Birney's Division 2d Battalion News

Sunday, July 30, 2006

5th USCTs hold raffle

The 5th US Colored Troops are holding a raffle to raise money for their inner city youth program to help young African Americans learn about the Civil War. Please pass on to your units. Here are the details...

It is to benefit our youth program that we have started.
They will need to contact me at andrew.jarvi@gmail.com or see Caleb Smith, Seth Smith, Shane Williams or Myself at Hale Farm to purchase tickets.
Tickets are $2 or 6 for $10.00.
The drawing will be held at our last field event of the year in Minooka, IL on October 22, 2006 so they will be able to get them made for Christmas or over the winter for next season. I will call the winner but it will also be announced on our website www.5thusci-companyg.org.
The trousers are by Chris Sullivan of Stony Brook Company a very reputable vendor in the progressive end of the hobby. His work can be seen at http://www.bridgemicro.com/msullivan/catalog/page3.htm, they are his commercial grade trousers ($85.00 value).
The sack coat is by Dan Wambaugh of Wambaugh, White and Company another very reputable vendor in the progressive end of the hobby. It is the Standard Grade sack coat ($125.00 value) which can be viewed at http://www.wwandcompany.com/contractblouse.html.

Posted by CL Smith @ 9:31 PM
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Friday, July 28, 2006

Hale Farm Order of Battle coming together

As or this writing, the 5th OVI, 105th, OVI and 74th NY are falling in to fill out the 2d Battalion of Birney's Division at Hale Farm. This currently gives us about 38 military personnel. The 5th USCTs have talked about attending the event and I have contacted Capt Jarvi about falling in with Birney's. Regardless, we will make up the one wing of the Federal force just as we did at Burton in May. The 5th Ohio, as the local unit, will serve as our Color Company.

A big bonus for us at Hale this year will be our own camp area. This will be the half-circle field that sits across from the gate where the Union Army enters the battlefield. A VERY easy load-in and load-out location. There will also be porta-johns and water access for Birney's at this location. Look for the "Birney's Division" sign on the road next to the camp.

Since 2d Battalion is sort of on it's own Birney's wise for this event, I am laying out the Battalion camp and will have a guide to the Company Commanders prior to. I should be down there Thursday morning to set up the Battalion HQ and stake out the streets ala Col Aston at Manassas. Please let me know when your units will be arriving for set up so I, or someone else, can be there to guide you.

If there are any other units (in hole or in part) planning to attend, please email me as soon as you can at clsmith@5thohio.com

Cheers,
Chris

Posted by CL Smith @ 2:01 PM
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Monday, July 24, 2006

Bull Run Wrap Up

My Thanks to all the 2d Battalion members who made the trek to the 145th Bull Run/Manassas Anniversary event. You endured some tough weather but all looked to have a GREAT time. The battles were intense and no one went home saying they didn't get to burn powder!!

Thanks also to the Birney's staff for a great job. We have a great team going and it keeps getting better. The pig roast was a HUGE success as well. Thanks General Kelley and Sgt Maj Donahue!!

Posted by CL Smith @ 7:02 PM
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Thursday, July 06, 2006

Hale Farm and the 2d Battalion

This is the first real internet blast of information I have put out on the Hale Farm event, August 11-13 in Bath, Ohio. It is one of the oldest reenactments in Ohio and the venue is perfect for a Civil War event. Right in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and on the site of the Jonathan Hale homestead. Check out their web site.

One of my goals is to make Hale Farm (along with Lisbon on August 25-27) the key Birney's events here in Ohio. Col Waffler is more than happy to have us and we are even setting up a convenient bivouac area for Birney's that will accommodate a civilian and military layout. This will also allow folks to not be bothered by the 5 pm departure restriction that comes with camping by the Hale House.

It is my hope that we can have at least the type of showing the 2d Battalion had at Burton. Here is a link to the registration form. Please talk to your units and let's put our best brogan forward at Hale and Lisbon!!

Faugh a ballagh!
Lt Col Christopher L. Smith, Commanding
2d Battalion, Birney's Division

Posted by CL Smith @ 12:28 AM
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Tuesday, July 04, 2006

UPDATE: 145th Antietam 2007 event

In an effort to keep you all abreast of the big event for 2007 we post the following report. Please pass this on to your troops.

Planning for the event is well under way and preparations have begun. This will be a three day event on a pristine 300 acre site on the rear of Louden Heights. It is REAL ground located within a couple of miles of the Harpers Ferry National Park. Construction is planned for a realistic sunken road with a stone wall above and timbers to cap that structure. This battle is one of the highlights of several battles planned including Thoroughfare Gap featuring Mounted and dismounted Cavalry and Infantry and Artillery support, The West Woods, with a heavy Artillery emphasis and massive Infantry actions, and a grand Sunken Road scenario. Special set ups for sutlers row that will add to the period effect of the experience. There will be many family activities throughout the weekend and ample time will be allotted to participants to tour nearby battlefields including Harpers Ferry and/or Antietam. A real plus since this event is on the anniversary of that event. A tour of the actual site is an added bonus.

Be reminded that this is a new and refreshing format being a non-spectator event that provides a more laid back experience with a more friendly and non hostile event staf. A no pressure schedule that is reenactor/family friendly. We are not pushed to hold our battles and activities or have our amenities burdened by sharing them with the public. This event is for the reenactors by other reenactors. A non-profit event venture, the full proceeds will be donated to the site for further improvements. This site has been developed over the past several years for use by reenactors for events and training camps, and is set up perfectly with all necessaries in convenient locations unlike other sites that are just plugged in on a farm somewhere. There are period style buildings on site that only enhance the experience. There is wooded and open field camping that will be utilized. This is a beautiful site that has a varied terrain that is perfect for this type of event.

Notice: Keep in mind that there is a 2000 reenactor limit once reached all registrations will be returned. At this early date the registrations have started to roll in so be advised to reserve your spot to avoid being left out of this grand event. All updated information including the registration form can be found on the official website please bookmark this address to keep abreast of updates as the develop.

http://emmitsburg.net/antietam_2007

Edward L. Kelley Sr. , Major General
Federal First Division,2nd Brigade
Birney's Division

Posted by CL Smith @ 2:24 PM
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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.