145th Battle of Resaca (May 15-17) - Campaigner Battalion

[trippcor]

Gentlemen,
The WIG along with several of our friends are raising a Campaigner Battalion for the 145th Battle of Resaca on May 15-17, 2009. We will be protraying the 10th Texas, which was heavily engaged during the battle. Currently there are 6 companies being raised including:

Co. A - Grimes County - SCAR Company - Jim Butler, POC
Co. B - Limestone County - Capt. Dave Thomas
Co. C - Johnson County - Capt. Kiev Thomason (Color Company)
Co. D - Freestone County - Capt. Patrick Craddock
Co. E - Parker County - Capt Terry Hancock
Co. F - Brazos County - Capt. Dave Hunter

The Battle of Resaca is hosted by the Georgia Division. It is somewhat unique because it is held on the original ground upon which the battle occurred. Hunter Poythress will be the overall Confederate Commander for the 145th Anniversary Event in 2009. Mr. Poythress is a very able commander. He is currently commander of the Georgia Volunteer Battalion and commanded forces at several campaigner events including Return to the Ranks, Prelude to Chickamauga, and Pumpkin Vine Creek.

Registration is now open. We ask that those wishing to fall-in as part of the Battalion register through the Battalion. Registration will be $20.00. This includes the event registration and rations for Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Registration deadline is May 1, 2009. Walk-ons are allowed however they may not be able to receive rations.

A guided tour of the Battlefield which will hopefully include the new state park land, will be conducted for all those that sign up by local historian and WIG member Tony Patton. Other goodies and surprises may also happen.

For more information and to register go to the website at http://www.armoryguards.org/resaca2009/.

[trippcor]

Several informational links have been added to the Resaca Campaigner Battalion website to help folks start getting into the right frame of mind. This includes battle reports and rosters. We will hopefully be posting excerpts from the Harlan letters as well soon.

From what I hear the overall event organizers are planning to do a few things differently this year to help breath some new life into this event. This might include a chance to man, improve and sleep in the works, send out night time pickets and a few other things that could make this an exciting event. When added to the fact this is on original ground the 145th Resaca is really shaping up to be on fine event.

[trippcor]

Gentlemen,
I have recently updated the registration list for the Campaigner Battalion forming for the 145th Battle of Resaca. Registrations are coming in slow and steady. If you are planning to join us for the event I encourage you to register soon. We are trying to plan for vairous things including rations and a battlefield tour. All of which require us to have some idea of total numbers. If you have any questions about this effort please feel free to contact me at trippcor@bellsouth.net or visit the website at http://www.armoryguards.org/resaca2009/ .

[trippcor]

Here are some historical tidbits concerning the 10th Texas before the Battle of Resaca. This information was compiled by Herb Coats and Joe Walker. Thanks for all their hard work. Expect more little tibits to come out as we get closer to the event.

~ The 10th Texas had been in camp around Dalton, Ga during the winter of 63-64. During this time they trained under the watchful eyes of Generals Granbury and Cleburne. They were in camp or on guard duty around Dalton except in February when they headed to Mississippi to help counter Sherman’s Meridian Expedition, but made it as far as West Point, Ga by rail when they were called back to Dalton. Benjamin M. Seaton was a member of Co G, 10th Texas and spoke of the pride of helping turn back the Federal advance at Ringgold Gap and then the trip to West Point, Ga. (then to Montgomery, AL and back) The famous snowball fights of the AOT units are described by Seaton when he stated that Granbury’s men run Lowery’s men “clare out of ther camp and took a good many prisoners.” With the coming of warming weather April passes with good news for the Confederates that General Forest has destroyed Federal installations at Paducah, Ky and that Price in the Trans Mississippi had gained a “victory thar.” Then they heard that General Forest had taken Ft. Pillow and Seaton makes an interesting note that they battle was considered “bludy” and that “both sides fought bravely before the surrendered.”

