Gentlemen, it is that time of year where you are to perform you duty for F Company by attending the annual meeting and letting your voice be heard. I know it is once year but at least it is only once a year, some groups meet every month.

Now is the time we take care of the company business and elect the officers for the upcoming season. The slate of officers was published in the last newsletter; however elections are open to all members in good standing. Speaking of good standing, has everyone paid up for missed events? If not you better get with Mr. Alexander and get your account right. The meeting will be on Saturday February 22^nd at the Ashcreek Community Center (see attached map). Be there at 0900 sharp. The center is a little different then the last time you all were there. We will be entering in the door to the extreme left as you face the building and go down the hall to our room. The room is smaller but it will suffice for our needs. Hopefully Mr. Ramsey will have a few books to sell. The Company Quartermaster, Mr. Stafford will be there selling the company goods. Mr. Ward will join these selling ranks and be selling Mr. Courson’s approved leather goods.

As always there will be a $10.00 cover charge and we will have BBQ, the room, and sodas for that price. WHAT A DEAL. Contact your corporal and let him know you are going to attend so I can get the right amount of BBQ. Corporals, let me know before 10 Feb. This means you need to contact your corporal before the 10^th to let him know one way or the other. Yes, this means you.

Uniform Updates

I have worked with the Uniform Committee Chairman on this some and have taken it upon myself to make a shift in how the company gets uniforms on its proverbial backs. The documentation is not out yet but there will be no more need for custom fit jackets and trousers. We are going to a variant of the issue system like they had during the war.

The company will purchase the wool as usual and have the jackets and pants made in standard sizes and you can then purchase it from the company inventory. If we do not have it in stock we will work with you. This way our contactors will deal with one person and possibly have a steady stream of business while all the time not worrying with custom measurements just pumping out our standard jackets and pants in standard sizes. This should be similar to what Civil War soldiers got and it will add one more facet to add to our overall Company impression. I have in my possession 3 suits of clothes that will be available at the annual meeting. Pants will have to be hemmed at your own leisure. Buttons will have to be sewed on the same way. Once we start selling items we will be putting in new orders to keep our stock at certain levels. So if it is time to replace that worn out old jacket or those thread bare pants, what a better way to do it. This will be a first come first serve thing as usual, cash and carry, we will not lend out any items.

Should you have questions about this new policy please let me or the Uniform Chairman, Mr. Vice know.

Annual Meeting Info

Attached is the map to the Annual Meeting. Mark your calendar for: February 22^nd . Look for my Preppy Jeep. Hopefully, I will have all layers of salt removed by then. Mr. Courson will be there to share lunch with us and sell leathergoods. Special orders can also be submitted.

Treasurer’s Report

Hey F Company members. The attendance for 2002 campaign season was excellent. Only 3 persons owe for missed events: Owen, Price and Firth, $10 each please.

TAX NEWS: Many of you will be preparing your taxes soon. Remember we are a tax exempt organization which should allow you to deduct many expenses related to our hobby. You should consult your tax person, but things like uniforms, travel, and meals are just a few examples that should be available to each of you.

FUND RAISING NEWS: Many of us work for companies that offer to match any donations made by its' employees. You can check your benefits department to see if you qualify. If you need help completing the forms I can help. If any of you know of a company that might like support us financially, let me know and I will contact them. Thanks for you support.

See you at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Alexander, Treasurer

Annual meeting Agenda

0900-0930            Room Setup
0930-0945            Call to order
0945-0950            Invocation
0950-1000            Pledge of Allegiance
1000-1015            Introductions
1.) Executive Committee and NCOs
2.) New Members
1015-1025            Review and Approval of 2002 Annual Membership Minutes
1025-1110            Business and Committee Reports
1.) Treasury report and review of 2002 budget
2.) Uniform/Inventory report and review of 2002
3.) Membership status and review of 2002
4.) Recruiting report and review of 2001
5.) Jackson’s Division status
1110-1130            Old Business
1.) Floor open to any Old Business
1130-1200            Recruiting – Plan
1200-1300            Lunch
1230-1300            Sale of goods
1300-1445            2003 Sched of Events

1.) Sign Up Sheet Clarification and Explanation
2.) Camp of Instruction - Schedule and Map
3.) Wartime and Militia Events
4.) Open to Floor for Additional Events
1445-1545 New Business

1.) Fund Raising Initiatives
2.) Floor open to New Business
3.) Open Discussion
4.) 2003 Proposed Budget
5.) Dues Proposal and Vote

1545-1555            Election of Officers
1555-1600            Benediction
1600                       Adjournment
1600-1630            Room Cleanup

Camp of Instruction

Directions to the NEW LOCATION for this year’s C.O.I. will be in March’s newsletter. Stayed tuned, but remember to mark this one on your calendar, too. March 28^th-30^th.

Editor’s Note

This month’s Newsletter has been somewhat abbreviated/scaled down due to information that will be discussed at the Annual Meeting. Also, I had a major waterbed leak at my home. Damage was contained to a less costly repairman…ME. But, nonetheless, I have been extremely busy trying to get the bedroom and downstairs ceiling repaired. Of course, in the center of this minor catastrophe, the Mrs. has given me a new honey-do list, which included the purchasing of an entire new bedroom set and repainting two bedrooms. My painting deadline is in two days. No, I didn’t just start, but needless to say, you know how I spent my Superbowl Sunday and the days before and after. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Anyone got anything for a sore neck, back, legs, and arms?

