ANNOUNCEMENT


In The Van: Trailing Kirby Smith


In August of 1862 General E. Kirby Smith's Army marched from East Tennessee to link up with Braxton Bragg invasion of Kentucky which would end at the Battle of Perryville. Crossing the Cumberland Mountains, Smith assigned Ledbetter's Brigade of Heth's Division to assist the Army's trains across the rugged terrain. During the move they encountered Unionist "Bushwhackers" as well as mountainous terrain, bad roads and inclement weather. We are recreating one brigade's trains in General Smith's Army.



The brigade trains will be made up of wagon companies, a supporting Infantry company, a Cavalry escort, and possibly Artillery. There may well have been a traveling forge, an ambulance, a sutler, and refugees following the column.



The event will be held on 12,000 acres of private land with a minimum of modern intrusions near Crossville, Tennessee from Sunday, July 18th through Saturday, the 24th, in 2010. Sunday will be registration, we will march Monday morning and we will muster out Saturday.



This will be an adventure like no other. We expect multiple wagons, teams and animals. The terrain is rough but manageable. The work will be strenuous. Our intent is to recreate an accurate experience of a part of a soldier's life in 1862, including food, living conditions, supply, administration, and work. This is an opportunity to learn how soldiers lived in a world dependent on animal transportation; and, the coordination necessary between the various elements of an army, Cavalry, Infantry and their support under realistic conditions. We expect to be moving wagons over obstacles, cutting firewood, improving roads, and gathering forage. This is not a beginners' event.



For more information:



Mounted: Jerry Ross, Jerryrosssgt@hotmail.com
All other Military: Rob Murray, in-the-van@charter.net
Refugees: Terre Lawson, in-the-van@att.net
Wagons and teams: Gerry Barker, gerybarker1@gmail.com

Mrs. Lawson,

Sounds very interesting for those of us who are no longer gainfully employed.