These Newsletters are free to our membership,  this one is for the enjoyment of all.   

     Soldier's gazette      

22^nd Michigan / 8^th Arkansas

Civil War RE-ENACTORS

Volume 1, Issue 2                                                                                                                                     December 2001

Editors Corner        Presidents Corner        Silas Talking        1st Sergeants Book

Short Story from Erik       You are a Re-enactor, if...        Recipes for the Infantry

Facts about Michigan and Arkansas    Notice Board – Up Coming Events and Notices   

Letter from Jake    Civilian Corner   

Well we made it to issue number 2, and even got some material from members (how about the rest of you?).

I am working on multiple projects: 1) putting

together all the recipes I get/have into an ACW cook book, so if you have any, pass them on. 2) you will start seeing material from a great book: EVERYDAY LIFE DURING THE CIVIL WAR, by Michael J. Varhola. This book is a treasure chest of info, from prices to words. I recommend it for all re-enactors libraries.

Christmas party was great, lots of food, and just not lots of members. For those that did not make it, you missed a lot, ie Eriks imatation of Kojak. Expected Ken to sing, he did not, drat! Also welcome to the Nick family, told you we were a wild but save bunch.

Presidents’ Corner...

Leo speaks --------

Well another holiday season is upon us , and we all knows what that means ," election of officers for next season." at this time I would like to congratulate our newly elected officers , and I also want to thank our past officers for an outstanding job they preformed last season ." Thank You." I hope everyone enjoyed themselves at the Christmas Party ,I know I did . It was good to see everyone again and meet some new members ,it looks like our little family is growing . It was sad to see that a lot of our members were not present, they were missed my all . We understand what

with work , family and illness we can't make all meetings and events . We hope to see everyone next year .No, Nancy I didn't forget ." WELCOME" to the group and congratulations to you and Tim . At this time I would like to wish ereryone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year .

LJT.

Hey Y'all!

Happy Holidays!

I would like to ask everyone to remember Amy in your thoughts, prayers, or meditations. She is due to have surgery on her back. Let's take a moment to wish her a full and speedy recovery. My mind has been wandering back over the last season, and I think it was a good one. We raised a few eyebrows at the Spring muster (Crossroads Village) by choosing to camp rather than sleep in the warehouse. We went to Ypsilanti for the first time. Holly started us looking at the direction the Unit is heading in. Greenfield Village (Yankee portrayal in Parade with 21st Michigan on Friday) had us with a lot of canvas, and members of other Units supporting us. We portrayed an artillery battery at Morenci. At Burgh Village we had a Kentuckian Kommander …and the boys from the 21st surprised us from behind. Hastings was…well…Hastings (was it hot and wet, or was it wet and hot?) Caseville was astounding (somebody tell Greg Schultz we are NOT really trying to kill him). The Crater at Jackson was truly a sight to see. Alas, due to the late unpleasantness in September, St. Clair Shores was cancelled. We ended up going to Goodells that same weekend, and I personally had a real good time. We went to Ft. Wayne for the first time and supported the 7th Michigan. We attended Wolcott Mill, but as I could not attend, others will describe the weekend. There are numerous stories and experiences for each event that could fill separate articles, but space here won't allow that. We will relive some of those memories every time we get together. It was a fine season, and it was our members and guests that made it so. I would like to recognize and thank some of those…

Dudley Priemieux came up from the state of Texas, and the boys from the 22nd Michigan helped us out at Ypsi. We had support from some 9th Kentucky folks at Greenfield: Jeff Mogle, Curtis Kilbourne, Nick Discher, Jim Wruble, and Fred & Kris Hilzinger all joined us for the festivities at the Village. Sara Perry came out to support us several times (Her brother Ben Perry was voted in as a member earlier in the season). Thanks to Gary Gorski for getting us set up at the Lions club again for our Christmas party.

We also had a ton of support from the usual members of the group. They will be named individually in a future article. Thanks to all who helped make this a fine year.

I am flattered that I have been nominated and elected to two positions: Military Vice President and Company Commander. What an honor! I began thinking about what that means at events. Usually the V.P. has to do a bit of politikin' with folks from other Units, bouncing in and out of our camp most of the weekend. I don't think that would be a very good thing for the Commander to do. I don't feel that I could fulfill the responsibilities of both offices with constructive results. It is for this reason that I will resign the office of Vice President at the Unit meeting in January. I have someone in mind I will nominate to take the position. Leo and I have spoken of this and he and I will offer the next V.P. all the support we can.

I think with all the new faces and willingness to help the Unit function we are looking at a splendid season.

Please make your best effort to attend the next meeting. We need EVERYONE'S input, opinions, and support. I remain… your humble(?) servant,

Silas

Listen up Hayfeet, there's a new copper on the beat (according to our NEW Lt), and I have been told to make my mark on this here paper (and the unit). So here goes.

1) The words Mosey and fun are the same and will remain our number 1 item.

2) Everyone, please look down at your feet right now, and identify which are your left and right feet... so when I say left you know which way to turn (exceptions will be made for Lt Walker)

3) Serious statement: Silas and I will state this once... we are a dual unit (blue and gray), if we go blue, we all go blue, if we are gray, we are all gray. Anyone that refuses to wear either color uniform will not remain long in this unit! The war ended long ago. Get over it!

