2007 NESHAMINY, “The Spring of ‘62”
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you for participating as Confederate soldiers and civilians at this year’s Neshaminy Reenactment. This year we will be doing two scripted scenarios.
This weekend, we will be doing a portion of the Battle of Cross Keys. We will portray the 13th. Virginia, 25th. Virginia, 15th. Alabama, and the 21st. Georgia. During the Saturday scenario, we will be attacked by the Federals from the woods to the left of the spectator viewing area. We will be pushed back to roughly the area of the old breastworks, where we will hold and finally counterattack. This attack will be repulsed and we will be forced to fall back, ending the scenario. On Sunday, we take roughly the same positions we held on Saturday, at the end of the scenario. The scenario will start with heavy skirmish fighting. Various units will be rotated into the skirmish line during this period. At the conclusion of the scenario we will push the Federals back to their Saturday start point. No Confederate soldier will advance closer than 30 yards from the Federals. There will be no hand to hand combat during these scenarios.
Please note, these movements are not designed to exactly match the action during the actual battle of Cross Keys, but are designed to better use the spectator viewing area and allow better use of all branches of the Army.
Please note, there will be non-scripted tacticals prior to the scripted scenarios on both Saturday and Sunday. These tacticals have nothing to do with the scripted scenarios. They are for our enjoyment, and the success or failure of the tactical is based on our efforts. Saturday’s tactical is just prior to the scripted scenario. Following the tactical, we will regroup and reorganize in the big field out of sight of the Spectators. We will utilize the “River Path” to get in position for the scripted scenario. Please consider the field in front of the Spectator Line as the stage where we are putting on a show. Please avoid any Farby behavior when you are on stage in front of the Spectators. The tactical on Sunday takes place at 10:00 AM and ends at 11:15 AM. We will move directly from our camps for Sunday’s scripted afternoon scenario.
Please check with your Officers or NCO’s if you have any questions about the scenarios, or most important, your role in these scenarios. The success of a scripted scenario depends on every participant knowing exactly what is expected from both his unit, and himself. We owe nothing less then our best efforts to those soldiers, both Blue and Gray, who fought and died in these actions 145 years ago.
After you have registered, please report to Confederate Headquarters, where you will be directed to your unit’s camping area. There will be a separate civilian camp, but depending on your unit’s regulations, civilians will be allowed to camp with their units. Military camps should be set up in accordance with Confederate regulations, with allowance for the space available.
There will be no cars in camp from 8:00 AM on Saturday, until the conclusion of the event on Sunday afternoon. If you arrive late, or must leave early, you can park along the road next to the camp and carry your gear in or out. This rule will be strictly enforced.
There will be no visible anachronisms during spectator visiting hours. This would include, but not limited to coolers, modern food containers & packaging, railroad lanterns, and sleeping bags. The camps will be inspected for anachronisms during the day.
Modern beverage containers will be kept out of sight at all times. Do not place empty beverage containers in the Park’s trash cans. Pack them out with you when you leave the site.
Drunken or boisterous behavior will not be tolerated. Quiet hours will be from Mid-night until Reveille. Please be considerate of your fellow reenactors, and observe these rules.
Straw will be available at a minimal cost. It will be stacked near Registration. Please pay for the straw when you register. Please buy what you need to sleep on, and no more. The straw is not to be used as seats around the fire. Seal the bottom of your tent from the inside, and do not pile straw between tents. This is a major fire hazard. Straw can carry fire from one tent to the next in a matter of seconds.
There is plenty of firewood on site, and more is available. Please take what you need, as you need it. Vehicles will not be used to carry firewood to the campsites. Any surplus firewood will be put back on the piles at the conclusion of the event. Fire pits may be dug. Do not put trash in the pit, and insure the pit is filled in and sod is replaced at the conclusion of the event.
If you have any problems or questions concerning the event, please bring them to the attention of your NCO’s or Officers. If, for some reason, you cannot get satisfaction, please feel free to discuss your situation with the HQ’s Staff. Our goal is to insure that every participant has a positive experience.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation,
Colonel Bill Rodman,
Commanding