Regimental
DispatchRegimental
Dispatch
September 2003 Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VA
Gentlemen, The season is starting to draw to a close but it is not over yet. There are still Cedar Creek, newly added company event and our usual mini-road trip to Edenton NC for Ft. Branch, and some real Southern Hospitality, if Mrs. Perry will have us again. I am unsure if there will be a pig picking again this year but we can only hope. As many of you already know, Gettysburg, is for right now my last event in the field for this year. There are hopes that I may make an event or two still but with things as they are at work, it is not likely. The most unfortunate thing about this is the last event of the year is when all of my work will culminate and hopefully go back to normal. I have said most of my goodbyes in the field. I will still be here watching out for the company guiding it to the end of the year behind the scenes ensuring that the members of the company are taken care of.
As for a commander for next year, things are in the works for the company to make a decision as to whom they would like to lead them. The Executive Committee and I have what we think is be best solution to this tough situation and will put it to the membership at the Annual Meeting. I have always worked to build this company so that it can run with a committee, not one strong personality that will make or break the company if they leave. I think I have done a pretty good job at that and am confident that the company will continue on without me at the helm. There will be more information to come as we move forward. Thanks to everyone's hard work in making F Company the best in the field.
Respectfully,
Capt. Jones
1st Lieutenant’s Report
The Gettysburg Reenactment will probably turn out to be the best event of the year. It far exceeded all the previous events this year, all which suffered detrimental affects due to the monsoons we have had this season. There were some very early arrivals on Thursday night and Friday morning, with others straggling in during the afternoon and evening. I found the campsite with relative ease, which was a nice change. I just happened to walk straight to S&S Sutlery, ran into Mr. Lawrence, and with the help of Mr. Pearson’s and Talbert’s wagons, I had no problem finding the unit. Not all were as lucky. The Captain took a more circuitous route to camp, getting there after dark and meeting with the high command. The night’s entertainment was provided by a spectacular fireworks display and a very amusing tale of (shall we say) male adolescence medical procedures, as experienced 1st hand and told by Mr. Alexander. The next morning, after breakfast, we formed up for battle. As it turned out, we were the Color Company for the Confederate Military Force(C.M.F.), for those who have experienced them in the past. After some extensive marching, followed by a nice break, the battle commenced. There was intense fighting with the ebb and flow of battle having us push a fence and crossing a stream. Casualties were heavy with Private Ramsey and myself being the only survivors from our unit. We made it back to camp for a break and brief lunch before the afternoon battle. Once again, we were the Color Company. We marched to the staging area and took another break waiting for the battle to begin. I do want to commend the organizers of the event. At all times, water and ice were plentiful. They were very generous with bags of ice and even had 5-gallon containers of water that they distributed before the battles. The unit was completely decimated in the afternoon fighting. After the tide of battle had swept past us, we made our way over to the woods to watch the rest of the action. When the battle ended, we once again, made our way back to camp. On the way, I ran into a Yankee lady friend of mine that I hadn’t seen or talked to in awhile. We caught up on what had been happening and made tentative plans to go to the dance later that evening. When I finally made it back to camp, muskets were being cleaned and the supper meal was being prepared. It consisted of rice and sausage. Also, there was fresh corn soaked in water to be cooked in the fire pit and everything was actually good. After supper, some of us ventured up into town (the Sutlers), to satisfy our sweet tooth with…you guessed it…ice cream. The Captain bought the first round, and I bought the second. After strolling through some of the vendors and sutlers, visiting with Mr. Gregory and his family, I made it back to camp. I contemplated whether I should go to the dance or if we would have a Committee meeting. Upon the Captain’s return, I informed him of my preference to go to the dance, he said have a good time. And the dance was just that. We did the Virginia reel, a snowball reel, and various other dances. It was pure unadulterated fun. Upon accompanying my lady friend back to her camp, I went back to my wagon to freshen up before turning in for the evening. In the morning, we got up, had breakfast, and after breaking down camp, took our heavies to the supply wagons. Mr. Schirmer provided the Church service. This service was the one originally intended for the C.O.I. back in March. This was the first opportunity for him to present this since then. It was a wonderful service.
