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View Full Version : "Mustering the Troops, April 1861" - Tredegar LH (April 16th)



cwrematchr
04-04-2011, 12:25 PM
Friends:

I am organizing a small program for "Civil War and Emancipation Day" on April 16th in Richmond, Va. The event is sponsored by the University of Richmond. Various historical sites will be operating free of charge.

Link to event website: http://civilwar.emancipationday.net/

For the most part, this was an effort to provide people with an alternative monthly event since many of our members could not attend the 150th Fort Sumter LH. In keeping with the "1861-groove," we will be portraying local militia and volunteers mustering in the city following the capture of Fort Sumter.

A program is currently being worked on that will involve similar activities that companies were performing: issuing of arms/accoutrements, paying of dues, drill, parade (as required by law), &c. Unit impression is the 1st Regiment of Virginia Volunteers. Their uniforms seemed to be generic enough that most people have some of the gear, yet provides a certain distinctive look overall.

Guidelines may be found here: http://www.libertyrifles.org/schedule/2011/musteringthetroops.pdf

We will be meeting on the grounds of the historic Tredegar Iron Works and working with Richmond National Battlefield Park. There will be a few brief firing demonstrations throughout the day and A LOT of public interpretation. Last year's event brought over 2,000 people!

There will be some modern intrusions (i.e. downtown buildings in the distance, food vendors) but I don't think that will take away from your experience, especially since we will be surrounded by 200-year old buildings. We will also not be the only reenactors there, but certainly the most authentic.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to participate. I am looking forward to portraying 1861!

Best regards,

cwrematchr
04-11-2011, 09:46 PM
I found an excellent source for the 1st Virginia Regiment by Charles T. Loehr entitled, "War history of the old First Virginia Infantry Regiment, Army of Northern Virginia."

On Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=MIYvAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Charles+T.+Loehr.&hl=en&ei=bqyjTc7yAsH0gAedyImRCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Looks to be a solid narrative and one that will provide a lot of good information for the company reports and paperwork I am putting together.

I will try to have all the final details to you all by mid-week.

Thanks,

cwrematchr
04-14-2011, 09:36 AM
Good morning!

Just wanted to bring everyone up-to-date regarding the living history program this weekend, April 16th!

We have a number of activities planned in addition to ensuring plenty of downtime. I've gathered and prepared a lot of the company paperwork and forms necessary to have some sort of resemblance to: issuing of arms/accoutrements, reading of an actual April 1861 Gen. Order, paying of dues, &c. (Much thanks to the informational help by Mark Schaffner on company clerking!)

Our numbers are around 10-12 people right now, and we would love to have you on the roster! This only a single-day event however. Contact me via PM or e-mail and I will put you on the roster. Rank structure will be:

1. Bill Backus, Capt.
2. Paul Luks, 1st Sgt.
3. Randy Allen, Cpl.

I've attached to this post a tentative schedule and a cool enlistment poster I made with Wickersty's the Printer's Typecase!

Hope to get some more people there, it's going to be a fun time.