Newt
Joined: 14 Jul 2008
Posts: 23
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 Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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haha hunter you put it better than I ever could.
I'd like to strongly STRONGLY second what he said about black slouch hats. This point in the war, for Federal, in this (Western Federal) Army, black slouch hats are a key part of your impression. If you dont have a black slouch hat, PLEASE wear a federal kepi or forage cap. leave the brown and grey and straw slouch hats at home.
But above that, we DEFINATELY ALL need to have a knapsack or blanketroll. Hunter is right...we are the host unit and have the ability to set the standard in drill and impressions as well as authenticity in camp and combat realism (of which we will be having a "class" of sorts in drill on saturday morning...hunter...you and Phil's help will be greatly appreciated.)
Also, I have thrown the idea around of a picket/outpost scenario in the woods between the federal and confederate camps. This was done a few years ago at cedar creek and it was a lot of fun! it also adds realism to the event.
Any other ideas, let em rip!
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Philip
Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:03 am Post subject: |
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Hunter truly hit the nail on the head about the hats and the knapsacks and blanketrolls. The research that I have done has turned up some very interesting things about the men that fought at Wilson's store. For the most part I have done research on the federals because that is who we will be portraying. The men as I have laready aid were of the 17th Corps of Sherman's western army. These were of the first division commanded by General J.A. Mower. The most specific reading I can find on the units that fought at Wilson's Store is that it was a single brigade pulled from the first division 17th Corps on reconnaissance in the direction of Cheraw. They ran into Wheeler, engaged and withdrew.
These were hard fighting men from Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. After discovering which Corps was at Wilson's Store I began to research the 17th Corps badge. Unfortunately their official badge (The Arrow) was not adopted until March 25, 1865, this would be twenty four days following the actual battle. BUT the 17th Corps had an unofficial badge used before March 1865 in the form of a five pointed star. In General F.P. Blair's (the commander of the 17th Corps at the time) words "The badge now used by the Corps being similar to one formerly adopted by another corps" refers to the badge of the 12th Corps which was reorganized into the 20th corps. These Corps used the five pointed star as their badge. Therefore to set his Corps apart Blair adopted the arrow "In its swiftness, in its surety of striking when wanted, and in its destructive powers when so intended, it is probably as emblematical of this corps as any design that could be adopted."
SO having said all of this I decided to try my hand at an unofficial badge. All surviving examples were made form silver. Having no access to silver nor manufacturer to custom produce a small set of badges I pursued a cloth example of this badge. I just finished a run of these red badge. They are simple five pointed stars with "17" or some variation thereof stitched into the center. I hope to have enough for everybody this weekend. I will be there on Friday to distribute and help sew them on to headgear or jackets. I think this will add to our impression a great bit.
To re-enforce Hunter's point about being dirty these men had just been caught in a very strong rainstorm the weeks leading to this fight. In General Blair's personal account he states that "the roads were in very bad condition" He also writes about how the water was two to six feet deep in some areas. At one point he mention that "one regiment of Fourth Division waded along the road and through the swamp to the high ground beyond." He mentions an Engineer Regiment from Michigan building bridges and corduroy brigdes for the men to pass over. Throughout his accounts surrounding the fight at Wilson's Store he mention the men entrenching to defend against the enemy. SO to say the least these men would have been filthy! To get the full impression of these men we should all try to dirty our trousers and jackets for this event.
The highlights of the impression should be the slouch hats and Hardee hats, the sack coats, the sky blue trousers, the corps badges, the dirt, and the bedrolls and knapsacks. To wrap up this rather long posting (and thank you for reading this far) I would just like to say that I am looking forward to this event and getting some time to do federal. I hope to see you all this weekend.
-Philip Brown
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