161st Cedar Creek

[LCYingling3rd]

Hello! I will be attending the 161st reenactment of the battle of Cedar Creek in Middletown, VA as a spectator. The event will be held on the 18th and 19th of October this year. I am sure some of you will be arriving earlier. I will certainly be at the reenactment on the 18th and I may come back on the 19th. I usually set up my chairs on the spectator crowd line across from the little white Heater family house - maybe a tad south of it.

I love touring the camps and meeting folks and would love to meet as many of our CivilWarTalk members as possible! I have met some of our members at Cedar Creek before, both as reenactors and other spectators and I hope too again.

I do not know what I will be wearing this year. I had a great grandfather in the 87th PA Infantry and a great, great grandfather (and his brother) in the 7th VA Cavalry. I have a Federal jacket and Kepi that I often wear in honor of my ancestor in the 87th PA. I have a blue Greek Cross on the kepi for the third division of the 6th Corps he was in and the number "87" for his unit. If I am wearing that you may be able to identify me? I did pick up a black slouch hat to start a Confederate "kit" to wear in honor of my ancestors of the 7th VA Cav. The problem with me wearing that is that I don't have anything to go with it. I need a Cavalry insignia for the hat, and I would love to get a Confederate Cavalry shell jacket to wear with it. If I can come up with the $$ I could buy those items at the sutlers and wear that! That would be awesome. I would love to find someone selling one of the very distinctive "Laurel Brigade" patches. I have seen them in the books, but never at a sutler. One of the staff of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation told me about a special "Laurel Brigade" kepi with the patch on it that can be bought, he is checking that out for me. I would really like to make up full kits representing all of my ancestors - 87th PA and 2nd VA Infantry and 7th VA Cavalry. (I do have an original Union 1860 Cavalry saber, a model 1863 Sharps carbine and a type two model 1863 Springfield rifle musket dated 1864 that I could carry around, but I don't know if that would be allowed)

As the event gets closer, I will be able to say what I am wearing so maybe people recognize me. If you are reenacting you can let me know which units you are in, and I can try to find you. I do realize it is difficult because you often drill and have activities you participate in. If you are a spectator, maybe we can arrange to meet up at a certain time and place?

I may be there on the 19th as well, however, that is that actual anniversary date of the battle and I do like to do a driving tour of all the places my ancestors actually fought on that day. I like to go to the site of Cupp's Mill, down near Hite's Chapel, where the 7th VA Cav. and the Laurel Brigade fought elements of both Merritt and Custer's federal Cavalry Divisions. That is about three miles west of the reenactment site taking Chapel Road from town, which becomes Minebank Road after the actual Hite's Chapel church, then you turn right onto Chapel Lane which dead ends at the Cupp's Mill remains. You can see where the Laurels splashed across Cedar Creek there and where they opened the battle with the Michigan troopers of James Kidd's Brigade. It is absolutely beautiful down there. I also go up on Red Hill above and behind Belle Grove where the 87th camped and fought with the 6th Corps in the morning. That is lovely too. Get there by taking Belle Grove Road to Meadow Mills Road where I turn right and go to McCune Road where turning left places you up on Red Hill where the 6th Corps camped and fought. I also go to Kline's Mill Road, off of the valley Pike, near Meadow Brook - which is essentially where the 87th PA and the 3rd Division, 6th Corps stepped off to begin the afternoon Counterattack. I end up at the Miller farm property on Cougill Road in Middletown where the heat of the afternoon fighting was. If anyone ever wants to do a driving tour of the battle I would love to lead them.

Let's get a list of members going to Cedar creek and hopefully we can meet up?

 

[captaindrew]

I'll be there

 

[LCYingling3rd]

I'll be there

Awesome! I will look for you! What unit?

 

[captaindrew]

Awesome! I will look for you! What unit?

12th Ga Co F, 6th Battalion ANV

 

[Viper21]

@captaindrew I will be participating this year. I'll be on a cannon crew. Knibb's Battery ANV

 

[captaindrew]

@captaindrew I will be participating this year. I'll be on a cannon crew. Knibb's Battery ANV

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Great! Will you be there all weekend? I'll come look for you. I'll be there mid day tomorrow.

 

[Viper21]

Great! Will you be there all weekend? I'll come look for you. I'll be there mid day tomorrow.

