Props to the organizing commitee on this one. Good food (Federals for sure), rain wasn't bad, and we had a very functioning company.

Some notes to remember:
-We need to harass the women folk more. This will be remedied at Lost Tribes.
-A Harrison Holloway imposter was discovered when this "person" claimed to be HH while wearing Confederate cloth.
-Very nice terrain. A lot of potential scenarios.
-Effective NCOs, great group to work with

Can't wait for Galena now.

ProdigalSon wrote:

-A Harrison Holloway imposter was discovered when this "person" claimed to be HH while wearing Confederate cloth.


This was much commented on, and it was put forth, by myself, that Holler in
butternut is in Revelations, as one of the signs of the Last Days! But then,
Bentonville was very near the end of the War, so it was somehow fitting!

It was an excellent time with a great bunch, and we do have a lot of
potential here for future events. Cedar Creek was mentioned . . .

The Rain and the Hills: added to the event, we in Federal camp were,
Thank God, dry with shelter on Sat. night. Had we gone to bed wet and
cold without fires, this would read much differently. On Sunday, it was
as if God himself waited for the Boys in Blue to break camp and get on line
before he started the downpour again.

Poague in our camp: like a visit from a mistrel show, just without any music!

Pear Crossing: it was worth the extra two crossings to say we had the first
two crossings under our belt, so them Johnnies would not have bragging rights,
and the Captain was not really that angry, he had a smile and a joke about my
crossing song when we came back, thru that cold, cold water, with the canteens.

Thanks to Jason ~ life being what it is, unfair to the best of us sometime,
Jason could not attend the event he and Dan and Rob and many others worked so
hard to bring off in style. He worked very hard on this one boys, be sure to
thank him when next you see him. We are all waiting anxiously; our thoughts
and prayers are with Stephanie and Jason and Josie!

Noah McCorkle ~ I hope I did this brave Irishman proud! Todd, ya Englishman,
it was great to share barbs and whiskey with you!

To all our Officers and NCOs ~ however tired we were, you were as tired, and
had to work even harder. Great job, our hats off to you!!

On to Galena, and we travel from War's end to War's beginning! (The food
should be great! Look, Poague, more than one kind of pie!)
See you there.

yer comrade, messmate, and most obedient servant, Jim Schumann
aka Noah McCorkle
late of the 21st Wisconsin
Buried near Bentonville

To Dan; thank you for putting together a top shelf event! An outstanding first effort. On the confederate side I can say the first person was maintained close to 100%; the only breaks were informational statements by the commanders, very good. I for my part took away the feeling of how desperate the closing month of the war must have felt. The rations were slim, a smaLL ration of rice, five corn cakes ( I called them cookies, somehow that enhanced the flavor!!! They were rather good.), and some salt with pork. I didn't take a tobacco twist, although I'm sure it was greatly enjoyed by those that did. Top events from RTB
Crossing the river, first with the time to take off clothing and shoes so I would be dry on the other side, the second crossing was not so, I got my shoes and socks off but that was it, the rain soaked fields took care of my dry feet only minutes later. It truly for me was a period moment.

Another was our first call to the skirmish line. How the Federal cav was able to set 150 yards off and pop away at us with no fear, they obviously knew we had to save our rounds for sure targets. That was until Julius ( I think ) put a round into a boldly exposed rider. It was impressive shooting, one shot and a cavalryman slides out of his saddle. It was a very realistic moment, and the reaction by the fed cav was appropriate; stay behind cover, get the horse first, then his gun, and finally drag the dead/wounded trooper out of the way.

What also made the event for me was the feeling that our small group was all we had, we were trying to link up with brigade, but that would only mean a total of 250 men, maybe a little more. The feds we saw were only the advance of what seemed to be a limitless number of men, how desperate the situation must have felt to the men of the 8th Ark one can only imagine.

The last encounter in the field of tall weeds, taking a hit and thinking God don't let a horse step on me.

