June 2002 Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VA
Commander’s Column
Gentlemen, decision time again. I have run out of room in my garage for all the
company equipment and need to do something about it.
I have checked into a storage unit but that would not solve the problem and
would be an expense we have not planned for in this year’s budget. So I am going to lay it out to you all. Problem 1. Storage
area, it takes up a good bit of my garage and I need to put my stuff in there. Problem 2. Packing
it up and hauling it to events then unpacking and storing it again. I see why we went to campaign style,
carrying all that garrison stuff is a huge burden. Problem 3 it needs to be centrally
located in the Richmond Area, Not In Maryland. We
cannot have any inventory in the state of Maryland for incorporation reasons.
I could go into the
first solution we thought of which means we are back to the cargo trailer thing again but
I will not. I will not because, I was hit
with a lightening bolt of sorts, an epiphany, on the Sunday of Ft. Pocahontas thanks to
the men. Why have all this stuff if we only
do campaign anyway? It is so simple, so true,
and so clear. I thought more about it and we
only use them for the Camp of Instruction and some living histories. Well comfort is everything at the COI so that
learning is not impeded. I think we can try
doing it without tents and some of the other things.
The living histories would only do better with a true portrayal of living in
the field mid to late war. I am always
looking for better ideas and if anyone has one please step forward. This will mean some minor, yet, good changes
to the company. More frying pans, shelter
halves, and personal responsibility for each member of the company. And you all know me; I am very big on personal
responsibility. I make it my personal
responsibility to make sure that I take care of all my soldiers when we are on the field. I feel that this is an unrealized step in the
right direction for this company. The weekend
at Ft. Pocahontas was a good precursor of this new way of thinking, slimmer, leaner,
faster, and stronger. We finally had a
very long fire, lots of frying pans and we ate as a very large mess. It was great to see and worked out great for
everyone. Specifics on what we will do with
some of the company equipment will be decided a little later, however we will move
quickly, after the Executive Committee agrees on what to do and the list of items to do it
with. If we go the way I hope, items will be
offered to the company first and we will go from there.
I have had an offer from Vice Inc. (an offshore holding company in the
Bahamas) to handle the sale of items if we see fit (just kidding about the offshore). Should you like to provide input into this
decision, please give one of your Executive Committee members a call right away.
Speaking of more
campaign like, personal frying pans will be one of the next items in the Company
inventory. The cost is $30.00. Pre order today and save time and worry if you are
going to get one. Quantities are limited (8)
for now. On the other hand, Mr. Perry has a
good idea to get a good pan. If you can find
a circa 1920 11 inch “cool handle” frying pan you can take advantage of this
alternate source. These type pans are stamped
steel with a sleeve over the handle, but are wrong and have to be modified. Mr. Perry will take the handle off and put the
right kind on there. If you can find this
type of pan, they are usually found at antique and flea markets from $2 to $7 dollars. There is another thing you can do like Mr. Baird
did, he found an original that was a painted black and was being sold as a decoration. He scraped the paint off and is ready to go. There are three options, you can decide, but the
need is coming quickly.
Future
Events
June 1-2 Cold Harbor
June 27-30 140th Seven Days Battle
Sept 13-15 140th Sharpsburg Battle
Oct 12-13 Explorer Park Fund Raiser
Nov 2-3 Ft. Branch Battle
is
coming, June 1 and 2, you can arrive on Friday afternoon/evening. This will be a campaign
event as usual. There will also be some straw
for sleeping on. Anyone going in on Friday, please try to gather some for the rest of the
company. Everyone needs to have their gear in camp by 0800 and ready to move by 0830. This
is so we can make it to the weapons inspection time without any problems. Company cooking
will occur on Saturday morning, evening and Sunday morning. Bring your frying pans and
singles to pay for the meal. Mr. Pearson has
agreed to take care of the meals and Mr. Talbert was volunteered also but does not know it
yet.
