GrumpyDave
07-15-2006, 11:24 AM
September 22-24, 2006, “Retreat From Fisher's Hill”, Elmira, NY area – Sponsored by the Potomac Legion’s Living History Guild, the next “Death March” event will be held in late September 2006 and will again feature opposing forces skirmishing along six miles of anachronism-free countryside. This edition of the “Death March” will be held in the same area as the Death March VII (2005) just south of Elmira. The 2005 Death March was a small but exceedingly well-run event that was well worth broader support. This will probably never be a “large” (battalion on battalion) event, but 40 to 50 men per side is certainly reasonable and would make a fine time; registration is limited to 50 per side. Contact: Doug Oakes, oldsoldier51@yahoo.com.
Death March 2005 AAR: www.columbiarifles.org/AA...hmarch.htm
ELMIRA “DEATH MARCH” VIII
“Retreat from Fisher’s Hill”
South of Elmira, New York
September 22-24, 2006
WELLBSBURG, N.Y. – Sponsored by the Potomac Legion’s Living History Guild, including the CR’s own Doug Oakes, this year’s “Death March” will portray portions of the Confederate retreat from the battle of Fisher’s Hill (September 23, 1864) in the Shenandoah Valley. Specifically, the actions of the Rebel rear guard near Hawkinsville, Mount Jackson, and New Market on September 24, 1864 are the settings for this event. The 2005 “Death March” was a small but very enjoyable, extremely well-organized event.
This is the Columbia Rifles’ 2006 outing as Confederates; the Rebel portrayal will be the 45th VA. CRs can also attend as Federals, who will portray the 114th New York of the Nineteenth Corps. The Rebel contingent will be commanded by the CR’s own Dave Berndt, something2say@prodigy.net, while the Yanks will be commanded by Doug Oakes, oldsoldier51@yahoo.com.
This year’s march route is six miles long and traverses some moderately hilly terrain in the vicinity of Comfort Hill, south of Elmira, N.Y., mostly through woods and fields; most of the march route is free of anachronisms. Skirmishing between the Union and Confederate contingents will highlight the march. The PL’s 1st Maine Cavalry will have about six mounted Yank cavalrymen in attendance, which will make the Confederates’ march lively. The march will end on Saturday afternoon, and activities are planned for the first half of Sunday morning; the event will end late on Sunday morning.
Confederate uniform and kit requirements for CRs are:
• Jacket: Jeancloth Richmond Depot Type 2 (RD2) shell jacket, Tait jacket, North Carolina jacket, Confederate frock coat, or civilian sack coat.
• Trousers: Richmond Depot jeancloth or civilian is preferred; Federal kersey trousers are acceptable if it is all you have.
• Shirts: Civilian shirt or CS issue is strongly encouraged. NO Federal-issue domet flannel shirts.
• Hats & Caps: Either a quality civilian hat or Confederate forage cap.
• Canteen: Confederate tin drum canteen is preferred. Wood drum canteens and Federal canteens are acceptable. .
• Waistbelt: CS belt preferred (roller buckle belts preferred; Georgia frame, English imports, and fork-tongue are also good). US belt is acceptable if it’s all you have. No “CS” plates (these were rare in the ANV and were more common in the Army of Tennessee).
• Bayonet Scabbard: Sewn or two-rivet CS pattern is preferred.
• Haversack: White canvas haversack or U.S. tarred black.
• Shelter: Consider avoiding shelter altogether. If foul weather is forecast then bring a shelter half (even though shelter halves were not a CS-issue item). Some tent flys may be provided for the CS contingent if the weather will be poor.
• Baggage: Blanket rolls are preferred. CS knapsacks and English knapsacks are acceptable. Federal knapsacks are discouraged but can be used if you insist.
• Blankets: Civilian blankets, carpets, and CS issue blankets are preferred. US blankets are acceptable.
• Long Arms: Richmond, M1861, M1863, or M1864 Springfield, or 1853 Enfield rifle-musket is preferred
Federal uniform and kit requirements for CRs are:
• Jacket: Fatigue blouse is required.
• Shirts: Domet-flannel Federal-issue shirt is strongly encouraged. Civilian shirts and waistcoats are also acceptable.
• Caps: Forage cap is required.
• Canteen: Smoothside or bullseye body is acceptable; with a cotton strap.
• Waistbelt: US brass with brass keeper. Leather keepers are discouraged.
• Scabbard: Seven-rivet pattern is required.
• Shelter: Bring a shelter half. The camps will represent a late-war campaign bivouacs and will have minimal canvas.
• Baggage: Double-bag knapsacks are preferred; blanket rolls are also acceptable.
• Overcoats: Greatcoats are allowed but will add extra weight to your pack, although men of the Army of the Shenandoah did have overcoats by mid-September 1864.
• Long Arms: M1861, M1863, or M1864 Springfield rifle musket is preferred; 1853 Enfield is acceptable. No smoothbores.
Applicable to everyone regardless of Loyalty Affiliation:
• Miscellaneous: The event portrays veterans during a very rough, long campaign. Clothing should be dirty and worn. Bring all other appropriate items: gum blanket, haversack, mess furniture, &c.
• Ammunition: Bring 60 rounds of ammunition.
• Rations: The event hosts are issuing period-correct uncooked rations at this event—opportunities for cooking bacon in the dark exist. If you bring any rations at all—and it is preferred that you do not—make it just a couple of crackers or corn bread and coffee.
