2nd RI @160th Sailor’s Creek

The purpose of this webpage is to provide information for members of the recreated 2nd Rhode Island for “Black Thursday – 160th Battle of Sailor’s Creek” 4-6 April 2025

Event Registration Link. (Deadline: March 1st 2025) (2nd RI fee includes rations)

Event Address: Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, 6541 Sayler’s Creek Rd, Rice, VA 23966

Report Time: Recommended NLT 5PM, Friday 4 April But NLT 8AM, Saturday 5 April

27 Feb Update: (From Scot Buffington)
-The 2nd RI will form at 5:00 pm on that Friday and proceed to the picket area. Yes, we know that there will be late arrivals well into the evening as well as into Saturday AM. There will be many signs directing soldiers from parking to our bivouac area. The bivouac area is very close to the federal parking.
-Upon arrival, shelters go up first. Bring rope enough to rig your shelter properly. Those who made flat roofs at the wilderness realized their folly at the wilderness. The woods are pretty open with little undergrowth.
-Each company will be given an area of responsibility and shall throw up breastworks as practicable with available materials. Soldiers will be rotated to the line and back at the company commanders discretion.
-Rations for Friday night into Saturday AM will be distributed early evening.
-You may leave your shelter and extra blankets at Fridays bivouac site. There will be plenty of time as well as transportation back to the bivouac area between the ending action and the evening program.

Saturday PM:
-Camps will be reestablished near the Hillsman House. Transportation provided to retrieve personal gear and tentage left behind.
-Double rations will be issued to be shared with our “captured” counterparts.
-There will be a latern tour for the public Saturday evening. We will be intermingling with our captured counterparts who will be under guard? TBD.

Sunday:
We will have a ceremony near the Hillsman House after breakfast leftovers. Hopefully have everyone on the road earlier than later.

Overall reminders.
*plan for cold, plan for wet. However support is close. We do not want a repeat of the Wilderness.
*your companies may mess as individuals or have a company mess. A couple sheet iron kettles and a coffee pot are suggested. They can always be brought up.
*tent flies and shelter tents are the rule.
*an extra rubber blanket and canteen is better than an extra shirt and “haversack stuffers.”

We aren’t going to let anyone die. We DO take care of one another. I know that I’m not 20 and there may be times that I’m going to want to seek the warmth of my car. I will not be doing that.

If you think you’re going to need more period rations then feel free to bring them.

Relevant Webpages

Historical Documents

2RI-adj-gen-1865-v1Download


2nd RI Order of Battle

Headquarters

  • Lt. Col. Scot Buffington
  • Major George Cavalone 
  • ADJ: TBD
  • RQM: TBD 
  • SGT. Major Jerry Lynes

Companies

  • First Company:  Capt. Kim Perlotto (Third Regt) 8th CT, 14th CT, 63rd PA, 78th PA, 11th PA, Hickory Mess
  • Second Company: Company “I”/2nd West VA
  • Third Company: Capt. Joe Pankey, 28th MA. Co B
  • Fourth Company: 2nd RI (Color Company)
  • Fifth Company:  3rd Maine 
  • Sixth Company: Tiger Light Guard
  • Seventh Company: Grave Diggers Mess

Uniform and Equipment. The 2nd RI was a member of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division VI Corps. Participants should expect to live out of the packs and haversacks, campaign style for the event. Uniform and equipment should be AoP 1865 standard. It is recommended to have 120 rounds per rifle for the event.

Impression Guidelines:

Red VI Corps Badge will be issued.

Headgear
Preferred: Slouch and forage cap*
*All Enlisted must have a forage cap or kepi

Jacket:
Preferred: Issued Sack coat
Accepted: Commercial Sack Coat

Trouser
Preferred: Federal Issue Sky blue
Accepted: Issued Dark blue

Shirt
Preferred: Federal issue contract or Donnet Flannel
Accepted: Civilian wool or cotton

Footwear
Preferred: Federal Issued Brogan
Accepted: Short Boots

Overcoat
Preferred: US issued infantry overcoat

Rifle
Preferred:M1861 Springfield, M1863/64 Springfield and P1853 Enfield (3-band)
Accepted:M1855 Springfield
Prohibited: Flintlocks, CS rifles, 42’s etc.

Belts
Preferred: US issued with oval US buckle
Acceptable: US NCO belt and buckle

Accoutrements
Preferred: Quality US issue cartridge box on sling or belt and cap pouch. 2 or 7 rivet bayonet scabbard
Prohibited: CS, Militia, Buff or painted cloth

Canteen
Preferred: US Issued smoothside or bullseye
Prohibited: CS, Wooden, Import, etc

Haversack
Preferred: US Issued painted haversack
Prohibited: CS and unpainted haversacks

Blanket
Preferred: US Issue or British import
Acceptable: Quality wool blanket
Prohibited: CS, Coverlets, Quilts, jean wool blanket

Knapsack
Preferred: US issued knapsack
Acceptable: Blanket roll
Prohibited: CS, Import, Wood Frame, etc

Ground Cloth
Preferred: US gum blanket or painted cloth
Acceptable: US poncho
Prohibited: CS ground cloth

Mess Gear
Preferred: Personal mess gear

Tentage
Preferred: US Issued Shelter Half
Prohibited: Wall Tents, A-Frames