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| The Trans-Mississippi Volunteer Infantry Battalion is an organization dedicated to the accurate portrayal of soldiers serving in the Western Theater of war during the War Between the States. Colonel Rick Hunt and his staff are committed to providing outstanding leadership to the companies within the battalion. We are a proud member of the Trans-Mississippi Brigade. |
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 With the Atoka event in our history books and the gear beginning to dry out,.....I've taken some time to reflect back on the event and what it brought to not only us as individuals, but us, meaning a large fighting force. My highlight of the event was being able to sit and talk about this next year with a couple of my friends and associates, Gen. Willie Huckabee and Col. Rob Sanders. As most of you know, the 2007 schedule has been my priority for the past 4 to 5 months. There have been many emails back and forth between the 1st Ark and the Brigade, all summer. But no email or phone call can compare with sitting down with these people and going over, in detail, of what we want and what the men want, for this next year. Well, we did it and not only did we sit down and talk about our building of big numbers, we were also able to sit down and discuss our ideas with the Frontier Brigade command, Gen. Stan Prater (Fed commander). With our Gen. Huckabee at the helm of our discussions, I think we were successful in our efforts to show Gen. Prater, our ideas for next year, also our desire for their support with a few of these events. Without getting overzealous, I can say that all our ideas were well received, and he will push to make these events happen on the Federal side. The event's on the table are as follows: March.....Port Hudson, Shiloh (New option) April......Pleasant Hill May.......Jefferson (Frontier Brigade shows interest in this event) June......Tribbey OK (Frontier Brigade shows interest in this event) October...Pea Ridge (Frontier Brigade shows interest in this event) November.... Old Washington (Frontier Brigade shows interest in this event). The Shiloh event has just came up. Gen. Huckabee sent out registration information, before he left for the Atoka event and then told us about it on site. During our meeting, I was able to convey my concern about the Shiloh event, being too close in time to the Port Hudson event, .... it would put us in a position of deciding one or the other. So far, the Shiloh event has some thumbs up. The sacrificial lamb in this case would be, the Port Hudson event, based on the popularity history of the event. Not to mention the distance. "These events would only be a weekend apart from one another" Men, things are looking good at this point. This is a historical time to be reenacting as well. The rebuilding, west of the Mississippi river is taking shape and before too long our numbers along with directive stability, will take us all into an exciting 2007 year . I also look forward to our last event of the year,"Prarie Grove". Our federal friends, the "Frontier Brigade", will be there in force along with an attempt to make the fighting scenerio as it was in December 1864. As in previous years, the Confederate camp is right on the Confederate line of defense, during the battle. This year could be more accurate, with Federal troops coming up with support to push the Confederate troops from this line of defense. I hope this can happen. "Start planning for Prarie Grove" Men thanks for your time and I'll see ya in the field. Col. Richard Hunt TMVI commanding BATTLE OF MIDDLE BOGGY Sept 23-24, 2006 Atoka, OK  On Sat. Oct. 28 Mansfield SHS will be hosting its popular Halloween event, "Ghosts of the Civil War". This is a nighttime program, and will run from 7:30-9:30. For those of you who've never taken part in this program before, a lot goes on in these two hours. What we attempt to do is re-create the battlefield the night after the battle of Mansfield. As you know, a Civil War battlefield after dark had its own horrors, having very little to do with ghosts and goblins. Visitors are taken onto the battlefield trail by candle lantern, where reenactors and volunteers act out various scenes, such as field hospitals (amputations and hemeroids) burial detail, picket line, lost/displaced civilians, civilians combing battlefield for loved-ones, looters, crawling wounded, butchers of dogwood tress, battlefield justice, etc. We try to make this as realistic as possible. This is not a corny haunted hause, but a small glimpse into the horrors of war. We dront grab or chase people; all living history scenes are static. When the visitors start out on the trail into almost complete darkness, with cries of the wounded and screams coming from the deep woods, you won't need to chase anyone, trust me, they're already scared by that point! Though in reality the program has little to do with "ghosts" this is a difinite attraction for the visitors, as supernatural activity is quite common on battlefields after dark. I will also add that the majority of supernatural occurrences reported by re-enactors at Mansfield have taken place during this program, some rather bizarre. Spooky... This is one of our largest and most popular programs, with past visitation topping 600. We need as many re-enactors, living historians and volunteers as we can get. This is what makes it work and look realistic to the public, so the more the merrier. We also need period civilian impressions as well (ladies, children) just as much as we need military. There is a place for everyone. You don't have to speak if you don't want, we'll find a place for you. Also, feel free to bring any props or special effects you want, fake blood, dismembered dogwood trees, etc. Be creative!