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Regimental Newsletter
| NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2001 ISSUE |
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STONE MOUNTAIN HISTORICAL REENACTORS, INC. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER- 2001 NEWS AND INFORMATION
FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: IN CAMP NEAR LILBURN TO ALL MEN AND WOMEN OF THE STONE MOUNTAIN HISTORICAL REENACTORS INC. GREETINGS!
We had a good turn out for Jonesboro and good weather as well.
Captain Oakes is putting forth an effort to improve the event for next
year. The officer elections were held and our own Ric Palmer will be our new
Lt. Col. of the Georgia Battalion. I feel that this is long overdue.
Ric is getting the recognition for all the effort that he has put in
for years. Congratulations! Our first event, sponsored by The Georgia Volunteer Battalion, was a
great success. The turn out was great considering the loss of our
sponsor on short notice. Everyone I talked to thought it was well done.
Fun was had by all. Gen. Jessee was very pleased. He told me that he
had heard only good comments. We held a short business meeting at the event and shared our ideas
about the direction in which we want our company to go. Be sure to
bring your ideas to our formal business meeting/Christmas party. How
fortunate we are to have such good quality people in the 42nd. Don't forget our next drill. It will be on the third weekend this
time. Hope to see you there. My daughter, Genny, is getting married on the 17th of November at
First Baptist Lilburn. The wedding will be at 2:00. You are all
invited. This has been a very stressful year for most of us. It's good friends
like you and this hobby that has helped me unload the excess stress.
Thank you all for being there. YOUR OBEDIENT SERVANT, CECIL HAGOOD
DUES DUES DUES!! All dues are due January 1, 2002. Please remember that the dues have increased to $25.00. Please send your check, made payable to: Stone Mountain Historical Reenactors, Inc. 2144 Starlite Way Snellville, GA 30078 42nd in Cyber Space!! Visit Our Website often!! Rick Fallaw has taken over the management of our website. For changes or additions, please contact him at rfallaw@mindspring.com
FROM THE CAPTAIN: Gentlemen & Ladies,
There have been several good messages submitted for the newsletter, so
to keep from being repetitious I will not attempt to rehash the Atlanta
Campaign. I had a wonderful time and I hope all that attended had a
good time too. Everyone that spoke to me at the event from our Battalion, the
Floridians, South Carolinians, Tenneseeans, all seemed to be enjoying
themselves and had no negative comments about the event and were full
of praise for our efforts at putting on the Atlanta Campaign. I have spoken with the bookkeepers and as of the time of this
newsletter, with only a few bills outstanding, it appears that we are
going to be well into the black for this event. The Park was pleased with the public attendance at the event; in fact,
they were so enthusiastic that they have encouraged us to set a date
for a 2002 event. Planning for the 2002 event is already underway and
the dates are set for November 1, 2 & 3 2002. The response from the Horse Park has been so positive that they have
also encouraged the coordinators to start planning the 140th
Anniversary Battles of Atlanta, which will probably take place in
September 2004. I certainly hope the enthusiasm for this long-range
project will stay high within our company and the battalion to see the
event come to pass. As further information is received for the 2002 Atlanta Campaign you
will be informed and the coordinators will be asking for your help and
assistance in the hard work that is ahead. In closing remember that the November drill was moved to the 3rd
Sunday of the month, November 18, so as not to interfere with the
Thanksgiving holiday. The Christmas Party/Business meeting will be held on Sunday, December
2, at 1:00 p.m. at the DeKalb FOP Lodge on Ridge Avenue in Stone
Mountain. For directions, please call me or Debi (770) 985-4684. If
while enroute to the lodge you need directions, the number to the lodge
is (770) 879-0557.
I remain your obedient
servant, Capt. Ric Palmer FROM THE CORPORAL: Gentlemen & Ladies, The December business meeting is fast approaching. At the business meeting, we usually decide most of the events we will be attending the next year. All year long I have been hearing that we need to attend different events; so this is your notice to begin your research for other events. Please bring your suggestions for new events to the business meeting, complete with as much information as you can gather. For those of you that have access to the Internet, there is a wealth of information available. For example, in doing some preliminary research, I found the 140th reenactment of the Battle of Shiloh, which will be held on April 5-7, 2002 (www.shiloh140th.com for those interested, Rambo in charge). Also, I think we should attend the Secessionville event in South Carolina, to support the 11th South Carolina who have been supporting us regularly. You have your opportunity to make a difference. Let's get busy and find some new events! Cpl. Rick Fallaw
Atlanta Campaign - After Action Report
What an event! If you didn't make it to this event, you definitely
missed one of the best! In spite of all of the problems caused by
Primedia pulling out of the event, the lack of proper advertising, and
the short timeframe in which the new event organizers had to put it
together, it came off very smoothly. The battle area was perfect: the
rolling hills, cleared meadows, and layout were superb. The weather was
very cooperative also. It was hotter on Saturday afternoon than at any
other time during the event, but it was tolerable. The camps, sutler
area, port-o-johns, etc. were all in close proximity to the soldiers.
