November 2005 Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VA

Commander’s Column

Men of F-Company,

Commander F Co/ 21st Virginia

1st Lieutenant’s Report

The month of October was highlighted by two outstanding events. The first was the Powell’s wedding on Saturday, October 8^th at the estate of Iden in New Kent, Virginia. The whole week prior to the wedding had been off and on rain and the same held for that Saturday. In spite of this, the turnout by the unit was excellent. Unfortunately, the Captain was not able to make it but the outgoing 1^st Sergeant Pearson was there and served as best man. In addition, Mr. Perry and his wife were there. It was good to see them, as Mr. Perry has not been able to make many events this year. Mr. and Mrs. Schirmer, Mr. Alexander also drove down for the wedding. Special thanks to those had to travel some distance to come to the event.

Cedar Creek was both productive and enjoyable. The weather was great and the turn-out was good (the same guys that come to just about everything). Next up is Fort Branch at the Perry’s, always a good time. Hope to see everyone there!

I would like to thank the men who were able to attend the Cedar Creek event. The weather was great and the company performed well, considering some of the battle scenarios didn’t go quite as they had been planned. For the men who were unable to attend, you missed a great chance to see me take a swan dive on Saturday morning. I did survive my first event as acting 1^st Sergeant, with the help of the Captain, the Lieutenant, and the men of F-Company. Your help and patience was very much appreciated! I hope that the members who will be attending Fort Branch are ready for a good time. I know that being able to crash with Carroll at his house is something! Also, we’ll have our beloved "Woodburner" with us. Don’t forget Gentlemen, we have two more events and also a meeting coming up, so please attend if possible.
*****

1^st Sergeant Stafford

Cedar Creek Re-Cap

By Private Harris

The Powell’s Wedding

Wedding-The joining together of two like spirits into one. That spirit along with the blessing of Providence and that of friends and family will begin its journey into life and make these two happy forever after. The after part could not my friends be any more picture perfect and with the help of those from the 21^st in attendance and in spirit made it that more special and I must admit more doable. The one thing that I have to say at this time is that all the men in the company when in the field have always extended to my wife now and before she said yes to my proposal was a constant atmosphere of kindness and courtesy, very southern in everyway possible. Yes, fellows I spend time with you in camp and see you go through your transformation into nothing but complete gentlemen does nothing but warm my heart even more. Diana (Macalah) was taken by you all and at times I often wonder to the point of out loud, "Whom did she come to see? Is it me or them?" She is special as most of you know and the first mailing of invites was to the officers and men of the 21^st. We did not know at that time how important you were to us and how much we could depend on "F" company and it’s extended family. I am drifting a bit so let us get back to story.

Weddings are like a "shebang". By that I mean they evolve constantly and right before your very eyes. No matter how much you plan or pay attention to detail, things do and will change and there isn’t a whole lot that you can do about it. A year of fretting and of constant preparation can and will be washed away literally. Then and there you are into tears and with a feeling that one could only liken to that of being an orphan just lost. Beaten, yes but there is as always a happy ending - to this as I continue.

The day before the tents were up, the caterer was by for a walk through and everything was a go for the next day. The only thing was that I had to do was wait on my out of town guest and take care of the libations the next morning. Well the "State Fair Rains" came this year a week late and they dumped the night before on everything we had done the day before. When I arrived that morning there were my two gracious hosts and friends and they had been up the night before trying to fend off the results of the deluge that night and what was happening at that time. The icing of the libations turned into a quick exercise of damage control. Yes sir the whole thing had taken one about midships and it was listing real bad it wasn’t to the right. Water was everywhere and everything that had a flap just did nothing but leak. Well after some quick meeting of the minds it was thankfully decided to go on with it all and that it would be an event of attrition. That is those that would come will be there regardless and we will make the best it. I told them that I knew that Providence would smile on us but at that time of trying to be brave for my soon to be wife I did not know how true that statement would come to be. Time was flitting by and I had to go back to my home and get ready. At home it was then that I realized something that I should of known all along, something that was being hidden due to the misfortunes of the night and morning before.

