Part of the War at Flood Tide '98 pages

This document details developments in preparation for War at Flood Tide '98, a Civil War History weekend in Charleston, SC commemorating the 135^th. Anniversary of the Seige of Charleston. Developments are set out in reverse chronological order, most recent first.

June 1998

After Action Page and Donors Pages Now Online - June 16 The War has swept across the Water and streets of the Holy City. These pages gather together the reports, information on subsequent developments and recognize the people who helped.

Battleground Preservation Trust to Participate June 7 The S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust will set up an information booth at the War at Flood Tide Camp Saturday with information on their preservation efforts focused on S.C.'s Civil War Battlefields.

Graham donates Beauregard Drawing for Raffle June 7 Nationally known Civil War Artist and Charleston native, Bob Graham has donated an original portrait drawing of Gen. P.T.G. Beauregard (shown right) to be raffled to benefit renovation of Market Hall. Tickets can be purchased on Market Street Friday evening and on Saturday at the main Civil War Camp at 70 East Bay Street. Heroes sportswear is producing a special T-shirt using the image, sales of which will also benefit Market hall. Graham's art will be on display at the Waterfront Gallery on East Bay Street at the corner of Queen Street during the War at Flood Tide Weekend.

Charleston tourism information on lodging, parking, and visiting the historic city can be obtained by calling the Charleston Convention and Visitor's Bureau at (800) 868-8118.

Live Radio Remote Planned for Friday - June 7 Cat Country will present a live radio broadcast from Market Street Square Friday evening, with special interviews and other programming focusing on War at Flood Tide.

Island Belle to serves as media ship for Harbor Battle, June 7- The 90 foot luxury yacht Island Belle will serve as the transport vessel for media filming the harbor battle. Procedures for obtaining permission to film aboard the vessel are outlined in our media information page. A limited number of spaces on board for the general public are also available, call 800 673-4633 or (803) 958-0200 for details and rates.

Printed Program Released June 4 - The printed program for War at Flood Tide was placed in distribution. Copies are available at CSA Galleries in Northwoods Mall, Carolina Colors west of the Ashley and other locations. Walker Printing ran 2500 copies at a discounted rate as a community service, upgrading the paper in the process. Most of the copies will be distributed Friday, June 12 on Market Street and at the visitor's center.

Charleston Online Lists Event June 4 - Charleston Online has integrated the full War at Flood Tide Schedule into their online database. Their site also has detailed lodging, dining and visitor information.

Commercials on Radio June 2 - WTMA News Talk Radio a.m. 1250 in Charleston has begun running commercials promoting the War at Flood Tide Battle, which they will broadcast live, and other events. The commercials were written by War at Flood Tide Chairman, William Hamilton and produced by Madeline Kelly of WTMA. The commercials (or more accurately Public Service Announcements) are running in heavy rotation, so tune in to hear them. The music used is from the Charleston Symphony’s Portraits of Blue and Gray CD.

Radio Appearance Scheduled - William Hamilton and Linda Pinckney of the War at Flood Tide Board will appear on the Ken Goodman show on WTMA on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss the event, including the Saturday morning harbor battle which will be broadcast live on the station, 1250 a.m.

Crime Stoppers goes after Banner Thief June 2 - The Post and Courier published an illustrated article about Crime Stoppers offer of an up to $1000 dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief who stole the promotional banners announcing the event from Market Hall. If the theif's goal was to prevent people from seeing the banner or learning about the event, the detailed article and illustrations in the 50,000 circulation daily newspaper probably assured that more people would learn about the event and see the banner than would have ever noticed it otherwise. Reuben Greenberg personally authorized putting the second banner up and has assured War at Flood Tide that he will catch the thief. To make a confidential report call Crime Stoppers at (803) 554-1111 or Police Spokesman Charles Francis at (803) 720-2497

Dinner Donated June 1 - At a meeting of the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, John "Ollie" Bradsher of the OBCO Chemical Corporation responded to an appeal from a team of reenactors to help provide a meal for the visiting troops with an Five Hundred Dollar Donation towards the cost of the meal. The Greater Charleston Restaurant Association and Downtown Business Association offered to help plan and coordinate the meal as a collective thank you from the business community of Charleston to the visiting reenactors.

