Vol. VIII. September, 2009 Issue 7

 

Captain’s Column

 

It’s the unofficial end of summer with school being back in session and vacation over. I hope everyone has enjoyed some time off. F Company has been on an unusually long break but I also hope that you have been able to peak your civil war interest in other ways. I have done several programs for the museum of the Confederacy and a few weeks ago Bill Ward and I attended Bob Moates’ funeral/memorial service.

            As most of you probably know Bob Moates was the reenactor who portrayed General Lee at many reenactments and was the owner of Bob Moates Sports Shop. Many of us have conducted business there. Bob lost his battle with cancer this summer and his funeral was held July 25th. He was buried in his uniform. I had always thought that there was some obvious resemblance to General Lee at the events where I was able to observe Mr. Moates. The resemblance in the repose of death was even more uncanny and obvious. I felt as if I was looking upon the face of General Lee himself. The funeral/ memorial service was very nicely done with nothing but high praise for Bob “Gen Lee”  Moates. He was laid to rest appropriately enough at Hollywood Cemetery next to the section where the Gettysburg Dead are buried. There was a color guard and musket and cannon salute. It turned out to be quite an event and I was glad to be able to attend. Thanks to Bill Ward for helping me out in this matter and keeping me informed.

            For the month of September we do have two activities scheduled. The first is the fort workday on Saturday, September 12th. It has been a while since we have had one of these so please plan to help out if you can. The overseer / keeper of the fort has assured me that there is plenty of work to be done.

            The second event is the living history program at Fort Harrison on Sept 26th & 27th. We did this last year for the first time. If I remember correctly there were three demos each day and the artillery will also be there. A concert of period music is scheduled for Saturday night. This is a NPS event (no registration fee) so even if you did not sign up you can still participate. We will setup camp in the shade this time.

            Looking ahead to October we have the Cedar Creek Battle Reenactment. This is the 145th so it should be a good one. We also have scheduled on the 24th the dedication of the grave marker for F Company’s own, Tucker Randolph. Yes, this is the Saturday after Cedar Creek and makes for back-to-back events but the dedication ceremony will only be for a short time that morning. So I am hoping that the locals (and others) will support this with your presence. This is one of our own and he paid the ultimate sacrifice. We can at least show him some respect and gratitude for a few minutes.

            Please find enclosed a copy of a letter sent to us by Robert Lee Williams of Newport News. His great-grand father was in the 21st, Company C. He thought we might find the information in the letter interesting. It concerns the history and whereabouts of the actual flag of the 21st Regiment. We know about the F Company flag but this is the first time I had heard any thing about the regimental flag. We want to thank Mr. Williams for providing this information to us. His efforts are appreciated.

            That will do it for now. It has been too long since we have gotten together so I hope to see everyone at the fort.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Captain Turley

 

First Sergeant’s Report

 

                    To begin, it is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of General Jim Maupin of Longstreet's Corp. Jim died suddenly a couple weeks ago. He stepped down to take a break from the hobby shortly after we began to associate ourselves with Longstreet's Corp. I believe he was only late fifties at the most.

    Coming up in September is the fort work day on the 12th. If you signed up, please arrive at the fort by 9:00 A.M. and bring your work gloves and whatever you wish to have for food and/or drink. I have the following people signed up. (Turley, Stafford, Alexander, Alexander, Catlett, Clements, Kisner, Hughes, Pate, Thrift and Vice) We also have Fort Harrison on the 26th and 27th. If you signed up, please arrive no later than 8:30 A.M. and bring 40 rounds and enough caps bagged with your name on it just like we do at Cold Harbor. You will need to fend for yourself as far as food goes. I have the following people signed up. (Turley, Stafford, Gammon D., Firth, Hughes, Alexander, Baird, Catlett, and Clements) Directions will follow in the newsletter.

    Please keep Captain Turley in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers from a kidney stone procedure.

 

Respectfully,

1st Sgt. Gammon

 

Fort Harvie Work Day

 

I would like to thank everyone who is planning on helping with the fort restoration project. Please remember that any help no matter how small is greatly appreciated. If you are planning to attend the September 12th work day please bring your own lunch, snacks, and drinks. If you have gloves, and digging tools please bring them. I will be arriving at the fort approximately 0900 and I will tentatively work until 1600.

 

Your Humble Servant,

Pvt. Pate

  

 

  

 

 

 

Fort Harrison Battlefield and Visitor Center
8621 Battlefield Park Road
Richmond, VA 23231

From DC

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

Merge onto I-295 S via EXIT 84A on the LEFT toward ROCKY MT NC. 21.7 mi

Merge onto NEW MARKET RD/VA-5 W via EXIT 22B toward VARINA. 1.7 mi

Turn LEFT onto MILL RD. 1.3 mi

Turn LEFT onto BATTLEFIELD PARK RD. 1.3 mi

Turn SHARP LEFT to stay on BATTLEFIELD PARK RD. 0.1 mi

From Newport News

Merge onto I-64 W via EXIT 1A on the LEFT toward WILLIAMSBURG/RICHMOND. 63.2 mi

Take the I-295 S/US-60 exit, EXIT 200, toward ROCKY MT NC. 1.4 mi

Merge onto I-295 S via the exit on the LEFT toward BOTTOMS BR.  6.5 mi

Merge onto NEW MARKET RD/VA-5 W via EXIT 22B toward VARINA. 1.7 mi

Turn LEFT onto MILL RD. 1.3 mi

Turn LEFT onto BATTLEFIELD PARK RD. 1.3 mi

Turn SHARP LEFT to stay on BATTLEFIELD PARK RD. 0.1 mi9

From Roanoke

Merge onto US-460 E. 79.5 mi

Turn LEFT onto VA-307. 9.3 mi

Turn LEFT onto US-360 E/PATRICK HENRY HWY. Continue to follow US-360 E. 38.8 mi

Merge onto VA-150 S/CHIPPENHAM PKWY toward I-95 S. 5.7 mi

Keep LEFT to take VA-895 E/POCAHONTAS PKWY via EXIT 0 toward I-295 (Portions toll). 2.8 mi

Merge onto S LABURNUM AVE toward VA-5/NEW MARKET RD. 0.7 mi

Turn LEFT to stay on S LABURNUM AVE. 0.2 mi

S LABURNUM AVE becomes BURNING TREE RD. 0.5 mi

Turn LEFT onto OSBORNE TURNPIKE. 1.1 mi

Turn LEFT onto MILL RD. 0.8 mi

Turn RIGHT onto BATTLEFIELD PARK RD. 1.3 mi

Turn SHARP LEFT to stay on BATTLEFIELD PARK RD. 0.1 mi