Salt River Rifles
SCAR to Host Three Events in Five Months!
The Salt River Rifles will be supporting and help organizing twp SCAR events in 2010-11. Over five months the volunteers from the SCAR groups will work together to orhanize and execute three events! Quite an undertaking! We truly hope that everyone will attend and have an enjoyable and historic experience! Volunteers are still needed!
"Before the Breakout" recreates the life of a man in the 8th Kansas Infantry (Co. A) just after the devastating battle of Chickamauga. Although withdrwaing in good order, the 8th suffered 50% casualties at Chickamauga. They retreated to Chattanooga and building heavy defenses around the city. The Confederates would soon arrive and begin building their own works as well. Before Orchard Knob men of the 45th Alabama and the 8th Kansas are assigned to Guard Mount. Their picket posts are a mere 40 yards apart in places. Men weary of battle and the soldiers life call unofficial truces with their enemy. Fraternization begins between the lines. Trading, gambling, drinking, and exchanging stories were the norm. Sutlers and other civilians appear to sell their wares. Officers weary for war and ready to give up their commissions turn a blind eye to the odd socializations. Even the officers visit the sutlers and meet with opposing officers as well.
Ken Giddens commands the SCAR company A at BTB. Please register asap at the event website:
DATE: Sept 10-12, 2010 (be on site by 6-7 pm)
Location: Rome, GA (see website for details)
Event website: http://www.westernindependentgrays.org/beforebreakout/index.htm
Please review all the Dress Guidelines.
"Struggles of Secession": It is October, 1863 in a small, rural, working-class town in the Lower Chattahoochee Valley of Georgia. The days of hearts beating to the sounds of war drums is gone. Gone are the lavish suppers and barbeques. Forgotten are the long winded speeches advocating secession from the Union. The call to duty to defend home and hearth is quickly replaced by the cries of the Yeoman dying on the fields of Virginia and Pennsylvania and the pleas of their dear ones at home. Vacant as the call to arms to defend Southern Rights are the vacant bellies of the soldier’s loved ones on their own homestead. Too greedy and craven to fight for their own peculiar institutions, the wealthy, Planter class sends their poor brethren to do their bidding. While some men sit home with exemptions seemingly only procured by those of means, the poor Yeoman must join or be conscripted. Even more overwhelming is the fact that the desire for cotton profits replaces the rational and obvious urgency to grow produce for the people and soldiers protecting the South and her industries.
SRR members are encouraged to volunteer with SCAR to be on Staff for the event.
DATE: Oct 20-24, 2010 (you can arrive up till 5 pm on the 22nd Fri)
Location: Westville Historic Village - Lumpkin, GA (Stewart Cty)
Event Website: http://www.strugglesofsecession.com/
Event Trailer: http://www.strugglesofsecession.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=15&Itemid=21
photos from the 2008 event "Sparks of Secession" at http://www.strugglesofsecession.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=15&Itemid=21
"To Prevent the Effusion of Blood": The flash point of the American Civil War is accepted to be Charleston Harbor with the events of December 1860 and January 1861 providing an impetus on the part of the new Confederacy to organize their forces for combat and providing the Federal Government a breathing space until the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln.
Major Robert Anderson had been sent to Fort Moultrie to take command by the Buchannan Administration in the hope that a Southern Gentlemen would be congizant and respectful of Southern Sensibilities. Major Anderson decided his duty lay with executing his vague orders from the Federal Government. He was mindful of the moves the State of South Carolina made to arm itself and the situation of his command. In his own words, Major Anderson decided to move the Fort Moultrie Garrison to Fort Sumter on the night of 26-27 December 1860 "To prevent the effusion of blood.
The Tramp Brigade is the host unit for this event. Please contact them for detailed questions.
