1

P.O. Box 52, Brighouse, West Yorkshire,

HD6 1JQ, England

The A.C.W.S. NEWSLETTER

2010 Autumn Edition

Issue 158Website :- www.acws.co.uk Autumn 2010

Field of Lost ShoesNewmarket Virginia

2

18-19th September - INGLETON - North Yorkshire

Small event to finish the year with in stunning surroundings on the edgeof the Yorkshire Dales at Waterfalls Field,

Ingleton, North Yorkshire, LA6 3EP.Members camping available from Friday until Monday. Very small

Family Camp

This is not a full society event

2-3rd October – Murton Park Yorkshire

Living History Only

U.S. Staff/U.S. Signals are hosting an event at the Yorkshire FarmingMuseum, Murton Lane, Murton, York, YO19 5UF

This is not a full society event

4th December - ACWS AGM & CHRISTMAS PARTY -The ACWS Annual General Meeting and The Christmas Party are to beheld on the same day at the The Nautical Club, 5-6 Bishopsgate Street,

Birmingham, B15 1ET,

The AGM will be held in the afternoon at 1 PM and the Dance in theevening from 7.30 PM until midnight.

3

Here we are almost at the end ofanother re-enactment season. It's beena difficult year regarding events andtrying to balance the books.The current recession and budgetcutting are affecting our discussionswith potential sponsors who just don'thave the finances which we requireavailable any more. Our fixed costsexceed our fixed income, and the bestway to balance the books is to obtainprofitable sponsored events. If thereare not enough of these type of events,then we make a loss, cannot afford toself fund events, have to raisemembership or registration fees, or cutcosts accordingly. At a recent BoardMeeting in July, all these issues andpossible solutions were discussed,some of which were quite drastic. Thetheme was 'how does the Societysurvive financially and also beattractive to members?' To summarisea long discussion, it was agreed thatthe ACWS need to be more flexiblewith our offerings when talking toprospective sponsors. We must ensurethat the sponsor gets what he wantsand that what we deliver is within bothours and their budget. This means, forexample, that the ACWS may have tobook some smaller events to which thewhole society cannot attend due toreduced budget or space availability.This also means that the Stanford Hallself-funding yet loss-making typeevents are no longer practical.

It was also agreed to allow regimentsmore scope in organising their own

Chairman’s

Report

'local' events (under ACWS Rules andRegulations) when there are no majorSociety events booked. Theseregimental events would be invite onlyso as to control numbers and wouldneed appointed officers for theweekend such as safety, explosives,etc. The Board have seen the successboth on the field and financially of the19th and 22nd Foot non-ACW periodunits, where sponsors do have a fewhundred rather than a few thousandpounds to spare. The Board willdiscuss these models further at it's nextmeeting in October and hopefully beable to produce a framework documentto which regiments may work. Incomefrom these events would go to the hostregiment(s) who may then share theirincome with the invited regiments, butalso pay a levy to ACWS for the use ofinsurance and a donation for otherACWS provided central services suchas artillery, cavalry and gun powder,where appropriate. More on this later.

However, the ACWS will still attemptto obtain full society events throughoutthe season, such as at Bank andSchool Holidays. The difficult bit isknowing when these events have beenconfirmed and therefore whichweekends are available for the smallerand regimental events. This will needcareful co-ordination with the Projectsteam. So we might end up next seasonwith maybe 3 to 5 full society events,and a lot more smaller events.Hopefully, this will be financially viableand give our members enough varietyof events to make them want to remainmembers of ACWS.

The ACWS should then be moreflexible in what we can offer and delivercombinations of any of the following

4

such as full society battle re-enactment, skirmish, large skirmishwith cannon, living history, artillery,cavalry, multi-period (19th/22nd Footplus ACW and Cavalry.We also need to market ourselvesbetter, and will put more effort into theweb site to attract potential sponsors,showing them better what we can doand, for example, maybe a menu fromwhich they can choose what they want.

On example of times being moredifficult is at Rockingham Castle, wherewe were negotiating with the EventsManager for two events next year, onein May and one in August, the latter forour planned 2011 International.Unfortunately, the site ownerdramatically changed his policy to bevery risk averse, taking the EventsManager and ACWS by surprise. As aresult he was expecting ACWS to payhim thousands of pounds for theprivilege of using his land, and hewould still take all the gate money!! Weare very sorry that we have had tocancel the International for 2011, butwe will look at feasible alternatives for2012.

This will be my last Chairman's Report,as you should all know by now I amstanding down as Chairman, havingdone the job for several years nowfollowing the financial losses at WestonPark in 2003. However, following myheart attack of two years ago, I do needto step back and make life a little moreeasier for me and my family. I trust thatI leave the Board and the newChairman in as good a position ascould have been expected when Ibecame Chairman. Unfortunately, anew spell of uncertainty faces theACWS and also many of us in our

personal lives due to the currentrecession, so I wish my fellow BoardMembers and the new Chairman all thevery best.

Best Regards and Keep Your PowderDry.

