Be advised that on the subject of Cabin allotments to the winning units of the earlier drawing that, especially if you haven't been to Old Bedford Village before that the sizes of the cabins vary some are big and some are smaller some have fireplaces some don't. Keep in mind that the cabins are intended as previously stated your companies Headquarters although some of your men can stay in them .
There has been some misunderstanding by some that they are large enough to be a barracks to hold ALL of your attendees. This is NOT the case you need to advise your members to all bring camping equipment, sleeping gear, if desired, tents to play it safe, heaters if desired, food etc. Some of your members will have to tent it regardless. Advise those folks to bring cold weather gear just in case. The registration indicates some units will not be able to house their entire unit the attendance looks larger than anticipated. It is expected that all commanders alert their people and get them prepared properly, in other words better safe than sorry. We will make every effort to accommodate as many as possible.
Remember your units has a cabin for a headquarters if you were informed you are a winner but beyond that "NO PROMISES ".
Your Servant,
General Kelley
Friday, March 17, 2006
NCO Training
Gentlemen,
Hard to believe that NCO training is now only 6 weeks away. We have a date (Fri - Sat, Apr 21-22), but we still have a choice of two locations:
Gary Spang's property near Mt Liberty (Mt Vernon area)
Jim Workman's property between Ravenna and Rootstown
Both of these are good locations. Spang's has a large open meadow for field exercises, while Workman's has a beautiful recreation of a period tavern for the classroom work.
What I need to know is:
Who is coming
Your first choice of location
Whether you would be able to make the other location
Please reply ASAP to me and Sgt Maj Buker (jwb7592@msn.com). Officers, please circulate among your people. The sooner we have a decision, the sooner we can finish planning.
Thanks,
Jim Ruley
Monday, February 20, 2006
Change of Command
As most of you know by now, the beginning of this reenacting season has seen a number of changes for the 5th Ohio. It has been close to a month since I received a call from General Ed Kelley of Birney's Division asking me to take command of our 2d Battalion. With some trepidation, I did so.
At first, my plan was to do both command jobs as I didn't want to let the men of the 5th down just because I have been tasked with additional responsibilities. After some welcome discussion at our meetings, I realize that doing so would not serve the 5th or the Battalion in the best capacity. Another course of action would be needed.
One of the reasons the 5th has continued to grow into one of the best reenacting units in our area is the careful thought and consideration given to our group decisions. At our two consecutive meetings this month, ideas, solutions, and just plain brainstorming were brought to the table. Everyone had a voice and the teamwork resulting from these discussions would set a fine example to any other organization.
The support and encouragement from all of you as I attempt to tackle the running of our 150 plus man battalion is greatly appreciated. The fact that General Kelley called me to take the job says a lot about how the 5th is viewed in our hobby. It is a feather in our unit's cap to be sure.
The decision to turn the company command over to another 5th Ohioan so I can focus on the larger task at hand is the result of the discussions over the last few weeks. This will also give the 5th a full-time company commander. It is so very important as the unit looks to field 25 to 30 men at events this year.
Despite all of this, I am certainly not leaving the 5th. I am, and will remain a member. I have been in the hobby and in the 5th for 11 years now. This is my home no matter what coat I am tasked to wear, or what location my tent is placed. You guys and the families are not just fellow members of our organization, but close friends that I would sit around a fire and chat with even if Civil War reenacting disappeared tomorrow. As a Private, Corporal, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, and Captain, I thank all of you for your camaraderie, encouragement, and support. Can many people in our hobby say this: I feel blessed to be part of my group.
I wish the best to our new Captain, Brian Hercheck. Brian has what is takes to lead the Company. The personality and enthusiasm Brian has shown since he became part of the unit is key to this post. I know all of you will be there to help him do his best for the unit, and support him as you have me. Brian, you have a great 1st Sgt and Corporal to help you keep the Company motivated and squared away. Most of us are so old right now that we can't stay up past 10 pm anyway (so there shouldn't be any late night brawls).
Thank you all and here is to a great season of sweating and shooting!
Your pard,
Chris Smith
At first, my plan was to do both command jobs as I didn't want to let the men of the 5th down just because I have been tasked with additional responsibilities. After some welcome discussion at our meetings, I realize that doing so would not serve the 5th or the Battalion in the best capacity. Another course of action would be needed.
One of the reasons the 5th has continued to grow into one of the best reenacting units in our area is the careful thought and consideration given to our group decisions. At our two consecutive meetings this month, ideas, solutions, and just plain brainstorming were brought to the table. Everyone had a voice and the teamwork resulting from these discussions would set a fine example to any other organization.
The support and encouragement from all of you as I attempt to tackle the running of our 150 plus man battalion is greatly appreciated. The fact that General Kelley called me to take the job says a lot about how the 5th is viewed in our hobby. It is a feather in our unit's cap to be sure.