Article Published in East Cooper Monthly June 1 - East Cooper Monthly published a full page article with photographs on War at Flood Tide entitled "Blistering History" written by James McAlister

May 1998

Canon Mounted on High Battery May 26 - Chief of Artillery Steve Riggs completed a trial mounting of a three inch ordnance rifle on high Battery. The 2500 pound canon was winched on to a flat bed type tow truck donated by Turkey's Towing. The bed of the truck was then raised up level, backed to high battery and rolled on to four inch channel iron which spanned and protected the historic slate sidewalks. Special scaffolding was installed to provide the additional length needed to roll the gun in and out of battery for loading and firing. After some initial problems and adjustments and the use of a different tow truck equipped with jacks, the crew was able to position the gun in 15 minutes. Three guns will be mounted on high battery for the June 13, 11 a.m. Harbor Battle.

Carolina Colors Donates 2nd. Banner May 23 Carolina Colors, now changing its name to Carolina Flag and Banner, donated a 2nd., $400 value Banner to replace the one stolen from Market Hall. The Charleston Police Department is planning a secure installation for the 2nd. Banner and is investigating the theft of the 1st. Chief Greenberg's Office will welcome information which may lead to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the thief.

Notes to Reenactors Page Added May 23- This page contains information to help reenactors enjoy War at Flood Tide.

Special Hotel Rate May 21 - The Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn is offering a special room rate for the War at Flood Tide weekend of $69 per night, a thirty dollar savings, on a block of rooms. Call (803) 884-8000 for reservations. Their marketing department is also assiting with publicity distribution in the local hospitality industry.

Detailed General Press Release Online May 20 - A detailed narrative press release describint the entire weekend, fully updated will new developments and information is now online.
Detailed General Press Release in HTML Format
Detailed General Press Release in Microsoft Word Format

WTMA to Broadcast Battle Live May 20 - Madeline Kelly of WTMA announced that the Satuday morning harbor battle would be broadcast live. The remote broadcast of the Ken Goodman show will originate from the Battle Control center and feature Civil War Music; expert historical commentary by author Robert Rosen and live reports from the Commanders and Batteries of the ships engaged. Spectators should bring their radios the the battle and tune to News Talk Radion WTMA, a.m. 1250. This broadcast will function like a public address system and greatly enhance the battle experience. WTMA will also run public service announcments prior to the event and schedule special news coverage of the event.

Cathedral to Serve as Saturday Concert Rain Site May 14 - The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul has offered the use of its 19th. Century Sancurary, the largest Church in the City, as the rain location for the Saturday evening, June 13 Band Concert. The 80 piece Charleston Community Band is rehersing music for the program now which is planned for White Point Gardens at the Battery.

Beauregard Visit Press Release May 14 - A press release on the Beauregard Monument Commissions presentation of Actor Tom Watson as Gen. P.T.,G. Beauregard has been placed online and is available: Beauregard Release in HTML Format and Beauregard Release in Microsoft Word Format.

St. Michael's Steeple to be reactivated as signal station May 12 - Rev. Richard Belser, Rector of Charleston's historic St. Michael's Church confirmed that the lantern platform of the steeple was available to be temporarily reactivated as a signal station on Saturday, June 13 at 2:30. The steeple was used by the Confederate Signal Corps as an observation post and signal station during the seige and became a target of the Federal Bombardment. Despite this, Gus Smythe and other corps members continued to live in and use the steeple until the city was evacuated in 1865.

Final Coast Guard Clearance Authorized May 12 - U.S. Coast Guard representatives cleared the final ordnance details for the Harbor Battles. The detailed written permits and operations orders will issue shortly. Preliminary clearance was granted several months ago. Approval was also obtained from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the City of Charleston Police Department. All three agencies will deploy law enforcement watercraft to control the spectator fleet. The Battle control center will be established on the observation deck of the former Naval Deqausing station at the eastern end of Tradd Street. Logistical support craft will operate from the Carolina Yacht Club, Harbor Pilot's Station and Maritime Center. The radio network will be operated by the Charleston County volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad which will also provide firemen and EMT's for all locations. Additional vessels and technical support is being provided by the James Island Public Service District. Over 325 people will be working to present the harbor battles at 10 locations around the harbor and aboard 15 vessels on Saturday.

T-Shirts readied May 10- Heros Sportwear of Charleston announced agreement with War at Flood Tide, Inc. to produce T-shirts and other sportswear with the event's copyrighted logo, pictured right, (designed by William Young of Galacy Graphics.) Heros will pay a commission to War at Flood Tide, Inc. on the wholesale price of every shirt sold which will be applied to event expenses and this year's designated historic preservation project, the renovation of Charleston's Market Hall. Heros expects to begin production of the shirts, handbags and other items shortly. Wholesale and retail orders are being accepted now. Contact Grace Kennedy, President, Heros Sportwear, 1121 Clapper Court, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464; Tel (843) 856-8844; Fax (843) 884-5830.

