The idea's so outside the box it's hard to believe anyone thought of it.
But thinking "outside the box" is what the local civic club "Outside The Box" does, and that's what members did when they thought about this weekend's re-enactments of the 1865 Battle of Columbus at the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum, online at www.portcolumbus.org.
"We thought about how meticulous those Civil War re-enactors are about having historically accurate uniforms and equipment," says OTB President Hugh Lessjo. "Then we thought, 'Who else is so obsessive about having the right props and costumes?' "
The answer: Star Trek fans.
"We have Star Trek fan clubs in our area, and Sunday's battle re-enactment already includes a 'what-if' scenario featuring a Confederate counterattack," says Lessjo. "So we started thinking outside the box, and we thought, 'Why not have Trekkies join the battle?' They already have the equipment."
OTBs, or "Outside The Boxers," as they call themselves, are unconventional thinkers who believe "there are no stupid ideas," Lessjo says. "We really just wanted to know what would happen if Civil War soldiers fought the crew from 'Star Trek.' You never see that in the movies or TV reruns."
So the OTBs asked battle organizers: Why not attract a wider audience by staging a second "what-if" battle sequence in which a starship crew joins the conflict?
Unwilling to openly ridicule the idea, organizers set up a meeting for Lessjo, Confederate re-enactors and a local Star Trek club -- the latter two in full regalia.
Then the trouble began.
First the Confederates said they wouldn't associate with "Trekkies," and the Star Trek fans said they preferred "Trekkers." The Confederates all laughed, and "that right there got things off on the wrong foot," Lessjo says.
Other missteps followed.
"One of the Trekkers said Starfleet's prime directive wouldn't let the crew introduce superior technology to a primitive culture," Lessjo says. "Then a rebel yelled, 'Don't call us primitive, geek!' And the Trekker said Starfleet wouldn't defend a society based on slavery, either."
That riled the Confederates, provoking one to shout: "Y'all just go fight for the Yankees then! You're all living in a fantasy world anyway!"
"Yeah, like you're not!" a Trekker retorted.
Both sides abruptly drew their weapons, and Lessjo ducked under a table as the firing commenced, he says. He did not crawl back out until the smoke cleared, and by then the Trekkers had withdrawn from the field.
"It turns out replica Civil War guns use real gunpowder, whereas 'Star Trek' phasers have only a battery-powered bulb that lights up," says Lessjo. "You don't go up against a guy with a firearm if all you've got is a flashlight."
So thinking outside the box yielded an unexpected answer to OTB's hypothetical question: "We proved Civil War soldiers would win a battle against the crew from 'Star Trek,' " Lessjo says, chuckling. "You never would have figured that, would you?"
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Directions to Camp Workman
For those of you who didn't get the link yesterday, here are directions to Camp Workman:
- Take I-76 E out of the Akron Interchange
- Take Exit 38B, Rt 44 N
- Curve to the right taking the Rt 5 Bypass
- Turn Right on Hayes Rd.
- Just past Hattrick Rd., look for the CW sign on the right (5200 Hayes Rd.)
Monday, April 11, 2005
Drill in the sun!
Looking at the extended forcast, cool but sunny weather is expected for the Drill this up-coming weekend. A little cool sleeping weather Friday night but all are welcome to sleep in the bunkhouse in the tavern.
Please remember to bring the following in addition to your personal equipment:
Please remember to bring the following in addition to your personal equipment:
- Rounds and caps
- Food (breakfast if you are coming in Friday, lunch, and dinner if you are staying Saturday)
- Dog tents or A tents are both acceptable if you are billeting
Water and wood will be provided. You will need to bring your own staw. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. (330) 620-2311. This is my cell phone and I will be on-site around noon this Friday.
For directions, please click the link below. Look for the "CW" sign. Parking will be off of the main road and a wagon will take you to the camp Friday night. For those coming in for the 9 am morning formation, the camp will be just off the road, west of the tavern.
Looking forward to seeing all of you there!
Captain Smith
Company H, 5th OVI
Thursday, April 07, 2005
School of the Company
With the upcoming drill day, a little PRE-review of Casey's 1862 Infantry Tactics - School of the Company might be in order. There is an excellent web site for this and I will be covering some of the items periodically via the 5th's News Page and in the email.
1. INSTRUCTION by company will always precede that by battalion, and the object being to prepare the soldiers for the higher school, the exercises of detail by company will be strictly adhered to, as well in respect to principles, as the order of progression herein prescribed.
