The 2008 Reenactment season has come to a close. The Mechanicsville Christmas Parade was the last event for F Company this year. It was on Sunday, December 7^th. The weather was brisk, windy, and cold. Those that were there for F Company included Tom Stafford, Dave Gammon, Ryan Hughes, Bob Baird, Wes Catlett, and Bill Ward. I especially want to thank Jack Alexander who drove down from Maryland and Jonathan Alexander who drove up from Carolina to help with the parade. That was beyond the call of duty. We had an excellent turnout. It was good to be in the parade but it was some what perplexing to be upstaged by Ronald McDonald.

Prior to this on the weekend of November 22^nd and 23^rd we were at the civil war show at RIR. We had a lot of support from the unit for this also. Again, Jack drove down from Maryland. (Thanks, Jack). We had help from Michael Floyd, David Gammon, Bob Baird, and Bill Ward on Saturday. Michael Floyd and Eldridge Firth helped out on Sunday. We got a couple of good prospects or leads. We will see if they produce any fruit.

I do want to thank all the members of F Company for their support of the unit through out the year. From the freezing rain and snow of the Camp of Instruction, to the heat and humidity of Gettysburg, and back to the cold of the Mechanicsville Parade. I think we had a pretty good year. We now have a bit of a break for the Holidays and "winter quarter".

That being said, please keep in mind the date of February 21, 2009. This is a Saturday and this will be our next annual meeting. It will be at the same location as before, Clover Hill Baptist Church.

Note that this is the December 2008/January 2009 Newsletter meaning that there will not be a separate newsletter for January. The next newsletter will be out around the first of February 2009.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hope everyone has some down time so that you can really enjoy the season. Thanks for everything.

Take care and God Bless,

Your Obedient Servant,

Captain Turley

Gentlemen,

I want to thank everyone for their efforts this year, and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Remember to use these next few months off to stock up on needed supplies for next season and to make any necessary repairs or replacements. Don’t let next season sneak up on you.

Your Obedient Servant,

1st Sgt. Gammon

No one won last month’s, identify the author in the poet’s corner.  Here is the 3rd and final installment in Never give up.

Poets Corner

Never give up!---though the grape-shot may rattle

Or the full thunder-cloud over you burst,

Stand like a rock---and the storm or the battle

Little shall harm you, though doing their worst.

Never give up!---if adversity presses,

Providence wisely has mingled the cup,

And the best counsel, in all your distresses,

Is the stout watchword of Never give up!

How could you go wrong with words like these? These words are as true today as they were 150 years ago when this was written.

Guess who?

He hung his harp upon

Philosophy's pure shrine;

And, placed by the Nature's throne,

Composed each placid line

Remember a dinner on the company for the first to contact Jack with the correct answer.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Jack