Regimental Dispatch

October 2003       Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VA

1st Lieutenant’s Report

I hope that everyone made it through Hurricane Isabel safely.  I also hope that everyone has power and did not sustain any property damage.  This has been a most unique year when it comes to the weather we have experienced.  This month we have the Cedar Creek reenactment.  Unfortunately, neither the Captain nor myself will be there.  That means that F-Company will be without an Officer.  However, the 1^st Sergeant has signed up for the event, so he can command the unit.  As a back up, in case we don’t have enough members present to sustain our own company, we have the option of forming up with Company H of the 33^rd VA.  Mr. Pearson and I have been in touch with the Captain of Company H, and he said it would be fine if we needed to fall in with them for the weekend.  This is the same unit we were with at the McDowell event back in May.  But, if everyone shows up (we have 13 registered), it should not be necessary to do this.  F-Company will be taken care of either way.  I hope everyone has a great time and I’m sorry that I cannot be there.  Take care and be safe.

Respectfully submitted,                       Lt. Turley 

1st Sergeant’s Report

 No report as of the final editing for this month, however the editor has received information from the 1^st Sergeant that no one contacted  him as recommended in the last issue, therefore, no names have been added or deleted from the Cedar Creek preliminary registration that has already been sent in.  Again, those names that have been registered are:  Wilson, Pearson, Gregory,  Firth, Schirmer, Powell, Talbert, Price, Gammon, Ramsey, Harris, Stafford, and Lawrence.

Please make every effort possible to attend this event.  Lt. Turley  will be there in spirit, but his Mother has suffered a broken hip, and he needs to be home for his family. 

From the Treasurer

 No report except to advise us that he received confirmation of the Lucky 13 members who have been registered for Cedar Creek. 

Isabel…that wench!

After all was said and done, this horrific event left its mark on all in her path.  Just when I thought it was safe and all our perishables discarded, along came the rains from the Old Testament.  People recovering or those left unscathed were hit by the rains.  I felt so sorry for those just receiving their power only to lose it again by the already weakened soil and more fallen trees.  I’m sure there will be many tales to be told around the next campfire.  I just pray that all made it through with just small inconveniences and not costly damage or serious injuries.  When we finally got our power back on and could catch the news, I couldn’t believe how some complained so furiously about losing electricity when many lost everything they owned.

RATIONS

FOR CEDAR CREEK

The 1^st Sergeant has advised me that the Company will provide rations for Saturday night’s meal only.  Depending on when you are arriving, Friday night or Saturday morning…plan on providing for yourself all other meals.  For most of us, that means two breakfast meals.  As usual, please remember to bring your frying pans.  It’s better to have too many than not enough.  Just strap ‘em down to your bed roll with your trusty hemp twine.  Also, bring some “$one’s$” to go towards the cost of Saturday’s dinner.

From the Secret Diaries Of Private Gregory, Chapter I

DISCLOSURE CARDS

We are hanging out at the skinners and in the middle of our discussion about whether or not to purchase that polyester jacket for your bag-piping Zouave sailor impression; you suddenly keel over unconscious and you are having trouble breathing. If I don’t know some essential facts about you, an EMT or I might be wasting some valuable time searching for clues about what happened.

What you need is what I like to call a DISCLOSURE CARD. This card is designed to let any person who is rendering first aid know a few vital facts about yourself.

Items we need to know about are allergies; special medical conditions, and prescription medication you might be taking, where it is located, and how to administer it if you are unable to. This card is not meant to take the place of a medic alert tag or bracelet; instead it is designed to supplement it with information that a first aid responder will need.

With the wonders of modern word processing you can take your necessary medical information and make a small easily readable card that you can laminate. Laminating material is available at any office supply type store.

Below is an example of a:

DISCLOSURE CARD

Blood type:  Red        

Allergies: Bee stings

Allergy medications: Epinephrine injector

Where located: Pants pocket

How to use: Open case, remove safety cap, place against skin, depress red button

Medical Conditions: High Blood Pressure

Emergency Contact Number: 555-555-5555 (Wife)

Insurance: We hope they pay

The previous is just an example of what you can do. But let’s not waste some space because you can do something a bit more useful with that card.

Using the wonders of a computer and a copying machine you can make a two-sided card. Well gee, what goes on the other side? In addition, on the other side, I keep the company tax id number should I want to purchase something at the bagpipe sutler.

Once I have the format laid out how I want it to appear, I laminate it using lamination paper available at any business supply store. I keep one in my period style wallet and the other goes into a “modern” joggers wallet that hangs around my neck. Out of sight and out of mind.