This
is a great opportunity for us to shine, as usual, in the park's eyes and get some real
drill time in. Don't let this dissuade you from attending. It is always a fun event. There
will be the usual torch light tours on Saturday evening, the highlight of the weekend. Mr.
Sanders of the park has ask that we perform our usual outstanding routine in the trenches. Bring 20 rounds to turn in, this would be a good
time to package your rounds with your name on them. If it is like years past, they had us
turn in rounds and they were reissued for the firing programs. This will be a campaign
style event this time. She-bangs are strongly encouraged. I would bring a campstool also,
just for comfort sake.
Persons
signed up for Cold Harbor. Alexander,
Baird, Eastman, Firth, Gammon, Gregory, Jones, Norman, Pearson, Cpl Perry, C. Perry,
Powell, Price, Schirmer, Stafford, Talbert, Woody, Eddy.
If you are not signed up for this event and want to be, please come on out but let
your corporal know you are coming. Persons that cannot attend, please let them know that
too. We have had a few drop prior to the
event due to things coming up. Mr. Vice has
sold the old home place/farmette in Gettysburg and will be packing. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Ramsey had something come up. That is ok, they told me they would not make it. We will still have a great time.
Directions
to Cold Harbor.
(Look for the Brown signs on the side of the road for Cold Harbor.)
The
first light is Cold Harbor Road, take a right. Go about 3 miles and the park will be on
the left. We are camping at Stop 2, Confederate Turnout. Drive your stuff down there then
go and park for the weekend. Parking is in the grass on the left side near the fence when
you first pull into the park.
Ukrop’s Golden
Gift Program
This
program is drawing to a close. They will be turned in on June 15th prior to the
deadline of June 16th. If you have not sent yours, or your friends in please
get them in ASAP. So far, we have received
3275 points, well below last year’s total, and of these F Company will get around 2
percent minus tax, of course. This is, of course, free money - the company did not have to
perform an event, and all we had to do was ask or put out fliers. This was our second try
at this fund raising project. It seems that
timing is everything, like putting the fliers out after the certificates have been
delivered is a big plus. Also, some minor changes will be made to the flier for next year,
as a company, we will start earlier, and be better prepared to blanket the Richmond,
Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg area. We are up against stiff competition with this
campaign: animal shelters, private schools, BSA, and other organizations. There is an
untapped market of those people that just throw their certificate away. The potential is
there, we all just need to work on this project as it rolls around next year, increasing
awareness and getting those certificates.
Seven
Days
Attached is the weekend
schedule for the 7 Days event. A group that I
have not heard of before is putting on this event. They
are not the usual large event coordinators. I
am guardedly optimistic and am hoping and expecting to have a great time. Bring lots of rounds, your campaign kit, and fry
pan. We will do a company issue of food early
Saturday morning. You should try to get there
on Friday during the light to the camp. If
you make it on Saturday you need to get there early to get your share of the food.
Check the Roster for you name and number. The numbers that were issued are still the same, I
have just added numbers for the newest men.
Mr. Gregory’s research was the source of
how the labeling was to be done and all I could find is below. Mr. Gregory is still looking for the rest. Your corporal should be able to help you get your
equipment labeled. Here is what I have. Enfield Musket issued of the period did not have
serial numbers. The following modification will need to be done to each Enfield. Using water-soluble
white paint, paint a 1-inch high "F" along the top edge of the butt approx.
3 inches from the butt plate, and directly underneath, your company number.
1st
Lt.’s Report
I appreciate everyone supporting the unit in
this way. Let’s continue to do so. The next event is Cold Harbor, which is always
well attended so let’s see if we can have another 100%’er. Thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
1st Lt. Turley
Company
Inventory
Item (amt available) 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
(0) Tin Canteens
$40.00
(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
(0) Caps
$8.50
Hemp Rope
$1.00
per ft.
