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 Page
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
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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.
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