Registration for Banks’ Grand Retreat has officially closed.  Any potential entrants seeking to register must contact Fred Baker directly at baker@hendrix.edu

Updates as of 12 February 2007

As Banks' Grand Retreat draws ever-closer, Tom and I are proud to make a
few announcements.  First, we have received commitment that we will
indeed have mobile artillery at the event.  Mr. Duffer's blue legions
will be reinforced by a six-horse 10 lb Parrott rifle.  The addition of
this is something we have worked toward as the event grew nearer.

Additionally, Dan Hadley and Jay Stevens have stepped forward in FINE
style with a project geared toward all event participants.  These two
gentlemen have designed a t-shirt, all proceeds from which will go
toward our preservation initiative.  The attached graphic will give you
an idea of what these garments will look like.  Shirts are for
participants only, not the outside public.  Think of it as a badge of
honor.  If not, at least think of it as a clean shirt to put on when
your four days in the howling wilderness have ended!  Dan and Jay will
be posting particulars on this project on the event message board as
well as on the Authentic Campaigner and additional shirts will likely be
at the event for purchase there.

Counting the days...
Fred Baker
Co-conspirator, Banks' Grand Retreat

Updates as of 22 January 2007

All,

Tom and I are happy to announce that we will be issuing rations prior to the step-off at the beginning of the event. This will be in addition to the mid-event ration issuance which we had previously promised.

With so many members coming in from afar, particularly those flying, securing proper rations as well as having a consistent issue was something of a concern. Our budget will support a ration issuance so we have decided to add that.

Folks are welcome to show up with a bit of food in their bags but please keep in mind that if you throw away or waste event rations, you're essentially throwing away money, money that could have otherwise gone to preservation or other expenses.

This information will be posted on the Banks' Grand Retreat website as well as on the event message board.

Registrations are continuing to come in which is outstanding. I fielded a call and subsequent email from a fellow from Australia who is looking hard at coming over. With so many coming from abroad, Tom and I are continually humbled at the distance and expense folks are dedicating to BGR. Those of you closer should press forward as well. There are a few spots remaining in the CS ranks and we can always stand more Federals.

Kindest regards,

Fred Baker and Tom Yearby

Event Coordinators

Updates as of 18 December 2006

Steve Mayeux, director of Friends of Ft DeRussy, has identified two main areas for use of the funds we will raise at the event. 

1.       Purchase of additional land:  There is an L-shaped portion of original earthworks that is in private hands, adjacent to the preserved portion of the Fort.  The money we raise could be used as seed money to trigger matching funds from the State of Louisiana to make a reasonable offer on the land. 

2.      Purchase the only known CDV of Lt Jerome Bishop, 81st Illinois (our federal impression):  Bishop was a member of Co D and was killed March 16th, 1864 inside the fort when a rebel cannon burst as the federals attempted to destroy the water batteries two days after the capture.  This unsafe and ill considered demolition, with troops sleeping close by, earned division commander Maj Gen Smith the enmity of both the 81st and 95th Illinois for the first portion of the campaign.  Smith's outstanding leadership at Pleasant Hill and during the retreat eventually changed their opinion to one of trust and confidence. 

Steve relates that the earmarked funds to begin the full scale reconstruction of the fort are once again subject to pressing state wide budgetary pressure and it is unknown how much will be available.  Our generosity and skill at raising funds is a source outside this pressure and can serve as a good example of grass roots support. 

Each participant at Bank's Grant Retreat will have 3 main ways of contributing and raising funds.

1.       Registration funds – a portion of each participant’s fee will go to Ft DeRussy

2.      Raffle - 100% of monies raised from ticket sales will go to Ft DeRussy.  The raffle has received donations of some outstanding authentic vendor produced garments and equipment.  A list will go up shortly.  The raffle will be conducted immediately following the event and tickets can be purchased at the event. 

3.      Independent fund raising - from coworkers, family and friends, businesses, etc.  There will be a primer on this up shortly.  We do not expect participants to dig into your own pockets for this - we thank you for taking the time to attend the event.  Rather we ask that you reach out to those who are inspired by your dedication and the preservation cause to donate on your behalf.  Think of it as similar to a walkathon.  A suggestion of 50 cents to $1.00 per mile or more would be appropriate.

