Birney's Division Schedule

A great time was had by members of the Division this past weekend in Gettysburg. The annual planning meeting was also a success.

The 2008 Birney's Division schedule has now been published. Click here to check it out!

Parade in Gettysburg

As in the past Birney's Division will be marching in the parade on Saturday at Remembrance Day. We will meet at the Gettysburg elementary school as in the past at 12:00 pm. Please report to Col Baltzer upon arriving for placement. Keep in mind that all ammunition and caps are prohibited within the National Park. See you all there.

Chris

Antietam photos

A great group of pics from the 145h Antietam have been posted. CLICK HERE to take a gander.

Sweetening the pot of the Perryopolis event

Upon a suggestion from our 2nd Battalion commander Chris Smith, we are adding a Saturday night semi-tactical battle, non-spectator, just for us in the trenches. This will be in addition to the two Petersburg scenarios. Artillery and Infantry are encouraged to participate. Bring lots of powder!

Do we have any units wanting to stay in the barracks? We can accommodate about 40 soldiers. If so please get back to me asap. genedkelley@comcast.net

Your Servant,

Edward L. Kelley Sr. , Major General
Federal First Division
Birney's Division
Commanding

Petersburg: Fight for the Trenches

As soon as you catch your breath from the great Antietam event, it is time to get prepared for Birney's Division's last event of the season, the Perryopolis event.

This great event is as unique as they get. We custom built this site and geared it toward the theme of late war trench warfare. We were given Carte Blanche a few years ago on over 100 wooded acres and a bull dozer at our command to make any kind of Civil War site we desired. We had a 125 yard earthworks built along with a couple hand made log cabins and long barracks on the wooded site, featuring a wooded grove style of camp areas. The site is just about free of modern intrusions and is just right for a great Civil War event. We know you have all heard of the event you just need to give it a try to experience a very realistic reenacting event.

Imagine having heavy artillery bombardment with "shells" exploding all around you. Feeling the concussion of the explosions and having the debris showering all over. Believe me when the pyrotechnics and shelling starts you can hear the boys hooting in the trenches. It is a real rush. We make it a step back into time. You gotta try this one!

For the family there is a community festival about a half mile away from the secluded CW site and shuttles are provided. With great low priced concessions, arts and crafts and live music all weekend, a free meal on Saturday night, and a Military Ball to top it off.

The town of Perryopolis is a very historic place. The town was laid out by George Washington's Brother and a restored grist mill of George Washington's is on site as well. There is something for everyone there. The registration is just $7 , can't beat that!

This is a Birney's Division / PAC event. General Ed Kelley and Colonel Mark Essig are the commanders and if you have ever done one of our events you know the standard we maintain. We just don't do stale or bad events. Only fresh exciting ones for us.

Take a look on Birney's Divisions website. There is a Perryopolis page with more information, pics, and registration forms. www.birneysdivision.org/perryopolis

Your Servant,

Edward L. Kelley Sr., Major General
Federal First Division
Birney's Division
Commanding

Battalion Camp at Hale Farm

I just received an update from Gen Waffler and Hale Farm. Due to the size of our Battalion, Hale Farm is putting us up near the saw mill (click on a picture for a satellite image). This area is within the facility itself but will allow us more room.

I will be on site Friday around 1 pm. We are not to set up prior to the afternoon on Friday due to Hale Farm's insurance requirements. Don Van Meter of the 105th Ohio will also be there to direct you on where to set up.

We will be able to extend our camp into the woods, that will also allow us to forage for wood. However, based on last year, you may want to bring some firewood as a backup if you plan to do a lot of cooking.

DON'T FORGET: The Battalion Pig Roast Saturday night ($6.00 a head). Make sure to email your reservation to fretsnomor238@sbcglobal.net.

Sunday is Western Impression Day. Sack coats and slouch hats if you have them. This is not a requirement.

Looking forward to a big turnout. Please email clsmith@5thohio.com with any questions.

