New Event Roster......I'm starting to work on the new 2002-2003 season event roster.  If you know about any events in the new season (it starts Sept. 2002 and runs to May 2003), please let me know about them now.  The new event roster will be posted in late July.  If you want your event listed and seen by 1,000 reenactors each month, get your event's information to me.  Don't wait until the last minute.  Send me the details, dates, contact people and driving directions from the Orlando area.  Send your event info. NOW.  mayorbob@embarqmail.com   If you choose to use the event roster that I write for your own personal web site, please mention that it came from this News Magazine.  If you have not linked to this magazine, please list us in the links section of your web site.

Ruth Ott Participates in Ground Zero Recovery Efforts.......Mrs. Ruth Ott, who is one of our matrons with Hardys Brigade Medical Section, recently returned from volunteering to help the rescue workers at Ground Zero in New York. Ruth is a Red Cross volunteer and assisted the rescue workers by driving a truck with equipment and supplies for the terrorist attack site.  In addition to delivering what was needed by the workers, Ruth also made daily trips from a Red Cross warehouse in New Jersey to Manhattan.  She worked very hard helping to load the trucks for the next day.  I think Ruth deserves a huge amount of respect and gratitude for doing her part to help our nation during this difficult time.  Ruth Ott is not only a living historian but "One of our Own" and a true Ground Zero Hero.  May God Bless and keep her.  (This information was sent in by ... Sgt Tim Hollamby, Hardys Brigade Medical Section).

New Reenactor.....Christian Ambrose Everhart was born into the 37th Alabama Co. H. Hardys Brigade on 3-26-02 at 3:19 pm.  His commanding officer Daddy Mike Everhart and his adjutant Mommy Carol Everhart will try to make a future infantryman out of the 5lbs. 13oz. 20" long baby boy.  Congratulations to the Everharts and their expanding family.

Lost At Narcoossee......A cavalry slouch hat and cavalry shell jacket was lost at the Narcoossee event by one of the 10th Tenn. troopers.  It may be somewhere near the southeast side of the battlefield.  Contact Bettylmt@aol.com if you have information.  Thanks.

The St. Augustine Blues.....Bob Meeks wrote to tell me about some promotions in the 3rd Florida Co. B.  Bob was promoted to Quartermaster Sgt. and Pvt. Ken Murphy was promoted to Corporal.  Their web page is located at http://www.staugustineblues.com.   He also told me about a company flag that Sgt. Charles Smith's wife Marty made for the company.  The flag is pictured below.

The New Ames Brigade......Jeff H. Grzelak writes......

Gentlemen;
The140th Gettysburg is just 15 months away, as I have mentioned before over the past 5 years, wouldn't it be great to get all of the Yanks in the S.E. including our many friends who galvanize together for this historic event.
I have submitted the idea of Ames Brigade since many of the original units from this Brigade are here in Florida.  So far the idea has been well received by several units in Connecticut & Ohio.
If we could get all of the Federals from Olustee to Gettysburg I think we can show the rest of the country that we are  serious about reenacting in the S.E.
With that in mind I would like to have an informal meeting to set the parameters of want we would like to do, and what kind of structure we would want.  Then send this out to interested  units and get some feedback, take their  suggestions and send it out again.  Then at Resaca meet again.
The 17th Connecticut extends an invitation to everyone to attend this meeting Saturday April 20 at Fort Marion (Castillo de San Marcus) in downtown St. Augustine.  The time would be around 5:30PM (immediately after the fort  closes).
An update on the event  itself will be forthcoming, as we do have room for about 30 men to sleep inside the fort, with additional room over at the Spanish Quarter.
If you have any further questions, please let me know.   It is not my intention to command Ames Brigade unless the officers are behind me.  I am well aware of my shortcomings and baggage, and having lead at Resaca & Olustee, Brooksville, etc.,. perhaps a neutral officer can be agreed  upon.   Gentlemen, this is a unique opportunity for all of  us  to pull together.
Thank-you for your time and please consider this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeff  H.  Grzelak

On This Date (April 9) 141 Years Ago....The Following history was sent to me by George Moor:

Washington, City
April 9,1861
General Beauregard, Charleston:
The messenger speaks doubtless by authority.  He gives the promised notice to South Carolina's Governor Pickens.  Diplomacy has failed.  The sword must now preserve our independence.  Our gallant countrymen will do their duty.
Martin J. Crawford.

Charleston.
April 11, 1861.
Major Anderson replies: "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication demanding the evacuation of this fort, and to say in reply thereto that it is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor and of my obligations to my Government prevent my compliance."  He says verbally: "I will await the first shot, and if you do not batter us to pieces we will be starved out in a few days."  Answer.
G.T. Beauregard.

Charleston, S.C.
April 11, 1861.
Roman, Crawford and Forsyth
Commissioners Confederate States, Washington
Evacuation of Fort Sumter will be demanded today.  If refused, hostilities will commence tonight.  Answer.
G.T. Beauregard

Charleston, S.C.
April 11, 1861.
Hon. L.P. Walker
Ought not demand of Sumter be made also by Commissioners at Washington for its evacuation?
G.T. Beauregard

Montgomery Ala.
April 11, 1861
No.  Yours is the only demand to be made.
L.P. Walker

Last year the Bugle Call published an article explaining why they were no longer selling Indian Made Enfield Muskets. The article showed photographs of various muskets, some had become unusable through weakening of the woodwork, others the barrels had bent and at least one the woodwork had shattered injuring the person firing it. They were seeing many dangerous examples on a day to day basis. Last year, but for some common sense on the part of an reenactor, it very nearly occurred again.  Our thanks to the Bugle Call for bringing this to our attention and to Collin King for sending me the information below.

Shown here is an Indian Made .58 Caliber Enfield smoothbore musket. As you can see, it has blown up. It was loaded with a single blank charge by a shooter with over 30 years experience of black powder weapons, he is the safety officer of his own small re-enactment group.

The incident occurred at a small public show in the summer of 2001, it failed to fire in the scenario they were doing & after the event it was taken to the rear away from the public & the bulk of the other re-enactors. In an effort to discharge it, it was decided to fire it upwards into the air; it was very fortunate that they did this because the firer's hands were kept away from where the barrel exploded. As it was, a piece of shrapnel embedded itself into a by standing re-enactors jaw, rendering him unconscious & breaking his jawbone. The shrapnel was removed by surgery that evening at their local hospital.