I had just stepped out of the shower and I was loosing it big time. Yeah ---I know rock hard Marine. The only thing that I wanted was for this wedding day to be special for that special someone now in my life. Standing there in my apartment with one leg in my drawers I was starting to have my doubts if that person I had been talking to on my way home ever listened. Then the phone rang and I answered it. It was our 1^st Sgt –Joe Pearson. He inquired with his almost high voice where I was at? I believe he did this to break the ice a bit but that was when I really started to loose it. He listened to me a bit and then told me that things will be all right and that this wedding will happen. I got my stuff back together and got dressed and went back to the site where it was still raining. People were arriving so I dared not slack around so I figured I go inside and do something, just something to take the jitters away. At the door of Iden-the site of our wedding-was when the sun started to shine.

There was Skip and Dottie Schirmer dressed in period greeting people as they came in and Miss Dottie was in her glory. Skip in his top hat and Dottie doing her best southern lady impression. It was also Dottie who granted a request from Diana to direct the festivities and it went smoothly. From there I ventured out into the yard and by a stack of rifles were more members of "F" company. Cpl. Gammon and Pvts: Gammon (Pork Chop), Catlett, Pate and a re-enacting buddy Cpl. Jim Faulkner from the Princess Anne Grays. Of course ever in the background surveying the whole thing was Joe. Pvts: Ward, Dachos with his wife, and Harris –who had escorted Ms.Stacy Humphreys from the park service-all appeared. Lt. Turley, Pvt. Alexander and Pvt. Parzych with his wife Ann and family were all greeted by Miss Dottie and Skip. I was standing on the porch of Iden starting to feel better about what was about to happen when I looked around and in the front door was the most pleasant of all the surprises. Carroll Perry and Joan came from Edenton , N.C.

Well the priest (Dr. Geoffry Price) came up and Miss Dottie announced that everyone to take their places and it was time. Now you would figure that I would be used to this being married once before but I got a serious case of jitters when I glanced off to my right and saw something that shored me up. There was the 21^st, "F"Company formed up and ready to take their places in the ceremony. It was then that realized what I have heard before about this company times before from others that have lead it. Things might go bad out during an evolution but the 21^st is always rock steady. It was then that I noticed that that rain stopped and the cover was about to break and I had taken my spot with 1st.Sgt. Pearson and Dr. Price at the front of the alter area. The same spot I might add that I proposed to Diana and she said yes. Then the sun did come out because it was then that I saw my soon to be in ball gown that she purchased at Sayler’s Creek. Life could not have been better and Providence not more giving that day. I was amongst family and friends getting ready to start life with a wonderful person. To think that it started over a haircut and an edition of "Civil War Times". You think of a lot of things at times like this. The one thing that kept coming back to me was what a great day to be alive and what a great bunch of guys to share it with ---the 21^st Virginia, Company "F".

Diana was escorted down to the alter by her father with the protection of friends on both sides, after the ceremony these same friends came to attention and in a very special "F" Company way insured we start our new life together with a very special gesture in order to proceed. It was very special for us and all in attendance are still talking about it.

F-Company performed a firing demonstration for the enjoyment of everyone there who may have never had the opportunity to witness one. The neighbors may have wondered what in the world was going on – but everyone in attendance was thoroughly impressed.

Well the food was great and everyone I believe had a good time. We didn’t have a band though one was planned. They had to cancel out due to the weather. But not to fear. From a request by the groom Pvt. Jack Alexander and myself along with accompaniment of Mr. Schirmer on harmonica gave renditions of period style music and of course----Goober Peas .

You have probably heard me ask at times, "What are the poor people doing?" I don’t rightly know what they were doing on the 8^th of October. Cause I was the richest of all the wealthy. For on that day a dream came true and around me were the riches health, family and more especially friends. People that I have shared the cold with, sweated with, marched with, shared rations with and yes a campfire with. May God bless each and every one of you for now and ever more. Pass it on-----------------Y.O.S.,

November 4^th – 6^th

This will be the last battle event of the year. Once again, out of the kind heart and true Southern hospitality of the Perry family, their home has been offered as our haven for the weekend. Bring your sleeping bags, your slippers, and your Winnie the Pooh pajamas for the slumber party. It looks like Nixon’s "All You Can Eat" buffet is on the agenda for Saturday night, so bring some greenbacks.

