Event Idea for 2012

[mississippian]

Gents,

Now that the 150th's are on us, I think it's time to start planning events here in the Mid-South, so our region of the country isn't left behind. I have an idea for a event and I'd like to see if there would be any interest in it.

Time frame: Late April 1862, after the battle of Shiloh.

Scenario: Initial stages of the Advance towards Corinth. Confederate Outposts vs. the cautious probing of Halleck's Federal Army

Impression:
C.S.: Hardcastle's 33rd MS Inf (aka 45th)
U.S.: TBD

Event Goals: An immersion event. This event to be along the lines of the "Outpost" events. The Federals would have a short march, then deploy to probe the C.S. line. Federals would then form their own picket line and dig in.

Event Size: One regiment per side, say 300 C.S. and 400 U.S. (I know I'm crazy but I think it can be done.) With a small company of cavalry per side.

Conflicts: Might conflict with the Semi-Annual McDowell event that I just know that the fellows out east are going to put on.

Tie-ins with other events: Might be interesting to hold the event in conjunction with a 150th Shiloh LH that would take place a few weeks earlier. Could use the same impression at both events and create a "flow" between the two events.

Dates: Say Apr. 27th-29th 2012.


Comments? Ideas?

Will MacDonald

[Preston Todd]

That's not a bad idea at all for a scenario. I think it would be very fullfilling to put on a situation during that campaign, which is rarely recognized. However, did you have a place in mind to do this? And unfortunately, getting 700 authentics to a western themed outpost event probably isn't going to happen. While the authentic events and the "EBUFU" stuff is doing well, I never see event participation get over 300 overall. So, unfortunately the idea would have to be realistically scaled down from a 400 man federal force.

It's a neat idea though, I'm not so sure where you could put on the event exactly where digging rifle pits and defenses are not a problem. I'm starting to find out that properties that don't allow digging of any sort are a bit redundant for the campaign/combat type events. When we did "outpost III" there wasn't any digging allowed, so it makes it kind of hard to make outposts without the ability to dig a rifle pit or a defense of sorts. We just laid down on top of the grass. Any idea on a location?

[mississippian]

Preston,

Finding the land is one of the hardest parts. You're right of course, being able to dig rifle pits and other works would be a key part of the event. I can think of one or two places that might work, but I would love to have more options. One of the reasons I posted here were for suggestions of places that I might not think of or am not familiar with.

As for numbers, I have reason to be optimistic, I think that by 2012, the economny will have recovered a good bit and that the hype around the 150th events will bring in more new reenactors as well as vets who have fallen away from the hobby in recent years. I also think that by co-operating with the more "progressive" elements of certain main-stream battalions, you can form the building blocks for several companies. The key is to get the various organizations and egos working together and to feel like that they have a stake in the outcome of an event.

[charlesheath]

OP3 was retarded. Let's not go there.

[10tvi]

How about the Sugar farm property?- It's pretty large and I suspect, considering the small scale we'er talking about, as long as we don't dig up his hayfields and filled in anything we did dig he probably wouldn't object-plus Charles would get to see some old tractors:-)

[causes2b1]

Mr. Burton spoke to me before the Winter Garrison event about the possiblity of doing something on his property. I'm not talking about the Sugar Farm, but where he actually lives a few miles down the road.

He told me that his land is where the Confederates camped the night prior to the assault at Davis Mills. He mentioned that it would be an ideal spot for earthworks and the such. He would have to be kept very much in the loop, though, since it's his land.

[mississippian]

John,

Sent you a PM.

Charles,

I don't intend to go like OP 3. More like OP 1.

[charlesheath]

We called OP 1 by the name OP99 and OP 2 by the name OP2K just to keep 'em clear. Yeah, I like old tractors. That would be nice.

[pogue]

I broke a bottle of Paddy's in my knapsack at OP1. My blanket smelled great.

[charlesheath]

Funny how the OP99, OP2K, and TAG organ grinding folks weren't involved with the creation of TAG2/OP3.

Just sayin'. Nobody run out tonight and smack their grandma, but you know it is true.

Carlo's Farm is a nice piece of property....I'm sure I screwed the pooch on that name, tho.