Mike Bussey, Chairman ACWS Ltd

PROJECTS REPORT

Hi AllNot going to say much here, greatseason plenty of events and 2 moreleft,18-19th September - INGLETON -Small event to finish the year with instunning surroundings on the edge ofthe Yorkshire Dales at Waterfalls Field,Ingleton, North Yorkshire, LA6 3EP.Members camping available fromFriday until Monday.Location Maps: LA6 3EP2-3rd October –Murton ParkU.S. Staff/U.S. Signals are hosting anevent at the Yorkshire Farmingmuseum, Living History event wherewe can use the buildings on the site.22nd Foot will be billeted in the TudorFarm House while the Federal andConfederate troops fight overpossession of the fort. Whose flag willflutter over the fortification at the endof the day? Continued on page 17

5

Near the banks of theRappahannock River inVirginia, investigatorsclosed in on Booth and hiscompanion, David Herodl,on April 26. EvertonConger and two other

investigators pulled Willie Jett out of abed in a hotel in Bowling Green todemand, "Where are the two men whocame with you across the river?"  Jettknew that Conger meant Booth andHerold.  When Jett had talked with thetwo conspirators they had made noeffort to hide their identity. Herold hadboldly declared, "We are theassassinators of the President.Yonder is J. Wilkes Booth, the manwho killed Lincoln."  Jett told Congerthat the men they sought "are on theroad to Port Royal" at the home of "Mr.Garrett's."Reaching Garrett's farm, thegovernment party ordered an old man,Garrett, out of his home and asked,"Where are the two men who stoppedhere at your house?"  "Gone to thewoods," Garrett answered.Unsatisfied with Garrett's response,Conger told one of his men, "Bring mea lariat rope here, and I will put thatman up to the top of one of thoselocust trees."  One of his sons brokein, "Don't hurt the old man; he isscared; I will tell you where the menare--...in the barn."Finding the suspects to be in theGarrett barn, Conger gave Booth andHerold five minutes to get out or, hesaid, he would set fire to it.  Booth

Death of John WilkesBooth

responded, "Let us have a little time toconsider it."  After somediscussion in the barn, Boothproposed that if the capturing partywere withdrawn "one hundred yardsfrom the door, I will come out and fightyou."  When his proposal--and asecond one for a withdrawal to fiftyyards--was rejected, Booth said in atheatrical voice, "Well, my brave boys,prepare a stretcher for me."  AsConger ordered pine boughs placedagainst the barn to start a fire, Boothannounced, "There's a man whowants to come out." After being called"a damned coward" by his partner,David Herold stepped out of the doorof the barn and into the hands of hiscapturers.Conger lit the fire minutes later.  Withflames rising around him, Booth,carrying a carbine, started toward thedoor of the barn.  A shot rang out fromthe gun of Sergeant Boston Corbett.Booth fell.  Soldiers carried Booth outon the grass.  Booth turned to Congerand said, "Tell mother I die for mycountry."  Moved into Garrett's house,Booth revived somewhat.  Repeatedlyhe begged of his captors, "Kill me, killme."  Booth again weakened. Two orthree hours after being shot, he died.

6

LOTTERY WINNERS

September 2009Name – Philip Berry 19th IndianaNumber   - 51 Prize - £13

October 2009Name – Alan Shatford 2nd USBattery B Number  - 40 Prize -£10.50

November 2009Name – John Ewers 118th PenNumber - 77 Prize  - £13

December 2009Name – John Filer PyroNumber - 94 Prize  - £11.50

January 2010Name – Clarice Wilson 19th IndianaNumber - 28 Prize  -  £13.50

February 2010Name – Martin Clarke RockbridgeArtilery Number - 2 Prize  - £13.50March 2010Name – Sharon Lord 1st TennNumber - 21 Prize  - £13.50April 2010Name – Richard Page 2nd SCNumber - 101 Prize - £12.50May 2010Name – Val Holt 69th NYNumber - 92 Prize - £15.50June 2010Name – Neil Manison 19th IndianaNumber - 23 Prize - £16.00

GREETINGS MY FELLOWSOUTHENERS

Well as i write this report, i would justlike to thank you all for all the hard workyou have put in to this campaign. Wehave had some great weekends and acouple more to come.

As you know Lee Fairlee has had toresign his position on the board. Iwould like to thank him for all the workthat he has done on the behalf of theConfederates.

I would now like to thank Kevin Holdenfor stepping in and filling that position

See you in the field.

DEO VINDICE

Major Bill Brown

CSA Staff

7

Gen. Elisha Hunt Rhodes. Among thegallant citizens of Rhode Island whoserved in the late civil war, is thepresent collector of U. S. internalrevenue for the district of Rhode Island,Gen. Elisha H. Rhodes. He was bornin Pawtuxet, March 21, 1842. Hisfather, Elisha H. Rhodes, was a sea-captain, as were his ancestors forseveral generations, and was lost atsea Dec. 10, 1858, while in commandof the schooner "Worcester" ofProvidence. The subject of this sketchwas educated in the public schools,and at Potter & Hammond'sCommercial Academy in Providence.Enlisting in the Union Army, as amember of the 2nd R. I. Vols., early inMay, 1861, he took part in the firstbattle, July 21st of that year. He wassuccessively promoted through thevarious company grades, having, asFirst Lieutenant, for a time commandof Company B, which position he helduntil Nov. 7, 1863, when he becameAdjutant of the regiment. During all thistime, as indeed in all its history, thegallant 2nd regiment was activelyengaged in service. On the plains andhills of East Virginia, on the Peninsula,before Richmond, and in checkingLee's invasion of Pennsylvania, he sawsevere and protracted service. Re-enlisting, with the patriotic purpose ofseeing the war through, his efficientlabours were rewarded by a further

