Wilson's Creek 150th

[Sagebrush]

For those who were able to attend Wilson's Creek this past weekend, how did it go? Since, I was not there, I will need to rely on those who were. Thanks!

 

[Fifer]

I wasn't there, but I read they had 3,400 reenactors. Not bad at all for an event that far west. Considering there were only about 15,000 total all arms in that 1861 battle and the Federals were outnumbered 2-1, it sounds like they had decent numbers for that event.

 

[Joey12thga]

For those who were able to attend Wilson's Creek this past weekend, how did it go? Since, I was not there, I will need to rely on those who were. Thanks!

The Reviews on OZ (CWreenactors forum) and reports from my friends are harsh. It looked like it was one heck of a Charlie Foxtrot. The pics I am seeing makes me think it was the largest gathering of Wild West Actor rejects ever.

 

[44 Henry]

I got back from Wilson Creek event late Sunday. I had a great time even with some of the problems. We of the Christian County Militia fought in most of the engagements as Sharpshooters assigned to the Union Cavalry. We waded across Wilson's Creek on two separate engagements. Now I have to defeat another enemy, Chiggers, got them bad, bummer. Oh well just part of the hobby.

 

[Sagebrush]

The Reviews on OZ (CWreenactors forum) and reports from my friends are harsh. It looked like it was one heck of a Charlie Foxtrot. The pics I am seeing makes me think it was the largest gathering of Wild West Actor rejects ever.

I pulled up CW Reenactors forum to see the comments for myself. Yes, some of the posts, though not all, were hardly complimentary. But, in all fairness, maybe some of us, me included, are more than a bit spoiled by our being accustomed to modern conveniences and the expectations of perfectly scripted battles. In my reading of historical battle reports, lack of conveniences, supplies and disorganization of battles were very authentic. Having the luxury of being a part of a hobby is a whole other ballgame.

No doubt, a lot of shortcomings can be avoided, or at least minimized, by taking care of the basics and people applying common sense, forethought, and diligence to carry out their responsibilities---not to mention, making promises and claims that are near impossible to keep, while at the same time, people having expectations to match.

And, even though I am on staff with the Armies of Tennessee, it doesn't hurt to be gracious, cut some folks a little slack, and not give in to the temptation to gloat over another organization's less than perfect event. An event doesn't need to be "perfect", whatever that means, for an event to be reasonably successful. The better any event is, the better it is for the reenactment community as a whole. This is what we should all want. Many of us still have a ways to go in understanding that the Biblical phrase, which states, "A house divided against itself cannot stand," is more than a nice platitude.

 

[Phil McBride]

Sagebrush,

Your post strikes me as very reflective and worth reading twice. I was at Wilson's Creek, serving as adjutant of the Second Brigade of Cleburne's Division, and got to see every battle from right behind our brigade battleline. The field was good, with enough slope to give the spectators a clear view of both armies, and the historic cornfield was right in the middle. Even though we fought over the same ground 5 different times, the generals planned each battle so the alignment was varied for each battle. Fording Wilson's Creek one morning was a highlight for me too, as was taking part in the march on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning to the Edwards cabin on the real battlefield and bivouacking there overnight. As we returned to the reenactment site adjacent to the battlefield park, we marched directly into a hot little battle to start the hostilities for the reenactment weekend. The length of the event was also a new approach, with morning and afternoon battles for 3 days running, plus a climatic fight at noon on Sunday. Some early war uniforms reflected a whole lot of research and follow-through by individual companies. All in all, some logistical issues and a plethora of chiggers notwithstanding, it was a great event for me.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles

 

[Sagebrush]

Sagebrush,

Your post strikes me as very reflective and worth reading twice. I was at Wilson's Creek, serving as adjutant of the Second Brigade of Cleburne's Division, and got to see every battle from right behind our brigade battleline. The field was good, with enough slope to give the spectators a clear view of both armies, and the historic cornfield was right in the middle. Even though we fought over the same ground 5 different times, the generals planned each battle so the alignment was varied for each battle. Fording Wilson's Creek one morning was a highlight for me too, as was taking part in the march on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning to the Edwards cabin on the real battlefield and bivouacking there overnight. As we returned to the reenactment site adjacent to the battlefield park, we marched directly into a hot little battle to start the hostilities for the reenactment weekend. The length of the event was also a new approach, with morning and afternoon battles for 3 days running, plus a climatic fight at noon on Sunday. Some early war uniforms reflected a whole lot of research and follow-through by individual companies. All in all, some logistical issues and a plethora of chiggers notwithstanding, it was a great event for me.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles

Phil Sir,

Your gracious words are most appreciated.

Fred London
Brigade Adjutant & Chaplain
Department of East Tennessee
Armies of Tennessee

 

[Gen_Reb]

I am a new poster to this forum, but I registered just to talk of this event. I was at Wilson's Creek from Wed-Sunday Evening. I will give you the good and the bad, from what I saw. The bad.....well, things seemed a bit disorganized for an event such as this. It was extremely difficult to locate various encampments, but we all worked together to get folks to the right place. We were told that we would be provided Ice and Water.....well, Ice was "Provided" for a fee of $3.00 a sack. The water was unfortunately placed in large plastic stock tanks directly in the sun....but it kept us hydrated. Many of us out here in Missouri are also not used to having to PAY to participate (we have enough expense as it is). One of the Cavalry Units was asked to bow out (apparently there were too many horses), the bad part is....they HAD pre-registered ahead of time. Again, this was probably just a planning error. The absolute WORSE was where people were parked!!!! We had MANY cars and trucks parked in the camp all the way until Sunday!!! We even had a car parked on a portion of the battlefield Saturday (To the left side of where the Confederates came across the creek). Both of these situations made it a bit tough on photographers. Ok....now on to the good. The re-enactors really came together and helped each other out. Even though many of us came from different groups we all seemed to come together to make this happen. The landscape was beautiful and you could really see history come alive. The creek was also quite nice to cool off in and wash up. It is nice to know that you are bathing in the same creek that the men we are portraying bathed in. Even the cavalry folks who had to bow out all found places to fall in (dismounted) with other units, so it all worked out. Lastly....I have heard much talk of chiggers, but I did not get ate up by them too badly. I suppose it is because I am a local and am perhaps I am used to them. All in all, although I was a bit disappointed with how the event was organized it was quite fun. I am glad that I went and I am looking forward to doing it again.

 

[MarkWay]

What cavalry unit was asked to "bow" out. I know that no such request was made by the CS command. I'm curious if you do not mind telling me. Was it a Federal unit?

 

[51stTNMike]

We were camped at the first ford so we got to see plenty of bathing and watering horses all weekend. Good times considering how large it was.