19 August 2010
We are getting very close to when we actually take the field. The past few weeks have been filled with phone calls and messages sorting out the battle assignments, camp layouts, logistical details, and all the other smaller items that go into putting something like this together. In the four months since I took command, not a single day has gone by without some sort of progress towards being prepared for this event.
When one takes into consideration that many of us are just getting acquainted, and have never worked together before, what has been accomplished to date is remarkable. There are some who doubted that we could ever get this far. But all the battalion commanders have been excellent to work with, and the event staff has been tireless in their efforts. This is not an over used cliché, but a statement of actual fact. We have not had one single instance of an ego driven officer demanding to get their own way.
The end result of all this will be apparent when the rank and file take the field. Now, in reality, I expect there will be some glitches here and there, it is a reenactment after all.
But in all our deliberations, the experience and consideration of the men in the ranks has come first. And I do believe we have achieved our goals for this event. We are as prepared for this as we can be.
The numbers of registered look real good, and indications are that we will have a large number of walk-ons. We will have no trouble putting 6 battalions on the field, and splitting into 7 where called for. Also we’ve added some little extra touches here and there to enhance the overall experience and look of the event. The various battalion commanders are responsible for making this all possible, and deserve much of the credit.
In short I am very pleased with what has been done, and what type of event this will be.
Now, onto the field.
May the Hand of Providence bless our efforts.
Respectfully,
Mike Lavis
5 August 2010
We are down to less than 1 month to go before we are in camp. Many of the pieces are now in place. This past Sunday I was at the site (again), this time with Chris Anders, and many of the support staff. We made some changes in the battlefields, so the scenarios work better, and in the camps, so we have a bit more room.
The biggest single change involves the Friday night battle. It was decided to drop that one, and concentrate on the other 3. With people coming arriving, and getting organized, it was felt that we would not be able to have the quality scenario that we like to engage in.
For the camps, each battalion staff will need to prepare to have division instead of company streets. This will enable us to keep just about everyone in one line. Each battalion commander will be receiving more communications concerning this.
As for numbers, they are building up. Not as many as we would have hoped for, but then again what reenactment does enjoy that luxury? And we still have 3 weeks to go, so we expect to get real close to our goal, maybe even surpass it.
My respects,
Mike Lavis
16 July 2010
We have been making progress with putting the battle scenarios together. Both Chris Anders and I have been walking all over the 2dn Manassas Battlefield and are comparing notes. Chris is writing everything down, and discussing them with me.
Both of us agree that the RR Cut battle is going to be the toughest to plan out, and to get it done correctly once we are out on the field. I will be going down to the site once again, during Chris’ walk-through, on August 1st. We’ll spend extra time walking through each scenario.
There have been several requests concerning regimental portrayals, and to date we think that each request can be honored. There will be some announcements and information in the next few weeks, concerning this.
Registrations have been coming in on a regular basis, and we are still 6 weeks away. So plenty of time to keep them coming in.
Mike Lavis
22 June 2010
Well, the Open House will soon be upon us, and our loyal readers will not have to put up with reminders any longer. Mark Holbrook, my AAG, is driving in from Ohio for the occasion. I hope for a good turnout, so more of us can see what has been done, and what potential this place holds. We will look at everything, but pay particular attention to the battlefields, with an eye towards the placing and movement of the battalions. The weather looks to be in the mid 80’s with a 30% chance of rain, so plan accordingly.
In other areas: I still have to hear from some of the commanders as to the size of their battalions, and their historical portrayal. We have moved forward with our plans for battlefield communications, the idea is to use both mounted staff, and bugle calls, backed up with radios as a last resort.
There may not be an update next week, as I will be staying at Chris Anders’ house in the D.C. area until July 4th. If I can’t get to a computer that allows me access to my mailbox, it will have to wait until later that week.
Also do not forget that the next registration deadline is coming up – the cost goes up another $5.00.
I hope to see many of you on Saturday.
My Respects,
Mike Lavis
16 June 2010
“Scenarios are made to be broken”
I heard the above comment made by two privates at the close of the Wheatfield fight on Sunday at the close of the At High Tide reenactment. I do know which battalion they belong to. Kevin Air had a difficult time getting that particular battalion to move when it was supposed to, and in the direction it was supposed to go. They seemed to want to make up their own battle.
Compare that to the following:
“The extensive area presented the appearance of an immense flower garden, the prevailing blue thickly dotted with red, the color of the Federal Zouave uniforms . . . I looked over and examined the ground carefully, and was confident that I could have walked a quarter of a mile in almost a straight line on their dead bodies without putting a foot on the ground. By such evidences as this, our minds had been entirely disabused of the idea that 'the Northerners would not fight.'"
– Edward A. Moore, “The Story of a Cannoneer Under Stonewall Jackson” describing the battlefield of 2nd Manassas.
When we speak or write of the objectives of this and the other reenactments in this series, the experience of those attending is often emphasized. The idea is to give everyone as close a look as we can to the actual thing.
It is just as important for us to get it right, as means of honoring those who actually fought in that battle. We do not have the same numbers, or the exact ground, but these things are not an acceptable excuse for individuals, companies, and battalions to dishonor the veterans by playing “army” like a bunch of 6-12 year olds.
