Cross Keys/ Port Republic June 11-13 2010

[reddiamond]

Fellows,
The website for the Cross Keys/ Port Republic is now up and running.

visit it at:
http://www.shen62.com/

This is a preservation event. This is a road march. Camping, marching and fighting on original ground.

More information to come.

Scot Buffington

[MDConfederate]

Excellent! I shall register as soon as possible. I loved this event when we did it a few years ago.

John A. Wyman
CVG

[paul hadley]

Friend Scot,
If all the stars align I "may" have funds and time off available in June for this event. Wonderful that the current landowners are willing to allow the living history to be on the actual battlefield.

My great grandfather's brother died at Cross Keys. During a visit to Dr. Hess's property a few years ago, I was standing very close to where this ancestor fell without knowing it. He was in a Pennsylvania bucktail regiment in support of the battery, not actually in the 8th NYI (as we had assumed at the time) -- so that mystery's been cleared up. Would be very moving to be able to retrace his steps again, not to mention helping with preservation and reenacting with a bunch of great lads.

All the best,
Paul

[reddiamond]

Paul,
Friday night's Federal camp will be perpendicular to the line that that Bucktails occupied. I would guess that we will be sleeping within 100 feet of where your ancestor fell.

It would be wonderful if you could make it down for this. Even better if you were there to share his story with the other guys.

Scot

[Gary E.]

I'm digging this event the more I look at the website. I'm in!

[reddiamond]

The staff and command of this event are meeting on site in a week and a half.
More information is forthcoming.
Keep checking the web pages for any updates. These will be coming on a weekly basis from now until June.

Scot Buffington

[RJSamp]

Do you need a bugler?

[reddiamond]

RJ,
We need a bugler if you are willing to be one!

You are always welcome.
Scot

[Phil McBride]

I read the website with great interest since I'm a Texan looking for an eastern event that looks promising this campaign season. Shenandoah 62 certainly fits my view of promising - campaign camping, history heavy site, uniform standards, marching, and a couple of historical battle scenarios. Is there a good unit of Confederate reenactors who will be attending who would welcome a father-son pair of privates who are eager to march?

Phil McBride
the Alamo Rifles

[Busterbuttonboy]

It was great the first time and itll be even better the second. Great ground, good marching, good friends and the best fights Ive ever been in after 11 years of this silly hobby.

[Phil McBride]

Mr. Buffington describes the event as a "road march." Does that mean an asphalt road for a good part of the march? My question relates to the hobnails on my favorite brogans.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles

[Pvt Schnapps]

Mr. Buffington describes the event as a "road march." Does that mean an asphalt road for a good part of the march? My question relates to the hobnails on my favorite brogans.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles

Enough of it is paved that you won't want to wear hobnails. Especially if you come all the way from Texas. But you raise a good point. The Eighth New York had been resupplied about six weeks before Cross Keys but, so far as I know, had no opportunity to visit a cobbler. So hobnails should be discouraged anyway.

[reddiamond]

Just bumping it up.
As far as the Federals go, the 3rd USV and the National Regiment have made this a maximum effort event for 2010.
Check the Federal information on the website for updates.

We will begin organizing companies ASAP.
If you are planning on organizing a company for this event, please contact me off list.

Thanks,
Scot Buffington

buffusv@comcast.net
sbuffington@ellwood.k12.pa.us

[dehight]

It sounds like a fun event and I'm looking for something to fill my summer in after May. Would it be worth it for me to drive from Mississippi? I'd love to come up there for an event but want to make sure it'll be great...the event sounds like it will be a good one.

Thanks,

[reddiamond]

Just bumping it up.

We are commencing to form companies.

Scot Buffington
sbuffington@ellwood.k12.pa.us

[reddiamond]

Fellows,
I know that there is talk of scores of men who "said" they were going this year. It is put up or shut up time.

We cannot plan the event you want to attend without confirmation that you are coming. Send your registration in ASAP.

The last time we put on this event, $100,000 was raised. How many "marches" and "picket posts" does it take to raise that kind of cheddar?
One- this one.

Camp on the original ground. Fight on the original ground. Portray original regiments in historic scenarios, on the exact same spots those regiments fought. March seven miles between Cross Keys and Port Republic. Raise BIG BUCKS for preservation.

If YOU don't come, who will save those fields? Does the local pumpkin festival need you more that weekend? Is there another KEWL-er event the same weekend?

If you can't come....send money.

Scot Buffington
Federal commander, Shenandoah 1862

[alton woods]

looks great...very tempting....quick heads up.....anyone behind a corporate fire wall can't see the site because of the facebook plugin.....I had view it on my Iphone....gonna check my schedule...see if I can make it

[Gary E.]

