April 2004 Newsletter

Great weekend, gentlemen! Besides getting in some quality drill time and instruction, and breaking in a new Corporal (congratulations Mr. Stafford), we also had the pleasure of spending a very pleasant weekend outside under the trees with some exceptionally charming company. I want to thank all members for their patience, as their new Captain learns to turn his bookish study of Gilham’s Manual into actual field commands. I pledge to remember to go to shoulder arms before we kick off in the future; it’s the least I can do. I must also say how fortunate I feel to be able to benefit from this particular transition. As the fourth Captain in the history of this unit, I am the first one to have guidance and help from the former commander in the taking over of this position. I owe that, and much more, to the foresight and inspiration of Captain Jones. Many thanks.

I now want to mention what I believe may actually have been the most valuable experience of the weekend for all of us; the field crafts segment on Sunday. The three gentlemen that conducted the areas of instruction, Cpl. Pearson, 1^st Sergeant Wilson, and our own inimitable Private Vice, provided an exceptionally informative and authoritative forum for the practical necessities of life in camp and on the march with the Army of Northern Virginia. You three could market this expertise to the reenacting community at large and make your next fortune, I’m sure.

One other very special thing happened for the first time this weekend that I don’t want us ever to forget, a Confederate church service that included Communion. We are in your debt, Mr. Schirmer. I have long believed that we cannot understand the world of the original F Company, without understanding their faith and religion. In addition to that, it was just a real good way to praise and thank our Lord for all of our blessings at this particularly Christian time of the year.

Finally, let me thank all who brought something extra to the COI; Private Alexander, with his wonderful musical talent and good cheer, Private Gammon, for providing all of that nice, dry firewood, Lt. Turley, for securing the bales of straw, and for being patiently there for all of my unending stream of questions, Private Ward, with his conscientious keeping of the company inventory, Private Talbert, who was very much missed, but who was still able to send down bacon that we could actually chew, and not the least of all 2^nd Sergeant Firth, Pvts. Baird, Powell, Perry and all of the rest of you men of F Company, who obviously arrived ready to work hard and to do your best in this year’s Camp of Instruction. And that especially applies to our three new recruits, Privates Harris, Catlett and Nixon. This is a natural fit for you men, the scores in the live fire exercise prove that. Your are now with us. Welcome to F Company, we are honored to have you aboard.

The out-going Captains present Friday night and Saturday to help with the change-over in leadership. I told ex-Captain Jones that this was the first time in my fifteen years that F-Company has had an orderly change in command. In the past, the out-going Captain just abruptly left the unit. Ex-Captain Jones has left F-Company in good hands and its’ future looks bright and secure.

Incoming Captain Ramsey had his first taste of leadership and he more than rose to the occasion. He makes a mighty fine captain both in appearance and demeanor with his booming voice commanding respect. Other changes in leadership include Cpl. Perry requesting to be relieved of his duties with Mr. Stafford being appointed to take his place. Cpl. Stafford is a fine choice as he sets an excellent example of how a soldier should conduct himself. I appreciate Cpl. Stafford’s willingness to help out in this regard. As I said, the COI went very well. The new recruits caught on quickly and the veterans needed little refreshing (sometimes not as much as the instructor). The live fire went as smoothly as any that I can remember. There was a brief shower on Saturday, but not enough to dampen spirits. Saturday night’s entertainment included announcing the results of the live fire, the reading of a somewhat steamy letter to Private Alexander, and singing around the campfire.

Sunday morning, we had a fine Church service brought by Pvt. Schirmer with a company first; that of the serving of Communion in the field. That was a nice touch, especially with Easter season upon us. Private Schirmer will handle Chaplain duties, while I will assist him in whatever way I can.

Sunday’s drill consisted of review of what we did on Saturday and a refresher on skirmish drill conducted by Captain Ramsey. It was a great weekend foretelling of a great reenacting season to come. See you all at the next event.

1st Sergeant’s Report

I enjoyed seeing all of you at the COI. Thanks for all your help and cooperation in making it one of the best I have attended.

