Birney's Division News

Birney's Division goes to Antietam(s)

2012-01-24T09:13:00.000-05:00

Good morning everyone. On behalf of General Kelley, thank you for giving us your unit feedback on the two different Antietam events this September. There has been much debate but based on your feedback, it looks as if the desire to go to one event over the other is pretty much split down the middle. This is also true of our sister organization, the Federal Volunteer Brigade (FVB) at least from an infantry standpoint. Their 1st Battalion has chosen Sharpsburg and their 2d Battalion will be attending Maryland, My Maryland.

As General Kelley has said, units are free to attend either (or both) events. Birney’s Division will be there to support you with a command structure either way. Our organization is large enough to support two major events and create a great experience for all of us as reenactors. So here is the plan…

The 150th Anniversary Antietam/Sharpsburg Reenactment
Sept. 14-16, 2012
Location: Near Sharpsburg, MD
Federal Commander: Rick Dussinger, USV
Confederate Commander: Brian Gesuero, PACS
http://www.150thantietamreenactment.com/

Colonel Rohrbaugh will be the commanding the Birney’s infantry at the Sharpsburg event for those units attending. His relationship with those in the Gettysburg reenacting community that are involved in putting on the event is of great benefit for our members. The Birney’s artillery and cavalry will also be attending this event under separate commands. Birney’s will be working with the 1st Battalion of the FVB at this event.

As information and logistics are available, Colonel Rohrbaugh will send out emails. Please respond in a timely manner.

Maryland, My Maryland: The 150th Battles of South Mountain and Antietam
Sept. 7-9, 2012
Location: Boonsboro, MD
Federal Commander: Mike Lavis, Army of the Ohio
Confederate Commander: Jake Janette, ANV (update to web site)
http://www.marylandmymaryland.org/

Colonel Chris Smith will be commanding the Birney’s Infantry at Maryland, My Maryland. Chris has a great relationship with both Federal Commander Mike Lavis from the Army of the Ohio and Confederate Commander Jake Jennette of the ANV. Many of the people 2d Battalion works with in Ohio and Western PA will be in attendance. Birney’s will be working with the 2d Battalion of the FVB at this event.

IMPORTANT!! Make sure you register for the CORRECT event your unit is attending. DO NOT accidently register for the wrong event. If you have a question, check with your company commander or 1st Sergeant.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to email either Denny Rohrbaugh (cpldlr160@comcast.net) or Chris Smith (clsmith@5thohio.com). September is still a way off. We are looking forward to seeing all of you in the field soon as the 2012 reenacting season kicks off!

1st Battalion Spring Muster

2012-01-23T11:14:00.000-05:00

Spring MusterCamp Slifer, Chambersburg
April 14th and 15th, 2012

First Annual Spring Muster at Chambersburg!

The 22nd Pa. Vol. Cavalry Co. A and 17th Pa. Vol. Cavalry, Co. F in partnership with Birney's Division 1st Battalion Infantry are hosting this Spring Muster and Living History encampment at the Antique Steam Engine Grounds at Twin Bridges, 1501 Criders Church Rd, Chambersburg, PA 17202.

Authentic Camping only, (no hookups, but, Twin Bridges Campground is next to the property). Firewood, port a-johns, water and Saturday night steak dinner will be provided.

We will be doing School of Soldier, Company and Battalion/Division. We have planned a Saturday Tactical (to apply what has been learned) and will have a Sunday Battle (a Shiloh vignette with our Confederate friends who will be on site with their PACS muster)

Pre-registration donation of $10 is required (includes all combatants and non-combatants, including children over age 3 years). Walk on donations of $15 NO EXCEPTIONS. Sutler fee is $30. By Approval Only From the Commanders of the above units. No refunds available. Pre- registration cut-off date is March 17th, 2012. Please be sure to include a copy of your units Certificate of Insurance with the registration...the Antique Engine Assoc. requires this form from us for all participating units. This is a requirement. Contact for registration:

Rick Stoy or John Brindle
9568 Circle Drive
Chambersburg, PA 17202
(717) 369-2327

• Yes, the $10 bucks covers the Steak (a big one...probably 12-14oz. done the way you want it) and all the trimmings (baked potato, veggies etc.) plus all amenities for weekend and gives the landowner a few bucks
• For Friday night the local Chambersburg Pizza Huts will provide Pizza free of charge on site!
• We have a cooker (actually about 5 or 6 helpers) there for the weekend with a full kitchen(commercial) for other times...example eggs, bacon or sausage, toast,home-fries, coffee for $3...lots of other stuff on menu as well, Italian Sausage, kraut dogs, cheese nachos..etc... We have local support from markets and businesses that contribute items for the cooker. And we also have field rations for the guys if they want them included in the deal!
• The cooker area has a large pavilion with tables and so forth probably seats 150...is a good meeting area under roof.
• Is a great site(100+ acres) and we can get a lot done and have a lot of fun. We will have field music and evening music string band...and games...tug of war between companies and between us and the Confederates on other side of property, horse shoes...etc.. and prizes for the winners. We will also have silent auctions to raise funds for battlefield preservation and a 50/50 cash pot for anyone interested.
• I will have a Firearms/Leathers/ authentic items Sutler Mike Klinepeter there who works with John Zimmerman...John may even show up for it. so, anyone having issues with their rifle...he can fix it! and has an extensive amount of parts for repo’s and originals plus other reenactor items.
• I think we can have an effective Drill as well as a interesting mock battle with the corn feds there...they are PACS guys(a max effort for them.
• This will be advertised locally in print and on radio so may be a couple spectators/visitors there at times and we will get visited by the folks at a local campground.
This is a great opportunity to kick the 1862 season off with a great early season encampment!

Important information on the 150th Antietam

2012-01-13T08:57:00.000-05:00

Greetings to all members of Birney’s Division!

As many of you know, there will be TWO reenactments this September commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Since even before our Division meeting in November, there has been a lot of heated discussion about which event Birney’s Division should support as a whole. Everyone on staff has their opinion which is also reinforced by personal relationships with a number of the people in charge at either event. There has even been discussion about splitting forces and sending some units to one and some to the other. To be honest with you pards, that would not be the desirable approach. We have regional operations as an organization, but our strength should be in our numbers at a national anniversary event and we should be determined to come together as a force infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

I know that many of you have your final 2012 event planning meetings this weekend and next. As we are knocking together the final information to present to everyone (for a group decision), please block out these two dates for September and one of them will be our event.

Maryland, My Maryland
September 7-9, 2012
Boonsboro, MD

150th Antietam Anniversary Reenactment
September 14-16, 2012
Location still to be determined

On behalf of General Kelley, General Maffei, and Colonel Rohrbaugh, we thank you for all of the hard work everyone is doing out there and we look forward to a great season this year!

Your Servant,
Christopher Smith, Colonel
Birney's Division, 2d Battalion

105th Pennsylvania holds winter encampment

2011-12-20T09:13:00.002-05:00

The 105th PVI will be holding their annual Winter Encampment at their Headquarters in Perryopolis, PA on the 18-19 of February. They would like to extend the invite to any unit or member of any unit to join in this year for the drill weekend. This drill weekend will be conducted in full military fashion. All are welcome. Here is a little info of what you can expect: Drill (military maneuvers), post 24 hour pickets, patrols, establish outposts, build defenses, tactical skirmish with the enemy, recon on enemy position, we do not know when the enemy is going to attack.

Again ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please email 1st Sgt Jeremy Koch at 105thpa@gmail.com.

Register for Burton 2012

2011-12-08T14:24:00.000-05:00

Need to register for the 2012 Civil War event in Burton? Go to http://geaugahistorical.org/events and click on "registration form" under the Civil War Reenactment section.

Ohio Regimental Military Ball

2011-12-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2:00pm
McKinley Grand Hotel
320 Market Ave South, Canton, OH

Time to make your reservations for this year's great event! $35.00 per person post marked by January 4th 2012. $39.00 per person postmarked after January 4th but before February 8th 2012. The hotel is also offering discounted rooms as $82.00 per night plus tax. We have afternoon activities, sutlers, photographer, social hour, dance lessons, cash bar, dinner and dancing with the Anonymous String Band. Please visit the website at http://www.ormb.com/ for registration forms . We accept PAYPAL

2012 Birney's Division schedule of events

2011-12-01T13:55:00.000-05:00

The 2011 Birney's Division Annual Meeting was held in Gettysburg on November 18th at the Gettysburg Fire House. Many units had representatives in attendance and Division staff members were on hand to lead the discussion and provide information.

One item of discussion is the 150th Antietam Anniversary. As some of you know, there are two different events next year in September. It was decided that a decision would be made in January and news will be posted here.

For a complete list of Birney's Division 2012 Civil War events, go to http://www.birneysdivision.org and click on the EVENT SCHEDULE tab.

Masonic Service at Gettysburg Remembrance Day

2011-11-16T11:01:00.000-05:00

To all of our Masonic friends:

We are holding the annual Masonic ceremony at the Masonic Friend to a Friend Monument on Saturday in Gettysburg during Remembrance Day weekend. The official start time at the Monument off of Steinware Avenue is 11:15 am. This will still give us plenty of time to form up for the parade at the high school. The service is open to the public. All Masons and non Masons are welcome. Hope to see you all there.

Benefit for the Lawson Family

2011-11-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

For those not going to Gettysburg, a benefit spaghetti dinner for the Lawson family will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Damascus Friends Church, 28857 Walnut St.

Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased in advance by calling Tracy Prendergast at 330-685-4072.

All money raised will go to the Lawson family for care of Braden, 14 months, son of the late Michelle Lawson.

Birney's Division Annual Meeting and Remembrance Day Parade

2011-10-10T13:59:00.000-04:00

November 18, 2011 - 8 pm
Gettysburg Fire Hall
35 N. Stratton St., Gettysburg, PA

All members of Birney's Division units (infantry, artillery and cavalry) are invited to attend the organization's yearly meeting the weekend of the annual Gettysburg Remembrance Day Parade.

Birney's command officers will be leading discussions on 2012 events and other information that impacts all of the members. Each unit is encouraged to at least have one member attend if possible. This year, we will be holding the meeting at the Gettysburg Fire Hall (see address information above).

The organization will also be marching in the parade the following day (Saturday the 19th). We want to have an large showing this year as we begin the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

First Call for Perryopolis

2011-09-27T08:22:00.000-04:00

The annual Civil War reenactment at Perryopolis, PA is this weekend!

There will be a combined Battalion Command under Col Rohrbaugh. If you are coming, please send the following information immediately.

1. Name of unit

2. Number of military personnel attending

3. Will your unit have an officer/NCO in charge

Please email this information to the 1st Battalion Adjutant Capt Mike Murphy at ltmurph54th@yahoo.com. For more information on Perryopolis, visit http://perryopolis.webs.com/.

Zoar a Success!

2011-09-23T10:16:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all of the reenactors who came out this past weekend to make make Zoar 2011 the huge success that it was.

Breaking down the numbers, there were over 1200 reenactors. Some even came in to register Sunday morning!

There were well over 3800 spectators. Right after the battle on Saturday, you almost couldn't get into the camps for the sea of people.

Most importantly, the fund-raising efforts to help our friend John Sutliff and his family raised over $5000.00. My thanks to Heather Nichols and her team for making this happen. If you are interested in more information on how to help, please visit the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BenefitForJohn.

For those of you who missed the event, here are a few highlights:

STUDENTS - Traditionally on Friday morning, Zoar's Civil War weekend hosts a number of grade school students and put on a demonstrations from camp life, to infantry, cavalry and artillery demos. This year, because of the 105th, we had over 1100 kids from school systems around the state. It was amazing.

THE TACTICAL - Though there are some issues to work out for next time (battle OUTSIDE of town), I think everyone enjoyed themselves even though one of the judges tagged our entire battalion "out" for 5 minutes because we stood toe to toe and hammered at the Rebs. We did rack up a bunch of points that put us far ahead of the Confederates even though they had taken the Union artillery park right out of the gate. Finally tally, Union 280 points, Confederates 170. Check out some of the photos HERE.

THE BATTLES - Saturday was a bit like your typical reenactment battle, but Sunday's "Manassas Skedattle" make it worth while. To save you the blow by blow commentary, let's just say there were PLENTY of empty cartridge boxes.

I want to thank everyone on the Battalion staff, Bob Penix on the Wing, Dave Strichko on the Adjutating, Andy Kaminski on the Sergeant Majoring, Bill Andrews on the Double Secret Adjutating, Nick Barto on the horn, and Kevin Skaggs from the USVs for being the other Wing-Dinger. We had over 100 men in the Battalion comprised of Birney's Division, the US Volunteers, and the 66th OVI from Vincent's Brigade.

Another big thank you to Bob Minton and the guys from the Army of the Ohio. We have such a great working relationship that it is beyond enjoyable working with Bob and the gang to put on an event like this.

Lastly, thanks to all of the guys from the 51st OVI and 6th Ohio Cav (that covers a lot of names) for the work they did to put things together. They did a great job for the Zoar Community Association and the reenactors!!

Your Servant,
Chris Smith
2d Battalion, Birney's Division

Students Coming to Zoar - Help Needed

2011-09-09T15:01:00.000-04:00

For the last few years, school systems in the region have been busing students to Zoar during the reenactment weekend for several special living history educational programs on the Civil War. This year, on the morning of Friday, September 16th, over 1000 students will be coming to Zoar again. We are looking for people who can assist in doing demonstrations such as weaponry, cooking, field living, and so on. The programs begin at 9 am.

If you can help, please contact Mark Gaynor ASAP at mark@indianrivergraphics.com.
Please help us educate these kids on the real history of the Civil War.

First Call for Zoar!

2011-09-08T09:51:00.000-04:00

The largest Civil War reenactments in Ohio is now upon us! This is a maximum effort event for Birney's Division and we are looking to have a strong showing from all units. If you have not registered yet, DO! Walk-ons will be permitted.

At this time, I would like to get basic numbers from everyone who is attending. Please provide the following information:

1. Will your unit be attending
2. How many military personnel
3. How many civilians
4. What number of tents and type

Please email this information to clsmith@5thohio.com. Looking forward to see everyone there!!

www.zoarcivilwar.com

Zoar event coming soon!

2011-08-25T09:24:00.000-04:00

The largest non-national anniversary reenactment in this half of the country is less than a month away. September 17-18, 2011 in historic Zoar, Ohio.

This is a max-effort Birney's DIVISION event so please register so we can see what our numbers are going to look like.

Visit the website at http://www.zoarcivilwar.com/ or click HERE to visit the Facebook page.

Share the Civil War

2011-08-10T13:44:00.000-04:00

Was there social media in the Civil War? Nope, but we’d love to have a strong Facebook and Twitter presence to show people online just how fun the Hale Farm weekend is! “Check in” and let your friends and fellow reenactors know what you’re up to this weekend.

From your iPhone, Android phone, or Blackberry:
Start up your facebook app
Choose “places”
Search for “Hale Farm & Village”
Check in

Once you’ve checked in, post your best pictures and stories on our Facebook wall.

To tweet about the weekend, use the Twitter hashtag #HaleCW and mention @HaleFarm.