There was time for lounging around before the afternoon battle. The cavalry briefly invaded us as they took advantage of, or stole our shade before they departed for their engagement. When we formed up, I had to take my leave, as work necessitated that I depart in advance of the hostilities. Therefore, you will need to get another member’s account for Pickett’s Charge.
On a sad note about this event, this was probably the Captain’s last field event with us serving in that capacity. Of course, he will conduct the Annual Meeting next year, but after that, he plans to be in the ranks as a private when his schedule permits. I hope everyone will express to the Captain your deep appreciation for all he has done for F-Company. I sincerely believe that we would not have the reputation as one of the finest reenactment units in the hobby today, if it weren’t for all the hard work that he has put forth in serving the unit. We are where we are today largely because of him. Three cheers for the Captain for a job well done.
That, having been said, we are obviously in for a period of transition as the leadership of the unit will be changing hands and other adjustments will be made. I ask everyone’s indulgence and cooperation in doing whatever each of us can do in making this time as smooth as possible.
In other Company news, I would like to congratulate Mr. Talbert on his recent marriage. Best wishes for a long and fruitful life to Mr. & Mrs. Talbert, and again, a most sincere congratulation to both of you.
That is it for now. Until I see you at the next event, take care.
_____________________
Respectfully submitted.
Lt. Turley
1st Sergeant’s Report
The following members will be signed up for the Cedar Creek event scheduled for Oct. 18-19th.
Wilson, Pearson, Gregory, Firth, Schirmer, Powell, Talbert, Price, Gammon, Ramsey, Harris, Stafford, and Lawrence. You need to contact me before Sept. 12 if you are not on the list and want to attend or wish not to attend. Thank you and hope to see you there.
______________________________
***submitted by 1st Sergeant Wilson
Treasurer’s Report
On a hot August afternoon, in 1862, the men of the F Company and the 21st Va were moved into battle along the road to Culpepper Court House. They, as part of the 2nd Brigade under Stonewall Jackson, would endure some of the "Hottest" fighting of the war. Of the 18 men in F Company only 6 would still be standing at days end. The men of the 21st were positioned parallel to the road, with the rest of the 2nd Brigade forming a right angle away from the road through the edge of the woods. The 21st was in a great position to direct fire into the flanks of the Yanks as they came down the road, and this they did repelling several union advances with heavy casualties. However, the strength of the 21sts’ position was predicated on the rest of the 2nd brigades ability to protect the left flank of the 21st. As the battle continued and the line of the Union forces extended to their right, it became longer than the 2nds. Thus extended, the Yanks were able to encircle and collapse the 2nd Brigade. In a short while the 21st found itself with Yankees in its rear as Col. Cunningham tried to have the 21st withdraw before they were completely surrounded. Worsham recalls, "After a few steps, I saw a Yankee sergeant step into the road about fifty or seventy-five yards ahead (south) of us, and at the same time heard the firing of rapidly approaching enemy in our rear. A great dread filled me for Jackson, because I had seen him at this spot only a moment before. The sergeant, having his gun in his left hand, his drawn sword in his right, turned up the road towards us, and approached. A Yankee private stepped into the road just ahead of him; this being the road on which we marched to get to our position, it showed that the enemy was not only in our front, flank, and rear, but actually had the 2nd brigade surrounded. The Yankee sergeant did not stop his advance towards us until he actually took hold of one of the men of our regiment and pulled him out of ranks, and started towards the rear with his prisoner. One of our men, who was in the act of capping his gun, raised it to his shoulder, fired, and the sergeant fell dead not ten feet away. By this time the road was full of Yankees, and there was such a fight as was not witnessed during the war: guns, bayonets, swords, pistols, fence rails, rocks, etc., were used all along the line. I have heard of a "hell spot" in some battles, this surely was one. The after battlefield reports say they "fought like lions", standing firm, "with bayonet thrust and musket clubbed,"...........these are the men of the 21st, F company and you have been part of protecting their memory. About 5yrs ago F Company of today began a effort to preserve this battlefield site. We raised monies and awareness of this important site. I am glad to report that our effort has been rewarded. I recently visited this site, which is now part of the Civil War history trails. They have 4 stops along a mowed path, which allows you to tour the area mentioned above. I took some photos of the site and I would encourage you to visit when you can. Also you may want to continue reading about this action from John Worshams "One of Jackson Foot Calvary".....I am sure Marc Ramsey can get you copy......There was a message on one of the markers that reads:.......Please enjoy your time in these beautiful fields and reflect that this experience would have been significantly different if this land had been paved over to build a shopping mall or subdivision.”
