Birney's Division 2d Battalion News

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Hale Farm Registration

The registration for for this year's Hale Farm reenactment (August 10-12) is now available. We are really pushing to make this a Birney's 2d Battalion Max Effort Event since the cancellation of Lisbon. Make sure to mark on your registration that you are part of Birney's Division.

CLICK HERE to download the registration form.

Posted by CL Smith @ 8:06 AM
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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Antietam Reenactment Details

Wednsday / Thursday - Staff may arrive

Friday - Troops arrive set up camps

Saturday Morning 9:00 AM - "Escape from Harpers Ferry"

This battle is like no other battle you have experienced at any national anniversary event ever held in major Civil War reenacting today. At any other event of this magnitude the battle scenarios have been carefully scripted and tailored to accommodate spectators. They were always held out in the open and in plain view of the public. For all of you that question the merit of the non-spectator event consider this new and refreshing approach to a battle by reenactors for reenactors.

This battle will be very unique, challenging and spontaneous. The battle will begin with Longstreet's mounted cavalry making a hasty retreat out of the Harpers Ferry district over actual roads that were used during the war crossing the site of this event. They will be accompanied by a period horse drawn supply train and light artillery over these wooded trails somewhere on the property. All commanders will not have any knowledge of the train's whereabouts at the start of the battle. The Federal command will send the Federal Cavalry out to reconnoiter and find the Confederate Cavalry that is rumored to be making a break out somewhere in the area just as it would have been during the War. When the opposing force is located the Federal Cavalry will attack and try to turn their advance. Couriers will speed off to alert the opposing armies that will be in camp to come to the aid of their forces already engaged. Both armies will converage somewhere on the property and one hell of a fight will ensue. This battle may set the standard for reenactments to come in the future. Imagine for the first time at a major reenactment being able to have a major battle on a wooded trail just the way it would have happened during the war. The battle will test the abilities and instincts of all commanders to follow orders and react to what transpires. This battle has no time limit it lasts till a sealed objective order is fulfilled by both overall commanders. Our abilities will be tested in this new and refreshing approach to doing the hobby our way.

1:00 PM - "The Battle of the West Woods"

The battle of the West Woods will be a hotly contested fight on pristine ground that will be a scripted battle. The battle will roll between the armies back and forth as history dictates with many interesting twists incorporated into a great battle.

The battle opened at dawn (about 5:30 a.m.) on September 17 with an attack down the Hagerstown Turnpike by the Union I Corps under Joseph Hooker. Hooker's objective was the plateau on which the Dunker Church stood. Hooker had approximately 8,600 men, little more than the 7,700 defenders under Stonewall Jackson, and this slight disparity was more than offset by the Confederates' strong defensive positions. Abner Doubleday's division moved on Hooker's right, James Ricketts's moved on the left into the East Woods, and George Meade's division deployed in the center and slightly to the rear. Jackson's defense consisted of the divisions under Alexander Lawton and John R. Jones in line from the West Woods, across the Turnpike, and along the southern end of the Miller Cornfield. Four brigades were held in reserve inside the West Woods.

As the first Union men emerged from the North Woods and into the Cornfield, an artillery duel erupted. Confederate fire was from the horse artillery batteries under Jeb Stuart to the west and four batteries under Col. Stephen D. Lee on the high ground across the pike from the Dunker Church to the south. Union return fire was from nine batteries on the ridge behind the North Woods and four batteries of 20-pounder 2 miles (3 km) east of Antietam Creek. The conflagration caused heavy casualties on both sides and was described by Col. Lee as "Artillery Hell."

Sunday Morning - 10:00 AM - "The Battle of the Sunken Road"

The Finale to this great reenactment weekend will be the Battle of the Sunken Road. This battle will be fought on a 1/8 th mile natural swale that will have the erie look of the Sunken Road on that day in September in 1862 near Sharpsburg Maryland, complete with a replica rail fence similar to the one that stood at the time of the battle. To add to the excitement and realisim there will be major league pyrotechnics done by the experts that do the famous Perryopolis event in Western Pennsylvania. Great pains have been taken to make this battle as realistic as possible and it will be one you all will not soon forget.

