Fellow Re-enactors,
I would like to remind you about the Civil War Days at Thunder Valley Stables in McKean, PA on July 29-31. The early registration cutoff date is July 1st and is fast approaching. The cost is $7.00 for persons twelve and over. After that date, the late and walk-on fee is $10.00.
This is an event put on soley by re-enactors; and we try very hard to be re-enactor friendly. The grounds are very picturesque and have almost no modern intrusions. It's only a few minutes from the I-79 McKean exit.
The Federal Commander will be myself and the Confederate Commander will be Colonel Jim Finnegan of the 5th VA and Tri-state. Each year, we donate a portion of our proceeds to historic preservation. There are several activities planned for both military and civilian reenactors. Battles will be held both days. A game of rounders in the morning, in the afternoon a period wedding, horse drawn wagon tours, and an evening ball are scheduled for Saturday.
Sunday, we'll be holding our popular judged tactical in the morning to test your units skills with other things to do throughout the morning and early afternoon. I hope you will consider attending. Our event's web site is: www.geocities.com/civilwardays. On it you may download the registration form, event rules, directions to the event, and the schedule of activities.
We hope to see you there!
Respectfully,
Paul D. Baltzer
Lt. Colonel
1st Battalion
Birney's Division
Monday, June 20, 2005
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Hale Farm covers the "war years"
Step back in history - Hale Farm & Village takes us back to turbulent times of 1861
By Marina Takahashi, Beacon Journal staff writer
Heavy boots crunched against the gravel path as the men of Camp Chase Fifes and Drums marched to the tension drums.
Leading visitors to the heart of Wheatfield Village at Hale Farm & Village in Bath Township last weekend, the corps opened the beginning of a five-year re-enactment of ``The Civil War Years 1861 to 1865: The Lives of Citizens and Soldiers.''
This summer we travel back to 1861.
Wearing a navy blue federal uniform whose design dated back to the Mexican War, and with a pipe in his mouth, Colonel Tim Perry squinted toward his Wheatfield Militia as they marched with sweat beading down their faces.
"People tend to forget the history of this nation," Perry said. "It was a very traumatic time, and the great sadness, of course, most thought the war was going to be over in one battle and it wasn't."
During the weekend event, heated debates on the war were exchanged in front of the white-steepled meetinghouse.
"We're experiencing the same problems that many Ohio militias and towns had," Perry said.
"This time in 1861, we had gentlemen on both sides in our militia. Right now they're going through personal conflicts to make their decisions on what they're going to do."
Civil War-related events will continue throughout the summer, including a tribute to war horses and a 3-D photo exhibit.
Jeanne Konowal, clad in a handmade six-bone hoop skirt, visited the event with her daughter from North Canton.
It's just so exciting to be able to bring history back to life and be able to experience it," Konowal said. "I just think it was a neat time in history, such a tumultuous time. There were so many emotions running wild, so many political aspects of it, yet it all came down to the love of country."
At Hale Farm, artisans and craftsmen demonstrated their skills in 19th century fashion.
As the fifes and drums marched past Martin Reisig's barn, he started hitting the anvil with his hammer.
"They're not the only ones with music," he said. "I'm working on Stars and Stripes." With fingers covered in soot, Reisig demonstrated 30 years of blacksmith training to the crowd.
The Camp Chase Fifes and Drums, a group of 16 men, has performed nationally, as well as in movies such as Gods and Generals. Founded in 1983, the group is named after a Union Army training camp near Columbus, and is composed of members from across Ohio and neighboring states.
"We basically represent a piece of history, so trying to participate in these events hopefully makes it a little more alive when you add some music to it,'' said Bill Maling, who has been a drummer in Camp Chase for 10 years.
"When I was a kid, I played a lot of the same music because it's historically accurate, but I didn't know the history. So now it's an awakening to actually understand the background of the music."
By Marina Takahashi, Beacon Journal staff writer
Heavy boots crunched against the gravel path as the men of Camp Chase Fifes and Drums marched to the tension drums.
Leading visitors to the heart of Wheatfield Village at Hale Farm & Village in Bath Township last weekend, the corps opened the beginning of a five-year re-enactment of ``The Civil War Years 1861 to 1865: The Lives of Citizens and Soldiers.''
This summer we travel back to 1861.
Wearing a navy blue federal uniform whose design dated back to the Mexican War, and with a pipe in his mouth, Colonel Tim Perry squinted toward his Wheatfield Militia as they marched with sweat beading down their faces.