Submitted by Private Alexander
A Special Thanks
Above and beyond the call of duty thanks goes out to Mr. Harris for his long trek up to Gettysburg. Even though he never found our camp, he managed to view some spectacular fighting, aerial and ground pyrotechnics, and a further craving to get out there and start living the history. It was not a complete wasted trip either. Mr. Harris did manage to get a few necessities in his quest to get his total kit together for his first trial by fire at Cedar Creek. Until then, stay in touch and let Mr. Stafford or me know what you need to be outfitted for your first event.
Recruits Always Needed
Has everyone been doing their part in checking around town and handing out flyers? Have you been talking to people? The more men we have, the better chance of the extra details being shared amongst the many, rather than just you….arrrgh!
From The Secret Diaries Of Private Gregory
A Special Prayer
Lord, please ease the pain and sorrow that the Stafford family is going through in the loss of Mrs. Stafford’s Mother. Please help to give them the strength to go forward.
From The Editor
I’m usually long winded, but I’ll try to make this brief. As serious decisions will need to be made for the continuation of our glorious Company, you will ALL have a chance to make a difference. The future leadership of F-Company will fall into your hands. This also means that everyone needs to step forward and become more involved in our growth and direction, not only for 2004, but also for years to come.
The Gettysburg event turned into a surprisingly better experience than I anticipated. As the 1st Lt. stated, the event organizers did an exceptional job in making it a more reenactor friendly event. Water and ice were plentiful and the locations of latrines and firewood made it just a short walk from most camps. Even the parking was a tolerable distance from our weekend hideaway. Other than the continuous flow of hay wagons pulled by tractors to transport people all over the event site, everything seemed, in my opinion, quite memorable and hassle free. Getting in and out of registration was a breeze, with plenty of volunteers to keep everything flowing quickly.
Pickett’s Charge on the final day should have been the easiest battle to coordinate the entire weekend, but it seemed to fall apart. Despite making it to the angle, the charge was delayed and interrupted. Where we should have continued our assault, we were halted, then commenced to burning powder in ranks, and at the halt command. I’m sure it was still an overwhelming sight for all the tens of thousands of spectators, but it just wasn’t the way it should have been. I’m sure the most outstanding moment of the weekend that will stick with us for our lifetime was the ground pyrotechnics that went off directly in front of our formation. Our Colonel in command actually threw himself to the ground and there was plenty of dirt and mud that was thrown into our ranks. We had some very belligerent words for the technicians that saw us coming, never warned us, and threw the plunger anyway. Fortunately, no one was injured, but that my friends, will probably be the closest we’ll ever be to live action and the feelings of what it would have been like to actually be fired upon by artillery. If it weren’t for the desire to finish out the charge, it would not have been out of context to have all gone down at that very moment. The ground explosion could not have been any further than twenty feet from our ranks. WOW……..what a rush.
Thank you to all members in attendance that made it an enjoyable and brotherly weekend. Got any cartridges left for Cedar Creek?