We had great parking, shuttles, and easy access to the event. We had a
great turnout in sutlers. I know that, as of Saturday morning, there
were over 1000 Confederates there (not sure on the Union numbers). On Friday, the day began with a cloud cover and some mist. We got the
day started being "movie stars!" The film crews for the upcoming movie
Sweet Home Alabama worked with us and were very professional. They were
very appreciative of our efforts, knowledge, and participation. Patrick
Dempsey, the male lead star, was very personable, and spent some time
talking with several of us. He was very approachable (not like a lot of
the Hollywood types). For a lot of us, the words "Daddy," "5th
Regiment," and "Earl Smoten" will hold special significance.
Unfortunately, some of our unit didn't get to participate because of
provost duty (GROAN!!!). As the film crews were leaving, most of them,
including the director, said thanks and appreciated our efforts...that
was a nice touch. They got a lot for their contribution to our event,
and their contribution was also greatly appreciated. We had a small
battle for the children that were there also. Saturday morning brought another day in this wonderful place. The day
started with colors, and most of us went sutlering until it was time
for the battle. We formed up and marched to battle. The battle scene
was great, closely replicating the original battle. We were near the
top of the hill, with artillery support above us. The boys in blue
tried coming up the hill, but were handsomely repelled, taking heavy
casualties. Our biggest issue was running out of ammo and targets.
After the battle, it was more sutlering, fellowship, and a great
supper. Sunday morning came early as the yanks came visiting. They were
repelled by our troops and also by the efforts of Lt. Col. Poythress by
getting an artillery piece into the thick of it. Because of the
efforts, our battalion drill was kept to right shoulder shift arms,
shoulder arms, and order arms - my kind of drill! Also, at colors, our
own Captain Ric Palmer was elevated to the esteemed position of
Lieutenant Colonel of the battalion. Congratulations, Ric, on a well-deserved position you have earned! We
also celebrated his birthday...let's see, was that 58/59 or 68/69? You
were looking old on Sunday morning! Also, Colonel McCannon was
presented with his very own horse, Fifi. Personally speaking, I think
it should have been called Barney because of the purple color. Sunday afternoon, we formed up for the Battle of Peachtree Creek. The
battle scene was excellent. The artillery started things off for us and
the Florida boys mixed it up with the yanks as they approached. We then
all started across the field, driving the yanks back. Captain Palmer
took command of the right wing after Lt. Col. Poythress was disabled
and we charged valiantly after the yanks. We took heavy casualties and
were forced to retreat. Today wasn't our day. After this, we packed it
all up and headed for home.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Earl Zeckman, Walter
McCannon, and Don Warlick for making this event happen and for all of
their hard work. When Primedia dropped out, they could have let the
event fold up - but they didn't...and it turned into one of the best
events, from both a soldier's perspective and from a spectator's. I
heard many, many positive comments all weekend long. Not everything was
perfect, and in no event will it be; but the event really flowed
smoothly. The City of Conyers wants us back next year. This is OUR
event, and it will be bigger and even better next year. Please thank these people for their hard work and let them know that
you appreciate their efforts. So many times, people just hear the
complaints, but we need to let them hear the compliments. Also, thanks
to the gentlemen from our unit that went to the Horse Park and worked
on the Saturday work day. The place looked great, especially around the
mill. Thanks to Fred and the ladies who cooked and served us breakfast
and dinner - that's my kind of eating! Thanks to Frank Pinto from the
11th SC for not only falling in with us once again, but also for the
delicious sausage he provided us on Saturday. It was great to see Allan
and know that he's doing well. Also, thanks to the members of the 42nd
who pulled provost duty (groan); it's one of those necessary duties. If
I have omitted anyone or anything, please accept my apologies - it was
a busy weekend. Your efforts were appreciated. I don't know about you,
but I'm really looking forward to this next year. With proper
advertising and such, this could be one of the best events ever! Your obedient
servant, Cpl. Rick Fallaw 2001
Campaign Schedule (Remaining) November 18 Drill,
Stone Mountain Park December 2 Business
Meeting/Christmas Party Confederate's Remains Going Hometo Laurens, SC (Copied) - Submitted By
