We are trying something a little different at the "Lehigh Valley Civil War Days" event, in Whitehall, PA, on the weekend of June 12th. We are planning to keep the trenches, in the spectator viewing area, "Hot" for the entire weekend. A limited number of people will be camping in the trenches, while we will be cycling other units in and out of the trenches during the day. There will be trench guards, rifle pits, and sharp shooters to contend with. There will be two major attacks on Saturday and one attack on Sunday.

The camps, behind the trench lines, will operate using the usual Mainstream rules. At the same time, the troops in the trenches will be expected to maintain a high level of authenticity.

At this point, we have enough Confederates to man the trenches, but we could use more Federal troops. (I can't believe I'm saying that.) The event is only two weeks away, but there is still time to register and we do accept walk-ons. The Federal Commander is Frank Ruiz, from the 14th. Brooklin. Yours truly is the Confederate Commander.

For more information, directions to the site, and a registration packet, please visit our website: www.CampGeiger.org

Bill sounds like a great event.  Especially the thing with the trenches.  
I would be there this weekend, but we are going up to NY to visit a small event up there, plus a chance to visit with my dad..

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lhsnj wrote : Bill sounds like a great event.  Especially the thing with the trenches.

Greg,

Talk to me in a week!  

Bill

How did the event go?

Bill must be done wore out.

Guys,

I think Whitehall went very well, although it would have been nice if it didn't rain every night! We had about 150 infantry on site, which was double last year.

The event committee has been working on the trenches all year and they were in outstanding condition. During the course of the event, rifle pits were built in front of the trenches.

The trench war went live at 11:00 AM on Saturday, when a major Confederate attack was replused. The majority of the troops retired to their camps; leaving trench guards, troops in rifle pits, and sharp shooters to continue the fight. It was funny, there were spectators following the action all day and into the evening. It must have been like attending a 14 inning baseball game! The Federals made a major effort to capture our works at 3:00 PM that was also replused. Sort of interesting, you can get a Yankee to die, but you can't get him to run away. Oh yeah, at the conclusion of both major actions, a flag of truce allowed time to remove the dead and wounded from the field.

The trenches remained occupied until the pouring rain drove everybody, but one crazy kid, to find a place that was above water. (It's hard to be hardcore when there's tents only 100 yards away.) Speaking of the rain, I seem to be on a streak. This is the second event in a row, when the water ran through my tent on the side opposite my straw tick, so I slept dry.

The trenches were reoccupied early Sunday morning and the fighting started up again. At 1:00 PM there was one more major attack. Again, the Federals died, but they wouldn't run away. At the conclusion of this fight, Taps was played, the troops marched by the spectators, and everybody went home.

Nobody is bitching over on Sazbo's Forum, so I assume most of the participants had a good weekend, rain and all.  

     

Isn't rain normal at events?

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Bill wrote : Guys, I think Whitehall went very well, although it would have been nice if it didn't rain every night! We had about 150 infantry on site, which was double last year. The event committee has been working on the trenches all year and they were in outstanding condition. During the course of the event, rifle pits were built in front of the trenches. The trench war went live at 11:00 AM on Saturday, when a major Confederate attack was replused. The majority of the troops retired to their camps; leaving trench guards, troops in rifle pits, and sharp shooters to continue the fight. It was funny, there were spectators following the action all day and into the evening. It must have been like attending a 14 inning baseball game! The Federals made a major effort to capture our works at 3:00 PM that was also replused. Sort of interesting, you can get a Yankee to die, but you can't get him to run away. Oh yeah, at the conclusion of both major actions, a flag of truce allowed time to remove the dead and wounded from the field. The trenches remained occupied until the pouring rain drove everybody, but one crazy kid, to find a place that was above water. (It's hard to be hardcore when there's tents only 100 yards away.) Speaking of the rain, I seem to be on a streak. This is the second event in a row, when the water ran through my tent on the side opposite my straw tick, so I slept dry. The trenches were reoccupied early Sunday morning and the fighting started up again. At 1:00 PM there was one more major attack. Again, the Federals died, but they wouldn't run away. At the conclusion of this fight, Taps was played, the troops marched by the spectators, and everybody went home. Nobody is bitching over on Sazbo's Forum, so I assume most of the participants had a good weekend, rain and all.

Sounds like a really good event even with the rain.  
I would rather have Federals who are willing to die and go to ground than keep pushing and taking the works when they know it wouldn't be possible.

I guess that is an improvement.

Have seen some of the photos posted by some of the attendees on facebook.  Looked pretty good.

Did the event wear Bill out that much, I haven't seen him post anything all week..

Nobody is bitching over on Sazbo's Forum, so I assume most of the participants had a good weekend, rain and all.--I fixed your quote--Grumpy  

 Although I did not have the pleasure of enjoying the company of Mr. Rodman during the event, I also thought it was a good event. I attended last year's event as a 'tator and was none too pleased by what I saw. This year I was obliged to join with some comrades in a Naval unit who were there for educational and recruiting purposes. I was there in the form of a U.S. Marine, also on recruiting duty. I hadn't gone with very high expectations but was quickly and pleasantly surprised by most of what I encountered. I think everyone involved deserves a big fat "atta-boy" for their efforts. There are still some areas that need work, for sure, but I truly think this event has good potential. There was a good selection of sutlers, as well. I spent some time (and money) chatting with Nick Sekela, Karin Timour and the good folks over at E.J. Thomas.
 Now, if only they could figure out the parking situation and get it through their heads that schedules exist for a reason, things would be even better. Of all the Whitehall events I've attended over the years, not a single one ever came off as scheduled and publicized on Sunday. They always, always find some reason to move up Sunday's battle and the 'tators always, always arrive to find out their handouts with the time schedules don't mean a whole lot. Every year I always end up listening to justifiably angry/annoyed 'tators complaining about missing things that were scheduled to be at another time than that which they actually came off on.
 With that said, most things looked pretty good this year. To Bill and all who were involved, congratulations on a good job.
Respectfully,  

