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.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Zoar event coming soon!
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Share the Civil War
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
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
Monday, August 08, 2011
Second Call! Hale Farm
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...
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
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.
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
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Civil War Reenacting is Hot!
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
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
After Action Report: 150th Manassas
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
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
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Changes at Century Village
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
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
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
First Call! Hale Farm
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
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
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