Our Facebook pages are:
http://www.facebook.com/halefarm
http://www.facebook.com/HaleFarmCivilWar

Second Call! Hale Farm

2011-08-08T16:34:00.000-04:00

August 12-14, 2011
Hale Farm and Village, Bath, Ohio

The annual big event for Birney's Division 2d Battalion is THIS WEEKEND!

Last year we had over 800 reenactors and for the first time in the event history, cavalry operations where added to the scenarios. The Federal Army will again be camped in the town green with civilian camps throughout the village. Col Bob Minton from The Army of the Ohio will be the overall Union Commander, and Col Nick Medich in charge of the Confederate forces.

The weather looks like it is going to be excellent. Especially in light of how HOT it has been. Here are a couple of things to remember...

Early War/Bull Run impression is encouraged.
There will not be a reenactor dinner Saturday evening. Instead there will be a big breakfast Sunday morning.
A tactical will be conducted Sunday morning prior to the breakfast.
Unless you have been authorized for an earlier arrival, set up will be no earlier than 10 am Friday morning.

At this time, I would like to call out to all Birney's Division units and those who wish to fall in with us. I need some basic numbers or an update if you have already written in:

1. Name of unit

2. Number of military personnel

3. Number of civilian personnel

4. Will you have an officer or NCO in charge

Please send this information to clsmith@5thohio.com as soon as possible. Below are a few links that will be of some service to all attending.

Hale Farm and Village Reenactment Page (INCLUDING registration forms) Walk-on registration is $15.00 per person: http://www.wrhs.org/index.php/hale/augustdrumspage

Hale Farm and Village Civil War 150 Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HaleFarmCivilWar

Civil War Reenacting is Hot!

2011-08-02T15:39:00.000-04:00

What would make a person put on a wool uniform in the middle of summer and run around recreating the Civil War? I have heard that question a lot in my almost 20 years of reenacting. It’s a question I ask myself sometimes on a hot Saturday afternoon in the middle of a field with a few hundred of my closest friends.

The sweat is pouring, my feet are tired and sore and the nine-pound musket feels like 90 pounds. And then the crowd applauds and the smiling faces remind me that a little inconvenience on my part is worth bringing history alive. Inspiring a young person to dive into a little bit of history -- because now it's not so boring -- is worth sleeping on the hard ground and eating soldier food.

One of the extra benefits in reenacting the Civil War in Ohio is the chance to see so many great towns and areas. My favorite? Hard to say as there are so many. Favorite memories might be easier. Like the weekend I slept in Ulysses Grant’s backyard. Or the time I slept in the Statehouse Rotunda. Or just sitting around the campfire at night telling stories and sharing memories.

If I did make a list of favorite reenacting places in Ohio, it would definitely include these two – Hale Farm in Bath and Zoar Village in Tuscarawas County. Both are filled with historic buildings and stage some of the best reenactments in the country.

Hale Farm is a great place to visit any time, but when it is filled with reenactors, it feels just like an 1860’s town. I especially like the stone buildings as they provide a cool spot on a hot summer day.

Zoar Village simply oozes with old-world charm. From the quaint small homes to the bakery (best bread I ever ate!) to the amazing gardens, you’ll find us reenactors walking through the town like tourists.

Of course, we’re there to portray soldiers and help visitors see into what life was like in the Union Army. And, that’s where the hot uniforms come in. Back then, wool was the most common fabric for clothing, winter and summer. Is it hot? Well, yes. It is hot, but we don’t mind as we know that air conditioning and other modern amenities await us at the end of the weekend. For the 325,000 Ohioans who served during the war, it was four years before they made their way home.

So, come August 13-14 (Hale Farm) and September 17-18 (Zoar Village), you’ll find me and hundreds of reenactors living the life of a Civil War soldier and loving every minute of it.

by Mark Holbrook, Ohio Historical Society

After Action Report: 150th Manassas

2011-07-27T10:55:00.002-04:00

The following is the report on the action of 1st Battalion Birney's Division at Manassas, VA July 22 thru July 24.

22 July:
After setting up camp in a stiffling heat on the night prior, woke up to the sounds of the army arriving at our camp site. By the end of the day Union infantry numbers were at about 3500 soldiers, under the overall command of Gen. Tony Daniels. Our brigade would consist of Birney's Division, FVB, and the National Regiment, under Gen. Ron Palase. The men rested throughout the day trying to stay out of the heat as best as possible and bedded down for the night early.

23 July:
Reveille was at 6:00 AM and after compiling the company reports our strength was at 95 soldiers, officers included. Battalion was on line for battle at 8:45 AM and moved out in lead of the brigade at 9:00 AM. After being held in reserve for a small time, the battalion was ordered forward through the main line of artillery in the center of the Union line. After engaging a larger Rebel battalion to our front and pushing them back to a line of trees, the 1st wave of rebel infantry was pushed off the field behind their guns. Orders were to hold at the tree line to wait for further orders. COL Rohrbaugh then took a 3 company wing and was attached to the National Regiment, while CPT Murphy took a 3 company wing to be assigned in a reserve position on the the left of the FVB. COL Rohrbaugh's wing was ordered forward with the 11th NY to retake a battery of artillery taken by the rebel advance. Chanting "HI, HI, HI" the whole way forward they took and held the guns for a short time before being pushed back. CPT Murphy's wing as well as the FVB were ordered to move forward. As a Battalion of US Marines were pushed out CPT Murphy took his wing forward, companies with him were 1st Company commanded by 1LT Guilliams, 2nd Company under CPT Baltzer and 3rd Company under CPT Van Meter. After plugging the whole left by the Marines and consoilidating the line, the brigade held the line as long as possible before overwhelming odds forced to line to fall back. The NR with COL Rohrbaugh's wing was forced back first, then the FVB, and finally with their flanks exposed CPT Murphy's wing fell back to the tree line and back past the waiting reserves commander by COL Childs. The brigade was ordered back to a tree line about 200 yards back in reserve and was not ordered forward. The battle ceased and the army was forced to leave the field in the control of the rebels. The men returned to camp disheartened by the turn events on the field and wanting to get revenge on the rebel traitors. The men relaxed for the rest of the day and tattoo was sounded at about 11:00 PM.

24 July:
Reveille again was at 6:00 and morning reports showed lil loss in numbers for the battalion, final report was 86 with 5 total companies; 1st Company under CPT Taylor, 2nd Company under CPT MacGregor, 3rd Company Under CPT Baltzer, 4th Company under CPT Van Meter and a 5th Company was assigned to us consisting of the 39th NYVI; in line at morning dress parade at 8:00. To the shigrin of the brigade commander the entire NR was not on the field for the next days action dropping the brigade numbers to roughly 130. The battalion was 2nd in the brigade line of march and was ordered into the immediate reserve when actions commensed. The battalion got orders to repulse a rebel battalion trying to take our main line of guns and with the FVB in support pushed the rebels back pass the line of trees in the center of the field. The battalion was in the center as the 1st wave again was repulsed in support of a battery of artillery. Orders came down to reconsolidate with the FVB on the Union right with the combined force command given to COL Rohrbaugh. Portraying the 11th NY, the red shirts moved forward to retake a battery of union guns. After stubborn resistance and hot crisp firings the battalion was eventually pushed back under overwhelming odds and the lack of ammunition. After giving ground slowly and stubbornly the battalion was forced back into a reserve position until the battle ceased.

At this time I would like to thank the company commanders: CPT MacGregor, CPT Taylor, CPT Van Meter, and 1LT Guilliams. As well as the Staff MAJ Doyle, SGM Hicks, and MAJ Guilliams (man of many ranks…haha) for their extremely hard work in making sure that things went off without a hitch at our level. I would also like to thank COL Rohrbaugh for giving the opportunity of commanding the wing or reserves on the 23rd. I would also like the thank the Brigade staff, especially COL Steve Reinke and his courriers for their excellent job in making sure the battalion got the proper orders and put in the right positions all weekend.

Respectfully,

M. Murphy
CPT, Adjutant, Birney's Division

Changes at Century Village

2011-07-12T16:52:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon to members of Birney’s Division. I wanted to inform you that I was contacted by the Geauga County Historical Society which runs the Civil War reenactment in Burton, Ohio annually on Memorial Day weekend. They have asked me to take over as the Federal Commander for the event. Per General Kelley’s directive, I have accepted the post. I look forward to taking the event in a different direction and creating a new experience for both us as reenactors and the public who support Century Village with their patronage.

I would like to thank General Burdell Waffler for his years heading up the Union forces. I look forward to serving our living history community at the event next year.

Sincerely,
Christopher Smith, Lt Col

First Call! Hale Farm

2011-07-05T13:43:00.000-04:00

August 12-14, 2011
Hale Farm and Village, Bath, Ohio

The annual big event for Birney's Division 2d Battalion is only a few weeks away. If you have not been to Hale Farm in the past, this is a good time to get your musket cleaned up and come on down!

Last year we had over 800 reenactors and for the first time in the event history, cavalry operations where added to the scenarios. The Federal Army will again be camped in the town green with civilian camps throughout the village. Col Bob Minton from The Army of the Ohio will be the overall Union Commander, and Col Nick Medich in charge of the Confederate forces.

Birney's 2nd Battalion will once again be a large force on the field and we will be joined by our new gun and crew from the 9th Ohio Light Artillery.

At this time, I would like to call out to all Birney's Division units and those who wish to fall in with us. I need some basic numbers and the following information:

1. Name of unit
2. Number of military personnel
3. Number of civilian personnel
4. Will you have an officer or NCO in charge

Please send this information to clsmith@5thohio.com as soon as possible. Below are a few links that will be of some service to all attending.

Hale Farm and Village Reenactment Page (INCLUDING registration forms): http://www.wrhs.org/index.php/hale/augustdrumspage

Hale Farm and Village Civil War 150 Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HaleFarmCivilWar

Civil War Activities for the Public at Hale Farm

2011-07-01T11:07:00.000-04:00

BATH, OHIO — Hale Farm & Village, a museum of Western Reserve Historical Society, brings the Civil War to life at the 21st annual Civil War Encampment and Reenactment, August 12-14, 2011. More than 800 reenactors are expected to participate, making this one of the largest annual Civil War events in Ohio. Guests will meet soldiers and civilians, hear the sounds of battle, smell the gunpowder, shake hands with President Lincoln, and shop for a hoopskirt.

From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14, 2011, guests will relive the American Civil War experience. At 2:00 pm daily, the recreation of Civil War battles in the museum’s North Pasture is just one feature of the event. A cannon, on loan from the Ohio Statehouse, will roar across the re-created battlefield amidst the soldiers, smoke, and gunfire. Cavalry will charge as the battle unfolds just yards away.

Guests experience the entire flavor and ambience of the Civil War era: soldier skirmishes, appearances by “President Lincoln”, performances by the Camp Chase Fife & Drum Corps, the US Cavalry, a dinner with Abraham Lincoln, and the 3rd annual Hale Civil War Ball. They will meet the men and women who reenact this seminal event in the nation’s history when visiting Union and Confederate soldier and civilian camps, witness the medical practices of the era, and shop along Sutler’s Row for unique items such as shoes, corsets, dresses, foods, and other fine goods from the period.

Discounted advance general admission tickets are available for purchase at http://www.halefarm.org/. General admission will also be at the gate. Tickets are $10 per adult/senior and $5 per child age 3-12. Children 2 and under and WRHS members are FREE. A 2-day Civil War Pass is available for $15 per adult/senior and $7.50 per child age 3-12. Group rates for parties of 15 people or more are available. Call 330-666-3711.

On Friday, August 12th visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at the move-in and preparation that takes place for the weekend events. They can watch the reenactors set up and prepare for the weekend, the cavalry arrival, the northern and southern camps being built, and the bustle of staff preparing for the Farm’s biggest event of the year. This day is also perfect for media to capture the magic that goes into the creation of this event. Please contact Angie Lowrie to arrange a visit. alowrie@wrhs.org.

Guests can stay longer Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13 for evening events.

Dinner with Abraham Lincoln
Friday, August 12 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Enjoy a meal of historic portions during Dinner with Abraham Lincoln, part of the series: Hale and Hearty Dinner Programs. Historic themed dinners Hale Farm & Village style! Dinners are in the Hale Farm & Village Gatehouse Visitor Center
Dinner with Abraham Lincoln Menu:
Beef a la Mode - 1865 Inaugural dinner feature
Escalloped potatoes
Minted Watermelon
Corn salad
Cucumber and green bean salad
Cornbread
Mary Todd Lincoln White Cake - actual recipe
Gingerbread cookies

Seating is limited. Reservations are required: 330-666-3711 or email halereservations@wrhs.org.
Each dinner is: $45 per person.
Member rate is: $40 per person.

Civil War Reenactment Ball
August 13 8:00 – 10:30 pm
Guests dance the Virginia Reel and spin back to the Civil War era at the Hale Farm & Village Civil War Ball. Reenactors and Hale Farm & Village costumed staff will join the festivities. 8:00-10:30pm. $5 Admission and reservations required. Call 330-666-3711 for more information and to purchase tickets.

All Western Reserve Historical Society Civil War programming is part of the statewide initiative to honor the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Information on events is posted at http://www.wrhs.org/ and http://www.ohiocivilwar150.org/.

March to Destiny This Weekend

2011-06-24T11:33:00.002-04:00

June 24-26 - Shippensburg, PA

An annual Birney's Division 1st Battalion event (Lt Col Denny Rohrbaugh, Federal Commander). This reenactment is focused on the Confederate occupation of Shippensburg prior to the Battle of Gettysburg.

For more information go to http://www.marchtodestiny.org/

Tweet Birney's

2011-06-23T13:48:00.000-04:00

Need your Birney's Division news on the go? Now you can by following Birney's Division on Twitter. Check it out at http://twitter.com/BirneysDivision

Urgent Second Notice on Reenacting Insurance

2011-06-22T08:51:00.000-04:00

To Birney's Division Member Units:

We are pleased to again offer Commercial General Liability Insurance to protect members for rest of 2011 into 2012 season.

We have received the renewal notice and we am happy to report that coverages and costs remain the same as the current coverage.

We are asking that you get your head counts and submit the premium before June 30th, 2011 along with a list of all events your company will be attending for the rest of the season from June until next season.

The cost per member per year remains at $8 each.

Please make check or money order out to Dennis Rohrbaugh and mail to 5300 Greenvillage Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202-7311

Any questions; please contact Denny at cpldlr160@comcast.net.

Welcome to New Unit

2011-06-14T18:54:00.000-04:00

On behalf of General Kelley, Birney's Division would like to welcome Captain Robert Brown and the members of Hampton's Battery F, Pennsylvania Independent Light Artillery. You can check out their website at http://hamptonsbatteryf.com/

First Call - Old Bedford Village

2011-06-08T13:22:00.004-04:00

The annual Civil War reenactment at Old Bedford Village right around the corner!

There will be a combined Battalion Command under Lt Col Rohrbaugh. If you are coming, please send the following information immediately.

1. Name of unit

2. Number of military personnel attending

3. Will your unit have an officer/NCO in charge

Please email this information to the 1st Battalion Adjutant Capt Mike Murphy at ltmurph54th@yahoo.com. For more information on Old Bedford Village, visit http://www.oldbedfordvillage.com/.

First Call - East Harbor!

2011-06-06T09:28:00.000-04:00

June 10-12, 2011

The reenacting season is starting off with a bang as we are already upon our next event. This weekend is the Civil War reenactment at East Harbor State Park near Marblehead, OH. Lt. Col Smith from Birney's Division will command the Federal troops.