Great event Dan!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to our commanders, NCO's, and men. Can't wait till the next one!

Robert Gobtop
ONV
Sipley Mess

RFB 09 AAR

Co D 21st Wisc.

Thanks:
When we are compelled to compliment our NCO’s it must have been a good event. They did a very good job! I was very happy with the federals cooperation and ability to do all that was asked of them efficiently and competently. Our cavalry support added a lot to our action. No one can underestimate the efforts of our POC Dan! I am glad we were able to share this event with those that traveled far and our friends from other units.


Lecture:
The philosophy behind a scripted emersion event is to control the scenario to the extent it provides opportunities to live in the moment and have some authentic experiences. To this end we search for a site, pattern our plans in historic events; acquire our food, learn about the life and times, and spend time and money collecting material goods, etc. Hopefully participants can use all that to get swept up into the moment, to experience something worthwhile. As we know it is difficult to do and is rather fragile. It depends on all of us working at it. Keeping our in-the-moment 1st person is a very big part of it. In the end the richness of the experience pivots largely on how well we keep our 1st person. I hope we can each work on improving on this aspect of our impressions.

D. Gerow

Cavalry AAR:


Friday

Arrived at base camp and received orders that our squad from Co. F, 9th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry was to perform scouting and flanking duties for the main force consisting of Co. D of the 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. We found the company in the process of forming up. Met up with old friends and enjoyed some down time while the unit formed. Later in the evening when it had become dark, we moved out under the light of a full moon. Cavalry was employed as rear guard. We followed the infantry out into the field and made some creek crossings before coming to a halt in a nice wide spot on the road. The infantry quickly broke ranks and we prepared our picket line. We unsaddled and foraged some hay and began to settle in for the night. We slept very near our horses and for the most part spent a quiet and cool night under a clear sky.

Saturday

We roused at 4:30 AM to prepare to be posted as videttes. No time for coffee as we groomed and saddled. Two of our squad were posted first. Their guard duty was uneventful, as was the second shift. Once all four troopers were back in camp, we were ordered on a scouting ride. We discovered trails to our front and rear. On our scout up the rear trail, we were able to observe a Rebel squad without being seen ourselves. We reported back and began to scout at our front. We soon ran into enemy pickets and pulled back. Infantry support came up and it was quickly determined to be a company of Johnnies. Determined to drive them back, the infantry went directly up the road while the cavalry went on a flanking run and came up on the infantry’s left flank. Hastily erected barriers on the trail drove us into the brush, but there wasn’t much fight in the Johnnies as they quickly retreated. Our infantry continued to advance up the trail while we picked our way through the dense cover of the woods on the left flank. We advanced to a creek crossing where several roads came together and the combined forces took a rest. Most troops remained at rest while an advance infantry guard went forward. Our cavalry squad remained behind and we spent some swapping some stories with the infantry. What a great bunch of fellows! The advance guard reported back the Rebs location some distance to our front and the officers formed the battle plans. The combined unit advanced and forced the Rebs to take up skirmish positions. Infantry withdrew to perform a flanking march while the cavalry was to continue to keep the enemy occupied. One of our horseman was picked off by an enemy sharpshooter, so we withdrew behind some more cover and continued to observe. The infantry came up, and eventually the Johnnies were forced from their positions. A small refugee camp was discovered as the Rebs fled, and we appropriated many of their foods and cooked them over their still warm fire while we took a much needed break after our skirmish. Civilians were interrogated and as much information as possible gathered. For the most part they gave us nothing more than hateful stares. It didn’t really matter as they were no threat to us. We took what we wanted and for the most part left them alone.

Orders were given to form up to move out as a light rain started falling. Our march went on for what had to be several miles up and down hills where the road had become greasy from the rain. A prime camping spot was found high on a hill and the ranks quickly dispersed to prepare rations and set up their camp for the night. Luckily the rain had tapered off to little more than a sprinkle. As it was still late afternoon, we had several hours to cook and relax around the fires. Once again we traded many stories with our infantry friends before finally settling in for a very restful night near our picket line.


