The Western Brigade

AHT March Update

June 3rd, 2008

GREAT NEWS!

The Western Brigade has received the amended permit for the “Living History March” on Friday, 27 June, from the PA Monument at GNMP to the event site. We are now allowed to move in any formation we choose so long as we are NOT on the road. When on a road, we must un-double files into a formation “not more than 2 abreast.”

Here are the essential points.

1] Assemble at the Pennsylvania Monument between 10:00 AM and Noon on Friday June 27. The march will commence at Noon.

2] There is no parking available at the PA monument - you need to car-pool over from the participant parking area at the AHT event site. http://www.wmhf.org/athightide/aerial.jpg We would recommend that if a civilian or non-marching member of your unit can drive, that would be best. There will be a charter bus arriving from Minnesota (”Northfield Lines”) that can ferry some marchers over to the PA monument - like car pool drivers: do not automatically count on the bus for your ride.

3]The march route is about 4 miles long. We will cross these historic features: Plum Run, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, the Emmittsburg Road, Seminary Ridge and the Covered Bridge over Marsh Creek. We will end the march at the event site by 4:00 PM - earlier if the weather is not too oppressive.

4]ABSOLUTELY no cartridges or caps are permitted. Park Rangers WILL be inspecting for these, and the fines are stiff. Make sure that ALL ammunition is stored in your vehicle, or in arsenal ammunition cases and left at the event site. Following the march, men will have some down time to retrieve ammo and other items left at the event site.

5] Edged weapons and pistols must remain in scabbards and holsters.

6] Weapons are ONLY permitted on park property during the assembly (10:00 AM - Noon) and during the march - and in our designated locations. If you plan to visit the park before the march, or on Sunday, you MAY wear your uniform, but you MAY NOT carry your weapon.

7] This is a military march - commemorating in a very abbreviated form the approach march of the Union Army to Gettysburg. Civilian reenactors are not to follow along like a gaggle of camp-followers. Civilians can parallel our march route in vehicles, take photos, etc.

8] At this time, all men must be on foot.

9] You may camp and park your vehicle at the AHT site on Thursday.

10] If you are able, wear full marching order (including knapsack / bedroll) on the march. If you do not feel that you will be able to make it that heavily loaded, light marching order is permissible. Full canteens are REQUIRED.

11] Captains are responsible for any litter generated by their company - pack it out.

12] Field music is encouraged to come on the march

13] As curious as this may seem to you, we are requested to NOT engage the public. For a number of reasons, our march is not a traditional “Living History Encampment” and therefore we are more supposed to be seen by visitors, rather than talk to them about our activities. If visitors approaches you, politely answer their questions. Do not post interpretive ‘narrators’ if your company is drilling, etc.

This is a rare opportunity to bear arms on some of the nation’s most hallowed ground. With the amendments we have received, it will also give us a good warm up (pun intended) for the event, as we can drill and maneuvre as we cross the fields of Gettysburg.

Colonel James Moffet
Western Brigade

One down, one to go!

May 31st, 2008

Time flys these days, doesn’t it? The brigade is back from a very successful event at Stand of Colors in Kansas City, Missouri. I was a great pleasure to have Holme’s Brigade back in the ranks, I surely hope that we see lots more of them in the near future! Posted as the Grand Guard for the First Federal Division, the WB was roundly praised by our comrades-in-arm, the Johnnies, and General Dunfee, for our professionalism and coolness. And we found out that there are tick in Missouri this time of year. A fortnight has passed, and I’m still scratching! Thanks to all who made it, I really appreciate the soldiering we did together.

Now we are off to Pennsylvania. “At High Tide” is less than a month away, and all of the hard work that the WB ‘team’ has put in is now coming together. Watch for several more announcements in the coming weeks with final details. A revised permit for our march across the hallowed ground of the Gettysburg National Park is ‘in the post’ and details will be coming out very soon. The regiment, currently over 230 men, is organized and your officers and NCO have the list of evolutions to review before we get into the field.

Gentlemen, our goal is to be the best battalion at the event. I have every faith in your ability to make that happen.

More soon!

Colonel James Moffet
Western Brigade

AHT Update - and a new Ration Form

May 5th, 2008

Comrades,

Registration for our battalion at this June’s Gettysburg “At High Tide” is now over 225, and growing. My staff is working hard to insure that the experience of our battalion will be quite authentic.

All aspects of Battalion drill will be practiced. It is rare to have a battalion of this size, so we want to take advantage of the opportunity to do things that are not possible at smaller events. So if you are an officer or NCO (or an interested “high-private”), study now!