This year will be known as The Year of the Corporals. Get to know your section corporals, privates! They will be your teacher / leader / father / mother / etc. What does this mean? It means that we will start using the chain of command and training more (but not in violation of item #1 above). So you corporals or privates wanting to be a corporal / sergeant, listen up, here is what is expected out of you.

a. The Corporal is the 1st level of NCO's, and is responsible for all privates assigned to his section

b. Can teach School of the Soldier, and Guard Mount (plus execute it). (Hardees). Will Drill his men on an average of 15 to 30 minutes per day.

c. Be familiar with Platoon, Company and skirmisher drill (Hardees)

d. Ensure that all privates he is responsible for are properly maintaining their equipment:

1. Weapons always cleaned immediately after battles drills and skirmishes and Inspected.                      (Someone better makes sure there is hot water and not just for the Lt.’s coffee - or what ever it’s called)

2. All leather and clothing is in good condition (unless we are portraying a unit in rags! Remember we have ladies around!)

3. Mess gear cleaned (before and after use)

4. Troops are getting meals and plenty of water (coffee and sodas are not meals!)

e. Keeps a constant check on the health and safety of all soldiers during the entire event. Especially during hot or cold weather. During hot periods will make sure his men are well hydrated before going onto a battlefield. (At least one full canteen, minimum of one hour before a battle)

f. Maintain the bearing and appearance of a NCO.

g. Police area (during public hours) for all non-period items, and will get them out of site or under cover.

h. Contacts all privates assigned to him, a least two weeks before an event to find out if they are coming. And if so, notifies the 1st Sergeant. Checks if his men:

1. Will they be period camping, modern or hotel (and do they have camping gear)

2. how many days

3. family coming, do they have lodging, needs?

4. what gear they will need (including family)

5. meals for the period of stay (personel and family)

6. ammunition

It means corporals are not going to be there just as line guides from now on, they have a job.

(Next time - Sergeants )

Enough for now, BREAK RANKS, MARCH!!

X

"Dutch"

Brothers

Peter clawed at a large stone and pulled up from the ground. Sweat poured down his face in the heat of the day. He walked over to a pile of stones and dropped it. "I guess that’ll do", he thought to himself. He sat down against a tree and looked up at the sky. It was a cloudy and hazy day, in the Arkansas.
Tears began to role down his face as he silently cried. He closed his eyes and tried to forget about the fight he was in yesterday, and about his brother dying in his arms and the death of his friends.
"Howdy", said a voice. Peter opened his eyes and there in front of him was a tall dark skinned young man in a black coat, blue pants, wearing a top Hat with a white feather, mounted on a brown mare. His mockasins were dusty with mud on the bottom. The man had pistols in every place he could put them.
On his gun belt was a long knife with a deer antler handle.

Peter looked at the man and thought about how proud and dignified he looked and then asked himself "is this man friend or foe?"
He answered back to the man, "Who are you?"
The man dismounted his horse and walked over to Peter. Peter had his hand on the handle of his Colt 44 ready to draw and fire if he had to. The black claded man squatted down in front of Peter.
"My Mother calls me Sitting Eagle but I prefer to go by my Christian name Michael. My mother was Cherokee and my father was an Irishman. "What boy’s are you with?"

"I am with the Johnson’s Partisan rangers, Gray Scouts.", Answered Peter. "There were thirty of us yesterday; earlier today there were two. Now one." " How about yourself, who were you with?"

The Man sat down on the ground and looked at Peter, He saw the sweat pouring down his face and then looked at the pile of rocks a few steps to the left. The man then wondered if Peters sweat wasn’t mingled with tears and knew that Peter was grieving.

" I was riding with the 3rd Cherokee Mounted Rifles; we got caught in a hell of crossfire yesterday. We were riding in a Creek when the blue coats came at us from both sides. I and some of the braves went to the rear of our column and charged a group of men who did not wear any uniform. We got confused and some of us rode off to the west; to some brush and stayed there until the shooting stopped. We sent a couple of men out to see if it was alright to come out of the trees and we were then attacked by the blue coats. I had to run for my life". "You can call me Michael."

Peter took his hand off his pistol and relaxed. "You can call me Peter". "That was a mess of a fight yesterday. I wonder if there are any of us alive".

Michael looked at the pile of rocks and asked, "who was that?"

"My brother", answered Peter. "He was shot pretty bad in the fight and died this morning". "I have his horse and rifle, and two pistols. I have some of his food I can share with you. Have you eaten?"

"Yes", answered Michael. "What should we do now?" He asked.

"I don’t know, I guess we are kind a lost", answered Peter.

Michael stood up and pointed to the east, "Joseph Shelby is with some of what is left of the army near Briggs Point. I heard our captain talking about were we are supposed to meet up after the fight."

Peter got up from the ground and wiped off his face with his hand. "Maybe we should head to that direction and see if he might be out there somewhere".

Peter went into the brush and took his brothers horse by the reins and walked back out. The horse was a big black and white stallion with a white star on his forehead.

