100th year Anniversary of Battlefield Park (1908-2008) &
75th Arkansas State Parks Anniversary
Prairie Grove Battlefield reenactment - December 6 & 7
Re-enactment will not be canalled. What every the weather
does.
Thanks to everyone who has help with the planning of the reenactment. Below is an up-date schedule and information. If there are any changes or things, I need to know please e-mail as soon as possible. Also if you have any suggestions let me know.
"Battle of Prairie Grove" Re-enactment
146th anniversary of the Battle of Prairie Grove will be celebrated
with the unveiling of a new original oil painting by Andy Thomas,
who will be onsite to sign limited edition prints of the painting
that will be for sale. Re-enactors and spectators alike participate
in guided tours through the Union, Confederate, and civilian camps;
various military drills, cooking, spinning, lace making demonstrations,
and living history programs. Battle demonstrations begin at 1
p.m. each day, featuring charges and counter-attacks by Union
and Confederate infantry and cavalry on the actual battlefield
near the historic Borden House. Re-enactors contact the park
to register. Admission: Free. Parking $4 per vehicle.
Schedule
Friday, December 5th -
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Registration at the Latta Barn
Prairie Grove Chapter of UDC will serve some refreshments.
8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. - Hindman Hall is open with exhibits,
film, diorama, gift shop, & book store.
All Day - set up Sutlers row which is open along the historic
stone wall. Some food concessions will be open.
All Day reenactor camp set up. Please check in first.
??? Last planning meeting to wrap up and make sure everyone
is on the right page.
Saturday, December 6th -
??? - unveiling of a new original oil painting by Andy Thomas,
who will be onsite to sign limited edition prints of the painting
that will be for sale. Still working on the time of this
??? signing by local authors. Still working on the
time of this
8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. - Hindman Hall is open with exhibits,
film, diorama, gift shop, & book store
All Day - Sutlers row which is open along the historic stone wall.
Food concessions will also be open.
8:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Boy Scout Troop #48 will be serving breakfast
at the Latta Barn & JP Parks shelter.
8:00 to 11:00 Late arrivals will need to register at Hindman
Hall.
8:30 a.m. - Officers meeting in the Latta Barn
9:00 a.m. Noon - Union, Confederate, and civilian camps
are open to the public.
10:00 a.m. - Guided Camp Tour (starting at the Latta Barn patio)
10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. - Latta kitchen open with fireplace
cooking demonstrations by Janice Neighbor.
10:30 am Civil War Christmas program/tea in the Latta Barn
- ladies from civilian camps programs
11:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. - Boy Scout Troop #48 will be serving
Lunch at the Latta Barn & JP Parks shelter.
12:30 p. m. Moving of canon & closing down of Battlefield
road for canon & soldiers;
?? 12:30 p.m. gun check and check for identification strip
of cloth
12:45 p. m. - closing of all camps & builds & moving of
visitor to battlefield area
1:00 p.m. Presentation 100th year Anniversary of Battlefield
Park (1908-2008) & 75th Arkansas State Parks Anniversary
1:10 p.m. explanation of battle and last reminder of
safety for crowed & leading right into battle.
1:15 p.m. - Battle demonstration near the Borden House
2:00 p. m. - medical department wounded are gathered and taken
for medical treatment.
2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - Union, Confederate, and civilian camps
open to the public.
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 - Confederate coffee program in the Latta Barn
-until the coffee runs out - ladies from civilian camps programs
3:00 p.m. - Guided Camp Tour (starting at the Latta Barn patio)
7:00 p.m. - Dance at the Latta Barn
Sunday, December 7th -
8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. - Hindman Hall is open with exhibits,
film, diorama, gift shop, & book store
All Day - Sutlers row which is open along the historic stone wall.
Food concessions will also be open.
8:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Boy Scout Troop #48 will be serving breakfast
at the Latta Barn & JP Parks shelter.
8:00 to 11:00 Late arrivals will need to register at Hindman
Hall.
8:30 a.m. - Officers meeting in the Latta Barn
9:00 a.m. Noon - Union, Confederate, and civilian camps
open to the public.
10:00 a.m. - Church service at log church and near the Borden
House
10:00 a.m. - Guided Camp Tours (starting at the Latta Barn patio)
11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. - Boy Scout Troop #48 will be serving Lunch
at the Latta Barn & JP Parks shelter.
10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. - Latta kitchen open with fireplace
cooking demonstrations by Janice Neighbor.
12:30 p.m. Moving of canon & closing down of Battlefield
road for canon & soldiers;
?? 12:30 p.m. gun check and check for identification strip
of cloth
12:45 p.m. - closing of all camps & builds & moving of
visitor to battlefield area
1:00 p.m. Presentation 100th year Anniversary of Battlefield
Park (1908-2008) & 75th Arkansas State Parks Anniversary
1:09 p. m. - one minute of silence for the 146 battle
1:10 p.m. explanation of battle and last reminder of safety
for crowed & leading right into battle.
1:15 p.m. - Battle demonstration near the Borden House
2:00 p.m. wounded are gathered and taken for medical treatment
- end of reenactment -
3:00 p.m. closing of all encampments, pack up & clean
up
3:30 p.m. - Park Staff will be checking campsite.
Registration registration form & $5.00 fee
(Please bring small bills) completed to receive the identification
strip of cloth that will need to be visible by both park staff
and company commanders. The Identification strip of cloth is
needed to get supplies and to be part of the battle demonstration.
No one will be allowed to take part without having an identification
strip of cloth. This fee will help the park provide hay, portable
toilets (we are getting more this year), wood, and black powder
for artillery during the event.