Pvt. Scott Kuehl
October 21, 2001 Confederate's remains going home 138 years later CULPEPER, Va. (AP) After 138 years, Confederate Capt. William Downs Farley's dying wish is being granted.The remains of the South Carolina captain, killed in the Battle of Brandy Station and buried in a Culpeper family's plot, are going home. A nine-member team of anthropologists from the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Natural History recently removed Farley's remains from Culpeper's Fairview Cemetery. Soon, one of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's most admired scouts will rest beside other family members in his hometown of Laurens, S.C. A funeral with full military honors will be held there after Doug Owsley, head of the Smithsonian's physical anthropology division, photographs and catalogs remains and artifacts taken from the grave. Farley's reburial will end a 17-year effort by Culpeper lawyer and Civil War historian Ed Gentry to honor the fallen Confederate. "I think this is something that ought to be done," Gentry said. "His wish to be taken home was the last wish of all 600,000 men who died in the Civil War." The night before the Battle of Brandy Station in June 1863, Farley handed his new blue overcoat to a Culpeper woman and said, "If anything befalls me, wrap me in this and send me to my mother." He died on June 9, 1863, four hours after a Union cannonball hurled from Hansborough's Ridge about a mile away passed through his horse and severed his right leg at the knee. Farley, 28, was astride his mount, conferring with Gen. Matthew Calbraith Butler. While others were helping Butler, whose foot was blown off by the same cannonball, Farley asked Lt. John T. Rhett to bring him his severed leg. "He took it," Rhett would later write, and pressed it to his bosom as one would a child and said, smiling, "It is an old friend, gentlemen, and do not wish to part from it." The excavation confirmed that part of the Farley legend. A shadow of black dirt in the red clay showed the captain lying with his left leg intact but his right one cut off at the knee. The imprint of his severed limb was clearly visible, resting close beside the left leg. But the excavation dispelled another part of the Farley legend: no brass buttons from Farley's blue overcoat were found. The Confederate high command presented the coat to Stuart's scout before reviewing the troops at Brandy Station, in anticipation of Gen. Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North. Had Farley been buried in that coat as he had requested, those buttons would almost certainly have survived, Owsley said. Three glass underwear buttons were found in the grave along with more than four dozen cut nails from Farley's coffin. The nails varied in type, suggesting the coffin had been constructed of recycled parts during trying times. All that remained of Farley were cranial bones, teeth and black dirt. Owsley, an anthropologist involved in excavating Colonial settlers' graves in the Starving Time Cemetery at Jamestown, applauded Gentry's efforts to remove Farley's remains with care. "If they are going to dig him up, we want to learn something about him," Owsley said. The anthropologist said the remains and artifacts would be studied in his Washington laboratory, and a report would be issued in about two months. At that time, Farley will be moved with an escort of Confederate re-enactors back to Laurens, SC. Although Farley's remains are now gone, his marble headstone, considered a part of Culpeper history, will remain in place. Culpeper author Virginia Morton is heading a drive to raise funds to place a flat marker atop the spot from which the Confederate's body was removed. A similar marker will be placed in Laurens, S.C. Mosheim, Tennessee
October 22, 2001
Myers: Largest Reenactment Crowd Yet By: BILL JONES/Staff Writer,
The Greeneville Sun MOSHEIM ? The largest crowds in the 10-year history of the Battle of Blue Springs Reenactment converged on the John I. Myers farm here Saturday and Sunday to see Civil War history recreated, event organizers said. Mayor Billy Myers said estimates are that attendance for the two-day event surpassed 15,000 people. Last year, an estimated 11,000 people attended, he noted. "It (the event) was the biggest it has ever been," Myers said. "There were more reenactors (about 1,500) and a lot more spectators than we've ever seen before." "Absolutely perfect" weather probably helped attendance, the mayor added, noting that the crowds came even though the annual event was not promoted heavily this year as it had been in previous years. Despite the lack of publicity, Myers said, he spoke to people during the event who were visiting from as far away as California and New York. Myers said the crowd estimate