Vol. VIII. June, 2009 Issue 5

 

Captain’s Column

This newsletter is a little later because we waited until after Cold Harbor to get it out. Let’s first review what we did in May.

            The weekend of May 16th & 17th was the 145th New Market Reenactment. Most of the day Saturday turned out to be pretty good. We formed up with Bill Russell’s 47th VA of Longstreet’s Corp. We almost make it through the battle before the skies opened up but most of us were able to find shelter from the rain. As it ended we made our way back to camp.

            For supper Private Clements had made reservations for us at a nearby restaurant. The food was great but while we were there the skies opened up again and continued to pour down for the rest of the evening. We decided to go to Private Clements house in nearby Staunton for shelter from the storm. Once there we checked out the forecast for Sunday. Upon finding that more of the same was predicted we elected to call it an event and go on home. Thanks go to everyone who supported the event. Those included Dave Gammon, Ryan Hughes, Bob Baird, Nate Pate, Wes Catlett, and Travis Clements.

            The Saturday of May 30th we did a small event for the Museum and White House of the Confederacy. This was in conjunction with a 10k walk that was promoted as a walk through history. The route for the 10k went by several historical places in Richmond such places. We were part of the ambiance of the White House. We engaged the public, had our pictures taken several times, and had a pretty good time just hanging out. I was surprised at the number of people that took part in the walk. I want to thank Tom Stafford, Dave Gammon, and Nate Pate for helping out with this one.

            We most recently concluded our annual Cold Harbor Living History Program. This year was the 145th anniversary of the event.  The 26th North Carolina Regiment had been invited to participate so there fore the numbers of re-enactors was greatly increased. We got to do some battalion drill that we had not done for a long time. There was also a very informative battlefield tour on Sunday morning. Having done Cold Harbor for several years, this is the first time I actually took a tour of the battlefield.

            The candle light tour on Saturday, night was very well attended. F Company did its usual trench digging impression. The park rangers said that over 700 people came to the night tour. That is an all-time high. The rangers were ecstatic. F Company members at the event included Tom Stafford, Dave Gammon, Eldridge Firth, Ryan Hughes, Matt Gammon, Wes Catlett, Michael Floyd, Shane Kisner, and Bill Ward.

            Next up for F Company is another living history program. This time it is at Gaines Mill right down the road from Cold Harbor. It is the weekend of June 27th & 28th. This is very similar to Cold Harbor but there is no candle light tour on Saturday night. We will be helping out the 3rd Virginia who will also be there. There is no registration fee so if you did not sign up for this event you can still come. See you there. 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Captain Turley

 

News from the office of the First Sergeant

 

The First Sergeant has fallen ill with a stubborn kidney stone and is unable to write an article for this newsletter. He has asked for the following information to be added for your convenience.

            Arrive at Gaines Mill by 0830. There will be three demonstrations each day. You will need 60 rounds and 75 caps, bagged and tagged. The park service will be collecting rounds much like at Cold Harbor. The following people have committed. Tony Turley, Tom Stafford, Dave Gammon, Matt Gammon, Eldridge Firth, Wes Catlett, Bob Baird, Travis Clements, Bob Baird, Bill Ward, Mike Vice.

 

Respectfully,

The office of the First Sergeant

Gaines' Mill Battlefield
6283 Watt House Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23111

 

Take I-295 N to CREIGHTON Road EXIT 34A

Turn RIGHT onto VA-156/COLD HARBOR Road.

Stay STRAIGHT to go onto WYATT HOUSE Road.