Board Chairman Recorvers May 10- William Hamilton, chairman of the War at Flood Tide Board was severely injured in a fall, breaking his shoulder in three places on April 26. Board Members Kipp Valentine and Steve Riggs divided his duties until he recovered and returned to his full responsibilities effective Sunday, May 10.

April 1998

Beauregard Visits City April 26- Historic Actor Tom Watson, who will portray Gen. P.T.G. Beauregard during the event and Robert Bellflower of the Beauregard Monument Commission of Louisiana visited Charleston. Many locals and tourists recognized Watson as Bearegard on sight while he toured the city in uniform.

New Pages & Maps April 25 - Ladies at Edmonston Alston House press release is placed on line. Map of Parade Route, Battle Viewing Areas and Camp also placed online.

General Beauregard and Staff Prepare, April 9- The Beauregard Monument Committee of Beauregard Parish LA announced the contingent and goals for the General's appearance at War At Flood Tide.

Coming from the Pelican State will be

• General G. T. Beauregard, Commander, Military District of South Carolina,Georgia, and Florida (Portrayed by historic actor Thomas Watson)
• Colonel Thomas Jordan, Adjutant General and Chief of Staff to GeneralBeauregard (Robert A. Belflower)
• CPT Jonathan Champlin, Aide de Camp (Jonathan Champlin)
• LT Gene Knight, Aide de Camp (Gene Knight)

1. Commemorate General Beauregard's successful defensive of Charleston for over a year against the combined might of the Federal Navy and Army.
2. Raise Southern awareness of the distinguished contributions made byGeneral Beauregard during the Civil War. He did a lot more than just fire the first shots at Fort Sumter.
3. Raise awareness and funds to erect a statue to General Beauregard herein Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.

During their visit, the General and his staff will be assited by Col. Paul Flowers and other reenactors to provide the City of Charleston with a dynamic impression of the presence of the Confederate Departmental Command.

Business Associations Extend Support April 8 Representatives of both the Charleston Downtown Business Association and the Market Street Merchants pleadged their support to help make the event a success. Proceeds from the weekend will be donated to the renovation of Market Hall, empty since Hurricane Hugo and the once and future home of the U.D.C. Museum. See the Market Hall page for details.

Cyberwarriors Press Release April 7 A detailed press release on Sierra Online's national contest which will send the winning players in its Civil War General II game to War at Flood Tide was placed online, available in both HTML and Microsoft Word Formats.

Media Information Page Online March 29 A page for electronic and print media covering war at Flood Tide has been added which includes press releases and schedules in word processor file format as well as HTML.

Banner Donated March 27 Charleston Flag and Banner Company Carolina Colors donated a large Banner to War at Flood Tide which is now being made. The War at Flood Tide board extended its thanks to the local business, best known for its custom made flags of local historic interest.

Parking Secured March 27 Steve Riggs announced that the City of Charleston, State Ports Authority and Republic Parking Corporation have donated sufficient lot space for the use of the reenactors participating in War at Flood Tide to most to park in easy walking distance of the Camp at Hazel Parker Park. Larger vehicles and trailers will be stored in the State Port's Authority's secured and guarded lot. Plans are being developed to help efficiently direct visitors to the City's parking garages the morning of the Battle.

Byrd wins Drawing March 19 Gary Byrd won a copy of Civil War Generals II, a CD Rom Battle Simulation Game donated to War at Flood Tide by Sierra Online in the first drawing from the list of registered reenactors for the event. All reenactors registered remain eligible for future drawings. The earlier a reenactor registers, the more drawings he or she will participate in.

Contacted by Hunley Feature Film Advance Crew March 25 Members of the War at Flood Tide Board were contacted by representatives of the Hunley movie which plans to shoot portions of a feature film on the Confederate Submarine in Charleston this summer. Information was requested on the event to assist in preproduction planning. The War at Flood Tide Board agreed to assit the preproduction personel in any way possible and welcomed them to shoot film or video of the event. No further information is available at this time. Please check here for future developments.

Publicity Distribution Begins March 10 Schedules, releases, maps and other material are being distributed to local and national media. The Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Trident Chamber of Commerce is assisting in this effort. Sample publicity photographs are available online and prints may be requested by qualified media. Media wanting printed information may request it from Board Chairman, William Hamilton, hamilton@awod.com; P.O. Box 366, Charleston, SC 29402, FAX (803) 722-6818; Tel. (803) 722-6812.

