August 2002
Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VA
You can really
appreciate something when it is not there. Jackson’s
Division is very nice to be around when you have been through what we have at the recent 7
Days event.
Speaking of
appreciation, it is amazing the little things we all take for granted in nature. A cool breeze on a warm day, we all are too busy
enjoying the AC. An ice-cold cantaloupe was
wonderful on that same hot day.
By the way, I was
looking over Giliam’s manual, studying Stacking Arms again. I have concluded that passing the bayonet under
your file leader’s arm is one of those reenactorisms.
The manual states: “At this command, the front rank man of every
even numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand above he
middle band, and place the butt behind and near the right foot of the man next on the
left, the barrel turned to the front. At the same time the front rank man of every
odd numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand below
the middle band, and hand it to the man next on the left; the latter will receive it with
the right hand two inches above the middle band, throw the butt about thirty-two inches to
the front, opposite to his right shoulder, incline the muzzle towards him, and lock
the shanks of he two bayonets; the lock of this second piece towards the right, and its
shank above that of the first piece. The rear rank man of every even file will
project his bayonet forward, and introduce it (using both hands) between and under the
shanks of the two other bayonets. He will then abandon the piece to his file leader,
who will receive it with the right hand under the middle band, bring the butt to the
front, holding up his own piece and the stack with the left hand, and place the butt of
this third piece between the feet of the man next on the right, the S plate to the rear.
The stack thus formed, the rear rank man of every odd file will pass his piece into
his left hand, the barrel turned to the front, and, sloping the bayonet forward, rest it
on the stack.”
The part that is
bolded is the quandary, if you are grabbing the musket two inches above the middle ban
this will lean the man forward some and down to the right.
I have to test my theory but I feel that this will make it impossible to put
the musket under the arm, however it will make it more possible for the musket from the
number two in the rear to come from over his file leaders shoulder. Similar to the way we take muskets. I believe this will be faster and safer. Don’t worry we will practice it. This all came about from me having to teach that
company beside us how to stack arms, I just could not see it before, and most everyone
else has not seen it either.
Future
Events
Sept 13-15 140th Sharpsburg Battle
Oct 12-13 Explorer Park Fund Raiser Event Canceled on their end.
Nov 2-3 Ft. Branch Battle
Seven Days
That
was interesting, we all said as we left the site through the smoke and flame of battle
(Literally)
Well
it all started back at the annual meeting, sorry too far back. The Friday before, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Wooddy and Mr.
Stafford found themselves in a place where time and space did not seem to matter, our
camp. This was a first for the Company, it
was the closest camp ever, and it was one of the best we have had. Mr. Pearson called me on his cell phone from the
preppy jeep and gave me a direction for the camp through the static. The only problem was that the reference point was
“The Sutlers”. After a few minutes of broken conversation I thought I had a
clue, boy was I wrong. The schedule stated
that registration would be open at 06:00 and I thought I would be pretty smart and get
there at that time on Saturday. Well, after
figuring out that it was not going to happen, I took one of the maps and tried to make my
way to camp. Thank goodness for Mr.
Pearson’s preppy jeep being parked close by, then I saw more and more of the
member’s cars and trucks. Then from the
wood line, Mr. Stafford popped out, I was saved.
I
parked and unloaded the company water jugs, they were a lifesaver and I am so glad we are
going to keep them. If anyone knows were we
can get a new replacement lid for one water jug that was tighten down to tight at a camp
of instruction and cracked, please let me know. A
side note, Mr. Gregory’s Hydration article was right on time. We did not have any heat casualties, but we were
all hot. Thanks again to Mr. Gregory and we
should all remember to Hydrate properly and it will make a huge difference.
The
ration issue went off very well, thanks again to Mr. Talbert for the outstanding bacon. Some of the men cooked and ate most of the ration
right then. I found myself eating my entire
ration that Mr. Wooddy cooked for me while I was trying to get registered, thanks again,
Mr. Wooddy. I had to stop myself from eating
it all and worrying about the rest later, that was a strange feeling but I appreciated it.
The
first battle, Beaver Dam Creek was interesting I, of course, volunteered F Company as the
skirmish company. The men did an outstanding
job as always. There was plenty of loading
and firing while lying down and movement to and fro.
After the 50 Federals pushed us out of the way the other 500 Confederates
came down and got pushed back. We went over
that hill too many times. The last time back,
I decide that we were going to sit down on the hillside away from the battle and enjoy the
breeze since we were done. During this little
engagement, Mr. Pearson was wounded and managed to get to the Federal line. Later we all assembled in the camp and he found
that he had lost his trusty bayonet of many a year and battle.
The battle later that day Gaines’ Mill, was interesting also. We were in line then we were abruptly moved to the other end of the line to fill in. As another company’s skirmishers came back they decided to fall in on the front end of my company. I saw it happening and could not believe it. 1st Sgt. was busy with our men and before he had realized it they were on his elbow. Just as he spun around to see what was happening, I yelled at them to wake up and get out of my line. They gave me a look but I gave it right back to them and they moved back to their company. Their commander came up and said that he would take care of his men. Too bad he was not doing that from the beginning. It was not worth my time and I left it at that. We moved forward and there was a perfect little ravine/ditch/gully, just the height of a man, a perfect earthwork. Of course, we could not stay there that would make to much sense. We had to move to an open area and be shot to pieces from the left flank. F Company made it back to the ditch where we were told to keep going back. We could have held off the entire Federal force, my 15 against their 50. We stuck to the script and moved to the rear.