Sunday

Awakened at 4:30 AM by the Sgt of the guard and told to be ready for guard duty at 5. Mounts were quickly saddled and the fire stoked to make coffee. We rotated the guard out in shifts of two for an hour before returning back to camp to mount up and head out. About the time we stepped off, the heavens opened with a bit heavier rain than the day before, but at least the rain held off to let us sleep the night before. Our march took us down a trail that was steep at times and the horses slipped and slid as they went down the hills. Once at the bottom, we skirted a creek and the main force tried to stay dry under some trees while an advance patrol was sent out. The rain started coming harder and thunder rolled through the hills. The advance patrol returned and we advanced through a marshy field, crossed a creek, and proceeded around a planted field. Our column ran into Confederate advance pickets and some shots were exchanged. In the distance we could see the Rebs crossing the river and trying to retreat down the main road. The cavalry was ordered on a ride around the field at a full gallop to stop the Rebel retreat and force them down a different route where we were deployed on the infantry right flank. The Rebs had finally had enough of running as they took up positions on a ridge and began fighting. Our infantry pushed the main line as we fired from the right flank. The Confederates were pushed and several prisoners and wounded were taken into our lines. The rest continued the long retreat. Our combined force was once again formed up and reported back to the base camp to await further orders.


Closing thoughts:

Thanks to Dan and all the organizers. Special thanks to Dan, Pete, and Jerry for coming and making this a memorable event. This ground has great potential for future scenarios. Thanks also to all the members of the ONV for making us feel welcome and for putting up with our special smells about the camp!

James Weighton

I sent this in an email to the men of my company, but I thought I'd share it with the members of the ONV at large as well:

This was my first of experiences in a couple of different ways - 1) commanding a large independent body of troops, and 2) attending an ONV event. As to the former, I can only say that I worked to the best of my abilities and I hope that my efforts helped the men of Company B, 8th Arkansas enjoy themselves as much as I. And to the latter, all I can say is that I am impressed by the quality of impressions in the ONV. Although we can all improve our first person interactions and I witnessed and heard a few breaks, I thought we did relatively well with first person as a company.

I had a great time at the event and that is a testament to you all. You endured just about every weather condition known to man except snow, lack of sleep, marching over difficult terrain (and through liquid terrain! ), screaming demon Blue Herons - in other words, a small taste of some of what the old vets experienced. Through it all you persevered. Really, it was a great job by everyone. Our successes as a company are thanks to you all - our failures are due to me and me alone.

A thought:
I also wanted to note that I think the site is terrific - I think it lends itself to any number of scenarios and event types. I'm anxious to return! It was somewhat difficult for me to find my way at times - mostly because I had never seen the site and the number of intersecting trails that made things difficult at times. If we use the site again (and I hope we do!), perhaps a couple of "civilian guides" (much as the Banks Grand Retreat/Into the Piney Woods events utilize) for each side that are familiar with the lay of the land might be helpful in the future.

Some specific "thank you's":

Jason Reinholz - Jason put long hours into this event - through research, putting the rations together, scouting the terrain and planning the course of the event, assembling the company - just about everything you experienced this weekend was due at least in part to Jason's hard work. Thanks Jason, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family right now.

Dave Gerow – Along with Dan, Dave helped me quickly get up to speed on the scenarios and the lay of the land when the call came for me take command of the CS company. His leadership of Federal forces was exemplary, as usual. As I said to Dave in person, I made a decision Saturday afternoon to break off contact with the Federal forces in order to get our company across the river and under shelter to get dry before the sun started to set Saturday evening. I take full responsibility for decision and I apologize if the lack of skirmishing that afternoon disappointed anyone.

Dan Chmelar - Dan, how old are you? 22? And you put on an event of this magnitude? That is quite an accomplishment - really, my hat is off to you. Just an outstanding job.