DATE: Jan. 7-9, 2011
Location: Fort Moultrie/Fort Sumter, SC
Event website: http://topreventtheeffusionofblood.com/
Last Updated (Wednesday, 28 July 2010 04:15)
An Eye on the 150th Cycle
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 01:17 | Written by Jim Butler |
There have been many discussions and rumors about events for the 150th Anniversaries of the Civil War. I believe most reenactors enjoy a 50/50 mix of adjuncts at large events and c/p/h events and living histories. The Anders-type, 'compromise' events are very appealing to many as they really create an enforced progressive, mainstream event with better numbers. But, we can still have some focus on quality living history programs and immersive events. I know SCAR has been commnucation with the WIG and Armor Guards about a 150th Chickamuaga living history/event hosted effort at the National Military Park. Of course the Tramp Brigade will host the first 150th celebration with the immesrion event, "To Prevent the Effusion of Blood" in Jan of 2011. SCAR will also sponser the Oct. 2012 "Surrender of Secession" event to end the Westville Trilogy. Some other events to consider are the March Fort McAllister event in March 2011,1st Manassas adjunct or living history, Perryville 150th in 2012, Gettysburg (or AndersBurg) 150th in 2014 and more. If you have any suggested events ideas or rumors or details, please email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Event ballots are emailed out to Salt River Rifle members in lat October for voting. You input and vote deteremines what events wwe will attend and also what votes go into the SCAR event ballot as well. What types of events do you enjoy? Last Updated (Wednesday, 28 July 2010 04:19) SRR Celebrates 10 Years
Friday, 23 October 2009 00:00 | Written by Jim Butler |
The Salt River Rifles will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary in March of 2010. In 1998, a group of about seven mainstream reenactors decided to form an authentic mess within the 125th OVI in Georgia. We were known as the Huckleberry Mess. We improved, learned from other campaigners, and grew past our mainstream roots and wanted more. We left the 125th in 2000 and did our first event as The new Salt River Rifles at Bentonville in March of 2000 with the AOP Battalion. Since then we have proudly supported many c/p/h events in the SouthEast and East over the past 10 years. We have always been a core that c/p/h groups could count on in the SE, authentic community. Of our founding members, only two are still active, Bruce McDonald and Jim Butler. Many members broke off and formed their own messes (the Mossy Creeks, the Plug Uglies), who now are part of the umbrella group SCAR (SE Coalition of Authentic Reenactors). Active members who have been with us at least 5 years are Gary Bergstrom, Ed Henry, Andy Shogren, Sean Cooper, Randy Hix, Todd Miller, Chuck Temm and Jan White. We also welcome our newer members, Gary Hurst, Burt Page, Pete Paolillo, Chris Ruff, Marvin Greer, Jonathan Scott and Shane Pinson. In March of 2010 we plan to have a dinner in Atlanta to celebrate our 10 years. All members and SCAR members are invited. We have worked with and known the other SCAr messes over the years and consider them brothers. A date will be announced soon! As the SRR approaches our 10th year, our beloved geocities, which has had our site for 10 years will go black in 2009. But, we will have a new and up-to-date and more versitle website at www.saltriverrifles.com Watch for the updates soon! I am very proud of the SRR and all the comraderie we have shared over the years has made every reenactment top shelf! Thanks, Jim Butler Last Updated (Wednesday, 24 March 2010 01:41) SRR Bad-Arse of the Month
Sunday, 13 December 2009 14:54 | Written by Administrator |
Bruce McDonald wins the SRR Badd-Arse Reenactor of the Month Award for his experiences and endurance at the recent "Backwaters" event. SCAR had a Confederate company at the event. With rain and near freezing temperatures, these bad-arses of the SCAR and other groups were put to the test. With several pounds of mud and a few ounces of sleep they plodded on thru the wood of "North Carolina" (albeit it was not as sandy as NC!). Bruce finished the march on his own power and overcame the challenges of "Backwater" by LEADING BY EXAMPLE! Hats off to Bruce McDonald, our SRR Bad-Arse of the Month! Last Updated (Wednesday, 28 July 2010 04:33) Bummers 09
Friday, 11 December 2009 21:46 | Written by Administrator |
AAR for the 48th IN - Nov 15th, 1864 - Sunday
After marching all Saturday, and not encountering nary a soul to find forage, the men lay down to a night of sleep fit with twitches in their bellies. With best hopes of the day to come. Georgia brought us some nice weather to begin our trek on this fine Sabbath morning down the ridge road to complete our mission. Passing a fine wagon and some civilians who had nothing to plunder, we moved down the trail again towards a small, cracker, homestead. Being an officer of a foraging party is much like herding wildcats. The ravenous bummers of the 48th and 59th IN broke ranks into full dash and fell upon the cabin with great intent to sack it. It was like time had spun about and seemed as dreamlike as a whirlwind of activity stirred about me, which was unlike the military order we were used to within the battalion. The men tore into the cabin with great élan as their inhabitants were torn from their home. The men folk were gathered, patted down and put under guard. The ladies cried out to their Secesh gods as their possessions were emptied upon the thoroughfare.
To my right I spy some chickens as well as another private, we fire our pistols at them and one is soon destined for a cook pot. To my left the men find a ham and begin to tear into it like a pack of dogs. I then seek any newly turned ground in their yard for hiiden treasures. My plunder includes two jars of jam and ham. I drank coffee from the Southrons cups and ate beans from the traitors pots this fine day. In the distance I catch a glimpse of a large Secesh fella sitting under a tree and arguing with some of Uncle Billys Boys, but can not hear what they say. I spot one of the civilian men not sitting with the other men and I burst upon him with the full anger that has built upon me fueled also by my hunger of the previous day. I see this poor Secesh man as the cause of all my woes in this war. I draw my pistol and order him to sit back down as he was ordered or I will shoot him down. Then as I pass the other civilian men grouped near a tree I tell the Guard to keep them there, an old man calls to me, “Hey There!...Were you in Mexico?”. I am startled and the chaos about is unnoticed and I say to the man, “Yes, I was in Mexico, but I was a much younger lad then.” This poor Secesh man turned out to be Sgt Bruce who I served under in the War with Mexico many years ago. I told the guard to treat him well as he was once a US Hero, but was now led astray. He told me he was now a surgeon and supported neither side. Soon, we were on our way and wished to depart before the smoke and sounds would bring a patrol our way. Photos courtesy of Eric Tipton
Last Updated (Tuesday, 15 December 2009 03:04) |
The Salt River Rifles at their first event - Bentonville 2000
