FACTS & COMMENTS
Understanding that in 1999 there will be a Civil War Re-Enactment at Resaca, Georgia, I make available the following information about the fiasco there in 1998. If you are a Federal Re-Enactor you should seriously consider whether you want to be treated in manner described below. If you are a leader of a Federal Unit, you should consider if you want your men treated in this fashion.
THE COMMENTS BELOW COME FROM THE MEN PRESENT AT THE EVENT IN 1998:
May 15-17, 1998
It is my sad duty as chief of staff for the federal forces at this event to report this event was terrible. I will add my own and other official comments, but for now, I post below the edited comments all ready posted by others.
-James C. Dedman
COMMENTS
FROM
RE-ENACTOR'S FORUM
Posted by Bill
Wilson The Yellow Dog on May 21, 1998 at 09:27:21:
Gentlemen:
I was one of the Federals that was thrown into the "briar
patch" at this years Resaca battle and thought you might get
a laugh from my Murphy's Law experience.
When I first arrived, early Friday afternoon, I noticed that the
"Federal Camp Site" looked like a Viet Nam War
battlefield fully equipped with "bungie sticks"
everywhere. Well, since other cars seemed to have avoided the
land mines, etc. I thought I would try. Nope!! Should not have
done that. "Two" flats tires not more that ten yards
into the field. And the flats occured with new all terrian tires.
That little episode eventually resulted in a $200 expense.
Then I proceeded to search for a tent site in my regiments area.
Only poison ivy, sun and ticks seemed to the criteria for camp
site selection by the event organizers.
I was now beginning to feel like the bastard step child or
possibly "trailer trash". You couldn't help feel that
way when you looked over your shoulder and saw the shady and
grassy area occupied by our "Pards?" in the Conferdate
Army, Artillery and Calvary. I heard, but don't know for sure,
that even the civilian campers had a descent camp site down by a
lake.
Well, I'm back home now and have a slight case of posion ivey,
$200 dollars poorer, feel like I'm the bastard stepchild, and
certainly not in the Georgia Reenactors "family will".
Maybe, next year we'll find someone that will treat me "and
my family" with at least equal respect. If not, then we
should just let them "play with theirselves".
Finnaly, my Federal Hat is off to the Federal Leadership during
the weekend and the Confederate Unit that participated in the
tactical on Saturday. Only a small contingent of Rebs
participated and when they realized they were outnumbered and out
flanked, they accepted the situation as true CW reenactors.
Well, I've rambled on enough but I will be at the next event,
with my regiment, and here in the Georgia South, trying to
represent the Federal impression as a balance to my Confedarte
fellow reenactors.
Signed:
The Yellow Dog
Posted by Furman
Ammons on May 19, 1998 at 08:49:29:
First of all, let me state rightnow that I am writing this as a
personal observation. Please do not think this is a group
statement. After reading somd of the other postings and giving it
much thought, I've decided to add my thoughts about the Resaca,
Georgia reenactment held May 16-17. Let me state first that I've
been reenacting for over 12 years, all of it in Georgia. My first
unit was the 42nd Georgia, an organization that had been around a
liitle over a year when I joined. Resaca was the second event I
had ever attended and like mnay that were around at that time, it
was a small event. By today's standards, it was certainly a
"farb-fest."
But over the years, there arose a grass-roots effort to make this
an outstanding event. Trenches were dug, authenticity was
stressed, and there was a general feeling that something good was
going to happen. And something did. The poeple on charge of the
Georgia Division, an orgainzation that had been existence since
the 1970's, decided to make this their own personal
"event" and came to the conclusion that they were the
only one's with the right "talent" to run the show.
They refused to listen to any suggestions or comments that didn't
agree with their "plans." Needless to say, this drove
some of the units, including the 42nd out.
Since that time, the Georgia Division has gradually sunken under
its own top-heavy weight, unfortunately dragging Resaca, with all
of its potential, down with it. It has been over four years since
I've left the 42nd and I am presently in charge of a Federal
unit. The only reason I've continued to attend Resaca was the
overwhelming need for a good, solid Federal presence there. But
after experiencing the bickering by the organizsers that took
place last weekend, I serioulsy have ny soubts if its worth goin
back next year. There will have to be a lot of convincing on the
organizers part if they want me to show up again
Furman Ammons, 125th Ohio
Posted by georgia paul revere on May 19, 1998 at 07:21:54:
the disaster is coming, the disaster is coming. people, you gotta
take the resaca situation to heart. the plans for the 135th
resaca in 99 calls for lots of advertising and wooing of large
groups to attend. ya gotta know now that to attend will result in
the largest cluster you can imagine. did you know the event ran
out of ice on sunday? small event, 90 degree heat and they ran
out of ice. what happens when there are 10 times the numbers? the
glorious mr. parrish forgot to take care of that small detail.
the insults to the yanks were constant and extreme. ask
shackelford about his attempt to march the yanks to his assigned
post to take part in a ceremony to honor a georgia division
person who passed away over the winter------i am telling you here
and now, do not go to resaca in 99 if you care for your health or
your troops welfare.
