Friday, December 28, 2012

Gettysburg National Reenactment Event Command Post

To My Fellow Reenactors,

Site Tour At The Wall - Remembrance Day Weekend
Since the Mayan's don't seem to have the calendar right and I have finished unloading my Henry, Springfield, Colt, Navy and Star since no zombies showed up, I thought it was time to update you on what is happening with your event. I promise to keep it short because this time of year it's all about friends and family.

The Federal Command Staff and General Gesuero's Staff have been and continue to be hard at work on preparations for the 150th Gettysburg Reenactment and the special June 29 & 30 prelude events being held on significantly historical ground which we will all have a chance to fight and honor on.
The staffs including Divisional and Branch Commands will be in Gettysburg on February 9th to start to layout scenarios on the expanded battlefield. Your commanders are setting up the scenarios. Rest assured we are not taking the holiday off.

If you have the opportunity to visit Gettysburg you will find it beautifully decorated and in the holiday spirit. New Years Eve is always a real blast on the square. If you're in town for the holidays or News Years and have any questions etc. as always feel free to look me up.

More importantly than anything else, don't forget the meaning of the season and on behalf of my family, myself, and the Federal Staff let me extend a very Happy Holiday and a Joyous New Year.

Major General Allen Baldwin
Commanding
Federal Forces
150th Gettysburg National Reenactment 

Numerous Resources Already Being Staged At Gettysburg Site

In the past ten days over 100 cord of hardwood has been delivered and placed on 16 designated woodpiles and cut to length. Another 5 piles will be moved and placed in the middle of fields at their final destination after the hay is cut in June. Over 1000 feet of fence posts and rails for the 5-rail historic fence are on site waiting to be placed for Pickett's Charge. The 5-rail fence was along Emmitsburg Road during the battle and you will notice that it is utilized by the NPS today. Over fifty 150 gallon horse troughs are also staged and ready to be placed. The troughs are filed by two dedicated farm wagons with mounted 500 gallon water hoyers that have mechanical pumps for expeditious filling and re-filling. AC and T Inc. from Hagerstown, the regions premier portable sanitation company and our exclusive supplier for all eighteen years of our existence, has already been contracted for approximately 300 units. No one supplies better units and services them more professionally then AC and T. They are not only our business partners they are friends and treat us accordingly. There is no question regarding preparation, organization, permitting, operations and access to local resources at The 150th Gettysburg National Reenactment.

More Gettysburg 150th Announcements

- National Reenactment Official Event For The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania -

The 150th Gettysburg National Civil War Reenactment, to be held on July 4, 5, 6, & 7, has been designated by the Pennsylvania legislature as the Official Gettysburg One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary Commemoration Reenactment Event in Pennsylvania.

- Gettysburg 100th Anniversary Participants To be Honored During Event -

It is an honor and privilege for us to recognize participants from the Gettysburg 100th
Battle Anniversary in 1963 at this year's 150th Gettysburg National Reenactment. The
100th Anniversary participants will be recognized and honored on the battlefield with a 100
gun salute, and will receive a special medallion and a citation from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. If you qualify and plan to attend the 150th Gettysburg National Reenactment
please contact Joanne Sease at gac3@comcast.com or at 717-338-1525 to register.

150th Gettysburg National Reenactment Early Registration Extended!

With approximately 5,000 reenactors already registered, or waiting to be entered on our database, for the July 4, 5, 6, and 7 Gettysburg National Reenactment, at the request of many individual reenactors, units and senior military command, we are extending early registration to February 15. We know that a multitude of registrations come in between December 25 and January 31st, so it seemed prudent and sensible to extend this registration due to the fact that many groups and units do not meet until January. The fee will remain at $25 through February 15. We remind you that $5 of every reenactor registration fee will be donated to five local preservations. We are already engaged with several of these organization's projects including the Sgt MAC National Wreath Project and improvements to the1886 Eisenhower Iron Bridge and the Sachs Mill Covered Bridge. The other three beneficiaries' are the Adams County Historical Society, Gettysburg Museum on Seminary Ridge and the Land Conservancy of Adams County. Registering this many reenactors is a large and time consuming task - so your understanding and cooperation with accurately proving the requested information as soon as possible is greatly appreciated.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Images from the 150th Fredericksburg

Colonel Rorhbaugh reports that the events in Fredericksburg this past weekend were outstanding. Just to give you a taste of the action, Denny put some photos online showing the river crossing. Though the US Army Corp of Engineers helped out with an actual pontoon bridge, those are our folks getting across in boats.