Yes. I should be there early afternoon tomorrow at the latest.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

Hope to see you! Lew

 

[LCYingling3rd]

It was a wonderful day! I will post pictures later. I did look for @captaindrew and @Viper21 but to no avail. I did get lots of quizzical looks when asking for CWT "screen names." That was fun in itself! LOL As it turned out, I met some wonderful people, especially in Knibb's Battery ANV. I had a grand time talking with members of the battery and learned all sorts of fascinating new information. I asked all around in the Confederate camps and no one could direct my grandson and I to the 12th GA, Co F. That was disappointing because I did enjoy meeting captaindrew in the past. Regardless, I met and talked to dozens of folks and had a memorable time. It is always fun, and quite moving, to wander the camps and meet so many like-minded people.

I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful the event turned out to be. I wrongly assumed it would be poorly attended and less inspiring being a 161st anniversary event after a tremendous 160th reenactment last year. From my perspective as a spectator I found I was wrong on both counts. The thousands of reenactors were substantial. I thought the event flowed much better than many previous years. I liked how they did the Hite's Chapel cavalry battle first and then transitioned into the infantry battle. Both were extremely well executed, and it was easy to understand what was happening as it unfolded. I particularly liked how the Cavalry reenactors fought with both firearms and sabers to demonstrate both. I also liked how they worked their way down the spectator crowd line so that everyone was able to see the action. They did not have to do that, and it was appreciated. It was also appreciated how the Infantry battle showed clearly how the Confederate force surprised the federals and slowly drove them with direct assaults and flanking maneuvers. The federals then slowly retreated until reinforcements arrived to assist. The artillery was also used perfectly and to full effect. I am not sure; however, it seemed there was close to 40 cannon which made for an all-inspiring cannonade! I felt the "thump, thump, thump" in my chest and the smoke-rings were flying all day from cannon and muskets! It was also appreciated how all the troops stood for review after the battle. We enjoyed seeing them close up and getting a chance to thank and talk to them. The sutlers are always fun too!

I thought it was quite a splendid tribute to both my ancestors in the 7th VA Cavalry that fought there and my ancestor in the 87th PA that fought there. I do thank everyone who participated for all the hard work, time and expense it takes to do what you do!!! I hope tomorrows event, on the actual anniversary date of October 19th, go as well!

 

[Dan Kohli]

Thanks for sharing. It's a bummer that you couldn't find anyone who's from this site.

 

[captaindrew]

It was a wonderful day! I will post pictures later. I did look for @captaindrew and @Viper21 but to no avail. I did get lots of quizzical looks when asking for CWT "screen names." That was fun in itself! LOL As it turned out, I met some wonderful people, especially in Knibb's Battery ANV. I had a grand time talking with members of the battery and learned all sorts of fascinating new information. I asked all around in the Confederate camps and no one could direct my grandson and I to the 12th GA, Co F. That was disappointing because I did enjoy meeting captaindrew in the past. Regardless, I met and talked to dozens of folks and had a memorable time. It is always fun, and quite moving, to wander the camps and meet so many like-minded people.

I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful the event turned out to be. I wrongly assumed it would be poorly attended and less inspiring being a 161st anniversary event after a tremendous 160th reenactment last year. From my perspective as a spectator I found I was wrong on both counts. The thousands of reenactors were substantial. I thought the event flowed much better than many previous years. I liked how they did the Hite's Chapel cavalry battle first and then transitioned into the infantry battle. Both were extremely well executed, and it was easy to understand what was happening as it unfolded. I particularly liked how the Cavalry reenactors fought with both firearms and sabers to demonstrate both. I also liked how they worked their way down the spectator crowd line so that everyone was able to see the action. They did not have to do that, and it was appreciated. It was also appreciated how the Infantry battle showed clearly how the Confederate force surprised the federals and slowly drove them with direct assaults and flanking maneuvers. The federals then slowly retreated until reinforcements arrived to assist. The artillery was also used perfectly and to full effect. I am not sure; however, it seemed there was close to 40 cannon which made for an all-inspiring cannonade! I felt the "thump, thump, thump" in my chest and the smoke-rings were flying all day from cannon and muskets! It was also appreciated how all the troops stood for review after the battle. We enjoyed seeing them close up and getting a chance to thank and talk to them. The sutlers are always fun too!

I thought it was quite a splendid tribute to both my ancestors in the 7th VA Cavalry that fought there and my ancestor in the 87th PA that fought there. I do thank everyone who participated for all the hard work, time and expense it takes to do what you do!!! I hope tomorrows event, on the actual anniversary date of October 19th, go as well!

