Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: shotgunneeley on April 19, 2014, 10:48:40 PM
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I participated in my very first Civil War reenactment today with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Poison Spring in Camden, AR. A guy I work with has some family-friends who do this as a hobby and thought I'd be interested, so I said "shoot yeah" as they were looking for a few extra bodies. I joined up with the 18th Iowa Infantry Regiment on the Union side (the losers of this particular battle). There were about 60 reenactors and some 700 spectators out to watch on the park grounds (the History Channel was also seen filming for a bit). Learned a lot of the local history that I wasn't aware of:
General Steele of the North was supposed to launch a pincer attack from his base in Little Rock, AR that was supposed to meet up with another force out of Shreveport, LA, the idea being to crush the Confederate forces of southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana and eastern Texas. Steele's forces occupied Camden when it was discovered that the Confederates had pulled out and learned of a rebel cache of corn 20 miles to the south. Critically low on supplies, he sent a foraging party with 200 wagons to capture the corn stash. On the return trip, the Yankees were ambushed by a large contingency of rebel soldiers, resulting in a loss of around 300 men and nearly all of the corn wagons. This became known as the Battle of Poison Spring - which got its name because it had been thought that the Confederates had poisoned the local "white oak creek" (Today, it is believed that the heat-stressed Yankee soldiers merely made themselves sick by drinking from the cold spring water). A few day's later, Steel withdrew from Camden and made his way back to his base in Little Rock. Along the way, he was dogged again by the pursuing Southern forces at Jenkin's Ferry while trying to cross the flooded Saline River. Overall it was a Confederate victory as they prevented the North from carrying out their crushing pincer move to end the Red River campaign, but the South missed an opportunity to destroy Steele's army at Jenkin's Ferry - allowing personnel and material to escape.
I'll post some pictures as they become available. Anybody else carry out these military reenactments? I still do more paintball than anything but this is definitely more involved and true to life for the scenario driven mind.
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Always figured it would be a blast , pun inteaded, maybe some day................
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Dressing up and fire guns, whats that all about :old:
Lets see the pictures please :)
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Always something I wanted to do. Used to shoot a little BP with a Mountain man club. Never had time to properly get into that as well.
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I'd like to participate in a reenactment of some sort some day. be in US Civil War, American Revolution, etc. I have much of the kit needed to be a US soldier in WWII, but I'm not sure if that would be as fun.
I'd really like to participate in a reenactment of the Zulu War of 1879 where the "independent fire at will!" order was common. ;)
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Your all going to die!
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Reenacting is a very entertaining past time.... I used to do Old West reenactments, but limit myself to the rare SASS event now.
I've been to many Civil War reenactments....
A few photos...
I had a conversation with these boys about where to point their muskets... At my wife and grand daughter was not one of them...
(https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/906823_10200939708080317_1473414779_o.jpg)
The Yankees milled around smartly... The Confederates... Not so much.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31.0-8/883647_10200939708120318_849348953_o.jpg)
The great thing about being a Confederate.... Any combination of uniform will generally work.
(https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/905308_10200939708600330_1040713343_o.jpg)
I don't know what that badge is for, but it would make a fine target.
(https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/579540_10200939708720333_571794738_n.jpg)
A prisoner... The guy on the left just passed wind. The guy on the right isn't sure who did it. The guy in the middle doesn't care.....
(https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/547722_10200939709240346_97485562_n.jpg)
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Your all going to die!
iirc.....
says a pvt: "He's right. Why us"?
replies a sgt: "Because we're here lad, nobody else."
Zulu was a great movie. Still is. Love it. :aok
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(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07831_zps5977e207.jpg) (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/shotgunneeley/media/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07831_zps5977e207.jpg.html)
Me holding my trusty Sharps rifle with my sister after the battle. I've got black powder all over my face from biting off the paper cartridges, but surprisingly it didn't taste as bad as I would've thought.
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07821_zpsde55c751.jpg) (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/shotgunneeley/media/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07821_zpsde55c751.jpg.html)
Me being checked by a rebel soldier, according to him I was a "dead blue belly".
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07801_zpsb8edb63a.jpg) (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/shotgunneeley/media/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07801_zpsb8edb63a.jpg.html)
Each side had a cannon and those things would rock the world when they went off.
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07841_zps0e8b208c.jpg) (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/shotgunneeley/media/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07841_zps0e8b208c.jpg.html)
Members portraying the 1st Regiment Kansas Volunteered Infantry (Colored).
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07791_zpsa7c3be51.jpg) (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/shotgunneeley/media/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07791_zpsa7c3be51.jpg.html)
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07851_zpsfb5425d5.jpg) (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/shotgunneeley/media/Civil%20War%20Reenactment/IMG_07851_zpsfb5425d5.jpg.html)
My particular unit portrayed the 18th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Finally here are three videos to watch.