Skip Owens - Skipper - thanks for jumping on a plane from Baltimore only a week after being in Asia and coming out to America's Dairyland. Your impression, judgments, and experience were sound as always and very much appreciated.

John Wickett - After maintaining a keyboard relationship with you for a couple of years, it's been great to actually attend events with you in the flesh! Seriously, I thought you did a great job as Orderly Sergeant - it was a relief to know that the management of the NCO's and enlisted men was in good hands for the weekend. Thanks also for serving as my sounding board when I need to think things through to their conclusion.

All of the NCO's - Jeremy Powell, Andy Ackeret, Rob Gobtop, Nathan "Harrison 'Holler' Holloway" Hellwig, Tim Ruyle: My hat is off to all of you. I thought the management of sections and platoons was outstanding, and that is directly attributable to you and your actions. Thanks for your hard work.

Terry and Nancy Sorchy - Terry was involved in some of the background logistics (seriously, though, when is this NOT the case?!?!), and helped preposition the water on Friday. Nancy baked 120 CS corn crackers for our rations and coordinated the civilian side of things that helped make this event that much more interesting. Outstanding work as always.

Finally to all of the enlisted of Company B, 8th Arkansas Consolidated Infantry, all I can say is thank you. You suffered through various indignities and still fulfilled your duties and served admirably. You came together for one weekend in June and really became an outstanding team. As I said before, our successes during the weekend are directly attributable to your efforts. I would gladly fall in again with any of you in any capacity. Thank you.

If anyone has any comments or constructive criticisms - don't hold back. I can only improve and events can only get better from your feedback.

I truly hope you all had a good time - after all, the research, the materials, the mindset - that's why we do these things.

Lastly, I'll leave you with my funniest memory of this event. Sitting with the company command staff in the valley Saturday morning behind the skirmish line waiting for the Federal advance, I noticed Holler get up, walk to the tree line, and vomit (apparently the salt pork didn't agree with him - although we think it was a reaction to donning CS wool jean). As he finished, and still spitting chunks, he turns to us, smiles, and gives us the "thumbs up" to show he's OK - now that's hardcore!

Cheers,
Eric

I first of all want to thank EVERYONE who attended RFB. Honestly, without you all attending, this would have not worked. I also would like to especially mention Eric Fair, Dave Gerow, and Jason Reinholz. These three men did more for this event that many know.

Another person that I would like to mention is someone not many of you may know. Dennis Mason is a member of a local mainstream confederate cavalry group. Dennis was a HUGE asset to me for getting this event to even be a go. He is the person I got use of the land through, and he helped me in countless other ways when organizing this event. Honestly, if it had not been for Dennis this event would have not happened at all.

Thanks to all who drove or flew large distances to attend. Jerry Ross (trailered his horse up from Tennesee by himself to attend), Skip, Wickett, Dan W., Brian W, and everyone else,,,, thank you. We truly do appriciate seeing you here in the midwest.

Like I said at the end, I am up for doing another event on the same site next year. I have heard several suggestions, but if there is any specific scenerio anyone would like to see, get ahold of me!

Oh, and Eric,,,one year off, I am 21. (although will be 22 in a month and a half,,,man I am getting old!!! haha

Again, thanks to all!!
Dan

I still suggest Nashville on furlough...

But seriously, I'd like to see something like W64 out west here. We've got limitless space, ample wood, and it's prime ONV ground.

The idea has been brought up about doing a winter quarters event on the site. I think it is something the owner would be receptive to. I will talk with him about it.

Dan

Now that I have finally recuperated from this event (I slept for 14 hours last night) I wanted to post a few quick lines.

First, hats off to Dan and co. for putting on an excellent event. I know it is a lot of hard work that participents do not really think about unless something is missing. Nothing was missed by Dan and all had a great time. Dan, my feet will never be the same!

