"Clash at Crittenden's Farm"

Death March X
Aug 22-24 2008

Sponsored by: The Living History Guild

Potomac Legion Member Unit

Location: New Albany (Bradford Co.) Pennsylvania

".......I received information that the enemy was preparing a large force to drive back Gen. Pope and attack either Washington or Baltimore....To facilitate the withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac from the Peninsula and gain time by a demonstration against the enemy,Gen.Pope pushed his forces across the Rappahannock, occupied Culpeper and threatened Gordonsville...(Extract ReportNo.1,Maj.Gen Henry W.Halleck,November 25, 1862)

"....While the main body of the army awaited the development of McClellan's intentions,Gen.Jackson,now reinforced by A.P.Hill,determined to assume the offensive against Gen. Pope, whose army still superior in numbers lay north of the Rapidan...." (Extract reportNo.26 Gen.Robert E.Lee)

The result of these two commanders, intent was a collision that occurred Aug 9 1862 on the farm of Mrs. Crittenden.Mrs Crittenden lived in the shadow of a large mountain referred to as Cedar or more prophetically Slaughter Mountain. Both armies’ cavalry had been in contact and the commanders knew each was in the area, but neither quite sure of the others strength and disposition. The combination of open crop fields and wooded undulating terrain led to some confused infantry fighting, with each side gaining the rear of the other at some point during the battle. The fighting ebbed and flowed through Mrs.Crittenden's cornfield, with the Confederates ultimately holding the ground by nightfall. The cornfield itself was responsible for the capture of a Union general and an unobserved flank advance by the Confederates. The action closed with an informal truce to bury the dead, following which the Federal army retreated.

This year’s event will focus on the fighting between the Confederate skirmishers and one of the two leading regiments that crossed Mrs.Crittenden's cornfield. It is our tenth anniversary and we are hoping to have several opportunities built into the event that aren't often an option to actually execute. New Albany, a. is a rural agricultural area and we will be on the interior acreage with little or no modern intrusions.

The event runs from Friday night, with a shuttle to the bivouac site, finishing by noon Sunday. Those wishing to arrive Thursday night may do so, just contact us in advance.

Event impressions:

Federal-111th Pennsylvania infantry, 1st Maine cavalry, Knapp's Battery

E, Pensy; vannia Light Art.

Confederate- 13th Virginia, 7th Virginia Cavalry, CS artillery TBD

Historical summaries will be published and sent upon registration. A good read for the event is "Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain" By Robert K. Krick.Barnes and Noble has it for $19.95 plus shipping.

FEE: $15.00- covers rations and event insurance

Registration Deadline: Until filled or Aug 1, 2008 .The host reserve the right to freeze registrations to maintain appropriate force ratios.

To register or request invitation info: E-mail Doug Oakes at

oldsoldier51@yahoo.com

Uniform Standards D.M.2008.

Confederate Infantry uniform and kit requirements:

1 Jacket: Jean cloth Richmond Depot Type 1(with trim) or RD 2 shell jacket, Confederate frockcoat, or civilian sack coat.
2. Trousers: Jean cloth or civilian preferred; Federal Kersey trousers are acceptable.
3. Shirts: Civilian shirt is strongly encouraged. Fed -Issue domet flannel shirts are strongly discouraged.
4. Hats and Caps: Quality Civilian hat or Confederate forage cap.
5. Canteen: Confederate tin drum is preferred. Federal canteens acceptable.
6. Waistbelt: CS belt preferred (roller buckle belts are great).US belt acceptable if it's all you have. Avoid wearing a belt wit "CS"
7.Bayonet Scabbard: sewn or two- rivet CS pattern is preferred.
8: Haversack: White canvas haversack or U.S. tarred black.
9. Shelter: Consider avoiding shelter altogether. If foul weather is forecast bring a shelter half or fly.
10. Baggage: Blanket rolls are preferred.CS knapsacks are acceptable. Fed knapsacks are discouraged.
11. Blankets: Civilian blankets or carpets are preferred. US blankets are acceptable.
12. Long Arms: Enfield rifle-musket preferred. Springfield acceptable.