Another YouTube video shows the desperate fight at Marye's Heights. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SS-9wIGXA4. Congratulations to our Birney's boys for their struggle against the secessionist hoard!!! (cue dramatic music).
 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

GAC 150th Gettysburg Federal Commander's update

To Brothers and Sisters in Arms,

Another Remembrance Day is in the books and just a fond memory, but it is one filled with many great moments and successes for the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment and the Command Staffs. It was truly impressive to be able to meet with fellow Reenactors to discuss the event, site preparations, the special events the week before, scenarios, the battlefield , concerns, suggestions and in general the hobby. General Gesuero and his staff along with myself and the Federal Command staff embraced these opportunities to make sure that there was a never seen before level of communication on this event or any other event on such a personal level. I have to agree with General Gesuero that whether it was on the streets and pubs of Gettysburg Thursday and Friday night, at the parade on Saturday or during the social hosted by the GAC after the parade, the enthusiasm and response was enormous. The social was a great success with many attending, pushing the occupancy limits of the Mine to its breaking point. But more importantly, it gave all those in attendance a chance to communicate about the event. The ability to talk one on one with staff members and the commanders made for some very open and informative communication. "By Reenactors, for Reenactors," is what we heard over and over that weekend.

The first site meeting for the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment was held on Sunday afternoon with all of the Federal Command represented along with the Confederate Command - more than fifty in attendance. General Geseuro and I conducted a tour of the entire site including expanded battlefield area, tactical areas, and camps. Additionally as the two wagon loads of staff traversed the property, attendees were able to view the 6 new stream crossing areas. All in attendance were in agreement that the site really has endless possibilities.

The site tour was finished up with a brief meeting with the Division and Branch commands. They and their staffs were given homework packets consisting of all the scenarios and maps of the battlefield. They have been charged with providing input on how to best utilize the battlefield to make this an epic event. An assignment that many Division Commanders have requested. The 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment will truly be a team effort from start to finish to produce a quality event in which we all can be proud.

Current registration numbers are reaching 3000. These numbers represent participants from over 20 different organizations from the United States and several foreign countries.

General Gesuero and I, along with our collective staffs, continue to work hard to ensure a quality team that will deliver an event "by Reenactors, for Reenactors," with the event organizers provide the the best logistical and infrastructure support as possible to help make the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment will be an event that we will be proud of and always remember.

In closing let me wish you and your families a joyous Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year. If you're in Gettysburg please feel free to contact me or look me up.

Y.O.S.,
Major General Allen W. Baldwin

Update for two 150th National Reenactment beneficiaries

The Gettysburg Anniversary Committee had previously announced that $5 of every Reenactor registration fee will be donated to five local beneficiary's on behalf of the 150th Gettysburg National Civil War Reenactment. They are the Adams County Historical Society, The Gettysburg Museum At Seminary Ridge, Land Conservancy Of Adams County, The SGT MAC National Wreath Project and Preservation and Improvement Of The Eisenhower Iron Bridge and Sachs Mill Covered Bridge. Even thought the event is still six months away we are proud to provide an update and progress on two of these projects. Within the next month the unique and historic 1886 Eisenhower Iron Bridge will be re-opened again to foot and bicycle traffic. In a public/private partnership trees have been trimmed and all new oak planks have been installed. Painting will be done this spring. Approximately $4000 for the materials was donated by The Gettysburg Anniversary Committee and The Tim Shields Family.