Elisha HuntRhodes

Private ToGeneral

promotion. As senior officer on duty,he took command of the regiment June5, 1864, and was promoted to Captain,his commission dating May 5, 1864.Having reorganized the regiment, andbeing assigned to its command byMajor General Wright, of the 6th ArmyCorps, he took an active part in Gen.Sheridan's Shenandoah campaign,and was breveted Major, " for gallantconduct at Winchester." He returned toPetersburg in December, 1864, waspromoted to Lieutenant Colonel Jan.31, 1865, was breveted Colonel of U.S. Vols., "for gallant conduct at thecharge on the rebel works atPetersburg," received full commissionas Colonel July 18, 1865, and ten dayslater was honourably discharged,having served four years and twomonths, and participating in everycampaign of the Army of the Potomac,from the first battle of Bull Run toAppomattox. Since the war, Gen.Rhodes has received many militaryhonours He was Adjutant of PrescottPost, No. I, in 1867, Commander of thepost the next year, Assistant AdjutantGeneral of the Department of RhodeIsland in 1871, Commander of thedepartment in 1872-3, member of theNational Encampment in 1874-5,senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of G.A. R. in 1877, and Vice President ofthe Army of the Potomac the sameyear, and President of the SecondRhode Island Volunteer Association.He has also been President of theRhode Island Soldiers' and Sailors'Historical Society since its formation,in 1873, and in 1879 was VicePresident of the 6th Army CorpsAssociation. On the re-organization ofthe Rhode Island militia, in that year,he was unanimously elected Brigadier

8

General. He received the appointmentto his present position, as Collector ofU. S. internal revenue of Rhode Island,in 1875. He married, June 12, 1866,Caroline P., daughter of Joshua Hunt,of Providence. Gen. Rhodes hasprepared papers on historical andbiographical subjects upon severaloccasions, and takes an active interestin civil, social and religious affairs.(From the book entitled: "A PopularHistory of New England ContainingHistorical and Descriptive Sketches ofthe Counties, Cities and PrincipalTowns of the Six New England States"Author is R.H. & Henry E. CrockerHowardCrocker & Co. Publishers 1881. Page24-5)

July was a very busy period for ACWSre-enactors. In order to get events thatpay some money to help finance theSociety, projects unfortunately had toaccept bookings at Eynsham inOxfordshire and Silloth in Cumbria on‘back-to-back’ weekends. Sorry aboutthat, but it’s down to the Sponsorsrequirements.

Eynsham, a beautiful village 5 mileswest of Oxford, was a wonderfulweekend. OK, the march through townas part of the village carnival processionwas a lot of stop-start, and was very hot.Enough of us turned up (thank God!) tomean that we did not break our contract,and we got paid. Essentially it wasliving history on Saturday, when notparading or battling in the arena, but itwas a 1 day event and everybody could

Thank you ForEynsham and Silloth

go home, in their own time, on Sunday.The local residents were very pleasantand rumour has it that the beveragessold in the local hostelries were veryacceptable!

We had four cannon, two a side,pyrotechnics and between 30 and 40infantry on each side and had to do a‘wham bam, thank you mam’ battle at 3O’clock and 5 O’clock in the afternoon,which we duly did. Lots of movement,lots of fire power, impressive pyros, lotsof bodies and the cannon (as ever)making the ground tremble. The bigcrowd appreciated the show and wereloud in their praise. Well doneeverybody who attended. Thank YOU !That’s the sort of thing our customerswant. That’s the sort of thing Projectscan sell to event sponsors, now thatACWS is not as big as it used to be.Our artillery might be quite expensiveto run, but they are certainly theimpressive show-stopper at an event.When the guns fire, the crowd notices!

Silloth is a lovely Georgian town andport on the Solway Firth overlooking thesea to Scotland, a long way west ofCarlisle. Our camp site had a belt ofpine trees behind us, then thepromenade and then the sea. Againmay I personally thank all the Memberswho made the effort to travel that farnorth. It was a 2 day multi period puton by the local town council to promotetourism in Silloth. Also there was theLancashire Militia from the English CivilWar, some Vikings and some Romansfrom the VI Legion.

Saturday was Living History and a fewfire power demonstrations in the arena,and talking to the locals and tourists(mainly Scots), with a view to a battle-

9

ette on the Sunday. Our sponsors andthe public were very pleased with usand interested in what we did on theSaturday, and at 10pm, when it wasdusk, all the artillery was laid out alongthe coastal promenade – two ACWScannon and five ECW cannon of varioussorts . A night-time firing session tookplace to the interest and entertainmentof large numbers of people. Quiteimpressive artillery firing at night!

Unfortunately the weather ‘over the hills’towards Scotland was NOT the blazingsunshine of Eynsham the weekendbefore. It was very windy with swirls ofrain. Very early on Sunday morning thewind got up to a howling gale with burstsof torrential rain. A number of our‘happy campers’ woke up before dawnwith their tents blown away. This wasnot a happy experience. I do thank allmembers for their good comradeship,teamwork and patience in rescuing thesituation. Come breakfast virtually allthe tents had to be taken down and allbelongings packed away in vehicles,because the wind was really ratherscary. I have only experienced anACWS event being stopped by badweather once before and that was at astately home in the Midlands at Easter,when a very heavy snow fall stoppedplay half way through the weekend.

Anyway, most of us hung on to see ifeither the weather would improve or theSponsor would cancel the event (so itwasn’t our fault!) and at 11am on theSunday morning – with the wind howlingand the rain pouring down still – theSponsor duly cancelled.

Extraordinary weather. On themotorway going south once you gotpast junction 36 (the

Kendal/Windermere turn) it becamebright and sunny, a very pleasant day.I therefore want to thank, personally,all those stalwart members who wenteither or both to Eynsham and Silloth.Thank you for your support and yourefforts. Well done! Both events, intheir own way, were certainlyexperiences!

