From Gen. Rambo concerning Atlanta: Gentlemen, I have the honor to report to you on the upcoming campaign in defense of Atlanta. DIRECTIONS TO SITE: You can Map-Quest the site (100 Babbs Mill Rd, Hampton, GA). I believe the best way to the Nash Farm site is to get on I-75 and take Exit 221.(Coming in from any other direction will take you through a lot of small towns and red lights). I-75 Exit 221 is the Jonesboro Road exit. From the interchange (where there are a ton of stores and restaurants) head west almost exactly five miles to the Nash Farm site. The site entrance is at the top of the hill near the intersection with Babbs Mill Rd. Turn left (from I-75) onto Babbs Mill Rd and proceed a few yards to the first open right turn (next to the parking lot) onto the site which takes you to Registration. Sign your waver (Pre-registered troops will receive an event medallion). Troop straw can be purchased at registration ($3 per bale - The event had to pay $4.25 per bale to get the straw - Good ole Atlanta). The leaves have been cleared off most of our campsite. I recommend your men get straw for comfort but of course that is up to them. Horses will be checked for Coggins at Registration. Most of the horse hay will be stacked at Brigade HQ for distribution until it runs out. When we run out well ask for more but latecomers should ask for hay at Registration. EVENT RAFFLES Chances for two Troiani prints: Alatoona Pass and one of his battle of Atlanta prints (I think DeGress Battery); Chances for two images to be taken by Wendell Decker. ON-SITE DIRECTIONS: The site looks great! Most of you are familiar with its over 200 acres of rolling hills, mostly pasture crossed with a creek or two and a couple of ponds. The southeast corner of the site (the most secluded area of the site) rises up along a ridge-line with a large scope of hardwoods on the side of the ridge. Once again, thanks to Earl Zeckman, this is our brigade campsite. From registration infantry should access camp via Babbs Rd. Go back to the paved road and turn right (south) and drive @400 yds and look for the open gate to our campsite on the right (a Rambo Brigade sign will be placed at the turn). This is a little used grass road. It runs along the bottom following the creek to the north and the woods to the south. Many of you camped in this area with the brigade back in 2009. Its the same area as before except this time most of the woods have been cleared of all the underbrush and leaves (Thank you Earl Zeckman). Most of the downed trees have been pushed toward the bottom edge of the woods (They make nice breastworks bordering that part of camp). There is some limited open ground that is relatively flat but its not well shaded. Your call. All branches (infantry, cavalry and horse artillery) have assigned areas (See map attached). Branch signs will be posted. Brigade staff, cavalry and horse artillery can take the same Babbs Rd entrance to camp OR follow the road south from Registration onto the gravel road through the open Confederate camp area. Cross the bridge over the creek (It was in good shape yesterday) and follow the road (which becomes a grassy road) around to the left. Artillery should continue along the bottom and veer to the right to go into the southernmost grassy opening at the bottom of Headquarters hill. Staff (and cavalry can go to the same bottom area and/or) should proceed along the southern fence of the property which leads up the hill. Turn left (north) on top of the hill and proceed to Head Quarters/Cavalry camp. NOTE: The route across the creek will be blocked during the Friday evening battle from @6PM to @7-7:30PM. Staff will help direct troops to their proper battalion areas. Company bivouac locations are of course up to their respective battalion commanders. CAMP IMPRESSION: This area is Sacred Ground. It was a Confederate campsite (S.D. Lees Corps camped all over this site in September 1864). You can see Nash Farm overlay maps and aerial views, etc: henrycountybattlefield As you know, the Confederate army by this time of the war either carried no tents or used captured dog tents or were issued tent flies (when the supply trains kept up). This is the historic guideline. Common tents (A-frames) werent used much in the 64 campaign but they are allowed. I really frown on wall tents however, as they take up too much room. In any case, DO NOT BLOCK the access road for obvious reasons. This event is our usual campaign appearance. Any creature comforts (such as coolers, etc) are fine... as long as they remain hidden. Battalion commanders please report your Headquarters location to Brigade HQ as soon as possible as brigade staff will go to your HQ first to find you or for location of emergency cases in your battalion, etc. INDIVIDUAL IMPRESSIONS: Most of our men wear the basic depot-issue jean which is correct for the Atlanta campaign. Our Palmetto boys have a lot of Richmond