North Freedom Information?

[Paul Calloway]

Friends of the 33rd -
I've been asked by my comrade J.Wedeward to bring up a few guys from our unit, G.H. Thomas' Invincibles, to your North Freedom event. I'd really like to do that as I feel like our units would work well  together.... and watching John chew, spit, smoke, drink and fart all at once is something  worth seeing for our new converts.

Can anyone provide me with some detailed info about the North Freedom event?

Where it is exactly. What the dates are. Who to preregister with... Getting directions. Etc.

I've been watching your newsletter but haven't seen much. Please email me at [e-mail] with anything you might have, so I can get it out to our guys.

Its a long drive for some of them, but I bet we could get at least one truck load up there.

Regards,
Paul Calloway
G.H. Thomas' Invincibles
www.authentic-campaigner.com

[Mark Reitz]

Paul,

It's less than two months to go, and the  countdown is running. I am generally in charge of the North Freedom event, and there will be a special issue of the Rock County Volunteer coming out in mid-June to address all of the logistics, planning and scenarios for the event.

A quick run down for our viewers: North Freedom is located about 1 hour north of Madison, Wisconsin. The 33rd Wisconsin will be again working with the Mid-Continent Railway Museum to sponsor a reenactment event. The Museum operates a rail spur and runs a train with historic cars during the summer months. Unfortunatley, their steam trains are down for major overhauls, and it is possible, but not likely, that there will be steam trains this summer. Look for steam to return in 2003 however.

The scenario places the Union in the pedestrian job of guarding railroad line, a much under represented duty in the reenacting world. The Union will encamp at LaRue (featured in the book, Wisconsin Ghost Towns) and will outpost at the trestle across Seeley Creek. Due to the hard work of a pioneer unit, the trestle has been reinforced with breast works and rifle pits. The pioneers are planning to attend this year as well, and are looking forward to more work on their works from last year. (I suggested they cover the bridge and add blockhouses at both ends!) This year will also feature a working telegraph between outpost LaRue and the trestle.


Union duty includes picketing the trestle, guarding the line, camp duties, and rotating guards via the train back to the North Freedom depot. The train also includes opportunities for your own scenarios, such as last years' deserter, convalescing soldiers going home, soldiers going on leave, and civilians traveling on the train or to the camp to visit relatives or sell goods. The civilian contingent has also set up a sanitary commission at the depot. We will have a mail call again this year, and hope to provide mail to each soldier (except for the rebs, sorry).

Our invited rebs bivouac down the line from the trestle, and challenge the works there, as well as having the opportunity for being captured, and riding the train as prisoners or parolees.

This year, we will also have access to about 80 acres of new land which can be used for an informal tactical and other manuevers when the train is not running.


Saturday night the 33rd will provide a meal at the LaRue tavern, and there is the opportunity to socialize in the tavern on Friday night as well. The Museum has let us use their man-powered hand car in the past for touring up and down the line when the train is not running. (What a rush!)

A Saturday noon meal of soup will be furnished. We may have some issue rations as well. We try to set up LaRue as a working outpost, with extra boxes, barrels and items.

All in all, it is a great little event. This invitation only event is expecting about 85 reenactors for 2002. If you are reading this and desire to come, please email me to discuss your participation. [e-mail]

We encourage you to plan a scenario for the train. (NO TRAIN ROBBERS, PLEASE!) This event provides ample opportunity to have FUN, and to reenact in first person.

For more specific details or driving directions, contact  me. You can also find a map of LaRue at www.mapquest.com by searching for LaRue, Wisconsin.

I also encourage everyone who has been to North Freedom - LaRue to post their favorite moments.

Mark Reitz.

[Bill Zuelsdorff]

Last year was my first LaRue/North Freedom event.  It was great and I look forward to it again this year.  Mark, are we bringing back the locals to build a fire for us on Saturday night again?  If so I will bring along marshmallows and if others bring the other ingredients we can make s'mores.  ;D

[Mark Reitz]

For those reading Bill's post, but not getting the joke, last year an area landowner decided to have a bonfire with old cardboard egg crates -- a WHOLE bunch of them. He ended up searing the sky with flames, and having the volunteer fire department show up to douse the fire. It got a little out of control to say the least!

Mark.

[Paul Calloway]

Well, thanks to your circular and an email from Mark I finally have the datesof this event. July 12-15. I'll put it out to the Invincibles but it only being 2 weeks away now it may be tough to get some guys up there.

Regards -
Paul Calloway
www.authentic-campaigner.com

[Mark Reitz]

Paul,

Sorry for any lapse in communication, but at least you have everything now. The event does promise to be a good one, and will include a mail call and a pay call. While a smaller event, we try to pack a lot of action into it.

I hope that you and a couple of your chums can make it up.

Mark.