Birney's Division 2d Battalion News

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

AAR: Fredericksburg at Zoar a weekend to remember

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

Posted by CL Smith @ 6:36 PM
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Events for 2009

Official word is still forthcoming from Birney's Divisional command. However, here is a quick look at what was discussed at the meeting in Gettysburg.

National max-effort events will be the 145th New Market, Old Bedford Village, and the 145th Cedar Creek.

All other events will be regional events conducted by the two battalions.

2d Battalion has these events on the list at this time: Battalion Spring Drill (April), Burton (May), Beaver Creek (July this year), Hale Farm (August).

More information will follow.

Posted by CL Smith @ 2:06 PM
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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Yearly Division planning meeting

The annual Birney's Division planning meeting will be held on Friday, November 21st, at 7 pm. The location will be the Hoss's Restaurant on Route 30 EAST of Gettysburg (near Walmart).

This meeting is held to discuss event planning for the 2009 campaign. Units should try and have a representative at the meeting if possible.

Posted by CL Smith @ 11:44 AM
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Thursday, October 30, 2008

AAR: Perryopolis

With much regret, this report comes late. The campaign has been hard this year, and paperwork is running behind.

During the first weekend of October, the two battalions of Birney’s Division were quite fortunate to attend one of the best regional events I have witnessed in a number of years. Perryopolis is located just south east of Pittsburgh in a warm and wonderful community. The location of the event is a park which features an off-the-beaten-path rural area that has been turned over to reenactors to develop as they see fit.

If you have not been there, you don’t know what you are missing. A true reenactor’s play ground featuring trenches, buildings (including a two story barracks with wood stove). The modern intrusions are so out of sight that it REALLY gets dark at night.

The highlight for me was the battles. One would think that a small regional event could not offer anything exciting, but you would be wrong! Not only does the battlefield layout offer some new twists with the Petersburg style trenches, but the burning hay stacks and motion picture style ground charges make you feel like you were in the middle of some serious mischief.

Without going in to the details on the battles (where we had a hell of a lot of fun), I would like to say we did well with a moderate number of troops. It is a shame that more of you have not taken the time to put this event on your schedule. With 100 men on each side, this event could create some magic moments to match a few slices of the larger national events (without all of the cost and hassle).

The national events are few and far between folks. If we don’t support the regional events then we are not going to have those either.

The Birney’s Division meeting is Friday night of Remembrance Day. I will be putting out information on events shortly after. When you have your unit meetings, start looking at some of the places you wished you had gone, but didn’t put on the schedule.

Your servant,

C.L. Smith, Lt Col
Commanding

Posted by CL Smith @ 1:46 PM
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Thursday, October 09, 2008

Registration for Fredericksburg in Zoar

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.

Posted by CL Smith @ 2:14 PM
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Friday, September 26, 2008

2d Battalion at 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

Posted by CL Smith @ 12:54 PM
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Monday, September 22, 2008

Update on Perryopolis

We have some initial numbers for 2d Battalion at Perryopolis

2d Battalion Staff - 3
61st OVI - 6
78th PVI - 7
105th OVI - 13
5th OVI / 74th NY - 6
83rd PVI / 5th OSS - 11

Total: 46

Please email clsmith@5thohio.com if you know of any changes or other units attending.

Posted by CL Smith @ 9:01 AM
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2009 2d Battalion Events Schedule

May – 22- 24 – Civil War Days
Burton Ohio (& - Lt Col Smith)
CLICK HERE for more information.

July – 25- 26 – Beaver Creek
Canfield, OH (& - Lt Col Smith)
Contact Col Unger for registration for registration.

August – 8-9 – Hale Farm
Bath, OH (& - Lt Col Smith)
CLICK HERE for registration.

September 18-20 – Battle on the Ohio-Erie Canal
Zoar, OH (& - Lt Col Smith)
CLICK HERE for registration.

CLICK HERE to view the entire Birney's Division 2009 schedule.