Gentlemen of F Company,

"Who would not conquer with troops such as these?" Lieut. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson to his staff, Aug. 25, 1862.

Men, you have done me a great honor to have elected me for a third time to command F Company, 21st Virginia, and I hereby pledge to you that I will do all within my power and ability to live up to your trust, and to work harder than ever before to see that F Company maintains, and enhances its long held reputation as one of the sharpest, best drilled, best organized, and most highly motivated units in the field. No military formation in all the annals of American military history exceeds in reputation the Army of Northern Virginia, and few companies in that great army were better drilled or more patriotic than the one which we represent. With your support, I will strive to honor the memory of General Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and my own adopted soldier, Capt. Rueban Jordan, as well as all of the men who served in the ranks of Richmond's own F Company, by being a company commander that will bring honor to this unit, and pride to each of you men who have stayed faithful to our colors. We are all F'ers, and together, we will this year find more to be proud of in that fact than at any time previous. Now, let us prepare for the 2006 campaigning season by making camp on the afternoon of March 24 at the Cochrane farm, and preparing ourselves for this year's Camp of Instruction. I remain

****

Of Note

In 1862 an Englishman declared for the ages: "If the South had done nothing more in this revolution than to give the world such a character as Jackson, she would need no further vindication in her noble struggle for independence."

Time is moving quickly and the Camp of Instruction will be upon us before we know it. This year it is set for the weekend of March 25^th & 26^th at the same location as last year. I urge everyone to be there. New members especially need to be there. If you have not done so, please contact your corporal and tell him that you plan to be there.

Something new that we are trying this year in an effort to improve communication among the membership, is a monthly report that the corporals will be filling out. Among other thing, the report will basically summarize the intentions of each member of that corporal’s platoon as to what events that member plans to attend for the upcoming month. So in other words your corporal will be trying to get in touch with you. Please respond to messages left on answering machines or emails. It is very frustrating when you receive no reply from someone after you have tried to reach them. Each one of us is a member of this organization and with that comes certain responsibilities. We are all grown adults (I’ll cut Matt some slack on this one) and there is no reason that the corporals should have to chase you down to find out what you are going to do. So please cooperate and do your part. Another reason to do this is because finances are tight. The earlier we can register for events the more money we will save and we can possibly go to more events. We are looking at ways to raise funds to buy some much needed material. If you have any ideas for fund-raisers please let us know.

I do want thank Mike Vice for coming to the Annual Meeting. It had been a long time since Mr. Vice had been to anything. For those of you that don’t know him you have missed a special "treat". Mike has his own unique way of imparting his words of wisdom. Maybe we will see more of him at events this year.

It looks like the differences with the Fighting First Regiment have been ironed out. So we have a parent organization, at least for this year.

All Right! So let’s get ready. The COI is fast approaching. It looks like we have a good reenacting season ahead of us, but we each need to do our part. F Company can only be as good as each one of us wants it to be collectively. See you all soon.

P.S. You don’t have to wait for your corporal to call you. You can take it upon yourself to get in touch with him.

Here are the event rosters, thanks to the very good work of the new Event Committee and our conscientious corporals. If you aren't signed up for a particular event, but would like to be, you'd better make it happen Now.

3/25-26 - COI - Turley, Catlett, M. Gammon, D. Gammon, Ramsey, Powell, Harris, Parzych, Stafford, Shirmer, Hughes, Pate, Alexander, Ward and Lawrence

4/8 - Richmond Parade- Turley, Catlett, M..Gammon, D. Gammon, Ramsey, Powell, Harris, Stafford, Hughes, Pate, Vice, Alexander, Dachos.

4/29-30 - Hunters Retreat- Turley, Catlett, D. Gammon, M. Gammon, Firth, Ramsey, Powell, Harris, Parzych, Stafford, Hughes, Pate, Baird, Dachos and Lawrence.

5/20-21 - New Market-Turley, Catlett, M. Gammon, D. Gammon, Firth, Ramsey, Harris, Parzych, Stafford, Hughes, Pate, Baird, Dachos and Lawrence.

6/3-4 - Cold Harbor- Turley, Catlett, M. Gammon, D. Gammon, Firth, Powell, Harris, Parzych, Ramsey, Stafford, Schirmer, Hughes, Pate, Vice, Alexander and Dachos.