Glad you had a good time, sorry you didn't find us. I found the unit @Viper21 was falling in with and asked for a guy going by Viper and got some strange looks, should've been armed with a name i suppose. I'd did turn out to be a good weekend.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

Glad you had a good time, sorry you didn't find us. I found the unit @Viper21 was falling in with and asked for a guy going by Viper and got some strange looks, should've been armed with a name i suppose. I'd did turn out to be a good weekend.

Same thing happened to me at Knibb's Battery. I got funny looks. They turned out to be very super nice folks though. One young fellow walked us out to the battery from the tents, and we asked around out there. Couldn't find viper but ended up talking to some very nice and knowledgeable fellows.

And yes, I am sorry I missed you. I do thank you for doing what you do. I am sure it is quite a labor of love. I imagine it takes quite a bit to attend these events. I hope you know it is appreciated.

It is certainly fun and exciting for us to watch; however, it is so much more than that. It is educational. My kids and grandkids have been attending Cedar Creek for years and have learned so much about that battle and the war itself. I know there are some excellent teachers out there, however, nothing captured my family's interest in history like these events. Attending reenactments sparked passions that have lasted into adulthood. My 26-year-old grandson drove down from near Pittsburgh because he doesn't like missing events. I believe he has been attending since he was three - or younger.

Another reason why what you do is appreciated is because of how you connect me to and honor my ancestors that fought in the war and that battle in particular. I have probably read a thousand books on Civil War history, however, none of them can ever connect me with my ancestors the way a reenactment and living history event can. I have always been interested in what my ancestor's experiences were like. I enjoy exploring the battlefields they fought in and I try to walk in their footsteps. I do learn so much from the books, that is certain. But the events are different.

These events can envelope the senses like no book or lecture can. Smelling the woodsmoke in the camps, the sulphury smell of the gun smoke, hearing the reports of the muskets and cannon, hearing the shouted commands the cheers and the "rebel yells." (they were good this year!!! Thar was some crazy folk!!!) There are tastes in the air from the acrid smoke to the meals being cooked. You feel the wind and the rain if any and the "thump" of the cannon certainly can't be felt in a book. All of this helps me better understand what my ancestor's day to day lives might have been like.

This is especially true at Cedar Creek where the sights we see match the reality very closely. The rows of tents stretched out beneath Massanutten mountain, troops marching and fighting on the very fields that were used during the battle. I have photos of soldiers with Red Hill and the mountain vistas that would have been seen in them. And obviously it is amazing to see your humanity. I particularly enjoyed the after-battle review where we got to see how there were so many of you and how we got to see the wide variety of types of people and uniforms.

I could go on. I just want you to know all your hard work is appreciated by us spectators!

 

[Viper21]

It was a wonderful day! I will post pictures later. I did look for @captaindrew and @Viper21 but to no avail. I did get lots of quizzical looks when asking for CWT "screen names." That was fun in itself! LOL As it turned out, I met some wonderful people, especially in Knibb's Battery ANV. I had a grand time talking with members of the battery and learned all sorts of fascinating new information. I asked all around in the Confederate camps and no one could direct my grandson and I to the 12th GA, Co F. That was disappointing because I did enjoy meeting captaindrew in the past. Regardless, I met and talked to dozens of folks and had a memorable time. It is always fun, and quite moving, to wander the camps and meet so many like-minded people.

I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful the event turned out to be. I wrongly assumed it would be poorly attended and less inspiring being a 161st anniversary event after a tremendous 160th reenactment last year. From my perspective as a spectator I found I was wrong on both counts. The thousands of reenactors were substantial. I thought the event flowed much better than many previous years. I liked how they did the Hite's Chapel cavalry battle first and then transitioned into the infantry battle. Both were extremely well executed, and it was easy to understand what was happening as it unfolded. I particularly liked how the Cavalry reenactors fought with both firearms and sabers to demonstrate both. I also liked how they worked their way down the spectator crowd line so that everyone was able to see the action. They did not have to do that, and it was appreciated. It was also appreciated how the Infantry battle showed clearly how the Confederate force surprised the federals and slowly drove them with direct assaults and flanking maneuvers. The federals then slowly retreated until reinforcements arrived to assist. The artillery was also used perfectly and to full effect. I am not sure; however, it seemed there was close to 40 cannon which made for an all-inspiring cannonade! I felt the "thump, thump, thump" in my chest and the smoke-rings were flying all day from cannon and muskets! It was also appreciated how all the troops stood for review after the battle. We enjoyed seeing them close up and getting a chance to thank and talk to them. The sutlers are always fun too!

