The scenario for the Western Brigade event at Conner Prairie Indiana is appended below

Scenario:

This is the proposed set-up for the scenarios for the weekend.

The Who:  The Army of the Cumberland

                        ALL FEDERAL Participants at the event will fall under the direct command of General Steve Dunfee and will be assigned duty with the First Federal Division.

For living history purposes, the proposal is for the Division to portray the 3^rd Brigade (Baldwin), 2nd Division (Johnson) of McCook’s 20^th Corps.

                        Preliminary Battalion assignments (pending Commander approval and actual battlefield strength) will be as follows:

o    All Federal Cavalry: 3^rd Indiana Cavalry (cos. G, H, I, K)

o    All Federal Artillery: 1^st Ohio or 5^th Indiana Batteries (your choice)

o    Indiana Battalion: 6^th Indiana Infantry

o    Army of the Ohio and other WB: 1^st Ohio Infantry

o    Western Federal Blues: 5^th Kentucky Infantry

o    Cumberland Guard: 93^rd Ohio Infantry

o    Frontier Brigade, Muddy River Battalion, Lightning Brigade, and UO Infantry will be assigned based on event attendance. If battalion strength is achieved by any of those organizations, then we will utilize regiments from other historical brigades within that 2^nd Division.

Units are hereby authorized to research and develop individual impressions relating to the above guidelines. Even though the actual adoption of such may have not occurred by the time we are portraying (but the order and authorization had been promulgated), for the purposes of Esprit-de-Corps within the Division, WHITE STAR corps badges are authorized for use by officers and men in the field..

The When:        Early Summer of 1863

 The Where:       In and around Decherd, TN; situated along the stage and rail routes connecting Nashville and Chattanooga, 30 miles south of Stevenson, AL.

                                The What:  Portions of the Army (Thomas’ and McCook’s corps) are operating in the area, bivouacked in a small town,  operating against the Confederate Army of Tennessee which has formed a defensive position along the “Duck Creek Line.”  We will be portraying small engagements/expeditions, and reconnaissance in force against the CS positions.  We are doing GENERIC scenarios all weekend based on the tactical situation; we will not be “re-enacting” any particular engagement.

                                History:  In late June 1863, the CS Army of Tennessee was forced to withdraw from the “Duck River Line” when the 17^th Indiana severed the railroad at Decherd in their rear.  Afterwards, Thomas’ and Mc Cooks’ corps camped around the Decherd/Winchester area until they left for the start of the Chickamauga campaign.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the officers and men of the Division to portray citizen soldiers all weekend long, without having to try to re-create a particular scenario. The opportunity for leadership in the field and strong living history in the camps is particularly appealing. The army will be “on” all weekend, and there will be opportunities for camp, guard, reconnaissance, and picket duties in addition to the “major” engagements that we will participate in with the public.