Vol. VII. April, 2008 Issue 3.

Captain’s Column

It is now official. Camp Pate is the headquarters and home for F Company. I want to thank Nate Pate through whose efforts this became a reality. I also want to thank all who worked so hard to get the site ready for our Camp of Instruction especially David Gammon, Wes Catlett, Matt Gammon, Bill Ward, and Jack Alexander who made the trip down from Maryland, and of course, Nate. I know of no other reenactment unit that can claim an authentic Civil War Fort as its own. We are truly blessed.

All-in-all I think the COI went very well. I want to thank everyone who attended. We had fifteen members present out of the sixteen active members on the roster. That is excellent.

The COI turned out to be only one day. Everything was going fine until a "family misunderstanding" arose during the firing exercise Saturday afternoon. Then as we were preparing for supper, Matt Gammon severely cut his left hand. We ended up talking him to the ER at St. Francis. And then Sunday morning we awoke to rain, freezing rain, and sleet. The rain would continue throughout the day. We did have breakfast and a shortened church service. Then we decided to pack up and go. Despite the unplanned events of the weekend, I was well pleased with the turnout and the productivity of the day on Saturday and as always it was good to get away for the weekend.

Now, as for April, we have three events scheduled, two of which require no registration. First is the Civil War Show in Chantilly, Virginia on the weekend of April 12th & 13th. Right now, Jack Alexander, Mike Vice, and I will be working the show. If anyone else would like to help please let us know. Second, we have the school day living history program at Tredegar on Thursday, April 17th. Four of us are signed up for this. If you can help with this, contact the First Sergeant. Third, we have the Living Liberty Reenactment at Bedford, April 26th & 27th. We have about twelve people registered for this. If you are not signed up and would like to go please let us know. We may still be able to get you in.

I want to thank everyone for all the behind the scenes work and activity that goes on and enables this unit to function at the caliber that it does. From computers and websites maintenance, registration and recruiting, emails and news letters, phone calls and event prep, it takes a lot of work and no one person can do it all. I think everyone contributes and does his part. That’s why we are such a great unit.

Along those same lines… something I forget to do in the last newsletter is to announce that Wes Catlett has stepped forward and taken over the duties of Quartermaster. Most of you already know this by now. I commend him for doing so. As I said everyone does his part. Thanks Wes!

Please keep our troops in your prayers especially Jonathan Alexander in Afghanistan. Pray for healing in Matt Gammon’s hand and that he would have full use and function thereof.

God Bless and see you soon!

Captain Turley

1st Lieutenant’s Report

I would like to thank everyone that was able to attend the COI in March. We missed y'all

that were unable to attend. Our Friday evening excursion was interesting as always and the weather that night was a challenge. Saturday went well and our new members picked up on the drill nicely. Unfortunately, Mother Nature unraveled Sunday for us rather quickly. Still, all in all I believe that the COI survived rather well. I know that everyone was disenchanted that

we missed the chance to do an equipment inspection. Don't worry; I am sure that we will be able to fit it in sometime in the near future.

Don't forget that we have a Civil War Show in Chantilly on the 12th and 13th of April. We also have a Living History for the NPS at Tredegar on the 17th of April. Our battle reenactment is April 26th&27th at Bedford, Virginia. I look forward to seeing y'all soon

Please remember our men and women in the U.S. ARMED FORCES. May they come home safe and sound to their families. We appreciate all that they do for US.GOD BLESS

THEM and their FAMILIES!

Respectfully

1st LT. J. Thomas Stafford

 

1st Sergeant’s Report

I would like to thank everyone who was able to make it to the C.O.I. on the last weekend of March. Camping in the fort was fantastic and the drill on Saturday went very well. Our two newest recruits also did very well picking everything up. The weather was less than desirable on Sunday but we did get to fix a nice breakfast and have Church before we headed out. I would also like to thank everyone who assisted with getting Matt patched up after he cut his hand on Saturday and for all of the e-mails and calls to check on him. Thanks also go out to Nate for making the weekend possible by securing the fort for us and overseeing getting it cleaned out in time. Because of all his hard work, the camp was named "Camp Pate" and appropriately so.

Congratulations go to Matt for shooting a 44 in the live firing competition and to Bob for a nice 42. Second platoon also narrowly edged out first platoon 106 - 97 in the platoon shoot.