2. There will be attached to a company undergoing elementary instruction, a captain, a covering sergeant, and a certain number of file closers, the whole posted in the manner indicated, Title First, and, according to the same Title, the officer charged with the exercise of such company will herein be denominated the instructor.
3. The School of the Company will be divided into six lessons.
4. The company will always be formed in two ranks. The men will take their places in ranks as prescribed in No. 15 Title I. (see Casey's), and without any preliminary formation. The instructor will then cause the files to be numbered, and for this purpose will command:
In each rank- Count Twos.
5. At this command, the men count in each rank, from right to left, pronouncing in a loud and distinct voice, in the same tone, without hurry and without turning the head, one, two, according to the place which each one occupies. He will also cause the company to be divided into platoons and sections, taking care that the first platoon is always composed of an even number of files.
6. The instructor will be as clear and concise as possible in his explanations; he will cause faults of detail to be rectified by the captain, to whom he will indicate them, if the captain should not himself have observed them; and the instructor will not otherwise interfere, unless the captain should not well comprehend, or should badly execute his intentions.
7. Composure, or presence of mind, in him who commands, and in those who obey, being the first means of order in a body of troops, the instructor will labor to habituate the company to this essential quality, and will himself give the example.
Click here for Lesson I
1. INSTRUCTION by company will always precede that by battalion, and the object being to prepare the soldiers for the higher school, the exercises of detail by company will be strictly adhered to, as well in respect to principles, as the order of progression herein prescribed.
2. There will be attached to a company undergoing elementary instruction, a captain, a covering sergeant, and a certain number of file closers, the whole posted in the manner indicated, Title First, and, according to the same Title, the officer charged with the exercise of such company will herein be denominated the instructor.
3. The School of the Company will be divided into six lessons.
4. The company will always be formed in two ranks. The men will take their places in ranks as prescribed in No. 15 Title I. (see Casey's), and without any preliminary formation. The instructor will then cause the files to be numbered, and for this purpose will command:
In each rank- Count Twos.
5. At this command, the men count in each rank, from right to left, pronouncing in a loud and distinct voice, in the same tone, without hurry and without turning the head, one, two, according to the place which each one occupies. He will also cause the company to be divided into platoons and sections, taking care that the first platoon is always composed of an even number of files.
6. The instructor will be as clear and concise as possible in his explanations; he will cause faults of detail to be rectified by the captain, to whom he will indicate them, if the captain should not himself have observed them; and the instructor will not otherwise interfere, unless the captain should not well comprehend, or should badly execute his intentions.
7. Composure, or presence of mind, in him who commands, and in those who obey, being the first means of order in a body of troops, the instructor will labor to habituate the company to this essential quality, and will himself give the example.
Click here for Lesson I
Monday, April 04, 2005
This just in...
No. 295. -- Report of Col. John H. Patrick,
Fifth Ohio Infantry
GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD,
July 4, 1863.
LIEUTENANT: In pursuance to orders from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Fifth Ohio Volunteers in the action near Gettysburg: We commenced operations by an order to proceed to the extreme left of our line, and occupied a hill covered with trees. The One hundred and forty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers was also placed under my command, to extend and increase the front of our position. We deployed as skirmishers in our front across an open valley to a light strip of woods, and in front of that timber facing an open field, for the purpose of guarding against a flank movement of the enemy. We remained there until the following morning, when we received orders at 5 o'clock to return to the brigade. We advanced to the right of our line; halted, formed double column closed en masse, stacked arms, and remained until evening, when we were ordered to a position on our right flank, for the purpose of holding the enemy in check, for they had advanced on our right. We remained there about two hours, when we were ordered to return and take position. The men rested on their arms until daylight, when we were replaced, by an order from Col. Charles Candy, commanding brigade, farther forward, in order that we might have a better view of the enemy and be well protected from his fire. The first firing commenced about 3.50 a.m., and continued until 11 a.m. without intermission.
As the fight progressed and the forces took position, it became obvious to me that a line of skirmishers should be thrown forward on our flank and behind a stone wall, which would enable us to give the enemy a cross-fire. I immediately ordered Company F, of our regiment, in command of Lieutenant Brinkman (a brave and gallant officer, who fell during the action), to advance with his company as skirmishers, having the stone wall for a protection. I instructed him to fret the enemy as much as possible, for the purpose of drawing him from his intrenchments. The result was most satisfactory, the skirmishers annoying the enemy so much that they were compelled to make a charge on our skirmishers, and either capture or drive them, neither of which was accomplished. As soon as they were fully uncovered, they received volley after volley, until they were forced to retire. The same effort was made a second time, and with the same result.