Philip ClarkSecretary ACWS

MESSAGE SENT THROUGH OURWEBSITE

Thank you for the display at NorfolkPark, Sheffield, Aug 29/30 2010.I was working as a steward forConstant Security during the eventand had a most enjoyable timethroughout, chatting with interestingpeople and learning not to put myfingers in my ears when the cannonsroared in case I exploded my eardrums!I will particularly remember theyoungsters on the Monday eveningsearching the "battlefield" for spentammunition, especially the young ladwho offered me a doughnut because"I had been kind to him" and the younggirl collecting cases who didn't daretouch her white bonnet because herhands were dirty with soot!They know who they are! Theirparents must be so proud of them, andso they should be.I am a teacher in term time and rarelymeet such pleasant, polite andsociable youngsters. A credit to youall.

Gill FawdreyRotherham

10

Salute For Heroes

The best way to describe the week-end is as a 'Carnival in extremis',a Kirby Hall or Sheffield with muchmore and a serious purpose.With two arenas as well as the mainBattlefield and many static displays,there was so much to see, that I doubtany of our number managed to seeeverything.There were re-enactors from Romans,Vikings, Medieval, English & AmericanCivil Wars and World War II.The highlights for some were the aerialdisplays by a pair of American Mustangfighters, 'The Sally B' - an AmericanB17 bomber (starred in the filmMemphis Belle), and a Spitfire.Also there, to bring things right up datewere The Light Dragoons who returnedfrom Afghanistan in November 2009.Although the Regiment in its currentformat has only existed since 1992 itsroots go back to the mid 1800's and theCrimean, with its antecedents takingpart in The Charge of the Light Brigade.For the event our two Batteries,Rockbridge Artillery and Battery B, 2ndUS Artillery operated as a singleArtillery Brigade under the commandof Major Tim Davies with myself actingas Brigade Sergeant Major.As it had not been possible to completerepairs to one of the Societies guns ourthanks go to Nat Henson who broughtalong his gun to complete our eight gunBattery.As ACWS we were engaged to takepart in a "Heroes, warriors, weaponsand firepower through the ages"display and the "Salute for Heroes"finale.For the firepower through the agesdisplay, our colleagues from SoSkan

put out an Infantry Company supportedby ACWS Artillery.On Saturday we put out Union Artillery,in support of Confederate Infantry, andthen on Sunday in support of UnionInfantry our Confederate Artillery.On both days some of our number tookpart in the ACW battle display, forwhich SoSkan had been engaged.Some joined in as Infantry, othershelped man one of their artillery pieces.On Sunday Morning some of ourmembers attended the DrumheadService, continuing our regularSunday activities, along with severalother groups of re-enactors.The major part of our involvement wasas part of each days Finale."A Salute for Heroes"This was to include a parade of allparticipants, British Legion Standards,a mass volley of musketry, Last Post,Piper's Lament, Minute's silence, aMustang fly past and a 21 gun cannonsalute.On Saturday we actually had 23 gunsarranged in line along the ridge of thebattlefield area overlooking the wholesite. (On Sunday an ECWS gun had tobe stood down so only 22 took part.)We owe our thanks to CorporalMallinson, The Light Dragoons, whohelped when staging the guns bycarrying tools, buckets and limberchests up the hill with his tractor &trailer.The plan was to fire four rounds, thefirst as a mass salvo, two 'rolling fire'and a final salvo.The problem of giving the 'fire' order toa line of guns extending over 300 yardswas solved by our own Major Daviesusing a flag to give the command.

11

The sight and sound of all those gunswas awesome from behind the line,one can only imagine the effect in front.We did receive reports that it had beenheard over 8 miles away!On the first day after the salute wewere busy parking the cannon but onthe Sunday we left the guns, marched'double time' to join in the final marchpast.During the march we paid our respectsto not only other re-enactors but alsoto the British Legion Standards andour current armed forces, The LightDragoons.Accolades for the efforts of ACWScame from our fellow re-enactors -SoSkan and the ECWS gunners andalso the main event organisers as wellas Event Plan.After discussions we believe that thiswas the greatest number of BlackPowder Muzzle Loading Artilleryarranged in Battery in Modern Times.It is hoped that this event may be puton again in two years time and, if so,we should attempt to beat this possible'record'.We have heard that the overall eventdid not reach the visitor numbersexpected and we will have to wait tohear the financial outcome, but all whoattended both re-enactors and visitorswill have an event to remember for along time - and more importantly all ina Good cause.

Those attending the event:-

1st Maryland    Colin Evans2nd S.Carolina     Jack Solomon4thTexas   Antoon Jansen, RobYarkerRockbridge Artilery Jessica BarrMartyn Clarke,    Sandra Evans,    DaveLongstreet,    Jason Savage ,    MichaelSavage,    Andy White

19th Indiana CharlesElwood,     Gerry Preston69th New YorkPeter Holt,     Val HoltUS Signals Andy Hopwood2nd US Artillery, Battery BJohn Bennett,     Linda Calligan,Angela Cross,    Martin Cross,Jack Enright ,    Hilary Haynes,Nat Henson ,    Mark Isam,Alison Nightingale ,    Glyn Nightingale,Dean Payne,     Robert Payne,Sam Payne,    Shannon Payne,Alan ShatfordUS StaffCaz Carnell     Tim DaviesRaoul Hesse-PhillipsonCivilianGeoff Calligan

Submitted by Martin CrossBattery B

WANTED

DRUM MAJOR

Due to family commitments, ‘Steady’Eddy Ellison has had to resign his postas Drum Major, therefore ACWS areon the lookout for a musician who canplay drums and bugle and can teachup and coming young musicians in theart of military music.

If you fit the bill, speak to your armycommander.

The Board would like to thank JohnFairfield for stepping into the breechthis year.

