Guys:

This was sent to me by one of my friends stationed overseas. I just thought it would be interesting to see what your take on the idea would be.


Gentlemen,
First of all, greetings form downrange, I hope this email finds you all well. Yesterday, I had a down day(day off) and spent about 16 hours having a "Civil War Sunday" I watched disc after disc of CW documentaries and spent the whole day doing some genealogy research. Anyway I turned in for the night with thoughts of the 150th Anne's dancing in my head, and reflecting on how much the hobby has changed(for the better) since the 130th, when I started this whole strange, yet rewarding trip. Somewhere around 3AM I woke up with an epiphany, that I would like to share with you guys and get your feedback on my thoughts. In just about 3 years we start the 150th anniversary of the conflict, and with that comes 5 years of mega event, timed to generally coincide with the actual dates of the events that we (attempt to)recreate. These sweet half decades always bring a surge in interest in the conflict and in the hobby-the 150th should be the biggest that any of use will experience in our lives, and something that we should all make the absolute most of. In and age of the all time high water mark of progressiveness, how can we take our experience to the proverbial "next level"? We have all been members of units, messes and even the occasional bastard battalion, which generally consists of messes or unit melted together for one historic moment. Not to slight any of these methods of organization, because all are important and beneficial to the hobby and our enjoyment of said hobby. Back during the 125th, Ben Lane,Davy Myers, and myself attempted to pick a specific unit and retrace their actions over a period of two years,with some degrees of success. It really gave me a perspective and appreciation, that set the tone of the hobby for me for a decade. What if someone were to attempt this at a company level? Here is the idea- a group of like minded individuals pick and research one specific company of one specific regiment and concentrates on the battle reenactments, of the battles that the regiment participated in over the period of the war. It would give the living historians, the opportunity to follow the lives, movements and progression of attitude and experiences over the period of the conflict. A small precise view on a grand scale. Instead of attempting to create a "magic moment", it would be a stab at creating a "magic half decade". I am not suggesting that anyone quit their respective units, messes or affiliates-by any means. I am suggesting the potential rewards of a "parallel experiment". We could have 3 years to research, recruit and form a company of individuals, with the sole purpose of following a company's path in the correct time frame and order, and only attending the events that the company was engaged in. It would still leave us open to attend any other events with our affiliates. It would be a "hardcore" entity, with the benefits that come with the organization of a mainstream company-sans any politics. No designated company commander and bull crap rank structure, no silly elections- we pass around a sword and all the responsibility that comes with it, anyone can get stuck with the burden of command with the draw of a lot. A non conforming, non unit-true socialism achieved on a small scale with a small scale, precise goal in mind. Everyone has the opportunity to experience every role in the company form lowly private to company commander. No one has ever attempted anything this challenging yet so simple in conception. So that is the idea in a nutshell, I have some further ideas for organization, but that would be something for collective reasoning and decision. So, how about some feedback-suggestions and adverse opinions. What do you guys think of my master plan? Any interest?-ELI



-S. ELI Geery-

TASKFORCE FALCON

29th Infantry DIV(LIGHT)

 

--Last edited by Ken Cornett on 2007-08-09 17:16:06 --

Here is the finishing details of the event.


The Calm Before the Storm-January, 1862"
-January 18th-20th, 2008-

January 1862, found the untried confederates of company I, 30th Tennessee at Ft.Donelson, Tennessee. Tasked with improving and securing the defenses at both Ft. Henry and Ft.Donelson, these were busy days filled with the tasks and details necessary to ready the Confederacy for the immenant offense of the Federal forces into the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers-vital arteries for both sides, and ultimatly the key to Nashville.


Scenerio

This is a 48 hour Immersion in which participants will portray Confederates of company I, 30th Tennessee, detailed to secure an advance picket line adjacent to the Telegraph Road, the main route of troops, supplies and communication between Forts Henry and Donelson, TN. The time frame is January, 1862.


SITE

Located adjacent to Davy Crockett State Park, near Howenwald Tennessee this pristine property is free from modern obstruction and developement and consists of 25 acres of rolling to hilly, densly forrested areas and beautiful springs and creeks. Actual site location and directions will be mailed ONLY to registered and invited participants.


