Hank,

We had shelters, but the running water was an issue since the area was in a drought and many of the streams were dry. We were having to build small dams in the few streams left to get a pool deep enough to pump water out of. Where we hiked we were at least five miles from a hard road at any point so we were out there. Loved almost every minute of it.

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I wonder how strategy at tacticals would change if water wasn't pre-positioned, and commanders had to deal with possibly conflicting demands of the terrain, both military strategic considerations plus water sources for the men either from wells which would be along roads or natural low areas.

Hank,

BGR provided a taste of this with some of the water coming from groundwater sources, some from natural springs, and some from the usual rigs. Water figured prominently in a number of CW battles, including one well known case where the defending commander left his cisterns outside the earthworks.  

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toptimlrd wrote : Hank, We had shelters, but the running water was an issue since the area was in a drought and many of the streams were dry. We were having to build small dams in the few streams left to get a pool deep enough to pump water out of. Where we hiked we were at least five miles from a hard road at any point so we were out there. Loved almost every minute of it.

That sounds a little more like what I'm used to. But I enjoyed the park-like atmosphere where we went too--just different.

When people talk about liking all kinds of reenacting equally, I'm that way about modern backpacking, as long as I don't have to actually camp with others in a campground. The downside is that I don't get nearly as much enjoyment out of it as reenacting, because I don't put as much emotional energy into it, either.

Speaking of shelters, we didn't actually stay in any, but we came across one in one of the areas less used by day hikers, after not seeing anyone for several miles. On the table was a black, 100% wool (according to the tag), almost-new slouch hat, in just my size. The fire had obviously been out a day or more, so if someone was coming back for it soon, that time had passed.

Needless to say, I picked it up. We didn't pass anyone for several miles on the other side, either, so I have it still. I guess he either thought black wool was too hot to wear in August and abandoned it (can't blame him--I was wearing a white cotton hat) or he forgot where he left it and was already miles up or down the trail.

Anyway, it was unlined, so I need to put a lining in, but I came down the mountain with a new slouch hat.

How come I don't find like-new abandoned goretex Golight gear at reenactments?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Any one know what CW sites may be along Interstate 75 between Orlando and Cincinnati?

We will be travelling to Orlando and meeting our son & wife for a week and then have a week to come home but want to keep on as direct a route as possibe.

Between Orlando and Cinncinati? There are plenty.

About 45 minutes east of I-75 on I-10 is the Olustee battlefield. The infamous Andersonville Prison in S. GA is not far off the Interstate, There are several locations in Atlanta (Peahtree Creek, the Atlanta Historical Society has quite a collection in Buckhead, there's the Cyclorama in Grant Park featuring the painting and the Texas locomotive, etc.), Kennesaw National Battlefield in Marietta GA, Pickett's Mill, New Hope Church, the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw (at the site the General was stolen in the Andrew's raid)which features the famous General, Resaca battlefield, Ringgold Gap, Tunnel Hill, Chikamauga isn't too far of I-75, Several spots in Chattanooga, and the list goes on.

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hanktrent wrote :  I wonder how strategy at tacticals would change if water wasn't pre-positioned, and commanders had to deal with possibly conflicting demands of the terrain, both military strategic considerations plus water sources for the men either from wells which would be along roads or natural low areas.

Hank,

From my reading, Civil War generals didn't worry too much about water for their troops. It's my guess that Civil War Lieutenants and Captains worried about it quite a bit. Remember, those roads through the lowlands were already in place during the 1860's.

Frankly, I figure water for the horses was more of a concern.

I found this while doing some research into the 8th Virginia Infantry.  It's a letter from one of the soldiers to his beloved at home in Loudon County.  The battle is Ball's Bluff.

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About ten minutes before we were ordered into the battle two of our men took all the canteens of the company and started after water, they were unable on their return to find our regiment, so we had to fight all day and then march eight miles without any thing either to eat or drink.

The Colonel wrote in his report, found in the ORs:

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The whole regiment was very much worn down by their fatiguing march from Leesburg, and suffering from want of food and water on the field. Yet they stood all and bore all with cheerfulness and obeyed every order with alacrity. They had only one meal during the 21st, and but little water.

Just thought it was interesting.  

Linda.  

--Last edited by Linda Trent on 2007-10-01 21:35:51 --

Linda,

Colonel Oates of the 15th. Alabama often blamed the capture of the unit's water detail for their final repulse at Little Round Top. The men made the march from the Confederate line, over Big Round Top, and attacked the 20th. Maine, in the July heat, with no canteens.  

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toptimlrd wrote : Between Orlando and Cinncinati? There are plenty. About 45 minutes east of I-75 on I-10 is the Olustee battlefield. The infamous Andersonville Prison in S. GA is not far off the Interstate, There are several locations in Atlanta (Peahtree Creek, the Atlanta Historical Society has quite a collection in Buckhead, there's the Cyclorama in Grant Park featuring the painting and the Texas locomotive, etc.), Kennesaw National Battlefield in Marietta GA, Pickett's Mill, New Hope Church, the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw (at the site the General was stolen in the Andrew's raid)which features the famous General, Resaca battlefield, Ringgold Gap, Tunnel Hill, Chikamauga isn't too far of I-75, Several spots in Chattanooga, and the list goes on.

Thanks Robert.  I've been looking at the maps and online and saw that we will be going through Chattanooga, can swing through Chickamauga, Kennesaw, Pickets Mills and just found out today how close we would be to Andersonville.

The biggest challenge will be to find at least a couple of stops for the wife!

Is she into history? If so a visit to the Atlanta History Center would be a good thing, they have a great display. She may also enjoy the Cyclorama at Grant Park in Atlanta, it's a 360 degree painting of the battle of Atlanta with the Texas locomotive (from the Andrew's raid) on display and the Atlanta Zoo is next door. If she likes to shop, there are a number of outlet malls along the way (Dalton, Calhoun, just South of Atlanta, etc). For upscale shopping there is Phipps Plaza in Buckhead (near the Atlanta Historic Center. For nightlife, there is the Buckhead area, Underground Atlanta, etc.