Weekend Schedule:

 Directions to Fort Branch:

South of Petersburg 295 joins back into 95 and you will be 47 miles from the NC/VA line.  You will be less than an hour away once you cross into NC.   Once in NC go approximately 9 miles and take the NC 125 exit.  I believe it is exit 171.  Take NC 125 South towards Halifax.  Near Halifax, NC 125 will join NC 903.  Continue on NC 125/903 South to Scotland Neck.  In Scotland Neck, stay on NC 903 towards Hamilton.  Go approximately 1 mile past Hamilton on NC 903 and turn left on the Fort Branch Road.  There will be an old house to the right and an old gas station on the left.  Look for the CW sign and/or banner.  The fort will be 2 miles on the left.

 GEORGE WILLIAM PETERKIN, D. D., LL. D., first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church of the diocese of West Virginia, was born at Clear Spring, Md., March 21, 1841. He was the son of Rev. Joshua Peterkin, who subsequently had charge of the Episcopal churches at Frederick City and Urbana, Md.; Berryville, Va.; Princeton, N. J., and became rector of St, James church, Richmond, in 1855. George W. Peterkin was educated at the Episcopal high school near Alexandria, and at the University of Virginia, and subsequently while teaching school in Fauquier county and at Richmond became a candidate for the ministry. While studying theology with his father he became a member of Company F, First regiment Virginia troops, in January, 1861, and with this command on April 17, 1861, was mustered into active service. The company was assigned to the Twenty-first Virginia regiment, and in July, 1861, was sent upon the campaign in western Virginia under Gen. R. E. Lee. After recovering from a severe attack of typhoid fever in the fall, Private Peterkin rejoined the regiment, then in Gen. Stonewall Jackson's command in the valley of the Shenandoah, and participated in the Bath and Romney expedition, during which he was promoted corporal. Soon afterward he became sergeant, and after participating in the battle of Kernstown he was promoted second lieutenant of his company. He took part in the battles of McDowell, Front Royal and Winchester, and earned promotion to the rank of adjutant of the regiment, May 28, 1862. Then joining in the movement of Jackson's command against McClellan, he was promoted lieutenant and assigned June 3d to the position of aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. W. N. Pendleton, chief of artillery. In this capacity he served through the Seven Days' campaign, and throughout the remainder of the war, including notably the great battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the defense of Petersburg, and the retreat to Appomattox, where he was surrendered and paroled. Then resuming his theological studies he was graduated at the seminary near Alexandria in 1868, and at the same time ordained deacon by Bishop Johns. He passed the deaconate with his father, and in 1869, being ordained priest, he became rector of St. Stephen's church, Culpeper, Va., and rector of the Memorial church, Baltimore, in 1873. May 30, 1878, he was consecrated bishop of West Virginia, at Wheeling. His episcopal seat and residence is at Parkersburg. His life is one of great devotion and incessant activity. In addition to his regular work the demand upon him for work without his own field, such as sermons and addresses and labors connected with the general missionary operations of the church, is such as to compel him to travel annually many thousands of miles. Extremely popular in his church, he also enjoys the comradeship and high esteem of Confederate veterans everywhere on account of his faithful service in the cause of the South. He received the degree of doctor of divinity from Kenyon college, Ohio, and from Washington and Lee university, in 1878, and the degree of LL. D. from the latter institution in 1892. In 1868 he was married to Constance Gardner, daughter of Cassius F. Lee, of Alexandria, Va. She died in Baltimore in 1877. In June, 1884, he married Marion McIntosh, daughter of John Stewart, of Brook Hill, Va

[Died: September 22, 1916; Parkersburg, West Virginia ]

Christmas Wish list

Editor’s Note

Speaking on behalf of the newlyweds, thank you so much for not only your support, but also your participation on October 8^th. The unit not only performed very well for the guests but with great honor and professionalism. Despite the terrible weather on Friday and the entire weekend, God was truly looking down with favor for the wedding. For those who were unable to attend, it was a glorious celebration and the hosts could not have been more cordial to us all. I wish many long years of health and happiness to the Powell’s. As you see, those unable to attend missed a great photo opportunity. A special thanks to all the ladies who were able to attend.