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Post by prestontoprail on Jul 25, 2006 15:42:06 GMT -6
So it seems that at some point near the end of this year or next year we will have some property at our disposal to host our own immersion events. Keeping in mind that the idea would be to do a real, intense, first person that pushes the envelope for outpost or small combat scenarios:
What are your ideas for such an event? I know that you guys have probably dreamt up some ideas for events that you've read and would love to create........just use the sky as the limit. I know that i've been talking to Adam cecil of the bully boys for a while about aquring land for Civil War trench warfare scenarios, so any ideas are welcome.
And this for ideas on "pushing the envelope" for activities....short of real ammo and bad food (for all you jack asses who will use that cliche).
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Post by tenfed1861 on Jul 25, 2006 16:58:31 GMT -6
Preston,I've got a couple of ideas,but they would require either a building,almost a church or courthouse,and such.One would be an early war war meeting.I've never seen one in all the photos and such,and I'd think it'd be cool to see.Do it as John Billings describes it:women trying to enlist,old men trying to sign up (sorry Carl),hot headed politicans,a traditional brass band,the works. The other would be sort of an early war send off picnic.Do a period picnic to "send the troops off".Again with the brass band and speeches.But also do some of the men in uniforms,a presentation of colors,marching off to "weeping wives,mothers,sisters". But I do like the trench warfare idea.All the "trench" events,in all honesty,suck ass.The trench is too small,too farby,no obsticles,just stupid bs.I'd say a trench event that looks almost like something from Petersburg or Vicksburg would be kinda cool.But that's just something small. The war meeting and period picnic are my big ideas.I guess Preston will now take idea number two. Cullen
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ed
U.S. Veteran
Posts: 17
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Post by ed on Jul 25, 2006 18:37:09 GMT -6
I love the trench idea. Rifle pits would be great too. We could make an event just based around building trenches and rifle pits. I have never been to an event with rifle pits for us to use.
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Post by pogue on Jul 25, 2006 18:48:58 GMT -6
Cullen,
Actually, your idea for the recruiting, speechifying, etc., is actually much easier to achieve than you think. You just need to find a historic home that might have some tie to such a scenario (there are dozens) and ask them to let you put on the event.
We did such an event at Jacksonport, Ark, several years ago. It was well documented what happened, so we were able to recreate it. We all got these cheapo battleshirts made and submitted them at registration to be put in a box for disbursement later. The ladies group that worked with us had actually sewn a replica flag for a presentation.
At the appointed hour, the politicians began making speeches, and the men in the crowd got rowdy with patriotic fever. Soon the recruiting officer stepped up and opened the books. We all lined up to sign our names in the book. After a picnic lunch, they had us fall in by height and called our name from the book and presented us with our "uniform", which each man promptly put on. Then the ladies presented the flag to our newly-elected captain. We all cheered and tossed our hats in the air. Then we marched off to get on the "boat" to Little Rock.
We had a dance that night.
It was a fun little event, despite the earthquake and tornado that hit that weekend.
I've always wanted to do an event in La Grange, but not a battle. Just a weekend of garrisoning the town, posting guards, drill, etc. There is an opportunity to have a travelling troupe present a play and maybe some other civilian interactions. A couple of companies of infantry would be about right.
I've got an idea for an event about guarding the railroad, but it is in the development stage. I know where there is a private rail line with little traffic, but still need to find land for the blockhouse. The rail line is on the original CW period bed.
Frankly, immersive events never get totally immersive. There is always some modern element involved, or the participants start modern discussions. It is totally on the participants to make it happen. You don't have to sit around talking about period politics or what you did before the war, but you can't talk about the internet, movies, gear or the drive down.
Joe
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Post by prestontoprail on Jul 26, 2006 10:20:26 GMT -6
Whoah, those are some impressive ideas for early war firper. And once again i'm jealous of Joe getting to do all these groundbreaking events through the years.......then again, he is ALOOOOOOOOT older then me. Just kidding.
Actually I was trying to gather some ideas for active military conditions. Something that could be accomplished with a well selected set of opposing federals and confederates. What are some things you have read about on marching campaigns, outposts, trench warfare or specific moments from major battles. I always had the idea of using wooden terrain to mimc specific moments or unit activity from major battles such as the wilderness, chickamauga, shiloh......or hell if you ever found a good steep hill with boulders it would make a nice scenario for little round top. The idea would be gather enough numbers to croud the space for up to 200 yards wide and focus on recreating the situation isolated from the big "gettysburg huppla" going all around you.