At Resaca, Seaton states that the Texans were “skirmishing purty heavy.” And at the end of the day the regiment “wore out” because they had not had “three nights of sleep.”

From “The Bugle Softly Blows; The Confederate Diary of Benjamin M. Seaton”. Ed Harold B. Simpson, Texian Press, Waco, Tx. 1965

~ Isaiah Harlan, a private also in Company G, wrote his sister (Margaret) in February of 1864. He states that discipline was better since General Johnston arrived. The morale was up in his opinion and the number of sick had been reduced.

In March, Harlan also mentioned the snowball fight with Lowery’s men. In the same letter he stated that the 10th Texas had broken up from consolidation from the 6th Texas Inf, and the 15th Texas Dismounted Cavalry. He had been getting news from home from recently returned soldiers from Texas and was hoping to receive a furlough as well. Unfortunately for Pvt. Harlan, he did not receive the furlough.

A letter dated April 25th, 1864 has Harlan discussing the religious revival that occurred within the Texas Brigade. He also stated that the men were better clothed and fed. “We get as much meal as we can devour and a third of a pound of bacon. That is enough for me.”

(Isaiah Harlan was killed at the Battle of Pickett’s Mill on May 27th, 1864. Benjamin Seaton mentions Harlan’s death in his diary.)

From Isaiah Harlan’s wartime letters transcribed by Steve Brown, Joe Walker, and Scott McKay

~ Pvt. William Oliphant of the 6th Texas Infantry which had be consolidated with the 10th Texas mentions that from the time that McPherson's force went through Snake Creek Gap until the Battle of Resaca that Cleburne's men were skirmishing daily. (May 8th to May 14)

It is also interesting that Pvt. Oliphant makes a good statement concerning the Battle of Dug Gap May 7th. Harlan makes no mention of the action, and Seaton briefly mentions it. Oliphant states that the Federals had gotten close to the top of the gap and the Kentucky cavalry under Col. Grigsby and the two Arkansas Mounted Rifle regiments were falling back when Granbury's men reinforced the position and pushed the Federals back.

From "Only a Private: The Civil War Memoirs of William J. Oliphant, Company G 6th Texas Infantry Regiment." Ed by James McCaffrey

[trippcor]

Capt Thomason's company is now full with 30 men registered. We still have room in the other 5 companies but remember they are limited as well to 30 men in order to keep to historic strengths. This is on a first come first serve basis so if you want to be a part of this effort get those registrations in now.

[Jim of the SRR]

Gentlemen,

Please consider supporting this worthy effort on the original ground at Resaca. Mr. Corbin is doing is darndest to get a good group of Confederate c/p/hers to form a battalion at this event. I have worked with them before and you won't want to miss this effort. As companies are capped at 30, I am recruiting for the SCAR company, company A and I hope you will join us. Sean Cooper will be serving as 1st Sgt.
No matter whose company you enlist with, you will not want to miss this one.
Event info and registration is at:
http://www.armoryguards.org/resaca2009/

Regards,
Jim Butler - unionguy1@comcast.net
SCAR www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar

[PossumskinningHank]

Company "E" 10th Texas is looking for good men to fill its ranks for the upcoming Resaca event. If your authentic minded and looking for a home for this event, please consider company "E". A good attitude goes a long way in authentic reenacting!

Capt. T.Hancock
Co. E 10th Texas Inf.

[trippcor]

I have just updated the registration list for the campaigner battalion. Please look it over and make sure I have not left anyone out. Keep those registrations coming in.

[trippcor]

Guys,
Just a quick update. So far we already have one company full, Kiev Thomason's, another 2/3 full, Pat Craddock's, and the others coming along. Get your registration in before your company of choice is full.

[trippcor]

I am excited to announce we now have over 90 men registered for our Campaigner Battalion. With 7 weeks still to go, we should have no problem reaching our goal of six 20 to 30 men companies. Keep those registrations coming in!!