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JARON HUDGINS PHOTOBUCKET
click here to see some good photos of the Ft Gibson Muster 05



 
 

OLD WASHINGTON REENACTMENT
Nov
07-05 Well Sir, we had us a fine ol time in Ol Washington 05! Saturday, we were Confederates. I tell you it was a tremendous fight! The dastardly TMVI Yanks moved out of the south woods with a quick step. Our cav hit em from the front and the rear. Why sometimes they were firing both directions. he he. However they kep a commin' towards our lines in the copse of trees. We must have fired a hundurd pounds of lead in 15 minutes! We flanked 'em for a short while but there was so many of them Feds that they pushed us back. You know we didnt quit though. We hit 'em agian and agin until we was pushed almost to the top of the hill. We were madder than a bucket of Arkansas dirtdaubbers. We charged their ranks and they let us git real clost..too clost really and then their springfields opened up. We went down in that ol field by whole companies. There jus was not enuff of us..so we had to surrender. But we made em pay a high price for their incursion into Arkansas soil. Sunday we were Feds....


BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE

8/12/05 The Perryville event was hampered in attendance by rains that blew in Friday night and also quite possibly, the high cost of fuel. It is an Oklahoma event that is on the original battlefield and it represents an important part in American history.


BATTLE OF VAN BUREN

8/17/05 North & South magazine, in it's latest Issue (Vol 8 No. 5) September 2005, with a picture of advancing US troops and topics of "Confederate Crusaders" and "Ambush on the Stono" has Blunt's Raid, the advance to, and capture of, Van Buren, Arkansas. By William L. Shea, pp 20-35.
It features the usual excellent maps, and some photographs of Van Buren I've never seen before. $5.99 at the book store. Shea also did the Battle of Cane Hill, and is a professor of History at U of A, Monticello.


Cordially, James C. Starbird
N.W. 15th. Arkansas Infantry


MUSKET CARE TIP-every musket owner should have a "cone" wrench. You can fix the clogged cone problem real quick.
HAMMERTIME see my webpage



photo by Amber

TRIBBEY, OK 05

6/14/05 BATTLE REPORT

6/13/05 Many people commented that this event was one of the best they had attended for quite some time. They just had FUN! Col Rob Sanders did a great job of handling those thousand details that putting on an event like this requires. There were troops from TX, OK, MO, LA and ARK. The weather was great... a little sticky though. Sunday, there was fear that the rain would hit us ...but it didnt. The battles started on the hills far away from the spectators and finished up right in front of them....they liked it. The 1st ARK as host to the event were Federals again. IN fact there were some who suggested a new federal flag be made up for us with the letters ASWFA featured on it. (Awww Sh-t We're Federals Again) he he.

General Huckabee was there and was heard to say that perhaps the event will be moved into the last of May or the the first weekend in June (I assume to draw even more reenactors). He also commented that it will continue to grow as a Brigade event.


photo by Amber





Galla Rock's
First Arkansas Battalion Discount Pag
e

To receive these discounts you must be a member of a member unit of the First Arkansas Battalion or the TMVI Battalion. This special pricing was negotiated by Willie Huckabee, for the men to better afford meeting the North South Alliance Guidelines.

go there

CLOTHING GLOSSARY

Osnaburg, domet,jeans cloth-cotton and wool, kersey, satinet. Do you know what these clothing terms mean? Go here for a glossary.

NW 15th Arkansas Volunteers Win Award
3/17/05 The NW 15th has been selected to receive the 2005 Frontier Achievement Award. These awards are given to individuals, groups, businesses, or industries by the Secondary Social Studies Educators of Fort Smith.
This group feels we have made an outstanding conribution to the
historical development or helped to preserve the heritage of Fort
Smith. We were be one of several to receive this award.

Congratulations to one and all!
Capt. David N. Alexander
Commanding, A Company, NW 15th Ark Vol
1st Arkansas Battalion, TransMississippi Brigade

SPRING MUSTER AT FT. GIBSON

3/14/05 The 1st Arkansas had our Spring Muster at ol Ft. Gibson on March 12th. Saturday was filled with drill, drill, drill. The new-old countermarch was gone over until it was second nature to the troops and the Col and LtCol were satisfied. Then the Captains were given their turn to command and learn. In the afternoon we had a battalion meeting where the upcomming schedule was discussed. Saturday night the Prairie County Avengers did some of their minstrel routines on a improvised stage lit with candlelantern footlights atop the old Fort well.("did yor little jackass die too?") A great "jollification" was had by all.