Registration will be Friday Dec. 1, from 10:00 a. m. to 11:30
P. M. at the Latta Barn.
Late arrivals will need to register at Hindman Hall Saturday morning
before 11:00.
The Individual registration form is attached. If would like to
bring it completed to registration.
Those bring horse pleases remember to let us know about your horse
during registration. (Remember bring your Coggins Papers)
Battle layout and planning
Park would like to have civilians and/or soldiers from both
groups help move visitors to the battle demonstration area and
to stand along the visitors flagging lines to help answer questions
and to help keep visitors out of harms way.
Park staff will need help with Guided Camp Tours so if a person from the camps could meet the groups when there get to the camps and with the park staffs to help guide the tours.
Battle Plan A will fight the battle in the same direction
as the real battle in 1862 N. to S.
Visitor flag line is going to be an ally from the parking lot
area down to the re-enactment area that would be set up about
an hour before the battle demonstration. The line will be from
the left side of the walkway to the Borden to the bench on the
ridge down the tree line.
Union from what I understand if there are change
need pleases let me know.
Encampment: around the church and school and down below the
split race fence
Artillery will close to the walking trail so easy of more the
cannon. Please registration before setting up tent.
Parking in the field west of the Hindman Hall. A short
amount of parking is available along the service round by the.
Supplies will be by the blacksmith shop in the village area.
Battle line will come from Natalie Stearman road. Two divisions:
Herron & Blunt
Union army will use the park trail as much as possible instead
of battlefield road. Battle field road will be closed @ 12:30
for movement of soldiers.
Union Artillery just off Natalie Stearman road on the south side
of the trees.
Field hospital unit based near the Dog-Trot house
Confederate from what I understand if there are
change need pleases let me know.
Encampment is going to be 100 yards. East of the Borden House.
Parking In the field south of orchard
Supplies will be located by the white park employee house
portable
Battle line from north of the Borden House
Artillery set up east of orchard
Ammunition depot area south of Orchard
Field hospital set on the south west corner of Orchard
Civilian camping will be around the amphitheater
If they are along the tour roadside, it also gives spectators
an opportunity to observe the camps as they walk to the battlefield.
Civilian can also camp in Amphitheater area.
Battle Plan B (bad weather optional) will be W to E like in the past last battle. Visitor flag line will be like last battle.
Requirement in Encampment suggestions below are
issues that need to be talked about to make cleaning of the park
grounds after the event easier handle -
* No impromptu skirmishes, no horseplay when visitors are around
- Firewood will be conveniently located near each camp.
* Please do not dig any fire pits (ring your fire with extra wood).
no fire rings contain fire by wood
* No trash in the fire areas there will be trash cans available
- Hay will be issued at about 1/3 of a bale for each person.
*Hay and wood resources to be shared and afterwards unused items
need to be returned.
*company commanders and park staff will be monitoring company
camp sites during encampment and at the end of the event during
pack up.
Safety If any problems arise, contact the Historical
Interpreter or other staff persons who will be on duty throughout
the event. Officers will be responsible for inspecting all weapons
and cartridges before each battle demonstration and will make
sure everyone is properly registered for the event. Any material
with the potential of becoming a projectile will not be used.
Weapons not passing inspection will not be allowed on the field.
Bayonets and ramrods will be carried, but not drawn during the
battle demonstrations.
Safe distances between the lines of fire will be maintained at
all times, with a minimum of fifty (50) yards from artillery and
small arms.
Artillery pieces will fire only once every three minutes and powder
charges will other foreign materials. There will be a powder
ration for artillery. Each piece will get about 3 pounds of gun
powder; the park is not responsibility for discharges and accident.
Horses will be ridden safely and stay off the pavement as much
as possible.
Bathroom We have had many complaints about the
restrooms in the past. But this year's plan is to have bathrooms
open and closer to the encampments.
8 portable toilets by the Confederate encampments the encampment
will be closer to the bathrooms this year.
Amphitheater bathrooms in the back of the building will be open
for re-enactors & civilians only.
4 total - 2 handicap accessible & 2 regular portable toilets
at the Borden house parking lot for both visitors and re-enactors.
Latta Barn bathrooms and Playground bathrooms will be open for
both reenactor and public
Dance- From what I understand park has not really been
involved in organizing a dance in the past, although it was advertised,
is that in the past it sort of ran itself. Some time a band would
play or someone brought a tape player (the park has one that could
be used) and played period music and called the dances for those
who wanted to dance. In addition, I have heard what happens is
that the reenactors come there to stay warm, not necessarily to
dance and that the barn on Saturday evening was more of a social
time, most people visiting, a few dancing. The civilian populace
has really wanted a dance but the last two reenactments so there
have not been that many women here.
I was told that one year some reenactors and civilian tried serving
a supper cafeteria style but scrapped that in recent years since
it was very hard to do that with the Boy Scouts being there all
day and trying to prepare food in advance was a problem. This
year the Boy Scout will be out by 3:00 so if someone wants to
used it to cook they can. However, the park will not be able
to provider food.
Addition information
Prairie Grove Chapter of UDC agreed to serve refreshments
in the Latta Barn during Registration on Friday.
Prairie Grove Chapter of UDC is having a Dedication for the plaque
to honor the ladies who started and open the park at 11 a.m.
It would be nice to have some men and ladies to be there for pictures.
I will get back with when I know more detail. If a cannon crew
could be there to shot the cannon, that if would be nice and I
know the UDC ladies would appreciate it.
Ladies from the civilian camps will be doing some programs
at the Latta Barn.
