Congratulations to our friend Bob Minton, Commander of the Army of the Ohio, who has been elected to serve as the Commanding General of the First Federal Division organization. Bob will command the Army of the Ohio for the remainder of the 2014 season as they work through the transition. Best of luck to General Minton. Birney's Division looks forward to continuing the great relationship.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Friday, January 03, 2014
2014 Winter Encampment at Perryopolis
This is just a Reminder that the 2014 Winter Campaign will be held on February 8- 9. Here is just a brief overview of the events of this training weekend.
• Battalion Drill: US and CS combined
• Company Drill
• Officers Training
• NCO Training
• Practical Tactical - Company / Squad will take what was learned in training and apply it to the battlefield in combat. Each Company/Squad will be expected to execute specific maneuvers in a judged tactical.
• This event is CLOSED to the public.
There is NO registration fee for this event. If you would like to attend please email us at perrycivilwar@gmail.com or register via our website just so we can get head count.
We want to make clear that there are heated cabins to set up quarters in. As always, you are free to tent out if you wish.
Further information involving the Winter Campaign can be found on our website at www.perryopolis.webs.com in the reenactors section.
• Battalion Drill: US and CS combined
• Company Drill
• Officers Training
• NCO Training
• Practical Tactical - Company / Squad will take what was learned in training and apply it to the battlefield in combat. Each Company/Squad will be expected to execute specific maneuvers in a judged tactical.
• This event is CLOSED to the public.
There is NO registration fee for this event. If you would like to attend please email us at perrycivilwar@gmail.com or register via our website just so we can get head count.
We want to make clear that there are heated cabins to set up quarters in. As always, you are free to tent out if you wish.
Further information involving the Winter Campaign can be found on our website at www.perryopolis.webs.com in the reenactors section.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Holiday wishes from the General
TO ALL MEMBERS OF BIRNEY’S DIVISION
A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL:
This past reenacting season we have seen many changes and celebrated some historical events together. Talk around the hobby was “all I want to do is make the 150th Gettysburg and then I’ll call it quits” and there were some who did leave the hobby. Understandably health issues took precedence over any desires of those who wanted to remain in the hobby and for others age and mobility might have caught up with them.
The question that I often wonder about is how do you leave the hobby? After so many years of doing what we do, planning your vacations, free time and family outings around a schedule of events and functions unrelated to anything in today’s world. Over the long season of winter quarters we look for any reason to put on the wool and spend some time with our reenactor friends, planning our next great adventure and reminiscing all the great battles and events of the past. Many of us have been in the hobby for most of our adult lives (some even longer) and we continue year after year to enjoy the hobby and the company of our friends.
For those who have left the hobby we wish them the best and hope that the transition from reenacting to civilian life goes easy for them, as they should always remember our special brotherhood of Civil War reenactors will never forget them.
2014 will be another special season with 150th year events and we hope that all our members will be there to commemorate them with us.
May all of you and you’re families have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Respectfully,
Michael D. Maffei
Commanding General Birney’s Division
A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL:
This past reenacting season we have seen many changes and celebrated some historical events together. Talk around the hobby was “all I want to do is make the 150th Gettysburg and then I’ll call it quits” and there were some who did leave the hobby. Understandably health issues took precedence over any desires of those who wanted to remain in the hobby and for others age and mobility might have caught up with them.
The question that I often wonder about is how do you leave the hobby? After so many years of doing what we do, planning your vacations, free time and family outings around a schedule of events and functions unrelated to anything in today’s world. Over the long season of winter quarters we look for any reason to put on the wool and spend some time with our reenactor friends, planning our next great adventure and reminiscing all the great battles and events of the past. Many of us have been in the hobby for most of our adult lives (some even longer) and we continue year after year to enjoy the hobby and the company of our friends.
For those who have left the hobby we wish them the best and hope that the transition from reenacting to civilian life goes easy for them, as they should always remember our special brotherhood of Civil War reenactors will never forget them.
2014 will be another special season with 150th year events and we hope that all our members will be there to commemorate them with us.