The decision to turn the company command over to another 5th Ohioan so I can focus on the larger task at hand is the result of the discussions over the last few weeks. This will also give the 5th a full-time company commander. It is so very important as the unit looks to field 25 to 30 men at events this year.
Despite all of this, I am certainly not leaving the 5th. I am, and will remain a member. I have been in the hobby and in the 5th for 11 years now. This is my home no matter what coat I am tasked to wear, or what location my tent is placed. You guys and the families are not just fellow members of our organization, but close friends that I would sit around a fire and chat with even if Civil War reenacting disappeared tomorrow. As a Private, Corporal, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, and Captain, I thank all of you for your camaraderie, encouragement, and support. Can many people in our hobby say this: I feel blessed to be part of my group.
I wish the best to our new Captain, Brian Hercheck. Brian has what is takes to lead the Company. The personality and enthusiasm Brian has shown since he became part of the unit is key to this post. I know all of you will be there to help him do his best for the unit, and support him as you have me. Brian, you have a great 1st Sgt and Corporal to help you keep the Company motivated and squared away. Most of us are so old right now that we can't stay up past 10 pm anyway (so there shouldn't be any late night brawls).
Thank you all and here is to a great season of sweating and shooting!
Your pard,
Chris Smith
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Birney's Divison 2d Battalion news
One of my goals as the 2d Battalion Commander for Birney's Division was to put together a news page and blog for activities going on in our larger organization. For those of you who wish to keep up to date, bookmark www.5thohio.com/Birneys
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
1st Federal Division newsletter
Army of the Ohio's Jim Ruley has passed on to me the first issue of the 1st Federal Division newsletter (of which the AAO is a part). I thought it was good reading.
Click the file below to download and print out.
FFDNewsletter1-1.pdf
Click the file below to download and print out.
FFDNewsletter1-1.pdf
Friday, February 03, 2006
Army of the Ohio NCO School
Fellow Army of the Ohio members,
I talked with Jim Workman about using his tavern for the Army of the Ohio (AotO) NCO school on Friday 4/21 and Saturday 4/22. He said it was available and there would be no problem in our using it. Here's some info regarding the tavern
#1) Jim does not normally charge a fee for reenactors using the tavern
#2) He does however accept donations to help with it's upkeep
#3) He would like us to leave it in the shape we find it (clean, tidy, etc)
#4) For sanitation purposes, there is a functional outhouse
#5) For heating purposes, there is a functional fireplace (wood is already on-site)
#6) For lighting purposes, there is the fireplace and kerosene lanterns
#7) There is no on-site water so we would need to bring what we need
#8) For sleeping purposes, there are 8-10 old style beds on the second floor
#9) The tavern has tables and chairs that should accommodate 20-25 people easily
Jim asked me if we were going to allow non AotO reenactors to attend the school. I told him that I was not sure how many AotO members would be attending and if there were any extra openings I would find out if other reenactors could attend.
Jim said he would "pencil us in" for those dates and asked that we let him know as soon as possible if we are going to use the tavern.
If you need any more information regarding the tavern, please let me know.
YOS
Joe McMahan (41st OVI)
I talked with Jim Workman about using his tavern for the Army of the Ohio (AotO) NCO school on Friday 4/21 and Saturday 4/22. He said it was available and there would be no problem in our using it. Here's some info regarding the tavern
#1) Jim does not normally charge a fee for reenactors using the tavern
#2) He does however accept donations to help with it's upkeep
#3) He would like us to leave it in the shape we find it (clean, tidy, etc)
#4) For sanitation purposes, there is a functional outhouse
#5) For heating purposes, there is a functional fireplace (wood is already on-site)
#6) For lighting purposes, there is the fireplace and kerosene lanterns
#7) There is no on-site water so we would need to bring what we need
#8) For sleeping purposes, there are 8-10 old style beds on the second floor
#9) The tavern has tables and chairs that should accommodate 20-25 people easily
Jim asked me if we were going to allow non AotO reenactors to attend the school. I told him that I was not sure how many AotO members would be attending and if there were any extra openings I would find out if other reenactors could attend.
Jim said he would "pencil us in" for those dates and asked that we let him know as soon as possible if we are going to use the tavern.
If you need any more information regarding the tavern, please let me know.
YOS
Joe McMahan (41st OVI)
Monday, January 30, 2006
Spring Drill Details
Good evening everyone. As promised, here is the information of the 5th OVI, Birney's 2d Battalion Sprill Drill on Saturday, April 29th at Camp Workman. All of the details are attached and the registration sheet is interactive so all you have to do is fill it out. Save it as a different file, and then email to Ken Hillegass as indicated. Registrtaion can be sent via mail as well.
This will be a great weekend so please send this out to all in your unit. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Chris
2006DrillInfo.pdf
This will be a great weekend so please send this out to all in your unit. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Chris
2006DrillInfo.pdf