I thought it was quite a splendid tribute to both my ancestors in the 7th VA Cavalry that fought there and my ancestor in the 87th PA that fought there. I do thank everyone who participated for all the hard work, time and expense it takes to do what you do!!! I hope tomorrows event, on the actual anniversary date of October 19th, go as well!

Unfortunate I didn't get to meet you, or captaindrew this weekend. I would bet we walked right past each other at some time, and just didn't know it. There was lots going on both days. Only time I was static in camp was early morning, and the evening.

There's lots of pictures and videos floating around. I'm easy to spot. I didn't see another Confederate with a long pony tail. Especially on a gun crew. I was on a shiny bronze gun, and was working the front of the gun both days. When the cavalry battle started today, my crew had to fall in tight around our gun as the cavalry was all around us. I also thought they did a great job, and certainly treated the spectators to a lively show.

I was able to reward one beautiful horse after the battle with an extra apple I had in my haversack. She was having her picture taken with spectators as I was nearby eating an apple. I could see her catch a whiff of it, look at me, and start stomping her foot...lol. After getting approval from her rider I gave her an apple. She seemed very appreciative. She definitely earned it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend from start to finish. I will post some pictures in the next couple days.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

Unfortunate I didn't get to meet you, or captaindrew this weekend. I would bet we walked right past each other at some time, and just didn't know it. There was lots going on both days. Only time I was static in camp was early morning, and the evening.

There's lots of pictures and videos floating around. I'm easy to spot. I didn't see another Confederate with a long pony tail. Especially on a gun crew. I was on a shiny bronze gun, and was working the front of the gun both days. When the cavalry battle started today, my crew had to fall in tight around our gun as the cavalry was all around us. I also thought they did a great job, and certainly treated the spectators to a lively show.

I was able to reward one beautiful horse after the battle with an extra apple I had in my haversack. She was having her picture taken with spectators as I was nearby eating an apple. I could see her catch a whiff of it, look at me, and start stomping her foot...lol. After getting approval from her rider I gave her an apple. She seemed very appreciative. She definitely earned it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend from start to finish. I will post some pictures in the next couple days.

Sorry we missed one another. You are right, we probably did pass each other at some point! I did enjoy meeting some of your fellow battery members. I was only able to attend on Saturday, and it was a great day!

You all did a fantastic job! The artillery was amazing this year! Like I have said. thank you very much for all you do. It is appreciated!

 

[LCYingling3rd]

A few images from Saturday's Cedar Creek reenactment...

 

[LCYingling3rd]

The final image above is myself, on the right, and my first cousin, holding our great grandfather, George E Yingling's, actual discharge from the 87th PA. Where he fought during the actual battle is directly behind us.

It was wonderful that we could share the moment and both of us thank everyone for honoring our ancestor and giving us some sense of what his experience would have been like.

 

[captaindrew]

A few images from Saturday's Cedar Creek reenactment...

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Nice pics, thanks for sharing and thanks for all the kind words.

 

[Viper21]

Here's a few pics from the weekend:

Next pic is with my Road Dawg Dan. That's Sgt Dan, not Lt Dan btw....

I took this next picture Friday night. This is when everything really started to feel "real". About the same time as this picture was taken, there were drums and fifes playing in the distance. Camp fires and candles dotted the landscape. As I was looking at the stars I couldn't help but realize I was looking at very similar scenery as some of my ancestors. I didn't realize how good of a picture this was (with the big dipper so clear) until the next day.

No single thing is/was more important than that first cup of coffee in the morning....

With as many Yankees as were there, we knew we'd need a good breakfast to survive the day...

My good buddy Richie & I just before Sunday's battle:

I didn't take any battle pics, but there's lots out there for sure. However, one of the guys on our limber took this quick vid of a shot being fired. My hat was about 30yds downrange thanks to an unexpected gust.

I've been to lots of re-enactments over the years, I've been on a gun crew for ceremonies, and dedications before. I'd never been on a gun, in the field, in a big event like this before. There is definitely no better way to see/hear/feel it, than being on the field in the battle. It was difficult to keep bearing and not be a spectator as the battle was raging around us. A couple times I wanted to run down into the infantry battles, or shoot one of those Yankee Cavalry officers off their horse...

A great time for sure. Looking forward to next year already.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

@Viper21

Thanks for the awesome pictures! The two nighttime camp pictures are the best pics I have ever seen from Cedar Creek! The one with the big dipper should be on a Cedar Creek calendar or something! Well, both of the night shots could be on a calendar.

Sorry I missed you. But I think I did see the shiny bronze gun. You have some interesting cannon in your battery. I got a great lesson about your "pack Parrot" and I loved your mountain rifle. They are both fascinating!