12

SPETCHLEY PARK

13

SHEFFIELD FAYRE

14

victories won for Sheridan a commis-sion as brigadier general.On the morning of October 19, Earlycounterattacked at Cedar Creek anddrove the Federal force back in confu-sion. At that time Sheridan was return-ing from a conference in WashingtonD.C. Reaching Winchester, 20 miles(32 kilometres) away, he learned ofthe turn of events. Speedily he rodeforward and reorganized the Uniontroops. At 3 PM his forces attackedand drove the Confederates 30 miles(48 kilometres) up the valley. For thisSheridan was made a major generaland received the thanks of Congress.In March 1865 Sheridan rejoined theArmy of the Potomac. At Five Forks heentrapped and routed George EdwardPickett's troops, causing the Confed-erates to abandon Petersburg. WhenGen. Robert E. Lee started to retreat,Sheridan's cavalry blocked the Con-federate escape route at AppomattoxCourt House. This forced Lee to sur-render.After the war Sheridan was placed incommand in the Southwest near theMexican border. Later he headed theDepartment of Missouri, with head-quarters in Chicago. During the greatChicago fire of 1871, Sheridan'stroops helped maintain order in thecity.In 1870 Sheridan served as the Amer-ican military observer with the Prus-sian army in the Franco-Prussian War.In 1884 he succeeded Sherman asgeneral in chief of the United StatesArmy. He received the rank of generala few months before his death.Sheridan died on Aug. 5, 1888, inNonquitt, Mass.

PHILIP SHERIDAN, (1831-88).

Philip Sheridan ranks with Ulysses S.Grant and William T. Sherman as oneof the three great Union commandersof the American Civil War. Of the threehe was the only one who devoted hiswhole life to the United States Army.Philip Henry Sheridan was born inAlbany, N.Y. His parents had settledthere after emigrating from Ireland.Soon after his birth the family movedto Perry County, Ohio. The MexicanWar prompted Sheridan to become asoldier. He secured an appointment tothe United States Military Academy atWest Point, N.Y., graduating fromthere in 1853.Sheridan was a first lieutenant whenthe American Civil War began. Distin-guished service brought him rapid pro-motions. When Grant took commandof the United States Army in 1864, hegave Sheridan command of the caval-ry of the Army of the Potomac. Duringthe Wilderness campaign of 1864Sheridan aided Grant by destroyingConfederate lines of communication.In July 1864 a strong Confederateforce under Jubal Early drove the Fed-eral Army from the Shenandoah Val-ley in north western Virginia. Sheridanwas given command of the area. Hedefeated Early at Winchester andagain at Fisher's Hill, driving the Con-federates back to Staunton. These

15

For the Lady Re enactor.

I have thought for some time now thatthe Ladies of the society seem to beleft out. I plan to put that right byhaving a ‘Ladies’ Page. We have allheard of WAGS, and it was suggestedthat it should be called ’SWAGS(Soldiers Wives and Girlfriends) ‘but itsounded too much like “WAGS” then Ithought maybe we could call it ‘SLAGS’now don’t get upperty. ‘Soldier’s LadiesAnd Girlfriends’, but I thought better ofit. If you have any suggestions I amopen to suggestionsThings have come a long way since Ibecame a re enactor 13 years ago.Back then a long skirt and shirt tuckedin was considered sufficient for a ladyto wear. Patterns for period correctdresses were very thin on the groundin the UK. How things have changed,but are we getting it right? We like theromance of hoops and frills, but arepractical on the field?Over the next few issues of thenewsletter I hope to give some tipstaken from a very useful bookletpublished by Donna Abraham, whoruns the store called ‘Abarham’s Lady’in Gettysburg, which specialises inLadies clothing for the 1860’s. Thosewho have been to Gettysburg will havespent many happy hours in the storetrying on the dresses and bonnets andmay have spent many of their dearhusband’s hard earned cash too, Iknow I have and I am looking forwardto doing it all again very soon. Donnagraciously gave her permission toreproduce articles from her booklet‘How to Avoid Farbiness.’. Anythingyou see printed in italics is a quote fromthe booklet.

So I will start with some advice fromDonna for those of you who are new tore enacting and maybe some of us whohave been doing our hobby for a longtime might need to refresh ourmemories.“First of all look at old period photos.You will find that the clothes are not asfancy as you see in French Fashionbooks. Think about the colours youwear. Light colours tend to show thedirt. In camp it will rain, the morningdew will saturate your hemline, andother delightful messy situations awaityou near the camp fire etc…Do not go running off for the first prettypastel dress for ordinary day wear yousee. If it makes you look like acharacter in ‘Gone with the Wind’ 10 to1 it is not correct! Just because youbought it at a sutler’s store does notmake it right. Let the Buyer Beware.Some sutler’s don’t care that it is notperiod correct, all they want to do isfatten their purse with you hard earnedmoney. Another thing to consider, is it100% cotton? Polymix is not authentic,but it is a fire hazard. Polymix burnsat a lower temperature than cotton andthe resin clings to the skin. Don’tbecome a statistic.”If the clothes are to fit you have todress correctly from the inside out.This means chemise, pantalletes,corset, petticoat a small hoop an overpetticoat.It may be advisable to leave the hoopoff if you are cooking over a campfire.A word about hoped petticoats. “ Hugecircus tent hoops belong on ScarletO’Hara. Research shows hoops wereusually 90-110 inches incircumference. Although up to 120inches has been reported for a ballgown, anything over that is ‘Hollywood’