Along with several "early war" battle scenarios, there will be a cannonade on the beach firing out over Lake Erie. Diner will be provided for the reenactors Saturday night and a few bucks will get you breakfast Sunday morning.

At this time, we need companies to report the following information:

1. Is your unit attending?
2. Number of military personnel attending.
3. Will your unit have an officer/NCO in charge?

Please email this information to the Christopher Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com. For more information on the event, visit http://eastharborcwevent.bravehost.com/ or on

2nd Call! Burton Civil War Weekend

2011-05-24T13:45:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that the annual Civil War reenactment at Century Village in Burton, Ohio is this weekend.

We have the following units as registered to attend: 4th OVI Co. E, 5th OVI, 5th Ohio Sharpshooters, 9th OLA, 83rd PVI, 105th OVI. Also, the 51st OVI from the Army of the Ohio.

If you are coming and are not on the list, please send the following information immediately.

1. Name of unit and affiliation if any.
2. Number of military personnel attending.
3. Will your unit have an officer/NCO in charge?

Please email this information to the Battalion Commander Christopher Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com.

Civil War Canon for Sale

2011-05-19T12:40:00.000-04:00

FOR SALE! Reproduction FULL SIZE Civil War Canon - 3" Ordinance Rifle. Has been used in a number of reenactments and live-fire target competitions. Includes implements and several pounds of black powder.

This piece was manufactured by a skilled gun maker who recently passed away here in Northeast, Ohio. It is made to original military spec.

$14,000 or will entertain reasonable offer. Please email your inquiry to clsmith@5thohio.com. Only serious inquiries please.

After Action Report: New Market

2011-05-16T16:12:00.002-04:00

From: Hqtrs 1st Battalion, Birney's Division
Date(s): 13-15 May
Station: New Market, VA

13 May:
Battalion began arriving in the vicinity of New Market, VA beginning Friday afternoon and throughout the evening. A short rain shower hampered camp set-up, but as canvas began to spring up the rain subsided to a nice clear evening. LTC Rohrbaugh and CPT Murphy attended a brief officers meeting at 1st Division HQ with acting commander Brig. Gen. Frye in charge of the army while Maj. Gen. Baldwin was attending to matters elsewhere. Initial orders for the next day were issued and camp was quiet by 12 o'clock.

14 May:
Revielle was at 7 o'clock sharp and roll call was conducted within the battalion. First reports showed 35 rifles in line broken into to companys; 1st company consisting of the 3rd Maryland, 54th PVI, and 3rd US Co. B and 2nd Company consisiting of the 2nd Rhode Island. Company Drill was held at 8:45 and Battalion Dress Parade followed at 9:30. The final reports after Parade showed the following numbers, 6 heavy guns of artillery, 10 mounted Cavalry and 9 dismounted cavalry. Confederate numbers were estimated to be almost double the Federal forces. At 1:45 the battalion was ordered to move out in support of a forward battery of guns north of the Bushong Farm. 1st Company detached a squad of skirmishers under 1LT Guilliams to extend the skirmish line with the cavalry and watch the battalion right. 1st company was ordered forward to support the skirmish line and the forward gun, which under withering fire was disabled and abandoned. 2nd Company, under CPT Don Hixson held a reserve position on the main gun line and supported the skirmish line with rifle fire. With overwhelming numbers to the front coming south of the Bushong Farm, 1st company was forced to fall back with the skirmish line, with 2nd Company moving up in support. After a stubborn defense and taking heavy casualties the battalion was forced to withdrawal, making the confederates pay for every inch taken til forced of the field. Evening set in and the companies had a nice dinner and were entertained by the battalion fife and drum corps til lights and tattoo was sounded at 10 o'clock. Weather all day was sunny and warm with no rain to slow the arrival of General Baldwin to retake command of the army for the upcoming next days action. The men bedded down for the night with a small rain shower rolling through as the men slept.

15 May:
After a reconisiance patrol by Maj. Bill Raymond's cavalry showing the confederates withdrew back to the south of the Bushong farm, the battalion was ordered to take up defensive positions in the orchard around the Bushong Farm. Supported by dismounted cavalry on the right and a small howitzer to immediate rear, the battalion took up positions and posted a picket line to the front. Confederate artillery opened up the action, and the battalion was soon engaged by two small confederate battalions, one of which was the VMI Cadets. The battalion again put up stiff resistance, giving ground slowly and taking heavy casualties until the overwhelming odds forced the men to break and flee to the rear with the Battalion colors. LTC Rohrbaugh fell into the hands of the Confederates but was soon paroled and exchanged for a rebel commander of equal rank. Once the battalion was consolidated camp was broken and the long retreat north began.

Submitted 15 May

Captain M. Murphy
Adjutant, 1st Battalion Birney's Division

On a side note, all and all the weekend couldn't have been better. The weather held off til after everyone was packed up and back on the road for home. General Baldwin and his staff couldn't have been more pleased with the performance of the men and made that known to us numerous times over the weekend. I think I can speak for LTC Rohrbaugh that we couldn't have been happier with the performance of the men that were on the field. I hope that how things were this year will continue on for years to come and make this event the great event that it used to be. I would like to thank LTC Rohrbaugh, 1LT Guilliams, Maj Doyle, and the rest of the officers and NCO's that helped make this weekend run without a hitch.

After Action Report: Beaver Creek

2011-05-12T12:11:00.000-04:00

After Action Report – Jackson in the Valley Reenactment
May 6-8, 2011 – Beaver Creek State Park, East Liverpool, Ohio

Once again we returned to one of our favorite reenactment sites for the bi-annual event at Beaver Creek State Park. If you have not been to this location, you are missing a beautiful place to camp and fight. There was a concern at the end of last year that this event would disappear from the map as the organizers had left the hobby. I contacted several people who I thought may be interested in taking over and thanks to Mike “Stonewall Jackson” Lawson of the Stonewall Brigade, the event quickly came back to life. Normally, this event alternates with Argus Park in Canfield in July. With the 150th Manassas the same weekend, Mike and the State Park Service found an alternate date in May.

Arriving on site Friday evening, I went to the Federal Headquarters area in the pines and met up with My Old War Horse Major Penix and his wife Pam. HQ went up quickly and I started to look around. A lot of familiar faces from the 105th and 61st OVI. Mark and Kristi Gaynor from the 51st were there too. And I knew there were a group of guys coming from the 5th on Saturday… but that was it. Hmmmm.

To park the truck, I had to travel around the loop that is only one-way. As I drove through the Confederate camp, I came to the realization that there was a HELL OF A LOT OF REBS! As well as two guns!! No one has had these kinds of Confederate numbers at event here in Ohio for quite some time. Mike Lawson and the event CSA commander Jim Powell must have been shaking the trees.

At the officer/NCO meeting Friday night, I determined that we were going to have to use different tactics to fight this battle. We would have at the most, 30 rifles and officers. The official count from the Confederate command was 90 infantry, plus two guns and crews.

We couldn’t fight toe to toe on this one. Skirmish tactics would be the order of the day. Hit and run. Keep the Confederates moving. The battlefield at Beaver Creek is a rolling terrain with a mill pond, a small village and two narrow bridges that sit below high ground. Our tactics for the weekend were to use all of this to our advantage. With a larger force (many of whom have not worked together previously), it would take the Rebs longer to organize, move, and get on line. With the trees, buildings and terrain, they didn’t always have a clear shot at us.

The Saturday battle would see the Confederate infantry (supported by their guns) come into the village with our boys in the heights above. As soon as we saw them we opened up. Their un-mounted cavalry moved forward in a skirmish line to engage us while the rest of the infantry came out of the covered bridge and into the village. As the skirmishers tried to cross the small foot bridge (the only way to enter the rest of the field), the sharp aim of our infantry cut them down as they tried to cross. However, faced with overwhelming numbers, we pulled back to our next defensive position and formed another skirmish line running from the pond up hill to the other side of a small house. That pond was great to keep from being flanked and forcing the Confederates to run their battle line up a steep slope would slow their movement.

We continued to fight and withdraw until our backs were against the larger bridge at the other end of the mill pond. With the 2nd Company holding off the Confederate infantry (and now taking fire from a second gun), the 1st Company began a reverse “street fighting” maneuver across the bridge to slow the Confederate advance but they came on hard and we had to move across the bridge with haste to reform on the edge of the woods. We continued to fall back as the trees gave us cover. The scenario was at an end.

On Sunday, we fought the battle in reverse. This gave us the high ground on the bridge and we stacked the Rebs up and slowed them down. But numbers don’t lie and we eventually got pushed back into the village and retreated. As I said, there was no way to win against those numbers. I told Jim Powell, we don’t NEED to win. We just want to have a good fight! In reality, our force did what a lot of probing elements did back then. Cause the enemy to deploy. Count their numbers and make them use up ammunition and men. This was a way to get good information for the brass up the chain.

All in all, it was a great event. If I can have a good time with good friends, honor those who fought, and educate just one person, it is a winner in my book.

One thing I do want to make a comment on is our Union numbers. There could be several factors involved here. Gas prices. Mother’s Day. Or is it the fact that every little apple butter festival is trying to scoop up Civil War reenactors to put on a show. With the 150th now underway, I get at least two emails a week asking for Civil War reenactors to attend this and that. Most of these request have nothing to do with the Civil War. Local organizers have not suddenly become Civil War buffs or are trying to educate and honor. They are looking to make a buck for their event off of the hoopla over the 150th. Unfortunately, established reenactments are suffering. That is a crime. Ok. I’m off the soap box.

I want to thank all of the folks who put on Beaver Creek and especially Mike Lawson, Chris Jones and Jim Powell. It was a pleasure to fight against you guys and I have rarely seen a scenario (let alone TWO) go exactly as walked-through. Our hats are off to you and your boys. Thanks also to the Federal officers and men including Bob Penix. We have shown the Rebs how we fight even when outnumbered.

Submitted, May 12, 2011
Christopher L. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding, 2d Battalion
Birney’s Division

First Call - Burton!

2011-05-11T07:53:00.000-04:00

May 27-29, 2011

The annual Civil War reenactment at Century Village in Burton, Ohio. At this time I would like to as for the following information from any units that are planning to attend as part of Birney's 2d Battalion...

1. Name of unit and affiliation if any.
2. Number of military personnel attending.
3. Will your unit have an officer/NCO in charge?

Please email this information to the Battalion Commander Christopher Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com.

When you arrive on site PLEASE see Maj Don Van Meter before you set up.

Director Cut of Gettysburg and Gods & Generals on Blu-ray

2011-05-05T14:39:00.002-04:00

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, Warner Brothers is releasing an extended director's cut version of both "Gettysburg" and "Gods and Generals" on Blu-ray. This will also be the first time either film will be seen in high definition. Both sets include a book and a second disc with special features.

On-line websites such as Best Buy are currently taking pre-orders ($29.00 for each film) and will be available May 24th.

Photo from the Ohio Civil War 150 Ceremony

2011-04-27T14:00:00.003-04:00

Thanks to all who turned out at the Ohio State House. You guys looked grand!

Beaver Creek Reenactment Around the Corner

2011-04-23T22:04:00.002-04:00

It is almost time again for the bi-annual "Jackson in the Valley" Civil War Reenactment at Beaver Creek State Park on May 6-8, East Liverpool, Ohio. That is just a few weeks away!!

Please visit the website at http://www.1stbrigade.com/jackson-in-the-valley-reenactment.php and get registered today!

If you have not attended this event you don't know what you have missed. The camps are some of the best you will ever experience and the mill area of the park is one of the most beautiful spots for a reenactment. Bring lots of power as the battle in the village and across the mill pond bridge are fast and intense! Plus, the event puts on a great breakfast for all reenactors Sunday morning!

We are calling all Ohio and PA units to attend!

Sincerely,
Christopher Smith, Lt Col
Event Federal Commander
Birney's Division, 2d Battalion

American Civil War Begins 150 Years Ago Today

2011-04-12T08:18:00.002-04:00

The bloodiest four years in American history begin when Confederate shore batteries under General P.G.T. Beauregard open fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Bay. During the next 34 hours, 50 Confederate guns and mortars launched more than 4,000 rounds at the poorly supplied fort.

On April 13, U.S. Major Robert Anderson surrendered the fort. Two days later, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to quell the Southern "insurrection."

As early as 1858, the ongoing conflict between North and South over the issue of slavery had led Southern leadership to discuss a unified separation from the United States. By 1860, the majority of the slave states were publicly threatening secession if the Republicans, the anti-slavery party, won the presidency. Following Republican Abraham Lincoln's victory over the divided Democratic Party in November 1860, South Carolina immediately initiated secession proceedings. On December 20, the South Carolina legislature passed the "Ordinance of Secession," which declared that "the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and other states, under the name of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved." After the declaration, South Carolina set about seizing forts, arsenals, and other strategic locations within the state. Within six weeks, five more Southern states--Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana--had followed South Carolina's lead.

In February 1861, delegates from those states convened to establish a unified government. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was subsequently elected the first president of the Confederate States of America. When Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861, a total of seven states (Texas had joined the pack) had seceded from the Union, and federal troops held only Fort Sumter in South Carolina, Fort Pickens off the Florida coast, and a handful of minor outposts in the South. Four years after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, the Confederacy was defeated at the total cost of 620,000 Union and Confederate soldiers dead.

History.com

Event Musical Chairs

2011-04-04T11:09:00.000-04:00

Members of Birney's Division and other Interested Parties:

April is the unofficial start to our reenacting season and this year and we have several events taking place on the same dates, at different locations throughout the tri-state area.

The weekend of April 15th through the 17th there are three Birney's events taking place, on the same weekend, West in Ohio at Hale Farm, in Western Pennsylvania at Perryopolis, and East in Chambersburg Pennsylvania.

In the West: Lt. Colonel Smith, will be holding a 2nd Battalion Spring Muster and Drill at Hale Farm, just outside Akron Ohio. Along with weekend drill, 2nd battalion will participate in scenarios of the Underground Railroad at the time of the civil war.

Western Pennsylvania in Perryopolis PA. (12 miles from the New Stanton ext. on the PA. turnpike) at our Reenactor Village, we will hold a Spring Muster / Drill and tactical battles with confederate troops, throughout the weekend. New Perryopolis web site http://www.perryopolis.webs.com/

In the East: Lt. Colonel Rohrbaugh, will be participating in the 150th kick off series of events around Gettysburg with 1st Battalion. Along with a Spring Muster and Drill, the weekend of the 15th, will be the invasion of Chambersburg, in Chambersburg PA. with living histories and planned recreated historical events.

Check your event calendars and get out and shake off the dust and rust of winter quarters. With 3 Birney's Division events in 3 different locations, no one should be sitting at home in April. As Reenactors we will be very busy with the 150th series of events ahead of us and Birney's Division will continue to be one of the leaders in Reenacting, on and off the battlefield.

Respectfully,
Brig. Gen. Michael D. Maffei
Birney's Division

FIRST CALL - 2d Battalion Drill!

2011-04-03T13:05:00.000-04:00

A BIG reminder that the Birney’s Division 2d Battalion drill on April 16th is coming up fast and we need to get numbers ASAP.

All units participating should send me your numbers no later than this Wednesday. We need to know how many people we are having so we can plan for dinner Saturday evening after the training.

