Gentlemen,

I want to thank everyone who attended F Company’s Annual meeting on February 16^th. We had 16 members present and thus the 2008 reenactment season is under way.

The leadership for the upcoming year will remain the same. It is as follows:

Captian / President: Tony Turley

1^ST Lieutenant / Vice President: Tom Stafford

1^ST Sergeant / Secretary: David Gammon

Treasure: Jack Alexander

Member-at-Large: Ryan Hughes

I appreciate the membership’s confidence in the executive Committee. The membership also voted on events for the year. The results are being tallied and will be forth coming.

We need to thank our newest member, Shane Kisner, for his help in getting our recruiting brochure updated and printed. Shane has his own printing company and he gave us an excellent deal on the printing of the brochures. Former F Company member, Steve Dowdy of Asheville, N.C., a member back in the mid 90’s, also helped with the computer transfer and updating of the brochures so many thanks go to both Shane and Steve.

We also need to welcome to the unit our newest recruit, Michael Floyd. He came upon us at the civil War Show at the Showplace in Mechanicsville back in January. He came to the meeting, liked what he saw, and decided to join our ranks. Welcome Michael!

Now the next event on our schedule is the Camp of Instruction. This year it is going to be in Amelia, Virginia on the weekend of March 28^th, 29^th, 30^th. The exciting thing about this is that the site of the Camp is a real, authentic, Confederate Fort. This is on private prosperity owned by Nate Pate’s neighbor and he is graciously allowing us to use it. Nate and others have already done a lot of work to get the fort ready for occupation by the current day F Company. There will probably be more workdays each Saturday this month. Watch your e-mail for updates.

Just a reminder the COI is one of the few events where we actually cook over a campfire. Please bring extra cash with you to pay foe the meals.

The schedule for COI is included within this newsletter. Directions to COI will be sent out very soon. Membership dues need to be paid by March 15^th. They are $45.00 for the year. Many of you paid at the Annual Meeting but if not please mail them to Jack Alexander.

Well, I think that is it. Now is the time to get ready for the COI check your gear and bone-up on your drill. If you can help with getting the fort ready please let Nate know. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there. Take care and see you soon.

Captain Turley

P.S. Pray for our troops and also our country with the upcoming election!

Gentlemen,

I was very pleased with our turnout at our Annual Meeting. I would like to welcome our 2 newest members, Shane and Michael to F Company. I look forward to serving with you in the field. For our members that were not able to attend you were greatly missed!

The Company covered quite a bit of information at the Meeting and I am pleased that y'all

were very receptive. I believe that this year will be a good mix of reenactments and living

history events. Don’t forget, if you haven't paid your Company dues as of yet, you need to contact Mr. Alexander by no later than the 15th of March.

Remember Gentlemen, the COI is quickly approaching. So make sure that your gear is

in order. We will have an equipment inspection on Sunday of this weekend. If you need to replace any of your gear, please contact Mr. Catlett (Quartermaster).If you have any questions please feel free to contact either myself or 1st Sgt. Gammon. I would like to thank Mr. Pate for obtaining the COI site and all the members who have helped to prepare

the site for us. I look forward to seeing y'all at the COI in Amelia.

May God protect and watch over our men and women in the United States Military and their Families.

Respectfully

1st LT. J. Thomas Stafford

Gentlemen,

Camp of Instruction is fast approaching. It will be held on March 28th, 29th and 30th in Amelia County, Va.. We will be camping in an actual Confederate fort that was used to guard a railroad crossing. Mr. Pate is working very hard to snap the fort into shape for us. Thanks also go to Bill Ward, Wes Catlett, and Matt Gammon who have helped out so far. There is another work day scheduled for March 15th so come on out if you can and help out.

Please try to arrive in camp on Friday the 28th if possible. You will want to get there enough before dark to get your shelter set up. If you can't arrive until Saturday morning you will need to be in camp by 6:45 A.M. and formation will be at 7:00 A.M.. We will be doing company meals for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Saturday evening. You will need to bring some one dollar bills as we will be dividing up the cost of the meals. If you have signed up for camp then you are being counted in the food purchases. Friday dinner and any lunches will be up to each man to supply for himself.

Remember, you may bring a sleeping bag to survive the nights if you need to. You should also bring about 20 - 25 blank rounds and some caps for drill on Sunday. If you will be needing any powder or caps or any other items from our inventory, please contact Wes Catlett who is our new Quartermaster.

If there is anyone who has any extra gear that they wouldn't mind lending out please bring it as we have some new members who may not have everything by camp. We also may have guests who could use some basic gear. I have it on some fairly reliable sources that we may even have a visit from "Bones" and "Tambo" which is a treat if you haven't had the pleasure of meeting them.

Please come out ready to drill and freshen up on our impression so we will look sharp in the field this season. I look forward to seeing everyone at camp. Please continue to pray for our troops overseas and here at home.

Thank you,

1st Sgt. Gammon

Gentlemen

The Company inventory will be at COI for those of you who need items. Please bring small bills or checks. The Quartermaster always has a need for one and five dollar bills.

Thank you,

Quartermaster Catlett

Yes, it is that time again. Most of what you do and use for this hobby should be a tax write off or deduction for you. It is one of the few times when it pays to save receipts and stuff. As always you should consult your tax accountant but things like, mileage, food and of course your equipment should be a nice write off for your taxes. Good luck. If anyone has additional questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Your always-thoughtful treasurer.

Jack Alexander

A few words from your ever-wise, all knowing, all seeing, Mr. No-it-all.

Camp of instruction is fast approaching and so you should be preparing yourself and equipment for this once a year experience.

You do not have to have all your equipment, this does not matter!! You still need to come and just borrow what you need to from others. This is your opportunity to actually speak to your platoon leader and let him know what you maybe missing.

Bring what you need to keep Warm and Dry, a Canteen of any style will do and a Haversack or at least something to carry your food is a must. Eating utensils, plate, cup fork, knife or spoon will be most useful. Caveman style is just not appropriate. Musket and accouterments, if you don’t have them please let your platoon leader know what you need and I am certain he will help you find it. Clean your musket! During live fire you will be able to tell those whom have cleaned their weapon thoroughly and those whom have not. A dirty weapon will cause two things to happen, neither of them is good. You will not be allowed to continue to fire your weapon and probably more important the 1^st Sergeant will no longer be your friend. As many of us can attest being on the wrong side of the 1^st Sergeant is not the place you want to be.

Attitude is everything. Do some exercises, loosen up. Learn to sing in the dark. Be prepared to learn how to be a soldier. Safety is a large part of what we teach to both the new guys as well as the vets. No one wants to get hurt out there. So pay attention and have a good time.

Mr. No-it-all

(Jack Alexander)

F Company, 21^st Virginia

Camp of Instruction 2008

Friday 28 March

Saturday, 29 March

Sunday, 30 March