of 15,000 did not include the estimated 1,200 elementary school students from throughout Northeast Tennessee who took part in an "education day" event on Friday. The students, mostly fourth-graders, witnessed some of the more educational aspects of reenactment, according to Myers. The children also saw a blacksmith demonstration and a "traveling forge" that would have been used to work on cannons and other military hardware. Demonstrations of Civil War-era medical care also were presented, and in the afternoon, school children saw Steve Gibson's "Great Civil War Exposition and Living History Show," an entertaining presentation that helps adults and children put the Civil War into context. Fletcher said Friday's events were presented at no cost to school systems, through the generosity of the Landair and Forward Air corporations through the Niswonger Foundation. Gibson performed his show on Saturday afternoon for the reenactors in a field near Brown Springs Baptist Church and at 7:30 p.m. for the public at the Mosheim Elementary School Activity Center. At 6 p.m. Saturday, a wedding in which the participants wore period dress was held at Brown Springs Baptist Church. The ceremony united in marriage Sheena Fay Brown and Earl Mysinger Jr., both employees of the Greene County Sheriff's Department. Mysinger, a deputy sheriff, was clad during the ceremony in a Confederate officer's uniform, while his father, Earl Mysinger Sr., wore a Union officer's uniform. Brown's attendants wore period dresses sewn for the occasion by Lynnis Fender, a sheriff's department records clerk. Mysinger's groomsmen wore either Confederate or Union uniforms. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, a dress ball for reenactors was held under the play shelter at Mosheim Elementary School, with the public invited. 2,500 for Dinner On Sunday: The public was invited to morning worship services and an Old Fashioned Dinner on the Grounds at Brown Springs Baptist Church, which is located adjacent to the battle site. Mayor Myers said 2,500 people were fed outside the church on Sunday morning. "We know because we had that many plates set out, and they were all gone after dinner," he said. "That's the most they've ever fed." Many church members and all of the reenactors and camp followers were in period costume. The church choir was joined by the Regimental String Band from California and Florida. The Rev. Richard Long, the church's pastor, said that approximately 850 people attended Sunday morning worship services. Services were held at 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. Dinner followed the last service, with reenactors and families plus those who attended the worship services invited, according to Myers. Battles Raged Both Days: Saturday's battle was won by the Confederates (by prearrangement). It ended with medical personnel and "captured" Union soldiers picking up the wounded from the field. Sunday's battle was said to be more historically accurate, with the Union troops winning (as was the case in the actual battle), organizers said. Sunday's battle was followed by a procession with reenactors passing in review to the cheers of the crowd. On both days, the battle reenactments were enhanced by electronically detonated pyrotechnics that simulated exploding cannon shells, including a direct hit on a Union cannon. As crowds of spectators cheered on both days, reenactors clad in blue and gray charged and counter-charged each other as cannons boomed and smoke from a host of black-powder weapons filled the air. Throughout the battles on both days, up to 175 horses and riders clashed in saber-swinging cavalry skirmishes that looked authentic. At one point during Saturday's fight, a Confederate cavalryman was unseated from his horse during a clash with Union cavalry. The battle stopped briefly while the slightly injured rider was helped to an aid station. Mayor Myers said later that the reenactor had suffered only minor injures. Before the battle reenactments on both days, spectators were free to tour the camps of the opposing armies and visit with reenactors. Among those they found there was Dr. Jeffery S. Anderson, an emergency physician from Atlantic Beach, N.C., who reenacts the role of a Civil War surgeon. Dr. Anderson had set up a typical Civil War "field hospital" and had on display 19th century medical instruments. He explained that the "germ theory" had not been advanced at the time of the Civil War and that hospital conditions were terribly unsanitary by today's standards. "If you survived surgery, you had a 75 percent chance of living," he noted. The doctor pointed out to the visitors that disease actually took a much larger toll of Civil War soldiers than did combat, noting that "childhood diseases" such as whooping cough and measles killed scores.