Again, here is a quick rundown of activities:

Friday, April 15th – Personnel who wish can arrive the night before. We will be bivouacked around the “1st Settlement” cabin close to the gate house. If you need to arrive earlier than 5 pm, please email me ahead of time.

Saturday, April 16th – Formation will begin promptly at 8 am. We will start off with School of the Soldier, then Company, then Battalion. For those units who wanted to have their own drill to work at the Company level. Don’t worry; you will be doing just that during this training. Hale Farm will be open to the public during the day and visitors will get a chance to see how we prepare for Civil War reenactment battles.

This year, our organization is honored to be asked to participate in the final evening of Hale Farm & Village’s nationally recognized program “A Fugitive's Path: Escape on the Underground Railroad”. Thousands of members of the public each year participate in a “first person” experience as they portray run-away slaves seeking freedom in the North during the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act. As Federal soldiers, we have been asked to participate in a couple of the scenarios. This is the first time Civil War reenactors have been included in this program.

Sunday, April 17 – For those who wish to stay Saturday evening, you are more than welcome to depart on Sunday and opt for some additional Company drill at your discretion.

If is IMPORTANT to participate in our annual training as there will be many events over the year that will require tactical proficiency as a larger unit in the field. This activity on the 16th will give us a chance to learn and instruct so that our performance in the field will be the envy of our fellow reenactors!

You can download the registration form HERE: http://media-techconsulting.com/Birneys/docs/CivilWarSpringMusterRegistration.pdf

If you cannot get this in on time, please bring it with you to the activity. Regardless, I still need a head count from each unit this week.

For those of you in 1st Battalion, There will be a drill this same weekend in Perryopolis, PA. Contact Lt Col Rohrbaugh at cpldlr160@comcast.net for more details.

Your Servant,
Christopher Smith, Lt Col
clsmith@5thohio.com

Clean Up of Johnson's Island Civil War Site

2011-03-21T09:03:00.000-04:00

(Marblehead, Ohio) – Almost exactly 150 years after the first shots of the Civil War were fired, another wave of volunteers is about to descend on America’s storied battlegrounds and prison sites – only this array of dedicated men and women will be armed with paint brushes, trash bags and weed whackers.

On Saturday, April 2, 2011, history buffs and preservationists from around the country will team up with the Civil War Trust (CWT) to help clean and restore America’s priceless battlefields, cemeteries, POW sites and shrines. The nationwide effort – dubbed Park Day – is underwritten with a grant from History™, formerly The History Channel, and has been endorsed by Take Pride in America, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Park Day, now in its 15th year, is an annual hands-on preservation event created by CWT to assist local groups with the maintenance of Civil War sites. This year, more than 100 sites in 24 states are expected to take part in the effort, with activities ranging from trash removal to trail building. In exchange for their hard work, volunteers receive t-shirts and learn the site’s history from local experts.

The Johnson’s Island Civil War Military Prison Site will participate in Park Day 2011 for the 6th year. Volunteers will assist in prison compound cleanup, removal of fallen trees from Fort Johnson, preparation of walking trails and placement of interpretative markers. For more information about Park Day at the Johnson’s Island Civil War Military Prison site and to register to participate, please contact David Bush by phone at 419-448-2327 or by email at dbush@heidelberg.edu.

Perryopolis registration

2011-03-16T09:55:00.000-04:00

Looking forward to the Fall, Birney's Division will be hosting the annual Civil War reenactment in Perryopolis, PA (September 30 - October 2). Please check out the website and registration information at http://perryopolis.webs.com/

Ohio Civil War 150 Ceremony

2011-03-09T12:22:00.000-05:00

Ohio 150th Anniversary Kick off Ceremony and Brunch, both at the Ohio Statehouse on April 10th.

Some reenactor information:

First on the brunch: Tickets are $40. Proceeds go to Ohio Save the Flags fund. With sponsors for Wes Cowan and such, if all 240 tickets sell, several thousand dollars will be raised. The Ohio Historical Society will be displaying, among other things the Flank Marker Flag of the 88th OVI and Regimental Colors of the 6th OVI, 10th OVC and 21st OVVI. These will be on display in the Statehouse Rotunda where they were at rest for so many years. If you want tickets, please call 800-858-6878 ASAP. You CAN attend the brunch and take part in the ceremony both. You also CAN see the flags without attending the brunch.

On the reenactment ceremony:

We will be assisting Colonel Minton and the Army of the Ohio. There will be a registration table for you to check in when you arrive. You may bring tent etc. to set up a static display for the day. You may arrive any time after 8, but please don't set up without getting approval. The ceremony starts at 2, we'll begin sorting/organizing by about 1 p.m. Unless otherwise directed... DO NOT BRING ROUNDS. There will be a firing detail, once we see registrations we'll let those folks know to bring rounds.

Uniform: The 6th OVI has registered nearly 30 folks and will be portraying the 1st OVI. Everyone else please wear your normal uniform and remember... this is an early war ceremony... not a late war show of how disgusting you can look. So, please have your uniform in decent shape. The only uniform exceptions will be a couple officers who will have specific roles. These too will be assigned once we see registrations.

Please bring both your National and Regimental colors if you have them. They would like to see NCO's carrying the colors. The colors will be formed in numerical order starting near the speaker.

The Statehouse Gift Shop will have the Save the Flag Shirts on sale that day for us. Please bring your $$ to get your shirts and encourage your folks to do the same.

Please pass this word to your folks. The wider distribution we can get with this the better.

If units and/or members from Birney's want to go PLEASE contact Lt Col Smith from 2d Battalion ASAP. clsmith@5thohio.com

Welcome to new Battery

2011-03-09T10:29:00.000-05:00

Birney's Division would like to welcome 1st Lt. Harold George and the members of the 9th Ohio Independent Battery of Light Artillery to the ranks of our organization. The 9th will be operating with 2d Battalion at Ohio events including Hale Farm in August.

For the readers out there (and who isn't), Lt. George has written several books on the period including "Men of the 9th Ohio", "Civil War Monuments of Ohio", "DEAD Soldiers at Gettysburg", "Ohio and the American Civil War", and last year's "Custer's Last Stand".

If you are interested in becoming a member of their gun crew, contact Lt. George at ninthohio@sbcglobal.net.

Ohio Civil War 150 Regional Informational Meeting

2011-03-04T15:24:00.000-05:00

March 16th, 5:00 pm
Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau

For Ohio events held in Wayne, Holmes, Coshocton, Muskingum, Stark, Tuscarawas, Geurnsey, Harrison, Carroll, Jefferson, Columbiana, Belmont Counties)

Come to this regional meeting and…

-Exchange flyers and event information with other organizations (county and regional)

-Develop plans for cooperative advertising

-Explore the possibility of a Civil War Membership for events in the county (and encourage your community and regional visitors to attend your events)

-Brainstorm about packages with lodging, restaurant and other organizations

-Assistance using the CW150 Website

-Email Blast and Regional Calendar

You will also have time at the end of the meeting to give a brief update of what your site is planning for the Civil War 150 Commemoration.

If you are planning on come, please contact Kate McFadden at civilwar@dennisondepot.org or 740-922-6776 (1-877-278-8020 toll free) at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum.

New website for the 150th Manassas

2011-03-04T08:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the Prince William County – Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau launched the new website for the commemoration of the 150th Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run (July 21-24, 2011). The site features information for the general public attending the events, and for reenactors who will be participating.

Visit the new website at http://www.manassasbullrun.com/

Schedule of Events for 150th Manassas

2011-03-03T17:05:00.000-05:00

The official schedule for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Manassas has been published. Download the file at the following link: http://www.visitpwc.com/reenactment/pdf/Schedule.pdf

The Manassas event will be held in Prince William County in Virginia, July 23rd and 24th.

150th Manassas - Call for early numbers

2011-03-01T08:49:00.001-05:00

The Division Commander has asked General Kelley for some initial infantry numbers as they relate to the 150th Anniversary reenactment of Manassas in July. All Companies need to report the following information to their Battalion Commander NO LATER THAN this Friday (March 4th). If you are not sure which Battalion you are in, please check the website at http://www.birneysdivision.org/.

1. Will your Company be attending the event?
2. How many military personnel?
3. How many civilian personnel?
4. Will there be an officer or NCO in charge?

Thanks for the information and we are looking forward to a great season!!

2d Battalion Spring Muster and Drill registration

2011-02-22T14:45:00.002-05:00

The following is a link to the registration form for the Birney's Division 2d Battalion drill weekend at Hale Farm & Village on April 16th, 2011. Please download and complete this form, then send in with your registration fee of $2.00 (to cover the early evening meal being provided).

Click here for registration.

All Federal units are welcome. Come help us kick off the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War!

2d Battalion drill update

2011-02-20T17:50:00.001-05:00

More information is coming together about the Civil War Federal infantry drill camp on April 16th at Hale Farm and Village in Bath, OH.

The training is Saturday only but the camp will be established Friday evening for those units who wish to come in and set up, as well as enjoy social time. We will be camping around Hale Farm's "First Settlement" cabin which is an original structure from 1805 that had been located at Wingfoot Lake in Suffield Township.

Reveille will be on Saturday morning at 7 am. The Battalion will be formed and break into companies to start with School of the Soldier, School of the Company, and eventually end the day with School of the Battalion. This will give Company Commanders and NCOs a chance to exercise their craft. We will also cover safety and use of period equipment.

Hale Farm and Village will be open to the public around 10 am and visitors will have a chance to watch as reenactors train in the maneuvers and tactics of 18 Century military infantry.

Units are invited to stay over Saturday evening for the final night of Hale Farm's critically acclaimed "A Fugitive's Path: Escape on the Underground Railroad" program. It it's 12th year, hundreds of visitors attend and are guided through a series of scenarios as they experience the trials faced by runaway slaves escaping north to freedom. For the first time, military Civil War reenactors from the Battalion have been asked to participate in the scenarios and bring a larger scale to the program.

Registration information for the drill weekend will be released in the next few weeks. Units who are not members of Birny's Division may request to participate by contacting clsmith@5thohio.com.

For more information and directions to Hale Farm and Village, visit http://www.wrhs.org/index.php/hale

Beaver Creek website updated

2011-02-20T16:56:00.000-05:00

For all those looking for information of the Civil War reenactment at Beaver Creek State Park (May 6-8), the "Jackson in the Valley" website has just been updated including reenactor and sutler registration forms.

The Federal Commander will be Lt Col Christopher Smith from Birney's Division. All units are welcome!

Go to: http://www.1stbrigade.com/jackson-in-the-valley-reenactment.php

3rd Winchester Event Registration Now Open

2011-02-06T18:02:00.000-05:00

September 10th - "Battle of Front Royal"
September 11th - "Battle of Luray"

Here is an update on the Birney's Division 1st Battalion event in September. This event will be located at the new Luray Valley Museum located at Luray Caverns, VA on 200 acres of land (the same site as last years “Front Royal and Fishers Hill” events). The event is open to all branches of service. There will be a bounty for the first 4 full scale Artillery pieces and the first 30 mounted Cavalry per side. This is a not to miss reenactment. All profits from this event will help fund the The Page County Sesquicentennial Committee for Civil War preservation.

Provided will be hay, water, firewood, port-a-johns and a Saturday military ball with a Valley string band. All participants in period attire will receive a 50% discount on admission to the Caverns. Registration fee $10.00 till June 15, late registration $15.00 till August 31, $20.00 walk-ons. The site will open at noon on Friday, Sept. 9th with a living history Civil War Education Day for Page and Shenandoah County, Virginia school systems.

For further details and registration and regulation forms please visit http://www.luraycaverns.com/ click on menu item “Plan Your Visit” and use the option for “Events”, or email rod.graves@luraycaverns.com or bullfish@wiltway.com or call 540-244-7090 after 6pm.

Ohio Civil War 150th Kick Off Event

2011-02-06T17:45:00.000-05:00

April 10, 2011

The Ohio National Guard, Ohio Civil War 150th Anniversary Committee and others are hosting this event to formally kick off the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War in Ohio. It will be held on the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse. The day will have 2 distinct events.

The morning will have a brunch in the Statehouse. There will be artifacts, including conserved Battle Flags on display. The brunch speaker will be Wes Cowan from History Detectives. Cost has not been set yet, but it will be a fundraiser. Any funds raised will go to Ohio's Battle Flag Preservation efforts.

In the afternoon we will have a living history program, also on the Statehouse Grounds. Hopefully, this event will include remarks from the Governor of Ohio among other things. The Army of the Ohio will be coordinating the reenactor side of things and members of Birney's Division have been asked to join in. Activities will include a small encampment, a recreation of the mustering in of the 1st OVI (they mustered in April 17, 1861), a mass formation of reenactors and their flags (units are asked to bring their colors, both regimental and state), a firing detail and also displays from modern Ohio National Guard Units. Seven current ONG units trace roots back to the Civil War.

For those units who wish to participate, please contact Lt Col Christopher Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com as soon as possible.

Event at the James Garfield Home

2011-02-06T17:15:00.000-05:00

September 10-11, 2011

The National Park Service is in need of an additional l 10-15 soldiers to fill out our roster for this living history event at the home of Civil War General Games Garfield in Mentor, Ohio (http://www.nps.gov/jaga). Includes the usual amenities along with breakfast both days. Camping is on the grounds behind General Garfield's home.

Plans are to hold the encampments over the next five years in conjunction with the 150th anniversary.
There will be no admission which should provide for good attendance both days.

For more information, please contact:

Scott Longert
Park Guide
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
440-205-3827

Scott_Longert@nps.gov

American History and Reenactor Appreciation Weekend

2011-02-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

March 4th, 5th and 6th, 2011

Friends, fellowship and discounts from local merchants.

Friday, March 4th – Meet and Greet with dinner discounts at THE PIKE RESTAURANT.

Saturday, March 5th – 1863 INN OF GETTYSBURG
- 9am to 11am – Continental Breakfast featuring discounts, coupons and specials from your local merchants.
- 11am – Presentation by the 150th Sesquicentennial Committee about PA kickoff events in April 2011 including Greencastle, Fairfield, Chambersburg and Gettysburg.
- 1pm – “HOW TO” seminar on Military First Person Civil War impressions.
- 3pm – “HOW TO” seminar for Ladies and Civilian impressions in Civil War and WWII reenacting.
- 8pm – 11pm – Dance featuring Gettysburg Big Band with cash bar and free refreshments only $10/person ~ Door Prizes!!

Sunday, March 6th – Historical Church Service and Fellowship Hour.

Sponsored by: Gettysburg Anniversary Committee & American Living History Educational Society.

Ohio 150th Update for February

2011-02-06T15:18:00.001-05:00

Upcoming Events

Feb 12: Lincoln’s Birthday
Feb 21: President’s Day
Feb 26: T-County History Patriot Rally

Regional CW150 Informational Meetings

What exciting Civil War 150 events are you planning? Come share your ideas at CW150 Regional Meetings. This is your chance to promote your upcoming event network with event and advertising partners and gather some great resources. Two meetings will be held for you to come share your CW150 ideas.

- March 16th @ 5pm at the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau
- May 18th @ 5pm at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum

Great Resources for Your Great Programs

Each month, check for an updated list of Re-enactors/Impersonators/Speakers or other resources that you can use to plan your events.

