150th Gettysburg Anniversary "Oakes " Battlefield March.

[lincolnsguard]

Saturday November 16th, 2013.

Details to follow shortly.

The 7th in a continuing series.

[fallstoomuch]

Can't wait!

[Spinster]

Shotgun on the Water Truck!!!

(Or I'll drive it as long as its not a stick and has a functioning tailgate.)

[RJSamp]

We has rules around here.....you can't yell Shotgun until you are within sight of the vehicle....

[Spinster]

giggle.

Meybee so, but last time I was on the place I got pressed into duty by a rant on a crackling radio. There is nothing quite so incongruent as a gal in a slat bonnet and Capris trying to drive a stick truck that's not hers , going the wrong way down a one way Park road.

I think I should get a bye for that.

[lincolnsguard]

Working on some minor details. Soon, very soon!

[Part Time Patriot]

Can someone tell me what the "Oakes" battlefield march is?


Bill Fean

[lincolnsguard]

Date: November 16, 2013

Place: Gettysburg, NMP

Time: 9am until 3 to 4pm, possibly earlier.

Registration Fee: none, nothing. Zero.

How do I register? The answer is all the way at the bottom!


Event Hosts: Doug Oakes and Terri Olszowy, (Living History Guild, Columbia Rifles), Pete Berezuk, (Washington Guard, 69th New York, Columbia Rifles), Kimberlee Bruce, (69th New York and Winston Free State), Billy Birney, (Columbia Rifles, Washington Guard), “Grumpy” Dave Towsen, (Washington Guard, Columbia Rifles), and others.

For the 7th time on this hallowed ground will be held a “March” over the Gettysburg Battlefield, to honor those who fought, lived or fell here.

Federal Infantry or Civilians (Dress standards for military to follow, civilian information, keep scrolling down.)


The March Route:

The plan is to meet at Barlow’s Knoll at 9am sharp on Saturday November 16, 2013. Participants should carpool as much as possible and park at the grocery store about ¼ miles up the road, just outside of town. Covering nearly the entire field, the march route will generally follow the “auto tour” as set by the Park Service. The general areas to be covered are as follows: Right flank of 11th Corps. Follow the 11th Corps line up to where it joins 1st Corps line near Oak hill. Follow 1st Corps line to McPherson farm then down to Seminary ridge. Follow Seminary Ridge up to pumping station Rd and then march to Peach Orchard. Follow 3rd Corps line up to Wheatfield. If time allows then to Devils Den. If time is short and folks are hurting we will continue on Wheatfield Road up to Cemetery Ridge near Little Round Top. From there we will march along the ridge to and thru the 2nd Corp positions. We can then cut through the Cemetery to Cemetery Hill and over to Culp’s Hill. Rides should be waiting at Spangler’s Spring or “at the area by the school” to take us back to our cars. There will be rest stops, water stops and a stop for a hot meal. Participants are encouraged to eat breakfast before they arrive and carry a light (period correct) snack in your haversack. We’ll be covering about 4+ miles. It will enhance you experience if you can make the entire march.

Uniform Standards:

Note: The goal of this event is to honor the folks who lived and fought in and around Gettysburg in 1863. So, you don’t have the most authentic military kit and you’d really like to come? So, come. It’s more important you wear what you have correctly, and act like you know what you’re doing. The rest will be just fine. No one will pee on your buttons or count your stitches. Promise.
Note: Absolutely no specialty, of Confederate impressions. Save your time, don’t ask. Event organizers will choose the Officers and NCO’s for this event. If you show up in a specialty impression (foreign observer, Lincoln, sharpshooter), as an officer or NCO, (without being specifically directed to do so), expect to be asked to leave. Also, the only Confederates in Gettysburg in November of 1863 were being held as prisoners, awaiting shipment to the nearest prison. No Confederate impressions.
Note: If you plan of arranging overnight accommodations for before or after this event. Begin your search about 20 minutes (15 miles) outside Gettysburg proper. You’ll save $, count on it.

Military (Federal Only!-light marching order.):
Cap: Federal Forage, Federal Dress (Hardee-dressed, not dressed, partially dressed), civilian slouch.
Coat: Federal Sack, Federal Frock
Trousers: Federal Sky Blue
Shirt: Federal Issue, Federal Contract, Civilian
Belt or suspenders: you pick, unless you take your coat off, nobody’s going to see them.
Socks: wool, properly constructed for the time period. If all you have is rag wool socks, well that’s all you have.
Shoes/boots: Federal issue Jefferson Davis Bootees. Boots, well if you think you can march all day in boots, have at it.
Haversack: Federal issue
Canteen: smooth-side or bulls-eye, let’s try for a nice jean wool cover but if all you have is dark blue or sky blue, so be it. Leather or cloth strap, your choice.
Waist belt –leather keeper, brass keeper, no keeper
Musket: 1861 Springfield, Enfield, 1842 Springfield (rifled or not)
Bayonet: one that fits your musket. Original, Indian, Pakistani are there any other choices?
Cartridge box – Federal, appropriate for the caliber of your musket your musket. Please, it should have a box plate. No rounds. NONE.
Cap Box: Federal issue. No Caps. NONE.
Bayonet scabbard: Two rivets, 7 rivets, pick one.
Great Coats – Federal Infantry - Sky Blue. Let’s be realistic. This is South Central Pennsylvania in November. It might be prudent to be prepared to carry a greatcoat in a Federal double bag knapsack or in a hobo or blanket roll. There won’t be any way to get it after we start. Plan ahead.
Gum Blanket or Poncho: Properly constructed for the time period. I have this rain thing….

Civilians:
All Civilian Participants will be by invitation only. Contact Kimberlee Bruce at: kimberlee.d.bruce@gmail.com for information.
Civilians will be directed to Kimberlee Bruce, through the registration process. Civilian participation makes every event better! Think about it. There were more civilians in both the North and South then there were soldiers.

Registration for Military only will open June 1, 2013: Easy. You send an e-mail to:
lincolnsguard@comcast.net
You provide:
Your Name
Your home (mailing) address
You phone number with area code
Your e-mail address – important, all communications will happen through an e-mail group. Period.
I put you on a spread sheet and add you to the e-mail group. Done, you’re registered.

Questions should be directed to: Lincolnsguard@comcast.net Don’t post questions on an Internet board, you won’t get an answer or any kind of a response; promise.


And in all fairness, you should know. I won’t chase anyone. I have a low tolerance for stupidity. I have a full time+ job where I work in 3 states. I’ll answer you; it just might take a day or two. Expect official event communication to start in September, possibly earlier, to those registered.

[lincolnsguard]

After a short drive, the march route will be closer to 6+ miles, than 4+ miles.

[lincolnsguard]

Permits for the march are currently being processed. "Bathroom" stops and availability have been confirmed. Stops where units will be honored and discussed are currently in the works.

Registration opens June 1, 2013.