for more details for a while—its high time I got some out. I’ve been slow, trying to find a time when I knew I’d be available to answer a whole bunch of questions in a short time frame. Given my spring event schedule, I haven’t been home much on the weekends and won’t be anytime soon. Therefore, now is as good a time as any.
When is this thing?:
The Red River Campaign-Banks Grand Retreat:
March 14-March 18, 2007 (or thereabouts)
Now, that's a firm date for the military--they will go live Wednesday morning.
The general run down from the military side of the website:
The Texas Ground Hornets will be
hosting an event that simulates General Bank's withdrawal following
the Battle of Pleasant Hill and his pursuit by the forces of General
Richard Taylor. This will be an immersive campaign event with
marching, skirmishes, the building of fortifications, picket duty,
period rations, and strict military deportment and decorum. The event
will be held in the piney woods of northwest Louisiana on and near
the route of Bank's 1864 withdrawal. As an added feature, there will
be a sizeable civilian contingent.
And that would be where we come in.
We may arrive on site as early as Sunday March 11--I know of two families who are planning on just that. Participants must be prepared to go live by 8:00 am Wednesday morning.
Oh, and the year is 1864.
I’m not from around there---Whereabouts is this thing?
Find Shreveport, Louisiana, on a map. It’s on the Texas line. Look south find Mansfield. You’ll notice that the roads look a little sparse in that area. That would be because some of them are macadam surface, and some are dirt. We’ll be down on those dirt roads south of Mansfield and Nachitoches. Yeah, if you can read a map, you can find it.
So, What Do I Wear to this Shindig?:
You know the drill on clothing standards--farming class, rural, late war. If you meet McDowell or Perryville standard, you’re fine. Since we’ve got a reasonable amount of lead-time on this, we can discuss the fine points of clothing once participants have signed on.
Key on this is that you have adequate period clothing to cope with a range of temperatures that could be anything from 15 degrees to 80 degrees, Snow is rare as hen’s teeth in this part of Louisiana, but wind and rain are almost guaranteed.
You’ll also need enough clothing so you can get by for a minimum of five days in the field; there are no laundromats within 40 miles of this place. Besides, you ain't going to your car anyway. There is, however, a creek, and a couple of folks bringing their laundry equipment. You’ll have to help haul the water, chop the wood and stir the pot if you want clean clothes. Bring your own bucket.
There is room for valid upper class impressions—especially those fleeing ahead or behind the army. The nearby Cane River area frames an opportunity for persons of color to portray upper class free men, with its strong background of mixed racial heritage including Indian, Black, European and even some Far Eastern ethnic groups.
I hear they have Hurricanes down there……
Yep. The good news is that March is NOT hurricane season. The other good news is there is a good bit of deadfall wood around. There will also be some nice chopped up wood. Bring an axe, and know how to use it.
What am I going to Eat?
That depends on how provident you and your household are. My green beans are already in the ground, and will be nice dried green beans by fall. There’s fish in the streams, we can prearrange for various livestock, but you’ll have to feed it, care for it, and deal with it. Pretty much up to you, as long as its period appropriate to the time and place. We’ll also look at some group purchases for salt meat, meal, grits and the like.
One family has stated intent to follow the dietary rules of a particular religious denomination of the period, producing a primarily vegetarian diet. Others of similar persuasion may wish to declare themselves...
What am I going to Drink?
Depends on whether you are Temperance or not.
Temperance folks have several resources. Provision will be made for each family unit to obtain an oak water barrel, to be filled and transported from a city water supply located several miles away. Or you may use various water natural water sources on site, and you are responsible for choosing a sanitation method that meets your standards. Or, you can bring all the plastic encased water you want, and hide it somewhere in the woods. As long as you transport it back in a period correct bucket, and haul out your empties on Sunday, we don’t care. Your choice.
Non-Temperance folks can bring their own, as long as it’s a period correct brew in a period correct container. Public drunks will be shunned. Private drunks will be gossiped about.
Where am I going to GO?
A one seat outhouse with a deep pit and a sack of lime will be on site. It may be a ways from where you live, but you can walk to it anytime you’re of a mind to.