Can you imagine the effect on the hobby if that gun had blown up in a line of Infantry or in the final fire-off in front of the public? I think it is safe to say that it would have been the opportunity that the Police & the Health & Safety Executive have been looking for to stop us using live weapons. This is what we call a hobby-threatening incident. We have examined this musket; it is the same as hundreds of other Indian Enfield's in SoSkAn, The American Civil War Society & the Western Scene. It was from a batch imported approximately 5 years ago, it was sold to the owner by a Registered Firearms Dealer in March last year, the dealer not having had one of these Indians before decided to have it re-proofed before letting his customer take delivery of it, 3 months later it was the wreck that you see here. The fact that they have passed proofing is no guarantee with these muskets, they were never designed to be fired they were made to be hung on a wall. Why are we still using them?

Will it take a really serious incident to make re-enactors realize that they are risking their lives? If so, it could be too late for the hobby.

It was still dark as the early morning sun began to glow over the fields at Olustee. As I walked to the Confederate Camp for my meeting with our Chief Surgeon Doc Riker, I began to feel that this scene could easily be in 1864. There was a cold chill in the air as the camp slowly came to life. Men in gray and butternut were trying to get the fires started and breakfast on. The picture was one that always fascinates reenactors, truly a time machine.

As I watched the events unfold in front of me, I was rudely awakened. A car rumbled down the road kicking up profuse quantities of dust. As the car progressed I could hear a steady line of coughing follow it by the camp. No this is not 1864, but 2002. This little world of ours is just make believe.

As I continued through the camp, the fact that this is really 2002 came home. People were coming out of their tents and I could get a quick glimpse inside. There were Coleman Lanterns, gas stoves and gas heaters in many a tent. Others who were more period, had candles and oil lanterns glowing. As a physician and the Medical Director of Hardy’s Brigade, I was upset over the lack of any safety equipment or fire fighting supplies, particularly after the fires at Brooksville.

When I met Doc Riker, we were immediately put to work. Those of us in the Medical Corps not only provide the make believe doctors, nurses and bandages to make our shows more realistic, but volunteer our services to provide first aid when our friends are hurt. Our people are all EMT’S, nurses, therapists and concerned friends. As the only physician in the corps, I also provide medical back up. These people work hard to see you have ample water and help with safety support. Unfortunately they get a lot of complaints and like in the real Confederate Army, seldom gets recognition for their efforts.

This morning started off instantly with a potentially serious problem. It was brought to our attention that one of our soldiers had an intractable asthma attack. Dave and I went to the tent to examine our sick patient. His illness was too severe so he was sent off to the hospital. I again noted that a stove was on and lanterns were burning to keep the tent warm and cook food. Open flames were present in a flammable situation. Tents burn well. I also saw no fire fighting equipment.

As we left the tent, my mind went back to the fires at Brooksville. As I looked around the camp, I saw no fire fighting supplies. I was also reminded that not only are our tents very flammable but many of us have large quantities of explosive gunpowder in camp. The picture is further complicated by the fact that these open fire in tents produce toxic gases like carbon monoxide.

During the Civil War, many tents and cabins went up in flame form heating and cook fires. I could not even guess how many soldiers died from carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.

This is not 1864 but 2002 and we know better then they did. Open fires inside tents are risky at best. Fire is always an ever-present danger. Carbon monoxide is even sneakier as you cannot see it smell it, or taste it. Safety is important. Injuries and deaths are a risk to keeping our hobby going.

It is not Farbee to be safe. If you are going to have open flames in a tent, then get your tents made out of flame retardant material. Make sure that the tents are also well ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If it is cold, an extra blanket is by far safer. At hardware stores you can purchase cheap carbon monoxide detectors.

Fire extinguisher needs to be readily available. They can be hidden under burlap. Buckets of water can be hung around camp. Many of us in the artillery keep fire-fighting equipment in old wood barrels. With a little thought, we can make our camps safe and still look like 1864.

With a little common sense and ingenuity, we can remain as safe as possible and keep our hobby healthy. Farbee does not count when it comes to basic safety. Besides, those of us in the Medical Corps will not turn down a friend in need; but we wouldn’t mind working less.

At the Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Olustee on February 15-17, 2002, we had 2500 school kids on Friday, 2310 Reenactors registered, 1149 people camping and total attendance for the three day event was 28,069.
- Valinda Subic, Manager Stephen Foster Cultural Center and Olustee Battlefield State Historic site, Florida Park Service

Southeast Federals at Olustee

April 6th was Civil War Day and Clean Up - a national event organized in conjunction with the Civil War Preservation Trust.  Olustee Battlefield State Historic Site Citizen Support Organization (CSO) members and Brownie Troop #760, out of Baldwin FL, adopted park improvement projects for the day. This included repainting the park flag poles and cleaning the interpretive trail and trail signs. Living history reenactors from the Southeast Federals provided interpretation to volunteers about civilian and military life during the Civil War. Refreshments for the volunteers were provided by local businesses and the Olustee Battlefield CSO and the Civil War Preservation Trust provided free t-shirts for volunteers. Park Day was organized to help local communities preserve and maintain the nation's Civil War Battlefields.

During the event the Southeast Federals donated $200 to the Olustee CSO.  The funds were presented by Ken Giddens to John Thrush, CSO president.  The Southeast Federals consists of the 48th New York, commanded by Ken Giddens;  the 7th Connecticut, commanded by Jose Suarez; the Salt River Rifles, commanded by Jim Butler; and the 21st Ohio, commanded by Dick Ramsen. The money was left over from a fee collected for rations for a march the Southeast Federals held at the annual reenactment. The Olustee CSO wishes to give "these heros three times three" for this gracious donation. The money will be used to help in the park's preservation and improvements.

--
Thomas R. Fasulo
extension entomologist
University of Florida
http://pests.ifas.ufl.edu/

Lt. Col. Dave Riker attended a living history program.  He wrote.....It was my honor this past weekend to have been invited to join Company K of the 7th Florida and members of the 97th Pennsylvania and other Union elements at Hillsborough Community College in Plant City. Dr. Mary Beth Matthews, Language Arts professor and Paul Bishop, History professor, had been teaching a cross curriculum course. They had the unique idea of having their college students study the War from a first person point of view through living it for a day and then creating a newspaper for 1863. The location was a wonderfully shaded area that was suited for the size (small) of the event. Saturday was a closed event just for the college students but Sunday was open to the public. Saturday also included lectures from various authorities. I must admit, our reenactors were indeed the best of the speakers, but I am probably a little prejudice.  The concept of using this type of event to recruit young minds interested in learning the truth to be new recruits paid dividends in that it looks like Company K may have picked up at least two new rifles. I have done many living history events and school days but this one really impressed me with the college bending over backwards to help. Thank you Mary Beth and all of the staff at H. C. C.  for making us feel so welcome. To Roger, Skip and all of the 7th K, thank you for the hospitality and friendship.