Posted by georgia paul revere on May 19, 1998 at 08:03:18:
In Reply to: Re: resaca warning again posted by John 125 OVI on
May 19, 1998 at 07:42:07:
shackelford was ordered to move to the right of the confederate
line that was in place to begin the ceremony. as the yanks
marched down the road that would take them to the assigned
location, a confederate battalion dressed their ranks and blocked
it. shackelford asked if they would part the 6 men that were on
the road and the confederate commander said "no". thus,
the us troops that were there to honor a fallen georgia division
fellow, the us troops that had to march the furthest distance
just to get to the field, the us troops that were camped in the
sun (unlike the shady cs camp ) had to march AROUND the cs line.
6 men could have moved and all would be well. just another
example of yankee bashing mentality. no, the event will not be
changed if we go back. there is no reason to change if they think
we will be back. as painful as it may be, only one thing will
force change---voting with our feet. reality strikes again.
Posted by dave shackelford on May 19, 1998 at 00:02:45:
sadly, the forum provost chose to erase opinions about resaca but
left in how to spoon. Folks, resaca was a travesty. there was a
power play by ron parrish and he interfered with mike hardesty
one time to many and mike left. parrish insists on having his
hand in everything and will not listen to other opinions,period.
our camps were lousy and we were treated as just something to
shoot and curse at. unless mr.hardesty is put back in charge,
1999 resaca will be an excercise in frustration. i strongly urge
careful consideration before subjecting yourself or your troops
to the "resaca treatment".
Posted by Duke on May 19, 1998 at 17:11:39:
In Reply to: ok, we'll start over about resaca posted by dave
shackelford on May 19, 1998 at 00:02:45:
Mr. Shackelford,
I agree with your post if the intent is to imply that the Forum
Provost has deleted valuable information in the form of a review
and warning for possible future participants in this event. The
event was horrible in the extreme and, although a Southerner by
birth and heritage, I choose to portray a Western Federal. My
pards and I of The Bully Boys were appalled at the really awful
Federal campsite. We chose to camp elsewhere for the weekend
rather than throw down in the poison ivy stump garden the rest of
you brave Federals endured. (I was the lone Federal who came into
the middle of field Sunday morning abount 6:30 and built the fire
for breakfast and coffee and was able to enjoy the accompaniment
of the fife and drum music. I assume that to have been the 125
OVI. My hat's off to that group. THE most authentic moment of the
weekend for me.)
People need to be warned. This event has absolutely NOTHING to do
with the War Between the States. There were Highlanders, 1/2
scale guns, vivandieres in the artillery crews, and site Provosts
out of control. If this is what Resaca is all about, I've been to
my last.
Posted by Young Possum Puddle on May 19, 1998 at 19:31:26:
125th OVI did have a great fife and drum "corps".
ALL OF THESE WERE DELETED:
Posted by seasoned yank on May 18,
1998 at 00:45:51:
THE HOST ORGANIZATION, THE GEORGIA BRIGADE, IS NOT THE ONCE
GLORIOUS GROUP WE KNEW. IT IS 20 GUYS WITH A LEADER NAMED
PARRISH. YOU DO IT HIS WAY OR YOUR OUT OF THE EVENT.
MICROMANAGEMENT. YET, IF YOU ARE ONE OF HIS BUDDIES, YOU CAN
BRING YOUR MORTAR OR PEASHOTTER ARTILLERY PIECE. 1999 WILL BE A
DISASTER. DO NOT GO. TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW, DO NOT GO. ONLY WHEN
THE REAL PEOPLE THAT PUT ON THE EVENT, BATTLE OF RESACA, INC.
HAVE CONTROL AND NOT PARRISH, WILL THE EVENT FLOURISH. IF YOU
WEAR BLUE, DON'T GO NEAR THE PLACE.
Posted by Lee White on May 18, 1998 at 15:42:49:
After reading through all of the posts it is painfully apparent
that things have to change for this event to survive. I was
planning on trying to get a Hardcore Federal Battalion together
for next year, but my God, how would we be treated?
Posted by western federal that was there on May 18, 1998 at
18:32:24:
. . . until parrish is taken out of the picture with his
micromanagement, this is my event-so do as i say or else
attitude, all of the changes in the world will do nothing.
Posted by Pvt Jim - 125 OVI on May 18, 1998 at 08:22:13:
I agree with John's assessment of Resaca this year. May I also
commend Dave Shackleford for his leadership in the tactical on
Sat. It was nice to see the Yanks win a tactical for once. Boy,
was it great to see the Rebs march by in the field while we
hunkered down in the woods and then swept out quickly into their
flank!
