Wow, this makes it preety clear... Perryville 2012

[White Horse]

To: Kentucky Department of Parks
Danville-Boyle County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau
Perryville Enhancement Project
Kentucky Department of Tourism
Office of the Lieutenant Governor, State of Kentucky
Office of the Governor, State of Kentucky
Courier Journal Newspaper
Harold Leader Newspaper
Reenactors of Kentucky
From: Blue-Gray Alliance Command structure
Re: Concerns related to the Battle of Perryville Reenactment
Date: 22 January 2010

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of Kentucky,

The multiple success of the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association in combination with the efforts of the staff of the Perryville Battlefield Park are well known and greatly appreciated, not only in Kentucky, but across these United States. These successes have often times been directly supported by Civil War Reenactors from Kentucky and surrounding states, mostly through active participation in the annual battle reenactment held in early October of each year.

The issue at hand involves a collective concern that there appears to be a leveraging of the existing Perryville Battlefield Park for the benefit of a few selected, appearing to be tied to the open practice of nepotism and includes the intentional alienation of selected Civil War reenacting groups and individuals who have, for any number of reasons, taken positions in the reenacting hobby opposite that of the Park staff responsible for overseeing scheduled Living Histories and Civil War reenactments at the Perryville Battlefield Park.

Recently, Cleburne’s Division of the Blue-Gray Alliance was contacted and requested to serve as the Confederate Command and principle CS force for the 2012 event. As part of Cleburne’s Division’s ability to support a Regional and/or National Level event our active partnership with the Union component of the Blue-Gray Alliance, The First Federal Division is included in our assessment of ability to meet the requirements of the support event. The Perryville opportunity for 2012 fell under these criteria.

All Brigades of the FFD discussed this event and felt that given a choice, they would prefer to attend a different location. Then given the opportunity to attend a different location for the 150th, they chose to do so.

When the Perryville Reenactment coordinators where contacted concerning the organization of both the Union and Confederate forces for the 2012 event, we were advised in no uncertain terms that the Federal force would not be commanded by the 1st Federal Division’s existing command structure.


For these reasons we regret to inform you that Cleburne's Division has made the decision not to attend the 2012 Perryville reenactment. This decision was made in general assembly of the Cleburne's Division membership as well as polling of all FFD Brigade members just prior to the 150th Leadership Conference held the second weekend of January, 2010 in Chickamauga, Georgia. A representative section of both Divisions, including all Senior Commanders, was present. After discussion of the Perryville event at some length, including a detailed dialog concerning this Division’s responsibility to our Blue-Gray Alliance partners, The First Federal Division, a unanimous vote to not attend the event was made by all of those present.

We will close by saying that it is our most sincere hope that an air of cooperation between all reenacting organizations will one day exist at the Perryville Battlefield site. That spirit of cooperation in the planning and execution of reenacting events is vitally necessary to the success and continuation of our beloved hobby. Should it be within your power to review existing conditions at the Perryville Battlefield Park we would respectfully submit that your action would prove to be most warranted.

We thank you for your consideration of Cleburne's Division as the Confederate Command for Perryville 2012, but feel that our first duty is to our Blue-Gray Alliance membership and their wishes.

Respectfully,

General Joe Way
Commanding
Cleburne's Division

General Terry Crowder
Commanding
The First Federal Division

[bob 125th nysvi]

that the letter is a little obtuse as to what is actually going on.

To me it seems that the letter can be read one of two ways.

The letter could be construed to say that the FFD decided not to go to (or back as a "national" event) Perryville in 2012 because it preferred to go to one of the other 2012 events the 'Leadership' Conference picked and then the Parks administration said something to the effect of 'if they don't want us, then we don't want them'.

OR

That:

"The issue at hand involves a collective concern that there appears to be a leveraging of the existing Perryville Battlefield Park for the benefit of a few selected, appearing to be tied to the open practice of nepotism and includes the intentional alienation of selected Civil War reenacting groups and individuals who have, for any number of reasons, taken positions in the reenacting hobby opposite that of the Park staff responsible for overseeing scheduled Living Histories and Civil War reenactments at the Perryville Battlefield Park."

the few (and NOT the proud, the marines) have got it in for the FFD. Those are the ones for whom the benefit of "the open practice of nepotism" is conducted for.

So I guess my question is who manured on whom first?

No dog in the fight either way just curious and wondering if the cooperation has already started to unravel.

Although I do applaud the command at Cleburne's for hanging with their pards.

[sharps54]

SNIP

the few (and NOT the proud, the marines) have got it in for the FFD. Those are the ones for whom the benefit of "the open practice of nepotism" is conducted for.

