Fredericksburg 147 Announcement

[JLynes]

Friends,

Plans for Fredericksburg 2009, the 147th anniversary of the Battle, are finally beginning to shape up. The details are as follows:

Who:
Federals: Hosted by the 28th Mass, Company B. www.28thmasscob.org
Confederates: Hosted by the 47th VA, Company I. www.47thva.org
What: Living History and support of NMP events. (Note: No street battle or camping this year)
When: Dates: 12-13 December 2009
Where: Fredericksburg, VA…specifically, Federals will be at Hurkamp Park (corner of William St and Prince Edward St). Confederates will be on Washington Ave (a couple of blocks away.)
Why: To commemorate the 147th Anniversary of the Battle
How: Conduct a Living History event on Saturday 12 December (Time 10A-4P). On Sunday 13 December, participate in the NPS’ “March of the Irish Brigade” walk (led by Ranger/Historian Frank O’Reilly) (12 Noon- 2PM) and the NPS Ceremony at the Sunken Road at 2PM. (Note: Confederate events at the Sunken Wall are still being discussed but can be anticipated.)

More detail: This year’s event is scaled down from past years, but we want to keep the flame burning. Idea is for the Federals to set up a camp in Hurkamp Park on Saturday and for the Confederates to do the same a few blocks away on Washington Ave. General intent is to do some 1st person…offering demonstrations of soldierly things, winter life in camp, historical talks about the the Civil War, the armies, soldiers, the battle etc. Medical impression would be very appropriate, and civilians visiting the camp are also welcome. (Other specialty impressions are on a "case by case" basis--please contact the POCS below.) We will also look to perform interactive vignettes between the forces…a house is being sought for the ever-popular “house-clearing/prisoner-taking” sketch we have done in the past. (The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc 2009 Candlelight Tour is on Washington Ave, just a couple of blocks away; a likely location.)

Sunday events are from 1130A to 3P, with Federals mustering at the City Dock for the NPS Irish Brigade Walk and concluding on the Heights with the NMP ceremony marking the battle.

See www.28thmasscob.org/fredericksburg.html for details and the registration/release form. Fee is $10 per…this provides for the hiring of port-a-potties, etc. Anything above expenses will go into an account being set up for the 150th Anniversary…just three years away.

I hope that you will mark this event on your calendars now.

Questions?
Federals: Please contact me: jerrylynes@yahoo.com

Confederates: Please contact Rick Miller at ram47thva@aol.com

Y.O.S.
Jerry Lynes
1st Sergt
28th Mass, Co B

[Pvt Schnapps]

Looking forward to it, Jerry. I still have a bunch of parole forms and some folks love to get them as souvenirs

[DamYankee25]

Do you still need federal troops? We were told by the 47th that there was going to be very little federal presence at the event and were asked to go blue. Please advise. Thanks!

[JLynes]

Do you still need federal troops? We were told by the 47th that there was going to be very little federal presence at the event and were asked to go blue. Please advise. Thanks!

Mr. English,

There isn't a street battle this year, so force ratios--so awkwardly skewed last year--are not an issue. I think it is your call...come as you please.

Does this help?

YOS
Jerry Lynes
28th Mass, Co B

[JLynes]

Friends,

Plans for Fredericksburg 2009, the 147th anniversary of the Battle, are finally beginning to shape up. The details are as follows:

Who:
Federals: Hosted by the 28th Mass, Company B. www.28thmasscob.org
Confederates: Hosted by the 47th VA, Company I. www.47thva.org
What: Living History and support of NMP events. (Note: No street battle or camping this year)
When: Dates: 12-13 December 2009
Where: Fredericksburg, VA…specifically, Federals will be at Hurkamp Park (corner of William St and Prince Edward St). Confederates will be on Washington Ave (a couple of blocks away.)
Why: To commemorate the 147th Anniversary of the Battle
How: Conduct a Living History event on Saturday 12 December (Time 10A-4P). On Sunday 13 December, participate in the NPS’ “March of the Irish Brigade” walk (led by Ranger/Historian Frank O’Reilly) (12 Noon- 2PM) and the NPS Ceremony at the Sunken Road at 2PM. (Note: Confederate events at the Sunken Wall are still being discussed but can be anticipated.)

All,
The 147th anniversary of Fredericksburg was marked last weekend (as described above.) We had a nice turnout, between 25-30 soldiers each for the Federals and Confederates, plus a healthy dollop of civilians. The weather was great (on Saturday anyway!) We had a steady stream of visitors to the each of the individual camps on Saturday; ending our day with "handshakes" across the wall.

The Federals of the Irish brigade were also very happy to learn that Brig General Meagher's sword also returned to Fredericksburg while we were there. The sword is on loan to the National Military Park this month...see http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2...2132009/513866for more details.

Everyone's friend and photographer Julio came by and took some (as always) great photos. See them at http://www.zphotos.smugmug.com/ (Select the 9Fredericksburg album.)

Sunday, for the 21st consecutive year, the Federals also participated in the National Military Park's "March of the Irish Brigade" Living history walk. This was led by Ranger and Historian Frank O'Reilly, author of a definitive work on the Battle. It POURED the entire time...but a couple of dozen hardy history buffs joined the 28th Mass, Co B and friends as we re-traced the route of the Brigade in the battle. See the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star's front page story and pictures at http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2...142009/514270.

(If you haven't read Frank's book "The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock" I strongly recommend it; Check it out on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Fredericksburg...4&sr=1-1-spell

All in all, a great and fun event: Small and successful. Many thanks to the small group that made it happen! Look for it again next year, likely to include a street battle again.

Y.O.S
Jerry Lynes
1st Sergt, 28th MVI, Co B
http://www.28thmasscob.org