I have talked to the South Mountain State Park and the living history event is scheduled for Sept 11-12. They are very excited that we are coming. They picked that weekend because the Liberty Rifles are doing a living history event off the Park grounds and this will give them a top-notch unit in the park to demonstrate for the crowds that will come to see the other event. We will be by ourselves in the Park and stationed at the visitors center across from the Correspondents Memorial. More detailed directions will be in the newsletter at a later date. Since this event was just a proposed event at the Annual Meeting and the date was not set at that time, I have only a few people signed up. I need more members to let me know if they are interested. This event is the only event in a two month period (August and September) so I would expect a good attendance.

The sign up sheet has been sent out for the Spotsylvania 140^th event and the following were signed up: Capt Ramsey, Lt. Turley, Sgt. Firth, Pearson, Catlett, Courson, Gammon, Harris, May, and Price. If you are not on the list and want to go you will need to sign up yourself by using their web site.

I still have not received a sign up sheet for the following members: Baird, Mattocks, Parks, Talbert, and Gregory. Get them to me ASAP!

It appears that our turn out for the 140^th Spotsylvania event will be pretty good, and possibly better if more of you plan on attending. I have been stressing since March’s Newsletter to contact the 1^st Sergeant immediately if you were interested in attending this one, due to the fast registration that was needed to get our names on the list. For those who may have procrastinated, you are still welcomed to attend, but you’ll have to register yourself. The web-site for this information is:

Just before dawn (exact time yet to be determined): Attack of the Mule Shoe battle scenario. Battle scenario at 10am just added by overwhelming request.

Educational programs and demonstrations until 2:00 pm, including a talk by historian Ed Bearss.

Please Note Upcoming Exit Name Change- It is expected that sometime in 2004 the Massaponax Exit 126 on I-95 will be RENAMED to the Spotsylvania Exit 126.

Coming from the North of Fredericksburg? Take I-95 South to Exit 126, the Massaponax/South 17 Exit. Turn Right at the end of the Exit Ramp and head South on Route 1. At the 3rd Light, turn Left onto South 17. Continue straight ahead on Rt. 17 for about 7 miles to our entrance on the left. (Belvedere's sign is 16 feet tall, you can't miss it.)

Alternatively, come South on Rt. 1 to South 17. Turn left onto South 17 at the first Light after passing Burger King. Continue straight ahead on Rt. 17 for about 7 miles to our entrance on the left.

Coming from the South of Fredericksburg? Take I-95 North to Exit 126B, the Massaponax/South 17 Exit. Turn Right at the end of the Exit Ramp and head South on Route 1. At the 4th Light, turn Left onto South 17. Continue straight ahead on Rt. 17 for about 7 miles to our entrance on the left.

Alternatively, come North on Rt. 1 to South 17. Turn Right onto South 17. (If you see Burger King, Aunt Sarah's and McDonalds on the right, you just went past South 17.) Continue straight ahead on Rt. 17 for about 7 miles to our entrance on the left.

Coming from the West side of Fredericksburg? To come through town, take Route 3 East to the Blue Gray Parkway. Exit the Blue Gray Parkway and head East onto Rts. 2 & 17 Business. Follow Rts. 2 & 17 past Shannon Airport to the Light at the intersection of Rt. 2 and Rt. 17 at New Post. Turn Left onto Rt. 17. Follow Rt. 17 for about a mile to our entrance on the left.

Alternatively to come around downtown, take either I-95 or Rt. 1 to South 17 and follow South 17 about 7 miles to our entrance on the left.

If you still wish to attend this event and have not been registered, click on or type the address below to get into their registration page.

Once you get onto their web-site, look at the photos of outstanding trenches and breastworks that have been constructed for us. What an awesome effort for this.

Confed. Heritage Parade- April 4^th

140^th Spotsylvania- May 7^th-9^th

140^th Cold Harbor L.H.- June 5^th & 6^th

140^th 2^nd Kernstown- July 23^rd-25^th

August- open

South Mt. L.H.- September 11^th & 12^th

140^th Cedar Creek- Oct 16^th & 17^th

Fort Branch- November 5^th-7^th

Unfortunately, the event organizers for the 140^th Spotsylvania event must not have any Mothers. Otherwise, they would have taken into consideration that May 9^th is Mothers’ Day. Many of us will be there the entire weekend. If you can only come for Friday night and for all of Saturday’s fighting, please be there for the rest of us.

