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A month after my trip to Dixie, an event at New Madrid, Missouri was planned. But a couple of unfortunate factors prevented me from attending this reenactment, the least of which was it was located in the extreme southeastern corner of the state - in the 'boot heel'. Because of the extreme distance to travel, just about every reenactor in the KC area opted to take the entire day of Friday off. My employer was reluctant to let me leave early this time around so I attempted to find someone who would be going down after 5 PM. For some strange reason I was put in contact with Kevin Ellmer, a member of the 9th Texas Infantry. He was taking his wife and kids to the event, and he agreed to meet at Blue Ridge Mall (in Independence) to pick me up as well. It was just after 5, and they arrived in a small size pickup ,with a camper shell on back. Moments after loading my gear aboard, his truck conked-out right there in the parking lot. Unable to get it restarted due to the failure of some mechanical part, I returned home to spend the weekend with Mona and my baby girl, Katie.
Aug 14-15, 1982 LONE JACK,MO
Every year since probably the Civil War Centennial, the local citizen's of Lone Jack have had some kind of ceremony to remember the battle of Aug.16, 1862 and those that fell. This remembrance was usually in the form of a wreath laying ceremony, followed by a few words from the local minister, and a rifle volley by members of the local American Legion. On the 120th anniversary of the battle, the town of Lone Jack wanted to have a full blown reenactment staged. As mentioned in a previous chapter, the original battlefield is now occupied by a museum, and its parking lot. There is also a small cemetery in the same proximity, where a few of the battle dead rest. To stage this reenactment as per the wishes of the town, would require us to use the parking lot as our battlefield.
The federal camp was located directly behind the museum, while the Confederates were just to the north of the small cemetery. Only about 50 yards separated the two camps. As far as the layout of the camps, I refer to a 1982 video tape which shows a number of wall and dog tents, a 'prairie schooner' covered wagon, and two brass artillery pieces. There was also a small number of mounted horsemen in attendance (some portraying Quantrill's querrilla's), as well as women and children (portraying townspeople caught in the middle of the conflict). Holmes Brigade would be portraying the Seventh Missouri State Militia Cavalry. If practicable, members were asked to bring 9-button cavalry jackets. If unavailable, sack coat's could be used. Cartridge boxes were to be worn without the sling and on the waist belt. Weaponry would remain the same.
Referring again to the 1982 video, Saturday was used as a day to rehearse the many hand-to-hand struggles that would take place during the reenactment. (The original battle of Lone Jack was a 'mighty mean fought fight' in which the front line swayed back and forth at least five times. Charges and counter-charges with bloody individual struggles were numerous) Several of us federal's paired off with a southern opponent to choreograph body blows, and/or fist-a-cuffs. A few cases were very dangerous and great presence of mind had to be attended to; particularly if knives and sabers were involved. Beyond these dress rehearsal's, I don't recall much of anything beyond drill. One drill had us on a 30 yard wide strip of grass between the east and west bound lanes of Highway 50 just outside the city limits.
The town of Lone Jack was made out like a county fair. Patriotic bunting, souvenir stands, concession's, a parade down main street (Missouri Hwy 150) featuring clowns, shriner's with the funny cars, and Little Miss Lone Jack. During the weekend, there was an estimated crowd of 3,000 in attendance. The temperature was about 90 and before the parade was over, someone in the crowd had passed out from the heat and an ambulance was called. A number of blue as well as gray reenactors had breakfast at the diner across Highway 50. For under 5 bucks a decent meal could be had.
Left to right:"Bad Bob" Tackett, Dick Stauffer, Joe Anderson, Ray Ham, unknown, Bill Fannin, Charlie Brulle, Erik Hansen, Jack Piatt, Darrell Wilson, Frank Kirtley, Steve Weldon, Dick Benge, Paul Walter, Mike Stokes, Mike Hendy, Robbie Piatt, Chuck Counts, Ron Theimann, John Maki, Paul Rosewitz, Alan Watkins, Doug Kidd, Newton Hughes, Lloyd Garoutte, Bob Talbott, and Don Strother (don't know where Hig was when this picture taken. Probably dining on a beer and a chicken leg).
The original battle of Lone Jack began at 5 AM when a confederate musket accidentally went off, alerting the waking federals. However, we were starting the battle at 2 PM; we had to pretend we were just getting out of bed. In other words, when the battle commenced, we were supposed to be in various stages of undress-mostly coatless, some bareheaded. Higginbotham portrayed 1st Lt. Morris Foster, an officer somewhat light-headed from an intoxication the night before. Lt. Foster had misplaced his hat and in the pandemonium tied a rag on his head, looking like some kind of mad gypsy. Hig played his role to a 'T'; he swung a huge saber in an arc high over his head in an encouragement for us to redouble our efforts in a counter-charge. In the battle, the confederates swept across main street in a single line, guns blazing, pushing us federals back, then falling back themselves as we counter-charged. At least 3 times our cannon were captured and turned on us. To retake them involved the hot hand-to-hand action I mentioned previous. A humid wind carried the acrid black powder smoke into our audience, who stood behind an area roped off. Several babies cried and dogs howled at the din we created in that parking lot about 50 yards square. Gail Higginbotham portrayed a local townswoman-Lucinda Cave-who tried to flee the area with her children only to be mortally wounded by a stray bullet.
