I received the following e-mail yesterday:


"I just came across the article in the paper that I had in my car about the reenactment in April at Neshaminy with your email addresses and thought I would  comment.  The amount of time and money that must be put in to so authentically replicate the look and feel of those days is really something to see.  The time spent by all the volunteers to keep alive the memories of the history of this country and the sacrifices of these men that made this country so great is more than commendable.  I did want to  comment on some personal observations which I would not comment upon unless I heard some of the young spectators commenting during the battle.  I have to agree with them that having such a large group shoulder to shoulder on both sides at 30 yards firing volley after volley without any soldiers falling and then some kneeling was  very strange. I left before the battle was over, as I saw others doing, for that reason.   I think that not showing the real circumstances and sacrifices somewhat diminishes what took place.  Other than that it was a great spectacle to see."

It's disappointing to hear about a spectator leaving with that experience. Didn't I read though that that particular problem was eventually fixed?

What can we, as rank and file privates, do to mitigate that problem?

This will always be a challenge with confined spaces and amateur theatrical troupes attempting grand opera.  One can nonetheless attempt to choreograph the engagement so that ranges are maximized for the space available, movement is fluid so no one blazes away for long, or for long in one spot, and people take hits.  

In my AAR for Neshaminy I think I mentioned why we had more of a problem than perhaps we should have.  That was primarily due to the lack of federal attendance at the walk-through.  

This was compounded by the relative size of the federal forces -- I've seen the same thing happen in Confederate ranks at places like New Market -- when you get too many guys who are believed to be owed trigger time, the smaller side takes a lot of hits and the larger side disproportionately fewer because they have guys waiting to burn powder and they aren't receiving what they consider enough shots to justify falling.

Still, even if we fix that some spectators will not be happy.  A realistic battle would in many cases be so extended in space that no one could quite see what was going on anyway.  At "Down the Valley," which took place at Cedar Creek a couple of years ago, we actually got complaints because much of the Sunday action occurred outside the view of the spectators -- they were expecting all the action to happen in front of the viewing stands.

So some of it is us, but some of it is people expecting a tractor pull with a civil war theme. I understand why many veteran reenactors avoid battle reenactments altogether.

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"I have to agree with them that having such a large group shoulder to shoulder on both sides at 30 yards firing volley after volley without any soldiers falling and then some kneeling was very strange."

Can you take a page from the CPH Playbook and improve this situation?

Wonder what this observer’s comment would be if the opposing force dropped immediately dead in mass at the first volley?  

--Last edited by Curtis Makamson on 2009-05-06 19:41:25 --

This is the reply I sent to the gentleman:


"Thank you for your comments. We have a problem at Neshaminy. The typical Civil War Battle took place with the opposing forces somewhere between 100 and 300 yards apart. Usually when the soldiers got within 50 to 100 yards of each other, one side, or the other retreated. The Spectator viewing area at Neshaminy is approximately 300 yards long and 150 yards wide. We attempt to portray a small segment of a battle, in an area that is less than a tenth the size of the original battlefields. One of our goals is to show the spectators the various maneuvers used by Civil War armies, to include the role of cavalry and artillery. The artillery, in particular, is way too close to the action. We also try to make the battle scenario last about an hour. If the reenactors took "hits" in anything close to the numbers that would have been wounded and killed at these ranges; there would quickly be no reenactors left standing. It is also a fact, that things sometimes get bogged down, for one reason, or another, and the opponents get closer than planned. That did indeed happen on Saturday.  

To accurately portray a Civil War battle, at correct ranges, on the land available, would pretty much involve having one side on defense, at one end of the viewing area, while the other side would attack from the other end of the field. Within a few minutes, either the attack would fail, or the defenders would retreat. Pretty boring stuff for both the spectators and reenactors.  Thank you very much for you comments, other than your disappointment about the "battle", I'm glad you enjoyed your visit."

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Charles Heath wrote : Quote : "I have to agree with them that having such a large group shoulder to shoulder on both sides at 30 yards firing volley after volley without any soldiers falling and then some kneeling was very strange." Can you take a page from the CPH Playbook and improve this situation?

That's it! -- Bill, forget the lightsticks next year and get yourself some inflatable dummies!

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Michael Schaffner wrote :   That's it! -- Bill, forget the lightsticks next year and get yourself some inflatable dummies!

