The annual meeting is over, and here is some information you need to know if you were not there. If you were in attendance, here it is in writing.
1.  Dues have been set at $45.00, and are due by March 15^th. Make checks payable to F Company, and send them to:

PO Box 6583 Richmond, VA 23230

2. The slate of officers set forth to the membership was voted in. I was elected President/Captain, Mr. Turley is the Vice President/1^st Lt., Mr. Wilson is the Secretary/1^st Sgt., Mr. Alexander is the Treasurer, and Mr. Pearson is the Member at Large.

3. Final Signup Sheets are due at the COI since we have a limited company schedule.

The events selected from the turned in signup sheets have set the schedule for this year.  Yes, this is different from past years but we had to do something to increase attendance. All we need now is the commitment from the membership to attend.  See the article on the Events later in this newsletter.

Important Note

If you are not in good standing with the company as of March 15^th (dues and other debts fully paid), this will be your last newsletter - until dues or other debts are settled.  Persons that owe the company money for missed events in 2001 are the following:  Pierce & Franklin - $10 each for Ft Pocahontas, Wood & Hicks - $15 each for Manassas, Ramsey & Franklin & Norman - $8 each for Cedar Creek

Non-members that have requested to receive the newsletter, please send $10.00 to F Company, PO Box 6583, Richmond, VA 23230 or supply an email address to have the newsletter sent electronically with no cost.

Speaking of newsletter, an editor is still needed, enough of the dead horse beating.  Also we will be going back to the email format for everyone that has email.  Attendance does not seem to be tied to a paper copy of the newsletter or not.  End of experiment.

Future Events

Here are the events as the company selected them. 

April 6-7 Saylers Creek

May 18-19 Ft. Pocahontas

June 1-2 Cold Harbor

June 27-30 140^th Seven Days Battle

Sept 13-15 140^th Sharpsburg Battle

Oct 12-13 Explorer Park Fund Raiser

Nov 2-3 Ft. Branch Battle

Final signup sheets are forth coming.

This list does not inhibit you in any way from attending any event on your own as a walk-on.  These events are what the company is going to concentrate its attendance and resources on for this year.   

Explorer Park event is where we have the possibility to receive approximately $500.00 for attending.  The company could use the money to keep things going.  Like everything, it takes money to run this company.  COI expenses, ammo, targets, hay, wood, new tent poles, straps, event registrations, recruiting, and the newsletter are just a few things that eat up the company money.  

Donations to very worthy causes, such as, Mr. Ward’s Grave Marker event the company did a few years ago and saving a portion of the Cedar Mountain battlefield is another thing that requires money.  The reason why we are in the good financial shape we are in, is the one event we attended as a company, paid us $1500.00 and that is what started our inventory fund and the renewable accounts we utilize today.  Mr. Alexander does a great job of keeping the regular account and inventory account separated to ensure long-term financial security for the company.   I hope to see you all at Explorer Park.

Another Fundraising Event May 3-5 BSA Event Chester, VA more information coming.  This event did not make the top of the list however there is a chance to make some money (approximately $300) for the company.

Specifics on the Camp Of Instruction

The next company event is the Camp of Instruction, from March 22^nd through March 24^th. We met with Range control at Ft. A. P. Hill.  There is one added step to your arrival.  Instead of taking a right on to post you must take a left to the main gate and follow the procedures they have in place for security.  You will be directed from the gate up to an inspection station where you will get a pass.  Your name and pertinent information will be on an access roster we have to provide so they will let you on post.  You must provide this information to attend.  The form is attached to this newsletter.  Fill out the form and send it to the company PO Box, ASAP.  Everything is ready to go with the Fort and the Range. You may arrive at Range 18 at 1430 or after, do not come earlier since we have not been cleared to be on the range.  Give yourself about an extra 20 minutes to go through security after you arrive.  We are looking to have a good camp of instruction. Remember, there will be a strict, full kit inspection this year. Bring your inspection layouts to the COI to expedite the inspection process. We have 20 members and 1 guest signed up so far.  You need to act fast to get into this event. 

The Camp of instruction is also a good place to bring people that just want to learn or are thinking of joining to see how the company works. If you know someone like this, please contact me and I will send you the paperwork for them to attend. Mr. Wooddy has already got four possibilities to attend.  We will try to equip them as best we can so they can participate fully.  Veterans please bring your extra equipment to lend.  We were all new to the hobby at one time, and appreciate the kindness of others. As always, things that are borrowed are expected to be returned in the same or better shape that they started.  See the article below from 1999 about the COI and how to be prepared.  Amazing, it is still true today, when something works you stick with it.  The COI has always been one of the highest attended events and is always a good time.

We will go out to eat on Friday night just for one last fling before we get down to business.  We will leave for the New Yorker Restaurant at 1830. 

Directions to the COI, see attached map, From Richmond, Take I-95 North to Exit 104, toward Bowling Green on Rt. 207.  Follow the signs toward the Fort.  Go 15 miles, it will change to Rt. 301.  The signs for the Fort will say to turn left, and you will need to stop at the gate.  After going through security you need to get back on the road you just left and go to Fortune Rd. take a right.  Stay on Fortune Rd., after going under the 301 underpass you will run into North Range Road.  Take a left on North Range Road and Range 18 will be on the right.  Do Not Speed on any of these roads since they are Federal Roads and you probably do not want to go in front of a Federal Magistrate for a speeding ticket.  After taking a Right on to the range, parking is on the left, and camping on is the right.

If you do not have all your equipment, this does not matter!!! You still need to come and just borrow what you need to from others in the group. You need to let someone know you need equipment to borrow prior to getting there. Contact your platoon leader. 
If you are an invited guest of an F Company member, approved by the Executive Committee, you must fill out the F Company Wavier of Liability form, Ft. AP Hill Risk Assumption form (fill out completely and use your full legal name) and send your check for $25.00 to F Company, PO Box 6583, Richmond, VA 23230, immediately if not sooner.