"People tend to forget the history of this nation," Perry said. "It was a very traumatic time, and the great sadness, of course, most thought the war was going to be over in one battle and it wasn't."
During the weekend event, heated debates on the war were exchanged in front of the white-steepled meetinghouse.
"We're experiencing the same problems that many Ohio militias and towns had," Perry said.
"This time in 1861, we had gentlemen on both sides in our militia. Right now they're going through personal conflicts to make their decisions on what they're going to do."
Civil War-related events will continue throughout the summer, including a tribute to war horses and a 3-D photo exhibit.
Jeanne Konowal, clad in a handmade six-bone hoop skirt, visited the event with her daughter from North Canton.
It's just so exciting to be able to bring history back to life and be able to experience it," Konowal said. "I just think it was a neat time in history, such a tumultuous time. There were so many emotions running wild, so many political aspects of it, yet it all came down to the love of country."
At Hale Farm, artisans and craftsmen demonstrated their skills in 19th century fashion.
As the fifes and drums marched past Martin Reisig's barn, he started hitting the anvil with his hammer.
"They're not the only ones with music," he said. "I'm working on Stars and Stripes." With fingers covered in soot, Reisig demonstrated 30 years of blacksmith training to the crowd.
The Camp Chase Fifes and Drums, a group of 16 men, has performed nationally, as well as in movies such as Gods and Generals. Founded in 1983, the group is named after a Union Army training camp near Columbus, and is composed of members from across Ohio and neighboring states.
"We basically represent a piece of history, so trying to participate in these events hopefully makes it a little more alive when you add some music to it,'' said Bill Maling, who has been a drummer in Camp Chase for 10 years.
"When I was a kid, I played a lot of the same music because it's historically accurate, but I didn't know the history. So now it's an awakening to actually understand the background of the music."
Here are Civil War events scheduled for this summer at Hale Farm & Village. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $7 for children ages 3-12. Events are included in ticket price unless noted otherwise.
Hale Farm is at 2686 Oak Hill Road in Bath. Call 330-666-3711 or visit ww.wrhs.org/halefarm.
• Civil War and More!: Children can participate in activities to learn more about the war, and try on Union and Confederate soldiers uniforms and gear. Every Sunday at 2 p.m.
• A Civil War Wedding in Wheatfield Village: Watch the re-enactment of an 1860s wedding between Wheatfield locals Amy Buckley and Theodore Richards. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 18.
• The Civil War's Chosen Breed: The American Morgan Horse: Participate in grooming and caring for the horses, and learn about the role of horses during the war through exhibits and discussions. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 25-26.
• Everyone's War: The Family's Role in the Civil War: Learn about the family's role and participate in activities such as writing to soldiers in Virginia, making Union badges, and drilling with the Wheatfield School Guard. Presale admission: $10 adults, $5 children. At the door: $12 adults and $6 children. 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 23, July 14, and Aug. 4.
• 1861 Medicine and Nursing: A Look at Medicine for Soldiers and the Civilians Left Behind: Learn how battle wounds and diseases were treated at the Army Field Hospital. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 23, noon to 5 p.m. July 24.
• The Best Photos of the Civil War: A 3-D Stereoscopic Presentation: Explore the Civil War in 3-D through a presentation by photo expert Bob Zeller from his books The Civil War in Depth Volumes One and Two. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 30, noon to 5 p.m. July 31.
• Annual Civil War Encampment and Re-enactment: Join more than 500 actors as they re-create the days of making meals and getting ready for battle. At 2 p.m. each day, the muskets and cannons will sound off as President Abe Lincoln walks around to greet visitors. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13 and 14.
• Twilight in the Valley: An Evening in the Civil War: Take part in the Military Ball with New England waltzes and reels, or listen to stories about the warring states near the Meetinghouse. Presale admission: $6 adults, $4 children. At the door: $8 adults, $6 children. 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 13.
• A Soldier is Laid to Rest: An 1861 Funeral in Wheatfield Village: Wheatfield residents will attend the funeral of Rodney Hathaway. Elder Maxwell and other members of the community will offer eulogies. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 27.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
New web site for the Zoar Civil War Reenactment in September
http://www.zoarcivilwar.com (Download your PDF registration forms) and check out the gallery of photos from the last event. You may be famous!
We have 16 Sutlers registered and Camp Chase Fifes and Drums will be performing all weekend. We have also added a Beer Tent! This along with the brothel will keep our 51st Provost extremely busy and remember we can be bribed. Still working on a casino, so that we will have all the vices covered.
