Field Report From The Armies of Tennessee Annual Meeting
On January 23rd, 2010 The Armies of Tennessee held it’s annual meeting in historic Savannah, TN. Within ear shot of where the Battle of Shiloh took place, The Armies of Tennessee set it’s 2010 agenda and discussed it’s role in the 150th cycle of Civil War events. There were forty AOT members and guest attending with the states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee being represented.
After unit role call, each unit had the opportunity to speak on behalf of their up-coming events. Some of the AOT unit events include: The Battle of Sand Ridge, Sikeston, MO March 5th-7th, hosted by the 10th Tennessee Cavalry; The Battle of Centerville, Centerville, TN April 22nd-25th, hosted by the 7th Tennessee Cavalry, Co. B; The Battle for Linden Courthouse, Linden, TN May 8th, hosted by Bankhead’s Battery; Forrest’s Great Escape, Parker’s Crossroads, TN June 11th-13th, hosted by the AOT 1st Brigade; Thompson’s Legion, Maryville, TN September 10th-12th hosted by AOT 2nd Brigade; The Battle of Farmington, Farmington, MS September 17th-19th Cedar Bush Mess. The 150th Anniversary Battle of Shiloh, which is to be held on March 30th-April1st, was also discussed.
Three events held by associate and alliance members were also included in the schedule. Those events include; The Battle of Selma, Selma, AL April 16th-18th, hosted by the Alabama Division; The Battle of Chalk Bluff, Chalk Bluff, AR May 1st-2nd, hosted by the 7th Arkansas; Davis Bridge, Burton Sugar Farm, MS October 1st-3rd, hosted by the Jeff Davis Battalion. All the above events were approved by it’s membership and were placed on the calendar.
Alabama Division Commander, Ken Sumner, also attended the annual AOT meeting to renew the alliance between The Armies of Tennessee and the Alabama Division. The new Western Alliance is called “The Armies of the Heartland” which was a term used for the many armies that fought in the Western Theatre. Other associated and affiliated organizations have expressed high interest in being involved in this new alliance. An announcement time will be set soon to provide details of the “Armies of the Heartland” Western Alliance.
Billy Altom
Adjutant
Armies of Tennessee
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“The 150th Anniversary Battle of Shiloh Announced To Local Officials”
(Press Release For January 26th, 2010 Meeting)
In a meeting on January 26th held at the Tennessee River Museum in Savannah, TN, Rick Revel, the commander of the Armies of Tennessee announced the upcoming 2012 event. Attending the meeting were seven high ranking officials from Savannah and Hardin County, Tennessee. The officials present represented the local governing body as well as tourism and heritage preservation. Contact has also been made on the state and national level, with officials from the legislative branch of government, tourism and heritage preservation. The following was announced to seven attendees.
The 150th Anniversary Battle of Shiloh National Event will take place on March 30th –April 1st, 2012 at the same location of the highly successful 140th & 145th Anniversary Battles of Shiloh. The location is approximately six miles south of Shiloh National Military Park, in the Southside community. With great success, the two past events brought hundreds of additional visitors and increased revenue into Hardin County. The announcement was received with great optimism, that a third national event held at the same location would garner even more attention.
It was explained by Mr. Revel that the event had been announced and publicized since January of 2009 on the Armies of Tennessee web site and the re-enacting community has already begun to make plans to attend the Shiloh National event. The event was also discussed at the Armies of Tennessee annual meeting held at Doris’s Diner in Savannah, TN on January 23rd, 2010. With forty AOT staff and unit members present, all pledged to make the 150th Anniversary Battle of Shiloh a National event to be remembered.
At the January 23rd meeting, Tom Doss, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Armies of Tennessee, announced he had secured the event sight land leases in 2009 and assures past participants, that the 150th Shiloh will be an even more enjoyable adventure than the last two. With discussion of a week long celebration leading up to the anniversary battle, the potential to boost local revenue and history awareness would be an incentive for local participation. While revenue for the county is extremely important, the main goal of the Armies of Tennessee is to educate and preserve heritage. A school day is set for Friday, March 30th, 2012 so that schools in the surrounding area can experience history coming to life.
The 150th Anniversary Battle of Shiloh promises to be a great event for Savannah, Hardin County and the great State of Tennessee. It may seem early, but mark your calendars now, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
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“The Armies of Tennessee” Has A Change Of Guard!
On December 19th, 2009, citing health reasons, General Tom Doss passed the command of The Armies of Tennessee, to long time friend and fellow veteran re-enactor Rick Revel. General Tom Doss will remain executive director of the non-profit organization while General Revel will assume the day to day command of military affairs and event co-ordination. General Ken Doss will remain as second in command and all members of the staff will maintain their positions.
When asked about his new appointment, General Revel said, “I feel honored to have the opportunity to command The Armies of Tennessee, which is a well established and respected organization.” “My intentions are to continue the vision of General Tom Doss and make The Armies of Tennessee a home for independent re-enactment groups.” “I also intend for The Armies of Tennessee, to host the 150th Anniversary of The Battle of Shiloh.” “Tom had great success with the 140th and 145th National Shiloh events and I want to see the legacy continue.”
Under the command of General Rick Revel and the guidance of Executive Director Tom Doss, The Armies of Tennessee is prepared to move forward. 2010 promises to be an exciting year, with a full calendar of events that should keep any re-enactor burning all the powder he can muster. For more information about The Armies of
Billy Altom, Adjutant
Armies of
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