Assault on Allegheny - Federal Reenactor Info

Pridgeon’s Shenandoah Legion & The Highland Historical Society are proud to present

ASSAULT ON ALLEGHENY!!

July 24 – 26, 2009 in Bartow, WV

For Reenactors:

• Main
• Intro
• General Information
• Event Regulations
• Registration Form
• Federal Reenactor Info
• Confederate Reenactor Info

Useful Info:

• Directions
• History & Links
• Attendee List

Concepts and overview for Union forces

Our emphasis as Federals at Assault on Allegheny is going to be on giving reenactors as much time in 1861 as possible, with emphasis on carrying out the same activities as Civil War soldiers using the same tools, materials and techniques they did. The expectations and standards here are in support of this primary, overarching goal.

Infantry Companies

Infantry companies will be no smaller than 23 men. This allows for sixteen privates, four corporals, two sergeants, and one officer. This allows for each corporal to have a minimum “guard” of four men. Larger companies may add appropriate NCOs and officers as necessary. If companies “show” fewer than what would be considered an operational infantry unit, they may be consolidated for field service with another. This will be up to the discretion of the Infantry commander upon consultation of the units in question.

The nature of the ground offers greater opportunities for individual captains to operate their companies than the whole regiment in line of battle. Companies will be charged with advanced guard, skirmish, rear guard, and flanker duties. We will be setting a grand guard Saturday evening, rotating companies on the line of outposts/sentinels to maintain their integrity. We will not be forming a grand guard by taking individuals from the companies to form a separate guard. Every soldier will have the opportunity to serve as a sentinel.

Artillerymen:

Milroy took along 75 artillerymen without guns for the planned purpose of taking over the “captured” Confederate guns at Camp Allegheny. Individuals choosing to portray artillerymen will be organized depending upon the number of attendees. The impression should reflect the light artillery of 1861. Implements were not likely carried, as the caliber of the Confederate guns was not known. However, items such as fuse pouches, vent prick pouches, and despiking equipment was likely on-hand. Individuals choosing to do this impression will not be required to fall in ranks with the infantry companies. Also, individuals choosing this impression must be pre-approved by the federal commander.

Infantry Regiments

All Federal forces will be formed into one regiment. Our portrayal will be the 9th Indiana Volunteers. The command and staff is as follows:

• Colonel: Scot Buffington
• Lt. Col.: S. Chris Anders
• Major: Mark Herzog
• Adjutant: Kim Perlotto
• Sergeant Major: Dan Czereputsko
• Officer of the Day: Andrew Dangel
• Principal Musician: TBD
• Regimental Clerk/s: TBD

The regiment will be organized into “wings.” The companies will be divided between the LTC and Major. Though not entirely keeping with traditional organization of the armies 1861-1865, this organization is most practical due to the nature of the ground, scenarios, and logistics.

Command

Line and field officers serve at Assault on Allegheny only with the approval of the federal commander, and only in functional capacities. Professional-level expertise and world-class kit are not necessary; a willingness to function as realistically as possible, coupled with willingness to focus on the experience itself, are more important. The approval function for company officers will be delegated to regimental commanders at the time regiments are justified by the numbers of people registered and authorized by the federal commander.

All officers will need to review material sent from the federal command staff regarding operations and unit impressions. Particular unit impressions will be mutually agreed upon by the federal commander and authorized regimental commanders.

Some general points about the event

The federal commander reserves the right to return the federal registration of anyone whose actions do not support the event's overall goals.

1. The event hosts reserve the right to have anachronistic or inappropriate items removed, adjusted or replaced. b. All soldiers must register, pay the registration fee, and sign all required waivers. The registration form this year includes a request for additional information to help us organize things more effectively, and it also includes the following statement:

   "I understand that the success of the federal effort at Assault on Allegheny requires individuals who are willing to support each other. I understand that my actions may affect the reenacting experience of others and will respect their desire for a fulfilling experience."

2. All soldiers are expected to support the spirit of the event by wearing period clothing from 6 p.m. Friday until departure Sunday afternoon. All are expected to respect the desire of other participants to engage in first-person experiences.
3. All participants are encouraged to develop first-person impressions appropriate to the event.
4. Direction of all military scenarios, activity schedules and authenticity standards is the responsibility of the event military coordinators (R. Denton as event organizer and the federal and confederate battalion/division commanders), who have authoritative oversight in these matters.

Camps:

The Federal forces during the Assault on Allegheny segment of the Valley Campaign were still traveling relatively "heavy" using baggage wagons, etc. (One account cites an average of 14 to 15 wagons per regiment) , therefore fixed camps will be both allowed and encouraged.

In keeping with the general styles of this period of the war, the following are encouraged:

1. All uniforms must be of period styles: this means, in general, dark blue wool jackets, frock and sack coats; forage caps; black slouch or (limited) civilian hats; sky blue wool kersey trousers and greatcoats; merino wool, cotton or linen shirts; and single color wool socks of natural or subdued hues.
2. Shoes must be reproductions of period army footwear, either brogans or boots. No gaiters, please, and definitely no bare feet.
3. Officers uniforms should reflect those worn in 1861. Frock coats and dark blue trousers are encouraged. Shoulder boards are mandatory. Sashes are encouraged. Gauntlets are to be worn only by those who would normally be mounted. Officers may carry pistols. However, pistols were not a normal a part of an infantry officer’s equipment. Most carried small revolvers if any. Infantry officers should avoid cavalry accouterments.
4. Only "standard" uniforms as might have been worn on this campaign may be worn. Zouave, chasseur, militia, foreign, marine, etc. were not present and these portrayals will not be allowed.
5. In the spirit of the boys of ’61, It is highly encouraged that all troops arrive with their brasses polished and accoutrements and footwear blackened. It is an often-missing element in many of the best impressions. Soldiers were very often ordered to “polish up” while in garrison. Many of the soldiers did this on their own, as a point of pride. This will help the individual get into the character of the early-war soldiers
6. In general the hosts retain the right to request participants to make adjustments to their impressions to meet the needs of the event. Federal reenactors must also comply with the overall event regulations.Click here for a detailed account of the Federal Uniform Guidelines.
7. All participants in Union units must be 16 years of age or older in order to serve with a firearm. All participants regardless of age must demonstrate proficiency at drill and knowledge of blackpowder firearms safety in order to participate in any drill, demonstration, tactical or battle scenario involving discharge of such arms.