( but realistic) If you want, you can period encamp Friday night (Oct. 27) on the battlefield, as well as Sat night after the program is over. If you plan to attend we need to know. This is very importtant in planning fot thr program. Even if you want to attend but aren't sure, let us know by calling 318-872-1474, or by e-mailing me at [email protected]. Also, if you plan to period camp overnight on Friday Oct 27, please let us know, as the park will be closed at 5:00 PM that evening if we don't hear from you. Participants need to arrive Sat evening by 6:00 PM. At 6:00 PM, we will do a walk-through and assign everyone a spot. We thank everyone in advance, and we look forward to working with you in making this a "kicking" Halloween program. Thanks for supporting your battlefield park. Scott Dearman Mansfield Stae Historic Site For those of you that wish to go, the 3rd. La. will be camping Sat and Sun. Come early and sit around the fire. We will have some kind of large pot supper I just can't make up my mind what to cook. Capt Scott Solice 3rd. La. Dec 2-3, 06 Prairie Grove Arkansas  About the Battle  In celebration of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas, 10,000 reenactors converged on Middletown, Va. in the Shenandoah Valley, 50 miles west of the original battlefield. Hotly contested battles raged for 2 days with both sides reeling from intense cavalry, artillery and infantry duels. Over 15,000 wealthy spectators driving wagons and buggies from Washington City expected to see a Union victory and picnic in the shade. Instead, the carnage was shocking, and they fled in the chaos of the Union retreat. Exactly 45 years ago, on a similarly muggy weekend in July, 2,500 "soldiers" marched on Manassas National Battlefield Park to mark the centennial of the battle. Dressed in blue and grey work shirts from Sears, they ran and hollered at each other, firing blanks wildly. 50,000 spectators viewed. It was the birth of modern reenacting; unfortunately the crowd took a heavy toll on the park and the National Park Service will not allow the use of its system for reenacting. The "hobby" is comprised of 150,000 soldiers today, according to Ed Hooper, the editor of Camp Chase Gazette. The Trans-Mississippi Brigade was well represented with participants from AR, TX, LA, OK, TN, PENN. and MO, well over 120 men. The composite battalion represented the 2nd Mississippi proudly and fought with great elan. As they marched into battle on Saturday they covered two miles of hard marching to get into position to deliver their deadly blow to the invading Northern hordes. While heavily engaged on their left flank by a host of scores of cavalry, the troops were assaulted by several brigades of enemy forces. At the moment of initial contact, with guns loaded, the troops fell victim to blinding torrential rain, but held their position. With no way of knowing whether the figures advancing in front of them were friend or foe, due to the torrent, hundreds of troops went into posititon on the horizion. They were Federal and let loose a staggering volley, charging our fair troops. Then the 2nd repulsed the Union advance only to be sent reeling again. Colonel Sanders was sent to the rear, wounded by a stray musket ball, yet maintained the men in good order, refusing to allow the Yankees to advance. After several more assaults by well disciplined and hard charging Federals, the 2nd was ordered to the rear with one third of her men fallen dead on the field of honour. The troops of the ANV quickly took up position and the battle shifted back and forth for over two and a half hours. With artillery belching mountains of dark smoke from the hills above, the 2nd stood its ground around the Henry House, circa 1780. Remarkably, due to the presense of the 2nd, the house remained intact and the field was held. The next day the 2nd was placed first in line of march by General Stepp, and the 2nd went back in to face a grim fate. In spite of overwhelming odds, the Yankees were sent into an eventual rout and the prize was won by the Confederate forces. Respectfully submitted, Your humble and ob't servant, S Bailey Private  TMVI PHOTO SITE  Long Live the Rebellion  photo by fitz  The Brigade website has been missing in action of late. However it has recuperated from its wounds (to a great extent) and is now back on the line. Transmsbrigade website  they just lose control of their Privates! 1/8/06 1st Sergeant Ronnie Hatfield
of the 12th Texas has "thrown in his stripes!"