And anyone, I say again, ANYONE who wants to change history at an event is actually saying that our ancestors didn’t get it right, so we are going to do it better than they did.
You may well imagine what I personally think of that type of approach, and those that make such moves.
Don’t forget the open-house walk-through on the 26th a week from Saturday.
Mike Lavis
7 June, 2010
The registration numbers are beginning to add up, and they are very encouraging. We have enough to field 2-3 battalions right now. Small ones, but we could do it.
Concerning our organization and battalion sizes:
For this event we will organize into two brigades. They will be commanded by Courtney Abel, and Tom Downes.
The different battalions will be assigned to their brigade commander per each scenario, as needed. Some of the battalions will likely find themselves under the same commander all weekend. But each battle has it’s own peculiarities, and so shifting battalions will have to occur. For instance for Brawner’s Farm, there were 6 regiments engaged on the Federal side. Four were in the Iron brigade, under Gibbon, two were a part of Doubleday’s Brigade.
When you take into consideration that we are making every effort to give each battalion the regimental portrayal it wants for each scenario, it becomes clear that some movement will have to take place. So my solution is to assign all the battalions to a brigade as needed for each battle.
As for the battalion sizes: We would like to set a target of 100-120 men per battalion. More will be wonderful, but the realities of reenacting will always apply. So we will set a minimum of 80 men per battalion. If your organization has less than 80 we will merge you with another group, or add some others to get you there. Any merging will not take place without discussions involving all interested parties. All that can be done to put like-minded units together will be. The idea is to enjoy the event, not suffer through it.
Again, reenacting realities will apply. This means that it is conceivable that an exception to the above rule may be necessary. But it will have to be an exceptional exception. For instance I will not split up a promised or natural command just to send a company over to a smaller battalion. I do not penalize battalions who have worked hard to get their men registered. That happened to me once, and I did not like it at all. Home is home.
Don’t forget the open house-walk through on June 26th. Only two and one half weeks away.
As Always
Mike Lavis
Memorial Day – 31 May, 2010
When the veterans are no more,
When the bugle call is sounded
On that everlasting shore.
When life's weary march is ended,
When campfires slumber long;
Who will tell the world the story,
When the boys in Blue are gone?
Who will tell about their marching,
From Atlanta to the Sea?
Who will halt, and wait, and listen,
When they hear the reveille?
Who will join to swell the chorus,
Of some old, Grand Army song?
Who will tell the world the story,
When the boys in Blue are gone?
Sons and daughters of this nation,
You must tell of triumphs won;
When on earth our work is ended,
And the Veteran claims his own.
You must all cherish Old Glory,
And its teachings pass along.
You must tell the world the story,
When the boys in Blue are gone.
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To that flag, our country's emblem,
You must pledge allegiance, too.
To that flag, our nation's emblem,
May your hearts be ever true.
That the nation be protected,
'Gainst injustice, and all wrong;
You must tell the world the story,
When the boys in Blue are gone.
You must keep your country's honor,
From each stripe withhold all stain;
You must take the Veteran's places,
And repeat the roll of fame.
You must keep your country's honor,
And your flag above all wrong,
Then we'll trust you with the story,
When the boys in Blue are gone.
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This poem was written by John Hendricks, the last living veteran of the 89th Indiana. I was given a copy of it in 1992, and have carried it, along with the Gettysburg Address, to reenactments ever since. After sharing it with Chris Anders, he asked me to read it at the first Common Sense meeting in Gettysburg.
I believe that every time we take the field, wearing, blue, gray, or civilian attire, we take on the responsibility to do the best we can for them. Join my staff and I in dedicating ourselves to doing this right, to make it as faithful of a recreation as we can, so that in a future time and place those veterans will be thankful that we were trusted with the story “When the Boys in Blue are Gone.”
Mike Lavis
25 May, 2010
It is amazing how much detail goes into an event like this one. Participants who show up, and expect everything to be in place, and functioning the way it should, seldom realize how much effort it takes to get to that point.
For instance, my staff and I are working on obtaining the use of horses for the weekend, and also getting the details together for the staff mess. My guys know that I get so busy and focused at these things that I forget to eat. Someone has to come up to me and remind me that I need to be doing that.
With all of the preparations that are required, the efforts of the men and women who handle all the logistics and bookwork need to be recognized, and acknowledged. Courtney Abel has put together a team to handle all the aspects of getting this thing going. They seem to have thought of everything, at least that I can think of. He has individuals responsible for all the necessary areas. The foundation is now in place, and organized, and I for one, am impressed with what has been done so far. I will leave it up to Courtney to list, by name, his event staff. They all deserve our gratitude and thanks.
Reminders: The early registration deadline is one week from today. And the Open House Walk-Through is June 26th which is one month from tomorrow.
As Always,
Mike Lavis
18 May 2010
I am pleased to announce that Tom Downes from the National Regiment has been able to resolve his schedule conflicts, and has accepted the position of Brigade Commander for this event. His was the one constant name that was recommended to me for this position, and we are fortunate to have him.