Pass the word!
Thank you,
Capt. Mark Gaynor
51st OVI, Co. B.
Provost
PS: Also looking for warm bodies to help out with School programs on Friday. We have close to a 1000 students coming for demonstrations of Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery drill and tactics. Just show up by 9:00am and will put you to work.
We have 16 Sutlers registered and Camp Chase Fifes and Drums will be performing all weekend. We have also added a Beer Tent! This along with the brothel will keep our 51st Provost extremely busy and remember we can be bribed. Still working on a casino, so that we will have all the vices covered.
Pass the word!
Thank you,
Capt. Mark Gaynor
51st OVI, Co. B.
Provost
PS: Also looking for warm bodies to help out with School programs on Friday. We have close to a 1000 students coming for demonstrations of Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery drill and tactics. Just show up by 9:00am and will put you to work.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Burton weekend successful
I just wanted to thank all of you who came to the Burton Civil War Days, and the Cuyhoga Falls Memorial Day Parade. We had a GREAT turnout and really showed what the 5th is all about. With over 17 rifles at Burton, and a dozen at the parade, we finally are starting to see the numbers in the field that we saw back in the late 90s. Let's keep it going!!
It was also a pleasure to have as our Wing Commander, Paul Baltzer, the 1st Battalion Commander from Birney's Division. Lt Col Baltzer is looking forward to us coming to Thunder Valley in July. Birney's will also be attending Hale Farm in August.
With the month of June now open, I hope that all of you will muster to Thunder Valley on July 29-31 in McKean, PA (10 miles south of Erie). Please contact Ken Hillegass as soon as possible if you are planning to go. I would like to field at least 12 rifles for this event.
Your Servant,
Captain Christopher L. Smith
Commanding
It was also a pleasure to have as our Wing Commander, Paul Baltzer, the 1st Battalion Commander from Birney's Division. Lt Col Baltzer is looking forward to us coming to Thunder Valley in July. Birney's will also be attending Hale Farm in August.
With the month of June now open, I hope that all of you will muster to Thunder Valley on July 29-31 in McKean, PA (10 miles south of Erie). Please contact Ken Hillegass as soon as possible if you are planning to go. I would like to field at least 12 rifles for this event.
Your Servant,
Captain Christopher L. Smith
Commanding
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Thinking outside the box
The idea's so outside the box it's hard to believe anyone thought of it.
But thinking "outside the box" is what the local civic club "Outside The Box" does, and that's what members did when they thought about this weekend's re-enactments of the 1865 Battle of Columbus at the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum, online at www.portcolumbus.org.
"We thought about how meticulous those Civil War re-enactors are about having historically accurate uniforms and equipment," says OTB President Hugh Lessjo. "Then we thought, 'Who else is so obsessive about having the right props and costumes?' "
The answer: Star Trek fans.
"We have Star Trek fan clubs in our area, and Sunday's battle re-enactment already includes a 'what-if' scenario featuring a Confederate counterattack," says Lessjo. "So we started thinking outside the box, and we thought, 'Why not have Trekkies join the battle?' They already have the equipment."
OTBs, or "Outside The Boxers," as they call themselves, are unconventional thinkers who believe "there are no stupid ideas," Lessjo says. "We really just wanted to know what would happen if Civil War soldiers fought the crew from 'Star Trek.' You never see that in the movies or TV reruns."
So the OTBs asked battle organizers: Why not attract a wider audience by staging a second "what-if" battle sequence in which a starship crew joins the conflict?
Unwilling to openly ridicule the idea, organizers set up a meeting for Lessjo, Confederate re-enactors and a local Star Trek club -- the latter two in full regalia.
Then the trouble began.
First the Confederates said they wouldn't associate with "Trekkies," and the Star Trek fans said they preferred "Trekkers." The Confederates all laughed, and "that right there got things off on the wrong foot," Lessjo says.
Other missteps followed.
"One of the Trekkers said Starfleet's prime directive wouldn't let the crew introduce superior technology to a primitive culture," Lessjo says. "Then a rebel yelled, 'Don't call us primitive, geek!' And the Trekker said Starfleet wouldn't defend a society based on slavery, either."
That riled the Confederates, provoking one to shout: "Y'all just go fight for the Yankees then! You're all living in a fantasy world anyway!"
"Yeah, like you're not!" a Trekker retorted.
