AAR Old Bedford Village

The Old Bedford Village event remains one of if not the best event on our schedule. With the backdrop of a non commercialized period village with good ground centrally located to the majority of heavy concentrations of most umbrella groups members run in a friendly laid back manner, fair distribution of command assignments thought the various organizations present, with a diverse event schedule this high mid level event is hard to beat. This event is growing almost to capacity for good reason.

There were approx 900 plus reenactors registered and well over 750 attended. There were approx 400 Infantry, 16 artillery, and 40 mounted in attendance. There were family activities, 2 major battles including an Infantry river crossing, a Saturday evening Ball that the 46th Pa Logan Band of Birneys Division graciously donated their time to benefit the Village along with many other raffles, and donations to help raise badly needed money for Old Bedford Village. The early tally unofficially approaches $24,000 that the event raised I am told and will go a long way to keeping the Village alive and well. The reenactment community is to be commended for their support of the event.

This event is only one example of the quality of the events that the Shenandoah Valley Alliance supports as you may know we maintain a set standard of requirements for the events we mutually attend. You may rest assured that if you see an event that both PACS and Birneys Division are attending and in command it will be a great event. Please go to our event schedule at www.birneysdivision.org for further information on our future activities.

In conclusion I would like to thank all the reenactors for your support at this event and look forward to seeing you all at many others during the season.

The Shenandoah Valley Alliance is an agreement between Birneys Division and PACS to mutually attend certain events to enhance the reenacting experience for all attending

Your Servant,

Edward L. Kelley Sr., Major General
Federal First Division, 2nd Brigade
Birneys Division
Commanding




Friday's arrival of all the military components filled the streets and fields in and around Old Bedford Village on June 16th.

As the white canvas began to spring up and fill all the nooks and crannies in the rustic village, smoke from camp fires wafted lazily into the air. Fire wood was stacked, water hauled, and the arrival of each contingent signaled an increase in humorous banter and revelry. Spirits were high as weather reports a good but hot weekend was in store. Shade was plenty throughout the village and created a perfect setting for refuge from any discomforting weather.

The dress parade on Saturday displayed an impressive 8 companies of infantry. For Brigade drill, accoutrements and weapons were stacked and blouses removed to defend against a hot sun rising higher in mid-morning. All companies performed admirably as veteran soldiers from earlier engagements.

Saturday's scenarios called for the 2 Battalions to fight independently in different areas on the field.

2nd BN was committed to battle first. Skirmishers from the Rebel hoard poked and prodded our defenses in the vicinity of the steam boarding the village. 2nd BN units engaged and checked the Rebel line, pushing them back from the front and controlled their movement in an impressive screening maneuver. Once the Bn regrouped, 2 large Rebel companies double-quicked across the wooden bridge and immediately went into a battle front. After trading volleys, 2nd BN was given the order to advance. With flags flying and lines straight, the BN looked impressive as they began the attack against the enemy. The fighting was close and hot.

While this action was playing out, 1st BN was ordered to the front near the Federal artillery. The enemy was positioned at the far end of a large open field. And, after a lengthily delay, began to advance under heavy Federal artillery fire. Although outnumbered 1st BN was ordered into action and began to assault the Rebel lines. Action was fierce and hot as both lines maneuvered to gain the advantage on each other. The howitzer was brought on line to bear against the enemy attempting to flank the 1st BN's left. Dismounts and infantry were strung out to hold the extreme left. The lines pushed and pulled, smoke choked men’s throats, eyes were stung from power, sweat and heat. 1st BN was holding the line and even advanced at one point. The situation was desperate thought as the Rebel hoard began to mount more numbers than 1st BN could bear. Rebel companies began to shift to the Federal r

In the meantime on 2nd BN was pounding the enemy with a withering rifle fire. Effective firing and pressure from the Battalion caused the enemy to disengage and withdraw from the field at a rapid pace. Rebel infantry ran from action at the covered bridge to reinforce their units battering 1st BN. Now the action in front of 1st BN was critical and about to break when lo' and behold a magnificent sight was reported when the entire 2nd BN of Birney's came marching onto the field behind 1st BN!

2nd BN Commanders immediately rushed their companies into line-of-battle to support 1st BN's left. This action immediately checked the enemies advance and held the line. Rebel companies continued to build on the Federal right in an attempt to flank the line. Companies from the Federal left were sent to check this enemy build up and stop the threat. With a now-solid line, Birney's began the advance. Firing, advancing. Firing, advancing. The constant pushing caused the Rebel line to collapse.

The day ended with Federal forces in command of the field in front of an enemy rendered ineffective.

The Sunday scenario was reversed.
1st BN was ordered into action from across the covered bridge into the “corral”. As the BN crossed the bridge they formed an impressive battle line and began to advance against an unwilling and static enemy. The Rebel line used a fence as their defense and refused to budge. 1st BN poured volley after volley into the enemy and decimated their ranks. The temperature began to rise from heat and guns as the BN tried to dislodge the Rebels from the fence, when suddenly from across the bridge and to the rear of 1st BN, two full companies of Rebel infantry double-quicked and form a battle front. A sickening turn of events tricked the BN and caught them with fire from front and rear. The day was lost when quick thinking saved the BN by left facing and crossing the fence to escape both threats.

1st BN marched out of harms way and moved to support action confronting 2nd BN.

2nd BN had been on the field for some time with only light skirmish action. After an intense Cavalry dual, the infantry battle developed slowly with only few Rebel numbers on the field. 1st and 2nd Battalions were in advance of the field and waited for the enemy to advance. Numbers grew on the butternut and gray line and the enemy began the advance. Volleys and howitzer fire checked the advance of the swelling hoard. A separate Rebel contingent advanced independently on the Federal guns and quickly over ran them capturing a number of pieces. The action was intense as the overwhelming Rebels pushed Birney’s back begrudgingly, a yard at a time.

Time, heat, sweat and blood all worked against the Battalions this day. A last minute rally was attempted but to no avail. The day was lost as the colors were struck and carried to safety from the field. The casualties were high as the stragglers made their escape.

END OF REPORT
Colonel John Price
Brigade Commander