9/23-24 - Stanardsville- Turley, M.. Gammon, D. Gammon, Firth, Ramsey, Harris, Parzych, Stafford, Hughes, Pate, Ward, Dachos and Lawrence.

10/21-22 - Cedar Creek- Turley, M. Gammon, D. Gammon, Firth, Ramsey, Powell, Harris, Stafford, Hughes, Pate, Vice, Dachos and Lawrence.

11/4-5 - Ft. Branch-Turley, Catlett, M.Gammon, D. Gammon, Ramsey, Powell, Harris, Parzych, Stafford, Schirmer, Hughes, Pate, Vice and Dachos.

Winter is a time for a lot of us that we are placed in sorts of self imposed confinement . Staying inside to stay out of the elements , seeking some warmth , hoping that there is a pot of soup on and pondering on generally everything under the Sun . Not bad pursuits given to the elements but they can be interrupted by that list of things that positively has to be done . That being by a reminder from our better half . Oh those proverbial "Honey Do" lists . At times I believe that they are what third world countries use as a sentence for stealing or some other general crime against humanity like cat kicking . Lately I have been moving my treasures from my "bunker apartment" to my new digs . Treasures indeed , I did not realize just how wealthy I truly am . I acquired a lot of "stuff " during my bachelor days and some of it is just too hard to part with . But part I did and the things that would not fit or I just could not figure what it was went to that Good Will in hopes that someone would find a better use for it than me . I just hope they have short legs and arms as myself . Their wardrobe will be dated but they will most assuredly be "best dressed".

The things that I could not part with was anything and everything that came into my possession via the hobby . We as re-enactors amass a horde of things that we can’t part with and we absolutely need . No matter how "serviceable" or otherwise they are , They just won’t be pitched ! Probably for most and this true for myself is that they have too many memories attached to them to do the unthinkable and let them go . A worn and broken down Kepi - my first - can’t part with it .Maybe because it was my first or because of all those fond memories that go along with . Sleeping in it to keep my head warm and if you all remember my head you know why . Chasing that con - founded thing on a windy day and having it ooze down into my eyes something that was as caustic as vinegar on those more than seasonably warm days of summer and early fall . My first Kepi was also with me when I first fired my musket live, when we made those Yanks ski-daddle at Sharpsburg or when I had the pleasure of singing with Jack Alexander around the camp fire and not to mention shading my eyes on those occasional snoozes when we were given some free time and I did what some soldiers do best--sack out ! My old , leaky drum canteen , another thing that was saved by fond memories . Purchased it from the company stores and it was probably the first thing I got from Tom Stafford at that time . It provided much needed hydration many a time and despite times that due to not having it slung properly in my younger days and it would sound like a muted mini bass drum and cause some embarrassment from the "Vets" of our group , I still have it and will definitely keep it . It tramped with me all over the state and into two others - Maryland and North Carolina . Places like Fort Pocohontas , New Market , Fort Branch , Sharpsburg ,Cold Harbor and the parades down Monument Avenue in the city of Richmond it was with me . Ken Jones when he was Captain showed me how to properly sling it and it did behave itself better at times . It finally succumbed to age and when I noticed that it was putting more water on me than in me it was time for another one . It got to leaking so bad , that believe it or not , it was fouling my Enfield one day . But I still have it and will never part with it . Too many times together in a tight spot to let him go.

Then came my collection of pipes . All sorts of styles , sizes and make ups. As it is known I haven’t partaken of the vices of smoke since Cold Harbor 2005 . I promised myself and the Lord willing, I have kept that promise to myself . I don’t mind it being around me but I choose not to smoke now. Well I was going to part with them all but again I could not . Too many thoughts of being in camp with Joe Pearson and my other pards and indulging in the pleasures of a pipe . Was it the pipe or was it the group that was around me when I used it ? We all had a common interest of the period and the hobby . The jokes , the ribbing and the fellowship, the true feeling being "brother in arms" and the discussions all those memories are linked to those clay pipes and reed stems . Joe is probably still wondering when I will ever re-pay him all that pipe tobacco that was on "Loan" to me . As I have said before, "I could not part with it".

