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It's always hard to explain what these events do and how they differ from traditional reenactments and tacticals. Into the Wilderness is set in a historical scenario like a reenactment, but the outcome depends on the actions of the commanders, as in a tactical. Unlike what we know as a tactical, the Recon events are like Army training exercises of the kind known as "force on force." Each maneuver force (small brigades) receives an objective - secure a road junction, for example - and operates under realistic rules. Each battalion has an O/C (observer/controller) team that keeps things safe and realistic and provides an evaluation after the exercise. Companies and battalions begin forming months before the event. Commanders are encouraged to focus on their companies, battalions, or brigades and concern themselves with preparation and execution of their missions, not the details of running the event. The exercise runs continuously - there are no scheduled breaks, no social events. We assure that everybody has the chance to get adequate sleep, but it's at least 30 hours of tactical operations.
The
event will be held on 30 April-2 May 2004. Participants should make every effort
to arrive no later than Friday night; those who arrive early will have special
activities to keep them busy -- reconnoitering, security for mapping parties,
and engineer work.
This year, the scenario is based on a Federal advance up the Orange Plank Road on May 5, 1864 - the advance into the Wilderness. The site is near Brandy Station, Virginia near the Rappahannock River, on ground that closely matches the area around Germanna Ford on the Rapidan. Click here for the terrain map and images page.
Please click here for directions to the site.
This is a campaign-style event.
There are no refreshment stands. There will be a few high-quality sutlers, but
they will be open for business on Friday only - after that, you
are on campaign. You will be issued rations. This is now routine at many events,
but you should be prepared to cook them efficiently if you haven't had the experience
before. After breaking camp early Saturday morning, you will not be bedding
down in tents again. You may be able to set up shebangs, you may do no more
than rest on arms. Be sure you can do this comfortably. (There will be camps
of instruction put on by several organizations between now and ITW if you need
to get proficient.) The maneuver site is large, scenic, and without distraction.
However, the Wilderness battle area is a large tract of very dense second growth
(like the original ground) - if you were part of the Friday tactical at Grant
v. Lee a few years ago, you fought over a very small part of it. It's tough
going. The rest of the area is beautiful fields and woods and hedgerows, but
the Wilderness is ugly as Death chewing on a cracker. Count on spending some
time in a place without much of a view.
You should also know that the health and safety regulations for CWLHI-sponsored
events are somewhat more stringent than you are used to following. Most important,
no alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the property, carried or consumed.
This is strictly enforced. You will be under arms and subject to being called
to battle at any time, and for that reason no alcohol is permitted.
First, you should be a serious reenactor.
Into the Wilderness is designed to be an enjoyable event if you want to learn
more about what it meant to be a soldier on campaign, but there is a cost. If
you go to events mostly to sit around the fire and drink and joke, you will
be disappointed.
If you enjoy McDowell or other quality authentic events, you will be at home
here. It's not just for people who think of themselves as campaigners - it's
for people who really want to learn and have a good, authentic time; people
who will make a real effort to follow the rules and do their best.
Like the Wilderness, this event is principally for infantry. Small numbers of cavalry will be permitted for scouting, security, and courier duty. We will post a link to the cavalry coordinator for further information. We will accommodate artillery ONLY if it is horse drawn. Waggoners and muleskinners will be recruited separately. Civilians will be allowed in small numbers subject to the approval of the civilian coordinator (click here for details).
The major force commanders are Dave Culberson (US) and Dave Pridgeon (CS).
How
will units be organized?Battalions are organizing around existing groups; others are forming around the core of an interested group of companies. Individuals and units may register, but they must be assigned to a forming battalion as early as possible. The reason is that commanders have authority to form and prepare their battalions, and responsibility to see that they are ready for the event. "Walk-on" units will be lost. We'll help you find a home if you haven't already got one.
Battalions will represent historical regiments - for example, the 7th Maine and 14th Tennessee are already forming. The commanders will work with units on training, impression (commanders are encouraged to research their regiments and use the results for impression details) and assure that their organizations don't just arrive as a gang of strangers with different standards and expectations.
Standards are based on "reasonable accuracy," and are similar to those at events like McDowell. There are basic authenticity standards for each side (US standards and CS standards). In addition, force commanders (US-Duke Culberson and CS-Dave Pridgeon) are responsible for devising, posting, and enforcing their own additional or more specific uniform standards; links are posted from this site to individual commands for details. An event Assistant Inspector General (Bill Watson) will coordinate impression and inspection procedures.
The basic fee is $25, which includes
rations; water and sanitary facilities; horses, wagons, and mules; site preparation;
minor operating overhead; small radios for controllers; and donation to preservation.
Click here to register.
A fixed percentage of the registration fee ($3 out of the $25 basic fee) goes directly to the Civil War Preservation Trust. In addition, we will have a $1 a person drawing for a framed and signed Troiani print ("Garry Owen"), all proceeds going to the Trust.
If you have specific enquiries about this event, contact information@cwlhi.org.
Selected Images Courtesy of Civil War Image Database, Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War, Virginia Center for Digital History, University of Virginia (http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/).