Other contagious diseases, such as typhoid fever, yellow fever and smallpox, also were rampant in both armies, he noted. "Our ancestors were incredibly strong people," he said. "It (the Civil War era) was a barbaric time to live." Gen. Lee Makes Appearance: Also on hand in the Confederate camp was Al Stone, a native of Hinton, W.Va., who portrays Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Stone, who bears a great resemblance to Lee, as the general would have looked in his fifties, said he has portrayed the Confederate military leader in personal appearances as far away as Nebraska. He is scheduled to appear in a film called "The Trial of Robert E. Lee," which is scheduled to be shot next March at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. "It's a humbling experience to portray a man like General Lee," he said. The annual reenactment is hosted by two reenactor units: the 79th New York Highlanders (U.S.) and the 19th Tennessee Infantry (Confederate). They were joined by units from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, including the crowd-pleasing 2nd Virginia Horse Drawn Artillery from the Roanoke area, organizers said. Original Battle: 1863 The reenactment troops were on hand to recreate aspects of the actual battle, which was fought in and around Mosheim, then called Blue Springs, on Oct. 10, 1863. The town was named originally for the large spring that still flows next to Town Hall, said Earl Fletcher, an executive director of the reenactment event. The actual battle was fought for control of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, which had rail yards in nearby Bulls Gap. Federal troops were also attempting to liberate East Tennessee, a pro-Union area then occupied by Confederate forces, Fletcher said. Confederate troops under Gen. John S. Williams were outnumbered five to one by Union forces under Gen. Ambrose Burnside, but managed to hold off the federal assault until nightfall. The battle involved about 12,000 troops and was one of the largest engagements in Tennessee east of Knoxville during the war. Local Industries Sponsored: The reenactment is sponsored by DTR of Tennessee Inc. and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, both located near Mosheim. There was a $5 admission fee, with children under 12 admitted free. The event's executive directors, in addition to Fletcher, a Mosheim alderman, local historian and reenactor, are Mayor Myers; property owner John I. Myers, who also is chairman of the Mosheim Planning Commission; and Helen Horner, retired tourism director with the Greene County Partnership. Horner was instrumental in launching the event several years ago and has remained involved personally ever since, although the Partnership is no longer directly involved, Fletcher said. Copyright 2001 The Greeneville Sun
Dr. Arnold M. Huskins
Sam Davis #596
Biloxi, Mississippi HUNLEY PROJECT UPDATE - HUNLEY WAS AHEAD OF IT'S TIME
October 12, 2001
The excavation on the submarine resumed October 1st, with a series of x-rays. So far the x-rays have indicated that a total number of three canteens are located underneath the bench inside the H. L. Hunley. As archaeologists were excavating in the stern area of the sub this week, they were surprised as they uncovered a fly-wheel. The mechanism is located behind the gears of the hand-crank and connected to the propeller. Archaeologists say that the fly-wheel was designed to act as a brake for the propeller. "Again, this shows us that the Hunley was way ahead of her time when it came to design and engineering," said Dr. Robert Neyland, Hunley project director. "This complex system graphically demonstrates the advanced technology of Hunley and dispels any notion that this was a primitive submarine fashioned from a boiler. It further builds the case for the final Hunley exhibit to concentrate part of its focus on the sciences and technologies employed in designing and building a craft 50 years ahead of its time. Hunley is truly a complex story of American bravery and technology, said Senator Glenn McConnell, Hunley Commission Chairman. "We have already begun to discover more surprises about the technology and advanced systems onboard the submarine. The Hunley by no means is a primitive machine or merely a converted boiler. I highly encourage everyone to come and see for themselves, this remarkable achievement. We have extended the tour schedule throughout the end of the year to provide everyone with the opportunity," said Warren Lasch, Chairman, Friends of the Hunley. It has been almost one year since the Hunley has been open for the public to see. Since October 14, 2000, the Warren Lasch Conservation Center has welcomed over 69,000 visitors. People from all over the world have come to see the H. L. Hunley and all of her mystery. Tours to see the Hunley are available through the end of the year, weekends only in October, and Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays in November and December. Press Release;
For more information, please call: Kellen Butler, Friends of the Hunley, (843) 722-2333 CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!!!
Sunday, December 2, 2001, 1:00 pm
DeKalb FOP Lodge, Ridge Avenue, Stone Mountain, GA
The unit is again furnishing Sonny's Bar-B-Que. This meal will include pork, chicken, cole slaw, beans, bread, tea and lemonade. Every family needs to provide a dessert and if you prefer a different beverage, please feel free to bring it. There will be a gift exchange for those who want to participate. Ladies bring a gift for a Lady; Men bring a gift for a Man. Numbers will be given at the door. Since the food is going to be served first this year, it is suggested that maybe families would like to bring two vehicles, so that husbands can stay for the business meeting after the Christmas party.
NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE LADIES
Ladies, What a wonderful Lady's program we had at the Atlanta Campaign. Let's
thank Cathy Beckmann, Susan Jones and Betty Brunson for their idea and
planning of the program. The Ladies of the other units seemed to
thoroughly enjoy participating in this activity. The Ladies of the
30th Georgia also pitched in with refreshments and trays. The Ladies of
the Georgia Volunteer Battalion can really pull together when needed.
Thank you to all of you. Fred Watts also says "thanks" for helping with the preparation of the
meals during the weekend. Ladies when we put our minds together we can really come up with some
awesome ideas. Terri Zeckman and I have been talking about the Spring
Campaign already. We have discussed asking Stone Mountain Park to
provide an activity tent, similar but not quite as large, as the tent
that we had at the Atlanta Campaign and planning some type of
presentations all during the day of the Spring Campaign. Please get
your thinking caps on and let's see what we can do. As always, Debi Palmer Stone
Mountain Historical Reenactors, Inc. UPDATED - Monday, November 12, 2001
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