Comment from college staff:

From:     Owens, Sandra
Sent:    Monday, March 25, 2002 10:43 AM
To:    Brandon Staff; College Administrators; Dale Mabry Staff; Dale Mabry Faculty; Brandon Faculty; DAO Staff; Dale Mabry Staff; Dale Mabry Faculty; MacDill Staff; Plant City Faculty; Plant City Staff; Ybor Faculty; Ybor Staff
Subject:    Civil War Reenactment
If you missed the Civil War Reenactment that was held at the Plant City Campus on Saturday, March 23rd you missed one of the best events ever offered at HCC.  It was very realistic with the uniforms, armaments, tents, cannons, brigade surgeon, cooking in open pits, the cavalry and all the ladies dressed in period clothes.  I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate all of the effort put forth by Dr. MaryBeth Matthews, Kimberly Ruble-Nolting, Paul Bishop and everyone else involved in accomplishing this event.  Thank you so much.
Sandra Owens
Sr. Staff Assistant
Campus Services
Plant City

D. Riker
Brigade Surgeon
Hardy's Brigade

First Place Reenactors........The 5th Independent Partisan Rangers of Hardys Brigade along with the 3rd Fl. Infantry Co. A. and the 1st Clay County Artillery took first place in the St Augustine Easter Parade.  This was the first time in the parade's history that a Civil War reenactment group has been awarded this honor.  Roger Schlivert wrote to tell us about it.  His report and photos follow........

April 1st, 2002 shined bright on the re-enactors who participated in the 48th annual Easter Parade in St. Augustine Florida.
This is the 5th consecutive Easter Parade that the group had been in. Every year this group has placed in the top 2 in the historical category, with this year being no exception.

We placed 1st again in the Historical category and took the GRAND PRIZE trophy for the best float or unit overall.

There were over 30,000 spectators,  including many out of state visitors, observing the parade, with a route of over 4 miles. The warm response we were given by the spectators made the whole event worthwhile. When the reviewing stand announced that we were the most popular unit in the parade for the past five years, we all felt proud.

There is getting fewer and fewer places which allow you to honor your heritage in public and be appreciated for it. Other cities should use St. Augustine as an example.

The SCV camp from Melbourne Florida provided the idea and coordination for the Veterans Color Guard. This guard consisted of soldiers from the Colonial period through World War II. Due to the patriotism apparent from the crowd, this unit was extremely popular.

The Infantry Unit was coordinated by the 3rd Florida Co. A under the leadership of Captain Pat Adkins. This group was intermixed with both Confederate and Union soldiers. The precision firing of the soldiers was a crowd pleaser.

The Cavalry was the Florida 5th Independent Cavalry unit (Parisian Rangers) headed up by Captain Leon Tillman. Capt. Tillman’s wife graced their presence by riding with them side saddle. All their preparations were apparent and the horses loved marching to the beat of the drums. Major Roger Schlievert, Surgeon rode with the Cavalry unit.

The 1st Clay County Confederate Artillery unit commanded by Capt. Robert Farrar followed showing their 10 pound Parrott rifle. Next year Bob is trying to have this piece horse drawn. If that happened, we would lock in the award again.

Last but not least the ladies in period clothing followed and were well received by the crowd. I think they enjoyed it just as much as we did.

The warm response the community and spectators gave us could not be expressed in words. I have never felt so much pride as we all experienced that day. We had over 80 soldiers and ladies involved and everyone enjoyed it. It gets bigger each year. If you have never experienced an event such as this, you need to participate next year. We always look for more people each year.

What a weekend.......The Flat Lake event was the biggest ever with 290 total reenactors (including civilian reenactors) showing up.  The first arrivals started coming in early Thursday afternoon and the last person left late Monday night.  It was a full weekend of battles, friendship, entertainment, food and fun.  There were no spectators allowed so everything was focused around and geared toward the reenactors only.  The excitement was awesome and something was always happening from 6am to 10pm.  The weather was perfect with day time temperatures in the upper 70's and nights in the cool upper 50's.

The sealed orders were delivered to the Confederate commander, Maj. Mercer, at about 10:30am and to the Union commander Maj. Vaughn just minutes afterwards.  The commanders had only 15 min. to decide what had to be done, how to do it, what to do when the enemy attacked and to plan their moves.

The battle started and within seconds infantrymen searched for the river fords and bridge while artillery pieces moved into place.  The Union and Confederate cavalry attacked targets of opportunity and reported the enemy's location to the officers.  The Confederate army marched north along the trail as the Union army moved to attack them.  Terrell Production and Yaletown Entertainment ran around the battlefield and into the woods filming different scenes here and there.  The main battle lasted about 40 min. then all was quiet - ?  The quiet time lasted only about 20 min. at most and then other fights started in almost every section of the battlefield and woods.

David and Sally Waters from England started taking their still shots for the magazines and other publications. I can't wait to see them.  When I get copies of the photos, I will share them with everyone.

As all this was going on, the ladies assembled in the big tent for the traditional mid-morning tea.  There were about 30 women present and all seemed to have a good time.  Each lady present got some great food and received a gift to show our appreciation for their attendance.

The action moved up the hill to the Brigade Surgeons tent where a medical demonstration was scheduled to take place.  The demonstration put on by Lt. Col. Riker at 2pm was a great success and the film crews loved it.  There were plenty of "wounded" to make it interesting but not so many as to crowd out the photographers.

The next big event was the wedding of my daughter Rebecca and Maj. Kohl, which started at about 5:15 pm.  Everyone filed into the large tent in their finest clothes.  I could see right away that this was to be a grand wedding.  The honor guard made up of both infantry and cavalry took up a little over 60 feet of the 90 foot aisle.  The fighting stopped, the tent was packed and everyone was ready.  Try as I might to get things rolling on time, the last minute details made the wedding run about 15 min. late.  Once we got started, everything went very well.  The saber and musket arch looked great, the artillery salute was right on que and the service was flawless.  Thanks to all who helped with it.