Sunday morning the 1st ARK awoke to freezing weather! This was quite a shock as Saturday was 80 degrees! We drilled some more. It was business as usual until the --th ARK got inverted comming onto line...this caused one of the commanders some "anguish". In fact, there was a certain kepi thrown to the ground to emphasise the point. The offending procedure was again gone over and performed to everyones satisfaction. We then went to church and afterwards headed for home.

Everyone had a good time and alot was learned.

JARON HUDGINS PHOTOBUCKET
click here to see some good photos of the Ft Gibson Muster 05



New 2005 issue of Midwest Civil War News
take a look

Library of Congress Civil War Maps

The Library of Congress is putting their collection of Civil War Maps...online! They so far, have posted only a small portion...but more are to come.

CLICK HERE FOR MAPS

 

 

BLACKS IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY
Captain Kurtis Angerbauer of the 3rd ARK has long been an amatuer historian studying the service of blacks in the Confederate Army. Kurtis has recorded and catalogued many black veteran graves in Arkansas. He sends this interesting information collected from several sources.. Blacks in the Confederate Army.

BENTONVILLE

10/25/05 Bentonville was great. The weather was just right for wool uniforms. The valley where we camped was in full "fall-folliage"...beautiful. Also we found out that we were camped on the original Confederate campground...Camp Stephens. Named after the Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens.

Friday night was really foggy but the usual "sprees" were held at most campfires. Saturday we were Rebs and the MO boys filled out the Union ranks.The spectators were above the action on a hillside plateau where they had a great view. They showed their approval at the battles end with cheers and applause! Sunday the roles were reversed and we were Federals. Every time the Reb cannons would fire, 4-5 Feds in our ranks would bite the dust...looked realistic.

This was a good reenactment for ammenities- lots of water and hay, good dance, great food from a chuckwagon (they have been asked to come to Yale). The crowd enjoyed the interaction with the troops. Some troops gave demonstrations to the pilgrims on stacking arms and equipment, etc. They also liked the "Herb women" who were "worming" the troops. he he. The "camp followers" music tent was beside the road where all the pilgrims could hear.

Fun time!




photos by Jim Starbird

"The troops bravely pushed forward through the storm of lead and reached a parapet on the left of the lunette. As we over ran said parapet, General Sanders rode up and ordered us to charge into the lunette, which we did, but with most of the company writhing and dying on the ground behind us. The interior of the lunette was a scene of bloody carnage that stunned the imaginations of the most stout." BATTLE REPORT ON CORINTH

CORINTH

10/3/05 Congratulations all of you who made Corinth. As a battalion, and to a man, you all demonstrated the character, discipline, and commitment that have continually raised up the 1st Arkansas as an example of what a reenacting unit should be. Thanks to each and every man and the families that support them from myself and Willie, Rob and the rest of the staff.

I remain your most humble servant,

Lt Col W. M. Griggs
1st Arkansas Battalion


GREAT NEW ESSAY ON CONFEDERATES AT CORINTH

8/29/05 Cpt Richard Holloway of the 19th LA TMVI has written a great essay on the uniforms and commanders at Corinth. LOTS OF PERIOD PHOTOS OF CONFEDERATES AND COMMANDERS!
Go to the TMB Brigade website to download.


WATER BARRELS DONATED BY
PRAIRIE COUNTY AVENGERS

8/17/05 Col Sanders had admired the water barrels used to water down the troops at a recent reenactment. He decided that the idea was so good that our Battalion and Brigade needed some water barrels to put in the wagons at Corinth. Three wagons have been secured and teamsters hired for use at Corinth. The Prairie County Avengers volunteered to purchase three barrels and donate them.The 1st Ark has been good to the Avengers and they would like to in return, support the Battalion.

Col Sanders is building a "rack" for each barrel to allow it to be placed on its side and a spout put in the end to easily dispense water.