You can keep some other things in the neck wallet as well. I keep an emergency supply of decongestants and a set of emergency phone numbers for me should I need to get a hold of someone and the wife is not at home.  A call to my health insurance provider brought a plethora of extra insurance cards. I keep one in the neck wallet as well for should I drop for any reason, they are sure to find it, even if I am unconscious. 

FORT BRANCH

18th Annual Battle Reenactment
OCT 31 - NOV 2, 2003
***CANCELLED***

Participants and Friends of the Fort Branch Battlefield Reenactment,
It is with much regret that the Officers and Men of the 1st NC Vols. /11th NC Regt. announce that the 2003 Fort Branch event has been cancelled. Once again Mother Nature has conspired against us. The damages caused by Hurricane Isabel and the continued wet weather have created a situation that would make it difficult for us to offer safe and functional facilities for our participating guests, sutlers and spectators. We understand and regret the disappointment and inconvenience that this may cause for you. However, after a thorough evaluation of the site and the anticipated needs of those attending, we feel that it is in the best interest of everyone to make this difficult decision. Your registration fees will be retuned will all practical speed. You are cordially invited to mark your calendars for November 6-7, 2004. This will be the date for our next Fort Branch (good Lord willing) which we hope will be well worth the wait. In the interim, our members will be diligently working to restore the fort and surrounding areas to their previous condition so that when you return in 2004, you will find the fort much as you remembered it (but with LOTS of fresh firewood. We are very grateful for your continuing support over the years, which has sustained this event, and look forward to seeing you return to Fort Branch in 2004.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email: LGordon3@nc.rr.com or by phone (919) 732-6986 (after 7:00PM please) and again, thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,
Lee Gordon, Adjutant
1st NCV/11th NCT
CS Coordinator – 2003 Fort Branch

Words from Edenton

 We made it through the storm. Have 2 trees on the shop, and about 6 in the back yard down. We had water over the lower deck and fishponds. Only had about 3" of water in the shop. We were without water till Monday and just got power and phone back last night. David and Chris still don't have power. I took my generator to David last night. Chris's brother-in-law brought them one from S.C. Monday. IF YOU REMEMBER WHAT EDENTON LOOKED LIKE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE, YOU WILL HAVE A SHOCK TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW!!!!!!!!!!  It is reported that 75% of the homes in the whole county were damaged. About 15% 

are total loses. We were lucky. No damage to the house. Chris will be getting a new roof on his house, and tin on the barn. David lost a dog kennel, the skirting under the trailer, and a small hole in an outside wall. 

  We still don't have power at tin mill, so most of us are driving to the other mill in Elizabeth City to work on storm damage there.

   Haven't heard anything about Fort Branch yet. It might have faired better than last time. If I hear anything I will let you know. But if it was hit as hard as Edenton, it might be gone.

*****************

Submitted by Cpl. Perry

Please take note that the information from Mr. Perry was prior to the cancellation of Fort Branch.  I have dearly missed  the Perry’s since May.

Editor’s note

This will probably be the last big fling of a Newsletter for the year 2003, but there will always be Stuff for this motor mouth to add for the off season downtime.  But for now, let’s move onward.

If you look back to the beginning of the season, up until now, you have got to really appreciate one nice change from the past seasons…..…low heat.  Even for August’s Gettysburg event, sure there were moments of the usual sweating, but what’s new when a large group of wool clad soldiers marching in close quarters don’t feel the heat.  But who would have ever thought that a blanket would have been needed while sleeping at night in August.  Not I, but surely I did, and it was a very comfortable experience.  With Fall now officially here, the temps will certainly start to drop.  Keep in mind, that I have been at Cedar Creek when you wake up to your ground cloth cracking from the combination of your body heat and the frigid night air turning to ice crystals.  We won’t even talk about rain, but when was the last battle event you went to that was a dry experience?  I haven’t seen one yet this year, but that doesn’t mean that it was a miserable event, except Fort Pocahontas.    Due to the cancellation of Fort Branch, I will not have the golden opportunity to truly enjoy the warmth, the love, and the sparkling personality in the 6 ½ hour drive with Mr. Vice.  I will miss spending 390 minutes, or 23,400 seconds of my life with him.  There’s always next year.  I hope to see all that are registered at Cedar Creek.  If anyone is interested in attending Remembrance Day in Gettysburg in November, please let me know.  Mr. Talbert, Mr. Schirmer, and myself will be there.  It’s a back yard event for us, and I wouldn’t expect anyone to drive for 3-6 hours for a parade, but I’m throwing it out to anyone who wants to wear wool one more time this season and not have to clean your musket.  I will place the particulars in November’s Newsletter regardless of response.

It will be great to see you again in a few weeks.  For some, I haven’t seen you since Cold Harbor in June.  Let’s make the best out of the last event of 2003.  What a fast year this has been.  Thanks for the memories.

***Editor-at-Large:  Cpl. Pearson