Over the years, we’ve experimented a good bit with various methods of dealing with human waste in a safe and sanitary manner. We’ll discuss a variety of options available to your household, and the choice will be up to you. You’ll need to be prepared to empty your own chamber pot—there will not be any little blue houses or big pumper trucks to do it for you.
What am I going to Do?
How you amuse yourself is your business, as long as its period appropriate. Hauling water, splitting wood, tending fires, tending livestock, hugging children, cooking, laundry, and generally keeping body and soul together will occupy a whole lot of time. The rest is up to you.
At some point, it’s likely that some army or another will show up. Doesn’t matter where your sympathies lay, anytime any army shows up, it’s generally a bad thing. Rules of engagement will be publicized to insure that all are in agreement as to how we interact.
What else am I going to Bring?
Besides your period correct clothes, yourself, and a good attitude, your material goods should be of proper construction and materials for the period.
What’s the general area like?
Dirt roads, piney woods, streams, rolling pasture, cows, coyotes, squirrels, raccoons, snakes, armadillos, spiders and bugs. If you want to do some traveling by foot or by horse, we’ll help you map out your logistics. We’ll not tell you where the army is going to be, or how to avoid them.
Seems like I’ve got a lot to decide here---What’s your job in all this?
As Civilian Coordinator, my job is to ensure the safety of the common water supply and the outhouse, coordinate with on-site medical and communications, articulate ground rules and ensure the common good.
On site medical will include certified Paramedics, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners, with modern communications equipment, and appropriate medical supplies. The hospital is about 30 miles away.
So, How do I sign up?
If you’re reasonably content with the conditions outlined above, willing to work in good faith with others to resolve questions and issues, and are capable of Playing Well With Others, you are invited to apply for Red River III, by assembling your 1864 family and applying as a Household.
Households in the 1860's consisted of closely related individuals, extended family, servants, hired help and others, of a variety of ages, ability and social station.
Households shall:
(1) Live and cook together, from a mixture of event provided rations and any period foods you wish to bring.
(2) Be capable of performing daily chores, including chopping wood, hauling drinking and washing water over considerable distance, and transporting their chamber pots to an outhouse.
(3) Provide their own shelter. Tentage is allowed, but households are encouraged to build pre-fab structures, assemble them on site, and then remove on the last day of the event.
(4) Entertain themselves in various period chores and pursuits.
Complete applications will be considered beginning July 1, 2006, and consist of the following:
(1) Listing of all proposed household members, with name, contact information, age range (under 10, 10-20, 20-50, 50-60, 60+) and gender, along with recent events attended.
(2) Photographs of each person, in period dress (this may be a modern
photo or a scan of a period image)
(3) A short paragraph listing the period skills your household can bring to this event, or other unique contributions you can make to the community.
(4) A designated Head of Household who will function as event contact and speak for the household in any decisions to be made.
Completed applications may be submitted electronically to rrcivilians@bellsouth.net
Or mailed to:
Terre Lawson
20 Oakwood Court
Tuscaloosa, Al 35401
Since the site cannot support a large number of civilian participants, these applications will be used to construct a community comparable to those in the area. In other words--you get extra points for children, old folks, period trades, animals and such like in your household.
Once households are accepted, common food purchases agreed upon by the Heads of Household, along with medical supply and other event expenses will be determined. The civilian event fee will then be due in full within 60 days, and will not be refundable. Provision will be made for a lower fee for children under age 10.
Substitutions will be considered provided the substitute is of the same age range and gender as the replaced participant, but are not guaranteed.
I’ve got other questions. Where do I find the answers?
Ask here, or by email at rrcivilians@bellsouth.net
Don’t use my private message box—it stays full even when I clean it out.
I may not know the answer, and if I don’t, I’ll tell you. I don’t do computers on the weekend. And for the next several weeks, I’m leaving for events at first light on Friday, and won’t be back until Monday night.
I don’t know anybody else who wants to go—what do I do?
I’d suggest you get to know some more civilians. Perryville and Shaker Village would be a good places to start.
Kind Regards,
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