"Fire on the Mountain" – The Battles of South Mountain
Boonesboro, Maryland – September 8-10, 2000
A "reinvented" event – A vision for the future!
By Don Hubbard, Field Correspondent

The battles of South Mountain, the very important precursors to Antietam, have been reenacted for several years. In the past, this event has been a typical medium size mainstream reenactment, very acceptable to most mainstreamers, but campaigners troops generally did not attend. This really changed this year. Event Organizer Russ Richards, assisted by Doug Dobbs, representing the sponsors, The Central Maryland Heritage League, worked very closely with the commanders, Chris Anders (Liberty Rifles) Confederate, and Kevin Air (28th Mass., Co. B – Irish Volunteers) Federal to ensure an event which was both "campaigner friendly", and much more authentic than in the past. Just one point to illustrate the major changes was the fact that this is the first time ever that a campaigner commander (Chris Anders) was an overall commander. Russ, Doug, Chris, and Kevin all worked very close together to draw-up authenticity guidelines that would raise the standards of the event to new heights. They created (and followed to the letter) authentic scenarios far beyond the normal "powder burning" stand-up fights. Each side had three separate camps for reenactors: (A) A campaigner camp, separate from everyone else, free from modern intrusions, and mostly off the travel path for reenactor vehicles, (B) A mainstream military camp, and (C) A Civilian camp. Each group had plenty of room and all were reasonably close to water, firewood (abundant in the woods also), and porta-johns. Laura Harding of the "Raggedy Mess" organized a quick and easy registration. A total of just over 1,000 reenactors registered, with about 500 Confederates, 400 Federals, and 100 Civilians. To maintain authenticity, Confederate registration was cut-off to maintain a rough balance of numbers per side. It is significant to note that the Confederate campaigners represented fully half of the available CS troop strength. The Confederates divided into two Brigades, with Col. Danny Snyder (Confederate Military Forces) commanding the campaigners, and Col. Dan Shoemake (Longstreet’s Corps) commanding the mainstreamers. On the Federal side, they divided into two battalions, Vincent’s Brigade, under Col. Wayne Wolff being one, and a composite battalion under Brevet Major David Childs of the USV, plus detachments of dismounted cavalry and sharpshooters. And on the Federal side there was also a "campaigner training company", "Company I" under the leadership of 2nd Lt. Bill Watson. The integration of large numbers of campaigners into a mainstream event went very smoothly, with no reported problems. As mentioned earlier, there were authenticity standards, which where well publicized both in the registration packets, and by a very informative web site for the event. We even had our resident "authenticity police" aka "anachronism inspectors". On the Confederate side, this was a Provost Detail made up of Charles Heath and David "Duke" Culbertson, of the Rowdy Pards, who are two of the most respected progressive campaigners in all of reenacting. And on the Federal side, veteran progressive reenactor Doug Dobbs filled this role. Charles and "Duke" made several visits to all of our CS camps each day, and even an "undercover" visit to the Federal camps (with Col. Air’s permission) as well. Both men were favorably impressed by the obvious attempts to upgrade uniform and camping impressions on the CS side. "Duke" said that: "This event was much improved over the event of last year". "If this event makes the strides in the right direction next year that it has this past year, it could be the Number One mainstream event on the calendar. This was not achieved without a lot of work on the part of the organizers and commanders, and to those folks, my cap is off. Well done, fellers." Charles Heath praised Kevin Air and Chris Anders by saying that between them "a big white rabbit was pulled from the old top hat". "From the last time I was here (1997) until now, this event has changed dramatically for the better, and the organizers and military commanders chose to follow several proven recipes for success.

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For a mainstreamer event, it has a lot of merit." A Federal campaigner, Chris Piering, added a note of praise for the Federal commander: "Mr. Air, I wish to say that you and Tim O’Neill deserve HUGE kudos for integrating the campaign element into the grand Scheme. I see the potential for great strides with men like you running the show and doff my chapeau to both of you, as well as the other organizers who retrospectively look rather visionary".