I have been a spectator at Cedar Creek since 1993, and I went to the 135th Antietam and Gettysburg events too. I do not reenact however, I do know what you mean when you say, "There is no better way to see/hear/feel it, than being on the field in a battle." My son and I were invited to participate in the Cedar Creek event by members of the Cooper's Battery B group back in 2006. They found us uniforms, and we were part of a six-gun battery of 10lb Parrot guns up behind the Heater House. WOW!!! I can't describe the experience in words.

I have a 2nd great grandfather that fought over by Hite's Chapel and Cupp's Mill in the 7th VA Cavalry, He was severely wounded in the leg at Cedar Creek but survived. However, my great grandfather in the 87th PA Infantry fought over on Red Hill, which is behind the Belle Grove Plantation. During the actual battle in 1864 the 87th was on the extreme left of Emerson's 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Corps - right next to James McKight's Battery M, 5th U.S. Artillery. The 87th even helped rescue the guns during the charges of the Confederate Infantry.

When I was with Cooper's Battery B up behind the little white Heater family house in 2006 I started by carrying the charges from the limber to the crew to be loaded. During the heat of battle the soldier pulling the lanyard injured his thumb and they put me in his position. Our gun fired 42 rounds that day and I ended up pulling the lanyard for the last 16 of them. Amazingly, off to the south, about a quarter of a mile away, I could actually see the field where McKnight's Battery and my ancestor fought all those years earlier! It was right at the end of the reenactment, our battery was firing away, and Confederate Infantry were yelling and charging up toward us just like what happened to my ancestor! All of a sudden it felt like a swirling chaos of smoke, screamed orders being yelled, the rip of musket fire, the powerful thumps of the cannon fire and I did feel like I got lost in time for a brief moment! Obviously, an experience I will never forget.

So, thank you for what you do. It is amazing and it certainly helps me better understand what my ancestors' experiences were like.

 

[Viper21]

@Viper21

Thanks for the awesome pictures! The two nighttime camp pictures are the best pics I have ever seen from Cedar Creek! The one with the big dipper should be on a Cedar Creek calendar or something! Well, both of the night shots could be on a calendar.

Sorry I missed you. But I think I did see the shiny bronze gun. You have some interesting cannon in your battery. I got a great lesson about your "pack Parrot" and I loved your mountain rifle. They are both fascinating!

I have been a spectator at Cedar Creek since 1993, and I went to the 135th Antietam and Gettysburg events too. I do not reenact however, I do know what you mean when you say, "There is no better way to see/hear/feel it, than being on the field in a battle." My son and I were invited to participate in the Cedar Creek event by members of the Cooper's Battery B group back in 2006. They found us uniforms, and we were part of a six-gun battery of 10lb Parrot guns up behind the Heater House. WOW!!! I can't describe the experience in words.

I have a 2nd great grandfather that fought over by Hite's Chapel and Cupp's Mill in the 7th VA Cavalry, He was severely wounded in the leg at Cedar Creek but survived. However, my great grandfather in the 87th PA Infantry fought over on Red Hill, which is behind the Belle Grove Plantation. During the actual battle in 1864 the 87th was on the extreme left of Emerson's 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Corps - right next to James McKight's Battery M, 5th U.S. Artillery. The 87th even helped rescue the guns during the charges of the Confederate Infantry.

When I was with Cooper's Battery B up behind the little white Heater family house in 2006 I started by carrying the charges from the limber to the crew to be loaded. During the heat of battle the soldier pulling the lanyard injured his thumb and they put me in his position. Our gun fired 42 rounds that day and I ended up pulling the lanyard for the last 16 of them. Amazingly, off to the south, about a quarter of a mile away, I could actually see the field where McKnight's Battery and my ancestor fought all those years earlier! It was right at the end of the reenactment, our battery was firing away, and Confederate Infantry were yelling and charging up toward us just like what happened to my ancestor! All of a sudden it felt like a swirling chaos of smoke, screamed orders being yelled, the rip of musket fire, the powerful thumps of the cannon fire and I did feel like I got lost in time for a brief moment! Obviously, an experience I will never forget.

So, thank you for what you do. It is amazing and it certainly helps me better understand what my ancestors' experiences were like.

That big dipper pic I'm getting printed myself. I plan on making that a decent size canvas. Here's another stunning night pic a friend just sent me:

Boom...!

If you've been going to Cedar Creek since 1993, you probably saw my father reenact. It was his favorite reenactment. He participated in it all through the 80's & 90's. I believe his last one was 2002. He was always infantry.