Even though we have met, and been on the same field on occasion, we have not yet directly worked together, and I am looking forward to doing so.
Good leadership will set the standards for any endeavor, and reenacting is certainly no exception. The trick is to not take yourself seriously, but to take your responsibilities very seriously. I would not be taking part in this event if I was not comfortable with the leaders with whom I will be working.
Once again, do not forget the open-house walk-through on June 26th at 9 AM
My Respects,
Mike Lavis
10 May, 2010
We have heard from some more of the battalion commanders, and have their unit requests for communications and some of the scenarios. At some point it begins to look like a jigsaw puzzle, doing what we can to fit everything together.
Regimental impressions are important to the success of this type of event. Some of you will go to great lengths to research what happened to a given command at a certain point in a battle. And that includes things like the type of drill they used, and their uniforms. All this adds a welcome level of history, both to the event itself, and more importantly, to the experiences of the men who will be taking part in the weekend.
As important as this is, it is just as important to get the setting of the scenarios right. What I mean is that we take a look at the ground we have to use, and choose the part of the battle that is the best fit for that ground. We are not interested in pretending there is a bridge in a certain spot, or that this piece of land is now a hill top. Getting the proper look and feel for a particular piece of a battle is a priority. For instance, for the McPherson’s Ridge scenario during AHT, the railroad cut was not included. We did not have anything we could reasonably use for that important feature of the battlefield, so we left it out.
This past weekend I spent a lot of time reading up on Brawner’s Farm. The field we are going to use offers us a decent realistic feel for the fight. True, we do not have a wood line sheltering Jackson’s Corps, but the crest of the ridge we do have gives us much the same effect.
Don’t forget the walk-through, open house on June 26th, starting at 9 AM.
My Respects,
Mike Lavis
May 3, 2010
Everyone:
As promised I am going to make every attempt to give a weekly update on this page.
This past week, I have been contacting the various battalion commanders, and getting an idea of how many battalions, and the number of rank and file we might expect. I am very encouraged with the responses I have received so far.
With the early registration deadline being June 1st, there is no real purpose to speculating on numbers until after that deadline. We can give you a much better idea at that time. Please take note of the above time frame, and register early and often.
My AAG, Mark Holbrook and I have been communicating constantly the past week. We have set up a HQ communication with Chris Anders, and his AAG Dave Watters. We have also asked each battalion commander to give us a historical regiment that they wish to be known as for the weekend. We are doing this so we can add one more level of historical context for everyone. Of course, each battalion will be portraying different regiments for the different scenarios. However, instead of changing numbers and states 3 times for each battalion, my HQ will write orders, and send other communications to one consistent designation.
Several of the colonels have gotten back to me with their perferences, I await the choices of the rest of them.
We have also scheduled an “Open House Walk Through” of the site on Saturday June 26th at 9 AM. This is open to everyone, regardless of rank or position. While not necessary, I would appreciate those attending to let me know, so we have a good idea of who to expect.
The grand tour will encompass the camps, battlefields, and registration areas. Figure at least 2 hours. Bring walking shoes, and something to drink.
My Respects,
Mike Lavis
April 26, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This past weekend I took my first look at the event site. Like anyone else who has seen it for the first time, I am very impressed. Those of us who were able to get there spent about 4 hours going over everything, and I must say that I could find nothing that gives me concern. The sight lines for the different battles are excellent, a couple being more excellent. Each of us there seemed to have their own personal favorite, mine is the Brawner’s Farm field.
The work is not complete yet, but one can still get an excellent idea of what it will look like. Now it is up to the commanders to set their order of battle, and fit the historical scenarios into the locations. Or, if you will, to take those parts of the historical record, that fit the land we have, and plug them into place.
There are going to be some different aspects to this event. We want to get a feel of the entire campaign, and so are going to recreate Throughfare Gap on Friday evening. This works for us on several fronts. It features the smallest requirement of men of all the battles we are doing. So we will take who is there, and pitch in. Like all the fights, this one has it’s own field, and look to it. Those who are able to get there will enjoy it.
Also, it allows us to keep to a more historical time line, and spread the event out over 3 days.
Furthermore, by having the opening engagement on Friday, we avoid having either 3 scenarios on Saturday, or 2 on Sunday. It was decided that if we were to crowd any of the fights together, then they would not get all the detail and treatment that each deserve. Our quality would suffer, and that is something we are not about to let happen.
Many people are telling us they intend to take that Friday off, and get there early. I urge everyone that can, to join in. Like all the rest of the scenarios, the Gap will be a great experience.
It is my hope and intention to update this message each Monday. Both to give a progress report, and to communicate what we need from the rank and file. We now have locations set aside for each of the battles, and the camps. We are tweaking the starting times and other schedule items, such as the commander’s walk-through, for each battle. In addition there are logistics, and various assignments being worked out.
There is till much to be accomplished, but it is moving ahead, and all will be ready for when you arrive.
One last item: I will be contacting the different battalion commanders for information and ideas of numbers and their organization. When they ask you for those types of things, it is because I will not leave them alone until they give me what I ask for. So, do them a favor to get me off their backs, and let them know your plans.
My Respects,
Mike Lavis