Last year Gettysburg was a hit for those that came up from Virginia. Should any of you wish to attend this year, you have seven months to think it over.

If anyone is interested in any of the above items, please contact Private Jones for any questions or purchases.

Pvt. J.T. Wells 4^th Mississippi

…He brought the round canteen to his dry mouth. He took a drink. After he swallowed the rusty water, a bitter grin was left on his dirty face. It was all he had. He than reached deep into his haversack, and brought a dry cracker to his mouth. He took a bite. After he finished his supper, he laid down on his soft bed roll right next to the fire. Tears began to roll down his checks. He wanted to go home. He was just a boy. A boy fighting a man’s war…

(a fictional story by unknown author)
The sites, sounds and smells of what is going on right now is something that one could not recollect to another body. You would cipher that after two and a half years of wearing out shoes and dulling teeth that one would be used to it, you know seeing the elephant like it is said. A body never gets used to it, least ways a regular type like myself. Am I regular? What am I doing here? When will it end? What all are they thinking? Those people on the horse who point and send me and my pards into a hornet's nest. Men around me - well they are right much scared, but one not dare speak of it, some are stone faced like a Fago player, some are crying, others talking to loved ones back home as if they was beside them. You can hear praying, singing of hymns, verses of The Book coming out of mouths like the Pentecost - True Tongues of Fire sure enough. Others are cussing a blue streak that would blister the ear of a mountain man. Some poor devils found that their persons have taken over and they have no control of a body's goings on. The smell of vomit, a man's water and the other make a fella's stomach knot up so as to feel it in your gullet. Water - you want to stop and seek relief from your canteen. It is hot and close and your eyes are blurred and on fire from sweat. The sun is high and no cloud as if HE wants to see what is going on, seeing what calamity we down here have started now, taking a count of those who will touch HIS face this day and those who won't see HIM till later. Yes-suh we and the elephant are going to put on a show for HIM this day. Out in front of us are all the ones with the swords, coaxing us forward to this trek of our spirits. "Steady, be brave, remember homes and family, dress the line" were all barked with firmness and feeling. We would not take their spot in all this on a drunk bet, but then we are not that much far behind them. Was it their position that had them there? Was it their wanted feeling for greatness, power and control? Or was it because of the love and affection that they found for us through all what they had seen with us; Love and affection amongst a group of men who at one time were strangers. One does not do the things we did, seen, suffered and lost the things we have and not get close. The educated ones call it Fraternity - Brotherhood. We trudge to this cauldron for each other and the honor of each other. Had a preacher once tell me of AGAPE love - total love. The feeling for the company, all my brothers here with me today, must be and I hope that this is what that preacher was talking about.
We was massed together and trampling down a man's hard work. Fleetingly I thought of the Shame of it and thought of the yield that would have come of this ruined crop. He worked his land proper. I used to work the land as he, a place in Virginia, not home but still in Virginia. May there be something left of it when all this is over with. My state - My heart - My Country - My World. God Bless Virginia. Pass it on---------

Y.O.S.,
Pvt. Nicholas Garnett,

"It takes a great deal of dirt to poison sogers."-quote attributed to a British soldier when told about a new system of cooking that was to be introduced in the Crimean War.

Now that the haversack article and the first article on Campaign Cooking have thrilled you; we are ready to delve further into the matter. In this article I hope to enlighten you on how to plan for a weekend’s eating out of your haversack

In previous articles I have told you what the standard ration issue was. Something you need to understand is that with a few minor exceptions Johnny Reb was the home team. Whenever you are the home team there are certain advantages and one of them was that in addition to whatever the Quartermaster could issue, there was a good possibility that confederates could supplement their fare with some foraging.

The above-mentioned fact gives us a wide variety for our weekend menu. So what we have to think about is; what is available, and the time of year.