I would like to thank the men of the 21st Wisconsin for allowing me to be their Orderly Sergeant. You all worked hard and never grumbled about it. Even as we climbed one more hill in the pouring rain you took it in stride. It was a pleasure to serve with you and I hope to do it again soon.

We had two great officers, Dave and Jim, who provided able leadership. We would follow you guys anywhere, even up one more hill.

I am really thankful for the excellent NCO corps. You guys really stepped up and did your jobs. No one got hurt, everyone was safe, and we all had a good time.

The only down side to the event that I saw was already mentioned by Capt. Gerow. This was the breakdown of first person in the Federal camp Saturday night. I will take full responsiblity for that as it was one of my jobs to keep the company in first person. Sorry boys, we'll do better next time.

I got to ford a river, which I have never done at a Civil War event before. It was an experience.

My fondest memory was going on patrol with Layton Pennington and Noah McCorkle (AKA Jim Schumann) Saturday night. It was darker than the inside of a cow (thanks for the line Layton) and the birds, whatever they were, were making such a terrible racket that it sounded like they were being murdered. It felt so real because it was real. Not being able to see and find your way around. Getting lost and not knowing what made the birds so mad really was freaky. Thanks for going with me guys!

First Sgt. Joseph Carpenter
Co. D, 21st WI Volunteer Infantry

Hi gents,

Many thanks to Dan, Dave, and Eric for a fine event. I wish I could have been at the event a touch sooner but it was great to see my comarades once again. To my fourth second comrades in Company D, thanks for bringing me into the fold. Good gents all around and a plesure to work with all of you. Also good to see Eric Fair, Holler, and Skip Owens after the event!

Scott you did a fine job at orderly and a hard tasks at an immersion event, you will be better prepared for your next go aroud and thank you for your efforts.

Dave you know I think very highly of your skills as an officer and you did a wonderfull job planning with Dan and Jason for the event. Thanks for an immersion event once again that we did not have to travel too far to enjoy. We will see you in this capacity in two months at Gettysburg.

Dan my personal thanks for meeting me on Saturday and getting me to the right place. I hope we can do an event here again.

Last to all the ONV pards.... we will have new member from the event, Tim Suprenant has survived his past two events with the ONV and wants to become a roster member. Even Schumann's signing and Weed's stories could not turn him away.

Tom

Scott,
Those birds were Blue Herons. Friday night we camped just north of their roost and it was eerie. At one point I went back to see if I could find the water source and I felt like I was descended through the gates of Hell with all of their weird demon screams. I think it was the most unnerved I've felt at an event.

All -
Skip and I were talking about the 1862 Maryland Campaign for the site (pre-Antietam). The hills and valleys really lend themselves well to the geography, and late '62 Eastern Theatre impressions would be relatively easy to do. Just a thought.

Thanks again for the good time!

Eric Fair wrote:
Scott,
Those birds were Blue Herons. Friday night we camped just north of their roost and it was eerie.

Eric ~ thanks for that, I thought they might be Egrets, as I only glimpsed one
small nest on the march. Eerie is too tame: Scott talked about the horrific
noises out of E. Poe at the furthest point of our patrol in the pitch black ~
I have never heard anything quite like that! They had to be under attack from
an owl or raccoon, or had Johnnies about! I am just thankful that Layton has
night vision, I almost lost him two or three times. Eric told me had we gone
down that steep slope we would have found their camp ~ I told him we might have
done, but they would have had to care for our broken bones! We barely made that
slope the next day in the rain during the day!

Tom K. - signing? I did not know we had any deaf Federal soldiers, although
they might have become such, by choice, after some of my singing!!

And Poague will now want to be captured at any future event here, in hopes of
again being tied to a tree and then having spirits forced upon him by the local
ladies!

My thanks to Scott Gutzke and the members of the ONV for the generous invite to this event. This was one of the best organized and memorable events I have ever had since I began this hobby in 1996 (well, Shiloh 97 did have more rain and mud). Cool, not cold, wet (very), tired (very), and good comradeship made for a great event. And the food was grat too.