We're only 3 1/2 weeks away!

[Militia]

I'll be there. This was awesome several years ago.


Shawn Stern
www.wheelingfencibles.com
PSL

[Chuck A Luck]

It sounds like a fun event and I'm looking for something to fill my summer in after May. Would it be worth it for me to drive from Mississippi?

In a word, yes.

[paul hadley]

I wish you lads well. I will try to post some pics I have of the refurbishing of the Widow Pence farmhouse. I had hoped to attend this year's event, but can't get enough time off to travel with the family from Nebraska to back East. I will miss what surely will be an interesting event, especially the location of the first night's campsite.

Sigh. I hope this can be done again for the 150th cycle.

Can I still send in a registration, with the funds to go toward the preservation effort?

Cheers,
Paul Hadley

[bucky101stPA]

Registration is in the mail. Im looking forward to it as it appears to be a great event.

[reddiamond]

Gentlemen,
If it were not for the fact that many have contacted me personally and stated that they were coming I would have asked to pull the plug on this event weeks ago.

We currently have one strong company's worth of Federal registration.

Shame on you for not sending it in sooner.

We will still plan a full event and be disappointed if the intended participants do not show, rather than to reduce the event in scope and face disappointment by those who do wait and walk on.

This has become epidemic in the hobby these days. If the event had to count on reenactor seed money to pull it off, it would have not happened.

Send in your registration this week.

I need to know how many companies we will have to plan a scenrio that will satisfy the historical record.

I guess that I'll have to have four separate sets of insignia in my knapsack.

Scot Buffington
buffusv@comcast.net
sbuffington@ellwood.k12.pa.us

[Co.I4thVa]

Scott,

Me and 5 pards are attending. They are walking on, but I'm registered as Confederate, but we are doing blue.

[Pvt Schnapps]

I checked the registration list Scot and noticed a few names missing of folks who said they'd be there. Thanks for reminding us so we can remind the rest.

[cwrematchr]

Hey everyone,

Just seeing if anyone is driving through Chevy Chase, MD (right outside of DC). A friend of mine wants to go to Shenandoah '62 but is needing a ride. I'm sure he'd be willing to help out with the cost of gas.

If anyone else is heading down after 2:00PM on Friday, please send me a PM.

Thanks in advance,

[reddiamond]

Fellows,
The Federal registration is finally looking up!
Currently we plan to have five strong Federal Companies.

I will be leaving for the site tomorrow morning and be there until Sunday. I will have my wife check my e-mail over this week.

If anyone had thoughts of coming and are on the fence, remember that ALL money goes to preservation. Guys are still talking about the last event four years ago.

The scenarios will be as close to the originals as humanly possible. We've learned a great deal in four years.

If in doubt on which impression, come BLUE!

Scot Buffington
commander, 8th NY/66th OH

[Pvt Schnapps]

For those attending in blue, here's some additional background on the Eighth New York:
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?27949-The-Eighth-New-York-at-the-Battle-of-Cross-Keys

[PrattStreetRioter]

I had fun, how bout you?

[Claude Sinclair]

I made a comment to a person this morning regarding the well laid out battle scenario. I said that even with the best laid out scenario that the real battle was probably chaos and that we would recreate chaos today. We did and I still had a blast even with two socks filled with blood from the blisters caused by my hammer toes and bad leg. But I still finished the march both days. The scene of the soldiers cooling off in the river was a scene out of the history books. My hat is off for General Anders for keeping his cool with the battle mix up this morning. The car load that I took to the event from SC enjoyed the event.

Regards,

Claude Sinclair

[skamikaze]

Company E enjoyed the event even with a few glitches. Pics are up on our facebook

[HandSpike]

Hot, sweaty march, tired blistered feet, smelly damp cloths, short rations, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. This was my first campaign event, and I LOVED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT. Can't wait for " Return To Manassas" ... Thanks to Chris, Scott, and anyone else who played a part in organizing this event. Hope that lots of money was made for preservation. I would love to see more events like this than the dog and pony shows we are seeing .... WELL DONE GENTLEMEN !!!

[muzik212]

Ill echo the others sentiments, I had a great time! The boys cooling off in the river, the sutler cart, passes for civilians, it was all great. I was happiest to see the battalions up at 530 and on the move shortly thereafter leaving barely a trace. Thank you Chris, Dave, Scott, the 10th VA and all who helped get this together.

Sean

[rmassella]

I agree, it was a great event!