The carnage from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the sunken road gave it the name Bloody Lane, leaving about 5,600 casualties (Union 3,000, Confederate 2,600) along the 800-yard road. And yet a great opportunity presented itself. If this broken sector of the Confederate line were exploited, Lee's army would have been divided in half and possibly defeated. There were ample forces available to do so. There was a reserve of 3,500 cavalry and the 10,300 infantrymen of Gen. Porter's V Corps, waiting near the middle bridge, a mile away. The VI Corps had just arrived with 12,000 men. Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin of the VI Corps was ready to exploit this breakthrough, but Sumner, the senior corps commander, ordered him not to advance. Franklin appealed to McClellan, who left his headquarters in the rear to hear both arguments but backed Sumner's decision, ordering Gens. Franklin and Hancock to hold their positions.

Posted by CL Smith @ 1:58 PM
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Friday, May 11, 2007

After-Action Report: Jackson in the Valley, Beaver Creek 2007

Finally, a new reenacting event worth writing about! As reeanctors, we always hear the inevitable, "You should have been there..." and in the case of Beaver Creek, that summed it up. If you didn't make it to Jackson in the Valley last weekend... YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!!!

In an effort to get some "new blood" into the Ohio events, Maj Wayne Unger and his Confederate hospital detachment from the DNV/PACS were approached by the Friends of the Ohio State Parks to bring the Civil War to an out-of-the way place called Beaver Creek. This quiet part of the Ohio State Park system features a working grist mill and other original buildings that join with a wooded countryside to create the perfect scenery for a Civil War conflict.

As the Federal commander for the event, I arrived as early on Friday as possible. After signing in, I headed to the area that we had been assigned to camp. I found to my delight a wonderful grove of tall pine trees that was a welcome contrast to the usual open field that reenactors have come to expect. This was perfect for a bivouac setup as if the battalion had just arrived and pitched our tents where we stopped our march. Across the road, the family groups also found a nice spot along the banks of the swift Beaver Creek. Water, wood, and straw were easy to access.

As Friday progressed, the troops rolled in. Everyone had a smile on their face as they took in the landscape. I was clearly not the only one happy with the venue for this new event. With camps well in hand, I took some time to walk through the park's town and get an idea of how the military engagements might unfold. The great thing about the site is that you could have five battles during the weekend and never in the same spot or type of terrain.

A cool night was spent sleeping in camp and we were greeted by clear sunny skies in the morning. The smell of coffee and bacon filled our pine grove as sleepy troops fell in for roll call. By 9 am, dress parade and drill were underway. The rust from a long winter was shaken off. Members of the 66th OVI represented the boys in blue at the bayonet drill competition and one proud member took home a nice trophy!

Run! Here comes Birney's Division!!

The battle Saturday afternoon took place in the town as the Confederate General Battalion (Lee, Jackson, Stuart, and Forrest) held a war council. Col Essig's pickets started popping off rounds as 2d Battalion marched toward the town. We split forces and chased them out and onto a field above the mill pond. Regrouping, they smashed back into our troops and gave us a good bloody nose. Unfortunately for the Rebs, they ran into the other half of our battalion in reserve. You could hear their breaks squeal as they had a "where did they come from" moment, and the battle continued as we ground up the Confederates. The day went to the Union. The ladies and kids had a great time as well, getting the opportunity to portray the citizens of the town caught in the fires of war.

Saturday night saw many a grin in camp expressing an exciting and entertaining day. A dance was held at the main barn and was well attended.

After another cool night, the Park folks treated all reeanctors to a pancake and sausage breakfast. This satisfied our bellies and units went about their usual Sunday morning duties. With the tight schedule and a noon battle, your humble colonel won big points by scrubbing the Sunday morning dress parade.

2d Battalion left camp and made our way to a wooded cross roads to see if Essig's men could be located. Once napping in the trees, we were alerted that the Rebs are coming at us from two sides. With part of the battalion on the high ground at our flank, the main body of our force focusing on the Confederate infantry to our front. We drove their flanking infantry off of the hill, but a long slow fight, with the Confederates using trees as cover, they chewed up our troops. With both sides running low on powder, the Rebs held their own and the day.