Rations are all baked (crackers) or brined (pork). If you or your unit’s representative have not post-marked your Ration Form 1 by 4 May 2008, you must contact the regiment’s Adjutant to receive the new form. Salt Pork has to be cured for 10 to 12 weeks, and that deadline has passed. The Western Brigade has obtained another source for those of you who have waited until now to sign up, but the cost per pound of the salt pork is 4 times more expensive - this requires an increase in the cost of rations to $20.00. Contact Lt. Murray at rmmurray@charter.net

More information will be coming very soon regarding our impressions. Fate Cards will be issued to all men for their historical portrayal of the members of the First Minnesota Volunteers. Watch for these updates here at the WB website.

James Moffet
Colonel
Western Brigade

Kansas City - a GREAT event!

April 24th, 2008

Plans are being finalized for this event: companies are forming! We are only about a month away! The site is ready, and registrations are coming in at a nice rate. If you are on the fence, you will not want to miss this one! Bring shelter tents, wear late war ‘western’ kit, and be ready to marchand fight (100+ rounds). The WB will be spending lots of time out front, on outpost and picket duty. There will also be a standing camp for those who wish to camp there.

I look forward to seeing you at Kansas City’s ‘Stand of Colors.’ You can still register at www.standofcolors.net

James Moffet, Colonel
Western Brigade

At High Tide Ration Issue

March 20th, 2008

The current registration for our battalion at Gettysburg “At High Tide” is over 150 men, and growing!

At Gettysburg this year, we are continuing the “Next Step” program that Col. Lavis started several years ago. In this case, that means a full ration issue to all the men of the battalion: proper rations, stored in proper reproduction ‘packaging,’ issued just as it was in 1863 to the men of the Army of the Potomac.

For this to work properly - ALL soldiers registered with the Western Brigade NEED to participate in the experience.

Let’s look at the history of the campaign. The Federal forces had left the Fredricksburg Virginia area three weeks before the battle, and had literally marched themselves out of their trousers and boots. Typical would be to cover 25 to 35 miles in two days, and then camp for a solid day, where the men were issued three day’s rations. They repeated this for weeks. In the case of the First Minnesota, the regiment we will be basing our impression upon, they spent 30 June 1863 in Union Mills, Maryland. They got 3 days rations, and mustered for pay - not that they could do much with the money, as they marched 30 miles on July 1, ending the day at 10:00 PM south of Little Round Top. The men were roused three hours later at 1:00 AM on July 2nd, and by dawn the Second Corps was in battle array between Ziegler’s Grove and Meade’s headquarters. There was no time to forage. No one had a chance to get any food other than the governmnet rations. There were no sutlers accompanying the rush to Gettysburg. In fact, the wagon train was held at Westminster Maryland and did not close up to the Army until days after the battle!

So each of us should be eating government rations. That is exactly what the WB is making available, and we need you to share in the experience!

(Effective 5 May 2008, to obtain the post-deadline form, email Lt. Murray regarding registering for rations.)

Please get the Ration Form in NOW! The Commissary Department is in need of funds to continue procurring the raw materials for feeding the battalion. The form should answer your questions: it is designed for use either by your unit or you as an individual.

Make sure you mail the form to the Western Brigade in Kentucky. Do NOT mail it the the AHT registration people!

Colonel James Moffet

Stand of Colors Update

March 20th, 2008

We are about 2 monthes out from this exciting trip to the Trans-Mississippi.  The event site is almost ready, and a huge amount of volunteer work has gone into preparing for the event.  Registration is pretty good, but if you haven’t yet signed up, please do so now.  You will find lots more information at http://www.standofcolors.net

Looking forward to seeing you all in Missouri!

Colonel James Moffet

 

General Order #2

February 14th, 2008

GENERAL ORDER,                                     Headquarters, First Federal Division, Infantry

          No. 2                                                               Minneapolis, February 14, 2008

 

Major Robert T. Murray, Western Brigade, is hereby appointed A.A.G. for First Federal Division forces under my command.

 

General Order #1

February 13th, 2008

GENERAL ORDER,                                          Headquarters, Western Brigade

          No. 1                                                          February 12, 2008

 

First Lieutenant William Hoskins, Western Brigade, is hereby appointed Adjutant for the forces under my command in the upcoming Missouri campaign.

 

                                                                                  Col. Wm. James Moffet

 

Slight Change of Plans

January 22nd, 2008

Due to certain technical issues, the registration procedure for Gettysburg “At High Tide” has been modified.

Please register for the event at the “At High Tide” site: http://www.wmhf.org/athightide/registration.html

Note that the costs go up after 16 February.

The Western Brigade leadership agreed at our annual congress last November to issue authentic rations at this event.  We have not had a full battalion-wide issue since Corinth several years ago. Once we tie down the final details, including costs, company commanders and unit contacts will be notified.

Thanks for your patience in this matter.

W. J. Moffet

Colonel, Western Brigade

Register for “At High Tide”

January 14th, 2008

Next Page »