Good morning gents. Over the next week, I will be passing on anumber of messages about Zoar to keep you up to date. PLEASE pass this info on to your unit members!
As you have already read, registration has officially gone over 1000 reenactors. The last Zoar event had a 30% walk-on rate. Do the math. If you have not registered yet, please let me know if you plan to walk-on so we have some possible count.
Our Federal battalion will be made up of Birney's Division, US Volunteers, and Vincent's Brigade. The expected count to be around 150 to 175. Our Wing commanders will be Lt Col Kevin Skaggs from the USVs, and Maj Don Van Meter from Birney's.
The other Federal battalion under Lt Col Chuck Rusche is made up of the Army of the Ohio and other western troops. It will be about the same number of men.
Col Minton from the Army of the Ohio is the over all Federal commander and I can tell you he has been working his but off!
The tactical is on! This will take place Sunday morning. For those who wish to participate, we will also have a march from Ft. Laurens (about 3 miles) and join the rest of the Army going into the tactical. Yours truly will be leading the Federal infantry on the march. I expect some mischief from Confederate cavalry.
Please be aware, with three battles (Saturday afternoon, a Saturday evening battle, and Sunday afternoon) and a tactical, PLEASE be sure to bring plenty of rounds. The national commander of the Army of Norther Virginia, General Jennette, is personally commanding the Confederate forces this weekend so I expect quite a dust up!
www.zoarcivilwar.com
Submitted:
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Commanding 2d Battalion
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
AAR: Fredericksburg in Zoar, Ohio
I have finally thawed out enough to write a report on the events in Zoar, Ohio this last weekend. The 51st OVI has hosted a winter encampment as part of the Christmas in Zoar event in years past, but this was the first time a battle was held to commemorate the engagement in Fredericksburg, Virginia during December of 1862.
First lets just say to was COLD. Sixteen degrees Friday night, and by Sunday the wind and snow had whipped up a might fierce. Even with a small heater in my quarters, the wind just seemed to carry it away and the eight inch icicles hanging off of the sides of my tent were a testament to the challenges a reenactor faced this weekend.
But, the fires were large and wood was plenty! Food too. More than one wonderful meal of chili was enjoyed by the troops. And coffee was always on. Despite the weather, I can't think of a better place to be than in the company of such fine fellows from Birney's 2nd Battalion and The Army of the Ohio.
Numbers were smaller but that was to be expected. Two companies of Federals (about forty men) faced about seventeen Confederates. Lt Col Chuck Rusche and his Adjutant Lt John Buker from the Army of the Ohio administrated the overall command, while myself and Lt Kirkwood saw to the set up and provisions for the troops.
The engagement began fighting the Confederates through the streets of "Fredericksburg" as they attempted to slow our advance through town. The smaller force was pushed back across the open ground to "Marye's Heights" were they took cover behind fence near the bakery.
A company of our men moved into the open field and advanced in skirmish, being forced to withdraw under withering Confederate fire. The 2nd company advanced but was beaten back as well.
The scenario concluded as our own Bob Penix portrayed Sgt Kirkland, the Angel of Marye's Heights, moving among the dispatched Federal troops, giving them water and words of comfort.
Sunday's battle was a repeat of this scenario. However, the increasing snow forced a number of troops to retreat home. Smaller numbers on Sunday saw us field a single company but fun was had by all.
This was a different weekend to say the least. The environment offered a challenge and a true soldier's experience. Even with cold feet, I would not have traded it for the world! We learned that canteens freeze fast, and heel plates build up inches of ice in minutes when walking in the snow.
My thanks to Grant Kirkwood for his adjutating and fire building skills. I am sure it it could be seen from Canada. Also to Chuck and John for their leadership. I look forward to playing with the Army of the Ohio during the upcoming season.
A special thanks goes out to Mark Gaynor of the 51st OVI for all of his hard work to make this happen. Mark is also the lead on the Zoar event in September and 2d Battalion will be there in force in 2009!
For those of you who missed it (or just want to make sure you remember being frozen this past weekend for some reason), here is a link to some fantastic photos from Andy Donaldson.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=christmas+in+zoar
Respectfully Submitted:
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Commanding
2d Battalion, Birney's Division
First lets just say to was COLD. Sixteen degrees Friday night, and by Sunday the wind and snow had whipped up a might fierce. Even with a small heater in my quarters, the wind just seemed to carry it away and the eight inch icicles hanging off of the sides of my tent were a testament to the challenges a reenactor faced this weekend.
But, the fires were large and wood was plenty! Food too. More than one wonderful meal of chili was enjoyed by the troops. And coffee was always on. Despite the weather, I can't think of a better place to be than in the company of such fine fellows from Birney's 2nd Battalion and The Army of the Ohio.
Numbers were smaller but that was to be expected. Two companies of Federals (about forty men) faced about seventeen Confederates. Lt Col Chuck Rusche and his Adjutant Lt John Buker from the Army of the Ohio administrated the overall command, while myself and Lt Kirkwood saw to the set up and provisions for the troops.
