(Last update 08/15/08)
Manassas National Park
Living History
12521 Lee Highway
Manassas, Virginia 20109
Phone: (703) 754-1861
Fax: (703) 754-1107
Check out the NPS website at the hyperlink above or at:
Notes from the Sgt:
We are guests of the 4th Virginia, Co H at this event. We will conduct cavalry demo/living history programs on Sat and Sun at the Brawner Farm site of the Manassas Battlefield. Our demos will be follow or precede infantry and artillery programs at the same site. We will conduct joint demos with our friends from the 4th Virginia. We will also camp together, share a combined unit mess, and we will be guided by the 4th VA on a Sunday morning battlefield ride. This is a campaign camp, so we need to keep it simple. “No cots, chairs, coolers or anything non-period in evidence during the day. After 5PM Sat, feel free to bring out the creature comforts (within reason, of course) to include tentage if you wish. NLT 10AM on Sun, get all of that stuff out of sight again. SPECIAL WARNING: THIS IS A MUST!!!! Last year the Chiggers ate us up. Bring CHIG AWAY or some really strong insect repellent. Also, keep your horses sprayed down, especially by their feet. Since it is in the 4th VA’s back yard, a few of them may go home for the evening, however, most of us will camp.
Notes from the Capt,
The weekend is geared more towards a military camp, meaning that the Manassas NPS folks encourage all the participants be in uniform for the event. The camps are pretty informal, last year we slept in our trucks and trailers, the recently renovated Brawner farmhouse on site, or campaign style. We will be treated to Saturday evening dinner by the Blackhorse Cavalry. Captain Treat has mentioned that they would cover all meals for the weekend for us and then we would do the same for them at the Gettysburg NPS weekend. I will confirm this to all participants asap. Terry Treat normally sends out instructions to his unit before the event. I will forward all participants when I receive it.
With Appreciation,
Sgt Mark and Capt Charlie
LETTER OF INSTRUCTION
The historical time frame for this event is the second Manassas 1862. Bring period tack of course. Even though we are guest of the 4th VA we are presenting a Federal (Blue) Living History. Bring extra confederate uniforms just in case though..
Bring carbines, sabers, & pistols. Several times Capt Treat emphasized CLEAN weapons. I have had the privilege to inspect some of ours…..Please clean them before coming. Black powder is allowed, however we must be discrete. Bring about 24 rounds for the carbine. Bring 12 rounds carbine ammo in your cartridge box; pack another 12 rounds in a plastic bag with your name on it. Carry pistol; no pistol ammo. Clean you saber scabbard. We will load our pistols once per day, firing 3 rounds per demo each day. Be flexible! This is a National park and each one does things a little different.
Hay, water and firewood are provided. Charlie will email if there are any changes. It is always recommended to bring some hay, just in case. A bale per horse is my normal rule of thumb.
The 4th VA (Terry Treat) will be feeding us this weekend in exchange for our feeding them at Gettysburg NP in Sept. I would recommend bringing a cooler with drinks and anything your personally would like on your own though.
Please be advised, this is a National Park and by direction of Capt Treat, no alcohol permitted.
We will park our rigs near the camp and demo site on the Brawner Farm near the recently reconstructed house. Directions from 29N: from the 29/Rte 66 interchange, go 1.9 mi and turn left to enter the site. Look for the Pageland Lane intersection/traffic light. From there, the left turn is about .4 mi; you must use the turn around just beyond the farm entrance to get to the other side of the highway. From 29S: from the 29/Sudley Road (234 Bus) intersection, go 2.2 miles and turn right to enter the site. From either direction, look for the worm fence, open field and house on the hill. Proceed up the dirt road toward the house; our camp site is right behind the house.
Map 1.
Manassas, VA
Close up of Manassas NP
"DRAFT" SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
(This is from last year…..But it should not change greatly)
Friday
PM Black Horse advance party arrives; set up picket lines and tent flies. Meet 2nd US as they arrive and guide then to camp site.
Saturday
NLT 0900 Troopers arrive, unload, tack up (saddles loaded campaign style), prepare for drill, unpack camp stuff and move trailers to parking area. Put carbines rds (less 12 in cartridge box) in common storage container.
0945-1015 Drill (practice demo) with 2nd US.
1015-1030 Prepare for weapons and uniform inspection (12 rds carbine in your cartridge box; carbine and pistol squeaky clean and unloaded).
1030-1045 Weapons Inspection by Park Ranger and safety briefing.
1045-1100 Drill (practice demo) with 2nd US.
1100-1130 Cavalry Demo/Living History Program.
1130-1230 Break; additional drill as required; set up day camp.
1300-1330 Cavalry Demo/Living History Program.
1400- Open time. Dinner; combined mess; BH provides.
Sunday
0500 Reveille. (The cooks will have coffee ready.)
0530 Boots and Saddles.
0600-0900 Battlefield ride. Stripped saddles, no weapons, shirtsleeves or vest.
0915-1030 Breakfast; combined mess; 2nd US provides. Open time.
1030-1100 Prep for demo.
1100-1130 Cavalry Demo/Living History Program.
1130-1230 Open time; pack up camp, load trailers.
1230-1300 Prep for demo.
1300-1500 Cavalry Demo/Living History Program.
1500- Load up and depart.