(0) Hemp Twine $5.00
(8) Frying Pans
$30.00
(16) Hardtack $8.00
(1) Very Small Jacket $75.00
The
items you see with zero amounts are in the reorder stages right now. I am working with our Purchasing Agent, Treasurer
and Quartermaster to try and smooth out the process so that we are not lacking in any
items in our inventory. We now just getting
around to the next step in our inventory process. We
are getting there as fast as non-paid volunteers can.
Well
those that weren't there missed another great "campaign". We fortunately had
another company effort that was 100%---thanks to the late prisoner exchange that involved
our Lt. Turley. As usual it always good to see any member of the 21st but our Lt. at that
moment receive a most heart felt crescendo of --100%----100%----100%. The chiding was all in fun and as in his typical
gentlemenly fashion Tony responded as always with a smile.
My first event was Saylers Creek and there we had "Turley's Terrace". Well this
being my second and we had "Jones Town" and how. Where we were camped was
fine and had a great view of the James but when the sun went down---well it was
entertaining. I saw the elephant so to speak at Sayler Creek, at Fort Pocahontas I heard
the "camel”. Every time I go out to the field I learn something. Either through
my own trail and error or by instruction from a willing vet. This time I learned from
watching other folks. I learned the lost art of make a hole fill a hole, building a fire
and walking off and wondering why it went out-wondering why it wouldn't stay lit in the
mother of all mud holes. Like I said it was to say not the least enlighting especially the
after effects of too much "knock skull". The 21st didn't bend and all officers,
non-coms and enlisted carried themselves in a proper fashion and the pride of the 21st was
not compromised.
I realized the fine art of what and what not to do when one puts
up a shebang. Like I said before "Live and learn, learn and live". I have sent
money off to Mr. Cavanaugh and will the proud owners of one of his shelter halves.
Realized my folly and inexperience during the Saturday morning monsoon. Who says I don't
listen especially to myself. The rain didn't last long and the rest of the day was great
and the day’s attack on Fort Pocahontas went well. The 21st was deployed as
skirmishers and I must say performed well and was complimented so. It bereaves me to
report that it was here that our Capitan Jones received a mortal wound and succumbed with
his head resting on the arm of another member of the 21st. Never fear afterwards through a
miracle and some coaxing from Mr. Gregory he pulled a Lazarus and sprung forth. This event
had a great deal of artillery and I love to hear those big tubes go off and during
Sunday's event(Fort Gilmore) we were placed right next to them. What a day, what a weekend
and a group of memories to take around with one's self for a while. And all those fry
pans. Did those miss something by not being there--Yes. No need to fret there is always
another one and we will see you there-- Cold Harbor. June 1st and 2nd.
YOS
Pvt.
M. Powell
Book
Review
Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!
By George C. Rable
UNC Press, $45.00
During the Battle of Gettysburg, as Union troops along Cemetery Ridge rebuffed Pickett’s Charge, they were heard to shout, “Give them Fredericksburg!” Their cries reverberated from a clash that, although fought some six months earlier, clearly loomed large in the minds of Civil War soldiers.
Fought on December 13, 1862, the Battle of Fredericksburg ended in a stunning defeat for the Union. Confederate general Robert E. Lee suffered roughly 5,000 casualties, but inflicted more than twice that many losses, nearly 13,000, on his opponent, General Ambrose Burnside. As news of the Union loss traveled north, it spread a wave of public despair that extended all the way to President Lincoln. In the beleaguered Confederacy, the Southern victory bolstered flagging hopes, as Lee and his men began to take on an aura of invincibility.
This new book, by far the best
on the subject to date, offers a gripping account of the Battle of Fredericksburg and
places the campaign within the broader political, social, and military context. Blending battlefield and home front history,
George Rable not only addresses questions of strategy and tactics but also explores
material conditions in camp, the rhythms and disruptions of military life, and the
enduring effects of the carnage on survivors, both civilian and military, on both sides.