16

Sojourner Truth 1797(?)-l883Born Isabella Baumfree, SojournerTruth was one of the earliest and mostpassionate of female abolitionists-forshe herself had once been a slave. In

the 1820s, when still quite a youngwoman, she escaped from her NewYork owner after being brutallytreated and sold away from herfamily. By the 1840s, Truth hadbecome a powerful speaker againstslavery, often moving her audiencesto tears and exclamations of horrorwith her firsthand accounts of whatmany of her black brethren andsisters were enduring at the hands ofcruel masters. She would telllisteners of how some slaves werekept cowed and afraid to act bybeatings, sometimes with spikedsticks and chains; she herself, as ateenager, had been taken into thebarn by her master one afternoon forabsolutely no reason and tied up bythe wrists. Then he tore the shirtfrom her back and whipped her witha bundle of sticks until her back bled.In a voice contemporaries describedas rich and deep, she described howshe refused to give him thesatisfaction of screaming, byclenching her fists so hard herfingernails drew blood from herpalms.She also spoke of the livingconditions many slaves were forcedto endure, crowded together intocabins with no privacy, overworked,fed scraps in many cases, andclothed in threadbare hand-me-downs. Her audiences must have feltthe shame as Truth recalled theauction block, upon which men andwomen alike were frequently forcedto strip and stand before potentialbuyers, who would search theirbodies for marks of the whip or ofwrist or leg irons, the presence ofwhich would indicate the slave hadbeen frequently punished. The

Remember you are portraying a MidVictorian woman. Back then if youreached the age of 30, you wereclassed as Middle aged and expecteddress according to your age. Leavethe pastel colours to the young. Darkcolours are much more serviceable forcamp. You can dress up a plain dresswith collars, cuffs and belts, which canbe removed for washing if you are notgoing to wash the dress after everyevent.

Val HoltEditorWith extracts from ‘How to AvoidFarbiness’ by Donna Abraham

17

slaves would be forced to endureimpersonal and degrading inspectionsof their teeth, muscles, and other bodyparts, depending on what the buyerwas looking for in the purchase.Truth was self-educated, and much ofher speaking bore the stamp of a deeplove of and acquaintance withScripture. When explaining to HarrietBeecher Stowe how she came tochange her name, Truth said she feltGod had called her "to travel up anddown the land, showing the peopletheir sins and being a sign unto them."She also possessed a quick wit,coupled with an ability to think fast andturn the unkind words of othersagainst them. Facing a heckler oncewho told her he did not care for heranti-slavery talk anymore than hewould for the bite of a flea, Truthretorted, "Perhaps not, but Lord willingI'll keep you scratching."She was very involved in politicalcauses, and strongly supportedsuffrage. During the Civil War, shegathered supplies for black volunteerregiments, and, in tribute to her efforts,was received at the White House byPresident Lincoln in 1864. Truth wasappointed to the National Freedman'sRelief Association in 1864, where sheworked diligently to better conditionsfor African-Americans.She lived long enough to see herpeople brought to freedom, but neverstopped in her efforts to win moreequality for them. Right up until herdeath, in Battle Creek, Michigan, shecontinued to speak out for her race;when she died in 1883, she went toher grave a much lamented andbeloved figure in abolitionist lore.

Projects Report Cont

There are excellent facilities on site,flushing loos, water, cafe and an areafor family camping. Fire wood will besupplied for Living History but suggestbringing a little of your own for theevening blaze.

Whilst there is plenty of room at thevenue it would be useful to know ofexpected attendance so that an area’scan be allocated for the authenticcamps.

Martin Clark of The Rockbridge Artilleryhas kindly volunteered and will beliaison with the site management andassisting Andy Hopwood with therunning of the event.

Not forgetting what really is the lastevent of the year:4th December - ACWS AGM &CHRISTMAS PARTY -The ACWS Annual General Meetingand The Christmas Party are to be heldon the same day at the The NauticalClub, 5-6 Bishopsgate Street,Birmingham, B15 1ET, on Saturday 4thDecember 2010.

The AGM will be held in the afternoonat 1 PM and the Dance in the eveningfrom 7.30 PM until midnight.

See you soon

Andy Hopwood and Viv Corbishley,

The Projects Team

18

The Confederate commander in thevalley, Jubal Early, had lost half of hisarmy in two earlier defeats (3rd Battleof Winchester, 19 September 1864and Fisher’s Hill, 22 September1864). Sheridan and Grant were nowconvinced that the valley campaignwas over, and began to plan how tomove Sheridan’s men to theRichmond and Petersburg theatre.Grant preferred an overland routethrough Virginia, while Sheridanfavoured using the Potomac,suspecting that while Early was down,he was not entirely out. Before CedarCreek, the Federal Sixth Corps hadactually started to move east.Sheridan was right. While the Federalcommanders were debating how tomove troops from the valley, Lee wasmoving troops into it. Kershaw’sDivision was sent west to reinforceEarly, who estimated his strength atCedar’s Creek at about 8,500 infantry,1,200 cavalry and 40 pieces ofartillery. Sheridan’s force stillnumbered around 40,000 men(although some were scattered ingarrisons around the valley).Early’s new army reoccupied Fisher’sHill on 13 October. This had theimmediate effect of pulling the FederalSixth Corps back to Cedar Creek(where Sheridan's army wasencamped). However, Sheridan wasnot alarmed enough to rush back tohis army. Instead, he attended aconference in Washington, andovernight on 18-19 October wassleeping at Winchester, fourteen milesnorth of his army.