May all of you and you’re families have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Respectfully,
Michael D. Maffei
Commanding General Birney’s Division
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes
- The meeting was called to order by Maj Gen Kelley at around 8:00 PM at the Gettysburg Fire Hall.
- 1st item discussed was the early retirement of commanding General Ed Kelley. Brig Gen Maffei presented Gen Kelley with a plaque of appreciation and ALMOST had a tear from Gen Ed. Until he fired back with a usual “Edism”. We appreciate Gen Ed’s service and dedication for making Birney’s Division one of the premiere reenactor organizations in the country and we will carry that reputation and distinction forward.
- With the retirement of Gen Ed, Brig Gen Maffei will step in as overall commander of Birney’s retaining his current rank. Other promotions were as follows:
-
It was noted that with Birney’s being a member of the
Army of Potomac, Middle Division, is only a change in name only and will not
affect our structure or status in any way, shape, or form.
-
Col Baltzer talked about an NCO/Officer school to be
conducted at Perryopolis in early May (See schedule). With that school he is
asking that all company commanders and units send him any ideas for topics to
be covered at the school. The school was
last done about 5 years ago and was a general success overall. Gen Maffei noted
that Perryopolis does have the capability to house soldiers without the need
for canvas, with period barracks and other buildings on site.
2014 Birney's Division Schedule
Optional Events:
- The meeting was called to order by Maj Gen Kelley at around 8:00 PM at the Gettysburg Fire Hall.
- 1st item discussed was the early retirement of commanding General Ed Kelley. Brig Gen Maffei presented Gen Kelley with a plaque of appreciation and ALMOST had a tear from Gen Ed. Until he fired back with a usual “Edism”. We appreciate Gen Ed’s service and dedication for making Birney’s Division one of the premiere reenactor organizations in the country and we will carry that reputation and distinction forward.
- With the retirement of Gen Ed, Brig Gen Maffei will step in as overall commander of Birney’s retaining his current rank. Other promotions were as follows:
o Col
Rohrbaugh – Chief of Staff
o Col Josh
Freeman – Commander, 1st Battalion
12-13
April: 1st Battalion Muster, Chambersburg, PA (1st BN)
3-4 May: Officer
and NCO School, Perryopolis, PA (Division
Event)
17-18 May: 150th
New Market Anniversary, New Market, VA (1st
BN)
14-15 June: Old
Bedford Village, Bedford, PA (Division
Event)
26-27 July: Argus
Park, Canfield, OH (2nd BN)
9-10 Aug: Hale Farm,
Bath, OH (Division Event)
6-7
September: Beaver Creek State Park, East Liverpool, OH (2nd BN)
4-5
October: Perryopolis, PA (Division
Event)
18-19
October: 150th Battle of Cedar Creek, Middletown, VA (Division Event)
14-15
November: Remembrance Day, Gettysburg, PA (Division Event)
Optional Events:
5-6 April: 150th
Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, Dublin, VA
1-4 May:
150th
Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse, Spotsylvania, VA
21-22 June:
Shippensburg, PA (Col Rohrbaugh)
4-6 July: Battle of
Gettysburg, Gettysburg, PA
12-13 July:
Lee’s Retreat, Williamsport, MD (Col
Rohrbaugh)
19-20 July:
Lee’s Retreat, Funkstown, MD (Col Rohrbaugh)
6-7
September: Luray Caverns, Luray, VA (Col Rohrbaugh)
Monday, November 25, 2013
Major General Kelley retires
Later today, Captain Murphy will be posting the full minutes from the 2013 Annual Birney's Division Meeting held in Gettysburg this past weekend. However, the biggest news to come out of the meeting came from Major General Ed Kelley. The founder and commander of the Birney's Division organization announced his retirement from the hobby. General Kelley also promoted Brigadier General Mike Maffei to command of the organization.
Other staff changes announced included the appointment of Dennis Rohrbaugh as the organization's Chief of Staff. Colonel Josh Freeman will be taking command of 1st Battalion.
