Military Scenario Outline
Beginning at 10:00 AM on each day, a guard mount will be posted at the bridge. During the day, it is encouraged that these guards exchange members of the public between the lines, partake in 1st person exchanges and banter and perhaps even trading of some goods.
At varying times before the battle, perhaps 1 per hour, orders will be issued to commanders to take their company to a designated spot on the premises. This could be up to a 20-minute march away. On Saturday, the scenarios will be “unknown” to the Union; meaning that only one company will be assigned per scenario. It will be up to the CS to set up how they wish, using up to 2 companies. On Sunday, this role will be reversed.
Examples:
CS is ordered to be prepared to intercept a Union company at Big Rock. US company is just ordered to investigate (or something of that nature) and run head long into an ambush. This is a very loose set up and will be refined and tweaked prior the event. Rules of engagement will hold so there are no “cowboy” type actions taken.
Main Battle:
Although this is a mainstream battle for the public’s enjoyment of the event, we have the opportunity to do things a little differently. The ground is somewhat small but has the ability to hold a fair amount of troops. To make things interesting, I propose that on one day, the CS sends their units at various locations of the park. A single unit will launch an attack and try to hold while their forces come to the guns. We can do this both ways on the two days. The battle should start with an assault ACROSS the creek into a surprised foe.
I also propose that there be no “scenario” written for this battle. Let’s see how it goes under the gentlemen’s agreement that we do not force unrealistic situations. Small forces of men flanking a much larger body would not last long under fire, perhaps a shot or two and then they should pull back. Once the battle opens, the creek will be out of bounds due to artillery safety. Pressing is encouraged to a point. An example of this would be if the US was outnumbered 1 company to 3, they should fall back rapidly and try to hold…but the CS should not just drive them continuously. I feel that this can work out given the familiarity and respect between the organizations on the field. Shifting units left and right to try to overcome a flank or wing is a good way to keep the fight moving, yet not really do anything to one another. It is also a good way to immerse ourselves and our men in the decisions that had to be made in real time on the field by our ancestors.
After the battle, a full medical scenario will once again be portrayed with the dead and wounded. For the CS side, I have Maj. Doug Gill and Maj. David Meister ready to carry this load.