Impressions How was Cedar Creek 160?

[Doc_Ralph]

My CC 160 experience mirrored that of some CSA artillery men back in the day. Cold and ill. Little to no sleep for 48 hours. Witching hour potty dash. No food and even the water caused suffering. Feet throbbing and being jerked around by someone other than my commander. Who was to blame for the scenario changes? Some pointed to CC Foundation. Some of us suspected it was a typical Longstreet FUBAR. Whatever? Whomever wanted to limber up two heavy guns, man & gal haul them uphill on rocky ground and twirl them around and be prepared to shoot needs their head exam. No, change that you guys help the piece next to you do that. We think you would be too close to the crowd. Ya think? Ten minutes later it was cancel that idea too. So what did we end up doing? A battery die in from some Union concentrated barrage. I feel under the caisson guarding the box. Ah the warm afternoon sun was perfect and the pause was warm and welcome.
The two round battalion ceremonial salute on the 160 that we had planned for never happened. FUBAR! Alrighty then…

There were also psrming and towing issues it is my understanding. Boys and girls let's not block other folks vehicles. A tow to Stephens City was $100. I had no trouble once the public cleared out using the Belle Grove road gap in the fence. Maybe a ten minute wait in line to get back on the field. I drove like the dickens to my tent site … packed up and dropped my tent by myself & helped the CO with his wall tent. Botta boom botta bing snd no traffic on the way out. Sweet. And on to 81 south.

That's a CSA grunt private cannoneer assessment.

How about my CSA infantry and cavalry brothers and sisters? And USA folks? And Living History Folks?

 

[Doc_Ralph]

That bad huh? That you can't even share. The worse day at Cedar Creek still beats cooking in the sun in the South.

I do know that some of you were towed. Too bad … so sad. I had a talk with the parking attendant when I went in and he told me what to do. I put my NAME and my UNIT and PHONE NUMBER PRINTED CLEARLY on the red parking tag. No blocking in for me.

But a lot of us did. It is careless - in that could not care less. $100 towing fee to Stephens City should help to clean up some ignorant behavior. How would you like your kin in an ambulance and you can't get out to get to the hospital to be with them cause you was blocked in?

Well folks …you can't fix stupid or teach civilized behavior or good manners. Karma swings both ways. We take turns and things get done.

Aside from the gal in my unit who got towed; I am sure the rest of them were dang Yankees and their boorish behavior in our beautiful Virginia!

Love ya brothers and sisters!

Doc Ralph

 

[9th US Regulars]

I had a grand time on the USA side. I was short on caps for Saturday's afternoon battle so I fell early on. At some point I thought the CS gun line might have moved closer to me, but I just couldn't be sure.
This was only my second event ever (my first was 160th Gettysburg DLF) but I want more. I hear Hale Farm and Zoar are good events to do, and I'm asking you all what are the Don't-Miss-it events next year?

 

[JOHN42768]

I had a grand time on the USA side. I was short on caps for Saturday's afternoon battle so I fell early on. At some point I thought the CS gun line might have moved closer to me, but I just couldn't be sure.
This was only my second event ever (my first was 160th Gettysburg DLF) but I want more. I hear Hale Farm and Zoar are good events to do, and I'm asking you all what are the Don't-Miss-it events next year?

View attachment 526162

A long Blue Line

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I had a grand time on the USA side. I was short on caps for Saturday's afternoon battle so I fell early on. At some point I thought the CS gun line might have moved closer to me, but I just couldn't be sure.
This was only my second event ever (my first was 160th Gettysburg DLF) but I want more. I hear Hale Farm and Zoar are good events to do, and I'm asking you all what are the Don't-Miss-it events next year?

View attachment 526162

Hey 9th here's one I found … sounds like a good one..,you have done both of the biggest (Gettysburg & Cedar Creek) This might be a tad bit cool but beats a NC heat unless it's OBX.

The 160th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Bentonville will take place in Bentonville, North Carolina on March 15–16, 2025. The event, called "A Terrible Storm," will feature over 1,000 re-enactors and will include free activities in addition to the battle scenarios on Saturday and Sunday, which require tickets.


Doc Ralph

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I might even want to come out of artillery reserves for this. I love 160s like I loved the 150s.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I had a grand time on the USA side. I was short on caps for Saturday's afternoon battle so I fell early on. At some point I thought the CS gun line might have moved closer to me, but I just couldn't be sure.
This was only my second event ever (my first was 160th Gettysburg DLF) but I want more. I hear Hale Farm and Zoar are good events to do, and I'm asking you all what are the Don't-Miss-it events next year?

View attachment 526162

Nice and raising a bit of dust …

 

[tmorr]

Hey 9th here's one I found … sounds like a good one..,you have done both of the biggest (Gettysburg & Cedar Creek) This might be a tad bit cool but beats a NC heat unless it's OBX.

The 160th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Bentonville will take place in Bentonville, North Carolina on March 15–16, 2025. The event, called "A Terrible Storm," will feature over 1,000 re-enactors and will include free activities in addition to the battle scenarios on Saturday and Sunday, which require tickets.


Doc Ralph

Bentonville is a great event! Though I'm out of the hobby these days, Bentonville was always a good time. My last time there was the 150th as part of the National Henry Rifle Company. If they're still doing it like then, in one scenario the US troops dig in to face a CS charge. Good times!

 

[SgtDarby8OVI]

The event was a good one, despite some of the parking issues mentioned in the OP. Apparently, the big space that used to be Union parking was sold to a developer and was not available, so they had to cram almost all the vehicles in a space as far from the Union camps as they could be. I have not heard of any of our folks being towed. The scenario changes were agreed upon by both army commanders in an attempt to replicate specific sections of the battle rather than the whole battle. Some things worked out better than others, but both sides got to win at least one. Those of us in the Federal Alliance were fully informed of the scenarios prior to the event via emails sent from the battalion commander to various unit commanders. The FA turned out a 220 man battalion with 10 companies, which hadn't happened in a long time. The weather was typical Cedar Creek. Cold at night and glorious during the day. Although the 160th wasn't perfect, it was pretty darned good!

 

[Doc_Ralph]

IMHO our side was done on the fly. I was told that there was back and forth with the Foundation and that it wasn't Longstreet that was to blame. You Yankees sound very organized and wow! Emailed the scenarios out. The day that happens for us I will eat my hat!

Dunno? As a private grunt cannoneer, I just do what I am told- no matter how many times it changes. I was not happy about lugging our piece uphill and rocky and so close to the folks. FUBAR. Happily or unhappily ya'll "hit" us on end with heavy ordinance and my whole battery was wiped out - except the Captain.

When I come back as a surgeon (2025) hope I will get some respect if I would request a canteen check and hydration talk with some of the guys and gals. If not I will counsel the civilians about it.

Heat was not the trouble this year. Again we should not be blocking folks in assuming that everyone will stay till the end. People are in a rush and park anywhere. IMHO

YHS,
Doc Ralph
1st VA Vol. Field Hospital

At Spotsy CH

 

[9th US Regulars]

There was a point on Saturday when I was playing dead and thought the gun line advanced. I looked up and they did seem closer.