That
evening we enjoyed the solitude of our camp. We
did not have to see everyone else, however we got to listen to the band and watch the
dance from a far. Mr. Gregory and Mr. Norman
recounted being able to see dancing figures as they emerged and submerged into to dust. The night passed without major incident, just a
little singing here and there, unlike the night before as recounted by the members that
were there. Friday night seemed to be the
drunken sing-a-long/karaoke time. I guess the
heat took the fight out of them and they could not go another night.
The
afternoon battle was no better. We were to
form up at 13:30. I was not late however the
company I had to form up on was, keeping me from getting on line. This was making an already tense situation worst. I knew it was getting worse when they had to stamp
out two or three fires from the cannon fire. We
moved up on that long march up Malvern Hill. I
was really missing Jackson’s Division, at least they know how to march in a straight
light. The rest of the battalion did the
accordion march in and out, while we stuck to our 1st Sgt. and he kept up
straight ahead. They always came back to us. When we stopped at the top of the hill we fired on
the 50 Federals again and the ground was set a blaze.
I guess the other captains or men did not know enough not to put the paper
down since it was now so dry. The fires
started small and grew. At one point we were
cut off from the battalion due to the patches of ground that were ablaze. The heat and flame was intense and added that new
dimension to this hobby we participate in. We
moved far enough ahead away from the flames and got back with the battalion and decided
that this was the perfect place to take a cannon hit and get out of there. We fired, keeping our muskets unloaded and took
the next cannon shot. Next thing we knew Mr.
Wooddy who had taken a hit at the top of the hill was with us again. He told us the fire was getting too close to his
position, so he rejoined us. As we laid
there, the flames were advancing on our position. The
men facing to the rear told me that it was coming our way.
I heard the fire trucks in the distance and looked back as the flames jumped
the road we had passed thirty yards back. The
smoke and flame was incredible. I ordered the
men to get up and get out of there making our way to the main road we all knew it was time
to go. We walked out of there as the first
fire truck arrived to douse the flames. There
was a quiet that came over the battlefield as the fire trucks put out the flames so the
may lay could continue. We just kept walking
all the way to the parking lot. Whew that was
a mess. Live and learn!!! Mr. Gregory’s Rules of Living History was
brought to the forefront this weekend. He may
even have some new ones to add to the list.
Remember the BSA
Program
You
all remember the BSA event that Mr. Norman got the company together for? Well, that event paid off, we received a
“love” offer of $173.00. This is
great and this program will happen again next year. Mr.
Norman has already been approached for us to attend and provide the same type of program. Please keep this in mind for next year. It is suppose to be bigger and better.
Capt.
Jones
Camp
of Instruction
I know it is early but we need to start
thinking about a new place to hold the camp of instruction.
Ft. AP Hill has not responded to my and the TO’s letter of constructive
criticism. The company is open to all
possibilities. There are some requirements.
Any of these areas can overlap or be the same
area. We will need to see any place before
deciding on anything.
Company
Inventory
Amt.
Item
Price/ each
(12) Cartridge Boxes $90.00
(13) Bayonet Scabbards $40.00
(3) Cap Pouches
$24.00
(2) Haversacks
$45.00
(3) Tin Plates
$15.00
(6) Tin Cups
$15.00
(5) Tin Canteens
$45.00
(21) Cotton Socks
$8.00
(6) Wool Blanket
$25.00
(16) Sm. Va. Buttons $.75
(22) Lg. Va. Buttons
$.90
(59) Script I Buttons $1.00
(50) Caps (cans of 200) $7.00
Hemp Rope
$1.00 per ft.
(0) Hemp Twine
$5.00
(6) Frying Pans
$30.00
(0) Hardtack
$8.00
(1) Very Small Jacket
$75.00
(3) A Frame w/poles $100.00
(1) Wall Tent
$400.00
(4) Sets of Utensils
$20.00
(1) Wooden Box
$10.00
The company camping inventory items are for
sale to F Company members first then will be opened to the general public then go to Mr.
Vice for sale at an event. I have a few
members “penciled in” for items on the list pending checks. If you have asked me to hold something for you,
you need to pay up. Things have been moving
like hotcakes and if you want something you had better get it while the getting it good.
1st
Lt.’s Report
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer break. Seven Days has come and gone and with the quality
of the event I guess it is a good thing that it is gone.
With no other Jackson’s Division units at this event we needed someone
with which to fall in so we were invited to form up with the same yahoos (I mean unit and
not the Virginia Cavaliers) we were with at Saylers Creek back in April.
The commander was glad to have us but I
actually think we were an embarrassment to them in that the difference between our unit
and the others was quite evident as far as training, discipline, and drill is concerned. We were just so much better (no brag, just fact)
than the other units that it was no contest. It
was like night and day.
The commander was the same but I am not sure
about the unit itself. The “yahoo
factor” at this event was a lot higher than what it was at Saylers Creek. They still had the black powder, face smearing
invitation for the fresh fish. I guess they
do that because it seems to be the only way you can tell the difference between the fresh
fish and the veterans. In spite al this we
made it through and everyone had a good time except for when Mr. Wooddy hit Mr. Talbert (accidentally). The Sunday battle was especially interesting when
we had to deal with the brush fires as well as trying to fight the Yankees.
The attendance while not 100% it was still
good as it has been all year. I want to thank
everyone for supporting the unit in this way. Now
take this time to make any needed repairs and/or replace items that may require such
action. See everyone at Sharpsburg. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Respectfully Submitted,
1st. Lt. Turley