I guess I havn't been in too many "powder burning" scenarios that felt exciting enough. I know that we'll never have the horrible fear of lead flying around, but it is soo easy to treat it seriously as if you are actually trying to stay alive and defeat the opponent. The grand part is that none of us have to die, YIPPEE! I guess i'll post my insane ideas later..
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Post by Steven Cone on Jul 26, 2006 13:41:13 GMT -6
I have thought of somthing about simular Cullen.. the whole enlistment hype etc..
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Post by Timothy Arnold on Jul 26, 2006 15:36:00 GMT -6
As Preston said, these ideas are outstanding. Joe has something going with the LaGrange thing. That would be nice since its a few minutes from my house. And its funny he mentioned guarding a railroad, since federal troops were camped in my front yard guarding a railroad.
anyway. I believe that we can do something soon. Keep the ideas coming in. Because of the new availability of land near Ft Campbell thanks to Jim Page, one thing we need to focus on at this time is winter camp, entrenchments, etc... maybe even fortifying, if Jim finds it something ok to do with his property.
Lets expound on some ideas, and we'll get a core group of guys together within the next month or so to do some REAL planning, and not just talking. We're blessed with having several guys who have planned many events like the ones we've been talking about.
One idea is to keep it small at first... we'll get a good feel of the land and planning the first time or so around, then maybe if we feel that it can be pulled off, we may invite others if we feel like it. That sure is a lot of feeling.
Jim Page will return from Iraq in Sept. When he's ready, we'll head up and check out the land. As for now, we need to begin coming up with ideas and such.
Again, lets focus on winter camp, entrenchments, etc... maybe even fortifying...
Jim, if your checking this out feel free to chime in with anything that we should be aware of...
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Post by jimpage on Jul 26, 2006 17:12:56 GMT -6
I'd like to do something there this fall/winter if you're up to it. I get back on September 13th or so.
My farm has a fairly old hunting shack that looks alot like a winter quarters cabin. Maybe we can use it. Anyway, I'll entertain any suggestions you guys have. I'm not opposed to digging, building, etc.
Maybe I should describe the place for you:
My farm is located in western Kentucky (Between Benton, KY and Hardin, KY). That's about a 90 minute drive northwest of Ft. Campbell if you take HWY 68/80 through LBL.
The farm is all that remains of a 1000 acre plot granted to my ancestor for his service during the Black Hawk War. Over the years the tax assessor and marriages have wittled it down to 470 acres. 380 acres are located in one spot, and a second plot of 90 acres is less than four miles away (a short forced march!).
Both sections are sort of remote. There are neighbors (some closer than others), but they are few and mind their own business. No ringing telephone, powerlines, telephone poles, traffic noise, etc.
The largest plot has a centrally located white frame house, stable, corn crib, tobacco barn. The original house (1838) was destroyed to build the "new" house in 1912. The original house was visited numerous times by guerilla units from both sides during the war and the owner of the next farm was killed by them. His grave marker says "killed by Guerillas 1863".
It also has two small, forgotten cemeteries. The graves are marked only with field stones and cedar trees. My G-G Uncle (born in 1870) said he did not know who was buried there. All he knew was that they were "pioneer people from olden times".
The largest section is 75% heavily wooded and 25% fields (which are now growing corn). Rolling hills with small intermittent streams. Lots of vines, briars, and snakes to make you curse.
The smaller, 90 acres section is a god-awful swamp that ajoins a National Wildlife Reserve making it seem bigger than it really is.
Sorry to ramble on. If you have questions, let me know.
Jim
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Post by charlesheath on Jul 26, 2006 18:54:32 GMT -6
Joe,
The railroad event would be a lot of fun. Some suspended disbelief required, but the opportunity to guard a railroad is under represented. I'm there. Heck, two of us spent a portion of the day on an 1850s railroad grade doing some pre-event work for something else.
Preston,
I'm heading to one of those early war enlistment events this weekend. Frankly, 2005 and 2006 should have seen more of these events, but don't limit yourself to just 1861, as 1860 and 1859 and even earlier years can be prime for gathering the legally obligated militia. I like the even Joe described, too.
