The Long Roll
The Monthly Electronic Newsletter of the Union Army Veterans
August 2003 Issue
Greetings
Our sixth newsletter! A milestone? Perhaps. The UAV is now up to nineteen members. But, only fourteen are considered active, having attended at least one event in the last four months. With the upcoming fall reenactment season approaching, it is hoped that those who are now inactive, will become active. Though there is a dearth of events during these hot months, locally, much is going on, elsewhere. During July we marched in Arlington's annual July Fourth Parade and held our second drill. Bill Hathcoat and I completed the UAV Authenticity Guidelines recently and those who attended the July drill received a copy. All others will receive their copy when they attend their next event since mailing would be too expensive for an organization that collects no dues. Many of our members felt that our new unit needed these standards in order to set our unit's tone for the future. It is in keeping with our one rule: "Be safe, have fun, and be authentic". Thanks to, not only Bill for all the ground work, but to those who troubleshooted the first draft. The new UAV web site is still not ready, though member, John Demby, told me that it would be ready by the end of June. A month later, I find myself growing impatient, so, if anyone else is able to design and/or host our new site, let me know. In less than two weeks, I will retire. I have sold my twenty year old wholesale distribution business and will take off a couple of months to relax and decide what I want to do (since I am really too young to truly "retire").
Promotions in the Ranks
Since the unit is continuing to grow, it became time to ask others to step
up and show their leadership abilities. I am proud to announce the promotions
of Bill Hathcoat to Sergeant (with the title of 2nd Sgt.) and Parker Brown
to Corporal. Both of these fine men joined during the UAV's "dark days"
when the unit was just forming. But, not only that, but they each attended
our first reenactment event, Mexia, and the second event, the Beaumont Ranch
reenactment, last March. They both chose not to have a formal promotion ceremony,
being too modest for such shenanigans, but, I hope that all of you will express
your congratulations to them as soon as you next see them. They both will
work hard to make the unit better and will be working closely with each member
in the future. Bill will be the official commander if I should "fall
in battle" and you will see him take a much greater responsibility at
drills in the future. Parker, among other duties, will be insuring that there
is firewood for the cook and that every man has a full canteen when they form
up before a drill or battle. The time is coming soon where we will be able
to field at least eighteen riflemen, most event's minimum number for a unit
to stand alone and not be forced to fall in with a larger unit, under their
command. As we grow to a full "company" at events, I will appoint
more NCO's to help Bill and Parker while I become a dreaded officer.
Company Cook
The official UAV cook at events is member, Mark Reis of Azle, Texas. He has
already made a chuck box and has filled it with all the necessary gear to
prepare meals for us in the field. Mark has already provided food for us at
last March's Beaumont Ranch reenactment and provided iced bottled water for
us at our July drill. His culinary skills will be tested, next, at the mid-September
Kaufman living history weekend. When our unit reaches full company strength
at events, I plan on promoting Mark to Quartermaster Sgt. At your next event,
be sure to thank Mark for all his hard work and that you show your appreciation
by helping him whenever he needs it.
Drill Report
Bright and early last Saturday morning, July 26th, eight of us formed up in
"BoBo Woods" near the entrance to Fort Worth's historic Log Cabin
Village. The drill lasted only until 10:00 am when the village opened to the
public. We practiced wheeling from a moving and a fixed pivot, emphasizing
the importance of the "touch" and the correct turn of the head,
and brushed up on the manual of arms. We got to fire about fourteen rounds,
practicing "fire by rank" and "fire by file". We also
learned the art of "to the rear open order" (emphasizing what the
covering sgt. must do), "inspection arms", and later, "stack
arms", according to Casey's. In teaching "fix bayonets", we
decided to interpret Casey's as, upon the command "Fix", to put
the rifle before us and reach for the bayonet with the left hand, reversed
and ensuring that the bayonet will draw easily. At the command "Bayonet",
to draw the device and place it on the muzzle and lock it down, then returning
the weapon to the order arms position.
Frontier Brigade News
I have been asked to republish the following letters. The first one was received,
unexpectedly, on July 16 from the commander of the Frontier Brigade, the reenactment
"umbrella" unit of which the UAV is a member: (Parenthetical words
{"(xxx)"} are Clark's)
Gentlemen, when I took over the Brigade, (October, 2002) I was excited about
the possibilities of working with such a fine group of men and women. I did
not, however, fully realize the amount of time that the position would consume.