I will have to say that this was one of the best events I have been to in Ohio. The ground was great, the hosts really bent over backward for us, and the weather was beyond perfect. A tip of the cap to Wayne Unger and his unit for doing a fantastic job on their very first event. I know I am looking forward to next year already.

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!

Lt Col Smith
Commanding, 2d Battalion
Birney's Division

Posted by CL Smith @ 1:32 PM
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Division Adjutant Report

After action report Jackson in The Valley - 1862 ( Beaver Creek Ohio State Park)

Saturday
We bivouacked in a pine grove along the banks of the Little Beaver Creek which provided excellent protection from the elements. Our assignment was to protect the small community at Gaston's Mill from Jackson's men in the valley. The community surrounding the Mill seemed to be full of southern sympathizers. Finding a copy of Union orders near the Blacksmith's shop prompted a through search of the buildings.

It was discovered that there was a southern secret service code wheel in the Blacksmith shop. The blacksmith was taken prisoner tried and later executed as a Confederate spy. To ease tensions caused by the execution, the Union forces left town and returned to the bivouac area. Receiving word that a group of Jackson's men had arrived at Gaston's Mill, orders were given for our Union forces to double quick into battle. The southern forces were torn to pieces. The dead and dying southern soldiers were seemed to be strewn throughout the town. The remainder of Jackson's forces left in a hurry fearing northern lead.

Sunday
Col. Smith reconnoitered the area for an ambush of Jackson's men. The site selected for the Union forces was at the edge of a grove of tall southern pines situated between two major routes entering town. Our forces having excellent cover, were dug in for a fight. The Confederate forces were first spotted along the high road. We were ready for them when all hell broke loose along the Union lines facing the low road. Jackson's men along the high road appeared to be surprised. Many Confederates were moved to assist in the attack of Union troops along the low road. Our forces spotted Stonewall and his men moving to flank our lines along the low road. They were moving right into our trap. The Union forces guarding the high road were in their path. We laid low until the Confederates were close and gave them a surprise with a volley of northern lead. With the main Confederate force along the low road many of our men providing flank protection were called to assist our main body.

The site was beautiful. Camping couldn't have been better. The Civil War dance with a live band was a great touch. The battles were a lot of fun. Sunday breakfast was top notch. Reenactor friendly site. What more could you ask for at an event.

2nd Lt Bill Andrews
Birney's Division Staff

Posted by CL Smith @ 12:41 PM
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Thursday, May 10, 2007

Photos from Beaver Creek 2007

I just want to thank everyone who made the very first Beaver Creek event here in Ohio a SMASHING success. My after-action report is being fleshed out, but I wanted to send all of you the links to an outstanding series of photos taken at the event by local journalist Wayne Maris.

Cheers,
Chris

Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3

Posted by CL Smith @ 1:20 PM
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Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Beaver Creek Order of Battle

At this time, our staff and battalion are set up in the following fashion. I am expecting a certain number of walk-ons so we may add additional companies, or fuse "unattached others" into our existing companies. Please be aware that we currently out number the Confederates more than two-to-one.

ORDER OF BATTLE

Lt Col Christopher Smith, Federal Commander
1st Lt Bob Penix, Battalion Adjutant
2nd Lt Bill Andrews, Battalion Staff Officer
Sgt Maj Matt Donahue, Battalion Sergeant Major

RIGHT WING

1st Company (5th OVI/74th NY)
2nd Company (61st OVI)
3rd Company (66th OVI)

LEFT WING

4th Company - Color Company (105th OVI)
5th Company (23rd OVI, 83rd PVI, 105th PVI)

I will be arriving on sight around 11 am this Friday to look at the camp layout. Anyone arriving before then should consider holding off until we make those decisions. The Federal camps will be in a wooded area so we may need to modify the text book camp layout.

If anyone has any questions, please email me at clsmith@5thohio.com.

Weather looks good! See you there!!!

Lt Col Chris

Posted by CL Smith @ 1:21 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.