Mike,

I know you were kidding, but you bring up a point. I'm sure not an expert, but all the more authentic events, I've attended, that allowed spectators; they were very much secondary to the enjoyment of the event by the participants. At events, like Neshaminy, the major reason to hold the scrïpted scenarios, is the enjoyment and education of the spectators. If the event was strictly for us, there would be no good reason to even get close to the spectator viewing area. In all the years I've been involved with the event, we've never come close to using all the land available to us for our tacticals.

In my instructions to the Confederate Participants I make the following statement: "Please consider the field in front of the Spectator Line as the stage where we are putting on a show. Please avoid any farby behavior when you are on stage in front of the Spectators." I'm afraid too many people, on both sides, and all ranks, forget we are trying to put on a show. The history is what it is and we can't change it. At least, not while firing blanks at each other!    

--Last edited by Bill on 2009-05-07 11:12:16 --

Bill

I went and spectated last year a very small event in upstate NY.  Before the event, they make an announcment that because of the field size and number of participants it may be a few minutes before anyone "takes a hit".  They explained it similiar to what you said that if we took the proper hits and such at those distances the event would be over in about 5 mins.

Yet, even with this announcement there are still those who were in the crowd behind me going.. "why is no one falling down?".

Bill,

Working with the space available is simply one of those facts of life that must be faced. In fact, that situation is not much different than having to reduce a skirmish formation down to marching by the right flank to get through a 20-foot wide bottlneck in battlefield land due to a substantial and hostile inholding, or dealing with environmental issues such as threatened/endagnered species, raptors, archaeological sites, airports, railroads, pipelines, marinas, dumps, fences, utility corridors, highways, playground equipment, cemeteries, churches, public swimming pools, theatres, etc. You play the cards you are dealt.

Most CPH events make available or assign a roster name for representation or portrayal, as the case may be.  Many times the fate of those individuals on the roster is also the "fate" of the participant. This is just a possibility.  To give you the 20 October 2006 example Michael referenced above:

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I looked in the 11th NJVI regimental by Thomas Marbaker, and: "On the morning of the 14th the regiment was ordered to cross the river and take position in the second line of battle, but it was soon ordered to the front line to relieve the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania; two companies, D and I, Captains Luther Martin and John T. Hill commanding, being detailed to relieve the pickets of the Twenty-sixth Pennsyvlania. As the marched out to take position, the enemy poured upon them a galling picket-fire. Though it was their first experience, their "baptism of fire," they did not falter, but as coolly as as steadily as veterans marched to their position, and even drove the enemy's pickets a short distance.  A brisk picket-fire was kept up by the opposing lines. Early in the morning the enemy had attempted to place as battery in front of their main line, so as to command the position of our brigade, but a company of riflemen from the Second New Hampshire, who had taken an advance position, made it so warm for them that they quickly sought shelter. About noon as suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, that the wounded and dead of both sides might be collected. Then occurred one of the strange sights of the war -- one that took from the battle-field a little of its horror, and seemed to turn for a while the crimson robe of carnage to the white hue of peace. From the picket-lines on either side he men advanced and held friendly converse, seemingly forgetful of the fact that but a few minutes before they has been endeavorign to take each other's lives and in a few minutes more they would again be intent upon the same purpose.  Papers and other articles that could be spared were exchanged for Southern tobacco -- an article that was always in demand.  In two or three instances friends on ante-war days met and discussed the situation.  But soon the true was ended and the work of death began. Near our skirmish line was the ruins of a house that had been destroyed by fire.  The chimney remained nearly intact. One of our men, thinking it a favorable position, climbed to the second story, and safety hidden in the remains of a capacious fire-place, picked off the enemy at leisure. Companies D and I were relieved by other companies of the regiment in the evening, but their numbers had been lessened -- Christopher Graham, of Company I, and Warren Green, of Company D had been killed; John Williamson, of Company D, mortally wounded.  He died on the 15th.  The wounded were Peter Burk, George Davis, Edward B. Nelson, and George Barnett, of Company D. After the shades of night had hidden us from the watchful eyes of the enemy we took the bodies of our fallen comrades, and, wrapping their blankets around them, laid them to rest in soldiers' hastily-made graves.  A few remarks, a brief prayer, and the ceremony was ended; but the solemnity of the occasion will never be forgotten, for, though disease had made vacancies in our ranks, and we had followed a number of our comrades to the grave, these were the first to die in actual conflict, and despite any assumed carelessness, the question would arise, "Who next?" But little fighting occurred on December 15th, and about ten o'clock P.M. the regiment received orders to quietly recross the river, Burnside having determined to withdraw his army." This may be of some use.