This is a limited number, by invitation only, immersion event. We do this not to exclude anyone from this experience, but to guarantee a controlled and authentic enviroment for the participants, and to arrange and provide realistic logistics for everyone. Sorry, no walk-ons, anyone not pre-registered will be asked to leave. Anyone without the proper attitude will be asked to leave. this is an ego free historical moment, everyone here is a private, everyone is equal. All rations will be provided, details, duties, and assignments will be completed, however bitching is encouraged. Participants will be broken down into 4 man posts along a picket line and will be expected to improve their position, and be responsible for their assigned watch, as well as any details needed. First person, or at least period conversation is encouraged for the duration of the scenerio. Although, most of the participants will be seasoned living historians, "first timers" are welcomed. If this is your first immersion event you will be paired with a friendly, and helpful mentor, prior to the event to help make this a rewarding and non-intimidating experience for you. The staff will do our best to keep messmates together on posts, but due to numbers, this may not be possible in all situations.


Uniform Guidelines

Jackets: 1) Frockcoat, early war pattern of proper construction and material. preferrably brown or "butternut" color jean.
2) Commutation Jacket, or indescrïpt shell jacket of proper construction and material, early war pattern, preferrably brown or "butternut" color jean.
-NO COLUMBUS DEPOT JACKETS.
3) Military sack coats, early war pattern of proper construction and material. preferrably brown or "butternut" color jean.(did'nt see that one coming, did you!)
4) civilian pattern frock or sack coat.

Trousers: period style, military or civilian trousers of proper contruction and material. -NO FEDERAL TROUSERS.

shirts: period civilian or british Import shirt, proper material and construction.

footware: period civilian shoes,boots or imported English brogans. Federal brogans are allowed.

Headgear: 1) early war pattern jean Kepi or forrage cap.
2) period civilian hats, of quality construction and period style.
3) Pre-war militia hats.
-NO FEDERAL Dress hats(Hardee), Federal Forrage caps or Federal Kepis.

Weapons: 1) 1842 or 1847 Springfield musket with appropriate leathers and Bayonet.
2) 1816 Springfieldmusket with appropriate leathers and Bayonet.
3) Flintlocks and period percussion shotguns are allowed(no sawed offs or post-war cutdowns please).
4) 1853 Enfields and 1861 Springfields are allowed if that is all that you have-the 30th Tn had not been issued Endfields yet, but we dont expect anyone to purchase a new musket, just to meet the requirements of our humble little scenerio.

Canteens: 1)Tin drum canteen.
2)Mexican war canteen.
3) Wooden Gardner or Knukkles Pattern canteen.
4) Federal smoothside canteen(if its all you have)
with cover made of proper material -NO BULLSEYE CANTEENS.

Knapsacks: 1) Isaacs and Campbell English Import knapsack.
2)Kibbler, or Mexican war single bag "knapsack".
3) Militia "hardpack" framed Knapsack.
4)Federal "doublebag" knapsacks are discouraged, and if used, should be of the 1853 pattern and in very limited numbers-please no 1861 patern doublebags, just carry a blanket roll.

Blankets: 1) English Import wool blanket.
2) Period correct civilian blanket or coverlet.
3) Federal Issue Blankets are discouraged, unless it is all that you have-its probably going to be cold hypothermia is a buzz kill.-spooning is strongly encouraged.

Federal Shelter halves are discouraged, however this an ALL WEATHER EVENT, so they will be allowed, we would prefer that you carry a gum blanket, a painted cloth, or homemade fly.-Day's pattern poncho tents, are perfect for this scenerio.

Greatcoats/Overcoats: preferably Confederate or civilian styles, however Federal greatcoats will be allowed.

*THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF GEAR THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY HAVE IS A GOOD ATTITUDE, WE CAN WORK WITH ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE.*

FOR INVITATION AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL ELI GEERY AT RANGERNPARADISE@HOTMAIL.COM

See ya there!!