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Date Posted: 09:46:34 05/08/02 Wed
Author: Gregg Benefiel
Subject: Re: Cross Timbers- Federal Notice
In reply to: Jeremy Mazur 's message, "Cross Timbers- Federal Notice" on 09:58:38 04/29/02 Mon

>Gentlemen,

I was reading Bro. Maynard's editorial comment on my decision to allow the inclusion of Henry rifles at the Cross Timbers event. Please allow me to respond.

1. I have had numerous requests from the members of the 1st Battalion to allow usage of their purchased Henry repeating arms whenever the right opportunity presented itself. This event is a good opportunity to fulfill their request.
2. Rarely is there an opportunity to use them based on most historic scenario's we reenact at most multi-battalion events. Cross Timbers is a "generic" summer 1864, Western Theater of operations, campaign event, therefore we are not constricted by absolute historical guidelines.
3. They were used. Over 8,000 in circulation by the summer of 1864. Over 80% of those were in the western theater of operations. Usage of Henry's is documented in the following battles/skirmishes:
Iuka, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Nickajack Creek, Ga., Lovejoy St. GA, Missionary Ridge, Florence AL, Red River Campaign, Bentonville, Resaca, Allatoona Pass GA, Lookout Mt., Goodrich's Landing LA, Sweetwater AL, Spring Hill, Franklin, the battles for Atlanta, Goldsboro NC, Cox's Mill, Corinth MS, Jonesborough GA.
4. They were used by Western Regiments. They were used by mostly Illinois regt's. They were mostly purchased at the time the Army paid regiments the $400/man bounty when they re-enlisted as Vetern Volunteers. Typically they were purchased by companies within reg'ts as most regt's that document their usage were not totally outfitted with the Henry. The men paid their $45-$55 - depending upon where they purchased it (a princely sum - three months wages)- as mostly an insurance policy to get home in one piece. Documented regiments with Henry's in the western Theater:
Illinois Regt's.: 7th, 11th, 23rd, 39th, 51st, 64th, 66th, 86th, 96th, 100th, 105th, 115th.
Indiana Regt's.: 58th, 59th, 93rd, 97th
other Regt's.: 31st PA., 66th WI., 29th NY., 2nd WI., 1st Mo. Engineers.

My concerns in the usage of repeating arms in reenacting are that they are used in accurate historical settings, accurate chronological periods, and that they are used in the proper ratio in a regt./Battalion (typically one to three companies within a reg't./battalion). When that is accomplished, I then am concerned that the enemy never reacts accurately when they are employed against them. Historical accounts all mention that actions ended rather expeditiously when the enemy came up against units with repeating arms. They weren't fools and the survival instinct kicked in quickly, unlike my experiences in past reenactments when Confederates stood there and slugged it out toe-to-toe for 10 minutes.

If you have any further questions concerning the 1st Battalion standing orders, please let me know.

Regards,
Gregg

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