Home Photos Registration Form Contact US Troops CS Troops Rules and Regulations Links and Resources History CROSS KEYS & PORT REPUBLIC PRESERVATION EVENT JUNE 11-13, 2010
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The Event
Pridgeon’s Shenandoah Legion (PSL) and the 10th Virginia (a Legion member unit) are pleased to announce a campaign-style major preservation event to be held on the Cross Keys and Port Republic Battlefields on June 11-13 2010. This fundraising event is called “Shenandoah 1862” and will feature a preservation march and scenarios depicting regimental actions from the last two battles in Stonewall Jackson’s infamous “Valley Campaign.”
Event Objectives
- A. To bring together 700+ preservation minded reenactors, military, civilian & sutlers, who will attend this event, fight, march, and camp on the original ground of the Valley Campaign of 1862 and help save the Cross Keys/Port Republic Battlefields. All donation checks will be made out to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation.
- B. To further enhance re-enactor rapport with the SVBF, building a partnership so that future re-enactor access to battlefield land they possess in the Valley is a viable option.
- C. To further enhance re-enactor rapport with several local historical societies who are members of the Rockingham County cluster of the SVBF so that future mutual cooperative efforts are readily undertaken.
- D. To further educate the local residents of Rockingham County about their historical heritage during the time period of the War Between the States and the threat development now poses to that heritage.
Site
The starting point for the event will be the historic Widow Pence Farm, located on the Cross Keys Battlefield, 8 miles East of the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Interstate I-81. As this is a mobile event, the land used will be numerous and varied. It includes portions of both the Cross Keys and Port Republic Battlefields, the town of Port Republic, areas around Lynwood (headquarters of Shield’s advance guard) and numerous roads that both Shield’s and Jackson’s commands marched over.
Battle Scenarios
At the Widow Pence Farm the scenario will be the “Slaughter of the Eighth New York.” This action will depict on the actual ground the movement of the 8th (Stahel’s First Brigade) up a hill where the 21st Georgia (Trimble’s Brigade) was waiting, hidden, and unleashed fire so heavy that over 220 men of the 8th fell within five minutes. The action will conclude with the men of Trimble’s pursuing the 8th as occurred in the original fight.
At the Port Republic Battlefield the scenario will be “Taylor Advances on the Coaling”. This action will take place in the original forest through which Taylor’s Brigade fought and advanced to the critical Federal artillery position (The Coaling) that was a key to the battle. (Note*** The Coaling itself has many modern intrusions, so will not be used). Through this woods Taylor advanced four separate times, three times only to be eventually repulsed by gallant counterattacks by Ohio Regiments, especially the Sixty-sixth. Only on the fourth assault and with reinforcement was Taylor finally successful.
Camps
Both Federal and Confederate camps for Friday night will be at the Widow Pence Farm and surrounding properties on the Cross Keys Battlefield. Federal camp for Saturday night will be along the Federal line of march near Lynwood. Confederate camp on Saturday night will be in the town of Port Republic. All aforementioned camps will be strictly campaign and will include the vast majority of participants.For those troops, Federal and Confederate, who have impressions that meet the authenticity guidelines but who like to camp static, using tentage, a site will be available near the town of Port Republic where you can camp. All amenities will be available. An extensive transportation system will be in place that will ferry you to the battles each day, your respective lines of march, etc., then back to your camp at night. At no time will the static camp be visible to the campaign line of march.
Timeline
Participants arrive Friday. Registration will be at the Cross Keys Ruritan Building, with parking across the road in fields owned by a SVBF member. Participants will be transported to their respective camps. Sutlers will be available starting Friday across from registration. Saturday morning the scenario Slaughter of the 8th New York takes place on the Widow Pence farm. Federal forces will begin 7 mile march to an area near Lynwood, marching part of the way Saturday and completing the march Sunday to the battle area. Confederates will embark on 4 mile march to the town of Port Republic after Saturdays battle. Saturday, late afternoon & evening, living history in town of Port Republic (Confederate and Civilians). Sunday morning Federal and Confederate forces complete marches to Port Republic Battlefield. Sunday morning the Confederate force will begin a 3 mile march on a dirt road to the battle area. Thus the weekend total line of march for the Federal column is approximately 8 miles, Confederate column 7 miles. Sunday morning scenario at Port Republic, "Taylor Advances on the Coaling", completed by 11:00 a.m... Participants then transported back to their vehicles.
Registration
The registration fee will be $20.00, Registration will close 1 June 2010. Walk-ons will be accepted if all event requirements are met with a $25.00 registration fee. Please wear all of your gear to registration for inspection.
The Team
We have constructed a very experienced team to organize this event. Scott Buffington will be the Federal commander, Chris Anders the Confederate. They bring to the table experienced staffs.
From the Shenandoah Legion, Jeremy Hilliard, and the 10th Virginia have long had a vision to draw more attention to the battlefields of the Valley and are in charge of logistics. Ethan Hilliard of the 10th Virginia will coordinate military registration and Chris Clarke of the 37th Virginia will be our webmaster. These are but a few of the people playing key roles. The Shenandoah Legion will be bringing all the organizational resources of our battalion to bear.
Pridgeon’s Shenandoah Legion, formerly the Fifth Battalion, has a long history of sponsoring successful events. From seven preservation marches in the 1990s, which raised over $400,000 for the former Association For the Preservation of Civil War Sites, to Third Winchester (’99), Sailor’s Creek (’00), and five separate McDowell events, and Shenandoah 1862 where we helped raise over $100,000. We have a proud history of bringing successful events to our community. We hope you will join us in our latest effort, and please bring funds to help save the Cross Keys and Port Republic battlefields.