***** 2nd Corporal Mike Powell

Marc Ramsey - President & Captain

Tony Turley - Vice President & 1st Lieutenant

Tom Stafford - Secretary & 1st Sergeant

Jack Alexander- Treasurer

Greg Harris - Member at Large

Uniform Committee

Tom Stafford - Chairman

David Gammon

Dotti Schirmer, Honorary member

Recruiting Committee

Tony Turley, Chairman

Chet Parzych

Event Committee

Greg Harris, Chairman

Mike Powell

Company Quartermaster

David Gammon

Newsletter & Web Page Editor

John Parks

Eldridge Firth

1st Platoon –

1st Corporal David Gammon

Pvt. Jack Alexander

Pvt. Wes Catlett

Pvt. Matt Gammon

Pvt. Greg Harris

Pvt. Ryan Hughes

Pvt. Nathaniel Pate

Pvt. Carroll Perry

Pvt. Chris Perry

Pvt. Mike Vice

2nd Corporal Mike Powell

Pvt. Bob Baird

Pvt. Jon Dachos

Pvt. Ron Lawrence

Pvt. Ken Norman

Pvt. John Parks

Pvt. Chet Parzych

Pvt. Joe Pearson

Pvt. Jim Price

Pvt. Skip Schirmer

Pvt. Keith Talbert

Pvt. Bill Ward

The deadline for dues is March 15. If you aren't paid up by then, we will have no choice but to assume that you are ending your membership in F Company, and we will not bother you with the newsletter, announcements, and such. If anyone needs to borrow the 50 bucks, let me know, and I'll lend it to you - I'm serious!

*****

Virginia Division, SCV

April 8, 2006 2:00pm

Richmond, VA

Every Parade participant will be asked to wear a ribbon for the parade. You will receive your ribbon the day of the parade at the staging area. If you have signed up a group to attend, then you will be issued ribbons for the number of participants you indicated on the registration form.

At the end of the program at Hollywood Cemetery, only those wearing ribbons will be able to ride the shuttle buses back to the staging area at the beginning of the march.

The staging area for the start of the march will be DMV Drive. DMV Drive is about .3 mile long and runs north to south. The beginning and ending points is Broad St to the south and Leigh St to the North. It is the road between the DMV Building and the Science Museum. The only other building on DMV Drive is the Workers Comp. Building. There is NO parking permitted in any of the parking lots of these three businesses. The best place to park will be Leigh St.

Staging will start at 12:30 p.m.

At the end of the parade on Dobson St outside Hollywood Cemetery, there will be bottled water and port-a-johns available before marching into Hollywood Cemetery. Bottled water will also be available before the parade on DMV Drive and also in Hollywood Cemetery.

No profanity

No alcohol before or during the march

Don’t leave trash behind. There will be plenty of waste recipients to dispose of trash.

Re-enactors no bayonets on muskets, pistol to be holstered at all times

Dress Code-Civilians:

No T-shirts or Shorts- Remember we are honoring our ancestors-

Men wear collared or button shirts with pants.

Ladies wear dresses or shirts and pants

Wear comfortable shoes

There is a lot of public support for this parade and it will be a grand day for all.

SCV and UDC members are asked to follow their respective polices if addressing the public about our Southern heritage. Re-enactors are ask to follow your own polices when addressing the public.

Smile and enjoy the day!!!

As stated earlier, Leigh St is going to be the best street to park on. NO

PARKING in the parking lots of

DMV, Science Museum or Workers Comp. There will be parade marshals to assist you.

Shuttle buses will provide free transportation at the end of the Hollywood Cemetery program back to the staging area on DMV Drive. The buses will run continuously until the last parade participant is loaded. Please Be Patient!! Not everyone will be loaded on the first wave of buses; it will take a couple of trips to carry everyone back.

Please follow their directions to ensure the parade goes smoothly.

Each Parade Marshall will be wearing orange traffic vests.

There will be free bottled water available at both the start and finish staging areas. Also bottle water will be available in Hollywood Cemetery. Please remember to use the trash cans when you are finished.

Late Registrations or those that show up on April 8 will have to be placed at the rear, so please register by March 25, 2006.

Attention: All members

Much of what you and I spend for this endeavor, food, equipment, transportation etc., maybe tax-deductible. Be sure to check with your tax person.

F Co is trying to raise $3500 to secure a new supply of uniform wool. Any ideas, suggestions or donations should be forwarded to the treasurer.

$50

To remain in good standing dues need to be paid to the treasurer no later than 3-15-06.

Members now have the opportunity to be insured both liability and medical, cost is $10 per year, contact the treasurer for details.