After the wedding, a great barbecue dinner was served to 270 people while the fighting started anew off in the distance.  The skirmishes grew in number and intensity but most reenactors stayed and enjoyed the food and friendship.  As darkness fell, the 97th String Band cranked up and the ball was off and running.  Everyone danced, drank punch and had a good time.  The 97th put on a good show, as they always do and they were even kind enough to hang around and play longer than they normally do.  The skirmishing faded away and peaceful looking campfires dotted the hillsides and woods.  The temperature was perfect for sleeping and before long even the campfires flickered out.

Greetings, fellow re-enactors, family, and friends!

   Myself and Rebecca wish to express our sincerest appreciation to all who attended our wedding at Flat Lake on April 6.  We also want to recognize all who gave so willingly of their time by helping throughout the weekend.  The efforts of many people went into making the day memorable.  Unfortunately, someone may not be mentioned here, but the effort will be made to mention a many as possible.

THANK YOU...

  First and foremost to Major Robert and Lorraine Niepert, 10th Tennessee Cavalry, Company D, for hosting the event at your home.

   To Private Frank Fierro and Private Bryan Nygaard, 4th Florida Infantry, Company G, and to Captain Rick Brass and Sergeant Rene Marders, 10th Tennessee Cavalry, Company A, for helping set up tables and chairs at the wedding tent on Friday.

  To the ladies who helped decorate the wedding arbor.

   To Sergeant Joseph Kurtright, 4th Florida Infantry, Company G, for being the best man and for all his efforts at the wedding.

   To Rachel Maynard, 10th Tennessee Cavalry, Company D, for being the matron of honor and for organizing the ladies' tea, and to her husband, Lieutenant Terry Maynard, 10th Tennessee Cavalry, Company D, for all his help.

   To Private William and Lois Kohl, 4th Florida Infantry, Company G, for providing the wedding cake.

   To Tammy Good, 4th Florida Infantry, Company G, for organizing the volunteers at the wedding reception.

  To Sergeant Jim Paul McAllister, for seeing to the arranging of the tables and chairs at the reception.

  To the Milton Light Artillery, for the cannon salute at the wedding.

  To Lieutenant Colonel David Riker, for commanding the honor guard.

   To all the troops of the honor guard, including the 4th Florida Infantry, Company G, 10th Tennessee Cavalry, Companies A and D, Hardy's Brigade staff officers, and the 14th Brooklyn Infantry, Company G.

   To Sergeant Ed Page, 10th Tennessee Cavalry, Company A, and all the re-enactors who helped with registration.

   To Laura Temple and her sister Lisa for all the good cooking, and to all the re-enactors who helped serve the meal at the reception.

   To Peggy Marders, 10th Tennessee Cavalry, Company A, for helping Lorraine Niepert during the weekend.

   To anyone we have not mentioned here who helped so much.

   To all those who gave us wedding presents and well wishes.  We would like to write thank you letters to all for the presents, but there are three presents who were separated from their cards and we have no way of knowing from whom they came.  The first is a convenient "Carry Outs" three piece insulated cassarole dish in a blue carrying case.  The second is a wonderful poem in a wooden frame entitled "Success" and the third is a handy 28 piece kitchen caddy.  Please let us know if these are from you by calling (352)-687-8737 or by e-mail at COG4FLAINF@aol.com or dixiemyst@earthlink.net.

   To all who drive a long way or worked long hours to be able to be at the wedding.

   To all the family and friends who shared this wonderful day with us.  Though the words are hardly enough, THANK YOU.

    Major Keith and Rebecca Kohl
    4th Florida Infantry, Company G
    10th Tennessee Cavalry, Company D

Our Flag......Brian Moore just visited Williamsburg, VA and relates this interesting fact about our American flag.  From 1818 until 1861 America had a national flag with 20 stars; but at the outset of the Civil War, and throughout the war's duration, the new American flag had 34 stars representing all of the nation's states---including those of the south as well!

Big Flag.....The letter below appeared in the last issue.  I have reprinted it to refresh your memory and have also included a response to it from David Mullins.  Read on.......

Big Flag Comment.....Brian R. Smith wrote to say......I would like to make my two cents heard. I'm a ACW re-enactor also and agree to displaying respect and Honor to our ancestors. However, this use of the Battle Flag is improper and our Confederate ancestors would never had done this. The proper flag to be displayed in such a venue would be any of the National Flags. The use of the battle flag is restricted to the battle field, or campaign and nowhere else. The selection of the battle flag in this situation displays the ignorance of the perpetrators not honor to our ancestors.

David Mullins response........

The Confederate Battle Flag is the soldiers' flag. It was the chosen symbol of the United Confederate Veterans to represent their organization, to display on public monuments and to decorate veterans' graves. This organization, made up of actual Civil War veterans, was the predecessor to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Display of the battle flag by this or any other heritage organization is meant for the purpose of honoring those soldiers and their sacrifice which, I believe, is the reason many of us reenact.

Since we are one nation, undivided, I should think that display of any other NATIONAL flag upon our sovereign soil would provoke more indignation than a soldiers' flag. If not, this issue may well expose another kind of ignorance - disrespect.

Speaking of ignorance, while most of the responses I received as a result of my letter printed in the Tallahassee Democrat were enthusiastic and positive, I did receive some "hate mail". Here are some examples:

T. R. wrote: "In 50 years, whites will be less than 40% of the population.  See how it feels on the other foot.  The American experience is biblical and what goes around comes around.  For whites, it will be one hellish comes around."

J. C. wrote: "Smell that?  It's your culture burning, White guy.  That's right, just sit there and watch..........."

Groups that foster and nurture attitudes such as these deserve far more criticism and scrutiny than flag supporters. Therein lie the true seeds of hatred, bigotry, divisiveness and ignorance.

Reenactor fire.....Landon Cahow wrote.....  I thought I should write to you and tell you of a fellow re-enactor that has come upon some rough times.  I am a re-enactor from FL but have moved to TN and continue to be in contact with all you great friends in the Deep South.

The re-enactor is the captain of the 28th Tenn. Volunteer Inf. Co. A and the Commander of the Crossville, TN SCV camp.  While attending the Shiloh event this past weekend, at 2 AM Sunday morning he was finally located and informed that his house had burned down completely that night.  He and his wife have alternative housing but have lost practically everything.  I do not have much more information than this, but I would like to ask for prayers on their behalf.  If anyone would like to send any notes of encouragement or contact them for any reason, direct your snail mail to:

Gene and Jackie Hall
C/O Frank Holladay
Adjutant, SCV Camp #1750
5361 Hwy 70 East
Crossville, TN 38555-1580

Winners.....It didn't take long for the correct answers to start rolling in.  The first to correctly identify Sgt. Jim Shirley and Betty Tzoumas of the 7th Florida Inf. Co. B. (Strawhats) was Kathy Heitman then soon after Calvin Greathouse.  Congratulations you both will receive a $10.00 gift certificate to the No Name Sutler.  The photo was taken at the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach in January.  Thanks for playing the game.