I also did not realize, perhaps naively, the amount of politics and in-fighting
I would have to put up with. My job (college professor) does not give me enough
time to deal with the former and my age and personality no longer give me
the patience or desire to deal with the latter. Therefore, it is with great
regret that I announce my resignation from command of the Frontier Brigade
and my retirement from reenacting effective the 21st of July of 2003. I will
miss a great deal, many of you and I wish all of you the very best in the
future. As my last official act, and in accordance with the Bylaws of the
U.S. Frontier Brigade, I hereby appoint Colonel "Boo" Hodges to
be the Interim Commander of the Frontier Brigade, pending the next election.
(Signed) John P. Sample
A week later, our unit received a letter from the new commander, "Boo"
Hodges:
Members of the Frontier Brigade,
As I step into my role as Brigade commander, I realize that there is much
work to be done. While I have received input from some of you, I would like
to hear from the rest of you. I would like to know what your thoughts are
on the Brigade. Is there something we can do better? Do changes need to be
made in the structure of the Brigade? What do you think? I want to hear the
negatives as well as the positives. I can't fix it if I don't know what's
brok(en). I am asking that this letter be distributed to all unit members,
down to private. If anyone has a comment, suggestion, a complaint, or just
wants to talk in general, then contact me personally at Grimcheftn@aol.com.
I would also like as many of the members who can attend, to come to the Middle
Boggy max effort event on September 26-28th. I will be holding an informal
meeting, open to all members, as well as speaking to the various unit commanders
and staff, privately. This is your opportunity to be heard on all topics including
rank, infantry organization, communication, event participation, etc. I would
like to remind everyone of General Order 2002-2 which covers the infantry
organization. If we form at events and have seven companies or less, we will
form a single consolidated battalion, commanded by a designated officer or
myself. The command staff assignments will rest with me. Also, as we consolidate,
there will be a surplus of officers and NCO's who will be expected to rejoin
the ranks. This keeps the rank proportionate to our actual troop strength.
I hope to see many of you there because we need to move forward. We, as a
Brigade, must make this hobby fun and enjoyable again for all. "A house
divided, cannot stand...". (Signed) Merle "Boo" Hodges
I do not know what "politics" caused Phil Sample to resign a position
which he held for only nine months. I do not know to what "Boo"
is referring when he wrote "a house divided...". But, I am saddened
by the continuing "personnel" problems within this hobby and wonder
what issue or person(s) caused Phil's resignation. There are way too many
"Little Hitlers" causing hard feelings in the reenacting world.
It is one major reason that I left my former unit and started the UAV. I am,
however, thrilled to have "Boo" back as the Brigade commander. He
is an able leader and some of my best reenactor memories are at events under
his command. With Mark Dolive as the Division commander and "Boo"
the Brigade commander, the future has got to be brighter for us at the national
level reenactments. It will be interesting to see "Boo" take commands
from Mark rather than the other way around.
New Members
Let's welcome three new members to the ranks. Frank Molinets and his seventeen
year old son, Zachary (Zach) joined just before the parade. Frank is a veteran
reenactor and is the co-owner (with his wife, 'Bert) of Kozzy Korner Sutlery.
They live near Weatherford and make all the events as a sutler of period sewn
goods. It is hoped that Frank and Zach will find time from selling their wares
at reenactments to form up with us. Steve Hardy joined during July, also.
Steve is a veteran reenactor whom I have known for almost a decade, meeting
him at the flooded 1997 (140th anniversary) Shiloh event. He is a Dallas firefighter
and EMT. He and I have often fought, shoulder to shoulder, in the infantry
line, at events all over the country. He was one of those who quickly aided
the wounded reenactor at the ill fated Raymond II campaign event a couple
of years ago.
Granbury, an Enigma
Earlier this week, I received a message from Kathy Smith, the host for the
upcoming (October 3-5) 10th Annual Granbury reenactment. She announced that
the event had to be canceled due to lack of funding. After thinking about
what she wrote, I thought to myself, it is a shame that $10,000 could not
be raised to prepare the site for reenactors to put on a show for which tickets
can be sold. That is not a great deal of money for a city to raise. The Granbury
event began small in 1994 and within a few years became the largest civil
war reenactment event in Texas. I rushed home as soon as the event was over
in 1996 and took my pregnant wife out to dinner that night. The next morning,
I took her to the hospital where my son, T.J., was born. But, by 1998 things
were going so well that some major mistakes were made. First there was the
event where they lost many reenactors' pre-registrations, causing no free
food for those reenactors at the Saturday evening meal. There was the time
when reenactors were told they had to pay to park to get in the site. There
was always the "farb issue" with all the inaccuracies, there. Then,
there was the unpleasantness between the local SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans)
group and a large Federal infantry unit one year. One thing led to another
until the largest Federal and the largest Confederate units in Texas, would
no longer attend. Perhaps the final straw was the new site that not many people
could find, including the paying spectators. Then came the split between two
factions in Granbury over a "women of the evening" portrayal. This
led to two Granbury events being listed for this year, one in May (which was
canceled) and the one in October (which has just recently been canceled).