Here’s a hoary tale from the antediluvian days of reenacting. In a previous life I used to reenact as a member of the 41st Virginia, Company I of Mahone’s Virginia Brigade. As part of our research, we discovered that General Mahone who suffered from dyspepsia brought along a cow for milk and turkey to lay eggs for him. This unique diet kept General Billy in his fighting trim of 98 pounds spread over his 5’1” frame. Upon his being wounded at Second Manassas, Governor Letcher advised his wife; Otellia Mahone, not to worry as it was only a flesh wound. She replied that was what worried her, as Billy had no flesh to spare.

Anyway back to our tale. As part of a cooking demonstration at a living history we decided to portray Confederates who in 1864 had liberated General Billy’s turkey and cooked it. We cooked a standard turkey over the open fire with two sticks and a ramrod, and scattered some appropriate feathers scattered around. It was a hit with the spectators to say the least and made a damn good meal.

At a Military Through the Ages event, we portrayed Confederates in the Petersburg trenches. As part of our impression we had bought a live hen that we tethered out and informed the public that we had foraged her. We did not do the live chicken voodoo sacrifice. Agnes; (named after a much more interesting Gettysburg phenomena then the killer rabbit) the battle chicken joined the population at Jamestown. But, the intended effect worked, the crowd was impressed.

Another year after some research showed Confederates catching and cooking squirrels brought forth the “squirrels from hell” scenario. The crowd liked the roasting squirrels on an open fire (isn’t that a Christmas song?) Unfortunately for us, we overcooked them and since the event organizers provide dinner, their leathery remains were consigned to earth just outside the fort. It is rumored that their ghosts haunt the unwary tourist to this day.

Now the point of my blathering is to show you that there is a lot you can do if you the research.

A large portion of your campaign-cooking menu is going to be hardtack. Hardtack has a long and honorable history. In fact it dates back to the Romans where it was called Bucellatum. It was a hard baked flour cake containing only salt and olive oil as a binding agent. It was boiled in water to soften it. Legend has it that the Roman Legions conquered the world in order to find something soft to eat.

In fact, lets look at the rations available to a legionary soldier of Rome and see how it differs from the campaigner impression of the Civil War.

While on the march, the Roman “Iron Ration” consisted of one to one and half pounds of Bucellatum, bacon and sour wine. The sour wine would be added to water and helped to prevent dysentery. So with the exception of sour wine instead of coffee you can see that the legionnaire of ancient Rome ate pretty much the same as his Civil War brethren.

Enough of this ancient history lesson, its enough to realize that the basics of campaigner chow has not changed a whole lot over the years.

As we have talked about ad nauseum, the standard Union issue of hardtack was ten crackers a day. Some accounts say eight, but ten is the generally accepted amount. So for the two and half days you are going to be at an event figure twenty to twenty five crackers. Just round it up to an even thirty and it gives you a number to play with.

As you might remember from our earlier article you can either purchase ready made hardtack or make it yourself at home. If I can bake hardtack at home, anyone should be able to do it. I store it in a paper bag for a couple of days to let it air harden and then it goes into the Rubbermaid bread container.

Slab bacon; that ubiquitous flesh of the swine can be found in a variety of places. The Edward’s ham company with outlets in sundry places sells it various sized packages from one to five pounds. Whatever size or brand you get I highly recommend doing a little quartermaster work yourself and break it down for transport.

Since there is usually some savings in buying in bulk I will purchase the five-pound slab. I break that down into five one lb packages. Then I will cut the one lb package into four or five slices. I wrap the pieces in some baking paper and place them in the freezer. Then come event time I just grab a couple, put them in the little cooler with a blue ice pack. When I get to the event I load my haversack. Now you can cook the meat right away and it will safely keep for the weekend. You could even pre cook it at home, then freeze it and just warm it up at the event.

You can substitute beef for the slab pork. Beef was usually issued fresh; “still quivering from the knife” according to one source. There are some health concerns with the fresh beef. One option is to freeze it at home as soon as you get it home from the store. Cook it for example on a Wednesday night and refreeze it. Pull the package out and do the same as for the slab bacon. Another way is if you can buy it that day on your way to the event. Cook it as soon as you can. It should be safe for the weekend.

The same tactic could apply for fresh pork as well. NEVER, NEVER eat raw pork or beef. There are just too many things that can happen to you and not many of them are good.