This month the contest will be a little different.  You can win two different ways.  First you can identify the person in the photo or you can write a caption for the photo.  Keep it clean.

New Photo Contest......OK the regular season is quickly winding down.  Have you developed all your film from this past season?  I am in the process of starting a civilian section in the photo gallery of this News Magazine web site.  I need photos.  Send me photos of your civilian reenactors.  The photo needs to be clear, with uncluttered backgrounds, good quality color and good composition.  You may choose to photograph a still life or everyday chores and activities in and about your camp.  If I use your photo on the web site, you will get the photo credits and a $10.00 gift certificate to the No Name Sutler.  Send them in ASAP.  Contest ends July 2002.

As we now enter the warmer and wetter months of the year, you once again need to be conscious of the threat of a mosquito-borne disease while reenacting or even at home. In fact, in Florida, you should always practice mosquito-avoidance procedures. During February, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) discovered incidence of West Nile virus in at least four different Florida counties. This virus as well as eastern equine encephalitis are present in Florida and the latter caused several deaths in 2001.  Now DOH has enhanced it surveillance for dengue fever which is reaching epidemic levels in certain areas of South America and the Caribbean.

Details on the DOH reports for all these mosquito-borne viruses are available on the Florida Pest Alert site at
http://extlab7.entnem.ufl.edu/PestAlert/.  Details on the viruses themselves and the organisms that cause and vector them are available on the Public Health Pest Control Web site at http://vector.ifas.ufl.edu/.

Along with the above, information on how to avoid mosquitoes, the use of DEET and alternative repellents, and cultural methods of reducing mosquito populations around your home is provided.

Medical records indicate that during the Civil War over 1,000,000 cases of malaria were reported by the Union and Confederate armies. However, I suggest that becoming infected with a mosquito-borne disease is carrying authenticity too far.

See  http://pests.ifas.ufl.edu/ for a listing of our WWW sites on insects, mites and other topics.  Thomas R. Fasulo, extension entomologist, University of Florida.
 
 

By the last year of the war, the armies of the Confederacy were virtually starving, as well as the citizens of the South. Food was extremely scarce and where Union troops had moved through an area, they commandeered the food supplies of the Southerners leaving them with little to sustain themselves. The contrast between Federal and Rebel soldier was also startling. Where one’s uniform or clothing fell from a pair of bony shoulders, the other’s uniform was, for the most part, well filled. But there was food to be had for the South. Unfortunately, it was in Florida where beef, pork, and other commodities were available but shipments to the starving south were difficult. The Union had pretty much blockaded every Southern port, so delivery by water was virtually nil. That left only one route—overland, through Florida scrub, palmetto, and swampland. And that’s how the famous “Florida Cow Cavalry” was born.
    The following story, “Cracker,” is based on a reading before the Florida Historical Society at Mountain Lake, on February 8, 1940, by Theodore Lesley, the grandson of one of the members of the Confederate Cattle Battalion of Florida, and from other information provided by Kyle S. VanLandingham and David Bamford, whose ancestors served in the battalion and who maintain a very informative website on the subject. I am grateful to them for their assistance.
                                        -W. R. Publisher
 

    First of all let’s define the term, “cracker.” It has, when referred to native Floridians, as having a somewhat negative meaning. Not so. The term stems from the early days when Florida cowboys and later Confederate cow cavalrymen, in lieu of the rope used by Texas cowboys, wielded a bullwhip, l0- to 12-feet long made of braided leather, and when snapped over a cow’s head, made a sharp “crack.” Thus was born the term, “cracker.”
    When the Civil War broke out, many Floridians heeded the call to arms, joining units that were shipped out to fight the Federals in places far north of their homeland. Two Florida regiments were sent to the aid of the Army of the Tennessee while others went to fight with  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  This left  Florida  for  the  most  part,  and certainly the homes of the men “who went away to war,” unprotected from bands of roaming outlaws and army deserters.
    As the war dragged on into the final years, the South was reeling from the acute shortage of food as a result of the continuous Union sea blockade. They needed meat and other goods and they needed them badly. Thus, Florida, with her great cattle herds was ordered by the Confederate government in Richmond to furnish meat for the army of General P.G.T. Beauregard, who maintained his headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. As Theodore Lesley put it, “the state Commissary officials undertook this duty immediately and entered with great energy upon the task of assuming beeves from Florida’s prairies for the Northern drives.”
    But the Commissary Department had discovered that most able-bodied men in the state had volunteered at the first call for soldiers making them unavailable to lead the drives. To remedy this, the state turned to General Braxton Bragg, who commanded the Army of the Tennessee where many Floridians were serving. Florida wanted Bragg to detail from their present duty a number of the most experienced and able-bodied cowmen to assist the state in driving the cattle herds north for shipment to the starving south. At first the request was denied, but finally great pressure from higher sources “was brought to bear on this commander” and just before the fall of 1863, he sent a number of Florida men home for this service (Note: The main character, Tree Hooker, in Rick Tonyan’s Guns of the Palmetto Plains, published by Pineapple Press in 1994, is one of those Confederate soldiers detached to Florida for “cow” service).