Both sides abruptly drew their weapons, and Lessjo ducked under a table as the firing commenced, he says. He did not crawl back out until the smoke cleared, and by then the Trekkers had withdrawn from the field.
"It turns out replica Civil War guns use real gunpowder, whereas 'Star Trek' phasers have only a battery-powered bulb that lights up," says Lessjo. "You don't go up against a guy with a firearm if all you've got is a flashlight."
So thinking outside the box yielded an unexpected answer to OTB's hypothetical question: "We proved Civil War soldiers would win a battle against the crew from 'Star Trek,' " Lessjo says, chuckling. "You never would have figured that, would you?"
But thinking "outside the box" is what the local civic club "Outside The Box" does, and that's what members did when they thought about this weekend's re-enactments of the 1865 Battle of Columbus at the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum, online at www.portcolumbus.org.
"We thought about how meticulous those Civil War re-enactors are about having historically accurate uniforms and equipment," says OTB President Hugh Lessjo. "Then we thought, 'Who else is so obsessive about having the right props and costumes?' "
The answer: Star Trek fans.
"We have Star Trek fan clubs in our area, and Sunday's battle re-enactment already includes a 'what-if' scenario featuring a Confederate counterattack," says Lessjo. "So we started thinking outside the box, and we thought, 'Why not have Trekkies join the battle?' They already have the equipment."
OTBs, or "Outside The Boxers," as they call themselves, are unconventional thinkers who believe "there are no stupid ideas," Lessjo says. "We really just wanted to know what would happen if Civil War soldiers fought the crew from 'Star Trek.' You never see that in the movies or TV reruns."
So the OTBs asked battle organizers: Why not attract a wider audience by staging a second "what-if" battle sequence in which a starship crew joins the conflict?
Unwilling to openly ridicule the idea, organizers set up a meeting for Lessjo, Confederate re-enactors and a local Star Trek club -- the latter two in full regalia.
Then the trouble began.
First the Confederates said they wouldn't associate with "Trekkies," and the Star Trek fans said they preferred "Trekkers." The Confederates all laughed, and "that right there got things off on the wrong foot," Lessjo says.
Other missteps followed.
"One of the Trekkers said Starfleet's prime directive wouldn't let the crew introduce superior technology to a primitive culture," Lessjo says. "Then a rebel yelled, 'Don't call us primitive, geek!' And the Trekker said Starfleet wouldn't defend a society based on slavery, either."
That riled the Confederates, provoking one to shout: "Y'all just go fight for the Yankees then! You're all living in a fantasy world anyway!"
"Yeah, like you're not!" a Trekker retorted.
Both sides abruptly drew their weapons, and Lessjo ducked under a table as the firing commenced, he says. He did not crawl back out until the smoke cleared, and by then the Trekkers had withdrawn from the field.
"It turns out replica Civil War guns use real gunpowder, whereas 'Star Trek' phasers have only a battery-powered bulb that lights up," says Lessjo. "You don't go up against a guy with a firearm if all you've got is a flashlight."
So thinking outside the box yielded an unexpected answer to OTB's hypothetical question: "We proved Civil War soldiers would win a battle against the crew from 'Star Trek,' " Lessjo says, chuckling. "You never would have figured that, would you?"
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Directions to Camp Workman
For those of you who didn't get the link yesterday, here are directions to Camp Workman:
- Take I-76 E out of the Akron Interchange
- Take Exit 38B, Rt 44 N
- Curve to the right taking the Rt 5 Bypass
- Turn Right on Hayes Rd.
- Just past Hattrick Rd., look for the CW sign on the right (5200 Hayes Rd.)
Monday, April 11, 2005
Drill in the sun!
Looking at the extended forcast, cool but sunny weather is expected for the Drill this up-coming weekend. A little cool sleeping weather Friday night but all are welcome to sleep in the bunkhouse in the tavern.
Please remember to bring the following in addition to your personal equipment:
Please remember to bring the following in addition to your personal equipment:
- Rounds and caps
- Food (breakfast if you are coming in Friday, lunch, and dinner if you are staying Saturday)
- Dog tents or A tents are both acceptable if you are billeting
Water and wood will be provided. You will need to bring your own staw. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. (330) 620-2311. This is my cell phone and I will be on-site around noon this Friday.
For directions, please click the link below. Look for the "CW" sign. Parking will be off of the main road and a wagon will take you to the camp Friday night. For those coming in for the 9 am morning formation, the camp will be just off the road, west of the tavern.
Looking forward to seeing all of you there!
Captain Smith
Company H, 5th OVI