Salt beef was issued as well as salt pork. Salt beef is going to impossible to find. You can try making your own at home. Use a ceramic, stoneware or plastic crock that has a lid that fits. You will also need a lot of pickling salt or kosher salt. Get a couple of pounds of cheap beef that has some fat clinging to it.

Place the beef in the container and make sure it is well covered in water. Start pouring salt in. How much? Until you can float a potato or the salt will no longer dissolve.

Place plate on top of the beef to keep in from floating to the top. Put the lid on and place it in the refrigerator. Twice a week agitate the mixture and check the brine. A small amount of scum should make its way to the top. If it does just scoop it out. If it excessive, clean the meat under cold running water, scrub the container out and start over. Count on at least two weeks and possibly up to six weeks depending on the thickness of the meat for it to salt cure. Obviously this is not something you want to start on Thursday night.

When the time is up place the meat in the open air to dry. It will dry rock hard and the salt will protect it.

If you plan to use it at an event count on soaking it fresh water overnight and you may have to boil it and change the water several times.

Onwards to our planning the menu for the event. For planning purpose’s we are going to attend the 1^st annual battle of Hogan’s Goat (ask me story). Let us also assume that the company will not be cooking a meal on Saturday so you can forget Kale and Hominy casserole.

Anyway, the event has been billed as the greatest hardcore campaigner event of all time. Upon registration you will be issued with period correct lice that have been specifically bred for the event. You know it’s going to be hardcore because the local volunteer fire department has not set up a funnel cake concession, so you will be on your own.

That means if I get there late Friday night I can count on providing myself at least five meals. On Saturday that’s a breakfast, lunch and dinner along with any snacks. Then on Sunday, you have to fix a breakfast and a lunch.

All right as you no doubt remember from my first article I go to the basement, move the cat off the commissary chest and start to pack. I pull out thirty hardtack crackers and store them in the bread bag in my haversack.

Next I consider my beverage. From our research we know that coffee was the preferred beverage of both Johnny Reb and Billy Yank. Hmm? I could always go upstairs and pull down the can of Folger’sÔ Mountain Roast and fill a poke sack with some grounds. Well here’s the rub.

The main supplier of coffee for Johnny Reb was the Union army; either foraged or traded for. So how did Billy Yank receive his coffee ration? At the beginning of the war; the Union Army was in a great thundering hurry for a lot of things. Consequently they were unable to keep a close eye on a lot of contractors, which led to Union soldiers being supplied with shoddy clothes and substandard shoes. In order to prevent contractors from cheating the government, when the federal government bought coffee they bought only the whole bean. This prevented contractors from adulterating the contents and making extra profit. So if you need to tote that coffee you are going to have to use coffee beans. Or is there an alternative?

Indeed there is. A food item that became available to Union soldiers was “extract of coffee.” It was a primitive version of instant coffee. Here is a recipe to make your own extract of coffee.

Take a half-cup of your favorite brand of freeze-dried coffee, 1 can of Bordens condensed milk (if you are worried about the sugar content of the condensed milk; go ahead and use evaporated milk) a minuscule amount of boiling water

Slowly; a few drops at a time add the boiling water to the freeze-dried coffee. I use a teaspoon. What you want to accomplish here is to turn the freeze-dried coffee into a thick paste, not a drink.

Place the milk into a bowl and very gently warm it a microwave. Add the coffee paste to the warmed milk. Mix well; you should wind up a thick dark brown paste. Now you need a suitable container. Hey guess what; use an old cap tin. Keep it in the refrigerator until event time. Make sure the lid is tight or everything in your haversack will get a nice coating of extract of coffee.

At an event, just heat up a cup of water, add a spoonful of the extract, stir well and you have a pretty good approximation of an item carried by Union soldiers. A word of warning as this stuff can be pretty potent.

The meat ration has already been discussed and I make a note to get it out of the freezer prior to leaving.

What about something a little more substantial? How about some beans?, rice?, or peas? Well all of the above are actually pretty easy to prepare for either lunch or dinner.

Just after breakfast put some of the dried beans or peas in your boiler. Cover with about an inch of water and place by the fire. Let it cook all morning. Just before lunch, slice some meat into it, let it cook some more and then go to town.