For those who have ever seen the Harper’s Weekly sketch of the fort, you will notice an L-shaped piece of earthworks attached to the main redoubt. That property, along with the fort cemetery, is still in private hands, and it would be a very important addition to the State Historic Site holdings if we could persuade the owners to sell. With the money that we have on hand, plus whatever you can raise for us, I am pretty sure we could get matching funds from the State that would allow us to make a reasonable offer on this land. The Master Plan for the State Historic Site was made with the idea that we would acquire these remaining earthworks. The sooner we get them, the better we can include them in all subsequent planning for the site.

Thoughts following the November Site-Walk

On Thursday, November 16, Tom Yearby and I, led by District Archaeologist Geoff Lehmann (himself a living historian), toured the Kisatchie National Forest , west of historic Natchitoches , Louisiana .

After pouring over maps and proposing potential parking areas, staging spots, routes of march, bivouac points, and civilian homesteads, we set out to see if reality met up with the map. By the end of the day, we had settled upon the key elements, noted above. Additionally, the day's efforts had given us a much clearer notion of what to expect.

The Kisatchie National Forest rests upon the ancient remains of a massive mountain chain, believed to have stood taller than the Rocky Mountains do presently. Over time, those features were worn down and now are small, rolling foothills. Though one does not readily conjure images of rolling hills when one thinks of Louisiana , the Kisatchie Forest is quite hilly. Numerous bayous (creeks/streams) cross the area in which we'll be operating. Though few are deep, they will nonetheless present some added challenged in moving men and wagons. We will rotate companies within each battalion to act as pioneers and to help move the wagons when and if needed.

More importantly, the site walk gave us an appreciation of the physical requirements that folks will need to be ready to meet. Our total distance will be something in the order of 26 miles. Spread over four days, this is not a grueling pace. The men who originally trod this ground often covered that span in a day's time. In our modern age, many of us are not accustomed to such rigorous activity. We urge you now to begin preparing in earnest! Light exercise will not suffice. Distances per day will vary but be prepared to cover 6-10 miles in a day, with pack, and still be able to perform as a soldier. The event logistical team will not be available to haul whiners, shirkers, and weaklings. Straggling is period and if you care to do that, you may. Should you choose to throw in the towel mid-way through the event, so be it. You'll be shown the quickest way out and we'll wish you safe passage back to your vehicle. In the event of a genuine medical emergency, you will be promptly taken care of and transported to the appropriate medical facility. For many, you'll be called upon to do things you don't often do. However, this is one of the basic concepts of Banks' Grand Retreat- offering an experience that is not at all like a typical reenactment of living history.

In the days to come, we will hash out physical expectations a bit more but the best advice is to be prepared to be active. Hiking/backpacking is the best way to condition as well as longer-distance walking. Having shoes that are comfortable and broken-in is another essential factor.

Stay tuned, get registered if you have not already, and gather more comrades!
Please click here for the photo gallery

Updates as of 13 November 2006

From Fred Baker, Event Organizer
Greetings all!

With Banks’ Grand Retreat drawing steadily closer, I wanted to establish a point here on the website where you can come for new information and important updates.  The event discussion board is also a great spot to bookmark.

Registrations are arriving daily with several large groups sending in forms from the United Kingdom as well as from California.  Tom Yearby and I are very excited by this enthusiasm and humbled at the financial sacrifice of those journeying so far!

I have fielded a few questions of late which have prompted me to post this first update.  Many folks are puzzled over what they perceive as a lack of detailed scenario information on the event website as well as in general announcements.  Frankly, this is deliberate.  Banks’ Grand Retreat has a stated goal of attempting to give folks a taste of soldiering on a day-to-day basis.  In the eyes of Mr. Yearby and myself, it is impossible to gain that perspective with a detailed, daily breakdown of events.  Indeed, even the battalion commanders will be kept in a degree of darkness- while they’ll know critical points, distances, bivouac areas, water points, and similar information, they will be handed letters each morning with specific directions for the day.  Ultimately it’s a soldier’s fate not to know what awaits him and that’s what we are striving for.

Fear not!  No one will starve.  No one will die of thirst.  The distance we cover each day will be very manageable, six to eight miles on average.  Spread across a full day, at even an average pace no one will be overly taxed.  However, there will be enemy to contend with and duties to perform.

At present, that is all that I feel needs to be said.  Look for further updates in the very near future as well as some images from the event site.

We look forward to seeing all of you in March!