That left General Wright in charge ofthe army. He was convinced that hisleft flank was protected by the NorthFork of the Shenandoah River, and soconcentrated his efforts on protectinghis right, where he expected anyattack to come. He was wrong. TheConfederates knew the valley well,and on the night of 19 October madea night march around the Federal left.Early that morning, the Confederateslaunched their attack.It was an immediate and spectacularsuccess. The Federal Eighth Corpswas hit first, and retreated in chaos.Next was the Nineteenth Corps, whichwas also pushed out of its camp,although in slightly better condition.Finally, the Sixth Corps was forcedback by the Confederate rush,although this time in reasonably goodorder. By mid-morning most of Early’smen thought that they had won a greatvictory.This was when Early’s day started togo sour. The Federal Sixth Corps hadnot routed, and was able to form astrong line north of the battlefield.Elements of the Nineteenth Corpsbegan to form around them, and by10.30 this new line was probably toostrong for Early’s men to attack withany chance of success. At the sametime, many of the Confederatesoldiers settled down to looting theUnion camp. Early was later to blamethis for his eventual defeat.Worse was to come. Sheridan hadbeen woken early by the sound ofartillery from the south. At first hedismissed it as too light to indicate abattle, but soon changed his mind, andbegan what was to become hisfamous ride from Winchester. Just

Battle of Cedar Creek 1864.

19

south of Winchester, Sheridan foundthe first evidence of the disaster atCedar Creek – fleeing men, mostly ofthe Eighth Corps, desperate to get tosafety.Sheridan was about to secure hisreputation. Riding south, he rallied asmany men as he could, stoppingwhenever he encountered a largegroup of retreating soldiers toencourage them to turn south. By thetime he reached the new Union line, atabout 10.30, he had turned the tide ofretreat. Over the next five hours,Sheridan reorganised his shatteredarmy, in preparation for acounterattack. He was always at hisbest in a crisis, and this was thebiggest crisis he faced while incommand of an army. Very few othercommanders on either side couldhave rallied an army that had sufferedsuch a reverse in the morning andpersuaded them to launch acounterattack on the very same day.That counterattack went in at four inthe afternoon. Early’s men briefly held,but broke under the Federal attackand fled from the field. Once again,Sheridan suffered more losses thatEarly, but once again he could affordto. Early lost 320 dead, 1540wounded, 1050 missing and captured,43 guns and most of his supplies –perhaps as much as a third of hisentire force. Sheridan’s men lost 644dead, 3430 wounded and 1591missing and wounded, demonstratingthe ferocity of the fighting. Even so,that still left him outnumbering Early byas much as five to one.Despite this, Early and theConfederates did not flee the valley.While Sheridan spent the winter at

Kernstown, Early camped at NewMarket, where he received a smallnumber of reinforcements. Sheridanwas finally able to dispatch most of hisinfantry to the Petersburg front. Hewas to have one more encounter withEarly, at Waynesborough (2 March1865), but after Cedar Creek most ofthe Shenandoah Valley waseffectively lost to the Confederacy.

Belle Grove PlantationCedar Creek Virginia

The History of Belle Grove begins withthe German immigration into theShenandoah Valley of Virginia. In1732, Jost Hite, his partner RobertMcKay, and 16 families journeyed tothe northern Valley to settle on 140,000acres obtained in two land grants. Agrandson of Jost Hite was Major IsaacHite Jr, who attended William and MaryCollege and served in the ContinentalArmy during the Revolutionary War. In1783, his father gave him and his brideNelly Conway Madison, sister of afuture President of the United States,the 483 acres on which Belle Grovehouse was later built. In 1794,construction began, and wascompleted in 1797. The mansion wasbuilt with limestone quarried on theproperty, and, as was customary in thatday, was intended to display theowners' social and financial status.

20

Pierre Gustave ToutantBeauregard(1818-1893)

The services of "The Hero of FortSumter," Pierre G.T. Beauregard, werenot utilized to their fullest due to badblood between the Confederategeneral and Jefferson Davis. Thenative Louisianan had graduatedsecond in the 1838 class at West Point.There he had become a great admirerof Napoleon and was nicknamed "TheLittle Napoleon." Posted to the artillery,he was transferred to the engineers aweek later. As a staff officer withWinfield Scott in Mexico he won twobrevets and was wounded at bothChurubusco and Chapultepec. In theinterwar years he was engaged inclearing the Mississippi River ofobstructions. In 1861 he served theshortest term ever-January 23-28 assuperintendent at West Point.Southern leanings probably resulted inhis prompt removal. On February 20,1861, he resigned his captaincy in theengineers and offered his services tothe South.

His Confederate assignmentsincluded: brigadier general, CSA(March 1, 1861); commandingCharleston Harbor (March 3 - May 27,1861); commanding Alexandria LineJune 2-20, 1861); commanding Armyof the Potomac June 20 - July 20,1861); commanding Ist Corps, Army ofthe Potomac July 20 - October 22,1861); general, CSA (August 31, 1861to rank from July 21); commandingPotomac District, Department ofNorthern Virginia (October 22, 1861 -January 29, 1862); commanding Armyof the Mississippi (March 17-29 andApril 6 - May 7, 1862); second incommand, Army of the Mississippi andDepartment Y2 (March 29-April 6,1862); commanding the department(April 6 - June 17, 1862); commandingDepartment of South Carolina, Georgiaand Florida (August 29, 1862 - April 20,1864); commanding Department ofNorth Carolina and Southern Virginia(April 22-ca. September 23, 1864);commanding Military Division of theWest (October 17, 1864-March 16,1865); and second in command, Armyof Tennessee (March 16-April 26,1865).

