Neshaminy Notes.

[TheQM]

Early registration for the Neshaminy event ends on March 31st. The registration fee increases from $10 dollars to $15 dollars at that time. The walk-on fee is $20 dollars, payable after April 22nd. If you, or your group, needs a Registration Packet, it may be downloaded at www.neshaminycwevent.org (This is a new website address.)

There is a Confederate Work Day scheduled for Saturday morning March 31st, beginning at 9:00 AM. We will meet in the sutler parking area. We'll work until 12:00 or 1:00, than head out for food and brew. Most likely we will be cutting and splitting firewood for the camps.

Neshaminy has been able to keep the registration fees low, while donating healthy sums to preservation, because we get a lot of donated labor and services. There will be men from the 28th. Pennsylvania on site every Saturday, for six weeks, working on the site. One day, isn't asking too much from the local Confederates, who attend the event.

[TheQM]

23rd Annual Reenactment 2012 Neshaminy State Park Bensalem, PA.



Historical Background

Neshaminy State Park, Bensalem, PA

April 28 – April 29, 2012


Civil War Reenactment at Neshaminy State Park
April 28 – April 29, 2012
Sponsored by: 28th. Penna. Regiment, 1st Battalion ANV, Bensalem Historical Society, G.A.R. Civil War Museum and the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table.



Our 23rd year!
Bringing history alive to educate and inform.



“Spring – 1862 Valley Campaign – Kernstown & Winchester”

Featuring:

Saturday, April 28th: the Battle of Kernstown, VA

Sunday, April 29t: the First Battle of Winchester, VA



This year's program features two early battles in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley as part of the observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War 1862 – 2012.

In producing our historical program of Civil War history, the committee has attempted to select battles or parts of battles in which the number of participants on the field approximates the actual number that were engaged historically, usually representing brigades. In addition we try to select an action where local troops (Bucks Co., Philadelphia.) were involved, in order to connect history to the local area, and we also try to feature the less famous battles which, none-the-less deserve to be recalled.

This year, 2012 the national observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War continues featuring 1862, thus we have selected two actions which occurred 150 years ago, and around the same time and on the very same ground!:
The Battle of Kernstown, VA, March 23, 1862; and the First Battle of Winchester, Va. May 25, 1862.

1862 was selected because this year is the 150th anniversary of all events of that year, and these actions involved local troops.

Although by later standards, these "battles" only qualify as skirmishes, involving few troops with short casualty lists, and remain obscure, they were at the time important events of national significance.

The Battle of Kernstown is considered by many historians as the opening conflict of the famous Valley Campaign of 1862. It was the only battle recorded as "lost" by Stonewall Jackson, but in many ways he gained as much by losing as by winning. After the battle, President Lincoln was disturbed by Jackson's potential threat to Washington and redirected more than 35,000 men to defend approaches from the Valley before the campaign was finished. Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's army was deprived of these reinforcements, which he claimed would have enabled him to take Richmond during his Peninsular campaign. Because of this redeployment of Federal troops, First Kernstown is considered one of the decisive engagements of 1862.

The First Battle of Winchester was a major victory in ‘Stonewall’ Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign. On the tactical level, the battle displays considerable finesse, particularly on the part of Ewell's Division. Gen. Taylor's attack on Bower's Hill is considered a model brigade maneuver by military historians. The ultimate significance of Jackson's victory at Winchester was its strategic impact. Union plans for a convergence on Richmond were disrupted by Jackson's audacity, and thousands of Union reinforcements were diverted to the Valley and the defense of Washington.

We hope you will enjoy and profit from our reenactment this year which also features an extensive period civilian program as well as sutlers (military merchants) entertainment and something for all.

Donations collected at the event benefit our sponsoring organizations as well as a special beneficiary to be named later. So, please be generous!



Neshaminy Event Committee
Andy Waskie, Military Coordinator
andy.waskie@temple.edu

[TheQM]

I hope to see a lot of you local Rebs at the Neshaminy Work Day this Saturday.

[TheQM]

Good afternoon, everyone. Just a few friendly reminders about Neshaminy registration as the event is only a month away!!

Registration Deadlines
-As you know, the early registration deadline is this Saturday, March 31st.
-All registrations received between April 1st and April 21st are $15.00 per person.
-Registrations received on or after April 22nd will be at the walk-on fee of $20.00 per person.
-A copy of the registration packet is attached for your convenience and can also be downloaded at www.neshaminycwevent.org.

Saturday Evening Dinner from A Taste of Texas


-You can reserve your Saturday night dinner when sending in your unit registrations Please note that all meal reservations and payments for meals are due no later than Friday, April 13, 2012!!

Remember, all of the registration fees will be used for mailing fees, hay, water, portable toilets and other services. All surplus funds go directly to historic preservation efforts.
As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns and thank you for all of your continued support!!

YOS,

Ken Gavin
Executive Chairman, Neshaminy 2012
2nd Sgt., Co. C, 28th Penna. Vol. Inf.

[MLovejoy]

Is there a list of what sutlers will be present for the weekend?

[dculgan]

Hi Matt, not much to spend your scrip on but for what it's worth the Camptown Shakers will be set up on sutler row playing the old favorites. Dave

[TheQM]

Is there a list of what sutlers will be present for the weekend?

Mat,

Yes there is. I just don't have it. I will get that information for you.

[Mrs.H]

Our artillery unit will be attending for the first time this year. Is there a map/site plan for camping areas? Didn't see anything on the website. Will you have civilian, military and mixed areas laid out?
Thanks,
Sherry (Mrs.H) Hartman

[TheQM]

Mat,

Yes there is. I just don't have it. I will get that information for you.

Here you go!

Abraham's Lady
B. Form Shirts & Sundries
Blanket Brigade
Dell's Leather Works
E.J. Thomas
Dirty Billy's Hats
Florance Drum Co.
Harold English, Blacksmith
Haycock Wood Company
Heirloom Emporium
Jewler's Daughter
Kernel Dave's Kettle Corn
Mac's Sutlery
Maryland Sutler
Miller's Millinery
Ott's Sutlery
Regimental Quartermaster
S & S Sutler of Gettysburg
Spangler Mercantile
Victorian Photography
Village Tinsmithing Works

Hope this helps!

[TheQM]

Our artillery unit will be attending for the first time this year. Is there a map/site plan for camping areas? Didn't see anything on the website. Will you have civilian, military and mixed areas laid out?
Thanks,
Sherry (Mrs.H) Hartman

Are you doing Federal, or Confederate artillery? In both cases, the artillery camps are just off a main road for easy access. When you get to registration, they will direct you to the right place. Individual units have their own rules on civilians staying in the military camp. In both the Confederate and Federal camps there are areas for civilian camping.