Federal Infantry: Uniform and kit requirements:

1.jacket: Fatigue blouse or frock coat.
2. Shirts: Domet -flannel Federal -issue shirt is strongly encouraged. Civilian shirts and waistcoats are also acceptable.
3. Caps: Forage cap required
4.Canteen: Smooth -side, leather strap preferred.
5, Waist belt: US brass with leather or no keeper acceptable.
6. Scabbard: Two rivet patterns preferred. Seven rivets reluctantly accepted.
7. Shelter: Bring a shelter half .Three panel preferred
8. Baggage double-bag knapsacks are preferred. Blanket rolls acceptable.
9. Great coats: NO
10. Long Arms: 1853 Enfield is preferred. Model 1861 Springfield acceptable. NO SMOOTHBORES.

Federal Cavalry TBD per Cavalry Commander.

Federal Artillery TBD per Artillery Commander.

Applicable to everyone regardless of Loyalty Affiliation:

1 Miscellaneous: Bring all appropriate items: gum blanket, haversack, mess furniture you feel you need but be prepared to carry it!

2. Ammunition: MINIMUM 60 rounds of ammo.

3. Rations: Period -correct rations will be issued. If you bring any rations at all-and it is preferred that you do not-make it just a couple of crackers or corn bread and coffee.

Brian "Osmer" Swartz
__________________
Living History Guild

Time to register!

Grumpy,

How'd you like the "mountain" images in the newsletter?  

Good sense of humor, I'd say. They'll need it with a 400' climb in the first mile. We'll go s-l-o-w up that old tap line trail.

The "Flood of '72" took out enough of the railroad (Penn Central, so go figure) to cause it to be abandoned and scrapped back in the day.  Most of those little valley towns seemed to have had a creamery, a feed mill, coal dealer, lumber yard, and the usual trappings of the quintessential town as seen on a model railroad.

Gotta check with Doug and Terri about the next work day, too.

For those who aren't on the CR listserver.

Folks,

Today is the postmark registration deadline for Crittenden's Farm (a Cedar Mountain scenario) in New Albany PA during the weekend of 22-24 August 2008.  I'm heading up the road for the work session tomorrow, and am passing along this reminder for the usual reasons, plus:

- Doug Oakes of the Living History Guild, and also a CR member,  gave me the registration figures for this event last night, and while we all know about Reenactor Math, and the fact registrations do not necessarily translate into the proverbial boots on the ground, this iteration is by far the largest yet.  How large? Well, you need to get off your butt, register, and attend.

- Mike Epler (also an LHG member) and his extended family, friends, and neighbors, are turning themselves inside out to support this event from the mystery forage items to water tanks to moving equipment and "farm stuff" around so we don't trip over it.

- New Albany is close to I-81, US 15, PA 14, and US 220. Look it up on Mapquest, and it is closer than you may think in terms of time and distance. I'm surprised to see we not only have 2 out of the 3 reenactors in Maine coming to this event, but 1 individual from as far away as Washington State.

- Gas prices are dropping. Okay, so a dime per gallon doesn't buy much anymore, but at least the price isn't hovering around $5.00 per gallon the way it was predicted -- knock on wood.

- The site itself is pretty, and while not pristine in the strictest since (some of the maple syrup operation is visible in places, but I find it interesting nonetheless) the town is at least as nice as McDowell or Mespo; the stream is ours to use, and once we cross "Cedar Run" the modern world is pretty much left behind, so this isn't one of those dreaded encampment and skirmish events.

- The $15 covers the usual event insurance, and period rations and forage items. I find insurance to be a necessary evil, but the latter interests me, in that Terri typically takes a lot of care to prepare period foodstuffs, and some of the ways people find their rations can be out of the box, pushing the envelope, or whatever the trendy term for boogity is this week.

- Like Jackson at Cedar Mountain, my butterknife may or may not be rusted into the scabbard for all I know, as I haven't had the inclination or reason to buckle it on since 2004. That's right, some of the current members haven't seen me lead a company in ages, if at all.  Since this is Doug's turn to "win," I'm not too worried about it, other than keeping you folks from drowning in "Cedar Run."  Oh, and we are going to play with Gilham's again, and from the getgo, no one is going to be perfect, although I have asked Paul Boulden serve as fugelman. Don't have a copy of Gilham's, well, here is a start on a digtal library:

(Mute the volume prior to opening this site.)

http://home.att.net/~Cap1MD/Drill.htm

- Snoring loudly will be permitted Saturday night. After all, you will have crossed a fine body of water, found some food somewhere, climbed a right fair hill, destroyed some cornfield, recovered your wounded pards, and otherwise used the majority of an approximately 1-square mile site.  I can't give it all away, but period transportation has been a recurring theme for the last few of these events, and this one is not likely to be an exception.