Coming up we have the School Day at Tredegar on April 17th (Thursday) for the Park Service. We will be arriving at Tredegar between 8:00 and 8:30 A.M. and the kids will be arriving around 9:30 A.M... We will set up a couple of tents and bring some basic gear to show them. We will not be firing our muskets but we will do some drilling and some school of the soldier. If anyone would like to play hooky from work and help out please let me know. If anyone needs directions I can send you those as well.

We have Living Liberty on April 26th - 27th in Bedford, VA... I will be attempting to arrive in Bedford around 8:00 - 8:15 A.M. on Saturday morning. Directions will be in the newsletter. Please bring around 80 - 100 rounds as there will be battles on both days. You will need to fend for yourselves as far as meals go, the Co. will not be doing meals, however there is a fabulous restaurant that we visited last time on Saturday evening. We also took a trip to the D-Day Memorial last time that we may be able to repeat.  I have the following people signed up for Bedford. (Turley, Stafford, Gammon D., Firth, Hughes, Gammon M., Baird, Catlett, Clements, Floyd, Pate, and Wilson). If anyone else would like to go, please let me know as soon as possible. If anyone is going to need any powder, caps, or other inventory please let Wes or I know. I would love to see everybody there that signed up; this is a fun event. Please keep our troops in your prayers, especially Jonathan Alexander. Pray that God would keep him safe and out of harm's way. Thank you Jonathan from F Co. for your service to our Country!!!

 

Respectfully,

1stSgt. Gammon

 

"Thoughts from the Camp of Instruction"

While driving home Saturday evening from the C.O.I. my thoughts drifted back to the significance of the morning’s flag raising ceremonies. This probably was the first time in over one hundred and forty-three years that a confederate flag flew over this once again actively occupied fort, manned now by the 21st VA. F Company. To be chosen along with 1st Sgt. Gammon and Private Pate for the honors of raising the Third National Flag above the fort was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

Very respectfully,

Private Catlett

 

Registration will be at the Primary School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions to Living Liberty

http://www.visitbedford.com/directions.shtml

From Richmond via US 360:
Take 360 West to 460 West; follow signs to Lynchburg and Bedford. Take the 2nd Bedford Exit. Take a right off of the exit onto Route 122 South (Burks Hill Road). This exit will be marked with signage for the National D-Day Memorial and the Bedford Visitors Center. There will be an Exxon Station on your right and the Bedford Visitors Center will be across the street on the left. Burks Hill Road becomes Crenshaw Street then follow map to Primary School. Registration will be at the Primary School.

From Richmond via I-64:
Take 64 West to Interstate 81 South; take the Troutville Exit (#150), to Alternate 220; Follow signs to 460 (Lynchburg and Bedford) and take a left onto 460 East. Travel approximately 25 minutes and take the 122 exit. Take a left off of the exit and an Exxon Station will be on your right and the Bedford Visitors Center will be across the street on the left. Burks Hill Road becomes Crenshaw Street then follow map to Primary School. Registration will be at the Primary School.

From Lynchburg via US 29 & 460:
From Route 29, take the 460 West Exit towards Roanoke. Go about 19 miles. When you get to Bedford, take the second Bedford Exit. There will be signs for the National D-Day Memorial and the Bedford Visitors Center exit. Come off the exit and take a right onto 122 South (Burks Hills Road). There will be an Exxon Station on the right and the Bedford Visitors Center will be across the street on the left. Burks Hill Road becomes Crenshaw Street then follow map to Primary School. Registration will be at the Primary School.

From Roanoke via I-581:
Off Interstate 581, take the 460 East (Orange Avenue) Exit. Follow 460 East approximately 28 miles. Take the 2nd Bedford Exit (Route 122) which is marked with signage for The National D-Day Memorial and the Bedford Visitors Center. Come off the exit and take a left onto Route 122 South (Burks Hill Road). There will be an Exxon Station on the right and the Bedford Visitors Center will be across the street on the left. Burks Hill Road becomes Crenshaw Street then follow map to Primary School. Registration will be at the Primary School.

From Roanoke via I-81:
From Interstate 81 take the Troutville Exit (#150), to Alternate 220; follow signs to 460 (Lynchburg and Bedford) and take a left onto 460 East. Go approximately 25 minutes. When you get to Bedford follow the signs for The National D-Day Memorial and the Bedford Visitors Center exit (Route 122). Take a left off of the exit and an Exxon Station will be on the right and the Bedford Visitors Center will be across the street on the left. Burks Hill Road becomes Crenshaw Street then follow map to Primary School. Registration will be at the Primary School.