We did one of these a few years back with a little twist, and the idea was our part of the company was waiting for the other part of the company to arrive in camp (of course it never comes) and we had a bunch of little projects to work on, as well as some contests, and a couple of issues. I still use the striped haversack from that event from time to time.
Very nice ideas.
A question came up today about Stone's River, and in light of the nice NPS LH in blue last year, has there been any thought about doing something in gray at that location in the next couple of years? Having passed by there a number of times, I finally got off my duff and dropped in for a visit, and truly wished there was more time that day.
Charles Heath
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Post by pogue on Jul 26, 2006 19:11:40 GMT -6
Charles,
I knew you'd like the railroad idea. The downside is the private line only has older model diesel engines. The upside is that they run excursion rides in the summer, free as I recall. I've ridden the train on one of these excursions once. I was thinking we might latch onto one of these trips out with a couple of flat cars loaded with men and equipment.
Tim,
If you want to do the La Grange thing, maybe for a spring/summer drill, let me know and I'll lay out my plan. The city has sworn off events after the last one, but I think we might be able to convince them we have a better plan. There is a local guy there that helped organize the last one and we'll have to work around his farb ass.
Preston,
Yes, I'm a lot older than you. When you are my age, assuming you make it that long, you can tell young guys that you've done it all before, too. Until then, put up with me.
Joe
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Post by Timothy Arnold on Jul 26, 2006 21:22:39 GMT -6
Ok, great. Sounds like we'll be doing something this winter guys. As soon as its possible, we'll get some guys together and check it all out. I suggest we try our hand at a winter quarters first.
Lets brainstorm about this.
Lets look at schedules and see what is open for everyone. Open weekends seem to be December... 1st or 2d weekend, and January... I don't know of any "bad weekends."
Maybe the Green Bottle Mess will be able to provide some bottles for the weekend too...lol.
Things are really looking great for the Hard Case Boys, lets keep it up. It seems that alot of our guys will be coming off of active duty in 2007. Lets make the year good for our brothers.
Joe... shoot me an email, lets talk about La Grange. You'll have to come stay a weekend here, and we'll have a look around or something.
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Post by charlesheath on Jul 27, 2006 7:10:07 GMT -6
Joe,
I figured as much, but when you stop and realize how many lads have never been aboard a train of any kind, well, the tradeoffs may be worth it. A number of tourist lines with later model steam locomotives have Civil War Days......yes, I'll shut up now. Hooty Hoot! Gawdawful simply cannot describe some of those events.
This brings up another point, and that is of event concepts that went well, or just haven't been done in a while. Not everything runs neatly in the five year cycle, and not all the lads get a chance to attend the really good events, as evidenced by the Rich Mountain knapsack panic of July 2006.
Between RM and the 1857 Camping trip, I'm at full throttle again. On to 2nd Bull Run!
Charles Heath
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10tvi
High Private
Posts: 29
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Post by 10tvi on Jul 27, 2006 8:05:18 GMT -6
Tim- if you get Joe to come down let me know and I'll run out to meet you'll. Always wanted to do something in LaGrange. Plus, I've located all the forts built to guard the railroad from Memphis to Grand junction, except for the stockade at Collierville. Some I've visited but most of them have some earthworks still visiable.
Leland-
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Post by prestontoprail on Jul 27, 2006 8:55:54 GMT -6
Joe, you are the wisest of sage owls.....I listen to your every teachings.
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Post by Riley Ewen on Jul 27, 2006 17:00:18 GMT -6
Speaking of an early-war event like that, the ONV is doing one almost exactly as Joe has explained in Kenosha, WI this August. We are recreating a real occurence, and we are going to have speechifying and all that great stuff. This one is civilian, then next year we continue. The Museum we are working for is also going to issue us correct militia belts, frock coats, and Belgian muskets. This is all in preperation for the new Midwestern Civil War Museum in Kenosha, WI. I've seen the blueprints, its going to be really cool. Besides that, Carter and Jasper is coming up too. If anyone is interested in a good experience like that, check out the ONV website. It may very well be worth your time to come up if you are around the last weekend of august. We are also doing a total immersion railroad event this weekend, which I will be leaving for tommorow. They have a working steam engine and we will be receiving rations via this train, and some cool stuff. These ideas are all great and can be a ton of fun, and some good historical experiences. All the better if they are down south.
As Always,
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