In much the same vein, I've been looking at the fates of the men of Co. D, 1st Texas Infantry of Cass County, and Co. B, 5th NCST of Gates County for events in August and October, respectfully, of 2009.

What is the Neshaminy theme for 2010?

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Charles Heath wrote : Bill, Working with the space available is simply one of those facts of life that must be faced. In fact, that situation is not much different than having to reduce a skirmish formation down to marching by the right flank to get through a 20-foot wide bottlneck in battlefield land due to a substantial and hostile inholding, or dealing with environmental issues such as threatened/endagnered species, raptors, archaeological sites, airports, railroads, pipelines, marinas, dumps, fences, utility corridors, highways, playground equipment, cemeteries, churches, public swimming pools, theatres, etc. You play the cards you are dealt. Most CPH events make available or assign a roster name for representation or portrayal, as the case may be.  Many times the fate of those individuals on the roster is also the "fate" of the participant. This is just a possibility.  To give you the 20 October 2006 example Michael referenced above: What is the Neshaminy theme for 2010?

Charles,

At Neshaminy, I do believe we have every obsticle, you mentioned, except the airport and cemetery!  


I was one of the designated wounded at "After the Battle". Very interesting impression. I was sorry the event ended, as I was quite comfortable, on my straw bed, in the barn.  

There are a few issues involved in assigning individuals specific roles at Mainstream events. Not the least of which is pure numbers. In round figures, there were a hundred participants at "After the Battle"; while there were over a thousand at "Neshaminy". An event like "Cedar Creek"  could easily have 5,000 participants. To over simplify, people are treated as individuals at CPH events; while people are treated as members of groups, or units, at Mainstream events. Having said that, there is no reason individual commanders can't orchestrate casualties within their own units. We did that at last year's 145th. GAC Gettysburg. For the Picket's Charge scenario, everyone of us knew exactly when we were supposed to take a hit, or survive and finally run away. It worked out quite well.  

I'm not sure what next's year's Neshaminy scenario will be. Most likely, just a generic Civil War battle.  

 Hallo!

 A good reply.

 IMHO, these are "damned if you do, and damned if you don't"
"lose-lose" issues.

 If you were to actually fire live ammunition, the condensed scale of space and distance would have the "battle" be over in five or ten minutes or less- which would not much please spectators or worse yet paying spectators come to see the "battle."
 
 So, someone is always going to be unhappy.

 The Brigade of the American Revolution tried to deal with numbers and space/distance by refusing to call them "battles."
 Instead "battles" were "tacticals" or "demonstrations of 18th century tactics and maneuvers."
 But, that requires that the spectating public be informed if not educated as to the difference which is awkward if not next to impossible.

 And the question asked is still  "What time is the battle?"  or
"Where's the battle supposed to be?"

  Curt
 Reminded of NPS events where there are no casualties at all because it glorified war Mess

Bill,

You might not have the airport at Neshaminy, but you also have a pumping station and one huge strobe light. I forget if that is an aviation or marine navigation aid. Imagine the orbs that would illuminate in the triangular field at Gettysburg!

The After The Battle bandaging station scenario was eclipsed by a similar slice of life at "Crittenden's Farm" aka DM X earlier in the year. Suffering an unsteady truce, transporting the wounded by wagons, having wounded of both sides thrust upon civilian care givers, the capture of the barn by federal forces, taking wounded prisoners, and then the transportation to town by wagon the next morning was an experience in first person most of them won't soon forget. It wasn't perfect, but it came together rather well, and I believe a significant amount of pre-event communication to those individuals who volunteered to be in that barn was a big help.

Remember the instructions prior to Pickett's Charge at 135th Gettysburg on the Bushey Farm? Most of us honored our assignments, and although we did not know the man's name, we knew about where we were supposed to take a hit. A few individuals were designated to make it to the wall.  It worked largely because we had three highly visible lines perpendicular to the direction of travel. These would be the two fences along Emmittsburg Pike, and the wall itself. Most people "got it." As you'll recall, an element of the 28th Virginia did not get it, and did a strange movment from left to right to ensure their flag was captured by the right folks.  That managed to get some column inches in Civil War News.

