The Battle of Andrews Farm

Knightsen, California

September 15-16th, 2001

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This webpage contains the following event information:

o General Information

o Schedule of Activities (updated as of September 10, 2001)

o Site maps and photos (updated as of August 19, 2001)

o Directions and Hotel Information

o Reenactor Information (updated as of August 19, 2001)

o Photos from our last event in September of 1998

NOTE: the Knightsen Civil War reenactment is STILL GOING ON!  The ACWA Board, event coordinator and property owner made the decision that we should continue with the event.  We believe that in light of the recent tragedies, one of the best ways we can honor those who have died is by continuing with our activities.  We have also based this decision on the huge outpouring of public support to continue to have the event.  Decisions to attend or not attend will be based solely on individual discretion.  There are two ways to look at this...no one will fault you if you do not attend, and no one should fault those that decided to attend.

General Event Info

Knightsen is a small farming community in Eastern Contra Costa County off of highway 4, located about one hour east of San Francisco.  The event is held on 30 acres of open farmland bordered by a levy.  Public turnout is expected to be strong!  The site is rustic, close to major roads but not near major highways.  It is possible you will hear an early morning train coming through town!  We are expecting about 300 Civil War reenactors including infantry, large scale artillery, cavalry, sutlers and civilians.  The event will also feature land mortars and trenches.  

The event is open to the public from 9:00am to 5pm on Saturday and 9:00am to 3:30pm on Sunday.  Battles will be at 11am and 4:30pm on Saturday and 11am and 2:30pm on Sunday.  In between battles we will be having various living history demonstrations occurring in all camps, including a civilian fashion show.  Please see the schedule of activities for more details.

We are asking for donations from the public upon entry into the event.   Public donations help us to recoup overhead costs of equipment, powder, insurance and other administrative costs.  The suggested donation is as follows: $5 per adult (18 years of age and older), $3 for teens between the ages of 13 - 17, and kids 12 and under are free!

This event is organized by Leonard and Linda McCurley, Ed Byberg, Mike Musante, Niels Follestad, William Entriken, Sean Byberg, Eric Byberg, and Rick Lemyre of the ACWA.  It is sponsored by local chapters of the American Legion, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Masons and the National Guard.  A special thanks to Jack Eaves for setting up the land mortars, and Gaylon Lemings for mowing the fields.

Schedule of Activities

SATURDAY September 15

9:00am: camps open to public

11:00am: 1st battle

12:30pm: artillery forge demonstration

1:00pm: artillery demonstration

2:00pm: fashion show

4:30pm: 2nd battle

5:00pm: camps close to public

SUNDAY September 16

9:00am: camps open to public

11:00am: 1st battle

12:30pm: artillery forge demonstration

1:00pm: artillery demonstration

2:30pm: 2nd battle

3:30pm: camps close to public

Site Maps and Photos

Click on the thumbnail in the table below for a larger jpeg picture of the local road and site maps and two site photos.  Alternatively, we have higher quality PDF versions of the Road Map ,  Site Map, or Combo map (as below).  These are the FINAL updated versions of the site and road maps (as of August 19, 2001).

Directions

For those looking to get internet directions from mapquest or zip2.com, you may be out of luck because I am not sure if they have charted the area yet.  However, the address is 3156 Delta Road, Knightsen, CA 94548.  

Heading EAST on Highway 4 FROM San Francisco: The site is approximately 28 miles from the highway 242/4 interchange.  Highway 4 will become a downtown city street and is also known as Main Street or Brentwood Blvd.  While on Brentwood Blvd, make a left on Delta Road.  After driving 3.2 miles, turn left into 3156 Delta road at the end of the white fence just after the Byron Highway intersection.

Heading WEST on Highway 4 FROM Stockton: make a right off of highway 4 (Brentwood blvd.) onto Delta Road.  After driving 3.2 miles, turn left into 3156 Delta road at the end of the white fence just after the Byron Highway intersection.

Local Hotels

Reenactor Information

All Civil War reenactors are welcome!  You do not need to fill out a form to participate in this event.  However, please bring your club's membership card.  If you are a paid member of any reenacting club, your admittance to the event is free.

It is extremely important that all interested reenacting units contact Mike Musante at mikemusante@hotmail.com to RSVP so adequate space and supplies will be made available.  If you would like to help setup for the event, please let us know.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact Leonard McCurley at home at (925) 634-0730 or at work at (925) 642-9001.

WARNING: there is always the possibility of extreme hot weather at this event!  There is very little shade and we expect reenactors to prepare accordingly!

Hay for  soldiers' bedding and hay for horses will be provided.  BUT we need each unit to bring their own water AND firewood!  There are well water spickets in the civilian camp but unfortunately we can only bring one large water tank to share between the Union and Confederates.  We are greatly thankful to the National Guard unit for making this water tank available to us.  As always, food preparation is up to each individual unit.  Outside vendors will be present for the public.

We expect reenactors to display period correct uniforms and equipment.  At the minimum we expect reenactors to have proper trousers, fatigue coats and hats.  Modern anachronisms (earrings, sunglasses, rings with the exception of wedding bands) should be removed. 

Artillery will be re-imbursed as per the normal ACWA policy.

Reenactors may arrive at noon on Friday.  Camps close between 3:30-4:00pm (TBD) on Sunday.  Reenactors can drive into the site and drop off their equipment and then drive off to park.  Reenactor (for suttler, civilian and military) parking is separate from the public parking and is located behind the bleachers, on the adjoining property.   We expect all cars to be cleared from the camps by 9am on Saturday morning.  Campers and trailers will be parking with the reenactors in the reenactor parking lot.  There are no electrical hookups.

ACWA safety rules apply.  This will not differ from most ACWA, NCWA, CHAS or RACW events.

The Union Brigade is under the command of Colonel Joseph "fighting Joe" Kitzero and the Confederate Brigade is under the command of Colonel Michael "Beauregard" Soden.  The civilians are under the command of Debi Hershman and the suttlers will be organized by Nita Newman.   See the site map for information regarding the location of the Civilian, Suttler, Union and Confederate camps.  The respective brigade commanders will determine how the units are laid out within each camp.   There is very little shade in the respective camps, so we strongly suggest bringing tent flies.  Also, due to relatively limited camping space, we strongly suggest each commander keep tent spacing tight!

Both above and in ground camp fires are allowed.  There must be a 5 foot safety zone clear of debri and grass around each camp fire.  You can dig in ground camp fires just as long as you replace any dirt you displaced!  

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