   Although many of the early drives were successful, the drovers faced numerous hardships and obstacles along the Florida trail. In his oral presentation to the Historical Society in 1940, Lesley describes a typical drive from Fort Meade, east of Tampa, to Savannah.
    At that time the cattlemen were loosely organized. In March 1864, the Florida Commissary  Department under the head of Major Pleasants W. White, proposed that the Confederate drovers be divided into companies, each appropriately staffed with officers, arms and equipment as any other army in the field. That same month the CSA War Department in Richmond authorized the formation of the units into a battalion, eventually consisting of nine companies with a strength of approximately 800 men. It was given the official name of lst Battalion Florida Special Cavalry, but generally referred to simply as the Cattle Battalion, Cow Cavalry, Commissary Battalion, or Munnerlyn’s Battalion.
     Its leader, Charles J. Munnerlyn, was from Decatur County, Georgia. Although born in South Carolina, he grew up in Georgia where his family moved and was educated at Emory College (now Emory University).  He studied  law,  was admitted to the bar but never practiced. In 1861 Munnerlyn was elected to the Confederate Congress as a representative from Georgia and was one who voted for the Conscript Law (the first draft in American history). The idea was met with great opposition and was probably the reason for his defeat in his reelection attempt.
    He then joined a Florida cavalry company as a private and served in that capacity until July 1864 when he was authorized by Richmond to form the Cow Cavalry battalion, operating under the Commissary Department.  As Theodore Lesley put it, “No doubt, his former political connection to the Southern capital was the reason for him to be chosen…”
    To bring order out of chaos, Major Munnerlyn’s first thought was to organize the stationing of troops at locations where they might meet any Union invading party and at the same time bring confidence to the surrounding countryside.  The first three companies that fell under his command were stationed near Brooksville where Munnerlyn also had his headquarters, with Captain Leroy C. Lesley commanding one company; his son, John T., with a company in the Tampa area; and Captain F. A. Hendry, heading the company of cow cavalrymen near Fort Meade.
    The companies were made up of those Confederate soldiers who had been detached from the Army of the Tennessee, which numbered about 80 while the remainder was drawn from the local militias, many of them young boys 18 and under.  The state law at the time required every able-bodied man between a certain age (and it varied as the war went on) to belong to some command. Also, cattle owners who had previously been exempt from military service were now subject to the draft, either as “conscripts,” or “reserves.” The Cow Cavalry also included a few deserters who had been rounded up. One of the most controversial figures in the Cattle Battalion was a wealthy cattle rancher named Jacob Summerlin. A Unionist by his own admission, and declared so in a request to U.S. President Andrew Johnson for a pardon following the war, he reportedly had been selling his “beeves” to Cuba at a hefty price, rather than to the Confederacy which was paying much less per head. His operation was halted and he was “forced” to join the Cow Cavalry, serving in Captain Francis A. Hendry’s Company A in the Fort Meade area. In his request for the pardon in 1865, he maintained that he never “fired a shot at a U. S. citizen,” obviously referring to Union soldiers.
  Meanwhile, other commands soon followed until there were a total of nine. It should be noted that one of the companies, under the command of Captain Edward Lutterloh, actually served under J. J. Dickinson’s command and didn’t re-join the Cow Battalion until the end of the war.
    When not assigned to guarding and driving the Florida herds, the cow cavalrymen performed numerous other duties, including rounding up deserters, fighting the Federals out of Jacksonville and St. Augustine who were constantly attempting to stop the cattle drives, and repelling landings by the Union Navy along the rivers and coastlines of central and south Florida. Some of them conducted raids of their own against the Union forces.
     A vivid and exciting description of life on a cattle drive in Civil War Florida is contained in Rick Tonyan’s fictional account.
    Following the roundup of the Florida cattle from the scrub and palmetto range south of Kissimmee, and in the Indian River country, the “beeves” (as the cattle were called) and hogs (most drives usually included the “porkers,” would be herded north, towards Lake Monroe with the initial destination, Baldwin, then a railhead for shipment to Southern forces in Georgia and Alabama.  Along the way there would be stopovers at locations that had cow pens or corrals where the animals could be contained for the night.   The town of Enterprize (spelled then with a “z” would become the seat of Volusia County until DeLand was founded in 1882) was such a stopover.
    Mostly, the drives remained east of the St. Johns and crossed wherever drive leaders considered appropriate. In the fictional character Tree Hooker’s case, he preferred the crossing at Palatka (at that time spelled Pilatka), particularly after Captain Dickinson and his raiders freed the town of Yankee troops.  But they would be back and in the novel, Tree was forced to find other locations for crossings.

    But before reaching Baldwin, located just off present I-10 near Jacksonville, Tree learns that the railhead has been taken over by Union forces out of Jacksonville and the town virtually burned down and the railroad torn up, forcing him to drive the herd on up to the railhead at Brunswick, Georgia, another three-weeks on the trail. The Confederate victory at Olustee in north Florida in February 1864 had pretty much opened up the corridor to the starving South.
    Then it was back, round up another herd and drive north again, experiencing stampedes, bad weather, the environment, and the occasional detour around Union patrols out looking for them in an attempt to “rustle” the herd and take them to St. Augustine. Outlaws, deserters, and other bad hombres preyed on the cattle guard also.
    At the close of the roundup and cattle drive season, which generally followed the first frost that damaged the grass, the Cow Cavalry would return to normal Army routine back home, pulling picket duty, protecting the countryside from deserters and outlaws, and patrolling along the coastlines to repel Union landings. The battalion participated in several skirmishes and battles during its tenure including the Union raid at Brooksville. However, the Cow Cavalry’s most significant military action was an unsuccessful attempt in February 1865 to capture Fort Myers on the coast of southwest Florida, which had been occupied by Union troops in early 1864.
    Indeed, the Federal occupation of Fort Myers was one reason for the establishment of the Cow Cavalry, since the Federals conducted raids in the interior, attacking loyal Confederate citizens and rounding up cattle for their own use at Fort Myers.
     During one season, it is estimated that 15,000 “beeves” and hogs were delivered to Charleston, Savannah, and Confederate General Hood’s army.
   In December 1864, Munnerlyn was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and his assistant, William Footman, to major. Several months later, the war was over and Munnerlyn formally surrendered his battalion to the Federals on June 5, 1865, almost two months after Lee’s surrender at  Appomattox. Several companies had surrendered the previous month.
     In June 1865, in a final act of Confederate patriotism, Captains Lesley (son and father), and the McKay family, assisted Confederate Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin in his escape through central Florida en route to Cuba and eventually England.
    In general, the Cow Cavalry was successful in its attempt to feed the South, and although it was active for only about a year, it drove a number of beef north (the total number is not known) and succeeded in keeping at least central and south Florida free of Yankee occupation. Much of Munnerlyn’s success can be attributed to Captain  Dickinson and his band of Confederate raiders, who operating along the St. Johns, kept the Yankees off-balance and distracted.
    After the war Colonel Munnerlyn returned to Decatur County and became active in the local government. He and his wife, Eugenia Shackleford, had nine children.
     The former leader of Florida’s famous cow cavalry, died in 1898 at the age of 76.

For additional and detailed information about the cow cavalry in Florida, go to Kyle S. VanLandingham and David Bamford’s prolific and well-documented website, http://www.geocities.com/yes_album/Special_Cavalry.html

Special thanks to Kyle and David for their assistance and permission to use certain aspects of their website. –W.R.