What a sad state of affairs. The last I heard was that one sutler, upon hearing
that the event was canceled due to lack of money, had offered to put up the
$10,000 to get the event back on track. You and I are waiting to hear what
comes of that. I hope it is not too late for this event.
Reenactorville (sung to the tune of "Margaritaville")Whataya mean
ya don't know the song? Air ya crazy?
Submitted by Kathleen Hunt
Nibblin' on hardtack
Feeling my teeth crack
Watchin' the public walk right on by.
Shoulda been drillin',
The guys just weren't willin.
Smell that salt pork it's beginning to fry.
Chorus:
Wastin away in Reenactorville
Searchin' for a couple authentic pards.
Some people claim being hard core is lame,
But I know, they're all just ol' farbs.
Don't know the reason
I come back each season
With nothin to show but this brand new sack coat
It's the best that you can own.
The button-holes are hand-sewn
When my wife saw the bill she went right for my throat.
Repeat Chorus
Didn't listen to ol' Sarge,
Stepped on a ground charge
Got set on fire and sent to the rear.
But the nurse has a cooler
And if I can fool her
I'll try to distract her and steal me a beer.
Repeat Chorus
How the Hardtack Got it's Revenge
By Andrew Bass
One day in Secesh territory, I was with my pards looking for deserters when
we found ourselves involved in a minor skirmish with a lone Johnny Reb. The
rotten scoundrel opened fire upon us. Pvt. Brown and I had to cross open ground
to get to him. He shot at Pvt. Brown, almost hitting him, getting his bedroll,
instead. Then, he tried to shoot at me, but since he was a Rebel, he can't
hit nothing. I came up on his right while Pvt. Brown went plain across the
field. After a few shots were exchanged, we had him surrounded and called
to him to surrender. Luckily for him he did so. He was a scrawny looking thing
and had not eaten, he said, in many a day. When we got the Reb back to camp,
Sgt. Kirby told him that we'd feed him if he promised not to run away. He
nodded his head and with that, we proceeded to cook up some salt pork and
hardtack. We only had a shelter between Pvt. Brown and me, so we told the
Reb to just sleep outside. Too bad it was raining. Figured that would teach
him to complain about our cooking. In the morning, the stinking Rebel was
still there, but looking like a drowned calf. We were fixing to give the Reb
some hardtack for breakfast. Now, any good soldier knows how hard that tack
can be. I decided to break some hardtack with my hand and discovered how truly
hard it is. When I finally succeeded in breaking it in two, the darned thing
had done what the Rebel could not do, wound me! So, I was a bleeding. And,
I wanted ya'll to know that the hardtack got me, not that dirty Reb.
Hardtack Warning
By Glen Hargis
We have all heard the hardtack horror stories. We've even told a few our own
selves. But, this latest report is a bloody shocker, as soon you'll see. It
seems that recently Pvt. Andrew Bass, Union Army Veteran, was apprising a
brigade of boys as to the secrets of soldiering. Thinking to break a tooth-duller
cracker into shareable bits, he smote one with his boot heel. At least one
of the resultant shards had a keen enough edge to flat slash his hand wide
open! In retrospect, we should have expected this. Anything that's hard as
flint should reasonably be expected to be as knapable into as wicked an edge.
I knew a feller once who made his living as a side-show wonder. One of his
best tricks was chowing down on broken glass. I never realized, 'till now,
that I was following in his footsteps every time I set myself down to eat
an Army cracker.
Parade Report
At 8:00 am on Friday, July 4th, eight of us marched in the two and a half
mile parade route through downtown Arlington. It was warm and humid, but those
intrepid hoofers were prepared. It was this writer's first command in public.
Everything went well, however. Special thanks goes to Tom Stuart of the 9th
Texas Infantry CSA for the loan of two flags, the national colors and the
regimental colors of a Missouri unit. They were both battle damaged, which
caused us to march under them with great pride in country. Thanks goes to
UAV member, Chuck Toney, for securing the flags and bringing them to Arlington,
for us. We all made it to the end without a problem except for one overheated
member who rode in the (following) support vehicle the last three blocks.