Depot uniform which is correct as well because the western commutation uniforms were patterned after them. For the Atlanta campaign more Confederate issue gear and civilian clothing would be in order. Captured Federal equipment will be fine. However, the last opportunity for AoT infantry to capture Federal property would have been Chickamauga nine months earlier, so most Federal clothing, especially trousers would have long since been worn out. Also, there wasnt much resupply of the Army of Tennessee (other than ammunition, food and medical supplies) from Dalton in May til Atlanta fell in September. As usual, were not going to line anybody up and inspect them, and you know there will be men in other brigades who will be wearing who knows what, but thats why they are them and WE IS US. Regardless, I know you will encourage your men to try their best to be outfitted as the AoT in the summer of 64. WATER & ICE: A water buffalo will be placed at the western end of our camp for the men. The event will not provide horse water troughs. I will bring one 140-gallon trough but two or three more (earth-colored or black if you please) will be necessary. The event is supposed to keep the buffalo and the troughs filled but obviously the more troughs we have the more water well have to begin with and the less chance of going dry. We will have no functioning brigade wagons to my knowledge. Accordingly, no man will leave camp without a full canteen. ICE will be available (and brought to camp): 10 lb bag for $3. Porta-johns and drinking water tank will be just west of camp next to the trees along the grassy road bottom. FIREWOOD: There is a lot of deadfall in the woods. The event will also deliver a few cords to our campsite. Use what you need but please think of your pards and dont hoard. SCENARIOS: Friday - 6PM: Battle of Utoy Creek Time of arrival for most will prevent brigade participation in this scenario. Organized bodies of troops can certainly participate however. Inform brigade staff for details. Saturday - 10AM: Kilpatricks Raid (All-cavalry battle) against Sul Rosss Texas cavalry which actually occurred on the Nash Farm site. (A brand new monument and interpretive signs stand just north of the Nash Farm barn). Saturday - 3PM: Cheatham Hill. Sunday morning There may be a brief ceremony at the new battlefield monument (Your battalion flags will be needed if this takes place; This was a cavalry battle but of course we are not only honoring them, we are honoring ALL those who wore the gray and particularly the participants of the Atlanta campaign). Sunday - 10AM - Church service in the Activity Barn (and/or in either/both camps) Sunday - 1:30PM: Atlanta (focusing on the action around the Troup-Hurt house) FLAGS: 1864 Augusta Depot battle flags (the commonly known Rebel flag) will be correct for Saturday & Sunday impressions for all branches. I know both Cotton States and Palmetto Battalions have Units with Augusta pattern flags. Your choice is fine by me. My brigade Colors will be solid blue Saturday (Hardees Corps) and solid red Sunday (Hoods Corps) as per Gen. Johnstons February 1864 General Order. OFFICERS CALL: Battalion commanders and cavalry commander at Brigade HQ Friday at 8PM. GUARD DUTY: Battalion commanders discretion BUGLE CALLS: The usual handful of camp calls. Remember, Officers Call coming from Brigade HQ will mean only battalion commanders are needed unless otherwise ordered. In the field, the usual basic calls for field maneuvers plus skirmisher deployment and rally on the battalion. DRILL I highly encourage you to use part of Saturday morning for company and/or battalion drill. The decision to hold Brigade drill will be determined on our actual numbers in the field. If Brigade drill is held it will immediately follow battalion drill. Brigade maneuvers will be simple. On Saturday we will be in the trenches. On Sunday well be attacking so we may get a chance to maneuver as we have in the past: Deploy from flank to Column; From Column to Line of Battle to the front; left; right. Change Front. Reenacting emphasis should be placed on the use of guides; the five firings; advancing in line of battle; walking-wounded casualties to facilitate rejoining the ranks; and being able to rally and reform quickly. Attached is Brigade GO Nos 1 & 2 for your information (or the privy as the case may be). THREE YEARS OR THE WAR: Please tell your men that we need their participation for the duration of the event. If they must leave early however, please be considerate and either pack their gear out of sight of the camp area or have a pard bring it home at the end of the event. I look forward to serving with you on the field of honor soon, Until then, I remain, Your Obedient Servant, Bill W.G. Rambo, Brig Genl comdg Brigade Bill Rambo Nehemiah 4:14
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:39:23 +0000
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