After about an hour, the fight was over and "Resurrection" was announced. All the "casualties" of the conflict picked themselves off the ground, signaling to the crowd that the battle was indeed over. A thunderous round of applause washed over our hot, sweaty bodies as we staggered the few feet back to our tents. With the battle over, the spectators were encouraged to visit the camps and ask questions. Lone Jack was a successful event- even though an abbreviated one with limited space to fight in. With the complimentary reporting of the Lone Jack reenactment in the KANSAS CITY STAR MAGAZINE, I felt Holmes Brigade had achieved some sort of recognition and respectability in at least Jackson County. Now we would carry those accolades to other areas of Missouri where expectations for quality reenactments would be high.
Sep 18-19, 1982 LEXINGTON,MO
It had been four years since my last visit to Lexington, but this was my first visit as a reenactor. My God! Had it only been four years since I drove up from Warrensburg to this very spot I was standing on now. I had been a spectator then, marveling at the pageantry of blue and gray armies as they clashed with one another during that summer of '78. I had harbored a secret desire then to be a part of this marvelous outdoor drama called living history. Now, I was on the inside looking out because I had seen the elephant and it was good.
Lexington also marked the second anniversary of the formation of Holmes Brigade. It those brief couple of years we had seen artillery, cavalry, and infantry join together for a common purpose. We had learned company and battalion drills. We had fielded a company kitchen to accommodate nearly 100 men. We were once individuals, but now we were one solid group united for the good of the many. This concept of one unit, one voice, one goal was something the Missouri Confederates never seemed to grasp.
Since this was our "state event" for the year, officer and NCO elections would be held-as well as other business that needed to be taken care of. It seems we had to have a secretary to record all the issues or motions that were made. A treasurer (that was me) had to give a treasurer's report. After the evening meal on Saturday, everyone would gather in a loose huddle on the ground-usually in front of the captain's tent. Men either sat on camp stools or on the bare ground nursing vile smelling cigars while discussing issues such as hard tack purchase or uniform impression's for the next event. We had one or two lawyer's in the hobby, and talk was started on incorporating the Holmes Brigade as a not-for-profit organization. Plus by-laws had to written and agreed upon. The possibility of a lawsuit against the Holmes Brigade by a spectator injured at a reenactment was a topic for serious consideration. There are a lot of hazards at a reenactment. Someone could fall in a campfire, get stepped on by a horse, injure themselves when handling a weapon or equipment,etc. Any accidental injury caused by a spectator's own negligence could come back to the reenactor unless insured against liability. I believe by decade's end, we had a policy which covered Holmes Brigade to the excess of one million dollars.
As I stated earlier, officer and NCO elections would be voted on and I was on a campaign for another stripe. For a reason I can't quite fathom even now, I had a burning desire to be a sergeant. Maybe it was just the idea of putting three stripes on my sleeve that appealed to me. I had bought a reproduction paperback copy of HARDEE"S INFANTRY TACTICS and had studied many of the drills. I had taken a platoon through drill at Lexington; marched them at shoulder arms, right shoulder shift. I had marched them into a line of battle, had wheeled the line to the right and left, and formed them back into columns of four. During the election I was able to convince the members that I was qualified and that I deserved another stripe.
All elected positions right now were headed by people from either the Columbia/Jeff City area or the Kansas City area. The Springfield boys might have felt a little miffed and in danger of losing their individuality unless they had one of their own in an important office. Looking ahead, it seemed very likely that another officer would become necessary as we attended bigger events, so Don Strother was nominated for the position of 2nd Lieutenant. The results of the election saw Dick Stauffer retained as Captain (no one had the qualifications to run against him), Hig was elected as 1st Lieut., Don Strother as 2nd Lieut., Ray Ham 1st Sgt., Bill Fannin 2nd Sgt., yours truly made 3rd Sgt., Boyd Wilson was made Quartermaster Sergeant (in charge of company mess), and Frank Kirtley replaced Don Kling as Color Sergeant. (Our rank would became effective at the next event)
I really don't remember much about the battle reenactment that was conducted here. This may be the Lexington where Captain Dick misplaced his sword. During the original battle-and after a lengthy siege-the federals were required to surrender themselves to Missouri State Guard forces. Playing the part of the overall federal commander, Dick Stauffer was required to tie a white cloth to the tip of his saber and signal the cease-fire. Tucking the saber under his arm, he conducted a frantic search of his person until a handkerchief was found. Then a blank look came over him and he began searching the ground at his feet thinking he'd laid the saber down somewhere. When questioned about the lost saber, Hig and Bill Fannin could only exchange puzzled looks because, of course, the saber was still tucked under the Captain's arm. In due course, Captain Dick was made aware of his folly, the surrender was made, and the reenactment concluded.