So when yer ol throat is parched at Corinth and then you get yerself a full canteen of that cool, sparkling, slightly whiskey flavored water from one of them oak barrels..raise a toast to the ol Avengers.

1ST ARKANSAS AT JEFFERSON
5/2/05 We went down to Jefferson Texas this last weekend and it was great!

Somewhere near Alexandria Lousiana

Dear Pa..

Saturday on our march to Shrevesport, we had a fight throught the 1830's town of Jefferson. We piled into the flank of them Rebs who was struttin around doing a march through town.We surprised the far out of 'em Pa! Due to the streets and alleys the fight quickly broke down into an "company against company" with the Secesh. However, we was boxed into a real tight place there for awhile and it looked like we was gonna get our plow cleaned...but we got clean away. And then we was back at 'em and chased them completely out of town. THEN we had the town to ourselves! We proceeded to clean it out proper! We was surprised to find some female Union sympathizeers. Our Blue suits caused us some bother in the way of some pretty strong cuss words throwed our way from the locals. We caught up to the Rebs a couple of miles outside of town where they had throwed up some breastworks. We hit 'em pretty hard but was forced to retire due to greater numbers. We went into camp about a mile from their camp. Saturday night the town of Jefferson come out and fed us and I suspicion...the Rebs too...about dang near all we could eat!! It was the best I guess I ever had. Chicken somethin, BBQue something, beans, goulash, BBQ brisket, and Ribs, bread and a cold drank in real ice!!! and they wasnt stingy in puttin it on your plate neither!

Then Sunday while we was just layin around pattin our still full bellies, we started seein critters a runnin outten the woods to our rear! Then we saw that Reb battle flag, you know the one that the colors is reversed on...they calls it a Taylor flag...and then the blue flag with a gold moon for the Cresent Rifles. We quickly formed up in good style though and received their well placed volleys and then....gave them fellers as good as they gave us! Their attack stalled due to our firepower...and...they was stoppin to go through our tents and steal everthang that they could carry or eat rite thar! We retired in good order to a hill wheere we had our artillry. I tell you what, we let them guns chaw em up ...they was bitin the dust in whole companys. But still more of them Rebs was comin. I thought that they had all left the country after our recent success at Pleasant Hill. They never got too clost though. If they want that ol hill that bad...they kin just have it. We decided to have a change of base and get back on the boats and hed for Alexandria. Paw, you kin tell the neighbors, that our little company owes its very hide to the actions of our commandr Rob Sanders. He used us well and we come outen some vry tight places. Pa our boys fought like tigers or I wodden be writen this now. I couldnt help but wish we had our old Battalion down hear. I hear thet back east the rebs is about starved and whippt out, but down here they still has qite a bite of fite left.

i hope to see you soon, your boy Billy


Col McDowell Drill booklet

Here is an interesting and quite informative drill manual
click here to download

To print what I sent in book form:(pages printed on the front and back of each sheet)........print the first 15 pages and set your printer to landscape.....
then take the first 15 and lay them face up in your printer and print
the second 15 and it can be then stapled together to form a book.
Lt Col Sanders


CANDLELIGHT TOUR AT HONEY SPRINGS

3/21/05 Members of the 1st ARK and the Frontier Brigade joined the Oklahoma Historical Society March19th in putting on a Candlelight tour. The tour was SOLD OUT!. The audiences gave "rave reviews".
They asked things like.."how do these fellows learn all their lines..they seem complicated". Little did they know that the actors were winging it every time!
It was fun for us too...thanks to all the 1st Ark who participated. (including Col, Lt Col, Major and 4 soldiers)



Arkansas Captain Gets Award
12/31/04 On a October morning somewhere near Franklin Tenn., a certain Captain somewhat unwisely crossed "opinions" with Brig. General Beck. The good General summarily proceed to "tear the Captain a new one". The men of the 15th Ark were so impressed by the thoroughness and ferocity of the "adjustment" their Captain endured that they have presented their Captain with an award. Its something like a purple heart...except from a lower region. Its the Brig Gen Beck A__Chewing Medal with V and S devices. As Genl Beck has retired, this is the "last" medal to be presented. Congratulations Captain.