Regimental Dispatch

April 2002       Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VA

Commander’s Column  

The COI was a smashing success.  That was one of the best training events I have ever participated in even if I say so myself.  The training was spread around to the different areas, the Lt. got a lot of time working with the veterans, the 1^st Sgt. worked with the new men.  TO Vice was his usual insightful self.  The more I think about it, he is possibly the embodiment of Civil War living history.  I guess that is why everyone wants to be his buddy.  As many of you know Mr. Vice was my mentor as I started into CW living history and I have respected and appreciated his consul for many years and hold him as one of my best friends I have gained in this hobby.  I can see Mike blushing now.  Not really, I am sure I will pay for this at a later event. 

Drill went better than I could have every hoped on Saturday and Sunday.  I have never seen the company do so well so early in the season.  I guess it is starting to sink in.  I also felt more comfortable than ever teaching drill techniques and skirmish. 

Other important information about the Camp of Instruction.  Mr. Stafford scored a 41, which was the best shooting score, this COI.  This was outstanding Tom, great shooting.  The bayonet dummies did better than last year.  With the added negative reinforcement, that exercise went better than ever.  We already have more ideas to make it even better next year.  We will let you be surprised.  The singing after dinner was great, even though we sang Goober Peas.  The meals were filling and satisfying.   The throne that Mr. Perry made out of the goodness of his heart was classic and very functional for the entire weekend.  A special thanks goes to Mr. Powell for following me home, helping unload all the company equipment, and putting it all away.  I know both Mrs. Capt. Jones and I appreciated it because she did not have to help me put it all away.   Also, attached is one of the best photos Mr. Pearson has in his collection.  Here is a note from Joe, “I will be making hard copies for everyone sometime in the near future.  If you'd be interested, I'd only be asking about $3-$5 each.  That'll help cover the cost of paper and toner...but the hard copy will be sepia toned and look 100% better.”  Cpl. Pearson 

I have been asked about getting the vendor for the Frying pans but could not get it for this edition of the newsletter.  I will have it next time until then you can always give Mr. Vice a call and ask him.   Also an inventory and price list will be published next time also.  You can always give Mr. Stafford a call and he will sell you any of the company inventory.

Future Events

April 6-7 Saylers Creek

May 18-19 Ft. Pocahontas

June 1-2 Cold Harbor

June 27-30 140^th Seven Days Battle

Sept 13-15 140^th Sharpsburg Battle

Oct 12-13 Explorer Park Fund Raiser

Nov 2-3 Ft. Branch Battle

Specifics on the Saylers Creek

The next company event is Saylers Creek.    Here are the directions to Saylers Creek Battlefield Park.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park is located in Amelia County, Virginia (near Farmville, Va.). From Richmond take US 360 West to Route 307 then turn right onto Rt. 617. Look for signs as you get closer for the site.  Their website is lacking in a good map and directions.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, April 5, 2002
08:00 - Participant Registration Opens
18:00 - SCRPC Reception for Sutlers and U.S./C.S. Command Staffs
20:00 - U.S./C.S. Commanders Meetings at each camp Head-Quarters
00:00 - All quiet in camps               

Saturday, April 6, 2002

07:00 – Reveille
- Registration re-opens
09:00 - Morning Parade: Brigade Battalion Morning Reports
10:00 - Living History programs begin at the Hillsman House
- Army camps and sutlers open to the public
12:00 - Lunch from haversack in the field
13:30 - "Battle of Little Sayler's Creek, April 6, 1865"

15:00 - Memorial Service at the Monument
17:00 - Living History programs conclude at the Hillsman House
19:00 - Commanders meetings in U.S./C.S. Head-Quarters
- Camps closed to the public
- Registration closes
00:00 - All quiet in camps

Sunday, April 7, 2002

07:00 – Reveille
- Registration re-opens
08:30 - Morning Parade: Brigade Battalion Morning Reports
09:00 - Sunday church service
09:30 - Registration closes
10:00 - Living History programs begin at the Hillsman House
11:30 - Military safety inspections
12:00 - Camps closed to the public
13:30 - "Battle of Locket's Farm"
14:45 - Memorial Service at Monument
15:00 - Clean-up and Departure  

1^st Lt.’s Report

By the time you read this the drill weekend will be over.  I would like to thank everyone who attended and for their cooperation. 

Now it is time to turn our thoughts and preparations toward Saylors Creek.  We have twelve people signed up for this event.  If everyone shows up we should be able to have our own company. 

