23rd - 24th September, 2023 - Event by the Atlanta Campaign, Inc.
What an honor and privilege it was to take the field at the 160th Anniversary Event of the Battle of Chickamauga in LaFayette, Georgia.
The event was organized, planned, and executed by the Atlanta Campaign, Inc. This particular non-profit organization has orchestrated 19 separate events and has done an excellent job of putting on quality events. Myself and the members of my company are very appreciative of the staff, volunteers, and community of individuals who came together to carry out this event and we were absolutely honored to be a part of it.
Below, you will find a collection of observations from the event:
Thursday, 21st September, 2023 - Arrival & Set-up:
We arrived on the event site Thursday morning and learned that we would need to begin set up immediately to secure our site and enough space for the company. We were assigned the head of a company street 25 feet wide and we measured space for a row of some 7 to 8 A-Frame tents to be set (estimated 50 to 60 feet). The Captain's Fly was placed at the head and center of the company street.
Looking towards the head of the company street and to the right, we placed a cook fly where many would congregate as they sought shelter from the heat of the mid-day sun which would be quite un-inviting as the weekend wore on. This would also serve as the space designated for food preparation for the company by the Quartermaster Sergeant and Company Steward.
My personal opinion on the camp location and layout was that it was cramped in nature; however, I have no complaint as to where we camped as we were favorably located in relevance to the main street out of the camp and to the Sutlers. We were also camped in the midst of some great companies and as we were partnered with an excellent battalion. For this event we also employed the use of the "BAF" or large dining fly that we set up in an A-Frame configuration in which sleeps up to 10 men quite comfortably.
Don't mind the farb, this picture shown above was taken shortly after having set up the BAF and before the event began. I would also note that we portray the 1860's, but very much live in modern times. However, we conceal all modern items throughout the course of the event to ensure an accurate impression of the timeframe is presented to the public.
Friday, 22nd September, 2023 - School Days & Fellowship:
I was very appreciative of the opportunity we were extended to join in with the Hardee Guard Battalion for this event. Their member companies and leadership have been very welcoming to us and most excellent to work with in our experiences.
Given the timeframe in which we had established our camp on Thursday morning, we were prepared for the waves of students that visited the event site on Friday morning from local area schools as part of the school days program hosted by the event coordinators. We were honored to participate and speak with students from several area schools. We primarily showed them some of the original guns we have in our company that were brought to the event. We also spoke on the uniforms worn by soldiers in the eastern theatre of the war as opposed to those worn by western theatre soldiers. The number of students present was impressive and quite wonderful to behold. Especially considering that the very core purpose of our work here is to educate. As such, many teaching and learning moments were had that morning. Some of which I am confident will carry on with those students for the rest of their lives.
"You actually slept out here?"
We've heard it a thousand times now and the answer is always the same, yes we certainly did... right there as a matter of fact (points to the ground in dramatic fashion). Though a fairly common question, there always is a reservation on the part of some visitors to believe or understand why we do this. I always try to explain that some things in life are best learned through experience and through one's own sight as opposed to solely from a single source such as a written publication or tv/computer screen. This is certainly applicable to history. In this particular case, we choose to recreate and attempt to live what we have read from accounts and depictions of the period in order to teach the public when they visit.
In the case of Chickamauga, this was achieved on a slight incline which made for interesting experience. In order to address the discomfort that would have surely made for a sour time sleeping at a downhill pitch, some discrete innovations were employed with the use of items on-hand. I achieved a level understanding of the situation by observing how well the company fly could be folded and tucked underneath the foot of my bedroll in order to encourage a situation in which my manifest fear of sliding down hill in the night would be resolved. To my relief, the practical application of the idea earned me three nights of slide free and comfortable sleep. Another implement that would have been helpful and that I have used in the past is Hay, which could be packed at the foot of the bedroll to achieve a similar, but perhaps less effective result.