Thanks goes to my wife, Patty, for driving my car behind us. With the A/C
running. When we arrived back at the staging area, we quickly stripped off
our "couts", coats, and hats, sat down, drank the iced down bottled
water, and cooled off. Though it was "only" 86 degrees at 11:00
am when we finished the parade, it felt like 100. Unfortunately for most,
only a handful came by this writer's home, afterwards, to eat a traditional
hot dog lunch. During lunch we watched ourselves on TV. The parade had been
broadcast on cable and this writer had remembered to set the VCR in advance.
We looked good! After lunch, this writer's parents called inviting the assemblage
to the Kirby Ranch for dinner and fireworks. So, Parker and Andrew got to
go to the ranch, where we took the opportunity to do some target shooting
with our muskets at a life size target. The .58 caliber minie balls make pretty
big holes! After dinner, we went down to the lake and set off an estimated
$1,000 worth of fireworks. Andrew, being from Australia, had never done this
before since fireworks are banned in his native country. What a day! It was
midnight before this writer got his family back home. The next day, this writer's
wife, while reading the newspaper, mentioned that the UAV was listed in the
parade article as a winner. We had won 1st Place in the Marching Unit competition.
Anyone want to keep the trophy?
CSS Virginia Discovered?
In the August 2003 issue of Naval History Magazine, it was announced that
two shipwrecks have been discovered near a marine terminal construction site
on the Elizabeth River (Virginia). One of the wrecks is thought to be the
Virginia and the other, a schooner which struck the submerged wreck sometime
afterwards and sank next to her. According to the Corps of Engineers, the
Virginia Department of Historic Resources has called for a follow-up investigation
to determine whether the two ships are as they are believed. The CSS Virginia
has, apparently, been resting there since the morning of May 11, 1862 when
she ran aground near Craney Island, just two months after fighting the historic
battle with the USS Monitor. Since she was in danger of being captured by
the hated Yankees, she was evacuated, set afire, and after burning for an
hour, the eight tons of black powder for her cannons, stored in her magazines,
exploded, sending at least one large section of her iron casemate into the
air. This writer is waiting with bated breath to learn that this historic
civil war ship has, indeed, been found and that she will be saved.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, August 7
Dress rehearsal at 6:30 pm for those UAV members performing on stage in the
Plano production of "The Civil War - Our Story in Song". Dinner
is served between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, compliments of the cast's moms.
Saturday, August 9
The performance of "The Civil War - Our Story in Song" at the Plano
West High School Auditorium at 5601 W. Parker Road Curtain rises at 7:30 pm.
Free to the public. UAV members who attended the dress rehearsal should arrive
no later than 6:00 pm in order to eat first. Food is courtesy of the moms
of the cast members. The show will last until about 9:30 pm and they expect
about 300 in the audience. A donation request for the UAV charity, the Civil
War Preservation Trust (CWPT) will be made at this show. Those not in the
production will be needed to pass out recruiting brochures and answer questions.
August 23 (Saturday morning)
Monthly drill, the last before the fall reenactment season begins in September.
8:00 am to 11:00 am at Fort Worth's Historic Log Cabin Village on University
Drive just across from the Zoo.
September 19-21 (Friday evening, Saturday, & Sunday morning)
The Kaufman County Living History Weekend and Civil War Ghost Walk to be held
on the grounds of the Old Kaufman County Poor Farm. The site is at the intersection
of State Highway 34 & FM 1388. There will be no battle reenactment but
instead, a full schedule of living history presentations to the public. This
will be a living history encampment/recruiting event for our unit. There will
probably be a small skirmish during the day, but no full scale battle due
to the small numbers of reenactors invited. Reenactors are needed to portray
Union soldiers at the fund raising "Ghost Walk" on Saturday night.
The "Ghost Walk" is called this because during the tour, the spectators
will be listening to "people who once lived in Kaufman and have come
back (as a "ghost") to speak to them of the past". See the
website of the historic "Poor Farm" at: www.poorhousestory.com/TX_kaufman_county
and the web site: www.kaufmancounty.net Our host, Kathey Hunt, wrote: "We
guarantee this is something so original and profound that you will NOT want
to miss being a part of it". Everyone is needed! The event is open to
the public on Saturday from 9:00am to 3:00pm for living history presentations
and from 8:00 pm to Midnight for the candle lit Ghost Walk. Registration is
already closed (August 1).
September 26-28 (Friday evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
The Battle Reenactment of Middle Boggy, near Atoka, Oklahoma. Reenactment/Living
History Encampment event. This will be our unit's first Frontier Brigade event.
