I report, with great sadness, that long-time Civil War reenactor and founder of Birney's Division, Major General Edward Kelley has fought his final battle. General Kelley passed away this morning at his home in West Newton, PA after a long struggle with cancer.
To so many of us, Ed was a friend, mentor, leader, Masonic Brother, and sometimes provided a kick in the ass when we most needed it. This is a loss to us personally as well as the Civil War living history community.
Calling hours will be held on Monday with services on Tuesday. More information to follow.
It is hard to find the right words in times like these but I wanted to share some from Colonel Baltzer:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that our great leader has passed away today. General Ed Kelly has lost his battle with cancer. His vision of what we could grow into as a reenacting organization, his shepherding of the division from those that would minimize us and his respect by the reenacting community for the impact he made to the hobby is what makes him an icon among the rank and file as well as those leaders of national organizations. His drive and determination is what enabled Birney’s Division to grow into a force to be reckoned with within a few years, when many would take decades. “No nonsense” was his motto and hard fighting was his style on the field.
Yours in reenacting,
Paul Baltzer, Colonel
2nd Battalion
Birney’s Division
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
150th Bucktails host special November tour in Gettysburg
Major Mike Dallas of Birney's 2nd Battalion and the 150th PVI has invited all Birney's members for a special battlefield tour. The Bucktails will be hosting an event featuring battlefield tour guide Rich Korp. Rich will be giving us a different look at the 2nd and 3rd Corp actions at the Battle of Gettysburg. The tour is free but a hat will be passed for those who what to tip Rich.
When & Where: November 14th, 1 pm - The Peach Orchard.
When & Where: November 14th, 1 pm - The Peach Orchard.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Civil War Conference registration closing soon
While your company officer is at the Birney's Division Annual meeting on November 1st, we would like to remind you about the Ohio Civil War Reenactor Conference on the same day in Springfield, Ohio at the Heritage Center. This is really more of a mid-west conference for all reenactors. There will be sessions covering a wide range of topics and representatives from events around the region will be on hand to provide information and registration materials.
For more information go to www.facebook.com/OHCWRC or register at www.ohiocwr.eventzilla.net. Registration ends on October 29th.
For more information go to www.facebook.com/OHCWRC or register at www.ohiocwr.eventzilla.net. Registration ends on October 29th.
Reminder: Birney's Division Annual Meeting
Don't forget for those of you attending the Birney's Division Annual Meeting, go to the link below to register and to get all of the details. We would like one representative from each unit please.
www.2014birneysdivisionmeeting.eventbrite.com
www.2014birneysdivisionmeeting.eventbrite.com
Friday, September 12, 2014
More info on the Birney's Division meeting
Are you attending the Birney's Division Annual Meeting on November 1st? You can register and get all of the details (including a map) at the following link: www.2014birneysdivisionmeeting.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Beaver Creek in just a few weeks
Ok folks. We are back at it. The next Birney's 2nd Battalion Civil War reenactment is coming up in just a few weeks. September 6th and 7th will be Beaver Creek in East Liverpool, OH. For more details and to get updates, LIKE the event page at www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekCivilWar and go to the website, www.beavercreekcivilwar.com.
Monday, August 04, 2014
Beaver Creek pre-registration closing
Hey reenactors! The pre-registration cutoff for the Beaver Creek Civil War Reenactment (September 6-7, 2014) is in just a few days. Download the form here and get it postmarked by August 6th! http://www.beavercreekcivilwar.com/reenactors.html
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
Argus Park in July
Don't forget the Bi-Annual Civil War Reenactment at Argus Park this month! Reenactors, make sure you register and LIKE the event's Facebook page to get all of the details. www.facebook.com/ArgusCivilWar
Thursday, June 05, 2014
Reenacting insurance information
Fellow Reenactors,
It is now coming up on that time of the year again when you must submit your member lists and payment for insurance coverage through the 2015 campaign year. The Reenactors insurance policy for Birney’s Division, through Lloyds of London is due to expire July of 2014. In order for us to renew in time with no break in service, we need to gather our information and funds as quickly as possible, for submission to the insurance carrier for coverage.
The requirements for coverage is that every individual who desires coverage must submit the $8.00 annual premium fee and be included on a list as paid when submitted for coverage by each individual company commander.
