Ohio Civil War Reenactor Leadership Conference

October 27, 2012
10 am to 5 pm
Ohio Village, Columbus Ohio

I would like to invite members of Birney's Division to the first Ohio Civil War Reenactor Leadership Conference being held this October. Several of us in both the military and civilian reenacting communities have been been discussing ways to bring people together and meet face to face. This conference will not only help bridge the divide we may have in some areas, but also explore ways we can support the key events we have throughout the state.

The conference is open to all Civil War reenactors of any rank and branch (Union, Confederate or civilian), however I highly encourage all of our Battalion company officers attend (even those of you in PA). A registration fee of $10.00 will cover food. Go to http://www.facebook.com/OCWRLC to print the registration form and for more information.

Birney's 2d Battalion needs to have as strong of a presence at this meeting as we do on the field here in Ohio. If you have any questions at all, please email me at clsmith@5thohio.com.

Your Servant,

Christopher L. Smith, Colonel
Commanding
Birney's Division, 2d Battlion

Gettysburg Anniversary Committee makes 2012 donations

The Gettysburg Anniversary Committee, organizers of the Annual Gettysburg Civil War Reenactment present checks from this year's reenactment to three local organizations in front of historic Schmucker Hall on the campus of the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary. 

 

Next year's 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment will donate a portion of the event proceeds to five local beneficiaries including the renovation of Schmucker Hall into the Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum. Other beneficiary's next year will include the Adams County Historical Society,Sgt MAC National Wreath Project, Land Conservancy of Adams County and the Sachs Mill Covered Bridge Improvement Project.

 

Maryland, My Maryland unit portrayls

The order of battle is coming together for Maryland, My Maryland. Birney's Division will have a battalion of around 70 military personnel. Federal Commander Mike Lavis has outlined what unit Birney's will be representing in each scenario. Where available, I have linked a reference website so you may understand the unit and their action at South Mountain and Antietam.

Saturday, September 8, 1:00 pm - Battle for Fox's Gap (South Mountain)
12th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
http://www.ohiocivilwar.com/cw12.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_South_Mountain

Saturday, September 8, 7:45 pm - Frost Town Road (South Mountain)
4th Pennsylvania Reserveshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Pennsylvania_Reserve_Regiment
This battle will be going on at the same time as the Crampton's Gap scenario on another part of the property. The sound of a "far off battle" will give a depth to each group as they engage in their own scenario.

Sunday, September 9, 6:30 am - Into the Corn (Antietam)
97th New York Infantryhttp://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/97thInf/97thInfMain.htm

Sunday, September 9, 12:00 pm - Up Comes Hill (Antietam)
89th/103rd New York Infantry
http://civilwarintheeast.com/USA/NY/NY089.php
http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/103rdInf/103rdInfMain.htm

More information to follow on camps and logistics over the next few days!

From the Gettysburg 150th Federal Commander

To my brothers and sisters in arms,

Planning for the 150th National Gettysburg Anniversary Civil War Battle Reenactment has been underway for some time. In reality, it started back at the 135th Battle Reenactment as various groups came together to solidify the hobby and provide a great reenactment experience. For myself and the Command Staff of the First Federal Division Headquarters', the 140th and 145th were dress rehearsals to prepare the Staff and the event organizers for what will be a landmark event like the 125th Battle reenactment was. With all of this in mind, and the fact that many veteran reenactors have relayed to the command staffs that this will be their final swan song in the hobby, we must continue to push forward to provide the best experience for the troops. The military command and event staffs are meeting and communicating almost daily to ensure a well-planned event.

Camping areas, battlefield layout, amenities, support issues and event preparedness have all been key items of discussion. Additional stream crossings are being planned along with other site improvements. The phrase, "moving forward" has become the statement of my staff when dealing with this event. The planning will continue and commitments increased as needed when we get closer to the date. A Divisional Commanders meeting is planned for Remembrance Day and in mid-December. More will follow and the attendance broadened to make sure we reach all and address the needs of the units and the troops. We have also rearranged the website and improved it to be more reenactor friendly.

In closing with the theme of "moving forward," I am proud to announce that two of the four Federal Infantry Division Commands have been accepted. Brigadier General Ron Palase will command the 1st Federal Infantry Division and Brigadier General David Shackleford the 2nd Federal Infantry Division. I hope to name the other two Infantry Divisional Commands in the near future.

All involved continue to work tirelessly to make the 150th Gettysburg Battle Reenactment a memorable event for all.

Your Obedient Servant,

Major General Allen W. Baldwin
Commander Federal Forces

First Call! Maryland, My Maryland

Maryland, My Maryland
150th Anniversary of the Battle of South Mountain & Antietam
September 7-9, 2012
Boonsboro. MD
http://www.marylandcampaign150.org

Per Capt. Murphy's email, we are beginning to get ready for the Antietam events. If you are a Birney's Division unit (1st or 2d Battalion) and are attending Maryland,My Maryland (see date and location above), I would like to get an idea of our numbers. PLEASE email me the following information as soon as possible.

1. Unit Name
2. Number of military
3. Number of Civilians
4. Number of tents and type

Birney's Division units will be camping in the garrison area. This means we will set up AS USUAL with company streets and civilian walls and flys around the edges. This is just how we setup at the 145th Gettysburg.