The engagement began fighting the Confederates through the streets of "Fredericksburg" as they attempted to slow our advance through town. The smaller force was pushed back across the open ground to "Marye's Heights" were they took cover behind fence near the bakery.
A company of our men moved into the open field and advanced in skirmish, being forced to withdraw under withering Confederate fire. The 2nd company advanced but was beaten back as well.
The scenario concluded as our own Bob Penix portrayed Sgt Kirkland, the Angel of Marye's Heights, moving among the dispatched Federal troops, giving them water and words of comfort.
Sunday's battle was a repeat of this scenario. However, the increasing snow forced a number of troops to retreat home. Smaller numbers on Sunday saw us field a single company but fun was had by all.
This was a different weekend to say the least. The environment offered a challenge and a true soldier's experience. Even with cold feet, I would not have traded it for the world! We learned that canteens freeze fast, and heel plates build up inches of ice in minutes when walking in the snow.
My thanks to Grant Kirkwood for his adjutating and fire building skills. I am sure it it could be seen from Canada. Also to Chuck and John for their leadership. I look forward to playing with the Army of the Ohio during the upcoming season.
A special thanks goes out to Mark Gaynor of the 51st OVI for all of his hard work to make this happen. Mark is also the lead on the Zoar event in September and 2d Battalion will be there in force in 2009!
For those of you who missed it (or just want to make sure you remember being frozen this past weekend for some reason), here is a link to some fantastic photos from Andy Donaldson.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=christmas+in+zoar
Respectfully Submitted:
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Commanding
2d Battalion, Birney's Division
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Fredericksburg registration
The link below is the registration for the Fredericksburg event in Zoar, Ohio on December 5-7, 2008. Please get with your units and find out who is planning to attend so we have a firm grip on numbers.
If you have an any questions, please don't hesitate to email clsmith@5thohio.com
Click here to download the registration form.
If you have an any questions, please don't hesitate to email clsmith@5thohio.com
Click here to download the registration form.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Perryopolis
We are just one week away from the reenactment at Perryopolis. The company structure and 2d Battalion camp layout can be downloaded at the link below.
CampLayoutPerryopolis08.pdf
If any units have questions, please get in touch with me at clsmith@5thohio.com
Drive safe and I will see you there!
Your Servant,
Christopher Smith, Lt Col
CampLayoutPerryopolis08.pdf
If any units have questions, please get in touch with me at clsmith@5thohio.com
Drive safe and I will see you there!
Your Servant,
Christopher Smith, Lt Col
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Camp at Hale Farm
Maj Van Meter and I did a site survey of the 2d Battalion camp at Hale Farm. This set up will be in the same place as last year but configured a bit differently.
Click Here: to download a map of the camp set up: Hale2008Camp.jpg
There is a specific area reserved for families with wall tents and flys. Families can also camp in the main family camp area by the Hale House if they so desire.
MILITARY PERSONNEL: PLEASE see Maj Van Meter when you arrive for your company street assignment. He will arrive at Noon on Friday. Please do not place your tent until you have reported to him.
Company assignments are:
1st Company - 5th OVI (including the 51st OVI and 74th NY)
2nd Company - 4th OVI, Co. E
3rd Company - 4th OVI, Co. B
4th Company - 105th OVI
Have a safe trip and I will see you this weekend.
Your Servant,
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Click Here: to download a map of the camp set up: Hale2008Camp.jpg
There is a specific area reserved for families with wall tents and flys. Families can also camp in the main family camp area by the Hale House if they so desire.
MILITARY PERSONNEL: PLEASE see Maj Van Meter when you arrive for your company street assignment. He will arrive at Noon on Friday. Please do not place your tent until you have reported to him.
Company assignments are:
1st Company - 5th OVI (including the 51st OVI and 74th NY)
2nd Company - 4th OVI, Co. E
3rd Company - 4th OVI, Co. B
4th Company - 105th OVI
Have a safe trip and I will see you this weekend.
Your Servant,
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Perryopolis registration
Sorry for the delay everyone. The registration information for our event in Perryopolis, PA is now on-line. Click here. Make sure to talk to Ken Hillegass about signing up.
Just a little teaser for the event... Depending on the weather, for those units who wish to, we will be marching out of camp and sleeping in the trenches Saturday evening. This will give us an opportunity to get an idea of what the soldiers went through late in the war.
Again, this is strictly voluntary and depends on the weather (your battalion commander doesn't like to sleep in the mud any more than you do!).
Your Servant,
C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Just a little teaser for the event... Depending on the weather, for those units who wish to, we will be marching out of camp and sleeping in the trenches Saturday evening. This will give us an opportunity to get an idea of what the soldiers went through late in the war.
Again, this is strictly voluntary and depends on the weather (your battalion commander doesn't like to sleep in the mud any more than you do!).
Your Servant,
C.L. Smith, Lt Col