- How to be added to the Ohio Civil War 150’s Calendar of Events
- Bookmarks
- Potential partners and packaging ideas
- Contacts
- Ohio Humanities Council’s Civil War 150 Speaker Corps
- Resources Binder for CW150 Regions 5 and 10

Save the date!!!

Here are some upcoming events to mark on your calendar!

- March 12- Dennison Depot Murder Mystery Dinner
- April 9- Zoar Village Civil War Kick Off
- April 10- Ohio Historical Society CW150 Kick Off
- May 7&8- Re-enactment at Beaver Creek and McCook House Encampment
- May 18- Regional Informational Meeting at the Dennison Depot
- June 24, 25, 26- Dennison Depot Soldiers Festival

For more information and to get on the email list, contact Kate McFadden at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, civilwar@dennisondepot.org, 877-278-8020.

150th kick-off events in Pennsylvania

2011-01-18T10:24:00.000-05:00

Members of the Division have been invited to participate in a sequence of events through the month of April 2011 to start off the Civil War 150th Anniversary series. These events will take place in Greencastle PA, Chambersburg PA, Fairfield PA, and Gettysburg PA during each weekend through April including activities on the actual Gettysburg battlefield. Lt Col Rohrbaugh from 1st Battalion will be coordinating for those who would like to participate. For more information, go to http://www.gettysburg.travel/150/index.asp

Events planned in Ohio despite state’s money crunch

2010-12-30T10:24:00.002-05:00

Marietta Times:

Many of the same states that contributed troops, supplies and money to the Civil War aren't providing funding for exhibits, reenactments and events for the 150th anniversary of the conflict between the North and South, just a few months away.

Ohio is in that category, with no state funding allocated, but anniversary events will still go on, say local and state historians.

"For us this will truly be on a grassroots level, but I think we'll rise to the occasion," said Kim Schuette, communications and media relations manager for the Ohio Historical Society, which is helping coordinate events across the state. "It's a challenge, of course, in today's economy, but it's something we feel very strongly needs to be acknowledged. People often say the Civil War left scars, but it also left a legacy that influences our lives today."

Virginia and Pennsylvania have millions apprpriated for anniversary events, but many other states are in the same boat as Ohio.

The Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act, which would have established a national, federally funded committee to organize commemorative events, was introduced to Congress in 2009 and again last March, but was never passed.

Jackie Barton, director of education and outreach for the Ohio Historical Society, said if Ohio had provided funding it would have been used to help individual community activities.

Many areas across the state are planning events but will have to fund them on their own.

"We're providing support by helping to coordinate these and to get the word out, but if we had funding we would be able to give financial support and grants for these programs," Barton said. "Right now, communities are even having to pay us mileage if they want us to come there and we just don't have the staff and cash to be everywhere."

Several entities have helped plug that gap, with the Ohio Community Service Council awarding a grant to fund AmeriCorps volunteers to help communities plan events. American Electric Power has also given a grant and the Ohio Humanities Council is funding a traveling Civil War exhibit.

There is a special exhibit planned in Marietta, but it will take all of 2011 to raise funds and get it to the Campus Martius Museum, said museum historian Bill Reynolds.

The kickoff to the 150th anniversary is officially in April, since that's when the war's first shots were fired upon Fort Sumter in South Carolina in 1861, but celebrations are going on throughout 2011 and beyond.

It will be 2012 when an extensive Civil War anniversary exhibit, borrowed from a private collection in Dayton, opens in Marietta, but it will remain on display for at least three years, said Reynolds.

"It's the largest collection of local Civil War items I know of, and most, if not all of it, has never been seen by the public," he said.

The exhibit consists of several hundred pieces, including photos and personal objects that belonged to Civil War soldiers.

"The focus of the exhibit is going to be non-political, with a focus on the individuals," Reynolds said. "We had many local soldiers killed in the war, and this will include some of the community reaction at the time as well. Everybody here was on the edge of their seats, living in fear, for four years."

The museum currently displays only a small section of Civil War memorabilia.

Many Ohio towns, and the state as a whole, have more direct links to the war than most people realize, said Barton.

"Ohio sent as many soldiers off to war per capita as any other state ... the vast majority of communities saw men go off to war and women were left here running the crops and businesses," she said.

More than 50 Washington County-area soldiers died in Tennessee's Battle of Shiloh alone.

Some of the best-known people of that era had Ohio ties, including Gen. George Custer, who grew up in Ohio, and Harriett Beecher Stowe, who based her famous writings on her time in the state. Don Carlos Buell, the longtime highest-ranking officer of the western Army, was born in Lowell.

There were other ties as well, from the local Underground Railroad participation to Buckeye Furnace, the southeastern Ohio company that made most of the iron used in the war.

Anniversary events will begin in Ohio on April 10 at the Statehouse in Columbus, but there will be lasting projects that go beyond events as well, said Schuette.

That includes an AmeriCorps effort to digitize documents and preserve collections from that era for Ohio Memory, an online database.

"That's something that may not have been done in commemorations before," said Schuette. "It's not flashy, but in the end it's going to help historians and help save history."

Another long-term project is the marking of the 560-mile Morgan's Raid Heritage Trail through southern Ohio, including Meigs County. The trail marks the path Confederate soldiers made in 1863 when they came from Tennessee to cross enemy lines into Indiana and Ohio.

The raid, during which Confederate soldiers destroyed bridges, railroads and government stores, struck fear into Ohioans and led to the only Civil War military action in Ohio: The Battle of Buffington Island, where 750 of Confederate commander John Hunt Morgan's men were captured. The rest surrendered in northern Ohio.

Informational panels will be added to the trail, telling the story, by 2013.

Though there was little fighting in Ohio during the war, the upcoming milestone is a way to show how much impact there was, said Barton.

"We're also hoping this anniversary will help define Civil War history in a much broader way," she said. "Not just by the battles and military action but by the consequences. When you talk about democracy, freedom, race relations ... you're really looking at the Civil War being a pivotal point in American history."

Looking for assistance in Marysville

2010-12-22T08:33:00.001-05:00

July 4th weekend, the Union County Historical Society is looking for reenactors to help kick off Civil War 150th Anniversary activities in Marrysville, Ohio, with a living history display in 2011. They also are looking for a unit to help lead the Marysville 4th of July Parade.

If any unit or reenactors are interested, please contact Lt Col Chris Smith from 2d Battalion at clsmith@5thohio.com He will put you in touch with the museum director.

No Gettysburg Casino Interview with Ken Burns

2010-12-06T15:19:00.006-05:00

Debate on controversial Gettysburg casino goes national

2010-12-06T15:11:00.000-05:00

Yahoo News

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will soon decide whether to greenlight a controversial casino project a half mile from Gettysburg National Military Park. Ahead of the decision, leaders of the local grassroots opposition to the project have roped in some big-name history buffs to star in videos that argue the casino will be a blight on the memory of the Civil War soldiers who died there in 1863.

"Placing a casino proximate to this battlefield is profane," documentary filmmaker Ken Burns says in one of the videos against the project, below. "It would be just a horrible thing to in any way detract from the experience of Gettysburg."

President Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter, Susan Eisenhower, Pulitzer-Prize winning biographer David McCullough, and Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha also appeared in video interviews laying out the reasons they oppose the casino. Actor Sam Waterston urges residents "not to sell out" in an ad that appeared on local TV stations, and ads on bus stations around the Pennsylvania state capitol carried messages like "They died here to build a country, not a casino." An anonymous donation to the Civil War Preservation Trust and volunteer work have helped pay for the videos and ads, according to No Casino Gettysburg spokesman Jeff Griffith.

Casino developer and motorcycle dealer David LeVan argues the project will create jobs and will go up on a site that is already developed, The Eisenhower Hotel. "I'm happy to report the vast majority of Adams County residents stand shoulder to shoulder with us in this effort," LeVan said at the latest hearing, based on polls he commissioned, according to The Gettysburg Times. Opponents argued his polling question did not mention the distance of the casino from the park, the main point of dispute.

The head of the No Casino Gettysburg group Susan Paddock tells The Lookout she is worried the casino will not attract many new tourists to the town and will "turn off" the heritage tourists Gettysburg attracts now. If the casino were moved farther from the site, most of her fears would disappear, she says.

"I would personally like to see a buffer zone around the national military park," she said. "If this casino had been proposed 10 miles away probably two-thirds of the opposition would disappear."

One local paper, the Harrisburg Patriot News, editorialized in favor of the casino this weekend, dismissing concerns that the gaming operation will change the character of Gettysburg. The Philadelphia Enquirer and the York Daily Record have taken stands against the project, while the Hanover Evening Sun declined to endorse either side in the argument, according to a round-up by the No Casino Gettysburg group.

"The plan is not to construct a casino on the battlefield but at the existing Eisenhower Hotel and Convention Center," the Patriot-News argued. "It is about two miles from the main entrance of the battlefield to the main entrance of the Eisenhower. Visitors on the battlefield likely won't even see it."

LeVan proposed a casino a bit farther away from Gettysburg national park in 2005. But that project was shelved, due in part to the activism of local residents such as Paddock, a social worker who is again leading the charge against the casino. Griffith from the No Casino groups notes that the economy has worsened since 2006, so they are facing a more difficult battle this time around. A local pro-casino group outnumbered the opposition at a recent gaming board hearing.

In response, Griffith and Paddock have sought to make the opposition more national this time, bringing in Burns and other public figures to argue the park is hallowed national ground. The Civil War Preservation Trust has collected more than 30,000 signatures opposing the project, and commissioned a report that concluded the casino would not be good for the local economy based on the experience of Vicksburg, Mississippi, another town adjoining a famous Civil War battlefield.

LeVan disagrees, and his group released a report claiming the casino would create more than a thousand jobs and boost local businesses. The Gaming board makes it decision Dec. 16.

The Reenacting Channel

2010-12-02T14:57:00.003-05:00

Lt Col Smith from our 2d Battalion has put together a YouTube channel just for video clips from reenactors, their family and friends. This includes clips from all living history time periods. We want to feature videos taken at the events where the Division and units participate.

To watch the videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/ddayquartermaster. To submit your videos, email a link to your YouTube upload to clsmith@5thohio.com.

Web Resources for 150th Manassas

2010-11-30T11:00:00.001-05:00

To help stay up to date on details and planning for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Manassas / Bull Run, here are a few links to bookmark.

Manassas Visitor's Center

Reneactment General Information

Info for reenactors

150th Manassas Facebook Page

150th Manassas Registration

2010-11-25T08:12:00.002-05:00

As part of the First Volunteer Brigade/First Federal Division, members of Birney's are coordinating with this organization as part of the military structure at Manassas. Please read this IMPORTANT information below.

Good day Gentlemen,

I hope this message finds you and your companies well. For those of you who could make it, thank you for making this past Remembrance Day a great one! I will have notes on the Brigade meeting completed and sent to our website soon.

Looking ahead to our schedule. The 150th Manassas event was discussed at the Brigade meeting and it was decided to make this one of our Brigade events for the year.

The event is being held July 23 and 24, 2011 on the Pageland Farm. From what we are hearing registration could be a problem if you wait too long to register.

No walk-ons will be allowed at this event.

The website states they will take registration until a sell out. If your company is going, please register as early as possible - in December or as early in January if you can.

Please also note, the registration is not considered complete until the event received and cashes your check.

When registering for USA Military Affiliation - use the check box for FIRST FEDERAL DIVISION.

Below is the link to the 150th reenactment of the first battle at Manassas.

http://www.visitpwc.com/reenactment/reenactors.html

I will send any other information as it becomes available.

Thank you all. A very happy Thanksgiving to the FVB.

Your obedient servant,
Doug Snyder
Captain
Brigade Clerk

Birney's Division 2011 Schedule of Events

2010-11-22T12:35:00.004-05:00

For all of you who didn't make it to Gettysburg this past weekend for Remembrance Day, you probably missed the best weather this event has ever seen. The temperature was comfortable, sky was clear, and the sun made the colors on the battlefield all that more vivid.

The Annual Birney's Division Meeting was held Friday evening on the East side of town. General Baldwin visited with us and gave us the run-down on a special series of events to kick off the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War all during the month of April, 2011. This will conclude with a special event at Gettysburg with camps, activities and skirmishes on part of the actual battlefield.

The rest of the schedule was discussed and several new units were welcomed to the family.

Saturday morning started with our traditional Masonic ceremony at the Friend to a Friend monument near the National Cemetery. Thank you to Brother Captain Bill Andrews for organizing this.

Later in the day was the Gettysburg Remembrance Day parade ending on Cemetery Ridge. Thank you to all of the organization's members who turned out. Excellent job.

From there it was shopping and exploring the battlefield. Capt Van Meter lead a walk across Pickett's Charge so our folks could understand what the southern troops had to go through to reach the Union lines. I encourage all of you who have not done so, to take the time and make the walk at your next visit.

For your correspondent most exploration would be done on Sunday due to a sore foot encountered the day before. As luck would have it, I ran into Mike and Frank from History Channel's "American Pickers" on the streets of Gettysburg. Friendly guys. They are going to have an upcoming program on Civil War memorabilia.

I highly recommend that you try and get to Remembrance Day next November. For those of you who have never been, it is a great way to wrap up the season.

For a complete list of Birney's Division 2011 events, go to http://www.birneysdivision.org and visit the EVENTS SCHEDULE page.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Your Servant,

Christopher Smith, Lt. Col
2d Battalion

Canton Museum of Art plans collaborative Civil War exhibition in Ohio

2010-11-09T09:20:00.001-05:00

By Gary Brown
CantonRep.com staff writer

Think of the Civil War as a form of art.

A war that brought death and discord to a country a century and a half ago could — on its 150th anniversary — breathe life into the Canton-area arts community and foster a spirit of collaboration among those who dwell in it.

At the center of the local celebration of the sesquicentennial of the start of the “War Between the States” in 2011 will be the exhibition “A Nation Divided.” The exhibition at Canton Museum of Art will be part of a broader-based collaboration of several Northeast Ohio cultural agencies: Canton Museum of Art, Kent State University Press, Kent State University Museum and Western Reserve Historical Society.

Museum of Art Executive Director M.J. Albacete hopes the Civil War exhibition will draw in other Stark County cultural and historical groups.

The Civil War themed collaboration was born when Will Underwood of Kent State University Press approached Albacete about putting together an exhibition in conjunction with a collection of Civil War photographs and other graphic materials that KSU Press is publishing with Western Reserve Historical Society.

Read the rest of the story: http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x742803416/Canton-Museum-of-Art-plans-collaborative-Civil-War-exhibition

Masonic Service at Gettysburg Remembrance Day

2010-10-27T16:35:00.004-04:00

To all of our Masonic friends:

We are holding the annual Masonic service at the Masonic Friend to a Friend Monument on Saturday in Gettysburg during Remembrance Day weekend. The official start time at the Monument off of Steinware Avenue is 10:30 am. The service is open to the public. All Masons and non Masons are welcome. Hope to see you all there.

Edward Kelley, Commanding
Birney’s Division
First Federal Division, Army of the Potomac

Birney's Division Annual Meeting

2010-10-26T16:04:00.002-04:00

November is here already and the Division will hold it's annual planning meeting in Gettysburg, Remembrance Day weekend on November 19th, 7:30 pm, at Hoss's Steak House (1140 York Road, Gettysburg, PA - Click HERE for a map).