Members, who are not paid, will not be covered under this policy. Although this is a blanket policy and does cover those individuals who may be new to hobby or who were not on a company role before the renewal date. We can add those individuals during the season as necessary; however they will be covered under policy until added.
We are not in the insurance business and in no way do we want to force you to purchase this insurance. We do want you to understand, there is some misconception throughout the hobby about coverage and we would like to clear that up at this time. Many believe because this insurance is a blanket policy, you are covered by the policy even if you have not paid the $8.00 premium. This is not true. If a company has 20 members and only provides payment for 10 members, thinking the others will be covered under the blanket policy, is a total misunderstanding of how the policy works. In speaking with the insurance agent it was explained to me that coverage of individual reenactor is determined from the lists your companies submit and we are required to maintain. Our $8.00 premium per person is determined by the total number of members we submit, not by how many we might have.
We strongly recommend that each person military or civilian purchase the insurance. Our hobby can be dangerous even if you never venture on to the battlefield. Liability Insurance is essential to protect your and your families assets against losses that could occur due to a lawsuit resulting in injury where you are found responsible or negligent. This policy covers up to 1 million dollars of protection. For many events today you must provide proof of insurance to even take the field. The policy we have also provides for $350,000 of property damage in the event something gets burned or broken. The policy also contains a small accident/medical protection or personal injury component to members that is first dollar if you have NO personal medical insurance and backs up the plan you have if limits are met. Slips and falls in camps, miles of ropes and stakes between the tents, tripping into a fire pit or the ever present danger of the exhausting heat. One trip in an ambulance to an emergency room for treatment can cost in the thousands.
For the $8.00 per year, the coverage is great and you don’t need to submit claims with your personal (liability) insurance trying to get coverage while explaining when, how and why you need to be covered, if they would even cover it.
ALL COMPANY COMMANDERS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE LIST OF MEMBERS TO BE INSURED.
Company Represented:
Name of applicant: list each individual as a single
Total number to be insured:
Total of funds sent for insured:
List of events your company plans to attend or sponsor for the term of the policy, all events become Birney’s Division events to be properly insured.
Make checks or money orders payable to: Birney’s Division LLC
Mail checks to: Michael Maffei
1951 Hertford Dr.
South Park, PA 15129
ALL LISTS AND MONEY MUST SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN JUNE 20TH FOR COVERAGE
It is now coming up on that time of the year again when you must submit your member lists and payment for insurance coverage through the 2015 campaign year. The Reenactors insurance policy for Birney’s Division, through Lloyds of London is due to expire July of 2014. In order for us to renew in time with no break in service, we need to gather our information and funds as quickly as possible, for submission to the insurance carrier for coverage.
The requirements for coverage is that every individual who desires coverage must submit the $8.00 annual premium fee and be included on a list as paid when submitted for coverage by each individual company commander.
Members, who are not paid, will not be covered under this policy. Although this is a blanket policy and does cover those individuals who may be new to hobby or who were not on a company role before the renewal date. We can add those individuals during the season as necessary; however they will be covered under policy until added.
We are not in the insurance business and in no way do we want to force you to purchase this insurance. We do want you to understand, there is some misconception throughout the hobby about coverage and we would like to clear that up at this time. Many believe because this insurance is a blanket policy, you are covered by the policy even if you have not paid the $8.00 premium. This is not true. If a company has 20 members and only provides payment for 10 members, thinking the others will be covered under the blanket policy, is a total misunderstanding of how the policy works. In speaking with the insurance agent it was explained to me that coverage of individual reenactor is determined from the lists your companies submit and we are required to maintain. Our $8.00 premium per person is determined by the total number of members we submit, not by how many we might have.
We strongly recommend that each person military or civilian purchase the insurance. Our hobby can be dangerous even if you never venture on to the battlefield. Liability Insurance is essential to protect your and your families assets against losses that could occur due to a lawsuit resulting in injury where you are found responsible or negligent. This policy covers up to 1 million dollars of protection. For many events today you must provide proof of insurance to even take the field. The policy we have also provides for $350,000 of property damage in the event something gets burned or broken. The policy also contains a small accident/medical protection or personal injury component to members that is first dollar if you have NO personal medical insurance and backs up the plan you have if limits are met. Slips and falls in camps, miles of ropes and stakes between the tents, tripping into a fire pit or the ever present danger of the exhausting heat. One trip in an ambulance to an emergency room for treatment can cost in the thousands.