It should be our goal as living historians to try as much as possible to emulate how the boys of 61 did it. As living historians or reenactors however you want to put it; we have an obligation to do the best possible impression that we can. There are several benefits to doing things the way they did it. First, we learn for ourselves. Second, when a spectator comes around they get an opportunity to see how things should be.

By doing things the right way we reduce the amount of trash we have at an event. Think about it. When we bring things wrapped in plastic or Styrofoam egg cartons, the residue has to be disposed of. Normally we chuck it into the fire. Since I know a little bit about hazardous materials this is not a very bright idea.

It is the nature of the beast that we always don’t get to associate with other serious minded reenactors. A lot of you might be familiar with some of the people we have had to bivouac next to and their campsite resembles a county landfill with all kinds of stuff lying around. Beer cans, beef stew cans, plastic bread wrappers and the like not only cheapen their impression but affects ours as well. By no means I am saying we should be the authenticity police, but it starts with us.

It has long been my philosophy that I control no one’s impression but my own. My impression is only as authentic as I want to make it. By doing research and trying to do it right I am walking down the road to a better impression.

Mr. Kipling’s Army, All the Queen’s Men, Byron Farwell, W.W. Norton Company London, 1981

A Taste For War, The Culinary History of the Blue and the Gray, William C. Davis, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg PA 2003

Columbia Rifles Companion, A Resource for Living Historians in the Development of a Well Rounded Civil War Federal Soldier Impression-1^st Edition April 2001, Published by the Columbia Rifles.

The 140^th Anniversary for Fort Pocahontas is May 22-23. Even though this will not be a Unit event by the number of members that were not interested in attending, there were others that had approached me at the COI and wanted to go. This will be an individually signed up event. I am including the web-site address and phone number for those who would like to go to this one. Their web-site has all the information you will need to send in your own registration money to attend. There are, presently, at least five members interested in going. Let me know if you wish to attend, so I, (the Editor), can look out for you once I am there. As always, I presume that Saturday’s dinner will be provided by the gracious hosts, but bring all other meals and cooking supplies and shelter.

Fort Pocahontas is located 16 miles west of Williamsburg and 37 miles east of Richmond on Virginia Route 5. It is five miles east of the Charles City County Courthouse and 2.5 miles east of Sherwood Forest Plantation.

From downtown Richmond, follow Main Street East (Rt. 5 East). Proceed approx. 32 miles (approx. 47 minutes). Look for the signs located on Rt. 5 for Sherwood Forest Plantation. Go past the Sherwood Forest Plantation approximately two (2) miles. Take the second right after passing Sherwood Forest, which is Rt. 614 (Sturgeon Point Road.) Stay on Rt. 614 (Sturgeon Point Road) until you come to the entrance gate for Fort Pocahontas. Registration and ticket sales are located at the fort entrance.

From I-95 South from Washington, follow the signs to I-295 South and take Exit 22A (Route 5, Charles City.) Look for the signs located on Rt. 5 for Sherwood Forest Plantation. Go past Sherwood Forest Plantation approximately two (2) miles. Take the second right after passing Sherwood Forest, which is Rt. 614 (Sturgeon Point Road). Stay on Rt. 614 (Sturgeon Point Road) until you come to the entrance gate for Fort Pocahontas. Registration and ticket sales are located at the fort entrance.

From I-64 West from Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, exit 242A (Jamestown/ Rt. 199 East) to Rt. 5 (John Tyler Memorial Highway.) Turn left onto Rt. 5 West (John Tyler Hwy) for 16 miles (approx. 30 minutes). Turn left onto Rt. 614**(Sturgeon Point Road.) Stay on Rt. 614 (Sturgeon Point Road) until you come to the entrance gate for Fort Pocahontas. Registration and ticket sales are located at the fort entrance.

**PLEASE NOTE: There are two Route 614s, the first one is located in James City County - this is NOT the correct 614. Please be sure to cross the Chickahominy River into Charles City County before turning onto Route 614.

