Battle on the Canal a huge success

I don't think we could have asked for a better weekend than the one we just had at the reenactment in Zoar Village. Soldiers and familys enjoyed a good turnout. Between the 5th, 4th, and 21st, our company was comprised of 22 men. This made for some good camp life, and even better fightin'.

Friday started off humid and wet. Rain came and went. Then came again. But by Friday evening, the humidity gave way to cool air, and the rain just plum went away. Though 50 yards apart, we traveled between the military camp and family camp with ease. And why not. The Tavern was right next to our family tents!

Our military street started off in a tree-covered lane that led to the battlefield. I would say it is one of the best spots we have had in some time. With a continual pot of coffee on the fire, and the Company fly in front of my tent to provide us a little more shade, it would have been a great place to stay for the entire week (as long as we could get a shower somewhere on Sunday night).
Saturday morning came early (and I mean EARLY). The bugle woke us at 5:45 am for the tactical. We 'cootered up in the dark and did the traditional battalion formation for the next hour (weee). Once we moved, it was a mile out... a hot fight in the woods... and a mile back. Breakfast never tasted so good. My thanks to Bill and Matt for coming down to help Mike K. get the military fire going so we could wake up with some fresh java.

The rest of Saturday was a gift. NO DRILL! Instead, we suttlered and the three units making one company sat around getting to know one another. I would be more than happy at any time to partner up with the 4th and 21st. They know their stuff and are good to have in a donnybrook.

The battle in the afternoon took us out to a very scrappy looking field that was just perfect. The trenches were already dug and muddy. A great Civil War setting. After the lines moved back and forth (and our front rank got it's share of the mud), the armys (300 yanks to 100 rebs) stood their ground and the fight concluded. No victor.

Back in camp, we cooled down and got back to gabbing, smoking, eating, and laughing. Truly, the best part of any event. Saturday night, continued much of the same and we spent some good times with our new pards from the 4th and 21st.

Sunday morning started off with an early dress parade and, SURPRISE! Drill. We thought we were going to luck out.

After the usual pre-packing, we moved off to the battle.

The long and short of it is, we were flanked and the Company moved into the woods to hold them off. I would say, this was one of the hottest fights we have been in. The Company held the flankers from the rebs for a bit, just long enough to get the rest of the battalion into the woods to support us. What I saw there was the old aggressive 5th that made the grey bellys stop in their tracks. Without real rounds, it is hard to push and hold. It is only aggressiveness that wins the day. In my experience, the rebs are the ones who use this piss and vinegar to their advantage. I could not have been more proud of the Company for having its blood up. The Battalion Commander from Western Brigade, Mike Lavis, said we did an outstanding job and that he knows few units who could have done what we did. When the spring drill comes, I would like to refine our tactics and keep this aggressive attitude going. The rebs don't expect it. And it is why in years past the 5th has been put to the front to hit the enemy hard.

This has been a great season and I am have been honored to serve as your commander. I will continue to do so at your discretion.

Your Servant,
Capt Christopher Smith

Zoar looming this weekend

Hey all: Just a word from the ol' skipper here. Zoar Village (THIS WEEKEND) is to be our last official event for the year. Our numbers look very good, as does the weather. We will have a family camp and military street as we had two years ago.

This is an Army of the Ohio event, but our friends from Birney's will be there as well. I plan to get down there in the late afternoon on Friday. Remember, The History Channel will be filming background footage this weekend so please make sure you stay in the period duds and all modern "stuff" is hidden and stowed at all times.

Looking forward to a great weekend with you all!

Chris
The guy with the sword

D-Day Museum Report

A report from friend on the gound in New Orleans comes this update on the status of the National D-Day Museum:

The Museum's web presence will be back shortly. Steve G. from I-55.com was just up here to fetch some rails for the server. He reports that the Museum took minimal storm damage but was broken into by looters. Somehow the exhibits were not infiltrated though.

First meetin' of the season

Hey folks. Tomorrow night is the first meeting of the regular series through the Fall, Winter, and Spring. There are a number of topics to discuss of some importance so I hope all of you will be there. Please bring your musket and traps so we can get in a little more fine tuning after business.

Lastly, don't forget out last reenactment of the year at Zoar Village, September 16-18!

Meeting Location: Northwest Avenue Church of Christ, 737 Northwest Avenue, Tallmadge, OH. Corner of Northwest Avenue and North Thomas Road, approximately 1/4 mi southeast of the six corners intersection of Brittian Rd, Howe Road, Northwest Ave (Tallmadge) and Tallmadge Ave (Cuy Falls)