Registration closes when the spaces are full. Contact Doug Oakes for a registration form (available by e-mail) and other info. Registration includes issuance of uncooked rations. CR contact for this event is Doug Oakes at oldsoldier51@yahoo.com, (607) 734-0458
I'll be there again. This time the Federal infantry and Cavalry is chasing the Rebs.
Death March 2005 AAR: www.columbiarifles.org/AA...hmarch.htm
ELMIRA “DEATH MARCH” VIII
“Retreat from Fisher’s Hill”
South of Elmira, New York
September 22-24, 2006
WELLBSBURG, N.Y. – Sponsored by the Potomac Legion’s Living History Guild, including the CR’s own Doug Oakes, this year’s “Death March” will portray portions of the Confederate retreat from the battle of Fisher’s Hill (September 23, 1864) in the Shenandoah Valley. Specifically, the actions of the Rebel rear guard near Hawkinsville, Mount Jackson, and New Market on September 24, 1864 are the settings for this event. The 2005 “Death March” was a small but very enjoyable, extremely well-organized event.
This is the Columbia Rifles’ 2006 outing as Confederates; the Rebel portrayal will be the 45th VA. CRs can also attend as Federals, who will portray the 114th New York of the Nineteenth Corps. The Rebel contingent will be commanded by the CR’s own Dave Berndt, something2say@prodigy.net, while the Yanks will be commanded by Doug Oakes, oldsoldier51@yahoo.com.
This year’s march route is six miles long and traverses some moderately hilly terrain in the vicinity of Comfort Hill, south of Elmira, N.Y., mostly through woods and fields; most of the march route is free of anachronisms. Skirmishing between the Union and Confederate contingents will highlight the march. The PL’s 1st Maine Cavalry will have about six mounted Yank cavalrymen in attendance, which will make the Confederates’ march lively. The march will end on Saturday afternoon, and activities are planned for the first half of Sunday morning; the event will end late on Sunday morning.
Confederate uniform and kit requirements for CRs are:
• Jacket: Jeancloth Richmond Depot Type 2 (RD2) shell jacket, Tait jacket, North Carolina jacket, Confederate frock coat, or civilian sack coat.
• Trousers: Richmond Depot jeancloth or civilian is preferred; Federal kersey trousers are acceptable if it is all you have.
• Shirts: Civilian shirt or CS issue is strongly encouraged. NO Federal-issue domet flannel shirts.
• Hats & Caps: Either a quality civilian hat or Confederate forage cap.
• Canteen: Confederate tin drum canteen is preferred. Wood drum canteens and Federal canteens are acceptable. .
• Waistbelt: CS belt preferred (roller buckle belts preferred; Georgia frame, English imports, and fork-tongue are also good). US belt is acceptable if it’s all you have. No “CS” plates (these were rare in the ANV and were more common in the Army of Tennessee).
• Bayonet Scabbard: Sewn or two-rivet CS pattern is preferred.
• Haversack: White canvas haversack or U.S. tarred black.
• Shelter: Consider avoiding shelter altogether. If foul weather is forecast then bring a shelter half (even though shelter halves were not a CS-issue item). Some tent flys may be provided for the CS contingent if the weather will be poor.
• Baggage: Blanket rolls are preferred. CS knapsacks and English knapsacks are acceptable. Federal knapsacks are discouraged but can be used if you insist.
• Blankets: Civilian blankets, carpets, and CS issue blankets are preferred. US blankets are acceptable.
• Long Arms: Richmond, M1861, M1863, or M1864 Springfield, or 1853 Enfield rifle-musket is preferred
Federal uniform and kit requirements for CRs are:
• Jacket: Fatigue blouse is required.
• Shirts: Domet-flannel Federal-issue shirt is strongly encouraged. Civilian shirts and waistcoats are also acceptable.
• Caps: Forage cap is required.
• Canteen: Smoothside or bullseye body is acceptable; with a cotton strap.
• Waistbelt: US brass with brass keeper. Leather keepers are discouraged.
• Scabbard: Seven-rivet pattern is required.
• Shelter: Bring a shelter half. The camps will represent a late-war campaign bivouacs and will have minimal canvas.
• Baggage: Double-bag knapsacks are preferred; blanket rolls are also acceptable.
• Overcoats: Greatcoats are allowed but will add extra weight to your pack, although men of the Army of the Shenandoah did have overcoats by mid-September 1864.
• Long Arms: M1861, M1863, or M1864 Springfield rifle musket is preferred; 1853 Enfield is acceptable. No smoothbores.
Applicable to everyone regardless of Loyalty Affiliation:
• Miscellaneous: The event portrays veterans during a very rough, long campaign. Clothing should be dirty and worn. Bring all other appropriate items: gum blanket, haversack, mess furniture, &c.
• Ammunition: Bring 60 rounds of ammunition.
• Rations: The event hosts are issuing period-correct uncooked rations at this event—opportunities for cooking bacon in the dark exist. If you bring any rations at all—and it is preferred that you do not—make it just a couple of crackers or corn bread and coffee.
Registration closes when the spaces are full. Contact Doug Oakes for a registration form (available by e-mail) and other info. Registration includes issuance of uncooked rations. CR contact for this event is Doug Oakes at oldsoldier51@yahoo.com, (607) 734-0458
I'll be there again. This time the Federal infantry and Cavalry is chasing the Rebs.