For further information about the Cow Cavalry and the history of cattle raising in Florida, read Joe A. Akerman, Jr.'s book, FLORIDA COWMAN, A History of Florida Cattle Raising,  published by Florida Cattlemen's Association, Kissimmee, Fla., 1976.

NOTE; A circular or flyer calling on Florida citizens to "Support the Soldiers of the South" was written and posted by Major P. W. White, Chief Commissary Officer in Florida.  Following the fall of Vicksburg in 1863, Florida became the main source of beef for the Confederacy.  Major White posted the flyer asking the citizen cattle farmers to do their duty and provide subsistence for the south and the Confederate armies.  At this time, cattlemen were reluctant to roundup and drive their cattle north because the Confederate government could not pay the high prices demanded by the cattlemen.  In his letter of November 2, 1863, he defends his actions by posting the circular.  His letter provides a good summary of the serious situation facing the Confederates' food situation.  While the Florida Confederate Cattle Battalion was not officially organized yet, the detailed men from the Army of the Tennessee were assisting in driving cattle north to the railheads.  However, Akerman, in his book, Florida Cowman,  writes the following:  "Although it was not intended for general circulation the circular was posted in many spots and soon became general information.  General Pierre G.T. Beauregard (who commanded the forces in the south), later asserted that it was "one of the major causes of the Union expedition to Jacksonville and thence to Lake City."  This, of course, culminated in the Battle of Olustee in February 1864, a Confederate victory that virtually drove the Union out of Northern Florida except for bases at Jacksonville and St. Augustine - W. Russell.

For Sale......1.) New Gum Blanket/Poncho (Rain Slick)  2.) Heavy duty folding Army cot  3.) Musketoon.  4.) Igloo ice chest.  Call Chuck Romano (407) 306-1049

For Sale.......All types of blacksmith items.  Everything from tent stakes to campfire grills and everything in between.  Contact Mike Luck at colsmith@bellsouth.net or phone (954) 434-0798.

For Sale....Coleman 5000 generator.  Used twice.  New $500 asking $400.  Contact Donna or Dave Bush at dbush@ij.net

For Sale.....Cast Iron deep roaster.  9" wide by 17" long by 4" deep.  $50.  Contact Donna or Dave Bush at dbush@ij.net

Wanted......Mountain Howitzer on # 1 carriage or a # 1 carriage without the tube.  Contact Don Mann at (email) oldreb53@aol.com

For Sale.....Horse trailer.  1999 Four-Star goose neck all aluminum.  Two horse slant load with open living area.  Queen size bed in front.  Open area can be finished to your preference.  Lots of extras and in good condition.  Used only ten times.  $10,500.  Contact Rick Edwards at extrailrider@aol.com or (407) 832-8417.

April 19, 20, 21, 2002.  Fort Clinch Confederate Garrison.  This is a Hardy's Brigade maximum effort event.  Confederate garrison in restored original fort. Early war event with guard mountings, company and battalion drills, sick calls, pay call, mail call, period baseball, beach patrols, etc.  Registration is $10.00 per person and includes all meals any extra money will be donated to the fort.  Admission to Park: $3.25 per car. Admission to Fort: $2.  Living Historians - free - .  Also check at gate for possible candlelight tour on Saturday night. Candlelight tour admission is $3.Take I-4 East to I-95 North. Go to Ft. Clinch State Park exit on US 2 (Fernandina Beach) Go East through Fernandina turn right at state park sign and look for the signs.  Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach, FL. Contact the park at (904) 277-7274. Reenactors contact Col. Michael Hardy (828) 963-5560 or mchardy@hotmail.com; or Eddie Fuller 1920 Ferris Ave, Orlando Fl. 32803. Preregistration site at http://www.geocities.com/hardys_brigade/Fort_Clinch.html.

April 20, 21, 2002.  (new date) Fort Marion (St. Augustine).  Federal Garrison (Union Army retakes Northeastern Florida) and Living History.  Castillo de San Marcos National Monument,  You may arrive Friday afternoon.  If you can get in early in order to help with the set up.  Candlelight tour Saturday evening.  Camp as usual on the north fort green.  There are N.P.S. signs all along I-95, US-1, and, A1A you can't miss it.  Take I-95 North to route 16 follow 16 to US-1 turn right go for 2 miles to Castillo Drive. Turn left on Castillo Dr. go to the traffic light and turn right. The Castillo and parking are ahead on left.  From A1A : The Castillo is located on A1A in downtown St. Augustine.  No modern camping allowed.  Living history event to teach the public about the life of a common soldier and accurate period impressions are stressed. Contact Jeff Grzelak hq17thconninf@cfl.rr.com or call the park at (904) 829-6506.

April 25, 2002. The Greater Civil War Round Table will present a program called "The Annual Show and Tell".  The meeting takes place at the Marks St. Senior Center (on Marks St. between Orange Ave. and Magnolia St.) in downtown Orlando.  For information contact Ruth Wood at flrb@bitstorm.net

April 26th, 2002.  Confederate Memorial Day.  There are many services in almost every part of the state.  Check your local SCV chapters for locations and information.

April 27, 2002.  Confederate Memorial Day Motorcade Miami to West Palm Beach or Vero Beach to West Palm Beach Motorcade.  The Sons of Confederate Veterans Camps of George Perry of Miami, William Henry Harris of Fort Lauderdale, William M. Burdines of Coconut Creek, James Patton Anderson of WPB, will travel from Miami to WPB.  The Pvt. George W. Thomas Camp of Fort Pierce and the Cow Cavalry Camp of Vero Beach will travel from Vero Beach to WPB stopping at every Confederate Cemetery to honor the Confederate dead.  The day will begin about 8 AM and we will travel all day until 5 PM. Dinner (lunch) will be along the route.  About a 15 minute ceremony will be held at each Cemetery.   Miami to WPB Motorcade- Contact Larry Powell at CSAPartisanSC@aol.com or 561-795 9494 Vero B to WPB Motorcade -Contact Wesley Frank at RebDoctor@aol.com  or 321-729-6137.  Both motorcades will meet at Cracker Barrel for supper about 5 PM Period attire recommended but not required.