As I was camping "campaign style", unpacking and setting up my personal "camp" was on Friday evening was very simple. I unrolled my bedroll of gum sheet and blanket, stuffed some loose straw under them, took off my haversack, and "camp" under the stars was ready. I was assigned as Chief Bugler and Aide for the CS commander, Col. Anders, and as such had been assigned to provide the Division "Headquarters" which consisted of only a tent fly, one field desk on a folding table, one stool, and one lamp. Col. Anders, being a campaigner, was not used to such a "heavy" HQ, but was convinced that the Division Commander did after all have a wagon to transport this minimal equipment, and it was absolutely necessary to have these few items to take care of all of the necessary "paper-work" of the army. I then went to find Don Warlick who was supplying my trusty mount, "Joker" for the event. I quickly tacked him, and brought him back to our HQ picket line. Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks? I have learned (the hard way) that a bugler on foot, has an impossible task in keeping up with a mounted commander, so nowadays, I go mounted! After an evening Officers Meeting, it was time to sound "Extinguish Lights", and I quickly hit the sack. I had to sound "Reveille" all too early on Saturday morning, and if you don’t like getting up early, don’t become a bugler, for you are the first guy up in the camp! That morning, we had the first of several walk-through camp authenticity inspections by the tag-team of Charles Heath and "Duke" Culbertson. They only looked at issues covered by the event guidelines. This was done in a very low-key, non-threatening, and educational manner. They issued "citations", and explained in a friendly manner how things could be done in a more authentic manner. Even our HQ got "gigged"! I had forgotten, and left a non-period thermometer visible on the field desk. Charles also took the time to explain how I could make my tent fly much more authentic. Charles reported that "Much to our surprise, the problem areas were cleaned up quickly and with none of the expected acrimony. If fact, most of the heavy campers we spoke with were appreciative that someone was actually checking on things." "The mainstream CS camp responded rather well to very modest suggestions to improve their appearance". "The problem areas were typically food service related". "Duke" added, "as a whole, the Confederate camps were more authentic than the Union camps. In fact, the civilian only camp on the CS side had a lower level of infractions than the CS mainstream military. They actually traveled lighter."

Late Saturday morning, Bill Watson conducted the first of two "mini-School of the Campaigner" to demonstrate some campaigner key skills to prospective campaigners. On Saturday he did this for the Federals, and on Sunday for the Confederates. The concept of the "School of the Campaigner", or SOC, had originated with the Rowdy Pards in 1998. Bill also had a campaigner training company operating throughout the entire event, he describes it as follows: "you know how a school of the campaigner works? A bunch of campaigners go campaigning and take some eager but somewhat apprehensive hatchlings along. You do what you do, you drill, sing the songs, cook the food, eat what you don’t burn, do first person, talk about gear without feeling quite so guilty because after all the hatchlings are there to learn, help out with a lantern tour, go do cool things during the battle like form the battalion color guard (how is that for a nice switch from 'always out in the woods on their own?’ Thank you Tim O’Neill.) And if it works really out really well, you learn some things yourself in addition to ‘teaching’ them." During the Saturday and Sunday "mini-schools" Bill concentrated on two very important skills: Firebuilding and Cooking. Bill concentrated on cooking period rations, and he appropriated your humble correspondent to conduct a session on Firebuilding. For this, I did three demonstrations (A) how to make a very quick fire for coffee boiling using only natural fuels found near-by (B) how to start a fire without lucifers using only flint and steel (and a little infantryman’s quick.

