ACWS INTERNATIONAL EVENT

Weston Park, Shropshire
July 26-27th, 2003

THE ROAD TO MALVERN HILL

SCENARIO REQUIREMENTS

The whole event is to be based around Malvern Hill, the closing battle of the Seven Days Battles around Richmond in 1862.

Homestead to be placed on battlefield near viewing area with small out buildings and a working farm appearance. Small plywood out buildings, beehives etc Fences (Weston Park?), washing lines and general day time appearance.

At the farm a wedding is in progress with the son of the farm being a Confederate officer. This will commence 15 minutes prior to the battle and show civilians enjoying festivities, (the commentator to explain to crowd).

During wedding riders call to collect the officer and return to fight, (General weeping and distress from civilians and parents etc) 6 horsemen. (5 minutes)

As the farm settles the retreating Federal cavalry cross the farm and are engaged by Confederate cavalry. A running battle commmences to push the Federals in retreat. (approx 8/10 minutes)

Union infantry retreat through the farm in two columns, one column right in public view start to pillage and receive hostile actions from the civilians on the farm, (soldiers stealing food etc.) approx. 5 minutes.

Second column in distance receives artillery fire and takes casualties, union medical set up field hospital in farm for medical scenario (5 minutes).

Rest of columns retreat to defences (union artillery lines on hill) and reform to defend.

Confederate staff rides into farm and capture Federal hospital and commandeer farm as a field hospital and offer assistance to Federal medical staff. (5 minutes)

Civilians start to assist in shelter and ripping up sheets for bandages, etc. (Commentator explaining to crowd)

Confederate column enters from crowd onto farm and deploys for battle seeking forage from civilians who show sympathy to southern troops (cheering and rejoicing. (5 minutes)

Federal artillery firing all the while (ground charges close to farm (children curious mothers furious).

Second Confederate column enters on left of farm to engage rearguard Federal infantry and push them back to defences, (5 minutes).

Federal prepare for attack deploy skirmishers and sharp shooters. On their left in front of crowd.

First attack on Federal positions from Confederate left, heavy artillery fire holds up attack 1/3 up hill (ground charges and lots of noise) (5 mins) casualties brought to farm.

First attack receive ammunition from the rear (distribute by company)

Second attack advance from Confederate right and encounter artillery and small arms fire and retreat to just in front of farm (5 minutes). Casualties report to medical station, (Medical situation getting busy no room no supplies.) Ammunition brought up from rear.

Riders in and out of farm reporting to Confederate staff who set up H.Q. on farm.

Third advance from the centre advances to half way up the hill taking heavy losses on half way point, and hold a defensive line under heavy artillery (5 minutes) bombardment. Refitt third advance with ammunition from rear.

Confederate attack halted and in a state of reform. Cavalry attack the Federal right and harass the flank with small arms fire in repeated attacks.

Seeing the Federal left occupied a Confederate advance of left and centre advance 1/3 from their positions and receive heavy bombardment forcing them to dig in and fight (5 minutes).

Confederate right advance and engage Federal left in fire fight (5 minutes)

Federal advance quarter down hill pushing the Confederate right back who take heavy losses. (5 minutes).

Confederate left and centre retreat and form column and leave the field, Confederate right retreat to rear of farm, (commentator explaining)

Scenario ends with Union forming columns to retreat and hospital scenes.

PYRO INVOLVEMENT WESTON PARK

Pyrotechnics will play a heavy role in the success of Malvern Hill and will need support from all arms of service to ensure that charges are dug and boxes manned. Training from the beginning of this season will be given to volunteers who wish to learn (see John Filer).

We need to assess quantities and set up to produce desired effect ensuring we have cable boxes and all they require.

Props are to be rigged to give effects and some special requirements for this. (Allan Colquitt, Nick Richards and John Filer)

All the above will need Mike Corbishley to be involved in all consultations and ideas.

All companies to furnish staff as requested to assist (company commanders).

Full walks and field tours to discuss the pyrotechnics to ensure health and safety is paramount to troops and civilians.

CIVILIANS AT WESTON PARK

Civilians involved in battles are something new to ACWS and should enhance not only the scenario but also the civilian enthusiasm within the society.

Civilians will play a major role in Malvern Hill and have constant crowd participation with a full viewing around the homestead.

All civilians to be coordinated by homesteaders and all to learn their role for the scenarios. Children will be involved totally up to a point where health and safety permits.

As they have centre stage we must ensure that civilian impressions are of a standard to match the roles and spectacle we are putting on.

All civilians who wish to participate to report to homesteaders and give their names and meet on regular basis to rehearse / coordinate their roles.

I will be glad to assist Colin and Jane in any way to help or support.

Civilian coordinator to be present at pyrotechnic briefs.