Military News and Information

Landis Valley, 2002

Reenactment

The 140^th Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek was held on October 15 through 18, 2004 in Middletown, Virginia.  In attendance were – Bob, Casey and Bridget Slamp, Steve, Patience and Hope Crandall, Joe Coleman, Chuck Smith, Scott, Brenda, Katelyn and Adam Macbeth, David and LuAnn Swonger, Carol Scott,  Mark, Mary and Meg Boeni, and Dan and Kay Lingle.  Bill had invited several members of Company K to join us at the event.  Charlie and Bruce joined us for the weekend and are interested in learning more about Company B.

The event site included the Belle Boyd mansion and grounds this year – adding over several acres to the event.  The Confederate camp was on the far left of the battlefield with the civilian, Sutler and Living History streets in the middle of the field and the Federal Camps on the far right.  The rolling hills and mountains of the Shenandoah Valley made for a beautiful weekend. 

Friday started with a parade through Middletown followed by a tactical battle in the afternoon.  The weather on Friday was nice and sunny with a cool breeze.  There was plenty of water and wood throughout the entire weekend.  There weren’t as many artillery pieces as at Gettysburg, however, the Confederate Calvary was out in force and made an impressive showing. 

Saturday’s battle was started on Belle Boyd’s property and swung over to in front of the Heater House.  It was a nice rolling battle with the Confederates pushing us back to the Heater House.  Our Company was being enveloped by hundreds of Confederates and we were given the command “this side of the line – take hits”.  It was a grand death scene.  Our entire left flank took a hit at the same time.  We heard comments throughout the weekend of our death scene.  The rout was on and we were pushed all the way back to the Heater House.  It had been raining off and on during the afternoon.  At times, the rain was coming down at an angle and was stinging our faces.  Once the Battle was in front of the Heater House it was called due to the rain, thunder and lightning.  The Sutlers faired well this weekend.  Although, there weren’t as many as last year and several of the period correct sutlers were not in attendance. 

Sunday’s battle was very nice and stretched from the Heater House back through to Belle Boyd’s mansion.  We had a grand time and the taunting was in good fun.  Bob, Charlie, Bruce and I were assigned to one of the Bucktail Company’s for Sunday’s battle.  Compliments to the Mifflin Guard on how we can fall in with other companies and not miss a beat in discipline, drill and maneuvers.  While we watched the Confederates approach us behind the Heater House, the Second Sergeant of the Bucktails was taunting back and forth with some Skirmishers.  It was hilarious.  We also had some encounters with our own Calvary – which was quite amusing.

David, LuAnn and Brenda presented the Patriot Daughters during the event on the Living History Street.  We had some opportunity to talk with the spectators, but there were not a lot of folks going through the camps.  Once again, we had folks quite surprised to learn that the people of Lancaster County would support the troops??????  We did pick up some more ideas for items to include in the presentation from another group.  We also picked up some period labels for extract of coffee, tea, lemonade and headache pills.

The excitement of the weekend for the Macbeth’s centered on our uninvited house guests for the weekend.   Friday evening we heard rumbling and noises throughout the night.  On Saturday, Katelyn discovered critter droppings all over the floor and ground of our tent.  Upon further investigation we saw several fury critters.  We thought they were mice, however, they were moles.  If you thought Brenda didn’t like bugs, she hates critters even more!! Brenda thought she was well prepared with 11 layers of blankets to weather the cold nights.  She soon found out that one can never be too prepared.  She didn’t count on our guests Saturday evening.  Getting her through the night was quite an ordeal.  They ate the ends off of a blanket and comforter as well as leaving deposits throughout the tent.  When we went to pack up on Sunday we discovered we had set our tent up over a mole colony.  I counted 19 moles.  Needless to say we had an interesting time. 

We had a nice event and great showing for the unit.

Pictures from the battles will be published in the next issue of the Union Standard.  Following is a picture of Adam staying warm and a picture of one of the Military camps.

Respectfully,

We are constantly striving to improve our impression, both individually and as a group.  Below are some resources (from our unit and elsewhere) to help.