In this sweeping narrative riddled with illuminating details, previously unknown information, and extremely valuable analysis, Rable has succeeded admirably in giving Fredericksburg the attention it deserves.
Pvt. M. Ramsey
Owens & Ramsey
Historical Booksellers
Gregory’s Rules
Of Living History
1. Prior
to attending the living history you are filled with hope that you will educate the public.
This hope is smashed when the first question you are asked is “Did all Nazi’s
wear gray?”
2. While
doing a first person interpretation of a Confederate soldier at the Antietam National
Battlefield Park you will be continually interrupted by a spectator who will tell everyone
about the surrender at Appomattox.
3. No
matter how carefully you have arranged the fire pit to make it safe, someone will
inevitably pick up a hot cup to see if the water in the tin cup is really hot.
4. When
asked the question “How do you go to the bathroom?” and you reply “The same
as you do I guess” the questioner is somehow offended.
5. Someone
will always say that you are wrong and they know it because they saw something else on:
(Pick any one or more of the following:)
A. North
and South Book 1 and 2 (Known for accurate
representations of uniforms, hats, and cleavage)
B. The
Horse Soldiers (Known for accurate representations of uniforms and cleavage.)
C. Gettysburg
(Known for accurate representations of beards; hats and accents)
D. Ken
Burn’s Civil War (How could a historian wanna-be with a Moe haircut make any
mistakes?)
E. Drums
of the Deep South (Anyone should know that wrapping piano wire around the breech of a
cannon increases it’s range.)
6. As
you are eating your lunch of fried slab bacon and hardtack someone will ask you if you are
really eating it.
7. Your
carefully written letters from home will elicit the comment that they didn’t know
Confederates could read and write.
8. At
mixed unit living histories sponsored by the local historical society) the unit next to
yours will be doing their impression of the 1st Dismounted Sharp shooting
Highland Scot Company (either federal or confederate, take your pick.)
9. No
medical impression can resist the urge to have some fake looking artificial limbs lying
around to disgust the public just before they stroll over to your camp.
10. Under rule nine,
the medical impression is required to have so much fake blood (purchased at the after
Halloween sale at the local K-mart) on his apron that it looks like he preformed every
amputation up to and including the civil war.
11. Someone from the
other unit will always state the following:
A. Enfield
muskets had no interchangeable parts.
B. Every
soldier in the confederate army received one uniform in 1861 and they wore it for the
entire war.
C. The
confederate soldier received a small bag of corn meal in 1861. His next food re supply was
in 1863 when he received a piece of moldy bacon, which was it until Appomattox.
D. The
men stood in close packed ranks because they were not well trained and could only fire in
groups.
12. At mixed unit
living histories; if the federal unit is portraying a unit from the Irish Brigade the
following will apply.
A. Every one will have an accent that would
shame the lucky charms leprechaun.
B. A chestnut of the living history scenarios;
the drunken Irishman at roll call will be done to enlighten the public.
C. On at least 50% of all coats and hats will
sport in combination a harp, wrong corps badges and Masonic emblems.
13. If the living
history is sponsored by the local historical society; there will always be at least one
naval impression no matter where it is.
14. If it a large
contingent (3–5) the naval impression will always portray “ship’s landing
force and will possess more tents and cookware (usually
blue/green speckleware) than could be carried on a nuclear aircraft carrier.
15. The contingent
will also always have a “field piece”; the bore of which would be hard pressed
to admit any ordnance larger than a pea.
16. At least once at
each living history; a spectator will try to lift a gun out of the stack; and as your
stack falls over they ask “Are these guns real?”
17. Spectators with young children will ask if your unit accepts four year olds as drummers. Don’t worry he already has a cardboard kepi and wooden pistol.
18. The cavalry unit will break out their butane turkey fryer about noon so that the deep fried turkey will be ready for dinner. When questioned about frying turkeys during the war; the reply is “If they would had it; they would have used it.”