1. Levi Ledbetter will offer reproduction Civil War military equipment of all kinds, including swords, uniforms, hats, insignia and tentage.
2. The House of Times Past will be selling reporduction Civil War Uniforms, including several patterns distinctive to South Carolina and the seige of Charleston as well as other Civil War Goods.
3. Battlefields and Broken Hearts will perform in camp and sell their recordings of music and verse from the Civil War Era and Irish Ballads. They are also seeking a tavern or restaurant for evening performances.
4. The Catawba Flag Depot will display and sell a large variety of authentic Civil War flags and military banners, including many seldom seen and no where else available. They have donated their large Stainless Banner to fly at the main camp.

Ladies Living History set for Edmundston-Alston Mansion March 5 The Middleton Place Foundation, working with members of the Palmetto Soldiers Relief Society announced plans for a ladies living history presentation at the historic Edmundston/Alston house at 21 East Battery on Satruday, June 13. Planned activities include quilting and sewing, mourning presentations and interpretation of Civil War era social conventions. Activities will take place in the rooms and on the veranda of the magnificent, 19th. Century house, furnished with many original pieces of art and antiques from the period.

Feb. 1998

Coast Guard Clears Harbor Battle Feb. 25 In meetings with Steve Riggs, Chief of Artillery, the Coast Guard gave its enthusiastic support for plans for the June 13 Harbor Battle between two ships and four Confederate Shore Batteries. This completes major permitting for the event and initiates national publicity and fund raising activity. The Harbor Battle has been rescheduled for 11:00 a.m. for higher tides and will take place in the Channel between Castle Pinckney and the east side of Charleston, South of Queen Street.

Confederate Infantry, Artillery Registration Full Feb 23. Board Chairman, William Hamilton announced that a full compliment of Confederate Infantry had been committed for the event. Steve Riggs, Chief of Artillery, announced that all the cannon needed to present the harbor battle had been secured. Interested reenactors are still welcome to request registration so that they can be placed on the waiting list.

Berthing for Voyager at Maritime Center Feb. 19 The Charleston Maritime Center, on the Cooper River, South of Dockside, will serve as the docking Facility for the 105 Foot Schooner Voyager. The vessel may be open for public tours during its visit to Charleston.

Pride Joins Fleet- Feb 15 The Schooner Pride of Charleston will return for War at Flood Tide '98 after having been a veteran of last year's battle, placing two major sailing vessels in the Harbor Battle planned for June 13. At 89 Feet, the Three Masted Pride can carry four operational mortars.

Building Materials Donated- Feb. 5- Board Member Kipp Valentine announced that a supply of rough cut lumber in historic dimensions has been secured for the construction of the signal towers in camp and on Castle Pinckney. Unlike modern lumber, this material is larger and will allow for sturdier construction. Dan Kennerty has agreed to cut and donate a supply of tree trunks for flag poles and tower uprights from the wood lot on his Wadmalaw Island Farm.

Civil War Generals II National Contest- Jan. 29 representatives of Impressions Software, a division of Sierra Online have chosen to make an all expense paid trip to War at Flood Tide the first place prize in their ongoing national competition. 500 players, competing on the internet will be narrowed down over the next two months to the winning Confederate and Federal General. Those winners will recieve paid travel to Charleston, lodging in one of Charleston's historic inns, an authentic civil war reproduction uniform, tours of local civil war sites and will participate in the reenactment. In addiition, reenactors registering for the event will have their names placed in a drawing to recieve a copy of the game, which includes action video clips from reenactments to illustrate battle action during play. A drawing from the pool of registered reenactors are scheduled for March 1. A registration request form is online.

Rusty Myers Joins Board- Jan 24, 1998: Rusty Myers, Captian of the 47th. New York Reenactors, joined the Board of War at Flood Tide, Inc. Myers is a City of Charleston Policeman and coordinated the Christmas 1862 event held last December on James Island. Myers will coordinate federal activities and liason between the organization and law enforcement and public safety organizations. Myers can be reached by email at CidYank@juno.com

Parade Permit Issued by City- Jan. 23, 1998: Officials of the City of Charleston informed Kipp Valentine, of the War at Flood Tide, Inc., Board of Directors that the permit request for the Friday evening parade through the streets of Charleston has been approved. The city police department offered its full support for the effort. The planned order of march includes four mounted artillery pieces, 20 mounted cavalry and other marching units. The parade will begin and end at Marion Square march South to Broad Street before returning.

UDC Museum Plans Relic Exhibit- Jan 19, 1998: Director June Wells announced the Charleston Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will present a special exhibit of Siege of Charleston relics at the UDC Museum on Saturday, June 13 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Many regard the museum as the forth most significant collection of Confederate artifacts in the world.