Placed in charge of the South Carolinatroops in Charleston Harbor, he wonthe nearly bloodless victory at FortSumter. "The Little Creole" was hailedthroughout the South. Ordered toVirginia, he commanded the forcesopposite Washington and created theConfederate Army of the Potomac.Reinforced by Joseph E. Johnston andhis Army of the Shenandoah,Beauregard was reduced to corpscommand under Johnston the daybefore 1st Bull Run. However, duringthe battle Beauregard, being familiar

21

with the field, exercised tacticalcommand while Johnston forwardedtroops to the threatened left. Bothofficers later claimed that they couldhave taken the Union capital if theyhad been properly supplied withrations for their men. This was one ofBeauregard's first conflicts with Davis.Nonetheless he was named a fullgeneral from the date of the battle andearly in 1862 was sent to the West asAlbert Sidney Johnston's second incommand.

Utilizing Napoleonic style, he draftedthe attack orders for Shiloh and tookcommand when Johnston was mortallywounded on the first day of the battle.On the evening of the first day he letvictory slip through his fingers bycalling off the attacks. Controversyover his decision has raged to this day.The next day he was driven from thefield by Grant's and Buell's combinedarmies. He was eventually forced toevacuate Corinth, Mississippi-hissupply base in the face of Henry W.Halleck's overwhelming force. Shortlyafter that he went on sick leave withoutgaining Davis' permission; he waspermanently relieved of his army anddepartmental commands on June 27,1862, by special direction of thepresident.

Two months later he returned to thescene of his earlier triumph ascommander along the Southern coastfrom the North Carolina-SouthCarolina line to the tip of Florida. Heheld this command for over a year anda half and was engaged in thedetermined defence of Charlestonagainst naval and ground forces.Ordered north, he took command in

North Carolina and southern Virginiawhile Lee faced Grant in northernVirginia. Gradually the two forces werepushed together in an awkwardcommand arrangement.

Beauregard managed to bottle upBenjamin F. Butler in the BermudaHundred lines after defeating him atDrewry's Bluff. This was Beauregard'sfinest performance of the war. At thispoint he started making grandioseproposals for defeating both Butler andGrant and invading the North by takinga large part of Lee's army with him.This resulted in lengthycorrespondence between the twocommanders and the Richmondauthorities. Beauregard also managedto thwart the early Union attempts totake Petersburg while Lee was stillnorth of the James River. With thesiege of the city under way, hecontinued to serve under Lee untilSeptember 1864 when he wasassigned to overall command in theWest with John B. Hood's Army ofTennessee and Richard Taylor'sDepartment of Alabama, Mississippiand East Louisiana under him. With noforces under his immediate commandhe was powerless in trying to stopSherman's March to the Sea.

In the final days of the war he wasagain second in command to JosephE. Johnston, this time in NorthCarolina. Following the capitulation hereturned to New Orleans and refusedhigh rank in the Egyptian andRumanian armies. Engaged inrailroading, his reputation wastarnished by his association with theLouisiana Lottery as a supervisor. Fora time he was Louisiana's adjutant

22

general, and he engaged in historicalwriting including his

A Commentary on the Campaign andBattle of Manassas.

(Williams, T. Harry, P.G.T.Beauregard, Napoleon in Gray)

ACWS PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION 2010

Once again A.C.W.S. will be running the photographiccompetition in 2010.

The prize for the winner is a year'sfree membership of ACWS for 2011.

Keep those cameras clicking and enter your best photos.Details will be published in the newsletter and on the website

at a later dateWhy not send some of your photos to me for inclusion in the newsletter. If you

have a tale to tell so much the better.Val HoltEditor

Mama’s

Mutterings

Well here we are with another seasonalmost behind us. It does not seemtwo minutes since I was writing aboutlooking forward to a new season. Timeflies by when you are enjoying yourself,and we have had some wonderfulevents this year.

Our return to Rockingham, Sewerbyand Stanford Hall were all goodevents. Eynsham was a lovely littleevent, the beautiful weather helpedtoo. Those who went to Silloth haveother memories, which were not quite

so pleasant, in fact the weather wasthe worst I have ever experienced fora re enactment, but Silloth itself wasvery nice. The setting was good. Flatclean grass and the widest streets, stillcobbled too. The buildings had alovely Georgian elegance of a bygoneage.

As I write this I am looking forward toanother visit to Tatton Old Hall, and avisit to Ingleton. A new venue forACWS, but a place I know well fromvisits there in my younger days. Thecountryside is wonderful and the air isclean and fresh. Let’s hope that thegood weather holds.

The AGM and Dance return toBirmingham this year. The 69th NYwere involved with the St Patrick’sparade there this year and JayneOlden organised a lunch for us at theNautical Club. It seems to be a verynice place, with plenty of room for ourpurposes.

See you all SoonVal Holt, Editor.

All newsletter correspondence should be sent to: - Val Holt Editor E-mail address Editor@acws.co.uk or send to

PO Box 52, Brighouse, West Yorkshire HD6 1JQ Web Site: - http://www.acws.co.uk

Copy date for the Next Issue will be 31st Dec 2010 for the next issue All advertisement & editorial copy should be sent by the above date

THE EDITOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALL ARTICLESBEFORE PUBLICATION, FOR SPELLING, GRAMMAR, DECENCY OR

LENGTH ARTICLES AND VIEWS PRINTED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ARENOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE A.C.W.S LTD.

24

4th December -2010

ACWS AGM & CHRISTMAS PARTY

The ACWS AGM and Dance are to be held on at the

The Nautical Club, 5-6 Bishopsgate Street, Birmingham, B15 1ET,

On

Saturday 4th December 2010.

The AGM will be held in the afternoon

at 1 PM

and the Dance in the evening

from 7.30 PM until midnight.

Tickets £9 (includes food)

from Jayne Olden at Westpoint Sutlers,

And at Singing In Points at events