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/3n6h9n3qvoicgsp/IMG_0791[1].mov
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/986bxvvj56p5vxz/IMG_0794[1].mov
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/u25frrkr31clx75/IMG_0790[1].mov
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That monochrome photo is awesome which one is Slowman :old:
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I don't do ACW, But I do Napoleonic period.
Big time for us, it is the becentineries at the moment so lots to do with the big Waterloo 200 next year. Already planning for that one. I portray the famous 95th Rifles (Sharpe anyone?) who were skirmishers and armed with rifles as opposed to muskets.
Great fun and everyone who partakes in reenacting is very friendly and happy to help out! Glad you joined up Shotgun, though that was merely a small skirmish you were in. You should get to Gettysburg for a big one. The one I am going to next week has nearly 1000 reenactors taking part. Rumours abound of Waterloo being up to 5000.
Hope you have been bitten by the bug and join up full time. It will be great fun and you will always learn something!
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I've never seen one in person, but watched some of a Gettysburg re-enactment on TV. Looks like a lot of fun.
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Very nice!
Get rid of the comfy shoes and get you some authentic brogans, though.
(http://www.crescentcitysutler.com/products/footwear/brogans.jpg)
http://www.crescentcitysutler.com/footwear-brogans.html
:salute :cheers:
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I've always wanted to run one of those things as the "historical" looser on one side or the other. Then when it came time for the reenactment. Alter the tactics and change the "historical" outcome of the battle to where the "historically" loosing side wins :D
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I've always wanted to run one of those things as the "historical" looser on one side or the other. Then when it came time for the reenactment. Alter the tactics and change the "historical" outcome of the battle to where the "historically" loosing side wins :D
I had a 'shipmate' (squadron-mate?) in the Navy who participated in CWR back in the 80s (he may still). He started out Confederate then switched to Union because the Confederate players usually outnumbered the Union players by a factor of two to one even in the battles where the North outnumbered the South historically. To paraphrase him, 'I got more play time. They'd drag my dead body over a hill and 'resurrect' me. Sometimes twice.'
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But I do Napoleonic period.
Now this is my cup of tea. Any photos? :D
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iirc.....
says a pvt: "He's right. Why us"?
replies a sgt: "Because we're here lad, nobody else."
Zulu was a great movie. Still is. Love it. :aok
Also "Mr. Witt, sir, be quiet now will you; there's a good gentleman. You'll upset the lads."
Great movie. Loved Colour Sergeant Bourne
Here is the scene to which you refer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ9KkgGB4Kk
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Very nice!
Get rid of the comfy shoes and get you some authentic brogans, though.
(http://www.crescentcitysutler.com/products/footwear/brogans.jpg)
http://www.crescentcitysutler.com/footwear-brogans.html
:salute :cheers:
I wouldn't necessarily call my Redwing work boots "comfy shoes", but I see your point. I borrowed everything you see me with when I arrived on site except the boots (they never said anything, so I just rolled with it).
I had a 'shipmate' (squadron-mate?) in the Navy who participated in CWR back in the 80s (he may still). He started out Confederate then switched to Union because the Confederate players usually outnumbered the Union players by a factor of two to one even in the battles where the North outnumbered the South historically. To paraphrase him, 'I got more play time. They'd drag my dead body over a hill and 'resurrect' me. Sometimes twice.'
As far as picking sides, I couldn't care less about who the good guys or bad guys are. Wether considered good history or bad history, all history deserves to be equally represented.
I've always wanted to run one of those things as the "historical" looser on one side or the other. Then when it came time for the reenactment. Alter the tactics and change the "historical" outcome of the battle to where the "historically" loosing side wins :D
Anybody else imagine going into LotR Middle Earth and giving the Fellowship automatic weapons, sniper rifles and Apache attack helicopters?
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Now this is my cup of tea. Any photos? :D
Sure, got plenty!
Myself and the 95th at Los Arapiles, Salamanca, Great fun but scorching hot. This was in July, midday, for the bicentinery.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Salamanca_zpsdb0c4b58.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Salamanca_zpsdb0c4b58.jpg.html)
Waterloo, 2011. The Redcoated Highlanders give the French Voltigers a volley.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Highlanders_zps1130c9d5.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Highlanders_zps1130c9d5.jpg.html)
Myself (On the right) a fellow Rifleman and our Captain leading the Redcoats onto the field. I love this picture with the Colours flying.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Albueracolours_zpsc2e63808.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Albueracolours_zpsc2e63808.jpg.html)
The 95th Skirmishing to the front
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/RiflesSkirmish_zps8effb17e.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/RiflesSkirmish_zps8effb17e.jpg.html)
Alongside our Redcoated friends from the 68th DLI
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/DLIskirmishing_zps0ce6f062.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/DLIskirmishing_zps0ce6f062.jpg.html)
And one of my favourites
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Cannon_zps7fe1b8f7.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Cannon_zps7fe1b8f7.jpg.html)
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While not a reenactor, I am a card carrying member of the SCV.
I have a complete CSA uniform but no rifle, just a replica sword.
