The Argus: Official Newsletter of AoT 

The Armies of Tennessee's official newsletter has now published it's second issue. The Argus is complete with recent news, classifieds, event information, and even funnies. To recieve your issue of The Argus, email argusaot@gmail.com 

AoT Christmas Party 

The Armies of Tennessee will be having it's annual meeting and Christmas Party on December 17th at the Pickwick Landing State Park Inn & Restaurant on Park Road in Pickwick Dam, Tennessee. Please click here to view our flyer for more information. 

AoT Official Response Concerning the "Bulletin" 

Like many others, we at the Armies of Tennessee received an anonymous letter through the mail concerning serious accusations against Cleburne's Division of Reenactors. There was no return address on the letter, nor was it signed in any way.

While the letter gives cause for further investigation, the Armies of Tennessee does not endorse the letter.

There are too many issues caused by the second Shiloh that have driven the Reenacting community apart. The scheduling of the second Shiloh has caused a line to be drawn in the sand, and sides to be chosen. It has effectively caused every Reenactor to take sides in a political dispute between two organizations. Many have withdrawn support of both events while some have chosen to lash out. While we can certainly understand some anger over the issue, we simply can not endorse such a tactic as presented within the "bulletin". 

Headquarters fire does not deter reenactment efforts

The headquarters of the Armies of Tennessee for an upcoming re-enactment marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh was reduced to smoking ruins.
"It burned to the ground and the cause is undetermined," said Hardin County fire chief Melvin Martin of the Sept. 14th blaze in Counce.
The Civil War reenactment group, planning to reenact the historic bloody battle next year had rented the old stone home at 145 Possom Trot Drive.
"The loss of our headquarters and equipment is a hard blow, but we're very thankful none of our members were staying in the house at the time," said Armies of Tennessee public relations coordinator Nita Rutledge.
"If any rumors start that we're canceling our event - we're not," she said.
Rutledge said members of the Armies of Tennessee have spent many volunteer hours renovating the 75 year-old house now owned by local resident Mark Wayne and working on the grounds to prepare for the three-day event planned for March 30 through April 1, 2012.
"Because many members are not local the volunteers would often sleep at the house," she said, "but no one was there on the night of the fire,"
Chief Martin said the house had electrical service and that members of the organization had done extensive rewiring of the structure.
Lightning had occurred in the area that night, but there is "always a possibility" the fire could have been set intentionally, he said.
Martin said a passerby along Tenn. 57 reported the blaze at 10:45 p.m. Counce (Dist. 3) volunteer firefighters were at the scene within eight minutes, but "the roof was already falling in."
Rutledge said the owner had insured the dwelling but there was no coverage on the contents. Nonetheless, "this fire in no way changes any plans for the Armies of Tennessee reenactment," she said.
According to Rutledge, the organization"s commander, Tom Doss, has spent the last 11 years laying the foundation for the reenactment marking the sesquicentennial anniversary of the battle which resulted in 23,746 casualties.
During that time he conducted "two very successful Shiloh reenactments at this same location, the 140th and 145th. In spite of the fire our members will all pull together and work that much harder to put on a reenactment we know will make the entire state of Tennessee proud," she said.
Martin said Monday (Sept 19, 2011) that the incident remains under local investigation.
The above article appeared along with photo on the front page of the Hardin County, Tennessee newspaper The Courier on September 22, 2011.

Update on fire at AOT Headquarters in Hardin County, TN

October 24, 2011
Local Hardin County Fire Chief Melvin Martin recently spoke with Nita Rutledge, Public Relations Coordinator for the Armies of Tennessee, regarding the September 14, 2011 fire that destroyed AOT Headquarters for the 150th Battle of Shiloh Reenactment. Martin indicated arson and lightning remained the most likely causes for the fire. Shortly after that conversation Tennessee Arson Hotline signs were posted on the property. They read as follows:

The fire that destroyed AOT Headquarters is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding the cause of this fire you are urged to contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.

150th Shiloh Flyer & Schedule Posted! 

The Armies of Tennessee has posted the flyer and the schedule for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh. Further information is also available. Click here to visit our official 150th Shiloh Website.

New Website!

The Armies of Tennessee has posted its new website design. Many new features are included in the design, including new pages for staff members and a member units page. The news page has been replaced with the front page, which will feature news articles written by members of the Armies of Tennessee.

150th Anniversary Events!

The Armies of Tennessee has announced plans to host and co-host several 150th Civil War Anniversary Reenactments. Please click here for more information.

Official 150th Battle of Shiloh Website Online!

The Official Website for the 150th Battle of Shiloh is now online! The site will have any information regarding the event, such as directions and registration forms, as well as any news regarding the event.

Check out the website at http://shiloh150th.com