Again, this is just an initial call for numbers. More details will be sent out over the next few weeks. Please email the requested information to clsmith@5thohio.com

Divisional First Call 150th Antietam

This is for all company commanders of both 1st and 2nd Battalions. I need for all companies to report there intentions for the 150th Antietam event being held on 15-17 September. Registration closes on Wednesday and there are no walk-ons or on-site substitutions. By this time you should all have a good idea of what kind of attendance you are expecting. I need the breakdown by company as follows:
Officers:
Enlisted:
Civilians:

The divisional staff will be on site and we are looking to get these numbers so we can organize our efforts for that weekend. For those attending Maryland, My Maryland the weekend prior please contact COL Smith or MAJ Penix. Please get me those reports no later than 29 August. You can send your reports to CPT Murphy at ltmurph54th@yahoo.com any questions can be directed to that address as well.


Respectfully,


CPT M. Murphy
Adjutant, Birney's Division

Attention! Orders for Hale Farm

I hope everyone is ready to go for this weekend's Civil War action at Hale Farm & Village! On behalf of the Federal Commander Col. Minton, here are some things you need to know for the weekend.

1. Setup is permitted no earlier than 10 am on Friday the 10th. The only exception are those who have been pre-approved by Col. Minton for Thursday night. You MUST check in at Federal HQ (the "First Settlement" Log Cabin near the sawmill) BEFORE you set up your camp.

2. All reenactors MUST check in at registration prior to entering the grounds. Reenactors who have not pre-register will need to do so at that time. Only pre-registered reenactors will receive a Sunday breakfast ticket and firewood chit. Firewood will be located at Federal HQ. You must present your chit to draw firewood.

3. Federal reenactors will be on the Visitor's Center side of the property this year as we are trying to change things up. The camp location map is shown here (or will appear as a separate post). The Confederate reenactors will be in the Village. A new programming area will be near the Visitors Center and Sutler Row will be on the path going into the Village.

4. We have two battles planned for Saturday. In the morning ("Pillage the Village", 8 am) for the reenactors and the tradition afternoon battle for the public. There will be only one battle on Sunday afternoon. We have added earthworks for the scenarios and there will be a great deal more cavalry than usual. Both Federal and Confederate riders will be on the field making it about 80 horse in action! You will receive a reenactor version of the schedule when you check in/register. There is a public schedule online at http://www.wrhs.org/Properties/Civil_War_Reenactment_Encampment#schedule


5. At this time, we would like to ask any Federal reenactors who have a Confederate jackets to bring it to the event. There may be a need to ask for volunteers who wish to galvanize for battles only. The is strictly on a volunteer basis.

If you have any questions at all, please email me at clsmith@5thohio.com

Quartermaster needed for Hale Farm this weekend

This weekend will be the annual Civil War event at Hale Farm & Village. One of the favorite events in Ohio. For those of you attending, information will be posted shortly with details such as setup time, schedule, and so on. As with last year, for those who are pre-registered, you will be receiving a chit to draw firewood from the Quartermaster. We have plenty of really good wood but this will ensure that everyone gets their share.

On behalf of our Federal Commander Col. Minton, I would like to request a volunteer to serve as the Quartermaster NCO to stand several shifts in order to check for firewood chits and issue the appropriate amount of firewood. This person will be needed to work this post both late Friday afternoon into the evening and Saturday early and late morning. There may also be a need to administrate shortly after the battle on Saturday. This will not impact your participation in the other activities.

You must be a Federal military reenactor and probably best if you are a big guy with a "don't mess with me" look. Maybe carry a baseball bat... or a tire iron.

Please contact Col. Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com ASAP.

A peek at Maryland, My Maryland schedule

Hi pards,

For those of you going to the 150th Antietam event known as "Maryland, My Maryland", here is a little heads-up on the schedule you can expect.

Thursday, Aug 2

8am- Online Registration Closes.  No Walk-Ons.

Wednesday, Sept 5

Noon- Sutler Arrival

Thursday, Sept 6

Noon- Participant Registration Opens till 8pm

7pm- A. P. Hill Marchers Shuttled to Harpers Ferry

Friday, Sept 7

10am- Registration opens for Participants till 11pm

4pm to 8pm- Wagon Rides from Parking to Camps

10pm- Camp closes to all car traffic for the weekend

11pm- All cars out of camp, will be towed if not gone by 11pm

Saturday, Sept 8

6am- Registration opens till 8am- no participant will be able to register after 8am.

7am- Horse Drawn Wagons Ferry remaining participants into camp

7am- All Camps go “period” for the weekend.

9am- Gates open to the Public

10am- Lectures at the Main Activity Tent on Sutler Row begin

1pm- Battle of Fox’s Gap

3pm- Cavalry Demonstration for the Public- Fox’s Gap Field

5pm- New Old World Theater performs Period Theatrical Play at the main activity tent

6pm- Gates Close to Public

7:45pm- Simultaneous Dusk Fights, participant only, Frost Town Road and Crampton’s Gap

9:30pm- Troops assembled for march to Cornfield Battlefield for the night for those who wish to do so.  All troops can participate and camp on the field.

Sunday, Sept 8

5:30am– Those troops not camped in the Cornfield Area will form and march to the scenario.

6:30am- Into the Corn- Battle Begins.  Participants only Scenario.  Troops will remain in the field till the next scenario.

10am- Gates Open to the Public

10:30am- Public Lecture on the Battle of Antietam- Public viewing area.

Noon- Up Comes Hill- Final Public Scenario

1:30pm- Event Ends

As you can see, there will be several unique scenarios giving us a chance to do some things that we don't get a chance to do. As with everything in this hobby, it is a "volunteer" army.

Our camp setup will be garrison in style as we normally do. More information to come.

Your Servant,

Christopher Smith
2d Battalion, Birney's Division
Commanding