Late Breaking News

As editor, it’s not my job to let the cat out of the bag, so to speak …BUT… Mr. Talbert will be sharing some info with us at the Annual Meeting. As you know, he has been extremely busy with school and work. I will leave it at that for now. Also, Mrs. Schirmer will be going through complete knee replacement surgery on February 10^th. Best wishes go out to her for a successful and quick recovery. I cannot imagine.

Recruits Still Needed

I have made numerous contacts in the direction of recruitment, but I’ve still hit a “Stone Wall” with commitment. I earnestly hope that all members are continuing to talk with friends, co-workers, and yes, even family members that might be interested in the exiting field of Civil War reenacting. Remember, I still have another 5 or 6 years before my oldest grandson can relieve me from fire duties. So, all I ask is to keep your antennas up and hopefully, with the release of the upcoming movie “Gods & Generals”, this could spur the interest in those who have always wished to do what we do every year. And with the prospect of “Last Full Measure” on the horizon, who knows where our recruits are?

Updated Event Schedule

Possible Events for 2003:

Feb 22- Annual Meeting, VA
March 28-30- C.O.I., Amelia, VA
April 5 & 6- Sailors Creek, VA
April 26- Tredegar Iron Works L.H.
May 3 & 4- McDowell, VA
May 17 & 18- Fort Pocahontas, VA
May 24- Memorial Dedication/Picnic
May 31 & Jun. 1- Cold Harbor L.H.
July 4-6- 140^th Gettysburg, PA
August- ?
September- ?
October 18 & 19- Cedar Creek, VA
November 1 & 2- Fort Branch, NC

We will need to make some decisions sometime in May for later events.

From the Secret Journals of Private Gregory

Thoughts And Observations

Here are some thoughts and observations on how we do business in the field.

How many times have we heard this command from the battalion commander?

Battalion-Fire By Files-From The Right-Ready-Aim-Fire—What’s wrong with this?

According to Gilham’s, the correct sequence is: Fire By Files-Battalion-Commence Firing. In his instructions, Gilham plainly states that the fire by file is always from the right; therefore you do not need to emphasize the direction it is to start. This rule applies whether the fire is from the battalion, company, platoon or squad.

Here is the scenario: We are given the order by the good Captain:

Fire by the Company-Commence Firing

No one does anything yet for when the Captain gives the second part of the order, he and the first Sgt must make haste to get to the rear of the company. The Captain then adds

Company-Ready-Aim-Fire-Load

So now we go into the loading procedure. Some much faster than others. What is the poor infantryman to do? You come to the position of Ready. The next command will be:

Company-Aim-Fire-Load

Notice that we have dispensed with the command of Ready. Gilham’s make this clear on all firings in that after the initial firing command at the conclusion of the loading procedure the soldier comes to the position of Ready.

3. In the scenario to fire by the files you have busted a few caps and them infernal blue coats are breaking to the rear. Now that we have annihilated the foe, the captain wishes us to stop our inhuman carnage. He orders: Cease Fire

What do you do now? If you have fired, you continue to load and then you come to the position of Shoulder Arms. If you are at the Ready, you half cock your musket and go to Shoulder Arms. If you are at the Aim, you first lower to the Ready, then you half cock your musket and go to Shoulder Arms.

There is no command to Load and Shoulder!!!!

4. Let’s say that there is more than one target; for example a thin skirmish line 200 yards away in front of us and the main Union force 200 yards behind them. How are we to determine what target we are to shoot at?

The answer is simple. The Captain directs our fire by giving the following commands:

Company-Ready-At 400 yards (or whatever distance)-Aim-Fire-Load.

As in section 2 above, you continue with the same procedures and you continue to engage the mentioned target until new firing directions are given.

We are about to engage a target. We are aiming at the target and the Captain decides that we will not fire? What do we do?

The command to disengage from the target is: Ready.

At this time we should go to the position of Ready, or as we define it the Low Ready. If we are not to fire we should then half cock the musket and go to Shoulder Arms.

In Gilham’s the command Recover Arms is to be used only for training.

If in a battalion what is the order of company firing?

In both Scott’s and Gilhams it is clear that when the battalion orders the battalion to fire by the company; the following is the order of fire. The first company, and then in succession the third, the fifth, the seventh and then the ninth. Once the

ninth company has fired; the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and then the tenth company will fire in succession. Unless a different firing; for example by wing, the company fire will continue.

What is the preferred method of fire?

In article 229 2^nd para, Gilham states “The fire by file being that which is most frequently used against an enemy, it is highly important that it be rendered perfectly familiar to the troops. The instructor will therefore give it almost exclusive preference, and labor to cause the men to aim with care and always if possible at some particular object.”

When one thing you need to understand about Gilham’s manual, is that it is not really original material. Gilham’s is an attempt to bridge Scott’s 1832 manual, which concerned smoothbore muskets with Hardee’s 1855 manual, which is concerned with, rifle tactics. Prior to Gilham’s manual being authorized for use by Virginia militia, Scott’s manual was the authorized manual.

Private Gregory

Post Script

During the off season, I have been looking around for a no good, no name, run down, throw away, give away, piece of crap “guitar” to bring with me to some of the Living History events. Leave it to patience and fate. I now own a low dollar, six string that will make our hours around the campfire a little more lively. However, don’t expect to see it strapped to my back marching over the mountain at McDowell or as a candle for Mr. Wooddy at Cold Harbor, and definitely not as a camp stool for El-Kapitan. Mr. Alexander, it’ll be your accompaniment.

-Perry White, Editor