We will be discussing events for 2011 which will be the first year in the Civil War 150th commemorations across the US.

DON'T FORGET, the Division will be marching in the Remembrance Day Parade Saturday through the streets of Gettysburg. We encourage all members and units to attend. We will be forming behind the high school starting around 11 am.

Members of the Division will also hold a Masonic presentation at the "Friend to a Friend" monument near the cemetery at 10 am Saturday morning.

First Call! Cold Harbor

2010-09-13T18:40:00.003-04:00

The next major Birney's Division Civil War reenactment will be Cold Harbor, held on October 2-3, 2010 in Perryopolis, PA. This event is held on a wonderful piece of ground and features period buildings, trenches and breast works. One of the highlights is the motion-picture scale pyrotechnics.

All Federal units who plan to attend should relay the following to the specified personnel.

1. Name of unit attending.
2. Number of military personnel.
3. Will you have an officer or NCO in charge?

Units within, or participating with, these battalions should email the requested information to:

1st Battalion: Lt Col Rohrbaugh - cpldlr160@comcast.net
2d Battalion: Lt Col Smith - clsmith@5thohio.com

Artillery and Cavalry units should send information to Capt Murphy - ltmurph54th@yahoo.com

More information on the reenactment can be found on the Events page at http://www.birneysdivision.org/

Ft. Sumter garrison event 2011

2010-09-09T15:07:00.003-04:00

I have been contacted by Mike Doyle of FVB/1st Federal Division concerning the Fort Sumter garrison in Charleston, SC next April to kick-off the 150th ACW Anniversaries. Mike is one of the national coordinators for this event.

Lord willing, I am signed up as duty Bugler for this event and plan to attend with 3rd DV Field Music.

There will be a very limited command structure there, with highest rank for Company H being probably a First Lt. which will be filled by Mike Doyle and/or General Baldwin's Staff. I however, would still be on site as an advocate for Birney's interests.

We currently have about 24 signed up for this and the goal is 50. When the 50 goal is reached any remaining interested parties will be put on a back-up roster to fill in for anyone that is unable to attend. There will be two companies, Co. H and E as historically to total 100 men as it was in 1861 with Colonel Anderson.

I have included the correspondence from Mike explaining the details and the link for the uniform and equipment requirements, which I think are very liberal for this event...the goal should to meet the highest standards they have listed for this type of immersion event...IMHO

We will be guests of the NPS and they will be handling boat transport to and from Sumter as well as providing the rations.

Let me know if you are interested so I can keep a tally of Birney's personnel and contact Mike as well so no one is missed, but do so without delay. After Birney's has a shot at attending, it will be opened up to the other orgs... USV, National Regiment... etc...

Any questions, contact me.

Best regards,
D. Rohrbaugh, Lieut. Col.
1st Battalion Birney's Division

(this was sent to FVB 1st)

Gentlemen,

This is my first email contact with you as a group. It is a partial list of those who want to attend and I will be adding names as I get their email addresses.

Registration will be opening up very soon for Fort Sumter and I want us to be the first to get on the list.

Once the 50 man total for company H has be achieved the registration will be closed.

We will be occupying the fort from Sunday, April 10th until Thursday, April 14th.

Please get the word out to everyone who you think or know may be interested in attending this unique event with us. Please have them email me at this email address or call me at 410-549-6125. Time is of the essence!

I've attached the website of U.S. Regs. and standards for you to review. http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/sumterstandards.htm

After we have all registered, there will be a meeting scheduled to answer any questions and share information with the group. We will plan to have work shops to get our uniforms and accoutrements together and to help others who are interested in making their own items.

For those of us who can't attend the meetings or workshops, detailed notes will be taken and emailed out to you.

This is a once in a life time event and it kicks off the 150th commemorations of the Civil War across our nation. I can't think of a more honorable and exciting way to participate in the 150th's then to be a part of this very unique event.

Thank you,
Mike Doyle

Expanded features on the Division News page

2010-09-09T10:51:00.002-04:00

A few months ago, our organization launched a new website that would be able to keep up with changing information. Today, we have expanded a few of the services on the Division News page to include the following:

- Easier to read posts.
- A search box that will allow you to find information faster.
- A data polling box which will enable members to respond to various questions.
- The ability to a Division News to your RSS reader.

We look forward to your feedback and hope to continue to add more functions in the future.

Faces of Birney's Division

2010-08-24T16:24:00.004-04:00

We got lucky this year and had a number of excellent professional photographers show up at Hale Farm. Here is a series of pics that features a lot of familiar faces from our organization.

http://www.flickriver.com/search/hale+farm+civil+war

Photos from Hale Farm

2010-08-17T08:37:00.001-04:00

The following link is a great set of photos from Rodney Johnson taken at Hale Farm this past weekend. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/rudyj58/10HaleFarmReenactment

Birney’s Division - After Action Report – Hale Farm, 2010

2010-08-16T16:49:00.003-04:00

This year was a big change for the event at Hale Farm and Village. Everything from the organizational structure to the camps and the battle scenarios themselves. For many months the staffs from the Army of the Ohio and the 2d Battalion of Birney’s Division, along with Medich’s Battalion on the Confederate side, have been working together with the HFV team to develop a whole new approach to the event.

The first major change was moving the Federal camps into the village. I have been putting that idea on the table for years. Filling the green up with military streets is something you have not seen at Hale in 12 years. It is an impressive site. I hope it worked out well for everyone and I would very much like to hear your feedback. We didn’t get any complaints as people came in. They seemed to be pretty happy with where they ended up. Before you send in the one gripe I am expecting, we know wood was an issue. HFV will continue to work on that. However, I did receive photos this morning of a great number of left over piles of wood in the camps. With that I wonder why we keep hearing of a shortage.

The other big change was to the battle scenarios. The over-all Federal Commander Col Bob Minton from the Army of the Ohio is quite a visionary when it comes to looking at a piece of ground and developing a unique combat scenario. Contributing to this was the addition of Confederate Cavalry. With 30 mounted riders and 150 Reb infantry, against just shy of 200 Federal rifles, plus artillery on both sides, this was the biggest and most even “dust up” at the sleepy little home of Jonathan Hale in quite a number of years.

Saturday:

The morning started off indicating things to come. Steamy and hot. Though the majority of the Federal Army didn’t know it, the Confederate forces would start this engagement by bringing the fight right into our camps in the village. Thank you so much to everyone who stood a guard post and especially the 5th Ohio Sharp Shooters and 83rd PA for their key roll in identifying the enemy as they approached.

Consisting of cavalry and infantry, the boys from the South hit the camps like a sledge hammer. 2d Battalion quickly got tangled with Rebs from two sides but we pushed them out of the back end of town as the 1st Battalion engaged to push them back through the middle. Once 2d Battalion moved Col Medich and his boys across the fence and into the North Pasture, we held up on the road waiting for the signal to move forward and cross the fence ourselves. This signal was in the form of Col Perry’s men being pushed out of town and across the fence about 100 yards further down the road by the 1st Battalion.

Let me take this moment to talk a little about scripted scenarios. I know there are many times when people in the ranks say or think, “Why aren’t we doing this?” or “Why are we doing it THIS way?” Though some things may seem odd at times, just remember I am guiding us through a scripted combat presentation that includes visual cues of when certain things are to happen. If the timing gets out of sync, you may have to idle until it realigns. It is just like a script for a movie or TV show. Everyone wants to see Rudolph fly, but you can’t until they sing the song about the Island of Misfit Toys (See… I bet you never thought you would read a reference to “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” in an After Action Report, but there it is. Now you can tell your grandchildren about it).

Just at the moment things were getting back on track, someone went down with the heat. Saturday was in the mid-90s and the heat index was 109. That is a danger zone. With having already fought for a half hour in the village, and a lag time in the arrival of ice in the lines, people where overheating. The original plan was for the battle to explode out of the village and to see soldiers from both sides streaming over the fences as the fight moved into the pasture and in front of the spectators. Once we stood down while the ambulance attending to the person in need, it really let the wind out of our sails.

Though I think everyone would have been happy as clams if the battle had concluded with just the fight in the village, we had an obligation to the paying public to conduct the portion of the battle meant for them. I appreciate that some units had to retire. I also appreciate those who continued the fight once we got into the pasture. I will never ask you to do more than you are willing to do. One of my primary jobs at a Battalion Commander is to be concerned with your safety and to make sure you go home Sunday night in one piece.

The battle in the North Pasture seemed like it would be a simple task compared to the village but with Confederate cavalry swarming everywhere, we still had a way to go. 2d Battalion was to push the ANV across the field but the cav had slaughtered the 1st Battalion so Col Medich came after our flank. I wasn’t expecting that but he went after a target of opportunity as he should have. However, once we became entangled, I said F it (literally). I don’t want anyone in hand to hand and though we were supposed to win the day, I couldn’t see a way to stay on scenario as we were pined on all sides. The Colonel and I had a brief pow wow and he suggested that I leave someone guarding them and they would escape. Poor Sgt Maj Donahue got rifle-butted and Col Medich and his men pulled away to come at us again along with the cav, with Col Perry and the ANV still at our front. This must have been at this point where I dozed off, because when I woke up, we had “won”. How that happened, I have no idea! General Kelly and Gen Maffei from the Division were also on the field to support the boys from the Battalion. Maybe they saw something I missed, like… a Sherman tank that came to our aid!

Sunday:

After a good rain shower Saturday evening, the cooler temperatures on Sunday where welcomed. As is tradition, many reenactors began packing up the things they would not need in preparation for departure later that afternoon. There was also a lot of free time during the bulk of Sunday for church, sutlering, getting a wet plate photo taken, etc.

As we did at the Zoar event last year, Birney’s and Army of the Ohio held a Brigade Dress Parade.

From there we went to our staging area for the battle which took place in the North Pasture which would hold a number of surprises. The key to this battle was keeping the crowd looking over us from behind while we engaged the Confederates in the wooded heights. Eventually the Rebs would push us closer and closer to the spectators so they could feel as if they were in the fight right behind the main lines.

Though we “lost” on Sunday, the action made up for the unexpected stutter in the fight on Saturday. Many of you came off the field and said, “THAT was a hell of a fight!!”

As we say in the film and video business, it’s in the can. Another Hale Farm has come and gone with smiles all around and thoughts about next year already.

Just from my perspective, I have a number of people that I want to thank…

Col Minton for his planning and leadership, and the Army of the Ohio staff especially Col Rusche and Lt Buker. Good friends and good times.

To the Birney’s folks, Maj Gen Kelly and Brig Gen Maffei for coming over and seeing how we have fun in Ohio. Capt Penix and Lt Strichko for their EXEMPLARY work as adjutators. Maj Van Meter and again Capt Penix for operating the Battalion Wings. And Sgt Maj Donahue for coming over to lend his “find a way to get it done” talents and voice!

All of the soldiers and officers who busted their hump in the Battalion and made my job look easy (even if I don’t call for a right face before marching out sometimes).

Our "foes" Col Medich and Col Perry.

To Pam, Patty, Joy, Kristy and Jen for helping keeping Bob, Dave, the junior staff and I watered and fed along with their own Company.

Certainly not last, Kelly and Beth from HFV who, especially in the last month, tied this thing up with a nice little bow and made the event happen.

With the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War beginning next year, large regional events such as Hale Farm and Zoar are going to be as key to bringing history home to our neighbors and friends as national events such as Manassas and Gettysburg.

Respectfully Submitted:

Christopher L. Smith, Lt Col
Commanding 2d Battalion
Birney’s Division

Hale Farm - First Call!!

2010-08-05T09:34:00.002-04:00

The first Birney's Division max effort event in Ohio is almost upon us. The 2010 Civil War reenactment at Hale Farm and Village will be August 13-15, 2010. As of today, there are over 600 reenactors registered.

At this time, I am asking for the following information from the units participating...

1. Unit name
2. Email contact
3. Number of military personnel
4. Number and type of tents
5. Are you already planning to merge with another company?

Please email this information as soon as possible to clsmith@5thohio.com

For directions to Hale Farm, visit their web site at http://www.wrhs.org/index.php/hale

Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing all of you there!

Your servant,
Lt Col Christopher Smith
Commanding, 2d Battalion

Upcoming Birney's Max-Effort Event

2010-07-23T08:36:00.002-04:00

This is just a reminder to get your registrations turned in for Hale Farm, August 14-15 in Bath, OH. At our annual meeting last year, the Division chose this as a max-effort event. Things are looking good but we need to get the registrations turned in (especially from the units is PA). We want to have a 100 plus man battalion on that field. If there any cav and artillery units who wish to come, please contact me as soon as possible prior to registration.

The Federal Army will be made up of units from The Army of the Ohio, USVs, Vincent's Brigade and Birney's of course. The Confederates will consist of Medich's Battalion and the ANV.

For those of you in the Ohio who have not had the change to meet our commanding general and chief of Staff, both Maj Gen Kelley and Brig Gen Maffei will be there.

There will be a large engagement on Saturday and Sunday for the public that will introduce several new elements to what we have done before, and the much anticipated tactical has returned to the event just for the reenactors.

This will be the largest Hale Farm in years and for those who have never been to the facility, you are in for a treat. There is so much to see and do at this historical village and farm. Plus, the event holds what is considered the best Saturday night dance at any reenactment in the region.

CLICK HERE for registration information: http://www.wrhs.org/index.php/hale/augustdrumspage

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lt Col Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com

AAR: Funkstown

2010-07-19T13:12:00.000-04:00

Greetings everyone,

The event at Funkstown this past weekend went very well. We had about 240 reenactors registered for the event up from 64 last year...the first year the town council took over the event.

A more reenactor friendly event you will not find as the participants from 1st Battalion and Artillery will attest to. Plenty of good wood, 5 gal bottled water and close at hand sinks...but, beyond that... The 97 PA string band was there all weekend, meal tokens issued for a Saturday meal of your choice at Fire Company stand (which served food at reasonable cost all weekend)and a Saturday evening fireworks display that was on par with any fourth of July display you will see. The cars were parked off site, out of view (but reasonably close) and they ran shuttles to parking when needed. Ice, on site 10 lb bags for a buck and a half...camping in shaded corpse of trees and everything very handy.

We foraged the town on Saturday morning and not only gathered a decent amount but were guests of the Hoffman family of Funkstown who provided a spread fit for a king. Country ham, pulled pork, fresh made lemonaide, all kinds of pies...etc....etc... After, foraging we did a morning street battle down Main street in Funkstown...was pretty decent. A well attended late afternoon early evening battle on the orginal battlefield (right next to camp) capped the day. Fireworks end kicked off the barn dance , music by the 97th Pa string band. Sunday morning, the fire company had a "all you can eat" breakfast $6 or use your meal token. Sunday also brought a 1 pm tatical that also went pretty well, done early and home in time to rest up.

It became very apparent that the whole town is supporting this event...so many folks (including Mayor and Council members)coming by and expressing thanks to the reenactors for being there. Always checking to see what was needed or wanted.The fire company also had an on site AC aid station and did blood pressure checks, hydration assesments and so forth...or was just a place to get cooled down quickly if needed.

A full but not hurried schedule for the weekend provided a relaxing and interesting event.

I appreciate the support of the Birney's units in attendance!

I think they would agree this little event is a real "gem"!