As of yet I have not seen a detailed schedule but I would assume that there is a tactical scheduled for Saturday with a battle for the public on Sunday afternoon.  Hopefully, the Captain will have more details in this newsletter.   

If you can get there on Friday afternoon/evening, that would be good.  Of course, it will also be easier to find us in you can get there while it is still light.  The following are signed up for this event.  Turley, Cpl. Perry, C. Perry, Pearson, Price, Talbert, Powell, Gammon, Gregory, Woody, Lawrence, and Norman  See you there!

Respectfully submitted,

1^st Lt. Turley

Good Reads for Reenactors

Submitted by Pvt. Ramsey

John H. Worsham – One of Jackson’s Foot Cavalry: His Experiences and What He saw During the War, 1861-1865, Including a History of “F” Company, Richmond, Va., 21^st Regiment Virginia Infantry, Second Brigade, Jackson’s Division, Second Corps, A.N.V.  Neale Publishing Co., NY, 1912.  Plates, 353 pp.  Twenty Two years of age at the outbreak of hostilities, Worsham and his pre-war militia company became part of the newly organized 21^st Va. Infantry, and proceeded to experience much of the war in the east, recording his thoughts on battle, camp life, marches, and a galaxy of personalities including many important officers.  The result is a Confederate classic that should be on the shelf of every Civil War library.

     Worsham took part in Jackson’s Valley campaign, Cedar Mountain, (where F Co. was nearly wiped out), 2^nd Manassass, Sharpsburg, Wilderness, Monocacy and Early’s march on Washington.   Particularly good accounts of the action appear relating to Gaines’s Mill, Williamsport, Wilderness and Spotsylvania, where the author was struck twice by spent balls while defending the Mule Shoe, and Third Winchester, where a bullet shattered his left knee. 

     His observations of officers are splendid, including  hateful remarks thrust on Banks, Pope, and Sheridan, and laudatory comments for Jackson, Lee, Gordon, and Early.  The narrative’s detail of equipment and uniforms is especially valuable to the reenactor.  It is interesting to note that Worsham is one of the very few to admit to stealing shoes from dead Yankees. 

    This is one of my very favorite books, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a very readable, reliable, first hand account of life and service in the Army of Northern Virginia.  Available in Reprint.

I am not above shameless advertisement.  Mr. Ramsey is a highly valued member of this company and if you have book-purchasing business to do you should be throwing it his way.  Owens and Ramsey Books Sellers, Richmond, VA.  See the roster for his contact information. 

Capt. Jones

Recon II or not to Recon II That is the Question!

I received the message below from Mr. Baker of the SWB,

Captain Jones,

I remember you stating you would not do another ReCon, but there seems to be enough interest from various members of the SWB companies to field a company of our own at this event.

I hope you will reconsider in light of "new management".  If you will not be participating as a company, please pass the word, your boys are welcome to fall in with the SWB.

Sergeant Baker

33rd Va, Co E, SWB

Here is my reply,

“Mr. Baker, I think I speak for all my men that it is not going to happen for us this time.  I will pass it along but the complete screw up of that event is still very vivid.  We (the Company) all agreed that we would we would let them get a good one (Recon) under their belts then we may try again. 

I know that we always have had an open invitation to attend events with the SWB and I appreciate that.  I will pass along in our next newsletter that anyone wishing to give Recon 2 a chance that they should get in contact with you.  I still am very skeptical about this event and I will also pass that along to them.  I will provide your email address to them if they are still so inclined to attend.” 

Capt. Jones

Commander, 21st Virginia F Co

Gentlemen, I recommend that you think long and hard before you attend Recon II.  This event is a month away, if you should still want to attend, please email Mr. Baker. “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”  For those that were not there, I will run down a few of the lacking things at Recon I.  Water, Command and Control (on the Confederate side), referees, cavalry dispatch carriers, overall organization, support services (i.e. prepared EMTs), and plain old Common Sense at times.   We marched off the field after seeing that the event was spiraling down quickly.  It had become kids saying that I shot you and the others saying no you did not.  Having a heat casualty did not help either.  This is when the EMTs stated that hey could not help him; “they were not prepared for Heat Casualties.”  I did what I felt was best for my men, and that was getting the #$%@& out of Dodge.  Later, after we had left, a terrible thunderstorm came up and washed out the rest of the event.  I suggest you do not attend but it is up to each individual, I will not be attending.  We will see as the years progress how this event does.

See the company website for the link to the Saylers Creek web site.