For the $8.00 per year, the coverage is great and you don’t need to submit claims with your personal (liability) insurance trying to get coverage while explaining when, how and why you need to be covered, if they would even cover it.
ALL COMPANY COMMANDERS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE LIST OF MEMBERS TO BE INSURED.
Company Represented:
Name of applicant: list each individual as a single
Total number to be insured:
Total of funds sent for insured:
List of events your company plans to attend or sponsor for the term of the policy, all events become Birney’s Division events to be properly insured.
Make checks or money orders payable to: Birney’s Division LLC
Mail checks to: Michael Maffei
1951 Hertford Dr.
South Park, PA 15129
ALL LISTS AND MONEY MUST SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN JUNE 20TH FOR COVERAGE
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Hale Farm honors reenactors
If reenactors who have participated in the August event would like to attend, the ticket price is $50 per person (normal ticket price is $75) for the main event which begins at 7 pm. If reenactors would like to attend the preview party as well, the cost is $100 (normal ticket price is $125) and that begins at 6 pm.
To purchase tickets call or email Angela Broholm 330.666.3711 x1708, or abroholm@wrhs.org. Angela will verify previous participation in the reenactment and take payments.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Birney's Division training this weekend
Birney’s Division School of Instruction
Harry Sampey Park
Perryopolis, PA
May 2-4, 2014
DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Harry+Sampey+Park/@40.086903,-79.744904,17z
Get ready for another season with one of the most important events the organization conducts all hear. This will be held at the Civil War facility in Perryopolis, PA which features heated period barracks. All units should take advantage of the years of experience provided by the weekend's instructors. Learn to do it right and take that knowledge back to your units. It is highly recommended that company officers and NCOs attend.
The following is the training schedule for the weekend.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
9:00 - Welcome and opening remarks [Gen. Maffei]
9:20 - School of the Company: Company officers will have soldiers run through the evolutions of the schools of the soldier and school of the company. [Co. officers and NCO’s]
10:30 - Duties of the NCO and company officer: A lecture / discussion will be held on the re-enactor appropriate duties and role of the NCO and company officer. [Col. Baltzer]
11:30 - Battalion Evolutions: [Col. Freeman]
- Formation of the Battalion
- Dress Parade [Col. Freeman and Major Murphy]
- Color Guard and Guidons
- Weapons Inspection
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Camp operations of Birney’s Division [Maj. Murphy]
1:30 - Battalion Evolutions: [Col Freeman]
- Basic Bugle Calls [Col. Rorhbaugh]
- From Line to Columns of Companies
- From Line to Marching by the Flank
- From Line to Double Columns
- To maneuver any of the above
2:00 - Safety: [Col. Baltzer]
- Small Arms and Artillery
2:30 - Medical Emergencies [Gen. Maffei]
- Heat
- Hydration
- Man down
3:00 - Battalion Evolutions: [Col. Freeman]
- Deployments from Columns, Double Columns and By the Flank
- Advancing in Line and use of guides
- Battalion Firings
4:00 - Closing thoughts and debrief of days activities
Sunday, May 4, 2014
7:00 - Reveille
8:30 - Dress Parade [Col. Freeman and Major Murphy]
- Formation of the battalion
- Weapons Inspection
9:40 - School of the Company: Company officers will have soldiers run through the evolutions of the schools of the soldier and school of the company. [Co. officers and NCO’s]
10:30 - Skirmish Drill [Col. Freeman]
- Deployments
- Maneuver
- Firings
- Assembly of Skirmishers
11:00 - Overview of Battalion Evolutions [Gen. Maffei]
Harry Sampey Park
Perryopolis, PA
May 2-4, 2014
DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Harry+Sampey+Park/@40.086903,-79.744904,17z
Get ready for another season with one of the most important events the organization conducts all hear. This will be held at the Civil War facility in Perryopolis, PA which features heated period barracks. All units should take advantage of the years of experience provided by the weekend's instructors. Learn to do it right and take that knowledge back to your units. It is highly recommended that company officers and NCOs attend.