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firestarter—i.e. blackpowder) and (C) how to get a fire going when all the available fuel is soaked by rain. Bill had some kind words to say about this demo, and gave me a new name! He said: "Don ‘Pyro’ Hubbard showed us things about fire we never knew, and we learned things about Don we never suspected. (what did I give away Bill, how old I am?) But we haven’t figured out how he has managed to keep his eyebrows this long." Simple Bill, I move VERY fast when I have to! Bill also mentioned his appreciation for the use of campaigners in the event, he said: "I also reaffirmed that Kevin Air and Tim O’Neill don’t just say they will find meaningful roles for campaigners, they do it. Ditto for Russ Richards." One of the Federal campaigners-in-training, J.R. Myzie said that Bill Watson deserved "public acknowledgement for all you did to make the SOC (School of the Campaigner) the most valuable, and certainly one of the most fun experiences of my reenacting career." Both commanders, and the event organizers Russ Richards and Doug Dobbs, had agreed upon more emphasis on campaigner participation. Federal Commander Kevin Air said "This year, we made a strong effort to let the campaigner community know that we were trying to accommodate them. Both Chris Anders (Confederate Commander) and I met and walked the ground, making sure that we knew, and the subordinates knew, where the campaigner area was." Chris Anders added that: "I feel the efforts to create a Fusion Event (mainstreamers and campaigners) were successful".

The Battles. Federal Commander Kevin Air said that: "Our objective was to put on a demonstration, in reduced scale, of portions of two of the three battles collectively known as ‘South Mountain’. We did this to raise awareness and funding for the preservation of these sites." He continued that they strived to provide "More accurate force ratios" and "More fidelity to the movements of the actual engagements." He continued to add that he had a chance to study good maps of the actual troop movements, and was able to make good accurate battle plans. He made copies of the plans, and handed them out to officers and first sergeants at a joint US/CS briefing before each day’s battle. Kevin related that "The briefings were very well received and I think it is fair to say the results showed on the field". Saturday’s battle was an accurate recreation of Drayton’s NC Brigade getting wiped out by the 17th Michigan at Fox’s Gap. "Duke" related that "The battle vignettes were well done. The Saturday Tarheel Thrashing had a slight timing problem when the troops portraying the 17th Michigan deployed too soon, and then had a case of the slows, nevertheless, it functioned closer to the script than 90% of events out there. Well done." On Sunday, the scenario was the destruction of Cobb’s Legion (80% losses) by New Jersey Brigade at Crampton’s Gap. Confederate Commander Chris Anders related his view of this battle by stating that "never have I ever witnessed true terror like the boys depicted on Sunday, never have I seen troops fleeing with tears running down their cheeks in anger and fear. It was one of the most realistic moments I have ever had". He added that this battle "brought each of us closer to understanding the sacrifices made by both sides, and encouraged saving that ground that they sealed with their lives." For me, it was a "magic moment also", as I was involved with the morning "School of the Campaigner" I had missed the briefing and walk-through, and did not really know the scenario. I was with Col. Danny Snyder’s Brigade facing the on-rushing Yankee hordes, when all of a sudden, I heard the bugle call "Forward" being sounded behind me, as I quickly turned around, I was shocked to see another Yankee Brigade (Vincent’s) charging us from our right rear! I quickly spurred "Joker" ran through the woods, no safety there, our troops there were fleeing for their lives, I ran with them until cornered behind our artillery up against thick woods, and meekly surrendered to the men of the 28th Mass., Co. B, the very company where my twin brother in blue resides! Oh, the shame of it all! Charles Heath commented on Sunday’s battle by saying: "The Sunday Cobb Crushing worked like clockwork. It was the best-scripted fight since Case’s flank attack at Averasboro in 1998. It was on the money. For those who say the battle scenarios always get flummoxed, well, this weekend was a bit different." "Tactically, it came close, if not reaching the level of Averasboro I. Sunday was poetry in motion." Kevin Air added that: "For me, the best moment of the event came Sunday, when a company commander pulled me aside and said (speaking of the briefings, etc.): ‘I just wanted to let you know that the consensus is that a new standard has been set for the hobby’." At this year’s South Mountain event, we experienced some of the most authentic use of bugle calls in the hobby to date. On the Federal side, two of the very best buglers.