--Last edited by grumpydave on 2009-06-24 06:16:20 --

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BobWerner wrote :   Now, if only they could figure out the parking situation and get it through their heads that schedules exist for a reason, things would be even better. Of all the Whitehall events I've attended over the years, not a single one ever came off as scheduled and publicized on Sunday.

Bob,

As far as I know, the Sunday scenario took place exactly on schedule. At least on the schedule I had!

Parking is a real problem and the rain didn't help matters. The event is looking at some other places to park cars. Perhaps, off site. Frankly, parking is more of an issue for the spectators.

BTW, were you part of the naval detachment who had a boat down in the pond? That was truly amazing!

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[quote]As far as I know, the Sunday scenario took place exactly on schedule. At least on the schedule I had!

--Glad to help-Grumps

Bill:  I stand corrected. I have now officially been to a Whitehall event where the Sunday battle took place as scheduled and printed in the public literature. Apparently I should wear my spectacles when reading at events. So should some others who thought the battle was supposed to start at 2:PM. Boy, now I'm really happy with the event    Two attaboys for that one.
Anyway, in previous years the moving up of Sunday's battle was a chronic problem that caused its share of problems.

[/quote]Parking is a real problem and the rain didn't help matters. The event is looking at some other places to park cars. Perhaps, off site. Frankly, parking is more of an issue for the spectators.

I was glad I had my SUV on Saturday when I left. 4-wheel drive came in handy. When I returned Sunday morning, they weren't allowing anyone to park in that first reenactor lot. It was just plain old messy. Come to think of it, I still haven't washed the mud off my truck from the idjit who decided to go mud boggin' and threw muck all over several vehicles.
 It would be great if they could find some paved parking somewhere nearby. The poor 'tators were stretched out up and down the road for quite a stretch, from what I could see. More parking on hard surfaces would be great.


[quote]BTW, were you part of the naval detachment who had a boat down in the pond? That was truly amazing!

Not that I'm aware of    Our crew was supposed to have a boat there for the quarry, but some last minute glitch prevented it. (I think it floated away or someone needed it to get to work) Our Naval contingent was located down right behind the sutlers. They had us listed as "entertainment" according to the girl who handled my registration. I hope we were entertaining   Unfortunately, the crew I was with on Saturday was unable to come back and attend on Sunday, for some reason. I was left to wander about on my own on Sunday, but found it perfectly enjoyable. There were plenty of 'tators to talk to and the weather cooperated a whole lot better than it did on Saturday.
 In any case, I still think the event came off quite well. Good job to you and those who helped bring it off (on schedule this year, too!!!!  
Respectfully,  

--Last edited by grumpydave on 2009-06-24 06:18:00 --

  Boy, did I butcher the quotes with that post. Sorry about that. Maybe I should wear my spectacles when typing, too.
Ooops  

Youse guys should be hyping events like Neshaminy and Whitehall every where you can. From everything I've ever herd or read, they're both well run and lotsa' fun events. Someone should be patting themselves on the back.

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GrumpyDave wrote :  Someone should be patting themselves on the back.

Grumpy,

There are lots of people involved with putting on these events and all deserve a pat on the back.

It's not rocket science. Set realistic goals and realistic rules and enforce those rules as best you can. If people come to an event with reasonable expectations and those expectations are met or exceeded, they go home happy.  

#1 rule for the service industry. "Under promise, over deliver." Works every time.

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Bill wrote :   Grumpy, There are lots of people involved with putting on these events and all deserve a pat on the back. It's not rocket science. Set realistic goals and realistic rules and enforce those rules as best you can. If people come to an event with reasonable expectations and those expectations are met or exceeded, they go home happy.

Bill.. so far the events where you have commanded, are 2 for 2 in good reviews.  Hopefully this bodes well for Ridley coming up.
Sent my registration in and am looking forward to it.

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lhsnj wrote :   Bill.. so far the events where you have commanded, are 2 for 2 in good reviews.  Hopefully this bodes well for Ridley coming up. Sent my registration in and am looking forward to it.

Greg,

As you know, the Ridley Creek event is under new management. (Myself and another guy, from the Colonial Plantation.) I'm in charge of the reenacting end of things, while Maury Hutelmyer is taking care of all the behind the scenes work. He's got the harder job.

I'll begin heavy duty hyping of the event after the Forth of July!

[quote]As you know, the Ridley Creek event is under new management. (Myself and another guy, from the Colonial Plantation.)

Bill:  
 Actually, I didn't know that. You've got my attention. What little tidbits (without getting into the heavy-duty hyping, unless you want to) can you share. I'm always looking for history based, 'tator friendly, educational type programs here in eastern Pennsylvania. Tell me more, tell me more! What type of program are you looking to accomplish at Ridley?
Respectfully,  

Are you absolutly sure it's not supposed to rain at events?