There is not only the 150th anniversary of the US Civil War, but we are also on the cusp of the 100 year anniversary of WWI.
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Sure, got plenty!
Myself and the 95th at Los Arapiles, Salamanca, Great fun but scorching hot. This was in July, midday, for the bicentinery.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Salamanca_zpsdb0c4b58.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Salamanca_zpsdb0c4b58.jpg.html)
Waterloo, 2011. The Redcoated Highlanders give the French Voltigers a volley.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Highlanders_zps1130c9d5.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Highlanders_zps1130c9d5.jpg.html)
Myself (On the right) a fellow Rifleman and our Captain leading the Redcoats onto the field. I love this picture with the Colours flying.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Albueracolours_zpsc2e63808.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Albueracolours_zpsc2e63808.jpg.html)
The 95th Skirmishing to the front
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/RiflesSkirmish_zps8effb17e.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/RiflesSkirmish_zps8effb17e.jpg.html)
Alongside our Redcoated friends from the 68th DLI
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/DLIskirmishing_zps0ce6f062.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/DLIskirmishing_zps0ce6f062.jpg.html)
And one of my favourites
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z238/bigmacleod01/Cannon_zps7fe1b8f7.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/bigmacleod01/media/Cannon_zps7fe1b8f7.jpg.html)
Sharpie's a splendid fellow, let down atrociously by Seen Been :old:
Lead character in a fine series of books by Bernard Cornwell, based on stories of an ex-ranker 95th Rifles officer in the Peninsular campaign of the early 1800s.
The books later covered some events post Portugal/Spain, such as the Battle of Waterloo and then, helped by the popularity of the TV series, "started again" with the time before his commission during the Indian campaigns of the late 1700s. In fact the whole timeline and continuity became so confused (and unlikely) that Sharpe even managed to muscle in on the battle of Trafalgar in the rather eponymously titled Sharpe's Trafalgar.
The novels, starting with Sharpe's Rifles, have been made into an excellent TV series starring Sean Bean, Brian Cox, Darragh O'Malley, Pete Postlethwaite and David Troughton. Appearances from other famous folk such as Paul Bettany, Oliver Tobias, Philip Glenister, Julian Fellowes, including a scene in Sharpe's Enemy where Liz Hurley gets her norks out.
Forthcoming works are:
Sharpe's Helmet
Major Richard Sharpe of the 95th Rifles is abducted by space aliens who systematically anally probe him - despite his tough, uncompromising Yorkshire accent. When they've finished, he's ejected from their craft only to find he's been taken back to Ancient Greece, whereupon he enlists in the Thespian Volunteers [You think I'm joking?] and kicks Persian arse at the battle of Thermopylae.
So taken is King Xerxes by the tough, uncompromising Yorkshireman that he lets him go after the Spartans' shoeing, only for Sharpe to be accidentally run over by a speeding chariot and sent in to a coma.
Sharpe's Sunday
In a deep coma, Major Richard Sharpe of the 95th Rifles awakes to find himself in 1972. He immediately enlists in 1 PARA and proceeds to lay waste the Bogside and its hapless inhabitants. His tough, uncompromising Yorkshire attitude strikes fear in to the IRA etc.
Sharpe's ASBO
After spending thirty-five years in a social void, Major Richard Sharpe of the Parachute Regiment leaves the army only to find that society has changed dramatically: no Double Diamond on tap and a distinct lack of beige flares on the fashion scene. Outraged at the failure of society, he embarks on a voyage of revenge, recrimination and reprisal - blowing away slags and scrotes in a maelstrom of tough, uncompromising Yorkshireism. [Is there a pattern emerging yet?]
Sharpe's Air
Major Richard Sharpe of the Parachute Regiment (V) is a TA Officer who is deployed to the Middle East and ends up working with the RAF but despite his rough uncompromising Yorkshire accent, he fails to get any work done as 'It's not their job mate'.
The show seems the many point of inspiration for the recruitment literature of The Rifles.
So far, the following episodes have been released on DVD:
Sharpe's Rifles
Sharpe's Eagle
Sharpe's Company
Sharpe's Enemy
Sharpe's Honour
Sharpe's Gold
Sharpe's Battle
Sharpe's Sword
Sharpe's Regiment
Sharpe's Siege
Sharpe's Mission
Sharpe's Revenge
Sharpe's Justice
Sharpe's Waterloo
Sharpe's Challenge
Memorable Quotes include:
Sharpe: Gimme a pick-lock, Cooper.
Cooper: Pick-lock, sir? Catch me with a pick-lock!
Harper: They did, Coop. But when you got out of Newgate prison, you got another set, and that's the one the officer wants.
Cooper: Do I get it back, sir?
Sharpe: Trust me.
Cooper: It's very hard to trust a man who wants to borrow your pick-lock, sir.
Another oft-quoted line is 'Yer fat Southern bastard!' which Sharpe utters to just about everybody. Of course, in the books, he was a Londoner, which means he should be saying 'Yer fat Northern bastard!' but there you go...