He will be sorely missed! Rick Schell will step up to the 1st Sgt position. |
9/27/06 It was just brought to our attention that the fee per participant at Prarie Grove has been raised.. Last go round it was $3 / head. This years 2006 event will be $5. 2007 TMVI Commanders Meeting Plan ahead 8/28/06 Reservation are in place for the 2007 TMVI Commanders Meeting. The meeting will again be held in the conference room at Gander Mt. in Texarkana on Jan. 27. As always the meeting is open to company commanders and their second in command or designated alternates. The staff is hoping for a good turn out and we are looking forward to seeing the commanders in January. Adj. George Strawn  I must inform the battalion of the loss of one of our members. Maj. Pat Emmert was the regimental surgeon for the 3rd.La. You might remember him at P Hill. He was the surgeon in a wheel chair. He passed away June 28th. from many painful afflictions but chief among them was lung cancer. Capt. Scott Solice 3rd. La. Former Captain of the 12th Texas, Heber Caskey, passed away last Friday night while at work of an apparent heart attack. Heber was Captain from 1997 to 2000. His brother Ed was a loyal member of our unit for many many years as well. His funeral was held yesterday and I am told it was a beautiful service. Your Most Obdt. Servant, Capt. Rick Schell (Bvt.) 12th Texas Infantry Good Job Boys! SgtMjr Preston Ware  Ron Strybos of the 15th Texas was elected Major of the TMVI at Pleasant Hill. Ron is the Colonel of the 15th Texas and as such brings alot of experience with his election to this position. Congratulations Major Strybos! Capt. Livingston has relinquished command of the 12th Texas Infantry to Rick Schell until such a time that he is able to return to duty or until Company elections this November at Leindo. Rick will officially run for Company Commander at that time. Capt. Livingston will be serving as an advisor.  3/19/06 When the Beaumont reenactment was cancelled, a group of reenactors went to the Texas Civil War Museum. It was really good. If you havent been to this yet...go. Lots of amazing things in there and presented in a new impressive way. FLAGS! Lot of 'em and...more Confederate shell jackets that I've seen anywhere. You will not believe how small the waist is on Gnl Robert Hoke's jacket. They even have locks of General Lee's hair and Jeff Davis's hair. Go see if your reenacting equipment looks like the original stuff. http://www.texascivilwarmuseum.com 3/19/06 It rained and then rained some more and the event was cancelled. Annual TMVI Commander's Meeting 2006 3/14/06 The Commander's Meeting was held Saturday, March 11th 2006 in Texarkana. 12 members were present. Items on the agenda to discuss were the treasury report, a review of 2005, FCD division discussion, Schedule of events for 2006, Manassas, Discussion board, Battalion election changes. The Battalion events for 2006 are-Pleasant Hill, Jefferson and Prairie Grove. Elections- there will be a special election for Major held at Pleasant Hill this year. A motion was made to move the general elections to Old Washington, Arkansas as more members could attend that event. The motion was seconded and passed. So the staff elections will be moved to Old Washington 2007. Jefferson was discussed. The big draw attractions are.... TMVI and families will camp at the Plantation, Parade, town fight, dance in old carriage house, flag ceremony in town and more good food supplied to the reenactors for Saturday supper. Bring the blue uniform too. As we will be the 2nd Mississippi at Manassas, the uniform
that they wore there was under discussion. A red battle shirt
was part of it ...with a gold star. We will post perhaps a photo
and a description of the MS uniform for those who want to get
that impression together. A strict adherance to this impression
is not required to go to Manassas. There may be 2 companies apply for membership in the TMVI in the near future. There could be a movie company that is interested in using the TMVI as reenactor extras..more on that later. Many topics were discussed and decisions were made... the attendants considered the meeting most worthwhile. Thanks to Cpt Geo. Strawn for facilitating this meeting. The battles both days were very spirited and the action was hot and loud. The Volleys fired by the Confederate Infantry were crisp and fired in rapid succession. With some units firing on the drum. Camp life was loud and fun filled, with the men swopping stories and singing tunes late into the night. A good time was had by all. (thanks to Cpt. Billy Johnson for the review) 1/30/06 The Trans-Mississippi Brigade and its 5 Battalions has offically removed itself from the First Confederate Division. 1/30/06 Col Hunt has bought a horse that he intends to use to further his reenacting impression. Also, he relates that he anticipates that the use of a horse will relieve some of the wear and tear on his feet at reenactments. We hope this new horse is accustomed to the sounds of gunfire. Here are some events that we know of now for consideration of our 2006 schedule.
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| HISTORICAL IMAGES | how to speak like 19th Century soldiers | Forrest Site |
| Here
is an interesting clothier they provide some history on their items |
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 BATTALION MEMBERS CONTACT INFORMATION |
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