The following is the training schedule for the weekend.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
9:00 - Welcome and opening remarks [Gen. Maffei]
9:20 - School of the Company: Company officers will have soldiers run through the evolutions of the schools of the soldier and school of the company. [Co. officers and NCO’s]
10:30 - Duties of the NCO and company officer: A lecture / discussion will be held on the re-enactor appropriate duties and role of the NCO and company officer. [Col. Baltzer]
11:30 - Battalion Evolutions: [Col. Freeman]
- Formation of the Battalion
- Dress Parade [Col. Freeman and Major Murphy]
- Color Guard and Guidons
- Weapons Inspection
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Camp operations of Birney’s Division [Maj. Murphy]
1:30 - Battalion Evolutions: [Col Freeman]
- Basic Bugle Calls [Col. Rorhbaugh]
- From Line to Columns of Companies
- From Line to Marching by the Flank
- From Line to Double Columns
- To maneuver any of the above
2:00 - Safety: [Col. Baltzer]
- Small Arms and Artillery
2:30 - Medical Emergencies [Gen. Maffei]
- Heat
- Hydration
- Man down
3:00 - Battalion Evolutions: [Col. Freeman]
- Deployments from Columns, Double Columns and By the Flank
- Advancing in Line and use of guides
- Battalion Firings
4:00 - Closing thoughts and debrief of days activities
Sunday, May 4, 2014
7:00 - Reveille
8:30 - Dress Parade [Col. Freeman and Major Murphy]
- Formation of the battalion
- Weapons Inspection
9:40 - School of the Company: Company officers will have soldiers run through the evolutions of the schools of the soldier and school of the company. [Co. officers and NCO’s]
10:30 - Skirmish Drill [Col. Freeman]
- Deployments
- Maneuver
- Firings
- Assembly of Skirmishers
11:00 - Overview of Battalion Evolutions [Gen. Maffei]
Monday, April 14, 2014
Hale Farm Civil War promo makes its debut
Western Reserve Historical Society has created a series of short videos to promote the Civil War reenactment at Hale Farm and Village. In the next couple of months we will be rolling out the videos on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, on our website, and sharing it with others to generate additional buzz about Hale and the largest annual Civil War Reenactment in the state.
Here is the link: http://bit.ly/1qFHM1a.
We will be in contact with community partners in the Akron and Cleveland areas, the reenactor community, and others to help us share the video. We will also be providing the link to reporters who covered the event last year. Additionally, we’ll have it available for viewing at this year’s Legacy Award Benefit on May 17.
If you use social media, we encourage you to include the link in your preferred channels. And, feel free to share with friends and colleagues via email, as well!
We want to thank our good friends at Lost Tribe Media who shot the video and who edited it so beautifully. Additionally, we want to thank the Akron-Summit CVB who provided a grant to support additional promotional of the Civil War event at Hale; a portion of the grant was used in the production of the video.
If you are like I am, you’ll just want to watch it over and over!
Jane Mason
VP Communications & Marketing, CMO
Western Reserve Historical Society
Friday, March 21, 2014
Birney's Division School in May
Birney's Division 2014 NCO/Officer School of Instruction
May 2-4, Perryopolis, PA
All members of Birney's Division are asked to attend, Company Commanders BRING YOUR TROOPS! This will be an opportunity for the entire Division to learn and practice together without the duties and time restraints at an event.
Birney's Division welcomes all units to participate in our Spring School of Instruction. This will be a weekend series of short classroom instructional sessions, coupled together with field drill experience. We know that many of you are experienced veterans with many years in the hobby and we hope that you will share than knowledge and experience with others. What we hope to accomplish is to allow as many recently promoted NCOs and officers the experience of conducting the maneuvers and practical tactics we will use on the reenactment field.
Perryopolis is a facility located about 15 miles from Exit 75 (New Stanton) on the PA Turnpike. The training camp was designed and built by reenactors for reenactors with seven period heated buildings. This includes a two-story barracks that sleeps about 30. We will assign sleeping quarters on a first come first serve basis. There is an abundance of camping areas for others.