So I guess my question is who manured on whom first?

No dog in the fight either way just curious and wondering if the cooperation has already started to unravel.

Although I do applaud the command at Cleburne's for hanging with their pards.

Well from the Perryville website: http://www.perryvillebattlefield.org...ng_events.html

we see

Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial

150th Commemoration of the Battle of Perryville

October 5-7, 2012

CS Commander TBA
US Commander Chad Greene (Western Federal Blues)

Event Information Coming Soon

Hosted by:
The Kentucky Department of Parks
The Friends of Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site

Which is interesting to those of us not involved as the WFBs seem to be OK working under the command of the FFD at Twin Rivers. In addition the WFBs are the Federal Command at Perryville this year, so there is the possibility that Perryville just wants to keep working with those it is used to working with. Mind you without a dog in the fight or any idea what I'm talking about I'm sure there is much more involved here but until those who know enlighten us this doesn't portray the FFD in the best light...

[flattop32355]

FFD's policy is that they hold overall command of the Union troops in the field at an event where they and their BGA partner will be putting the majority of the troops in the field, and to assure that all their component branches (Inf, Cav, Art) are given meaningful duties and involvement during the weekend.

It strikes me as a reasonable policy. Then, again, I'm a member of a component organization of the FFD.

The park has another overall command in mind, and insists upon that issue.

That's the main sticking point.

I would be extremely happy if a major reenactment could take place at Perryville in 2012. I consider it one of the most pristine CW battlefields remaining in the country, and feel privileged to participate upon the actual field there.

But under the present impasse, I don't see it happening.

[sharps54]

FFD's policy is that they hold overall command of the Union troops in the field at an event where they and their BGA partner will be putting the majority of the troops in the field, and to assure that all their component branches (Inf, Cav, Art) are given meaningful duties and involvement during the weekend.

It strikes me as a reasonable policy. Then, again, I'm a member of a component organization of the FFD.

The park has another overall command in mind, and insists upon that issue.

That's the main sticking point.

SNIP

So wouldn't it be mature to just say that instead of using inflammatory words like "nepotism"? What you said makes a whole lot more sense then the attack in the letter at the top of the post.

edited to add that I didn't mean it to sound like flattop32355 had anything to do with said letter at the top of the post.

[Bob Minton]

Bob-as a Battalion commander in First Federal Division I rarely post. I will simply state in response to part of your query that the spirit of cooperation amongst those at the 150th reenactor conference is not starting to unravel. I think Gen. Way pretty much accurately summed up the essence of what was discussed at said meeting. If anything, this is a step that confirms that cooperation. I think it is also a positive step that a direct communication was delivered rather than to let word spread via rumor and innuendo. I think the hobby could use more of that.

Will leave it at that.

Regards,
Bob Minton

[PaperPusher]

Cleburne's Division and First Federal Division have a strong Alliance and we are committed to hosting events where everyone is welcome. Perhaps we can return to Perryville in the future and help the Battlefield with their effots. In the 150th Cycle we will not be attending but that does not intend to take away from what the folks there will be doing.

Cleburne's will stand with First Federal Division through thick and thin. When we pledge loyalty to another organization we pledge it with all our heart.

[Colonel Dave]

For what it is worth, Chad is married to Joni House Green, the park director.

[cjdaley]

Did they really sign the letter "general", that's great. Always lends to credibility when you put your hobby title in a business letter. I know a guy who does SCA who signs his letters as an elf.

[captdougofky]

FFD's policy is that they hold overall command of the Union troops in the field at an event where they and their BGA partner will be putting the majority of the troops in the field, and to assure that all their component branches (Inf, Cav, Art) are given meaningful duties and involvement during the weekend.

It strikes me as a reasonable policy. Then, again, I'm a member of a component organization of the FFD.

The park has another overall command in mind, and insists upon that issue.

That's the main sticking point.

I would be extremely happy if a major reenactment could take place at Perryville in 2012. I consider it one of the most pristine CW battlefields remaining in the country, and feel privileged to participate upon the actual field there.

But under the present impasse, I don't see it happening.

Flattop

I agree with you, It would be nice to have a large regional or national event at Perryville but its not going to happen. It is no secret, I have been calling for a changing of the Guard at Perryville for a number of years. I live in Kentucky, went there as a Boy Scout in my youth. Kentucky is my home. I appreciate the efforts of Cleburnes Division, but under the present Perryville Leadership, I too would have voted with the FFD. I want to thank all those who attended the Leadership Conference, that was true Leadership. Something that is lacking at Perryville, Kentucky and has for some time.

Always
Doug Thomas
Lyons Battery CS
Shepherdsville, Kentucky