Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Birney's Division Command Staff schedule

These lists reflect the final schedule of events the Birney's command staff will attend to support the units. We will be notified if any additions or deletions occur as we plan our total schedule for 2006. Both the Western and Eastern schedules are included. This reflects Birney's efforts to provide great events within our region at reasonable travel distances, usually 2 hours or less to best serve our members. Please note, we are still awaiting information on the Army of the Ohio schedule as well.

Birneys Division Western Schedule 2006

May 27, 28 - Burton - Ohio

May 12, 13, 14 - New Market - Va

June 16, 17, 18 - Old Bedford Village / Southwestern Pa

July 21, 22, 23 - 145th Manassas / at Cedar Creek - Va

Aug 12, 13 - Hale Farm - Ohio

Aug 26, 27 - Lisbon - Ohio

Sept 16, 17 - Mesopotamia - Ohio

Oct 1 , 2 - Perryopolis / Southwestern Pa

Oct 21 , 22- Cedar Creek Va.



Birneys Division Eastern Schedule 2006

April 7, 8 , 9 - Old Bedford Village - non spectator event

May 12 , 13 , 14 - New Market - Va

June16, 17, 18 - Old Bedford Village / SW / Cent Pa.

June23, 24 , 25 - Shippensburg - SW / Central Pa.

July21, 22, 23 - Manassas - at Cedar Creek - Va.

August - 26, 27, 28 - Lisbon - Ohio

Sept 22, 23, 24 - Mesopotamia - Ohio

Sept / Oct 30, 1, 2 - Perryopolis / Southwestern Pa

Oct 21, 22 - Cedar Creek - Va

November - Remembrance Day - Gettysburg

Army of the Ohio Gettysburg info

Fellow Members,

Remembrance Day activities for the Army of the Ohio will begin at the 5th OVI monument at 9:30 AM. The monument is located just off the loop road between Culp's Hill and Spangler's Spring. There are many ways to get there, but if you take Slocum Ave off Route 97 and head for Auto Tour Stop 13 you will be close. Those of us staying together in hotels can convoy.

Following the 5th OVI ceremony, we will proceed to the Ohio monument at the National Cemetery. We will try to park at the Visitor's Center, but there is a lot of construction going on and we may have to park elsewhere and walk a bit. Carpooling is advised. There is a dedication ceremony scheduled in the cemetery until 10:30, and our permit expires at 11, so we have a narrow window to get in and out. We will decide on final directions and plans at the 5th OVI monument.

Please be advised that our permits specify NO WEAPONS. The Park has absolutely no sense of humor about this, and I understand that people have been fined $50 for possession of a single percussion cap. If you are marching in the parade, and must bring your weapon in your car, please leave it locked inside out of sight. To avoid any potential problems please DO NOT WEAR YOUR LEATHERS, OR SWORDS. White gloves and sashes are appropriate if you wish to wear them.

Kay and I will be bringing bio-degradable wreaths, incorporating Ohio bittersweet and buckeyes, for each ceremony. Other wreaths and floral tributes are welcome. I plan to prepare some brief remarks for each ceremony, and am relying on Capt Smith for the main message at the 5th's monument. Other appropriate sentiments are welcome.

For those staying at the Sleep Inn in Emmitsburg, the address and phone number are:

501 Silo Hill Pkwy
Emmitsburg, MD
(800) 408-4748

It's located just off Route 15, 9 miles south of Gettysburg. You can see the sign from the highway.

We have group reservations for 17 people at the Emmitsburg Carriage House Inn, on Seton Ave in Emmitsburg, at 6:30 PM Saturday. Please contact Kay if you are unable to attend. The Seton Ave exit is off Route 15 -- go into Emmitsburg, through a light and the Inn is on the right near Pizza Hut. Period dress is at your discretion.

Kay and I hope to see many of you there Friday night and Saturday!

Thanks,

Jim Ruley
Commanding, Army of the Ohio

Monday, November 14, 2005

145th Bull Run update

The 145th Bull Run event is one that is up for consideration as an event for the 5th in 2006. Just to keep all of you in the loop, this info just came in from Birney's Division.


In keeping up with developments on the Manassas event at Cedar Creek, I find the following that need your strict attention.

1 - the early registration is $15 till March 31 then goes to $20 late registration is $25 after May 31 ( awfully high registration fee )

2 - Limited to 12,000 reenactors

3 - No walk ons

4 - 45 guns per side

Information can be found at http://www.cedarcreekbattlefield.org/1stManReg.pdf

I need to know what units are serious about attending this event asap? We need to know if we are going to attend as an organization. If there is not sufficient interest the command staff will not attend the event. Please get back to me asap !

General Kelley


More information will be coming from Ken. We will most likely set our schedule very early this year and even start some initial conversations at the Christmas Party in a few weeks.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you for your confidence by allowing me to serve as your company commander in the field again this year. We have a lot of good potential events and some very fun stuff on our plate.

Your Servant,
Christopher Smith, Captain
Commanding, Company H, 5th OVI

Monday, November 07, 2005

Weapons at Gettysburg

Just an FYI for everyone. Though your muskets are obviously permitted during the parade, PLEASE REMEMBER to leave them in your car while we are at the 5th monument and the National Cemetary. The Park Service has specifically instructed us to follow this regulation during our two wreath ceremonies.

Thanks,
Chris

Gettysburg Remembrance Day update

Saturday, November 19th will be the annual obeservation of Remembrance Day in Gettysburg. The 5th is participating this year in several ceremonies in addition to the parade.

At 9:30 am, there will be a wreath laying at the 5th OVI monument by the Army of the Ohio. The location is Culp's Hill (across from Pardee Field). I will be bringing the unit Colors for this ceremony and hope there will be a volunteer from the 5th present to carry them.

At 10:15 am, the Army of the Ohio will be laying a wreath at the Ohio section of the National Cemetary.

The last event for the day will be the parade itself. It kicks off at 1 pm. Members of the 5th should meet at the National Wax Museum on Emmitsburg Road no later than 11:30 am. We will then move to the stagging area.

As mentioned in the newsletter by Ken Hillegass, there are rooms available in Chamersburg. Most members are heading out EARLY Saturday morning. I will be leaving right after work on Friday night and hope to coordinate with some of you at the unit meeting this Thursday.

Once the weekend get's going, you can try to reach me on my cell at 330-620-2311.


Boys, Keep the Colors Up!
Chris