Peter put his brother’s pack and cloths on the horse. He gathered up his belongings and packed them in his bags and mounted the horse.

Michael went to his horse and mounted. Peter then rode up to Michael and put out his right hand and looked at Michael and said, "Friend?"
Michael took Peters hand, "Friends" He said.

They began to ride off to the east together.

Peter thought of the day’s events. His brother lay dying in his arms that morning, and the feeling of being alone had come over him. He had joined the war because his brother joined the fight.
He really did not know why he was fighting, he thought maybe it was because the blue coats burned his neighbors farms or because it was the right thing to do. But what mattered most was that he had lost a brother in a bloody fight and was alone. Peter thought about riding home to his Mother or finding his Uncle Robert in Little Rock.
But things had taken a different direction that day.

He did not know whom the man was he was riding with but he could see that he was alone and hurt inside. He had fought in the same fight and lost many of his friends. Peter looked at the sky again and then at Michael. "Maybe he had lost a brother too", he thought. They rode on for awhile. "Did you lose a brother yesterday?", asked Peter.
"I lost many brothers", answered Michael.
Peter asked himself "what does he mean, "many brothers"?"

He looked and Michael and saw a man and a fellow soldier. Then he realized what he meant by "many brothers".
He then thought we are in the same band of brothers. Michael looked at Peter "What?" He asked.

"Brothers", said Peter. They continued to ride on for few seconds. "Yeah", said Michael.

You are a Re-enactor, if…:

You might be a Civil War Reenactor if.......

if your $20,000 car sits out in the weather so your $200 tent can stay in the garage, you might be a reenactor.

if you drive by some land and think "what a great place for a battle"

if the most clothes you own went out of style 135 years ago

if you've made a vehicle purchase decision based on how well it can accommodate your tent poles

if you've uttered the phrase 'only 68 more days til our roaring camp event'

if sleeping in a leaky tent in the rain and mud is your idea of a fun Saturday night

if you've ever worn wool when the temperature tops 100 degrees repeately

if there are half-completed sewings projects decorating your furniture

if you've ever made a career decision based on its impact on your reenacting weekends

if our friends refuse to attend any historic movie dramas with you..

if you can spot 100% wool at 30 yards

if your kids can correct their history teachers..

if your mailman is confused as to what rank you hold in the reserves

if you have been asked at a gas station if you're Amish

if your birthday and Christmas list reads like a quartermaster's request for supplies

if you believe that your brogans are the most comfortable shoes that you own

if your neighbors think yo're in the Michigan Militia

Camp Potatoes:

"Cut the vegetable into thin slices and throw them into cold water for half and hour; then put them into fat hissing hot and fry them until they acquire a golden hue. Some person cut them into quarters, but they are not near so crisp and nice."

-Camp Fires and Camp Cooking, or Culinary Hints for the Soldier, Capt. James M. Sanderson, 1862

From EVERYDAY LIFE DURING THE CIVIL WAR

Michigan sent 90,000 men to war (nearly 25%), of which 14,000 were killed. During the war Michigan’s economy was based on farming of wheat, potatoes and hops, sheep raising and lumbering (last of which Michigan loggers were clearing 33 acres a year of forest.

Arkansas had a population of 435,000, of which 11,000 were slaves. The eastern and southern parts of the state produced cotton. While the northern and western parts were based on subsistence farming. The state was divided the same way in regards to the Union. Eastern and southern part were pro-south, north and west pro northern. In fact the first vote to secede failed. Arkansas sent 50,000 men off to war on the southern side, and 13,000 to the northern side.

Membership dues must be paid no later then 1 March 2002.

$20 a year: voting members and newsletter $10 a year: newsletter only

Meeting 12 January – 12noon, Miller house, bring muskets for drill. Ladies meeting

02 Feb Re-enactors Conference Lansing

09 Feb Grand Ball

02 Mar Medich Class Room Training

President – Leo Tomaszewski

1^st VP - Dan ‘Silas’ Spurgeon

* will be revoted on at 12 Jan meeting

2^nd VP - Mary Miller

Secretary – Becky Chissus

Treasurer – Nancy Manning

Commander - Dan ‘Silas’ Spurgeon

1^st Sergeant - Bruce ‘Dutch’ Miller

2^nd Sergeant - Ryan ‘Cotton’ Kriesch

1^st Corporal - Tim Robinson

Having only done one reenactment last year, I realized just what it means to my life. I had plenty of time to think of why I do what I do. Through articles and personal accounts, I was able to garner a greater appreciation for the men and women who participated in that terrible struggle. It has fueled my desire to get back in the field and honor them again.

For most of us, a weekend in camp is a great escape from the real world. I'm always having so much fun that I sometimes forget why I'm really there. If it had not been for men like Lee, Cleburne, Sam Watkins etc.., we'd be in some nylon tent roasting hot dogs on a gas grill. But the reality is that these men fought and died to preserve a way of life they felt was worth fighting and dying for. As reenactors we should have the same passion. Though we aren't walking into storms of lead under clouds of smoke, we still wear the uniforms and the souls of those gone before us on our chests.