I remain, respectfully & c.....,

D. Rohrbaugh, Lieut. Col.
1st Battalion Birney's Division

First Call: Argus Park

2010-07-19T13:02:00.004-04:00

This weekend will be the bi-annual Civil War reenactment at Argus Masonic Park in Canfield, Ohio. At this time I would like to as for the following information from any Federal units attending...

1. Name of unit and affiliation if any.
2. Number of military personnel attending.
3. Will your unit have an officer/nco in charge?

Please email this information to the Federal Commander Lt Col Christopher Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com.

When you arrive on site PLEASE see Maj Don Van Meter before you set up.

Help a fellow reenactor - used reenacting goods now listed

2010-07-17T20:35:00.003-04:00

As I mentioned last week, I am helping a fellow reenactor and Freemason who has fallen ill. He is also a 30 year veteran of the US Army.

There is a wide variety of items for Rev War, F&I, Civil War and WWII reenactors. More will be going up next week. Especially the Rev and F&I goods. There will also be some weapons going up in the next few days.

Please visit www.ddayquartermaster.com and click on the link for USED REENACTING ITEMS.

Thank you!

Christopher Smith
Commanding, Birney's 2d Battalion

AAR: 147th Gettysburg

2010-07-07T09:13:00.001-04:00

To: HDQTRS 1st Battalion, Birney’s, 1st Federal Division

Sir:

The following report is from 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, on the actions around and in the vicinity of Gettysburg, Penn.

Lead elements of the Battalion were already at a camp location about 5 miles outside of town when 2nd Company arrived. My company consisted of men who were transferred to my command when the campaign started. Troops of the 54th PVI, 142nd PVI, 11th PVI, and 5th Ohio Sharpshooters were combined under the command of myself, 1LT Guilliams, and 1LT Hicks. We arrived at the camp around 3 o’clock in the afternoon and began setting up company headquarters.

July 2nd : Our battalion along with elements of the 1st Federal Division and 2nd Division were engaged on the outskirts of town. 1LT Guilliams was in command of the company as CPT Murphy was assigned to be the Battalion Adjutant. 1LT Hicks was placed on sick call for the day and did not participate. After a brief encounter with two rebel regiments, we were forced to withdrawal. Casualties in my company were light with none killed and 2 wounded. Pickets were posted for the evening and the men bedding down for the night.

July 3rd : The battalion again was formed for action. We deployed with the brigade at a wheat field with a stone wall and spilt rail fence accompanied by a battery of artillery. After a stubborn defense at the wall, overwhelming numbers forced us to retire to the fence for another stand. After bloodying the rebels they were forced to halt their advance. The volume of fire from the battalion proved to be too much. I must say the fire from my men was outstanding. We held our position until darkness and then retired from the field back to our camp. Casualties for the company were 2 dead and 4 wounded.

July 4th: The Battalion was ordered to the center of the divisions line along a stone wall as a defensive rest. At around 3 o’clock the rebel artillery began to barrage our position with little effect, as the rounds were impacting behind the lines. After the barrage ceased, two North Carolina regiments advanced to our front. As they reached the Emmitsburg Road the brigade opened fire with a devastating effect. The closest the rebels got to the wall was about 15 feet. As the enemy withdrew a chant of “Fredericksburg” could be heard and soon was taken up by the men of our brigade. Most of them veterans of the attack on Fredericksburg.

The next morning our company was ordered to break camp to start with the pursue of the remnants of the Army of Northern Virginia. Scattered musket fire and artillery could be heard at the lead of the column but the company was not engaged.

All told our total casualties of the campaign were 2 dead and 6 wounded. This report is the best of my memory of the proceeding.

I remain sir, your most obedient servant,

M. Murphy, Captain
2nd Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Federal Division

Information on Perryopolis in October

2010-06-17T10:39:00.002-04:00

A Birney's Division event, this is a great way to end the reenacting season at a location built specifically for Civil War reenactors.

Located in southwest Pennsylvania, features include five period buildings including headquarters, barracks for the troops, and quartermaster's store. The full-scale trenches and breast works, along with motion picture level pyrotechnics, help complete the Cold Harbor scenario.

For registration and contact information, click here. You can also visit the event Facebook page.

Old Bedford Village update

2010-06-07T21:29:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that the Birney's Division event at OBV will be held on June 19-20 in Bedford, PA. If you have never been to Old Bedford Village, you are missing one of the best events in Pennsylvania!

Registration is still being taken and you can get information on the website at http://www.oldbedfordvillage.com/. General Kelley will be on site Friday morning to assist you as you enter the venue. There will be several new battle scenarios that promise to keep things hopping!

IMPORTANT: Due to one of the planned scenarios, NO ONE is to set up camp in the TOWN SQUARE. There are plenty of prime spots so please do not set up in the town square in front of the main barn.

At this time, we would like to get some initial numbers. Units, please report if you are coming and how many military personnel will attend.

If you are in 1st Battalion, please send your information to Lt Col Rohrbaugh at cpldlr160@comcast.net

If you are in 2d Battalion, please send your information to Lt Col Smith at clsmith@5thohio.com

Cavalry, artillery, and other organizations who receive this message should report their numbers to the Brigade Adjutant, Capt Murphy at ltmurph54th@yahoo.com

We very much thank you for your support. It is this event that keep the gates of OBV open to the public and reenactors alike.

First Call: East Harbor

2010-06-07T14:33:00.002-04:00

This weekend will be the 2d Battalion event in Marblehead, Ohio at the 7th Annual East Harbor Civil War Weekend.

Last year we had a great time and there are even more goodies in store this weekend. The event is going to feature the CSS Hunley traveling exposition (which includes a full scale replica of the Confederate submarine), and a Saturday night concert by legendary Civil War musician Bobby Horton.

This year we will also feature a field tactical allowing junior officers to conduct operations against a large force.

At this time, I would like to get a head count of units and number of personnel attending (this includes those units in other organizations that will be participating with the Battalion). Please forward the following information as soon as possible:

1. Is your unit attending the event?
2. How many military personnel will be attending
3. Will there be an officer and/or NCO in charge

Please send this information to: clsmith@5thohio.com

For more information and directions to the event, go to http://eastharborcwevent.bravehost.com

Call for Volunteers for Old Bedford Village Event

2010-05-25T08:37:00.000-04:00

To All Commanders, Military, and Civilians:

Please forward this to those planning to attend the June 18-20, 2010, event at Old Bedford Village.

If you would be interested in the opportunity to hold a brief talk (30-45 minute) with a civilian-related topic, a demonstration, or an activity (such as a rounder's game, etc.) please contact me as soon as possible. Roger Kirwin, executive director of Old Bedford Village, has asked me to organize a program of civilian talks and activities for this year's event. I hope to begin finalizing the civilian schedule by June 2.

A welcome meeting will be held in the church on Friday evening which will review the activities planned for the weekend and other potential opportunities to be involved with the public (such as a looting scenario or portrayal of a refugee). So, please plan to attend if you are able. We plan to include a dance, kids' battle, ladies tea, church service, and swap meet among the weekend's activities.

Donations of cookies would be welcomed for the Saturday afternoon's ladies tea.

Thank you for your consideration. I'll look forward to hearing from those who might be interested in the opportunities at Old Bedford Village and hope to see everyone at the event.

Best Regards,

Brenda Geary-Bucek
Civilian Coordinator for the
2010 Old Bedford Village event
Email: DewBeDew@aol.com

East Harbor registration closing soon!

2010-05-21T11:08:00.004-04:00

The registration for the reenactment at East Harbor State Park in Ohio will be closing in 1o days. Please make sure you get yours sent in as soon as possible. We want to see a good turn out from Birney's Division!

Here is the website for registration and other info: http://eastharborcwevent.bravehost.com/

Hale Farm Update #1

2010-04-07T08:34:00.002-04:00

For the first time in many years at the Hale Farm event, the Federal Army will be camped in the town and the civilian camps around and among the buildings. It will be an impressive site to see all of the company streets in the town green. We will also use the wooded areas around the town for the campaigners.

Another exciting addition this year will be the use of cavalry. The event has never used cav on horse back and this will be a welcomed feature.

One of the things we are trying to get back to with this event are the basic experiences of the Civil War that so many of us joined the hobby for in the first place. In other words, bring plenty of power!

Stay tuned for more...

Division max-effort in Ohio

2010-04-05T15:29:00.003-04:00

The Civil War Reenactment season is upon us once again. Please mark your calendars for Hale
Farm & Village's Civil War Reenactment, August 14 & 15, 2010. This year, Hale Farm & Village is excited to grow this spectacular event.

This is a maximum-effort event for both Birney's Division and Army of the Ohio on the Federal side, and Medich's Battalion on the Confederate side. This promises to be one of the largest Civil War events ever held at Hale Farm.

As in years past, Civil War reenactors will enjoy the usual amenities, including battles in the North Pasture on Saturday and Sunday, a complimentary supper on Saturday night provided by Hale Farm & Village, and the Civil War Ball.

As we approach the sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2011, Hale Farm & Village and the
Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) are pleased to add new opportunities for reenactors and visitors to rediscover the many ways in which Ohioans played a key role in the war. This year, Hale Farm & Village presents a new public program on August 14, Dinner with Abraham Lincoln, a meal of historic portions presented by the museum's Historic Foodways department in the Gatehouse Visitor Center as well as a Civil War-Era Wedding. Civil War Reenactors who participate in the encampment will receive a significant discount on this spectacular new event (see the registration materials at www.halefarm.org).

Additionally, Hale Farm & Village's event management team, Kelly Falcone-Hall (VP, Hale Farm), Becky Carlino (Director of Community Engagement, WRHS, and Event Manager) and Beth Pamula (Operations Manager and Civil War Reenactor) are pleased to announce a new Civil War Roundtable comprised of reenactors, units, divisions, and staff who will meet throughout the year to discuss opportunities to mark the 150th anniversary and discuss ways to improve this annual event.

If you'd like to get involved, please contact Becky Carlino (carlino@wrhs.org) for more information.

Finally, the WRHS, Hale Farm & Village are honored to be part of a statewide commission to
celebrate the Civil War sesquicentennial, the "Civil War 150." See www.ohiocivilwar150.org for more information.

We look forward to your participation in the Civil War Reenactment at Hale Farm and Village.
Registration for the event must be returned by July 30, 2010.

Division drill and tactical

2010-03-08T09:27:00.003-05:00

This is just a reminder about the Birney's Division School of the Battalion and tactical in Perryopolis, PA on April 24-25. If your unit still needs to register, email Mike Murphy at ltmurph54th@yahoo.com and check out the Facebook Event Page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=179758132935

I want to stress that we hold our annual drill weekend not just to wear more leather off of the bottom of everyone's shoes. It is important that we blend our various units together to work as battalions so we are better able to perform in a cohesive and SAFE manner when on the field. TRAIN LIKE YOU FIGHT AND FIGHT LIKE YOU TRAIN!

I know none of us like to march and drill for hours on end, but safety in our hobby may dictate some day that if you don't show up for a drill weekend or at drill during an event, you won't be permitted to take the field. It is getting that serious folks.

In case you missed the info on the event, here it is again. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Chris Smith
2d Battalion

We will kick off the 2010 season with a Division event at Perryopolis the last weekend in April. This will be a no-cost event.

As in past years we are offering training for our members with a twist. This school will be on battle tactics and maneuvers and will focus on the practical application of this material. We encourage your whole unit to attend. THIS IS NOT AN OFFICER/NCO SCHOOL. It is for all reenactors.

We plan to run the schooling from morning to afternoon. After discussions and dinner, we will engage in a tactical so the participants can apply what was learned earlier. The Department of Northern Virginia will be there in force along with other Confederate units creating a target friendly environment for both sides. We will then resume with another tactical on Sunday morning early enough so everyone will be on the road before or around noon.

We encourage you all to attend and bring as many of your folks as you can to join in the fun and education.

Don VanMeter receives award

2010-02-19T08:25:00.002-05:00

On February 13, 2010 Argus Lodge #545 F. &A.M. in Canfield honored Brother Donald Van Meter, one of it's longtime members with The E. Tom Brown Award.

The E. Tom Brown Memorial Award was established to honor those who have given Service Above Self to the principles of Freemasonry and have been an Ambassador of Argus Lodge.

Brother Van Meter has coached and educated many of Argus' new members.Brother Van Meter lives in North Jackson and is a 32 Degree Mason of The Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment Civil War Reenactment Unit in which he is a Captain and Commander. He graduated from South High school in Youngstown, Ohio in 1959, retired from Republic Steel in 1982 and served as a 2nd Class Radar technician in the US Navy from 1961-1965.

Argus Lodge is part of the 24th Masonic District, which is composed of twenty-six Lodges in four Ohio counties, with roughly six thousand five hundred members.

Report from the Birney's Division Annual meeting

2009-11-20T22:33:00.002-05:00

Hi all. Sitting here in my hotel room after the Division meeting in Gettysburg this evening. We had and excellent discussion to wrap up the 2009 season and look to event in 2010.

On behalf of General Kelley and the staff, the following is the Birney's schedule for 2010:

April 24-25, Spring School of the Battalion and Tactical for Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry
Perryopolis, PA (Division event)

June 12-13, East Harbor, Sandusky, OH (2d Battalion event)

June 19-20, Old Bedford Village, Bedford, PA (Division event)

June 26-27, March to Destiny, Shippensburg, PA (1st Battalion event)

July 2-4, 147th Gettysburg, Gettysburg, PA (Division event)

July 17-18, Battle of Funkstown, Hagerstown, MD (1st Battalion event)

July 24-25, Argus Park, Canfield, OH (2d Battalion event)

August 14-15, Hale Farm, Bath, OH (Division event)

September 18-19, Third Winchester, Luray, VA (1st Battalion event)

October 2-3, Cold Harbor, Perryopolis, PA (Division event)

November 20, Remembrance Day, Gettysburg, PA

More details will be posted on the schedule on the Birney's event page at http://www.birneysdivision.org/ later this week.

Looking forward to another exciting year!!!

Your Servant,
Christopher L. Smith
2d Battalion

Masonic Ceremony at Remembrance Day

2009-11-06T19:09:00.003-05:00

On November 21, 2009, Birney's Division will hold the 2nd annual Friend to Friend Masonic Ceremony at the Friend to Friend monument in Gettysburg at 10:30 AM. We had long thought that this particular function was needed and after many requests we started this solemn ceremony to honor the Masons that fought in the Civil War on both sides. This is a fitting tribute to those men and we would like to invite all Masons and non Masons to attend no mater your affiliation in reenacting, you are welcome. We hope that you all can attend.

Regards,
Major General Ed Kelley
Birney's Division
Commanding

A Civil War Harvest Meal

2009-11-03T12:42:00.001-05:00

November 21, 3:00 pm - The start of a NEW Hale Farm tradition! Join us for the 1st Annual Civil War Era Harvest Meal in the Hale Farm Gatehouse. Did you know that it was in 1863 that President Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November to be a national day of thanksgiving and so the national harvest festival holiday was born. A harvest dinner is served up with historic class. Consider wearing your favorite Civil War era costume when you join us! For ticket prices and reservations call 330-666-3711. Admission for the Harvest Meal is: $25 for Adult WRHS Members, $35 for Adult non-members, $15 for children (3-12) and age 2& under is free. Group rates are available for 15 or more people.