MAXIMUM EFFORT 2003 EVENT If we can get at least 20 members to attend, we
will have our own independent command. The event website is: www.civilwaralbum.com/atoka/reenact.htm
October 3-5 (Friday evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
TENTATIVE (Has been canceled awaiting word on funding) 10th Annual Granbury
Civil War Reenactment to be held on the original (old Cheyne Farm) site SW
of Granbury, Texas (approximately 1/2 hour drive from Fort Worth). Battle
reenactment/Living History Encampment/Recruiting Event. This is the next LOCAL
battle reenactment we will attend. More information will be in upcoming issues
of "The Long Roll".
October 17-19 (Friday evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
Ogletree Gap, Texas (Near Killeen) Reenactment/Living History Encampment/Recruiting
Event. More information will be in the next issue of "The Long Roll".
October 24-26 (Friday evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
Heritage Days Festival in Crockett, Texas. Reenactment/Living History Encampment/Recruiting
Event. More information in upcoming issues of "The Long Roll". This
is the same weekend as the large Murfreesboro (Spring Hill) reenactment in
Tennessee. UAV members should contact Clark as soon as possible with their
preference of these two events.
November 1-2 (Saturday & Sunday)
Old Washington State Park near Hope, Arkansas Reenactment/Living History Encampment
More information will be in the next issue of "The Long Roll"
November 4 (Tuesday evening)
The Richardson Public Library will host Ken Burns, the producer of the acclaimed
PBS series, "The Civil War". Tickets are $25 per person (does not
include parking). Make your checks payable to "Friends of the Richardson
Library" and mail to: Friends of the Library 900 Civil Center Drive Richardson,
TX 75080. Or, you may call them with credit card information or to ask questions
at (972) 744-4350.
November 7-9 (Friday Evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
"Perryville" Event near McAlester, Oklahoma Reenactment/Living History
Encampment More information will be in the next issue of "The Long Roll".
November 21-23 (Friday evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
Plantation Liendo Civil War Weekend to be held on the beautiful, historic
grounds surrounding the old civil war era Texas cotton plantation house. Near
Hempstead, Texas (southwest of Bryan/College Station). Reenactment/Living
History Encampment/Recruiting Event. More information in the next issue of
"The Long Roll".
January 10th, 2004 (Saturday)
Members of the UAV have been invited to a period "Grand Ball" (party)
by the host, the 9th Texas Infantry (CSA). The ball will be held at the YWCA
in downtown Fort Worth on Saturday, January 10th, 7:00 pm - Midnight. For
registered ball participants who are not familiar with the period dances,
dance instructions will be held at the Restoration Church in Euless from 10:00
am to 3:00 pm the same day. You must be at least 14 years old to attend this
formal ball. Victorian period ball gowns for ladies, period dress military
uniforms or period formal civilian attire for gentlemen. (This is a white
glove affair) The Frontier Brigade Brass Band will perform period arrangements
of popular civil war era music. The cost is $45 per person and the deadline
is November 15th. Make your payment checks payable to the "9th Texas"
and mail to Mrs. Cindy Stuart 2809 London Lane Flower Mound, TX 75028. Any
questions may be directed to Cindy by calling her: (972) 539-0141. If you
have never been to a period formal ball, this will be a highlight of your
reenacting career!
February 6-8, 2004 (Friday Evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
Livingston, Texas Event Reenactment/Living History Encampment/Recruiting Event
More information will be in upcoming issues of "The Long Roll"
March 19-21, 2004 (Friday Evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
The 2nd Annual Beaumont Ranch Reenactment, held on private land near Grandview,
Texas. More information will be in upcoming issues of "The Long Roll"
Promising to be bigger and better than last year!!!
April 2-4, 2004 (Friday Evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
Blanco County (Hill Country) Area TENTATIVE Reenactment/Living History Encampment/Recruiting
Event More information will be in upcoming issues of "The Long Roll"
April 23-25, 2004 (Friday Evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
Annual Mexia event to raise money for the state park. Small local event, low
key and fun. More information will be in upcoming issues of "The Long
Roll"
Spring, 2004
Pleasant Hill, Louisiana will have a reenactment at the battlefield state
park to help raise funds and awareness of the open pit mining operation that
is endangering this historic site. TENTATIVE More information will be in upcoming
issues of "The Long Roll"
May 21-23, 2004 (Friday Evening, Saturday, & Sunday)
Bellmead, Texas' biannual civil war reenactment weekend, just north of Waco,
Texas Reenactment/Living History Encampment/Recruiting Event More information
will be in upcoming issues of "The Long Roll" Since 1998, the largest
reenactment in Texas!!!