Howell Cobb had a plan to protect the Chattahoochee River. With defenses laid along the route from the Gulf and northward, he also planned to have a fleet of small, ocean-going vessels. But, once the Confederacy gave up Apalachicola, the CSS Chattahoochee was relegated to river defense. “In Oct, 1861, Lt. Augustus McLaughlin, commanding the Confederate Navy Yard in Columbus, contracted with planter and entrepreneur David S. Johnson for construction of the Chattahoochee in Saffold in Early County. “1 The site was picked because of its sawmill and abundant timber. It also had a labor force of 90 slaves. It called for delivery in 120 days at $47,500. Johnston ran into production troubles from the start.

If you would like to learn some historical background on some of the original buildings at Westville, GA, please check out these videos.

• How Westville started:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkvKcnn6YJE
• Mule Powered Cotton Gin/Cotton Press:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYXsx3vHwo4
• Fagan House – built 1830s:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gurp7X4E_Rw
• Patterson Merritt Farmhouse:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAHbHMEZvkA&feature=related
• Wells House:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwv2ctdVoac
• Quilting on a Frame:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe01HWWTO5w&feature=related
• 1850s Gardens:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkvKcnn6YJE
• Beddingfield Inn – 1830s Stage Coach Inn – lies in town of Lumpkin, GA:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNMfEt9CxDw
• Making Clay Pots:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFFiWW8J8IA
• Mule Powered Pugmill:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gurp7X4E_Rw
• Come down early and visit Providence Canyon Park:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkE3SvlFhp4

- My research continues as I have been to the State Archives in Morrow four times in the past 3 months and plan 3 more visits.
- We have 26 paid registrations already. Pretty good when we are 10 months out from the event. Our goal is 150 participants (we will take in up to 180registrations).
- We have Bank, Military Dept (Provost Office), Court, Broker, Black Market, Postal, Ladies Aid, Tavern, Boarding House, Cooking, Deserter, Cotton Gin, Teamster, Livery and Sheriff Coordinators for the event.
- We need a Butcher (acts as the Quartermaster for all the food issuances), 1863 Election, Docent, Refuge and Parking Coordinators for the event.
- We can always use volunteers for sign-in, parking/traffic, Refuge area, Teamster, gopher volenteers during set-up and sign in from late Wed til fri (just 2 three hour shifts).
- Beth Crabb has stated that she and her daughter and son-in-law will be there to run the Ezra Barnhouse General Store. I am so happy she will be there in spite of John's passing. She stated that John and she had already talked about ideas for the 2010 event and she would like to follow-thru with the plans that she and John had planned.
- We have period, professional entertainment with 'The Caudells'. Tickets will be sold at the event for $5 each. The show also includes and amateur hour prior to the event. If you have a period tableux, music, recital, etc to do, let us know. I hear Miss Bodaciousnessness may make an appearance with Massa Nathan. We are also trying to get the Allendale Melodians to make an appearance as well. I just can not seem to get ahold of them.
- Guidelines for Deserters, blockade goods, Vendors, "Notes", Bank, Sheriff/HomeGuard have all been written and only issued to those roles.
- I have reviewed all of the military rosters from Henderson's book on the 5 companies from Stewart County. I have documented the status for each soldier during Oct 1863. I even know which men will be dying in our hospital and which disabled men will still be injured about town. We can't really portray amputees well, but we can at least imagine it (I even thought of tying a white piece of yarn around a limb to indicate such).
- Documented exemption letters, surgeons, sick leave documents, Relief agency logs, Impressment Documents, period newspaper articles and more.

MOST importantly, all roles are limited in number and are approved by Vickie Rumble (Women) and myself (men). We want to keep the classes lined up 4 to 1 (Yeoman to Wealthy class). We also must spread the roles around in proportion to the number of reenactors we have and also be able to cover all the planned vignettes and scenarios for the event. So if you have a specific role you wish to play, please don't delay in contacting us to get invited and registered.

Regards,
Jim Butler This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Vickie Rumble This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Ladies Aid Society of Westville will be hosting a
"Night at the Theater"
to raise money for our brave men on the front fighting for our State. 

Time: Friday and Saturday evening at 7 pm-9 pm, Oct 22 & 23, 1864
Location: Stewart Academy
Tickets: $5 each and can be bought at sign-in or at the door by the Ladies Aid Society.

The show begins with an amateur hour of skits, music, tableaxs and readings. Please contact Jim Butler at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in taking part. Performances should be limited to 10 minutes max. 
The main show is "The Caudells" who will entartian you with their musical skills.  See their webpage at:  http://caudellmusic.tripod.com/ 
We also hope to add one more professional act (please contact Jim if you are interested).
Refreshements will be sold and served courtesy of Knuckols Tavern (before the show and at intermission only)
The Ladies Aid Society will also be selling raffle tickets for a prize.