Shippensburg AAR

Company Officers and Associates:

Firstly, I want to express my appreciation to all the companies that attended this event. In addition to being a Battalion Commander in Birney’s Division I am also on the organizing committee at Shippensburg 4 years now. It is my wish that you do not take this report as a jaundiced view and compare it to the AAR’s of others who attended that do not have this association.

I arrived at Shippensburg early morning (8:30) and was just in time to assist Col. Wilt in the placement of his 35th Virginia Cavalry and Blackhorse Cav at the Fairground facilities. I have since learned that they were very happy indeed with this site as all amenities (running water etc..) were in good supply and they had lots of room to ride and drill and camp (126 acres). Plenty of hay and straw was provided and they were later joined by elements of the 3rd Pa and 11th Pa Federal Cav. We also placed Col Bailey’s Alexander’s Light Artillery in the CSA Camp on the grounds of the Shippensburg University, a very agreeable site, level manicured with shade and easy access to everything.

I finished laying out the camp streets for the Federal encampment on the ground of local utilities provider and watched the Federal units roll in, very happy that we had everything organized into company streets and sent them right to them without confusion. This site also is very covenant to everything and wood and sinks were very handy and parking just across the street in an old factory’s parking lot.

Saturday morning brought all you can eat Breakfast at the Community Center just next door to the encampment and was enjoyed by all. We were running tight on wood so the committee contacted a local supplier and soon a dump truck was there with some of the best wood we have used this year. A water tanker was positioned between the Federal and Confederate encampments for convenience for all. Federal Dress Parade was held at 9 a.m. where we worked on some street fighting maneuvers for the afternoon battle. All the while there are many things going on in the event if one cares to “take them in” like historical presentations, demo’s, music and much more (some of our ladies enjoyed doing a living history store front display and had lots of fun with it). There was also several decent Sutlers in attendance to get some shopping in as well as food vendors (sorta period kettle corn and the like) OK for a small to mid level event where there is public in attendance. 11:00 brought Confederate formation for the “Foraging” of the town at 11:30, script was handed out and the Lads had a lot of fun gathering provisions and interacting with the townsfolk and were joined by Confederate Cav riding through the streets hoopin and hollering..really very neat!! (My company also does 53rd North Carolina and was joined by several other Federals who ‘galvanize’).

2 p.m. the troops were assembled for the street skirmish down the main street of Shippensburg. All elements were included Cavalry, Artillery and Infantry …what a great battle and look was very fast moving and the assembled townsfolk loved it and all the ALL the lads I spoke with both sides had a “real” hoot with this…and NO we broke no windows due to the skill of our Artillerists, but they made themselves known!! Great battle!! Federal review was held afterwards and we were encouraged by Mr. Lincoln to persevere in the conflict!!!

Saturday evening a “ball” was held at a local ‘carriage shop’ and a very good string band provided the music for it. This was well attended by all, included ample refreshments and there was a shuttle conveyance to assist in getting the assembled troops to it and also to provide a return at the conclusion; very nice evening of light hearted fun!

Sunday schedule a little easier in Federal Camp reveille at 7;00 and then Dress Parade at 9 a.m. and was more of an informational affair and then off to camp or church at 10a.m. whatever was the choice. 12:00 noon was formation for battle and the assembled federal Troops marched to the rousing sound of fife and drum through town to the battlefield. Time to rest a bit in the shade and then battle commenced at around 1 p.m. There were approx 400+ spectators for the battle and they were very impressed and excited with all that was going on. Good artillery exchanges, rousing Cavalry encounters and then massed Infantry colliding in a hot and desperate action!! The crowd cheered and applauded for 20 minutes and well they should because it was a good exchange with lots going on to entertain and best of all EDUCATE!! We received many accolades for a job “well done” here. The committee at Shippensburg provided iced down water at the conclusion of the battle for everyone.

The battle being scheduled for 1 p.m. meant we were back to camp and cooling off and relaxing by 2:30 or so and able to pack up and be home by suppertime!

Friends, this is a nice mid level event with very receptive community and motivated organizers which is a combination for a great event!! You would all do well to speak to those that have attended and consider this in future it will continue to be on the Birney’s Division Eastern Schedule and will continue to grow as time goes on!

Thanks again to all the Birney’s and Vincent’s units in attendance (most of the force) and I look forward to seeing you here next year!!

I remain, respectfully and c….,

Denny Rohrbaugh. Lt. Col.
First Battalion, Birney’s Division