September 2002
Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VAWow what a nice break
we are having, I know I really am enjoying it. However,
the company marches on all the time.
Sharpsburg is getting closer and closer. Maps are attached or on the website, I suggest
that you all know your way around those maps so that you have a good idea of the terrain
and where we should be camped. It will only
help you get to the right place at the right time.
And now for something completely different. Cpl. Carroll Perry is planning for cooking a pig
on Saturday evening of Ft. Branch. Mr. Pierce has some kin that will cook the pig
and bring the cooker to Carroll's house. The cost will probably be around what we
all pay at the annual meeting which is less than going out to dinner that night. We
will work out the details, as it gets closer.
We have 17 signed up
for this event. This will be a special treat
for those that are attending Ft. Branch. It
is always a good time in Edenton and we appreciate the hospitality of our North
Carolina members and their families.
On another note, I
attended a BSA canoeing trip with my son’s troop.
We canoed from Carterville to Westview to Maidens on the James River. The river was down but passable. I had never realized how closely one of these
events mirror a reenactment (without guns). Talking
too much while others are trying to sleep on the first night, but everyone passed out on
the second night. Individuals that take
responsibility while some are just there in a daze, not helping out till they are told. Flatulent boys laughing all the time about it,
hard work at times, keeping up with your equipment, being prepared for almost everything,
and a great time. I was more tired after
paddling and dealing with them for two days then marching all over the country side
shooting at Yankees with you all. It was for
a good cause, my son and I would do it all over again.
As always, hydration is very important and they have a lot to learn about
it. I imparted as much as I could but I was
not nearly as eloquent as Mr. Gregory. I
will keep working on them.
Capt.
Jones
Future
Events
Explore Park has
decided not to put on the event in October. So
now we have another free month. Cedar Creek
is there, however, you will have to register as individuals and soon. Their website is
http://www.cedarcreekbattlefield.org
CANCELED Oct 12-13 Explorer Park
Nov 2-3 Ft. Branch Battle
I am still looking forward to Ft. Branch. See you all at Sharpsburg.
Best
New Civil War Book of the Summer!
Galloping
Thunder The
Stuart Horse Artillery Battalion
By Robert J. Trout
Stackpole Publishing, $45.00
27 maps, 52 photos, 976 pp.
As F Company was also trained to operate field artillery, this title should be of
interest to all who wish to learn more about the “long arm” of Lee’s army.
Galloping Thunder is as comprehensive a history
as any student of the Civil War could hope for, covering both the excitement of the
battlefield and the mundane, everyday workings of the battalion as it marched and camped. The author also focuses on the individual
personalities of the men who made up the battalion, quoting from hundreds of letters and
journals. This book will allow readers to
actually “see the humanity of the men,” by providing a deep and thorough
understanding of the soldiers passions and motivations.
The sheer volume and thoroughly researched facts of this book makes it the
most significant work on this subject ever published.
Submitted by former cannon-cocker (according
to Pvt. Gregory)
Pvt. Ramsey
Owens & Ramsey
Historical Booksellers
Camp
of Instruction
I have had a few
offers for the COI. Mr. Lawrence has a friend
that is a possibility and you all know Mr. Allen that saved our bacon at the Saylers Creek
Tsunami a few years ago. Member of the
Executive Committee will check these options out and report back and select the best one
for the company’s needs.
Company
Inventory
Hemp Twine has
arrived at the same low, low price.
Amt.
Item
Price/ each
(12) Cartridge Boxes $90.00
(13) Bayonet Scabbards $40.00
(3) Cap Pouches
$24.00
(2) Haversacks
$45.00
(3) Tin Plates
$15.00
(6) Tin Cups
$15.00
(5) Tin Canteens
$45.00
(21) Cotton Socks
$8.00
(6) Wool Blanket
$25.00
(16) Sm. Va. Buttons $.75
(22) Lg. Va. Buttons
$.90
(59) Script I Buttons
$1.00
(50) Caps (cans of 200) $7.00
Hemp Rope
$1.00 per ft.
(30) Hemp Twine
$5.00
(6) Frying Pans
$30.00
(0) Hardtack
$8.00
(1) Very Small Jacket
$75.00
(3) A Frame w/poles $100.00
(1) Wall Tent
$400.00
(4) Sets of Utensils
$20.00
(1) Wooden Box
$10.00
1st
Sgt.’s Report
Gentlemen, after a long lay off, it will be
good to get back into the field again in the middle of September. As all of you that live
in the United States know, it is hot, so if you have an extra canteen please bring it.
The following members were pre-registered by
me way back in march for the Antietam Reenactment: Capt.
(or Col. or whatever) Jones, Lt. Turley, Ramsey, Woody, Lawrence, Stafford, Sgt. Firth,
Schirmer, Cpl. Perry, Pierce, Gammon, Powell, Talbert, Gregory, Cpl. Pearson, Price, Cpl.
Norman, and Eastman. If your name is not here
and you want to attend you will have to register yourself.
Supposedly there will not be any walk-ons.
You can register by going to the Antietam website and get the registration
form and mail it in.
As you may know, the West Nile Virus is
starting to invade the Mid-Atlantic region. I
would advise using some bug spray as a precaution for now and in the future. Use bug spray that has some concentration of deet
to repel mosquitoes. I have found bug spray
at the store in small spray containers no more than three inches tall, these fit into a
haversack or backpack nicely.
The food for Antietam will be more delicious
bacon from Mr. Talbert. At this event we will
be issuing food by platoon. I would suggest
to all corporals that when they are calling their platoon members they take a count of how
many skillets they will have available for cooking. The
company now has skillets available to the members. If
you do not own a skillet you can call the quartermaster and get one! They are light and fairly inexpensive. They have many uses: cooking food, digging
latrines and foxholes, bashing the enemy or your follow F Co. member, playing tambourine
or drum, and washing yourself in them. So
little money for such a versatile piece of equipment!
Hope to see all of your bright and smiling
faces at Antietam.
The following members are registered to
attend the Fort Branch event: LTC. Jones, Lt. Turley, Ramsey, Lawrence, 1st
Sgt, Sgt Firth, Cpl. Perry, Alexander, C. Perry, Pierce, Gammon, Powell, Talbert, Gregory,
Vice, Baird, and Cpl. Pearson. Call me if
things have changed!
1st Sgt. Wilson
Cleaning
option?
Capt.,
In
a recent article in a muzzleloader magazine, this old yahootie recommended using Windexâ
to clean muzzleloaders. I said "Yeah, Yeah, but what the heck." You know how
much I shoot at an event. Well guess what. Last night I tried it. I put a small amount of
Windexâ
in a container. Dipped a patch in it. "Yowser" you should have seen the stuff
that was on that patch. A second patch, not quite as funky as Joe's skivvies. A third
patch. Clean as a whistle. Two more patches to dry the barrel. The total time to clean was
8 minutes. I ran a patch lightly lubed with sewing machine oil down the bore. Checked it
with a bore light this morning. No residue anywhere. I removed the nipple and soaked it in
a small tin, not a trace of black powder in there either. If you want I can type up a
cleaning article for the newsletter. (Mr.
Gregory, you already did)
Pvt. Gregory