DIRECTIONS: Exit the PA Turnpike at New Stanton. Take I-70 West to the Rt. 515 Exit. Follow Rt. 515 to the 3rd light and make a left. Follow the signs to the CW camps in the back of the park. A light lunch will be available Saturday for a small fee.
Please send your Company information (including the number attending) to General Maffei at general_maffei@verizon.net NO LATER THAN April 25, 2014.
May 2-4, Perryopolis, PA
All members of Birney's Division are asked to attend, Company Commanders BRING YOUR TROOPS! This will be an opportunity for the entire Division to learn and practice together without the duties and time restraints at an event.
Birney's Division welcomes all units to participate in our Spring School of Instruction. This will be a weekend series of short classroom instructional sessions, coupled together with field drill experience. We know that many of you are experienced veterans with many years in the hobby and we hope that you will share than knowledge and experience with others. What we hope to accomplish is to allow as many recently promoted NCOs and officers the experience of conducting the maneuvers and practical tactics we will use on the reenactment field.
Perryopolis is a facility located about 15 miles from Exit 75 (New Stanton) on the PA Turnpike. The training camp was designed and built by reenactors for reenactors with seven period heated buildings. This includes a two-story barracks that sleeps about 30. We will assign sleeping quarters on a first come first serve basis. There is an abundance of camping areas for others.
DIRECTIONS: Exit the PA Turnpike at New Stanton. Take I-70 West to the Rt. 515 Exit. Follow Rt. 515 to the 3rd light and make a left. Follow the signs to the CW camps in the back of the park. A light lunch will be available Saturday for a small fee.
Please send your Company information (including the number attending) to General Maffei at general_maffei@verizon.net NO LATER THAN April 25, 2014.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
History Day in Cleveland needs judges
Western Reserve Historical Society is recruiting new members for their Board of Judges for this year’s District 3 History Day Contest, scheduled to take place in Cleveland’s University Circle on Saturday, March 15th. This year’s contest will center on the theme of “Rights and Responsibilities.”
For those of you new to judging for History Day, it is a valuable experience year-long experience that engages students from area public, private and parochial schools with the study of history in a “science fair” type of atmosphere. The student who goes on to win the National History Day Contest receives a 4-year scholarship to Case Western Reserve University. Please go to www.nhd.org for more information about National History Day.
Volunteering as a History Day judge will entail your presence at the District 3 contest on Saturday, March 15th. Following a brief orientation, teams of three judges will disperse to evaluate student papers, student-constructed websites, performances, documentaries and exhibits at various sites in the Western Reserve Historical Society History Center or on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.
Lunch is provided for judges, during or after which judges finalize their evaluation forms and confer with other teams in their category to select finalists for the state competition. Judges are invited, but not required, to attend the awards program at 2:30 p.m.
If you are interested in participating as a History Day Judge, please complete the form at the following link:
http://www.wrhs.org/explore/Want_Participate_History_Day#for_judges_and_volunteers
Email it to historyday@wrhs.org - Subject Line-HD Judge as soon as possible, preferably by February 28th. We appreciate your consideration in performing this service in the cause of history education.
For those of you new to judging for History Day, it is a valuable experience year-long experience that engages students from area public, private and parochial schools with the study of history in a “science fair” type of atmosphere. The student who goes on to win the National History Day Contest receives a 4-year scholarship to Case Western Reserve University. Please go to www.nhd.org for more information about National History Day.
Volunteering as a History Day judge will entail your presence at the District 3 contest on Saturday, March 15th. Following a brief orientation, teams of three judges will disperse to evaluate student papers, student-constructed websites, performances, documentaries and exhibits at various sites in the Western Reserve Historical Society History Center or on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.
Lunch is provided for judges, during or after which judges finalize their evaluation forms and confer with other teams in their category to select finalists for the state competition. Judges are invited, but not required, to attend the awards program at 2:30 p.m.
If you are interested in participating as a History Day Judge, please complete the form at the following link:
http://www.wrhs.org/explore/Want_Participate_History_Day#for_judges_and_volunteers
Email it to historyday@wrhs.org - Subject Line-HD Judge as soon as possible, preferably by February 28th. We appreciate your consideration in performing this service in the cause of history education.