Saturday, 23rd September, 2023 - Morning Tactical & Exploitation of the Gap:
The event kicked off at 0600 on Saturday morning with a tactical. This tactical was the first of three actions which saw the company in the field. Though optional at these larger styled events, the morning tactical often presents a most excellent opportunity for those commanding in the field and those coordinating to observe the ground with companies in the field to develop as well as fine-tune the scenarios scheduled for later in the day and afternoon. Another benefit of the morning tactical for the living historian in the ranks is the refresher that it provides before moving into the main battle in the afternoon. For this particular tactical, we got a great deal of practice fighting in a battalion formation prior to the two o'clock battle. This was inclusive of cohesive movement dressed on the colors as we were assigned as the third company of the right wing with the colors or center to our left. Adjacent to us on the right was our compatriots in the 18th AL and then the 48th AL on the right Flank and as the first company.
Thanks to Chris Re, for his filming of different segments of the action each day which I have chosen to include here for your review.
A new table for the Captain
It may not seem like a big deal to some, but to me, it certainly is as I've been seeking a table for my officer's fly for some time. Farb or not, its nice to have a table in camp to eat at and socialize with others at. This fine item was procured from Chuck at Rum Creek Sutlery. He's been a great friend to my company and to the hobby for some time and I am glad that I was able to secure this item from him.
Breaking through the gap in Rosecrans's Center:
The Saturday afternoon skirmish called for the second battalion's portrayal of the 29th Mississippi in the action which depicted Longstreet's push through the gap in the center of the Federal Lines. This called for a good deal of maneuvering while in the field by those deployed on both sides.
To simply explain or give background, during the battle of Chickamauga, Longstreet's corps arrived by rail just in time to join the Army of Tennessee and reinforce them while engaged with the Army of the Cumberland, under the command of William Rosecrans. The battle of Chickamauga would see multiple days of fighting between the two armies and some confusion, especially for Rosecrans, who at one point in the battle, gave orders which called for companies in the center of the federal position to be moved as reinforcements opening a gap which was observed and quickly exploited by Longstreet's commanders. This one decisive happening would lead to the rout of the Army of the Cumberland and give the Army of Tennessee it's most significant victory of the war.
The scenario called for our battalion in the center and pushing up an opposing hill, to take the position from the federal infantry located there. The scenario opened with an extensive cavalry skirmish which then evolved into three battalions deployed into the field by the confederate command and opposed by an equal number of federal infantry. The federals enjoyed a much more defensive posture and received pressure on their right flank, establishing the basis for the movement that would develop the push on the federal center.
I was very impressed with how well executed the scenario was given our number and the circumstances of the ground at the event location. We were able to give as accurate as possible and impression of the action and I was very pleased with how well everyone executed their roles
"It was so hot outside, how do you guys deal with the heat in that wool?"
A main concern for many quickly became the heat as the temperature was in the mid to upper 80's. As one may imagine, wool does get quite hot in the summer time, something our ancestors were much more acclimated to, as opposed to those within the living history community. Therefore, I and others in the living history community do undertake some actions to prepare ourselves for events where heat is expected. For me, this means dressing in pants and long sleeved shirts about year round, especially when marching band season is in and the daily temperatures are in the upper 80's to 90's.
I try to acclimate myself to the temperatures as best as I possibly can so that there is no shock the moment I must dawn the wool for an event. I also employ other strategies to offset the pains of the heat. This includes a lot of hydration prior to the event, and carrying Liquid IV's in my haversack to use in my canteen water.
At this event, we had "water buffalo's" in multiple locations around both the camps and placed in the staging areas to ensure constant access to water. As we came up the hill and onto the battlefield for initial deployment, we were given a brief opportunity to send canteen details to take and fill canteens. this was crucial for keeping everyone in good condition in the field. This was accompanied by multiple occasions throughout the scenario, where we would give the command "take water." These stops or brief delays are crucial for the health of the living historians in the field and keep heat related injuries down.
A view of the Scenario: Again, thanks go out to Chris Re for filming the event, here's the video from the scenario from his youtube channel "History Reminds Us."
After the Afternoon Action:
It's very fair to say that no matter how much preparation one puts into their craft, heat and other factors can take a serious toll, as was the case with the event at Chickamauga. Fatigue got the better of many, especially in the absence of shade and in the absence of adequate rest.