Tentage - The Company has 10 tents to accommodate our needs for now.

Bring what you need to keep Warm and Dry - sleeping bags, blankets, long underwear, woolies, poncho whatever it takes, you need to be prepared, it is March in Virginia. It could be 80 degrees; then again it could be 20. We will just have to see. Bring it all just in case, it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. For the new men, bring some kind of hat to keep the sun or rain off.

Bring a Canteen. If you do not have a company approved one or have not purchased it yet, you can bring a modern canteen that can be strapped to your body somehow. You will need water while we are out drilling. We have some in inventory right now.

Haversack. You need something to carry your food in that can also be strapped to your body. We will be eating out of our haversacks on Saturday noontime and Sunday noontime. You need to bring the food you want to eat for these meals. Saturday breakfast and supper along with breakfast on Sunday morning will be provided. Company members bring one-dollar bills (exact change) to pay for your share of the meals. Invited guests, your meals are part of your attendance fee. When packing food for the weekend, be practical about this, for the new people contact your platoon leader for ideas.

Eating utensils. If you do not have a plate, cup, fork, knife or spoon you better let your platoon leader know that too. You will need something to eat off of. There are usually a few extras in the company but don’t count on it, call.  Also, we have some in inventory to sell.

Musket, accouterments and other equipment. If you do not have anything, you need to let your platoon leader know, now, what you need so that he can go through the membership and have some extra stuff available for you.

Be prepared to learn how to be a soldier. Safety is a large part of what we teach. No one wants to get hurt out there. So pay attention, and have a good time.

Blank Rounds will be used for Sunday Skirmish Drill and loading and firing while lying down.  Do not put them in your cartridge box until Sunday; we would not want them confused with live rounds.

We need 6 staple guns for hanging targets. If you can bring one, make sure that it is full of staples. You should also be sure that it is clearly labeled with your name, so that you can be sure that you leave with the same number of staple guns as that with which you arrived

If you have a campstool, you can bring it too. It is nice to have somewhere to sit other than the ground.

Muskets will be inspected on Saturday morning for cleanliness and serviceability.

Make sure it is clean prior to the COI. Wipe the oil out of the barrel, and make sure the vent is clear by removing the nipple. You can do this Saturday morning prior to formation; however, I suggest that you do this at home prior to leaving for the COI. Your musket has to be clean, clear, and ready to fire. A few days without oil in the barrel will not destroy your musket. We have had a few fouled weapons in the past, and it just takes away from your and our training time. Sometimes the culprit was oil, and sometimes it was not thoroughly cleaned from the season before. If you think it is clean now, you better make sure it is clean then too.

After reading all this some think, "Well, I will just rush out and get all that stuff I need and I won’t have to borrow it." Rushing into something is not what you want to do. This hobby is expensive enough without rushing out, purchasing substandard items, and trying to use them. Everyone has a Soldier Handbook or New Member kit. Everything is laid out in there on what items are acceptable. Do not try to pull a fast one. Things that are worth doing are worth doing right the first time. This will also save you a lot of heartache when it does not meet the Company’s standards. Sure, it may be an original piece, documented all over the place, that is all well and good, but if it is not in our standards we do not want to see it. Sure, there are plenty of things out there that are correct, period and true to the Civil War, however, we have selected a standard list of items and are adhering to that list. This is one of the things that make us different from other groups - it gives us a uniform, military look. Sure, there are small nuances here and there, but still the general look remains a soldier of the Army of Northern Virginia that was supplied out of the Richmond quartermaster and depot system.

Special Thanks

Mr. Allen has come through once again for the company.  We now have new tent poles for all the tents that needed them, that means all but one.  We will give them a try at the COI.   

1^st Lt.’s Report

Now it is time to look forward to the Camp of Instruction.  March 22/24 at Fort A P Hill.  You have directions and the schedule for the weekend.  If possible try to get there on Friday evening/night.

If you have not already done so, now is the time to check your uniform and equipment for any needed repairs or possible replacement.  New members should plan to attend even if you are not out-fitted yet.  Let us know what you need as far as accoutrements are concerned and we can probably come up with extra pieces that you may borrow for the weekend.  Your uniform is not essential for the COI.

We need to get our basic training since our first event/reenactment of the year is only two weeks after the COI.  Let’s get ready and be prepared as much as possible.

Respectfully submitted,

1^st Lt. Turley

1^st Sgt’s Report

Soon the new reenacting season will be upon us, and like I have said before, please check all equipment to make sure it is in good working order.   Also, due to the bayonet exercise at the COI, please make sure your bayonet will fit your musket properly.  Make sure that the ring of your bayonet will hold securely.  Please do not show up at the COI with a bayonet that will not securely fasten to your musket.

Mr. Shultz of the 17^th Va. Infantry has shared a good recipe with me that I will pass on to you for waterproofing your brogans:

Ingredients:
4oz. Tallow
4oz. Beeswax
4oz. Rosin
4oz. Neat’s foot oil

Melt tallow, rosin, and beeswax together, when nearly cool add neat’s foot oil.  Warm the boots and apply with a soft rag to both uppers and soles.  Requires two applications to make leather thoroughly waterproof.

Make sure you fill out your events worksheet as soon as possible.  Sayler’s Creek Reenactment is already upon us and I need to send in our registration soon after the Annual Meeting.

The following 12 have indicated they want to go.  Turley, Wooddy, Lawrence, Cpl. Perry, C. Perry, Gammon, Powell, Talbert, Gregory, Pearson, Courson, Norman.

Looking forward to another great year with F Company.

Respectfully submitted,

1^st Sgt. Wilson