The summer is quickly drawing to a close. Cooler temperatures should be forth coming soon. After the wet spring we had it is hard to believe that things are so dry. Maybe the cooler temperatures will also bring us some rain.

Just to review – in the month of August we had the near perfect muster. We rented an air conditioned van and followed the route of Lee’s Retreat beginning at Five Forks and culminating at Appomattox Court House. The weather was perfect. The attendance was excellent. F Company members present included Scott Wilson and Mike Vice, Jack Alexander, Bob Baird, bikers Wes Catlett and David Gammon, Travis Clements and his dad, Mr. Clements, Eldridge Firth, Bill Ward, and myself. Former F’er Brewer Eddy was also present. It was good to see him and reminisce about his F Company Days. We stopped in Farmville and had lunch at a quaint sandwich shop. It had far too many choices for sandwiches in its menu but they all looked good.

This was one of the best musters that the company has been on. It was great weather, good food, great company and fellowship, and a great time. Thanks to Scott Wilson for taking care of the logistics in renting the van, driving it, and the prep work it took to make sure that everything went as smoothly as it did. Thanks to Mike Vice for his commentary as only he can give it. Please see additional articles on this muster (if they made it to the newsletter in time). If anyone has any additional ideas for future musters please let them be made known.

As for September the only company event is the living history program at Fort Harrison the weekend of September 27 & 28. I spoke with Ed Sanders of the NPS just before this writing and details were still somewhat sketchy. There will be demonstrations throughout the day, both Saturday and Sunday, maybe some Federal artillery, and an evening program of some sort. Watch your e-mail for updates on the event as the schedule becomes more definite.

In other F Company news, I have heard and most of you are probably already aware via your e-mail, that former F Company member Chet Parzych, has been called back up to active duty and will be leaving soon to go back overseas. I wasn’t even aware that he was subject to being called back up. Chet’s wife, Ann, is giving him a going away party on Sunday, September 7th. I am sure they would appreciate any and all F Company members that could come by and wish Chet well. We do wish him and his family well, safety and Godspeed on his return. We will keep him and his family in our prayers as well as all our troops especially those with F Company connections.

Take care and see everyone at Fort Harrison.

Respectfully submitted,

Captain Turley

No Report at this time

Gentlemen,

I want to remind everyone up front of the send-off for Chet Parzych. He's been activated and will be going overseas soon. His wife is having a get together for him on Sept. 7th from 1 - 5 P.M. If anyone wants to go please let me know and I'll give you the address. You'll need to contact his wife to let her know you are coming. I'll be glad to give you her e-mail address if you need it.

We have Fort Harrison coming up on Sept. 27th and 28th. We are still trying to finalize the details, so I will e-mail everyone the details when they become clear. I would assume we would want to arrive between 7 and 8 A.M. It will be similar to Cold Harbor, so bring about 30 rounds and caps and bag them separately with your name on the bag. I have the following people signed up. (Turley, Stafford, Gammon D., Firth, Hughes, Alexander, Baird, Catlett, Pate, and Ward ) I may have to be A.W.O.L. on Saturday, so the camp will be in the capable hands of 2nd Sgt. Firth. I will be back on Sunday morning. Remember, this is not a registered event, so if you didn't sign up and want to join us, please come on out. Please keep Jonathan Alexander and Chet Parzych in your prayers as they serve our country overseas.

Respectfully,

1st Sgt. Gammon

The company mustered at The National Park Service Five Forks Unit at 9:00 AM on the 14th of August. Eleven current members were in attendance as well as a former member and the father of one current member. The company toured the Five Forks Visitor Center and listened to an explanation of the battle there from the Park Ranger on duty. It appears that senior officers not attending to duty was a factor in the loss. Junior officers did their best but could not stem the overwhelming numbers thrown against them, hence the "Waterloo" of the Confederacy according to Col. Munford. A number of pictures were taken for inclusion on the company website.

The company then mounted a van obtained by Scott Wilson and set off on a tour of Lee's retreat with commentary by Mike Vice. Tour stops included Amelia Springs, Saylor's Creek, Rice's Station and other signs and waysides. It was amazing that the Confederates covered as many miles as they did with roads that go a bit north then south, then west, then north etc. 

At Saylor's Creek the company dismounted and looked at the exhibit's at the Hillsman house which is undergoing renovation. It was interesting for some of the older members of the company to remember the 131st or 132nd anniversary reenactment of the battle there. The writer was especially interested in noting how in only 15 or so years memories have dimmed and different items stand out for different members concerning that battle. It makes one cognizant of the fact that everyone has selective and relatively short memories and we should always be diligent to determine the accuracy of the writings of The War of the Late Unpleasantness veterans. This is especially important if it is something that supposedly was first "remembered" 30 years later, and we should always check if possible to see if a story can be verified by another source any time we may have found some new nugget of information.

The company had lunch at McAdoo's in Farmville which was served on the covered deck since the day was absolutely beautiful. The company then headed for Appomattox and after attempting to negotiate a parking fee discount dismounted for a final stop at the Visitor Center and grounds of Appomattox court house. The Company viewed the movie which the writer felt was quite good, it didn't try to make any sort of political statement simply was a nice commemoration of the struggle that mainly ended at Appomattox. The writer and a few other then went on a "first person" tour which was unfortunately the lowlight of the day. The tour was much too long and monotonous, but then everyone has to start somewhere and perhaps it was the guides first day. It did make one appreciate the gregarious nature of Mr. Vice's commentary.

After gathering for a final company photograph the company mounted one last time and headed back to Five Forks on a, thankfully, mostly straight road. We said our goodbyes and headed for home.

Pvt. Clements

In an effort to improve your usage and understanding of the words and language of the period,  I shall endeavor to raise your consciousness level as the people of the period were always looking to improve themselves, or as Mike would say, "We will help you get your mind straight."

NEVER GIVE UP

Never give up!  it is wiser and better

Always to hope than once to despair;

Fling off the load of doubt's cankering fetter,

And break the dark spell of tyrannical care;

Never give up!  or the burden may sink you ----

Providence kindly has mingled the cup,

And in all trials, or troubles, bethink you,

The watchword of life must be, never give up.

Listen to words that we rarely hear today.  We can learn a lot about the people of time, this is the way they would talk and write and act.  Think about the message it sends even today.  So the next time you are at a living history event, try and think and act the way the men of the 1860's did.  This poem was written and published in 1856.

Now it is your turn to Guess Who.

His was the wizard spell

The spirit to enchain;

His grasp o'er Nature fell,

Creation owned his reign.

If you know who the original author is, then be the first to send the correct answer to the webmaster and win a prize (To be determined).  The winner will be announced in the next newsletter.

I-395 S becomes I-95 S. 84.3 mi

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