Birney's to go Whole Hog at Hale

As has become a tradition throughout the year, Birney's Division will do a period hog roast Saturday night at the reenactment at Hale Farm next weekend for our soldiers and their families. $6.00 per head will cover our costs and include sides (but ya gotsta bring your own drink).

PLEASE SEND THIS MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOUR UNIT MEMBERS!!! To reserve your meal, you must drop an email as soon as possible to Private "Fire at" Will Coffinbarger, WCoffinbarger@cuyahogavalleychurch.com

Birney's Drill weekend

Just a reminder, please let me know if you are planning to attend the 2d Battalion drill weekend at Camp Workman (March 17-18). We will have the ability to house troops in the tavern at night depending on the weather.

Click here to download the registration packet. There will be a meal served Saturday night.

Cheers,
Chris

Birney's Officer/NCO School

All,

Here is a detailed outline of the schedule for the school. The command staff has put a lot of thought and work into getting this offering ready for our member units. Please forward this to your NCOs / Sgts and Corporals and of course company commanders are invited. Please poll them as to who will be attending. We need your list of participants by Jan 27th that is one week from today. This school looks like it will be very interesting and informative. We look forward to seeing you there.

Birney's Division Officer / NCO School
Perryopolis, PA
March 31 April 1, 2007

Saturday, March 31, 2007

9:00-9:15 Welcome, Overview of School, Intro. of Instructors (General Kelley)
9:15-9:45 Leadership (Col Baltzer)
9:45-10:15 Grand Tactics and the Principles of War ( Lt Col Smith)
10:15-10:45 Bugle Calls (Lt Col Rorbaugh)
10: 45-11:05 Break
11:05-11:35 Duties of NCOs (Col Baltzer)
11:35-12:05 Duties of the Company Officer (Lt Mike Murphy)
12:05-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:15 Small Group Training

Station 1 Infantry Camp Layout (Lt Col Smith)
Station 2 Manual of the Sword (Lt Col Rorbaugh)
Station 3 Use of Front /Rear guards and flankers on the march (Col Baltzer)
Station 4 Small Arms Safety on the Field (Maj Jon Sever)
Station 5 Color Guard / Color Company (Lt Mike Murphy)
2:15-2:45 Duties of the Battalion Sergeant Major (Col Maefi, Sgt Maj Donahue)
2:45-3:05 Break
3:05-3:35 Duties of the Battalion Adjutant (Lt Mike Murphy)
3:35-4:05 Military Planning and Orders (Lt Col Smith)
4:05-4:35 Artillery Safety for the infantry commander (Artillery Officer)
4:35-5:05 Formation of the Battalion / Dress Parade (Col Baltzer)
3:50-4:20 Civil War Reconnaissance (Lt Col Smith)
4:20-4:50 Field Music- "Straw blowers and Sheepskin Fiddlers" (Lt Col Rorbaugh)

Sunday, April 1, 2007

9:00-9:30 Medical emergencies, burns and accidental discharges (Col Maefi)
9:30-10:00 Field Engineering (Col Baltzer)
10:00-10:20 Break
10:20-10:50 Police Guard/ Grand Guard (Lt Col Rorbaugh)
10:50-11:20 *****Topic to be determined ***** (Lt Mike Murphy)
11:20-11:50 Closing thoughts / Survey of Officer / NCO School (General Kelley)

Your Servant,
Edward L. Kelley Sr. Major General
Birney's Division
Commanding

Birney's Drill Info

The annual School of the Company and Battalion for the 2d Battalion of Birney's Division will be held on March 17-18, 2007, at Camp Workman.

Please CLICK HERE to download the information and registration form.

Feel free to forward this message and/or form to members in your unit, as well as other interested parties.

Beaver Creek info and photos

We very excited about the opportunity for Birney's and PACS to work on developing a new reenactment here in Ohio. The Beaver Creek Civil War event will be held May 4-6, 2007. Click here to get the latest info, download the registration form, and view photos of the event site.