March 15, 2003 Reenactment Information for Mounted Cavalry Reenactors: The Black Horse Troop (Co. H, 4th Virginia Cavalry) is providing the core group of the mounted reenactors portraying Mosby's Rangers. Lt. Terry Treat of the 4th Virginia is our overall Confederate cavalry commander for the event. Other cavalry reenactors are welcome to participate provided that their impression is known to Lt. Treat or to others in the 4th Virginia or if they are able to make at least one of the drill sessions prior to the event (email us for details) and meet safety standards. Because much of the action takes place on asphalt with spectators nearby, we need to be extra careful from a safety persective and although the charge will involve little or no cantering, this is nonetheless not a beginner event. We are negotiating with a leading Federal cavalry unit to portray Lt. Higley's Company K of the First Vermont, who arrive on the scene after the raid and give chase. Bookmark this page for further information. In addition to Lt. Higley's column, there are roles for the four mounted Federal officers who are captured. As the only riding involved is riding their own mounts at a walk while being led off as prisoners, experienced riders with beginner-level cavalry skills would suffice for these roles, provided that their horses are gunfire conditioned and stable in crowds. Mounted reenactors have a choice of two places to park, either in the reenactor parking lot on the map by the low-rise white stucco building or at Freeland Young's Riding stables, about a mile and a half away from the event. The 4th Virginia is leaving their horse trailers at the stables and riding in. If you are interested in doing this also, please contact us. Mr. Young has kindly allowed us the use of his ring if you want to do any "warm up" schooling before embarking on the trail ride. If any mounted reenactors are coming from out of town, Mr. Young can provide overnight (field) board for your mount. This must be arranged in advance, so let us know your needs. Horses can also be kept there after the event to enable mounted reenactors to attend the living history presentation, lectures and party afterward. We are particularly eager to get as many mounted participants as possible. Experienced mounted reenactors will be paid an expenses stipend to help defray their costs in participating. Mounted reenactors interested in coming from out of town and who cannot bring their horses but whose impressions meet our safety standards are still VERY welcome. A limited number of reenactment-trained horses can be procured for rental if we have sufficient advance notice. Rental tack can also be procured but if you could bring your own, that would be a big help. All horses brought to the event must have a current Coggins certificate. Out of town mounted reenactors will be provided free overnight accommodation on Friday and Saturday nights. (Home stays with local Chamber of Commerce members, and event participants etc) As much of the action takes place on asphalt, you might want to consider having your mount shod with borium. As recent planning sessions have determined that the the charge itself will largely take place over grass and because of the line of site from the approach route to the station, it is unlikely that the "Rangers" will need to canter, this is optional. Mosby's men in March 1863 were a hodgepodge -- local farmers and farmers sons, men detailed from the 1st Virginia cavalry, men with other locally-based cavalry units such as the Black Horse Troop (4th Virginia) and 7th Virginia who rode occasional raids with Mosby, and men who had started the war in other companies such as the 17th Virginia Infantry. As a result it is probable that the accoutrements and tack which they had was also a hodgepodge -- a mixture of captured Federal, CSA issue and civilian saddles. Therefore, ANY period appropriate saddles and tack are allowed for this event for those portraying Confederate. For those portraying the First Vermont, 1859 McClellans are preferred We encourage all mounted reenactors to adopt a first person portrayal. Living historian Jeff Smith is portraying Col. Mosby but most other roles are still to be assigned. Visit our First Person Resources page for further information.   Key Links for Reenactors: Reenactors Schedule Event Scenario Site Map Parking Uniform Guidelines Civilian Guidelines Mounted Cavalry Camping /Hotels "First Person" Resources History of the Raid Contact us Return to Reenactor Information Main Page

Visit MosbysRangers.com For information on the event, contact: Richard Downer: mosbysraid@HRIAssociates.com (general information, logistics, civic involvement) Kathryn Coombs: MosbyWeb@aol.com (reenactors, living history program, website)