Uniforms cleaned (dried), musket cleaned, brogans still drying. Ready to march again.

Big hat off to all the organizers, especially Dan Chmelar. I did not get to meet him personally, but did find some of his cavalry's road apples!

Jim Shumann (Noah), I'll bring you a pair of night vision goggles next time! I never lost sight of you or Scott though. I've been on enough real patrols to know what a break in contact means, for everyone. Those herons did give off eerie noises. Had to be a coon raiding the nest or an owl picked one off.

If the members will have me, I'll join the ONV in whatever capacity or mess that will have me. Scott you have my contact info. I look forward to Galena and Ft. Snelling.

Layton Pennington

Private Enoch Jones Co. B Arkansas 8th Infantry

We joined the rest of our Company after dark on Friday. We recognized some of our pards and some of the boys through the glimmer of the fires. We exchanged pleasentries and asked about any news they had from home. Like us they had not recieived any correspondences as of late. We were promptly told by the Sgt. to bivouac along the road. We were also told to lie on arms (No stacks). My pard William and I found spots and began to prepare to bed down. Soon after we assembled the company and were given three days rations, consisting of 5 corn pones, a scoop of rice, a sweet tater, a piece of salt pork, a twist of tobacco and some chicory mixed with something else I am pretty sure that was sweet tater too. Knowing that our section was to start pocket duty at 4am we commenced with slumber.

We took our positions for pickett along a winding road near camp. Plenty of critters active in the woods while standing sentry, but no sign off the union oppressor. While in the reserve I was awakened by a shot not far in the distance. Soon the captain ordered us to assemble. We met up with the yanks along that road in a small skirmish. None hurt in the scrape, we had to run like rabbits through some branches and brambles. I ripped my coat on a branch. Down the hill then our officers moved us in a hurry to another spot and then another worked our way out into an open field. We then spread out the first platoon in skirmish order fixing for a fight. Horn even started to dig in. We waited there for what seemed like an eternity. Corporal Ackert and some of the others had real heavy eyelids. Finally the yanks appeared before us. I was hoping that I wouldn’t get gobbled up by the boys in blue because out of necessity I procured coat from a fallen union soldier. I told one of our company that I wanted to die an honorable death if the Good Lord called me but that I did not want to be hung as a traitor. We fired on the federals a few rounds then moved on again up another hill. The yanks seemed tired of chasing and the boys were tired of running. On the command, “Rest” the company took their ease. Later in the afternoon we were marching again. Without cavalry to provide information our officers were working in the dark and struggled to find that paths that they wanted to be on . We soon came upon a ford in a stream. Pvt. Smith volunteered to cross first. He stripped down even his drawers and put his gear on his shoulder and walked across. Some others followed his lead. I and some others just waded through. It was not the first time I had done that and would probably not be the last. We then moved into a road with a big ditch on either side and we were told to get some fires started. We did our best to dry off and established a bivouc along the road. We set out pickets and commence on preparing some supper. My messmates and I combined our rice together and added some molasses. We added some salt pork that we had boiled out the salt and added some sweet tater. It was a satisfying supper all and all. Our section was to serve picket from 7pm-1am. I was thankful for an early guard it was getting chilly out in the open field. After my shift I returned to the reserve where I spent time in Bible reading and prayer by the candles light.

Morning came quickly on the Sabbath. No time given for religious instruction. We were on the move again. We forded back across the stream and the hit the yanks again. The hit back with vengeance. A good number of our boys fell or were wounded that day. And we continue to move away from the federals.


I enjoyed the event.
Thanks to Dan Jason and Dave for planning .

Thanks to The officers and NCO's of Co. B

Thanks to all my pards in the Cornfed Comrades who shined with their impressions .

Thanks to all my ONV pards for a good event that requried less than 4 hours of travel