Birney's Division 2010 Planning Meeting

2009-10-19T18:03:00.002-04:00

Birney's Division will hold its annual meeting to discuss the 2010 Civil War reenactment events that the Division will officially participate in on a national or regional level.

All units from the infantry, cavalry, and artillery should try to send at least one representative if the unit commander is not able to attend.

Please feel free to post your thoughts about events here on the Birney's Division Meeting Event page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157751699717

For more information, contact BGN Maffei at: general_maffei@verizon.net

As usual, this meeting is held on the same weekend as the Remembrance Day parade in Gettysburg.

Friday, November 20, 2009
7:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Hoss' Steak House
1140 York Rd.
Gettysburg, PA

PRIORITY: Cedar Creek update

2009-10-15T16:24:00.003-04:00

For those of you going to Cedar Creek this weekend, I wanted to pass on some priority information. As I am not able to attend, 2d Battalion members should make sure to report to Lt Col Rohrbaugh upon arriving at the Birney's Division camp. He or one of his staff members will give you your assignment.

Now, as everyone knows, I am a "green light" kinda guy no matter what the weather. However, I just got off of the phone with Col Maffei and here is the report:

Friday - 90% chance of rain, 39 high, 37 low
Saturday - 100% chance of frozen mix, 41 high, 33 low
Sunday - 60% chance of frozen mix, 47 high, 36 low

Winds will be between 10 and 20 mph.

If you are going, please take this into account with regard to travel and equipment. We certainly don't need half of the Division down with the hacking snots (unless the Rebs are too... then I think we will be ok).

I will try and post any updated information on the event as it is relayed to me.

Sincerely,
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
2d Battalion, Birney's Division

Zoar AAR

2009-10-14T08:55:00.004-04:00

Better late than never. Dave had this writen but I tried to find a hole in the schedule to take the time to post.

I DO want to thank everyone who participated and especially Dave Strichko for his outstanding adjutating job, and Kevin Skaggs and Don Van Meter for their work as the Wing Commanders. Cheers to all!

Lt Col Christopher Smith
Commanding, 2d Battalion
Birney's Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------

24th September 1864

To Commanding Major General Edward Kelly Birney's Division
After action report for engagement at Zoar Ohio 19 & 20th September 1864

Sometime on the morning of the 18th September 1864 scouts from the 51st OVI reported a sizeable Confederate force concentrating on the outskirts of the town of Zoar. Immediately the order was sent to all available troops in the area to march towards Zoar and bring the army together as quickly as possible to block the Rebel force. Throughout the 18th and early hours of the 19th our troops arrived in small groups and we set up camp on the east side of town near a school house. Our camp site was very favorable for the army with water and firewood in good supply and the men in general appeared to be in good spirits even with the knowledge that battle was emanate.

By the morning of the 19th September 1864 the 2nd battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Smith was able to muster 119 men and officers fit for duty. Units that were present were the 7th OVI, 23rd MI, 9th and 10th PA reserves, 61st OVI, 5th Independent Company Ohio Sharpshooters, 2nd USSS, 5th OVI, 105th OVI, 83rd PA, 110th OVI, 4th OVI co B, 4th OVI co E, 9th OVI and the Ohio Henry rifles. Combined with the 124 men and officers of the 1st battalion we were able to field 243 men and officers for the Union under the overall command of Colonel Minton. Rebel forces were estimated around 400 including 20 or 30 cavalry and 5 or 10 pieces of artillery. Scouts from the 51st OVI also reported that the confederates were under the command of General Jake Jennette and were looking to give the Federal army a fight on Union soil.

In the early hours of 19th September 1864 Colonel Minton and his staff along with Lieutenant Colonel Smith and our staff met to devise our strategy for the battle that was sure to take place on this day. As we all personally went to inspect the Rebel positions and we confirmed that Confederates were holding the high ground in the form of a ridge that overlooked what would end up being our place of battle. Colonel Minton decided that we would march the army around to the far side of the field and he would personally lead 1st battalion in the initial assault. The Union army was formed up around 1300 hours and started the approximate 1 mile march to the far side of the battle field. At around 1400 hours Colonel Minton led 1st battalion out on the field with skirmishers in the front of the army to test the Confederate strength. Soon after taking the field 1st battalion came under cannon and rifle fire from the rebels and the confederate cavalry was soon to follow and flush out our skirmishers. The push from 1st battalion was able to capture and turn to rebel guns but was still taking heavy casualties. Colonel Minton who was hoping to preserve the strength of our army was forced to call upon Lieutenant Colonel Smith to bring up 2nd battalion to stave off the rebel advance and hold the ground that had already been won. Around 1420 hours 2nd battalion received this order and was quickly formed and thrown right in to the fight. Ground was gained and then lost and then gained again with both sides taking heavy casualties. Finally after quite a scrap we were able to drive the rebels from the field but new they had not retreated far and were still lurking in the distance ready for another fight. We then took about the task of tending to the wounded and headed back to camp to refit the army, take rations and rest up for what ever the rebels had planned next.

At around 2000 hours reports came in that the rebels were reforming on the ridge around the battlefield and we quickly gathered a force of approximately 100 men to test their strength. As darkness fell Lieutenant Colonel Smith sent out a probe of skirmishers led by Captain Kaminski of the 5th OVI to locate and determine the enemy strength and within 5 minutes the fight would begin. A mixture of rifle fire and cannon would continue for about half an hour until both Armies still tired from the afternoon's engagement retired from the field.

In the early hours of the 20th of September 1864 reports would come in from the pickets that the rebels were planning on a move again but these reports were just a false alarm and hostility was not carried out by the Confederates at this time. The men would spend most of the morning tending to themselves and some would attend local church services as well. For the most part the morning was uneventful with the exception of a patrol of about 50 men lead by Captain Schinness of the 7th OVI. While out on patrol they were able to capture a Confederate prisoner; Brigadier General Waffler. After returning the prisoner to camp Colonel Minton turned him over to Lieutenant Colonel Smith for questioning. We were unable to secure much useful information from the general and we felt it best to feed him with false information and send him on his way. Around 1220 hours Colonel Minton wished to see the brigade on parade as to size up what he had at his disposal for what we all new would be another battle. Shortly after dress parade would begin reports came in that the rebels were at it again and we were quickly on the march to stop them. Soon we would be on the same battle field as the day before and this time 2nd battalion suffering fewer casualties then 1st battalion would lead the assault. Just as we did on the 19th of September we would deploy pickets and skirmishers ahead of the main force and they would quickly be thrown back be rebel skirmishes that were reinforced by artillery and a strong column on cavalry. Federal forces would do their best to hold the ground pushing then having to give back ground. After suffering almost 75% casualties 2nd battalion was forced to retire to the rear and 1st battalion would move forward to try and stave of the overwhelming Confederate force. Around 1400 hours Colonel Minton was forced to make a temporary truce with the rebels so we could attend to the dead and wounded. We would quickly do so and break camp and with draw the army in order to refit and resupply the troops. What can not be explained is the Confederates who had won the day had also broke camp and started the march back south. Scouts report that after stretching their supply lines over their limits the rebels have decided to retreat back to the safety of Winchester Virginia and now the President has ordered us to follow. With the orders being handed out the Army is to concentrate it forces around the Cedar Creek area; if all goes as planed we should be able to have a sizeable Federal force in that area no latter then 16th or 17 October 1864.

Your obedient servant,
1st Lieutenant David V. Strichko
Acting Adjutant 2nd Battalion Birney's Division

September 24, 2009
Now move forward 145 years.

Gentleman first off I would like to thank all of you for coming out and supporting this event and for putting up with me as a rookie adjutant; it was truly a privilege and honor to serve at this position for what I personally think was a well planned and well executed event from all sides of the field. There are many who deserve our thanks and gratitude but none more then are pards from the 51st OVI who truly worked their butts off to make this event a big success; our collective hats go off to you. To Colonel Bob Minton and the staff of the Army of Ohio it was truly a pleasure to work with you all this weekend and I look forward to working with you again. To Lieutenant Colonel Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Skaggs (USV) and Major Van Meter I thank you for all your help and support this weekend; and again a big thanks to all the men and officers who with out you none of these events big or small would be possible. Well I think I have been long winded enough and will get off my soap box, I look forward to seeing some of you at Cedar Creek next month and for those of you that are not able to attend have a happy and safe off season and I will be looking forward to seeing you all on the field again in 2010.

Your obedient servant
1st Lieutenant David V. Strichko

AAR Perryopolis

2009-10-10T13:52:00.000-04:00

Headquarters, 1st Battalion, Birney's Division
Station: Perryopolis, PA
Date: Oct. 4

Arrived in Perryopolis Sunday morning and was assigned field command of the contingent of 1st Battalion soldiers consisiting of the 105th PVI and the 11th PVI. Conducted Battalion drill at 10 AM and went over in excess skirmish drill with both companies. Broke for lunch and relaxed waiting for the battle to occur later that day. Battalion numbers were close to 30 rifles with 2 artillery pieces supplied by Col. Bob Bailey. Took up defensive position behind railroad tie fence supported by artillery on both our flanks.. Deployed Sgt. Mark Hauser's 11th PVI to our fron as a skirmish line on the road, protected by a split rail fence, kept the CPT Towarnicki's 105th PVI in reserve behind the railroad ties. Rebel infantry and artillery occupied breastworks about 75 yards to our front. Both sides artillery opened fire to soften up fortified positions for the infantry assault. As the artillery lightened up, advanced the 105th towards the road to support the 11th. Rebel infantry numbering close to 50 rifles pushed out of breastworks and advanced. Fell back to the railroad ties and enflicted light casualties on the enemy. As they began to retreat back advanced again in battalion front and inflicted heavy casualties as the Rebels fell back. Took light casualties. Deployed a squad to the right of the rebel line under 1st SGT Koch and continued to push the rebs back in to the breastworks. Closed in on the breastworks and ordered a bayonet charge, the battalion rushed the works and captured one artillery piece as well as the remainder of the confederate command in the works, to include there commanders. Casualties on our side were heavy by the end, about 13 dead. Rebel casualties were even higher losing about 30 soldiers.

I would like to thank CPT Towarnicki and SGT Hauser for there help on the field, as well as Gen Kelley for the opportunity to lead the battalion.

Respectfully Submitted,

CPT Michael Murphy
Acting Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, Birney's Division

Early photo reports from Zoar

2009-09-21T12:40:00.002-04:00

Here are a few early incoming photograph links from Zoar this past weekend. AAR to follow. If you missed it, start beating yourself with a blunt object now.

Friday

Saturday (includes night battle)

Sunday

Zoar Dispatch #2

2009-09-16T08:13:00.002-04:00

Gents,

We are just a few days away from Zoar and here are some updates and need-to-knows. Please make sure you pass these on you your entire unit.

REGISTRATION:

As of the registration on September 11th, Birney's has 76 infantry on paper. Here is what we are showing as a breakdown:

5th Ind. Ohio Sharpshooters - 5
83rd PA Vol. Co. I - 6
114th OVI - 2
61st Co. D - 2
105th OVI - 27
5th Ohio - 9
9th PA Res. - 4
114th OVI - 2
HQ - 1
9th OVI - 7
4th OVI - 11

I am not clear on which 4th OVI is represented on the report. There is a chance it is a combination of both.

There are currently 55 from the US Volunteers, and potentially 25 from Vincent's. These numbers may go into the Army of the Ohio. 2d Battalion looks to be well over 150 men.

IMPORTANT! Because we have so man reenactors coming, camp setup is critical. Lt Col Skaggs and I will be at the event starting Thursday evening. DO NOT set up your tentage until you check in with the 2d Battalion HQ. The Battalion (including families) will be set up behind the school house off of 5th Street. Look for the 2d Battalion guidon to find headquarters.

TACTICAL MARCH:

For those of you interested in the march prior to the tactical on Sunday, please check in with 2d Battalion HQ no later than Saturday morning. Sergeants, it might be a good idea to get a count when you are turning in your morning reports.

This is the one we have been waiting for the last two years. The weather is going to be perfect, Cool and clear. The numbers are outstanding. I am looking forward to seeing all of you there!!

Submitted;
Lt Col Christopher Smith
Commanding, 2d Battalion

Zoar Dispatch #1

2009-09-13T11:21:00.002-04:00

Good morning gents. Over the next week, I will be passing on anumber of messages about Zoar to keep you up to date. PLEASE pass this info on to your unit members!

As you have already read, registration has officially gone over 1000 reenactors. The last Zoar event had a 30% walk-on rate. Do the math. If you have not registered yet, please let me know if you plan to walk-on so we have some possible count.

Our Federal battalion will be made up of Birney's Division, US Volunteers, and Vincent's Brigade. The expected count to be around 150 to 175. Our Wing commanders will be Lt Col Kevin Skaggs from the USVs, and Maj Don Van Meter from Birney's.

The other Federal battalion under Lt Col Chuck Rusche is made up of the Army of the Ohio and other western troops. It will be about the same number of men.

Col Minton from the Army of the Ohio is the over all Federal commander and I can tell you he has been working his but off!

The tactical is on! This will take place Sunday morning. For those who wish to participate, we will also have a march from Ft. Laurens (about 3 miles) and join the rest of the Army going into the tactical. Yours truly will be leading the Federal infantry on the march. I expect some mischief from Confederate cavalry.

Please be aware, with three battles (Saturday afternoon, a Saturday evening battle, and Sunday afternoon) and a tactical, PLEASE be sure to bring plenty of rounds. The national commander of the Army of Norther Virginia, General Jennette, is personally commanding the Confederate forces this weekend so I expect quite a dust up!

www.zoarcivilwar.com

Submitted:
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Commanding 2d Battalion

Event Reminders

2009-09-13T09:00:00.003-04:00

Here is a list of up coming reenactments. Please check out the Event page at http://www.birneysdivision.org/

September 18-20 - Battle on the Ohio-Erie Canal
Zoar, OH

October 2-4 - Perryopolis
Perryopolis, PA

October 16-18 - 145th Cedar Creek
Middletown, VA

A message from Hale Farm

2009-08-31T14:08:00.002-04:00

Dear Hale Farm & Village Civil War Weekend Participants,

On behalf of Hale Farm & Village and the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS), we would like to extend to you our appreciation and congratulations on a successful Civil War Reenactment on August 8th and 9th 2009. Hale Farm & Village partnered with National City, now a part of PNC, to present the 17th annual Civil War Reenactment at Hale Farm & Village. Nearly 3,000 people came to Hale Farm & Village for this weekend event, including 400 re-enactors!

In our opinion, the high point of both days came with the moment of silence and playing of Taps in the field following the battles. As public historians, there is no greater satisfaction than observing the impact of living history moments such as these on our audiences. The re-enactment community succeeded at Hale Farm that weekend in its mission to keep the history of the Civil War - arguably the seminal event in American history - alive in the hearts and minds of our visitors. Huzzah!

Hale Farm & Village and the WRHS enjoys presenting this annual summer event and we realize that your dedication and passion for the presentation of Civil War history only makes this an even more memorable weekend for our visitors and staff alike.

We look forward to having you back next year so mark your calendars for August 14th and 15th 2010.

Sincerely,
Kelly Falcone-Hall & Becky Carlino
Vice President, Hale Farm Director of Community Engagement