EVENT: "Storm in the Ozarks"
Type of Event: Civil War Reenactments and Living History
Commemoration: Skirmish at Smithville, Arkansas
When: June 17-19 2022.
Where: Jackson Farms Highway 117 between Black Rock and Smithville Arkansas
Unique Aspects of Event: Homecoming of the 5th Illinois Cavalry exactly 160 years to the Day.
It will be civilian reenactor intense. Throughout weekend reenactors will reenact events from the war in the area.
The Major of the 5th Illinois provided an eloquent but brief report of the Skirmish, and it reads like a movie script.

Summary of the Skirmish: One the morning of June 17 1862, Major Seley sends out a 15 man patrol to locate cattle and to bring a Union man and family to his camp. The patrol is warned by a woman from a neighboring house, that flagged them down, who warned them that 100 men from Coleman's Regiment were going to ambush the patrol, The Lieutenant sends a rider to Seley informing him of his situation. He sends three Companies, D, F, L, to find the Confederates, apparently scouts follow confederates to the farm of James McKinney. The scouts bring the 3 companies to the farm. part of the force dismounts and the remainder ready to charge. The patrol is sent approaching the farm, and the Confederates fire a volley, the dismounts return fire, and the Mounted troopers charge within 12 feet of the log buildings. It is already evening and occurs in a torrential rainstorm. The historical inspiration of the title of the event.

Military and civilian reenactors are invited. A Sutler's Row, is planned, and Sutlers are being invited, food vendors, etc will be on site. Really nice permanent restroom Facilities, excellent encampment area.

Sunday reenactment will be a campaign style tactical. all branches needed, Navy, Marines, Medical, Artillery, Engineers, Cavalry, Infantry, Signal, Pinkertons, Scouts, Irregulars (partisan rangers, raiders, Missouri State Guard, local home guard). Since the Confederate force was hidden in the woods, and farm buildings, and part of the troopers were dismounted, there should be a role for all branches even in the Cavalry skirmish. There will be a role in the skirmish for the artillery, even though they were not involved in skirmish, they are going to be used as signal for beginning and ending of the skirmish, and during Saturday during living history. Sunday battle, they will play a vital role. The Navy and Marines, on Sunday, will also have important roles. basically who ever obtains control of the lake and one of the flanks, they will carry the battle. Confederates will have the tactical advantage of having the highground with Artillery with full view and range on the lake.
For more information email btipton000@centurytel.net