The Mason Dixon Alliance Encampment, July 8-10, 2005.
Where: Neersville, Virginia on Loudon Heights
When: July 8-10, 2005
Registration: Be sure to make checks payable to U.S. Volunteers.
Registration
Form (pdf) Rules
of Engagement (pdf)
Directions:
From the North take Rt. 340 S over the Potomac Bridge, make first left onto
(County Road 671) Harper Ferry Rd. Go about 4 miles, drive way is on right, look
for CW sign.
From the South take Rt. 340 N over the Shenandoah Bridge, make the first right onto (County Road 671) Harper Ferry Rd. Go about 4 miles, drive way is on the right look for CW Sign.
From South of Leesburg: Take Hwy 15 towards Leesburg. At Leesburg, take Hwy 7 west towards Winchester for about 3.8 miles. Take Hwy 9 towards Charles Town & Hillsboro for about 10 miles. Take a right onto (County Road 671) Harper Ferry Rd. Go about 3.5 miles, drive way is on the left look for CW Sign. If you see an old stone church on the left, you have passed the driveway.
Historical Background:
Its early June 1864. Uncle Billy Sherman has moved his Army of Tennessee into Georgia in an attempt to make the state howl. At sea the C.S.S. Alabama has been sited off the coast of France and the U.S.S. Kearsarge is closing in on her. General Grant has ordered a three prong attack on the Confederate Capital at Richmond. The Army of the Potomac will attack over land, while the Army of the James will move west up the Peninsula, a third force will move down the Shenandoah Valley. General Grant is in the midst of his overland campaign having just fought the Battle of Cold Harbor and now is moving onto Petersburg.
The Shenandoah Valley has been burdened with three long years of war. The Confederacy is dependent upon the Valley as a vital source of supply for the Army of Northern Virginia, while the Federal forces are determined to cut those supplies off. Following the Confederate victory at New Market in May, General David Hunter (USA) has been sent back into the Valley with a large force in an effort to cut the flow of supplies. Worried about his own supply lines and the security of Harpers Ferry, (due to the actions of Confederate Rangers in Loudon County) Hunter has detached a portion of his command to remain behind and secure his rear areas. Having just crushed a smaller Confederate force at Piedmont, that resulted in the death of General "Grumble" Jones (CS Commander), General Hunter is now occupying Lexington, about half way down the Valley.
With Jones killed and his forces scattered General Lee is concerned about the "back door" to Richmond. He has quickly sent a reinforced brigade to the Upper Valley in an attempt to cut Hunter off and pull Federal troops away from the Army of Potomac.
Event Information:
USV Military Coordinator: Reg Wirth
ANV Military Coordinator: Raymond C. Justice
USV Civ. Coordinator: Stacy Hampton
ANV Civ. Coordinator: Maggie Burke
Registration Information / Check In:
This year at Loudon Heights we are doing something
different for when you arrive on site. When you arrive on site you will
automatically be directed to your camps. We will have traffic routed to the CS
Camp in a pattern, to where you can be directed to find your battalion or the
town. The whole point is to get you unloaded and set up first. Once you
have unloaded and set up, on your way out to the parking lot you will check in
and receive your pass. You will need your pass, it will be checked if you
do not have one you will be charged late registration fee to replace
it. If you had registered and lost your pass, a replacement is free
of charge.
1) Participants must have passes with them all times.
Military Information:
This will be an event for all time that will be discussed. Armies will camp in various locations on the site, becoming tactical in the morning and going all day. At night armies will deploy pickets to protect their lines. There will be prisoner-exchanges, occupation of the town. There will be a lot of opportunities for everyone to have a good time. All branches of service of the ANV are welcome to attend. Below are some pictures of the site.
Please Register now so we can make arrangements to provide the best experience for everyone from Civilians to Military people. We will be continuously posting new information on this event check back periodically.
Unit Assignments will be forthcoming over the next few months
Artillery Information:
Both organizations wanting all branches of service to participate to their fullest extent possible has lifted the number of artillery pieces allowed at this event. However, if we get too many than we will need to rotate units to allow for maximum participation for everyone. Larger guns may have difficulty in being moved since guns cannot be moved by machine once the event begins on Saturday. Guns may be pre-positioned in our forward staging areas by the use of gator, truck, etc.. This will be coordinated by the Chief of Artillery and his staff following the orders given by Division Headquarters. If you have specific questions please feel free to contact Col. Raymond C. Justice.
Civilian Information:
Maggie Burke will be our appointed Civilian Coordinator for the event. She will be working with Stacy Hampton Civilian Coordinator for the USV. They are in charge of the civilian camp and all questions should be directed towards them.
There will be a permanent civilian camp for civilians of both organizations, which will be camped next to each other. There will be plenty of opportunities for civilians to inter-act with each army. Civilians can elect a town council, mayor, etc... There is a anchored thread on the ANV Civilian Forum regarding Civilians and the town.
Map of the Town and surrounding area. Pictures of the town buildings.
Sutler Information: Sutlers closed.
Amenities:
The usual amenities will be provided, however there will be no straw sold at this event. Wood, Water, and Hay will be provided. We are working on ice currently. If you have questions please ask. We expect everyone to leave their campsite as the way they found it, that means all wood collected and stocked at designated points. All fire pits filled, fires out, and free debris and trash. Trash should be dumped at the dumpster that will be on site, trash bags will be provided. Your cooperation is appreciated. Thank You.
Last year John Stone and members of the 5th Regiment thank you for cleaning up the CS Camp, you all did a wonderful job. We were all in a hurry to get out of there due to the weather, but we need to make sure our camps are clean and free of trash, all fires out and covered, etc... We need to do a better job!
Click here to see pictures of the site.