April 26, 27, 28, 2002.  The Battle Of Bishops Farm.  Lake Helen Fl., half way between Daytona and Orlando.  Sponsored by the Alabama Volunteer Battalion.  The battlefield is large with rolling land with shaded areas for the camps.  All amenities such as hay, firewood and running water by camps.  Bounty paid for first 3 CSA and first 3 Union artillery pieces registered.  Bruce Bowden's men will provide the music Sat. night.  From Orlando take I-4 East (towards Daytona Beach) and get off at the Lake Helen exit 55.  Travel east to the 3 way stop sign and turn right.  Follow this to the dead end.  The Handiway store is on the right and the Police Dept on the left)  turn left for aprox. 2 miles and you are there.  For more information contact Corky at corky15ala@aol.com

May 4, 5, 2002.  Fort Clinch Federal (Union Army) Garrison and Living History. 9 am - 5 pm daily. Admission to Park: $3.25 per car. Admission to Fort: $2. Also, a candlelight tour for spectators on Saturday night - 8 pm to 10 pm. Candlelight tour admission is $3. Note: This is the large annual Union garrison that is held on the same weekend as the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Festival. Soldier activities to include guard mountings, color formations to raise and lower the 35-star United States flag each day, company and battalion drills, sick calls, pay call, mail call, beach patrols, musket and cannon firing demonstrations, surgical demonstrations, etc. The Ladies also have a number of events planned and hopefully we will once again experience the Baked Goods auction. Well over 100 soldiers expected. No cavalry due to space limitations. Artillery by prior approval only. Reenactor pre-registration $5, or $7 for walk-ins. No modern camping. Troops live in the fort with authentic camping outside the walls for families. Lt. Col. William Danforth is the commanding officer. Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach, FL. Contact the park at (904) 277-7274.

May 3, 4, 5, 2002.  Clinton Georgia Civil War Days.  Clinton Georgia is a small town north of Macon.  This small town (population of about 300) dates back to the war.  During the event the town will be closed to all but foot traffic and the reenactment basically takes over the town, with camps set up in and around the town.  There will be two Battles, the Battle of Sunshine Church on Saturday and the Battle of Griswoldville on Sunday.  Saturday night there will be a roll call to honor CSA veterans that are buried in the cemetery there.  Sunday AM  is a church service in the old Methodist church that reenators may attend.  Clinton is located  about 11 miles North of Macon on HWY 129  just off I 16.  Clinton is on the left side of the road with one street leading to it;  if you blink, you might miss it.

Your Help Needed.....The Spring Garden Plantation Raid at Camp Winona.  This event will take place as scheduled.  The event is having difficulty meeting the budget this year.  Their insurance has risen dramatically and the cost of everything else is up.  They are looking for corporate sponsors or donations from the reenacting community.  A small reenactor fee at the gate is trying to be avoided but may at the last minute have to be collected to meet expenses.  Help if you can.  Contact Bob Smethurst (Pack Rat Bob) at (904) 749-1341 or Keith Kohl at cog4flainf@aol.com  (352) 678-8737.  Thank You.

May 3, 4, 5, 2002.  Spring Garden Plantation Raid at Camp Winona.  (Deleon Springs).  No reenactor fees.  School day is Friday.  Battle on Saturday at 2pm.  Ball on Sat. night.  Battle on Sunday at 2pm.  Cavalry call ahead for reservations.  Battlefield is located in a moderately wooded area.  Inside bathrooms and showers available.  Cabins available (barrack style) From Hwy. 17 turn East on Lake Winona Rd at the Camp Winona sign.  Then go aprox. 3 miles.  When the road turns to dirt go about a mile on the dirt road then turn right on Camp Winona Road to the site.  From Hwy. 40 turn South on Lk. Winona Rd. then left on Camp Winona Rd.  Contact...Bob Smethurst (904) 749-1341 or Keith Kohl at  cog4flainf@aol.com  (352) 678-8737

May 4, 2002. Fun N Sun parade in Clearwater.  The parade will start at 7pm.  There will be a lot of shooting and fun.
They need a head count so please contact Scott Renz at renz@gte.net or call (day) 727-447-6573 (eve) 727-447-1277.

May 3, 4, 5, 2002.  Mobile Bay.  The Tricentennial Committee of Mobile will hold two large battles featuring sailing ships and a fort.  Sat.  Fort Morgan will fire on Union ships and a land battle at the fort will begin.  Then on Sun. the fleet lays siege to Fort Gaines with a Federal landing and battle for the fort.  Lots of pyrotechnics.  There will be encampments at both forts with meals and dances at both sites.  More details to follow.

May 21, 2002.  School Living History (8:30am - 11:00am).  Cypress Springs Elementary School (east Orlando, south end of Dean Rd. near Curry Ford Rd.).  This will be a end of the year celebration for the six graduating classes of amazing 5th graders.  The committee on special activities is looking for a patriotic theme and would like to feature Civil War reenactors.  They are hoping to find a diverse mix of players who could appear in their authentic costumes and talk in character about what life was like. You would be stationed in one classroom, and six classes of approximately 25 - 5th graders each would rotate through for 25 min. at a time.  They have been selling candygrams and having bakesales on campus all year to support this end of the year celebration and would be happy to compensate your time and trouble with a donation to your group.  After the classes a free BBQ lunch will be available to all participants.  They need to budget it in now so let them know ASAP if you plan to attend.  Contact Christine Schornagle, CSE 5th grade party committee schornaglec@aol.com  or call 407-273-0330

May 25, 26, 2002.  Battle in Andersonville, Georgia.  There will be two battles and lots of sutlers with many antique and craft shopping opportunities at the businesses along main street.  The Andersonville Civil War Museum and the POW Museum is also very close.  Andersonville is 9 miles North of Americus, GA.  The site is in Andersonville itself; not at the park.  To get there, take I-75 North.  Exit at Americus.  Turn West towards  Columbus and travel approximately 5 miles and turn right at Andersonville Historical Monument.  Turn right and travel 12 miles to the battle.  This is a nice little battle for spectators and reenactor alike.  Contact Ricky Burnham (912)  439-4529  www.sgtreb4th.home.pipeline.com/4thga.html

October 12, 2002 Attention All Company Cooks:  There will a cooking contest this year at The Battle of  Hunsaders Farm. Saturday Oct 19th it will be Judged and an award given to best prepared on site evening meal.  The entire meal must be prepared in camp, nothing pre-cooked, and then rewarmed. It must be cooked over the camp fire & be the meal to be fed to your units.   The meal will be of the cook's choice with the ingredients of their choosing. Judging will be on taste and presentation.  All entrants must supply the coordinator with the menu and ingredients by Sat. Oct 12 one week prior to the event.  Judging will start at 6pm the judge will visit each entered cooks camp to observe & judge.  The winner will be announced at the dance that evening.  If you have any questions or to register and enter you meal contact the Cooking contest coordinator Gina Platzer jplatzer@tampabay.rr.com