I certainly was no exception and had to push myself to get through most of the day on Saturday as I felt the full weight of exhaustion from the heat we experienced. This was only made better by the introduction of a good meal and liquid IV followed by an early night with a hard sleep. Though a rougher than normal event for me, I would not trade it for anything as it was one of the best events I've attended.
Interviewed by Chris Re:
Sunday, 24th September, 2023 - The Final Day:
Company Photos - Courtesy of Sherri Culp:
The Company elected not to participate in the morning parade as most of us had had a rough day the day before. Perhaps the stress of pending company business compounded by the heat and fatigue from the day were the biggest contributing factors to this decision; we instead elected to spend the morning hours preparing for breaking camp and resting. We had a great breakfast meal compliments of our quartermaster sergeant and camp steward, followed by time for the members of the company to go to sutler row. This was followed by continued weapon maintenance and care, and later, preparation for the field.
The second day's action was to depict the assault on Snod Grass Hill, the very place that Union General George Thomas, earned the name "the rock of Chickamauga" in his defense of the ground and the Army of the Cumberland's retreat.
The Scenario, just as the day before began with a cavalry skirmish in the center of the field, with our battalions deployed in a manner that saw two on the right and the third on the left at an angle. We began the action and moved forward and back three times before being brought to a halt. We were to the point of the assault where we had shifted to make the "assault" when an injury occurred within the cavalry. This brought the whole event to standstill as the nature of the injury was severe. We later learned that the cavalryman who had come off of his horse had to have emergency surgery and had possibly broken his back. Though the severity or nature of the injury was unknown to us on the field we staged with the federal forces facing us and we took time to playfully insult and jab each other.
One of the highlights of this time was a wrestling match between our "champion" and theirs. I am proud to say that our boy managed to whip his yankee counterpart. It was the only time I have ever witnessed something like this at an event and it was far removed from the eyes of the spectators, but it was indeed good fun for the lot of us, let sweltering in the mid-day sun. It was shortly afterwards that we became aware of the cancellation of the remainder of the scenario given the injury that had taken place. We were then made to move to face the spectators and present a salute. This concluded with our withdrawal from the field and return to the camps.
Video compliments of Chris Re:
Our Friend Matthieu,
Looking back... We attended the 160th anniversary of Shiloh, the year before last, and while there a German fellow who had traveled to the United States had reached out looking for a company to join for the event. We were grateful to extend a warm welcome to him, and from that experience, a new friend was made.
We were very delighted to learn that he would be returning for Chickamauga this year, and would be again in the ranks of the 31st. It is an honor to have a gentleman that values living history so much that he makes the trek to the United States annually to join us. I can confidently say that we have very much adopted him into our company and consider him our friend.
Given the unique circumstances presented by his residency and necessity of travel to attend an event annually, we opted to vote him into our company with suspension of our attendance requirements as his circumstances are quite unique. We are proud to have him within our ranks and will be excited to see him again on his next trip to the United States.
Fellow Faculty:
I was truly honored to see my principal and one of my fellow faculty members at the event. I cannot speak enough of how much it meant to me to have that support and interest from them with their attendance at this event. As an educator, especially in the Social Studies Discipline, I see the value of things that can be learned from seeing as much as those from which can be learned from reading. These events serve as our opportunity to bring the pages of history to life. And my particular company is dedicated to bringing this type of approach to local schools through a program we have designed which gives students an opportunity to directly interact with the implements we use to re-create history. A special thank you goes out to them for supporting our efforts and for all that they are doing to educate the next generation of Americans.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I very much enjoyed the event at Chickamauga. I am very appreciative to the folks at the Atlanta Campaign Inc. for their hard work and dedication to yet another high quality event. They put on an excellent event and are to be commended for the exceptional work they have done to coordinate and execute this event commemorating the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga.
I am also appreciative to the membership within my company who continue to allow me the privilege of serving as Captain of the 31st. I am honored to be part of such a wonderful group of living historians. These events are special as they create moments for education and memories that will last a lifetime.
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