Oct 9-10 FAYETTE, MO
We had had a number of women in camp for some time now; the first I recall being Gail Higginbotham at Glasgow in 1980. More and more ladies began to show up at events-most not content to stay at home while their men folk went off for the weekend to play with "the boys". The majority of these gentle creatures made their own hand-sewn clothing, including the popular "hoop skirt". They usually placed their hair in a bun covered by a netting called a "snood" or wore a bonnet. Research on the typical Missouri woman of the 1860's was done by ladies such as Kathy Fannin, Maggie Grothe, Ruth Hendy, and others. These ladies were instrumental in creating the first civilian or refugee camp in the history of Missouri reenacting. (As it was not proper during the war for women to travel with the army, the majority of these ladies portrayed citizens from the town, displaced refugees or members of a ladies auxiliary. During the war, ladies groups were organized to offer services to the soldiers not normally associated with camp life: attending to the sick, supplementing rations with food from home, help with letter writing, mending clothes, providing soap, or just being a motherly presence to a homesick lad.)
At these reenactment, the ladies had activities of their own and-contrary to popular believe-did not get in the way of what the men were doing. They had "tea's", distributed mail to the boys (they'd write phony/funny letters),and they began to have fashion shows-an activity that drew the curiosity of a number of spectators. An organizational meeting had been held at Lexington to form the LADIES UNION AID SOCIETY, and during the Holmes Brigade business meeting an agreement was made to sponsor this new group at the next MCWRA meeting in January 1983. 25 ladies pledged themselves to the LUAS, including my wife Mona. She got tired of sitting at home by herself and resolved to let her mother babysit Katie so see could-in her words-"keep an eye on me." Sharel Parvin, Hig's sister, was quite the handy seamstress. She created several beautiful camp dresses for her sister-in-law Gail and made a couple for Mona. Sharel was also a new member of the LUAS and found herself with some new clients as well.
At the Fayette event, one of the first activities the newly formed LUAS planned was a Temperance Rally. A colorful banner had been created with grapes and barley painted on it, which also had the words, "FOOD IF EATEN, POISON IF DRUNK!!" On Saturday afternoon, the ladies led a parade to the county courthouse near downtown Fayette. A podium was set up in front of the main facade of the courthouse and several people came up to give a speech, led off by LUAS president Kathy Fannin. Jim Beckner had begun moonlighting as a parson at some events, and he usually could be called upon to give Sunday morning sermon's. At the Temperance Rally, Jim was Brother Jim and he gave a fiery sermon calling drink an abomination and a destroyer of families. Holmes Brigade and many of the Missouri Confederates were here-sitting or reclining on the front lawn. Some of the guys made loud remarks-but still keeping it in character-voicing their protest over temperance. Kathy Fannin was as tough a Missouri woman as could be found and was not fazed by comments from the crowd. On the contrary, she would respond in such an educated and measured way as to make the person who made the comment feel very small. A substitute for alcohol was offered by the ladies in the form of a product called VINEGAR BITTERS. Claiming that the bitters were a healthy alternative to "evil spirits", Higginbotham volunteered to have a sip from the bottled elixir. Thinking it was merely tea or a soft drink, Hig's was in for a rude shock and nearly gagged because the liquid really was "vinegar bitters."
The battle was uneventful, although probably the first that was fought behind a green snow fence. An article appeared in the local newspaper of the reenactment, and it is available if you click this hyperlink. On Saturday night a dance was held (I think in the local high school gym). Soldier's of the blue as well as the gray attended this ball; their ladies all made out in high fashion. Camp dresses were replaced by fancy gowns-off the shoulder numbers displaying amble busoms. Hoops so wide that four small children could have hid under them. A dance called the 'Virginia Reel" was introduced that night-at least I'd never heard of it. It turned out to be an easy one to pick up as it seemed to be similar to square dancing. At one point during the evening, Dave Bennett's lovely wife Becky serenaded the group with a beautiful love song. As it turned out, Mona had a cousin that lived in Fayette, so she spent Friday and Saturday nights at her house.
Soon 1982 drew to a close. There would be one more event in early December. It would be a return to Prairie Grove, my third visit in three years. However, it would be during the time of year the original battle was fought. From here on out, Prairie Grove, Arkansas would host a reenactment every other year at its State Park site. As I have been to Prairie Grove over a dozen times in the last 20 years, I will use the next chapter to record all my thoughts on this event, and share a few of the episode's that accompanied each visit.
