April 17-18
Living History at Bennett Place, Durham, NC
Confederate and civilian townsfolk.

. . .

APRIL 1865 UNIT PORTRAYAL
We will be portraying the 2nd/20th South Carolina (Consolidated) Regiment of Kennedy's Brigade. This regiment was consolidated after the armies arrived in Greensboro, NC when the losses of the winter necessitated fuller companies and effective organization. The 2nd SC Infantry was one of the oldest units that served in the Army of Northern Virginia, including the history of Sgt. Richard Kirkland, the "Angel of Marye's Heights" at Fredericksburg. The 2nd was part of the legendary "Kershaw's Brigade" and had battle honors with Lee from 1861 through January, 1865 when it was allowed to transfer to their Charleston to fight Sherman, who was launching from Savannah to wreak havoc on radical South Carolina. The regiment fought well at Averasboro and Bentonville. It marched to central North Carolina and went into camp near Greensboro. The 20th SC Infantry was the newcomer to the old SC brigade, joining the brigade in the midst of the "Overland Campaign" and getting hit hard at places from Cold Harbor to Petersburg. They were at first considered garrison soldiers but quickly proved their bravery and participated in the Battle of Cedar Creek, then on to fight Sherman in January. We shall portray a consolidated company of that regiment.

STRUCTURE
Two consolidated companies of 20-25 men each, each commanded by a Lt, and the whole commanded by a captain, designated as a PROVOST DETAIL of the CONSOLIDATED 3rd SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT. 50 man companies were gone even after the reorganization. There is a 50 man limit for the CS Infantry.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
As you read above, the South Carolinians were in the ANV until January of 1865. If they drew uniforms there before they left, they would have worn anything from a English kersey Richmond jacket to a Tait jacket, which you may also get in the Carolinas. If you drew trousers in Richmond, they are either Virginia Jean or English kersey. Caps were still being issued of course, probably dark kersey like the uniform, but there were still plain Jean caps as well. South Carolina had some stores of its own uniforms and as stated, some imports, but if by some chance you have a Charleston, SC Depot jacket of English kersey, break it out. And it is very possibly that the last uniform they were issued at Greensboro, if needy, would be a brand new NC depot jean jacket. Maybe one of the things one or two of you would do is pop off the NC buttons and place your old buttons on the jacket. Overcoats are great and you know the veterans from the ANV brought their captured Yankee overcoats and their "Yankee Flies" or shelter tents. As far as weapons, you cannot go wrong with Enfield Rifle-Muskets and captured Federal types.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Enfield Rifle-Muskets or captured Springfields, No Smoothbores please, full accoutrement sets with brass frame buckles or southern depot buckles, NC accoutrement sets, Confederate manufactured haversacks and canteens (Gardner Pattern and tin drum most numerous), Federal canteens and haversacks, and a mixture of S. Isaac & Campbell packs with captured M1853/58 US packs - no early war packs please - military blankets should be captured US blankets, import blankets (white, brown, blue), and possibly some NC blankets - keep the coverlet/quilt thing to an absolute minimum.

RATIONS
Bring your own rations but keep it into perspective of what campaign and where you are in the war. The typical living history goods for the public are SALTED/SMOKED BACON, CORN/FLOUR MEAL, RICE, even COFFEE and some SUGAR, but some other items are good like turnip greens, spring onions, and corn bread which citizens gave CS troops camped around Greensboro.

EVENT PARTICULARS:
We are going to be the model Confederate company for the site and will be the demonstration company. But, the focus of the weekend is the actual surrender of Johnston and Sherman at the house, which the site recreates. We will have front row seats on that program.

On Sunday, we will actual recreate a stacking of arms, furling the banners, and surrendering before the public. Next year we do it for Appomattox, so this year for the Army of Tennessee, Department of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

THE PROGRAM ENDS AT 3PM ON SUNDAY, so I am asking that everyone that can stay, pease stay, as we are the demonstration company. If a few of you are driving 10-12 hours I cannot ask you to stay, but those that can handle it, the site needs every musket.

BE PREPARED FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. Company Drill
2. Platoon Drill
3. Guard Mount
4. HARDEE'S REVISED 1862 MANUAL

CONSIDERATIONS
3pm on Sunday is the very special surrender and stacking arms ceremony for the public, so we must stay for this, as specifically asked by the site manager. Please plan your travel arrangements accordingly.
The site will provide us with: firewood, water, 24-hour restrooms, and a 10% discount in the gift shop.
For our more Northern members considering the travel distance, Durham, NC is about a 5 1/2 hour drive from Gettysburg, Pa.