Registration Forms Available- 1/16/98- Reenactors may now request a registration form online. A page with reenactor's information on the event has also been added. There is no open or onsite registration for this event. All reenactors must have confirmed registration with War at Flood Tide to participate.

Sponsorship Opportunities Offered: 1/13/98- The Board of Directors released a list of available sponsorship opportunites for individuals and businesses wishing to support the event with financial contributions. Supporters of various aspects of the event will be recognized and have the opportunity of participating in the return for the American Civil War to Charleston's historic harbor. Fundraising for the event is now underway.

Fleet and History Pages added: 1/12/98- New pages on the fleet being assembled for the War at Flood Tide reenactment and on the historic background for the event have been added to the War at Flood Tide Website. See the History Background and War at Flood Tide Fleet pages for details.

Band Engaged for Concert- On December 12, the Trident Community Band agreed to perform a concert of Civil War Era and Patriotic Music in White Point Gardens at the Battery on June 13. The eighty piece band is putting together a program that combines military and popular music of the American Civil War era with later patriotic and military music, tentatively titled Music of the Divided and United Nation. Plans are to conclude the concert with the Stars and Stripes Forever or some other piece with artillery accompaniment. A commercial sponsor is needed to help defray costs of the concert. Any individual or business interested in sponsoring the contest should contact William Hamilton, Chairman of the War at Flood Tide, Inc. Board of Directors

Registered with IRS- War at Flood Tide, Inc. was issued a taxpayer ID number from the IRS to facilitate banking activity and donations. The organization was incorporated in May of 1997 as a non-profit educational association.

Artillery Pieces Commit- War at Flood Tide Chief of Artillery, Steve Riggs announced that the major battery positions have been secured and that artillery units from Georgia, South Carolina and elsewhere are preparing to attend the event. A goal of stocking the event magazine with One Thousand Dollars worth of gunpowder has been set. A detailed inspection of the artillery positions was conducted on December 6 by some of the gunners and section commanders and detailed plans for artillery operations are in development.

Signal Corps Planning Operations- The Confederate Signal Corps, augmented by members of Charleston, South Carolina's new signal crew are planning to attend the event and recreate part of the flag signal network in Charleston Harbor. Permission to use Castle Pinckney, the island Fort in Charleston Harbor for a signal station has been obtained from its owner, the State Ports Authority. A new signal tower will be constructed on the West side of the fort. Donations of building materials would be welcomed for the Castle Pinckney Tower and the Tower planned for the mainland camp.

History Channel Requests Event Information- Representatives of the History Channel contacted War at Flood Tide, Inc. for information on the event. The S.C. State Film Office also requested information on the event.

Force Structure Set- Preliminary Figures were determined for the size and composition of the War at Flood Tide '98 reenactment military force structure. The capacity of the downtown camp at Hazel Parker Playground is approximately 200 personnel with tents and garrison style equipage. The force will include one company of Federal Infantry, one company of Confederate Infantry, 3 Batteries of Artillery including one battery of mountain howitzers, sutlers and civilians. There will be no open registration and interested reenactors must apply to War at Flood Tide, Inc. to obtain confirmed registration prior to the event. There will be no onsite registration.

Preliminary Budget Prepared- A preliminary budget was prepared for the event. Work on financing and fund raising, including a major fund raising event at the Harbor Club in March was in the planning stages.

Board Meets with City Officials- Members of the WAFT Board met with Reuben Greenberg, City of Charleston Police Chief and Danny Burbage, Director of Parks. Initial response from both officials was very positive and plans are being circulated through the City's clearance process.

Charlestowne Neighborhood Assn. Does not Object- Mr. Hal Ravenel and members of the Board of the Charlestowne Neighborhood Assn. reviewed plans for the event and stated they had no objections. An extensive neighborhood impact mitigation plan for the weekend is being developed by the WAFT Board. A continuing dialogue with community representatives is expected as planning proceeds.

Tide Sat. June 13, 1998	Height
0405 Low	0.1 above M. Low Water
0954 High	4.9 above M. Low Water
1601 Low	0.1 above M. Low Water
2222 High	5.9 above M. Low Water

Date Set- After extensive consideration of time, tides, weather and the national reenactment schedule the date for the event was set for June 12 - 14, 1998. There is a half moon and sunset is approximately 8:30.

Voyager Committed- The 105 foot Packet Schooner Voyager was secured at the flagship of the War at Flood Tide '98 fleet. The vessel mounts four guns and carries a magazine approved by the US Coast guard. Use of the vessel and the services of its crew are being donated by Voyager Ventures.