Kudos again to Dave's deployment of the
Also, if you visit Resaca and look for the last place you would
ever camp, that is where you can be sure Federal camp will be
put. They bush-hogged a field overgrown with small trees, vines,
nettles, bushes etc. So what you had was stumps and rooted
twigs and nettles to camp on with little or no shade. One of our
pards actually got TWO flats his vehicle due to the poor site!
Last years site was primo and was given to the cav and artillery
and the Rebs got the woods. Once again, if Yanks are
continued to be treated in this way, there will be NO yanks at
events.
After speaking with many veteran reeanctors who have had
experience with teh GA Division, one can only be lead to believe
that they are DESTROYING this reenactment. Resaca could be a
GREAt GREAT event, but it is ovious that the political
climate that the GA Division has created has driven out some
dedicated reenactors (both Federal and Confederate alike). The
organizers really need to think about why they are tied to the
Georgia Division to discover why their event has gone from a
hudge money maker to one that is sadly dwindling away. One must
also question why the GA Div has so much sway when they
have control over so few men now (maybe they drove out their past
members due to micromanagement!). I would really like
hear peopels thought and experiences on thsi matter. How can we
stop Resaca from being driven into the ground? Lets try and
save it...lets discuss realistically how we can!
Pvt Jim - 125 OVI
Posted by John 125 OVI on May 17, 1998 at 21:34:17:
First of all, these comments are my own, not endorsed by anyone
in my unit; however, I'm sure may agree with me, haha.
Hats off to Dave Shackelford, after experiencing the command of
one national group last year, the Western Brigade, and not being
overly impressed, we were unsure what to expect this year. Dave
did a great job during the tactical, we actually won, in part due
to the way he deployed as well as the few Rebs that came out to
play.
Saturday's battle was slow, slow, slow, slow. Took the Rebs
forever to get on the field.
Federal camp sucked badly. Why oh why are Federals in the south
treated so crappy? One would think you'd want us to attend your
events, perhaps the Georgia Div. has an axe to grind with some of
our leaders, who knows? Either way, the Ga. Div. doesn't treat
boys in blue well, thats for sure.
Sunday's battle was actually very good, much in part to Dave S.'s
deployment of us and the formation he used on the final charge,
one battalion after another straight through their works. Both
Federal battalions looked great with the 21st Ohio (local Ga
group in one with others from Cumberland Guard) and the 125th and
8th Tenn. US in the other.
Posted by soldier a on May 17, 1998 at 21:53:21:
well, resaca is dead. ron parrish, leader of the georgia division
made his power play and ousted mike hardesty and bor,inc for
control of the event. parrish won. he micromanages every aspect
and sticks his nose where it does not belong. you do it his way
or the highway. the federals could not have been treated worse.
Posted by John Adams, 20th SC/13th US on May 17, 1998 at
22:12:09:
I...absolutely sucked! It was like "Here is a nice dirt
field for you to camp in...oh and by the way...we cut down all
the shade for you"...no wonder Fed. turnout is so skimpy.
Posted by soldier that was there on May 18, 1998 at 00:38:37:
the hosts were given every opportunity to correct the mistakes
before and during the event. they refuse to do anything about the
things that are anti-reenactor. the only guy that gave a hoot,
mike hardesty, was forced out. you wanna save it? don't go next
year and watch some changes occur. go next year, and they have
learned nothing.
Posted by Charles Heath on May 18, 1998 at 12:22:22:
Glad he went to Vicksburg, and glad he didn't go to Resaca.
Posted by John Adams, 13th US on May 18, 1998 at 13:50:11:
I began reenacting back in 1985 with a GA DIV unit, the 18th GA.
The DIV and its member units were comparable to any out there at
the time. Resaca WAS a quality event...the camps were huge, lots
of artillery, and the battlefield was set up great...quality
entrenchments, fences, ground charges, etc.
The fact of the matter is, the DIV has not evolved or progressed
much if at all since 1985. Their authenticity sucks, their
leadership is the same every year, and the battlefield hasn't
been improved in forever. No fences, no support, bad camp
layouts, poor parking areas...and yet the division staff still
strut around in their fine staff uniforms...only they have no one
to command.
They continue to show up at events with a whole flurry of
officers and can barely field a platoon of infantry...GA
"DIVISION"...more like GA "SQUAD". The DIV
had some proud accomplishments during the 125th events, but have
since gone to seed. Lessons I was taught years ago about
authenticity have fallen by the wayside in exchange for a few
bits of tinsel on the shoulder-straps.
Many people are urging a boycott of next year's event...why not
an alternate site with alternate hosts? Maybe Barnsley
Gardens...it was used for the 125th Battle of Atlanta and the
owner is a Civil War nut...some German prince or something.
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