The SGT MAC Foundation, National Wreath Project and Scholarship has been supported consistently by GAC since local Marine Sgt. Eric McCollley was killed in a helicopter crash off the coast of Africa in 2006. GAC Operations Manager knew Eric well. He was an Eagle Scout in Randy's scout troop, was on the high school swim team with Randy's daughter and lifeguarded at the local pool. SGT MAC board member, and local veteran's advocate Marine Stan Clark, facilitates the very popular Patriotic Area at the event each year. Visitors write comments of appreciation on numerous banners and the banners are delivered to appreciative combat troops. Included are photos of the almost completed Eisenhower Metal Bridge, combat unit displaying their banner that was taken into battle, a scene from last Friday's distribution of 1800 wreaths in Gettysburg's Soldiers National Cemetery and GAC Operations Manager Randy Phiel pausing last Saturday beside Sgt McColley's gravesite after helping to distribute and place 5400 wreaths at Quantico National Cemetery. Over 150 volunteers at Gettysburg, and 500 volunteers at Quantico participated in the placement and commemoration on November 30 and December 1. Despite Giant Food providing wreaths at cost and ABF Freight donating transportation the cost the year was $56,000. There is no overhead or administrative fees. Every penny goes to the project. The goal is 10,000 wreaths by the 10th anniversary in 2016. If you would like to consider donating to or participating in this patriotic project contact Stan Clark at scmb@embarqmail.com or go to http://www.sgtmac.org We urge your contribution and participation. If you have the opportunity in the next six weeks to walk through the Soldiers National Cemetery or drive through Quantico and see the results - it will be a visual and emotional experience. The photo collage documents: Improvements at the Eisenhower 1886 Iron Bridge - The National Wreath Project at Gettysburg Soldier's National Cemetery, Friday November 30, 2012 - Sgt Eric McColley Gravesite, Quantico National Cemetery, December 1, 2012 - Patriotic Area Banner, Combat Unit of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment in Marjah, Afghanistan.

150th Gettysburg National Reenactment Participant Medallion update

The 150th Gettysburg National Reenactment is a very special event and the Participant Medallions should be very special as well. After consulting numerous Reenactors it was determined that a Participant Medallion on a campaign ribbon was most desired to be displayed both on and off the uniform. The campaign ribbon will appropriately be blue & gray. The one side of the draft concept shown here conveys: the iconic Gettysburg Reunion Hands At The Wall image, 150th Gettysburg Participant and denotes 150th Anniversary The Battle Of Gettysburg, July 1863-2013. The other side of the medallion conveys the iconic Friend To Friend image, and denotes the chronology from top to bottom of Brother Against Brother, Friend To Friend and One Nation Under God. The 150th Gettysburg National Reenactment July 4-7, 2013 is also engraved on this side.

These medallions will only be available to registered Reenctors at event registration and will not be made available to the general public. We want every registered Reenactor to receive a Participant Medallion. Due to the need to order these custom made special Participant Medallion in advance, there will be an announced Reenactor registration cut-off date for guaranteeing a Participant Medallion. Organizers will provide ample notice.

A rare opportunity for unique Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary skirmishes

Planning is progressing very nicely between The Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, Generals Baldwin/Gesuero and GAC with highly anticipated results for two exciting and unique skirmishes prior to the 150th Gettysburg event on July 4-7 - camping and living history at The Lutheran Seminary on June 29 & 30.

The skirmishes will be on the actual ground and around these historic buildings. Military Command and the organizers are also involved in planning a Cavalry Battle in Hunterstown. One skirmish will be on Saturday morning June 29 and the other Sunday afternoon June 30. The Calvary Battle in Huntertown will be either Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. Participating units will also be providing ceremonial responsibilities for the Monday grand opening of The Gettysburg Museum At Seminary Ridge - home of The Historic Old Dorm and its famous cupola. Schmucker Hall is called the most historic privately held building in Gettysburg.

Besides the two skirmishes there will also be limited opportunities for camping and living history from Friday, June 28 through Tuesday July 2. These are rare and unique opportunities only made possible through local contacts, resources and a track record of responsibility.

Please contact Colonel Rorhbaugh (cpldlr160@comcast.net) regarding these opportunities.