BGA 150th Shiloh

[JohnnyRebCSA]

Wanted to thank everyone for their efforts that went into the just completed 150th Shiloh. Had fun in spite of the heat. Hope the Army of Tennessee's Shiloh event went real well. Wanted to see them have a nice one, too. Anyone know how their reenactment turned out?

Jeff Burress
63rd Tenn Vol Inf
Hardee's Guard Battalion

[jda3rd]

I'm glad to hear that the BGA Shiloh was well attended, and that you had a good event. That's what counts. For my part, I was at the AOT Shiloh, and we had a good event also.

Of course, rumors will abound regarding both events, but I hope those who were at either event will refrain from spreading them, and confine themselves to their own experiences and their assessments of the pros-cons of the event they attended. This isn't the place for "I heard such and such happened". As Mrs. Lawson points out, we are guests at Mr. Szabo's table, and should conduct ourselves accordingly.

That being said, weather had an impact on our event, and I'm sure, on the BGA event. How much of an impact I don't know, but we did have rain Friday morning for a few hours, and a brief heavy downpour Saturday about dark, accompanied by quite a bit hail, and a terrific lightning show. Road access stayed fair, though goopy, but we didn't have any trouble getting in or out. Registration was onsite, and went smoothly, in my experience.

One amusing incident relating to the hailstorm was that the host unit was working hard to distribute ice to the camps, and had finally gotten to the unit camped next to us. Just as the hail began falling, they were delivering the ice! Wow, talk about service! We had a good laugh about that.

Overall, I had a good time. The event seemed well planned, well organized, and seemed to flow smoothly. I'm sure there were the usual hiccups that accompany any event but the command staff and organizers went to great lengths to see that the troops had a good event. At Officer's Call Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it was stressed that they didn't want to hear negative comments about the participants or organizers of the BGA Shiloh, and only hoped for a good outcome for both events.

Thank you,
Frank Brower
Jeff Davis Artillery

[jda3rd]

I forgot to add that the distant cannon-fire from the BGA event added an element of realism. We could hear it clearly Saturday morning, but only faintly that afternoon, and not at all on Sunday. Did y'all hear us?

Frank Brower
Jeff Davis Artillery

[JohnnyRebCSA]

Yes! We clearly heard you! Everyone over our way was hoping you had a good event. Glad you enjoyed it!

Jeff Burress
63rd Tenn. Vol. Inf.
Hardee's Guard Battalion

[Gregg Hensley]

I was at the AOT event and had a memorable weekend. I've heard from numerous friends who attended the BGA event and their weekend was also a good one. Due to the proximity of the events, the Sat. night ligtning show was something for everyone to enjoy. We sat and watched an impressive display! This, after about 15 minutes of quarter size hail earlier gave the whole evening an almost surreal quality.

Gregg Hensley
22 NCST, Co. K
40th Illinois, Co. I (at Shiloh)

[RJSamp]

We missed the hail and rain on Saturday....it all went south of us.....apparently some of it hit you....

The Ruggles battery fire on Saturday AM was better than the G135 pre Pickett's Charge extravaganza.....and better than the A135 Sat. PM show. I didn't hear anything down your way, but my focus is always on bugle calls in the immediate vicinity. The rifle fire in the Hornet's Nest Woods was amplified by a 'bowl' in the woods and echoing off of the terrain\trees. Spooked the horses and a buddy of mine had to do an emergency dismount from his rearing\panic-ing mount.

Weather was great. Logistics fell apart from the Friday 'small amount' of Rain. 'roads' turned into car\truck stalling quagmires...which impeded water replenishment. roads churned by the DOZENS of Artillery Trailers\Duallies mired the portalet cleaning trucks..... Water Shortages (once every 'cook' had filled their 5 gallon blue buckets and someone forgot to close off a spigot) and overflowing sinks with zero toilet paper (those that didn't follow the decades rule to BRING YOUR OWN TO ALL NATIONAL EVENTS, soon hoarded ROLLS of toilet paper) were huge blemishes on the event.

Plentiful ticks (deer ticks especially), mosquitoes (geez, it was MARCH), spiders (thankfully no brown recluse), fire ants, and two snakes in our camp.....

6,000 reenactors, 23,000+ spectators on Saturday alone, Purdy looked great, lots of fun at the dance for some, great fields for the battles, awesome battle ON the Fallen Timbers battlesite....and I didn't get thrown from my mount. I come to National Events to see long lines of infantry and cavalry.....and hear thunderous artillery.....and a decent 'reenactment' of the scenarios attempting to be portrayed. The Marine Band sounded great, the train ride well received (from reports).

The WIG looked super as the 15th Iowa after a 6.5 mile march.....superb leadership MOUNTED (neat to see)....and awesome skirmishing on Sunday. The Nightly Tattoo's were excellent...and the WIG's superb field music's elevated everyone's performance levels. Loved the camp of Sibley's, and the Hardee Hats with an Eagle pinning up the brim. Hats off to Iowa!!

All in all a fun time. What's next.....McDowell....

Mark Way deserves the accolades for his HUNDREDS OF HOURS of work.....and 24/7 herculean level efforts during the events.....he personally turned problems into cake. Thank you Mark!

[Spinster]

I forgot to add that the distant cannon-fire from the BGA event added an element of realism. We could hear it clearly Saturday morning, but only faintly that afternoon, and not at all on Sunday. Did y'all hear us?

Frank Brower
Jeff Davis Artillery

I had an interesting experience with 'acoustic shadow' on that account. The civilian only Town of Purdy was exceptionally close to the battlefield. Due to my concern for the amount of sound of cannons that close, we offered folks the opportunity to flee, and by preplanning that move with both commanders, a group fled for safety behind Federal lines.

I kept waiting for Ruggles Battery to open up--and a scant 600 yards away, I heard nothing

[robert hayden]

Wanted to thank everyone for their efforts that went into the just completed 150th Shiloh. Had fun in spite of the heat. Hope the Army of Tennessee's Shiloh event went real well. Wanted to see them have a nice one, too. Anyone know how their reenactment turned out?

Jeff Burress
63rd Tenn Vol Inf
Hardee's Guard Battalion

prior to attending my 1st Shiloh event, I found myself wondering if AOT/BGA differences could ever be overcome, & a combined
event take place. Having now witnessed the BGA side of it, I now believe the logistics & scope of a combined event would prevent such an event ever getting out of the starting gate. I was thinking all the way home about reading the posts/whines/comments of both event participants. Am glad to see mostly positive remarks from both sides. I had worried that event spectacle & individual preferences might overcome historical accurracy, but for the most part I witnessed what I felt were very appropiate representations. I do feel we need to work on increasing the amount of battlefield casualties, walking
wounded, and especially the fearful role of color bearers.

[civwarhistory]

Glad to hear most of you had a great time, despite some logistical issues. Interesting hearing about the lightning, as it stormed after the first day of battle in reality when Sherman came up to Grant under a tree and said "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?", to which Grant replied "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

[Pvt. Richardson]

As the Jeff Davis Guard came out of the woods and formed with the rest of the 1st brigade for the Hornet's Nest on Saturday at the BGA event, the wind picked up and you could see that storm to the east of us. What an awesome scene it made with the Confederate lines surging forward and lighting streaking in the sky. I will remember that image for a long time. I'm glad that everyone had a good time. There where a few problems but that always happens at national events. I am now suffering from PSD, Post Shiloh Depression. Thanks to the BGA for making this a great event.
Greg Richardson