The addition of new and veteran members this year was inspiring. The continued success and life of F-Company can only be sustained through strength of persistent recruiting. There are many men out there with the desire to learn more about this critical time in American History. But, we all know that it takes more than desire. It takes an individual to reach deep within themselves to make a financial commitment to begin, and then whatever time commitment to maintain. If this hobby were cheap, every unit would have a 100-man company. That’s the biggest hurdle in recruiting. I have had contact with so many wishing to partake, but not having the means to do it. This has never deterred me from continuing my job to communicate, to respond quickly, and to follow through whenever I can. I only ask that each of you try to do the same. It would make my job a little easier, and who knows, it could make this company grow and grow and strengthen even more. Now, anyone need flyers?

Editor’s note

For those who attended the 2004 edition of the Camp of Instruction, I hope you did not go away without some wonderful training, more competitive live firing, and a Sunday of skirmish and company blank firings that turned my musket barrel into hot iron, leaving my left hand with blisters. But beyond all that, after all the details and duties have been carried out, it was our time in camp. Some of us learned the true meaning of fish sticks and Mr. Alexander read to us a quite stirring letter from home around the campfire on Saturday night. Private Schirmer conducted our Sunday Services. This service was unlike any we’ve ever witnessed. With Passover and Easter coming upon us, Private Schirmer led us through a heart-warming service with many passages read from the Bible, many songs sang from our hymnals, followed by Holy Communion. Needless to say, for myself, I was overcome with many emotions to the point of tears. My gratitude goes out to both Private Schirmer and Lieutenant Turley for a never forgetful start to our Sunday, bringing us closer as true friends.

With additional events forthcoming, May’s Newsletter will be filled with more news and updates for the 100 man Cold Harbor Living History event. There is also a great chance that we will be also attending the Gainesmille L.H. event, but I will leave that for another issue.

Mr. Schirmer was out of work the entire week after our COI. He should be commended for all he did for us that weekend. I hope you’re feeling better, Mr. Schirmer.

8:00	-All cars to be out of camp, towing will be enforced!
10:00	-Reenactor Registration closes -Reenactment site opens to the public. Engineer demonstration is ongoing.
12 noon	Infantry demonstration.
1:30 pm	Honor ceremony for descendants of battle combatants and descendants of Spotsylvania families that resided in the area during the conflict.
2:30 pm	Cavalry demonstration depicting the efforts of Confederate forces to stall the advance of Union infantry down the Brock Road toward Spotsylvania Court House.
5:00 pm	Artillery demonstration, the prelude to Upton's assault
6:30 - 7:30 pm	Battle scenario: Upton's assault of the Confederate works. This scenario will follow the timeline of the original assault.
7:45 pm	Candlelight tour of the Confederate earthworks.
9:00 pm	Camps close to the public
12:00 Midnight	All quiet in camp.

Item Description	Cost

Period Binoculars in a case with a strap, great optics, leather case needs work	$120
F Company Early War/ Militia Captain's coat, lots of chicken guts on the sleeves. 42 Long	$300
F Company Early War/Militia Captain's wool trousers, big gold stripes down the outside of each leg. 38X32	$125
F Company Early War/Militia Captain's white duct trousers, no gold stripes. 36X32	$50
F Company Militia Shako with feathered and cotton pompom, interchangeable. Size 7 ¾	$200
F Company Militia leather accoutrements, Cartridge Box, Cap Pouch, Scabbard, white web belts and brass belt and breast plates.	$350
F Company Early War/Militia Goat skin knapsack, best wearing pack out there.	$100
F Company approved White Wool Blanket, a must have for those cold events.	$15
Light Grey Wool Blanket, great secondary blanket, a must for summer events.	$15
Kersey Grey Wool Overcoat with blue lined cape, made by Lynn Bull, a must for cold events. 42 Long	$200
A 3 tine original period wood handle fork	$5
An original period table wood handle knife	$5
Tin boiler, no lid, really is a cup with the handle ripped off and a piece of wire across the top to lift it out of the fire.	$2
Pocket mirror in a cedar case, copied from the one at the MOC	$10
F Company approved Federal haversack	$25
One set of small dominos in a poke sack	$5

Commander’s Column

1st Sergeant’s Report

Pvt. J.T. Wells 4th Mississippi

Editor’s note

Pvt. J.T. Wells 4^th Mississippi