During the Remembrance Day Parade in Gettysburg Saturday, the formation of Birney's troops stopped to render a salute to General Kelley in the gallery in front of the Regimental Quartermaster store. A great debt of gratitude is due to the General for all of the hard work and sweat he has put into Birney's Division. His partnerships with some of the leaders in the reenacting community has enabled the organization, and its members, to play a key part in Civil War history events throughout the eastern United States.
Best wishes to Ed. Remember sir, there is always a seat around the campfire for you!
Other staff changes announced included the appointment of Dennis Rohrbaugh as the organization's Chief of Staff. Colonel Josh Freeman will be taking command of 1st Battalion.
During the Remembrance Day Parade in Gettysburg Saturday, the formation of Birney's troops stopped to render a salute to General Kelley in the gallery in front of the Regimental Quartermaster store. A great debt of gratitude is due to the General for all of the hard work and sweat he has put into Birney's Division. His partnerships with some of the leaders in the reenacting community has enabled the organization, and its members, to play a key part in Civil War history events throughout the eastern United States.
Best wishes to Ed. Remember sir, there is always a seat around the campfire for you!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Birney's Division Annual meeting next weekend
The 2013 planning meeting for all Birney's Division members will be held in Gettysburg the weekend of the 150th Anniversary of Remembrance Day. All are welcome to attend as we set our event schedule and discuss plans and programs for the 2014 season.
The meeting will be held Friday, November 22nd at 8 pm. The location will be the Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Hall located at 35 N. Stratton St. off of York.
Other Birney's Division activities this weekend will be our Masonic Service at 10:30 am on Saturday the 23rd at the Friend to a Friend monument near the national cemetery. This is also open to all.
Following the Masonic service, we will be forming up behind the high school for the Remembrance Day Parade. Please look for a Division staff member to find out where to form up.
Safe travels to everyone.
The meeting will be held Friday, November 22nd at 8 pm. The location will be the Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Hall located at 35 N. Stratton St. off of York.
Other Birney's Division activities this weekend will be our Masonic Service at 10:30 am on Saturday the 23rd at the Friend to a Friend monument near the national cemetery. This is also open to all.
Following the Masonic service, we will be forming up behind the high school for the Remembrance Day Parade. Please look for a Division staff member to find out where to form up.
Safe travels to everyone.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Ohio Civil War Reenactors Conference this weeked!
November 2, 2013 - Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH
The Army of the Ohio and the 2nd Battalion of Birney's Division are once again hosting the Ohio Civil War Reenactors Conference THIS WEEKEND. This event was a great success last year and is open to all ranks, military and civilian. All branches, Union and Confederate. We highly encourage you all to attend.
The conference will again be held at the Ohio Historical Society. However, we will be in the main history center utilizing the large auditorium inside for the main sessions. We are grateful to OHS and the Columbus Blue Jackets for sponsoring this years conference which helps to absorb some of the costs.
You can download the Conference flyer and registration form at www.birneysdivision.org/schedule. Please take note that the registration fee is based on you staying for the Saturday evening dinner or not. There will also be entertainment in the evening and a chance to view the "Follow the Flag" exhibit featuring original Civil War battle flags and their stories.
More details to follow as we build the schedule and you can get the latest news at www.facebook.com/OHCWRC.
The Army of the Ohio and the 2nd Battalion of Birney's Division are once again hosting the Ohio Civil War Reenactors Conference THIS WEEKEND. This event was a great success last year and is open to all ranks, military and civilian. All branches, Union and Confederate. We highly encourage you all to attend.
The conference will again be held at the Ohio Historical Society. However, we will be in the main history center utilizing the large auditorium inside for the main sessions. We are grateful to OHS and the Columbus Blue Jackets for sponsoring this years conference which helps to absorb some of the costs.
You can download the Conference flyer and registration form at www.birneysdivision.org/schedule. Please take note that the registration fee is based on you staying for the Saturday evening dinner or not. There will also be entertainment in the evening and a chance to view the "Follow the Flag" exhibit featuring original Civil War battle flags and their stories.
More details to follow as we build the schedule and you can get the latest news at www.facebook.com/OHCWRC.
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