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in all of reenacting, George Rabbai (Mifflin Guard), and Jari Villanueva (Vincent’s Brigade) served as Chief Buglers, and they were assisted by an excellent young bugler, Chris Shope (Mifflin Guard). They sounded all the appropriate "Camp Duty" calls to serve as the "timepieces" of the army, and also all the required battlefield calls to control movements. On, Sunday, George and Jari even echoed hymns back and forth by trumpet. Each battle was ended by the sounding "Cease Firing", followed the correct final call – "Church Call", which is the call for Truce between the sides. Over on the Confederate side, your humble correspondent was doing the same duties for our troops, but did have one major advantage out on the battlefield. I was mounted, and as we "lost" each day’s battle and were routed off the field, it was easy to both stay by our Commander’s side, and to "run away" quickly. Sure beats being on foot! The only down note was the appalling number of officers who don’t even recognize the most basic of calls, like "Cease Firing". If they would only read their Hardee’s, Casey’s, or Gilham’s, they would see, that to be good officers—and be authentic, then they are supposed to know ALL of the calls!

All at South Mountain was not just camps and battles. In addition to prominent speakers, several other events of note took place. Saturday morning, Lt. Tim O’Neill (28th Mass., Co. B) led a discussion on the theory and practice of sentries and outposts, and conducted a quick course in the study of land from a soldier’s perspective: the proper use of hill, and valleys, etc.. Early Saturday evening a "brandy and cigar" social took place with an opportunity to meet several Maryland Legislators who are key to the preservation efforts for South Mountain. Also there was a "picnic basket auction" organized by Kathleen Musser, which raised $359 for preservation on only six baskets (the auctioneer was a wee bit crooked they tell me). And, as it got dark we noticed that several of the resident laundresses seemed to have a second, and unmentionable in polite society, avocation which they blatantly pressed upon the poor "innocent" troops. Also worthy of high praise was an excellent candlelight tour conducted by Doug Dobbs. Doug related that the tour "provided spectators with a very special glimpse of the life of the common soldier of the Civil War, especially as it relates to South Mountain’s battles. The campaigners at this event came through in spades with some vignettes that left our visitors with a deep impression of the sacrifices of ‘our era’." Doug said that "among the scenes that the visitors saw were a CS artillery camp, dead and wounded on the field, a picket, advance guard, reserve guard, a surgeon in the field, and some US artillerymen stranded without their gear on a very cold night (Durell’s Battery). Our first tour included many of the Maryland state legislators….and the experience could only reinforce the message they got from the public battle demonstrations: ‘This is sacred ground, let’s preserve it’."" Doug added "One man was so affected he came up to me at the conclusion of the tour and pressed a wad of bills into my chest and said something to the effect, ‘Here, make good use of this’." "As we left the scenario area and returned to our starting point it was apparent to me that everyone had been deeply affected. They ‘got it’." After the battle, an unidentified visitor sent an e-mail to Doug which read: "I also was a spectator at FOTM, and I must say, my hats off to you guys, it was great, from talking with some of the reenactors, who were all, polite and mannerly,.I do however, feel very deeply for all the reenactors in those wool uniforms, to come out in the heat and humidity to make a statement not to just entertain people. I will come again to your event, and to others, to help keep our battlefields from being turned into McDonalds, or condos, once again, hats off to FOTM."

Summary: A few final comments from participants: Chris Anders: "I must say that the event as a whole greatly exceeded my expectations, and hopefully has raised the bar across the hobby." Charles Heath agreed with this assessment: "The good news is the FOTM exceeded expectation in many ways. This event has reinvented itself….the event has taken several huge leaps forward". He added: "It is wonderful to know FOTM no longer means Farbs On The Mountain." "Oh, and lets not forget Lilly the pig literally rooting around the AFZ. Oink!"