Next year is 1865. Much of the war in the Virginia involved earthworks, cavalry, wagon trains, and otherwise don't fit well at Neshaminy. Ocran Church/Sutherland Station is an exception to that in some ways, and Five Forks isn't a bad choice. Folks remember the surrender at Appomattox, but forget the battle there. Just a thought.

Pure numbers equal additional time, and 1,000 participants isn't but a little over 3x a 300 man battalion. If you went with representation instead of portrayal, a good amount of work would be cut out, and it would be a nice baby step to break new folks into that idea. It's just not that hard, especially if the bulk registration forms used at so many farb, mainstream, and authenticist events is converted to the typical spreadsheet for check in purposes at the registration point. Take it to the next level!

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Reminded of NPS events where there are no casualties at all because it glorified war Mess

Funny, but I can easily remember three recent NPS events where hits were taken, and one where opposing fire was permitted.  

Bill that was a good reply you wrote; it's hard to think of a better or more succinct explanation of what the issues and challenges are.  

It will probably also be useful to have that correspondence on hand when negotiating with the tribes next year on the scenario and walkthrough.  The perfect answer to "but the spectators loved it anyway" is a letter like that -- yes, they did love it, but they saw the same silly things the rest of us did.

On the question of what the CPH wing can offer Neshaminy, it occurs to me that we have the answer, depending -- as always -- on how you define "CPH."  Chris Anders offered and brought well-drilled participants who set up an authentic bivouac in the most unlikely of places.  Elements of the 3rd USV did much the same.  Anders further offered the example of cooperative walkthroughs in a whole series of events, which I think may have inspired more attempts at other events like Neshaminy -- at least in terms of the breadth of participation on the CS side.

So the CPH wing has made a contribution -- the challenge becomes, as you point out, applying it to events on a scale well beyond the demo level of purely CPH events.  Since there's a strong base of goodwill and cooperation to work on at Neshaminy, I have no doubt that next year's event will go even better.

Bill,

As you pointed out, part of the challenge is the antiquated, obsolete, and rarely seen anymore bulk registration process still used in the FMA world. Over 15 years ago, that nightmare was replaced by the individual registration process, which is markedly superior in every way. We are dealing with the nightmare of the former for an event in mid-July, and it is comical to work with this "retro" form of registration.  It's not the death of history by any means, but the process is far more complicated than it need be.

Using the bulk registration forms simply means the registrar or adjutant (whichever system you use for assignment) can still work with the historical roster names and make assignments.  The casualties then can determine the casualties now, which sets up an interesting premise for hits at the event, and perhaps research on the part of the individual participant beforehand. For a good number of participants this would be fresh and new.

Maybe this is a lukewarm compromise.  Maybe it is a step in the right direction.  A good number of the mainstream events down this way use registration by units.  However, when the unit representative registers with the host of the event he must submit a list of his organization’s participants.  That means individual unit members have to send confirmation of their intentions to their unit rep well prior to registration cut off dates.

Curtis, that is bulk registration. Imagine the panic, if you will, should those forms be expanded ever so slightly by asking for individual registrant emails, so as to provide direct pre-event communication. A revolution would ensue in rapid fashion, because you can only imagine how many company commanders would strenuously object to this.

Why such a process would shake up paper dynasties that have been years in forming.  Certainly, Mr. Heath, you do not mean to imply the individual unit member is capable of independent thought processes.  The very idea of assuming those people can exercise their own decision making sans colonel-forever at the helm.  How else can we function without Omni-present, but neither omnipotent nor omniscient, guiding lights leading the way for the delusional mainstream masses?

Curtis,

Well, golly, the situation is less of a byzantine adminstrative process than the simple matter of the event materials (such as rules, regulations, guidelines, and background material) stopping with Captain Snuffy, and never reaching the individual participant. If memory serves me, Neshaminy used to buck that trend by handing each registrant a nice piece of paper at check-in.  Naturally, that unread piece of paper was stuck into a pock, laid on the dashboard, stuck behind a visor, etc., in the rush to get to camp and get set-up. You know this to be true.

Captain Snuffy is known to register Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse on those bulk registration forms to ensure the regular walk-ons can substitute with ease.  

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Captain Snuffy is known to register Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse on those bulk registration forms to ensure the regular walk-ons can substitute with ease.

Shhhhhhhhhhh.  You ain't supposed to say things like that.