10th - 13th November, 2022
The Company traveled to Tallassee, Alabama for the 25th Annual "Battle of the Armory." The event this year was held in memorial of Bill Anthony, the previous owner of the property and one of the original founders of the event.
Arrival
We arrived at the property for set up shortly after 11:00am on Thursday morning, having prepared to attend and present at School Days the following day. We dedicated ourselves to an early arrival to ensure that we would secure good ground for the company membership to camp upon as this event is rather well attended and as space can become scarce rather quickly. We were able to secure a piece of ground that we often utilize each year for the event and it made a great difference in the quality of the event for our company members.
This particular event is considered and was approached as a "mainstream event;" therefore, we did not utilize a campaigner set-up for the entire company in our approach to the weekend, instead we utilized A-Frames and two wall tents as well as two tent flys.
"The Whole Shebang"
We did incorporate a campaigner set-up into our camp for use by some of our enlisted members. This set up consisted of a fly that I recently purchased from a seller in Germany. This was the first time we used the fly and I was very pleased with it. The configuration we established is commonly referred to as a "Shebang."
Not only did the fly perform and hold up well, it kept our enlisted covered from the elements quite adequately. The only thing it did not do, is protect them from the cold the final night of the event.
Though our encampment was compact and "cozy" to say the least, the shebang was placed relevant to the fire to afford some indirect heat to our members sleeping underneath. I would note that the trick to staying warm in this set-up has as much to do with the Gum blanket employed beneath the individual as is the one that should be employed above the individual to trap body heat in. This is an effective as well as historically accurate way to preserve one's body heat and maintain warmth on an extremely cold night like the one in which we experienced on Saturday at this event.
"An Officer's Life for Me"
I rather enjoyed a more labor intensive set-up and canvas heavy sleeping arrangement for the weekend. This included the use of a larger fly which attracted and accommodated other members of the company leadership.
I utilized the space to place a table, chairs, a field desk, and other proper implements for the creature comforts of a home away from home. Though somewhat "Farb-laden," it was a great camping experience for the weekend which kept me comfortable.
No space was wasted underneath the fly, and it was the first time I had the opportunity to comfortably host the company leadership underneath. This included the first meal of the weekend which saw the officers dinning together at the Lt. Colonel's Table which was placed in the center of the fly for this particular purpose.
To the rear of the table was my field desk and much smaller table. This was quite suitable for the task of managing the company for the weekend, but not for much more than recording necessary information required for the weekend's proceedings.
"Officer's Dinner"
I give credit to our Quartermaster Sergeant for feeding us quite well throughout the weekend, especially on Friday evening. We enjoyed steak, potatoes, and an apple crisp desert that he prepared over the camp fire and with his stove. We ate well to say the very least and the interesting thing about the meal was that the enlisted ate together and the officers ate together. Typically this separation does not happen as we all dine together in the company, but it was a nice deviation from the norm. The officer's gathering had the effect of attracting guests to the fold from outside of the company. All friends of Company F of course, but most welcome was the fellowship and various points of conversation that were shared following the evening's meal.
"The First Night"
Please excuse the many vehicles that are present in the background of this photo as this was prior to the beginning of the event and saw individuals coming and going throughout the evening, setting up for the weekend and the event. We typically would ourselves be in a similar situation, but had arrived early enough to enjoy not having the worry of setting up in the dark which was a rare privilege.
Temperatures the first night were excellent and most likely the best we've experienced this season which made for a very pleasant evening and a good night's sleep.
Familiar Faces
Cameron Holden, a member of our company had informed us at Stones River last Fall that he was enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Since that time, he has completed basic training and received his orders placing him in New Orleans. With him being reasonably located, he was able to fall back in with the company at Tallassee and we were quite glad to see him, having not seen him in more than a year.
To say we are proud of him is an understatement. Words can not describe how grateful we are of his dedication to our nation's service. We were very honored to have him back in our ranks for the weekend.
The Skirmish:
The Scenario for Saturday began at 2:00pm and called for the Confederate forces to attempt to repel Federal Forces descending from the elevated ridge on the opposite side of the property. The scenario also called for a steady withdrawal from the field by the Confederate Forces.
This would take place over a 45 minute period as to give time for maneuvering upon the field and to give spectators plenty of opportunity to see the scenario play out. My company was ordered to the extreme right of the confederate line, where we were to provide cover for the horse drawn artillery piece on the field from Federal Cavalry. This action saw us ordered slowly to the rear with heavy losses and eventually driven from the field.
The second day's scenario was much like the first; however, the roles were reversed with Confederate forces descending upon the Federal forces and crushing them. Again the total action was paced to about a 45 minute scenario for the public gathered to view the event.
Following the action both days, the entire multitude of reenactors present were gathered to give a salute by way of a volley to veterans of the United States Military. This was done after the skirmish concluded each day, with the second day's salute being different from the first in order to honor and pay tribute to a reenactor who had passed the week prior to event.
Company Photos
Sunday's weather proved quite favorable for capturing company photos. We collectively paid 50.00 dollars t0 have a new sutler take pictures of the company. This turned out to be a wonderful investment as we've not had formal pictures of the company taken in some time now.
Its very difficult to describe just how strong and unique the bonds that are formed in a company like ours are; especially as we consider our company to very much be an extended family. Many of us have been working together for years at this point, so these opportunities to document our journey within the living history hobby as well as the continued growth and development of our company are quite special and meaningful.
Conclusively,
Tallassee was a great event for our company and was very well attended. As usual, money was spent at the sutlers present, new boxes were acquired and other odds and ends that resulted in the betterment of my impression and continuation of the long standing process of growth and development of my kits. I was grateful to see some old friends as well as spend time with the members of my company, and I will again look ahead to this time next year when we will take the field at Tallassee.
I would like to thank both Jim Davenport and Charlie Webb for the many photos they have taken of myself and members of our company over the years. They have captured many wonderful moments which we will cherish throughout years to come! Thank you to the both of you from myself and the members of Company F!
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