- I'm pretty sure if you are reading this and you can't get the darn thing in the mail until Monday that nobody is going to find a ruler and whack your knuckles.  That being said, don't test it.

Let's make this easy. No online folders to find. No documents to download. The registration materials are posted in many places, but this can be pasted into an email or MS-Word document, just copy, paste, print, complete, and mail it to Doug with a check for $15.

======================================================================

Clash at Crittenden's Farm
Death March X
Aug 22-24, 2008

Sponsored by: The Living History Guild
Potomac Legion Member Unit
Location: New Albany, Pennsylvania

This year's event will focus on the fighting between the Confederate
skirmishers and one of the two leading regiments that crossed Mrs.
Crittenden's cornfield. It is our tenth anniversary and we are hoping
to have several opportunities built into the event that aren't often
an option to actually execute.

Event impressions:
Federal - 111th Pennsylvania Infantry, 1st Maine cavalry, Knapp's
Battery E, Pennsylvania Light Artillery
Confederate – 13th Virginia Infantry, 7th Virginia Cavalry

FEE: $15.00 - covers rations & event insurance

Registration Deadline: until filled or Aug 1, 2008 which ever comes
first. The hosts reserve the right to freeze registrations to
maintain appropriate force ratios.

=====================================================================

Registration Form
"Clash at Crittenden's Farm"
Aug 22-24, 2008

STARTS FRIDAY @ 10 pm
Later arrivals MUST coordinate in advance.
On site cellular service is limited.

Registration is by individual & open to all Potomac Legion member
units. Non-PL units or individuals should contact the appropriate
US/CS commander PRIOR to registration.

Send registration/checks ($15.00), by Aug 1, 2008 payable to:

Douglas Oakes-- 2627 Comfort Hill Road, Wellsburg, NY 14894

Last Name: _________________________________

First Name: ________________________________

Telephone#: ________________________________

Mailing Address ____________________________

____________________________________________

Do you belong to a Potomac Legion member unit? YES NO
Have you served in a leadership position before? YES NO
Would you be interested in filling an NCO position if needed YES NO

Home unit affiliation: ________________________________________

Event Impression: US Inf Cav Art
CS Inf Cav Art
Civilian (invitation only)

Military participants MUST be over 16 to carry a firearm.
I am over the age of 18. YES NO (If not, then provide the
following information) I am under 18 but over 16 and will be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Name: __________________________

Relationship: _____________________

Contact information: ______________________

Do you possess any medical training? Yes No If yes, indicate
certification:_______________________

Emergency contact:

Last Name: _________________________________

First Name: ________________________________

Telephone#: ________________________________

Mailing Address ____________________________


List any allergies or medical conditions impacted by an extended foot
march under the above conditions.
______________________________________________________________________

Medical information will be kept confidential. If you prefer, bring the info
in a sealed envelope to the event. Envelopes would only be broken
open in case of medical emergencies and will be returned to you
unopened at the end of the event if not used.

I understand this event requires good health & can potentially cause
injury to me or others and shall hold harmless the Living History
Guild and its members from all instances in which any injury should
occur. I have faithfully represented the information above & provided
necessary personal medical history for use in emergencies.

Printed Name: ____________________________

Signature: _______________________________

Date: ______________________

=====================================================================

The Death March series of events is one of the best kept secrets in the hobby, and for what it is worth I'll spill the beans and mention about 50 registrants are going to find that out in a few weeks. I look forward to seeing you there, and remember, these events typically end early Sunday, so people can use that day as travel time.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Over and done, and not to be repeated....

While I polish off an AAR for the newsletter, I am reminded how nice it is to be able to attend an event of his high caliber conveniently located on the NY/PA border, and just how good the Epler farm maple syrup can be over pancakes.

Looking ahead to next year, the DM XI returns to Wellsburg and the theme ingredient appears to be corduroy. I spent some time combing the nearly 300 hits for corduroy in the ORs, and there is a heck of a lot more to building a corduroy road than just slapping some saplings together in a roadway. We corduroyed a good distance at Brandy Station a few years ago, but that was not the same as what may happen in 2009 along a muddy stretch of road.

Gotta love events that deliver. Big thanks to the Living History Guild!