I received the following announcement today:

Southern Division Created


Fort Washington, MD September 22, 2009 – On the eve of the Civil War sesquicentennial, a meeting of like-minded reenactors has resulted in the formation of the new Southern Division.



The new division, which is slated to be commanded by Bvt. Maj. Gen. S. Christian Anders, will consist of two brigades: the Southern Brigade, with Brig. Gen. Jeff Stepp commanding; and the Mid-Atlantic Brigade, with Brig. Gen. Dave Pridgeon commanding. Capt. Rob Bruno will be leading the Division’s Mounted Forces. The Division Artillery is currently organizing their structure, which will include both horse drawn and static guns.  



These two brigades will consist of seven battalions of progressive reenactors, with two of the battalions also able to field as Federals as the situation requires. The organizational structure will be adapted as the historical scenarios each event dictate.

The Southern Division plans to organize one to two events per year and participate in another per year as the Division to provide the men with a variety of experiences with like minded historians.



"Authenticity will be our perpetual journey -- not only in uniform, but in action, drill and attitude,” said Anders. “Working together we can work towards the next level of organization -- including Evolutions of the Line -- and together provide a better Civil War experience for our men while honoring and remembering the brave Citizen Solder of 1861.”

Members of the Southern Division have organized the following events over the past 10 years:

McDowell
Assault on the Allegheny

Morton’s Ford
Shenandoah '62
Fisher's Hill
Summer of '62
September Storm

Boys of ‘61
Fire on the Mountain
To the Gates of Washington

Bedford Officer Schools
At High Tide
Burkittsville 1862

Bedford Artillery School
Down the Valley
War on the James

Girding for War
October ‘62

In addition, members of the new division have raised more than $600,000 for battlefield and historic preservation through various events over the past decade.

For example, since 1999, member units have raised $65,200 to restore the battle flags of the 6th, 26th, 47th, 52nd and 58th NC regiments in the North Carolina Museum of History collection as well as Banners in the Tennessee State Museum.  

Members have also erected a regimental monument to the 26th NC on the New Bern, North Carolina Battlefield.



There were also many successful efforts in the 1980s and 1990s including donations to the Highland Historical Society, the Adams County Land Conservatory, South Mountain State Battlefield, Berkeley Hundred Plantation, Pamplin Park, Central Maryland Heritage Foundation, Western Maryland Heritage Foundation, as well as the restoration of the North Carolina monument at Gettysburg as well as to assisting the North Caroliniana Society in the erection of two regimental markers for the 26th NC at Gettysburg.



For information on the Southern Division, please contact Major Richard Watters, AAG, at richardwatters@lazerlink.net.

Hmm, interesting.  

I agree...interesting.  Their past achievments sound great.  Will the formation of the Southern Division ruffle any feathers?

I hope not.

Eric G.

The only question I have is 7 Battalions of progressive reenactors are going to come from where?

Exactly Marc!  I hope it works, truly do.  I've attended some of those events.  Good times and all.  But I've seen umbrella's created many times to only fail.  It's like being in a band, only to know you will eventually break up.  Ala the Beatles!

I wish them luck.

Unfortunately I am afraid you are correct Ken, groups like yours, the Armory Guards, et al seem to function better as independent messes. The AG often supports GVB events as a campaign adjunct but are not really part of the GVB. I wonder why the authentic end of the hobby has a harder time with umbrella organizatons than the more mainstream end. I can point to a number of mainstream umbrellas that seem to hang in there.

Robert

I think some of the CPH units do better as messes is because they are able to attend the events that their membership enjoy and not have to be committed to ones that larger groups say they must be there.

I know that within my unit and we fall in the middle somewhere much like Bill, we like to do different types of events.  Also we like to work with different people and form a network of units we can work with so that we can attend different events.

It might just be the amount of red tape that is present.  10 guys can decide on which events they want to go to easier than 60 or more..

Amen to that.....you nailed it.


Eric G.

My concern about the Southern Division is; Can they get 500 folks all in one Battalion on the field all at one time? Where do they find, if they register as Confederates, a counter Federal unit with the same numbers and goals? I remember the old National Regiment days when that was common. I'll give em' this; they sure try to put on good events. And, there's not many folks left who put on any events at all. I was at a few of the above mentioned events myself and, I'm not dead. I didn't leave early. I had a decent weekend. I wish them nothing but the best.

Over the past few years I've been involved with putting on a few reenactments. I've also been a bit player at a number of Chris Anders' events. As an event organizer, there's nothing like knowing you have a core group, of the usual suspects, you can count on to show up at the event. Especially when you're trying to figure out where the money is coming from!

The Southern Division will be participating in some of the 150th. Mega Events as an independant organization. In conjunction with a number of Federal units, the Southern Division is also planning a number of regional events in the 1,500/2,000 participant range. These events are still very much in the planning stage.    

Well,

Here I be.  Was told this was being chatted about, and I will do my humble best to answer any questions folks might have.

The biggest goal we have is providing 1-2 good events each year, as well as giving an umbrella to like mided folks when we go to the bigger events, and with the larger numbers being able to expand into more areas of the CW experience.

Going to be tough lining up our schedule, with folks from all over, but our first such meeting is Dec 5 north of Richmond.

Pards,

Quote :

Anders wrote : Well, Here I be.  Was told this was being chatted about, and I will do my humble best to answer any questions folks might have. The biggest goal we have is providing 1-2 good events each year, as well as giving an umbrella to like mided folks when we go to the bigger events, and with the larger numbers being able to expand into more areas of the CW experience. Going to be tough lining up our schedule, with folks from all over, but our first such meeting is Dec 5 north of Richmond. Pards,

Chris,

Wishing you all the best and I might even make it to one your events Lord Willing And The Creek Don't rise.

Chris,

Good luck to you. I look forward to seeing your list of events.

Chris,

I'm always weary when you are running things and I'm a yank doing picket alone on the far left.  I have to keep both eyes open.

Eric G.