To the above strategy I attribute a large share of our success, for the rebels were driven back with terrific slaughter after the second repulse, and retreated from the breastworks. Very soon after this last repulse, we occupied the intrenchments. During the rest of that day and the night following, they annoyed us considerably with their sharpshooters. Some of them had air-rifles, and we could not discover their whereabouts. At night the flashes of the regular rifles can be seen, but there is no warning from the air-rifle. The enemy retreated from our front some time in the forepart of the night.
Respectfully submitted.
John H.PATRICK,
Colonel, Fifth Ohio.
Fifth Ohio Infantry
GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD,
July 4, 1863.
LIEUTENANT: In pursuance to orders from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Fifth Ohio Volunteers in the action near Gettysburg: We commenced operations by an order to proceed to the extreme left of our line, and occupied a hill covered with trees. The One hundred and forty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers was also placed under my command, to extend and increase the front of our position. We deployed as skirmishers in our front across an open valley to a light strip of woods, and in front of that timber facing an open field, for the purpose of guarding against a flank movement of the enemy. We remained there until the following morning, when we received orders at 5 o'clock to return to the brigade. We advanced to the right of our line; halted, formed double column closed en masse, stacked arms, and remained until evening, when we were ordered to a position on our right flank, for the purpose of holding the enemy in check, for they had advanced on our right. We remained there about two hours, when we were ordered to return and take position. The men rested on their arms until daylight, when we were replaced, by an order from Col. Charles Candy, commanding brigade, farther forward, in order that we might have a better view of the enemy and be well protected from his fire. The first firing commenced about 3.50 a.m., and continued until 11 a.m. without intermission.
As the fight progressed and the forces took position, it became obvious to me that a line of skirmishers should be thrown forward on our flank and behind a stone wall, which would enable us to give the enemy a cross-fire. I immediately ordered Company F, of our regiment, in command of Lieutenant Brinkman (a brave and gallant officer, who fell during the action), to advance with his company as skirmishers, having the stone wall for a protection. I instructed him to fret the enemy as much as possible, for the purpose of drawing him from his intrenchments. The result was most satisfactory, the skirmishers annoying the enemy so much that they were compelled to make a charge on our skirmishers, and either capture or drive them, neither of which was accomplished. As soon as they were fully uncovered, they received volley after volley, until they were forced to retire. The same effort was made a second time, and with the same result.
To the above strategy I attribute a large share of our success, for the rebels were driven back with terrific slaughter after the second repulse, and retreated from the breastworks. Very soon after this last repulse, we occupied the intrenchments. During the rest of that day and the night following, they annoyed us considerably with their sharpshooters. Some of them had air-rifles, and we could not discover their whereabouts. At night the flashes of the regular rifles can be seen, but there is no warning from the air-rifle. The enemy retreated from our front some time in the forepart of the night.
Respectfully submitted.
John H.PATRICK,
Colonel, Fifth Ohio.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Update on drill and meeting
The monthly newsletter will be out this next week, but here is some breaking news for the Company drill on April 16.
I was at Camp Workman today to inspect the ground. Of course the weather this weekend has made it soggy, but it is draining nicely. The camp will be situated on high ground. As a back-up, we can quarter in the tavern if need be. We go this time regardless.
Just a reminder for those who wish to setup and/or stay Friday night, they may do so any time after 4 pm. For the rest, opening formation starts PROMPTLY at 9 am. No shirkers!
Lastly, I do want to mention that we will have a brief drill at the monthly meeting on April 14th. Please bring your musket.
Sincerely,
Captain C.L. Smith
Commanding
I was at Camp Workman today to inspect the ground. Of course the weather this weekend has made it soggy, but it is draining nicely. The camp will be situated on high ground. As a back-up, we can quarter in the tavern if need be. We go this time regardless.
Just a reminder for those who wish to setup and/or stay Friday night, they may do so any time after 4 pm. For the rest, opening formation starts PROMPTLY at 9 am. No shirkers!
Lastly, I do want to mention that we will have a brief drill at the monthly meeting on April 14th. Please bring your musket.
Sincerely,
Captain C.L. Smith
Commanding