Brooksville, Mt. Dora and Olustee Photos.........The photo above (titled Two Ghosts) was taken by Joe Stone (www.photosbyjoe.biz)   If you would like to see hundreds of photos of recent events, go to Joe Stone's web site at http://www.photosbyjoe.biz/-/photosbyjoe/galleryIndex.asp

Sick Call.........It has been bothering me for years and it got me again.  I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all who were concerned with my recent injury.  As some of you know, I (Maj. R. Niepert, 10th Tenn. Co. D., Hardy Brigade Cavalry Commander) severely strained my back during the Olustee event last weekend.  The problem started Thursday while working on the new trailer for Lorraine's cannon.  Friday morning I was still hurting but we loaded up and headed to Olustee.  My back finally fell apart Friday afternoon when we unloaded our artillery piece but I ignored it, took some medication and kept going as best as I could.  I hurt so bad I couldn't make it to colors Saturday morning but after another batch of pain killers took effect, I thought I could carry on.  I tried my best but after artillery drill Saturday morning (at about 11am), I knew I was done for.  I hobbled back to camp where I collapsed in my chair and suffered.  Between the rain and the cold, I just got worse.  No amount of medication made any difference.  It even hurt to lay in bed.  I tried to carry on and even made it to sutler row for almost an hour.  That was a mistake, I should have stayed in bed.  By Saturday afternoon I was done for.  Early Sunday morning I would have gladly shot myself just to feel better but I didn't have any pistols with me and Lorraine's cannon was too far away.  We discussed how we would get the gun loaded back on the trailer and then get both trailers and vehicles back home.  We had no choice but to drive so I decided to try to stay in bed and rest.  When everyone came back after Sunday's battle, Lorraine had already loaded up the trailer so all we had to worry about was the cannon.  Our plan was to have Lorraine drive her truck pulling her cannon and I would drive my truck pulling the trailer.  The entire 10th Tenn. pitched in and loaded the cannon while I sat in the truck.  We weaved through the crowd and hit the road as quickly as possible.  I tried to drive but by the time we got to Gainesville, I almost passed out from the pain.  Thank goodness Robyn Banks (10th Tenn. Banks Artillery Battery) had agreed to follow us home.  When we stopped, Robyn took my truck and trailer while his girlfriend, Jan, drove his truck and his trailer.  I rode with Lorraine in her truck.  Anyway to make a long story short, we made it.  I don't know how I don't remember much of the trip.  Monday morning Col. Riker (Brigade Medical) took his time to drive over from Lakeland and help Lorraine load me into the truck so I could visit the neurosurgeon.  Tuesday I went and had a MRI done and Wednesday I was informed by the doctor that I have a herniated disk in the L-3 and L-4.
  Lorraine and I went into the doctor Monday (2-23-04) and got the bad news.  I have no options but surgery.  The feeling in my left leg had still not come back so we knew that we were in for a problem.  The disc has ruptured and two others are almost gone.  The doctor could tell that over the years I have just worked too long and too hard.  I am paying for that now.  He wants me to go into surgery this Thursday (2-25-04) but I don't know if I am mentally ready for this.  I have never spent a single day in the hospital in my entire life and haven't even got a regular doctor.  I just don't get sick so never had the need to see a doctor except for a couple of times for stitches and things like that. 
  Your thoughts and prayers were and are greatly appreciated.  To those who stopped what they were doing and jumped in to help; you have no idea how much that meant to me and Lorraine and I cannot express to you our gratefulness.  Thanks also need to be extended to the Olustee Park service for giving me a ride back to my trailer in their Gator cart. I could not walk another step and would have never made it back without them.
  It looks like we will miss the Crystal River event and I most likely will not make it to Resaca.  So much for the rest of my reenacting season.  I will have Lorraine read me my email and she and I will answer it from where ever I am (hosp. or home) at that time.  Most of what you read through April will be dictated from me to Lorraine.  I will do my best to keep the News Magazine up to date but with this long recovery time I don't know how well I will be able to do that.    I will try not to let the quality or content of the magazine suffer.

Rose Fund Raiser Event..........Kathy Hietman now has tickets for the David Rose Family Fund Raiser & Bar-b-que scheduled for Sunday, March 28th from 10 A.M. until 6 P.M.  at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, FL.  All Village buildings will be open, there will be pony rides and train rides.  There will be a separate small fee to ride the ponies and train to be paid at the time of the ride.  Admission to the Fund Raiser itself is free, however they are selling tickets for those who wish to eat the bar-b-que (and all the fixings).  Bar-b-que tickets are on sale for $7/ea. adults &  $5/ea. children.   All Proceeds Will Be Given To The Rose Family.   Those who wish to purchase tickets in advance may do so by emailing Kathy at T.General@worldnet.att.net  please put "Rose Family Fund Raiser" in the subject line so she will know to open it immediately.  Tickets are also on sale for those who cannot attend but would like to make a contribution.  Tickets will also be for sale at the entrance gate for those wishing to wait to until they arrive to purchase their tickets.  Parking for the Fund Raiser will be on the north side of Yesteryear Village just outside the Archway Gate entrance.  Enter Yesteryear Village through the Archway Gate.  You can't miss it. Unfortunately, those who will be traveling a distance to attend, overnight parking or camping will not permitted at the Fairgrounds this time.

Important Safety Inspection for Crystal River Event.........The Nature Coast Civil War Reenacting Committee has announced that there will be a important safety inspection for all muskets prior to the battles on both Saturday & Sunday March 13th & 14th, 2004.  Troops will line up 15 minutes early and then each musket will be inspected will a special bore size cleaner that will pick up any old minnie ball residue left over from live firing.  Each musket which has been cleared will then get a special sticker put on the stock.  Then on Sunday the same process will again occur except that the only muskets to be fully inspected will be those who were not inspected prior to Saturday's battle and have the special sticker on the stock.  We know that this will take a little bit of time but reenactor safety at our event is of primary concern.  Loaded pistols will not be carried on the field by anyone except mounted cavalry.  This rule will be enforced.  If you have any questions, contact Bob Mann (Chairman Crystal River Event) at b_mann_007@yahoo.com

Crystal River Live Shoot.......The live fire shoot at Crystal River will be using NSSA approved muskets (you may not use your own musket) which will be provided by the Crystal River Reenactment Committee.  Loads will be 42 grains of powder which will be provided by the committee.  Each shooter will have an experienced safety officer with them during the shoot.  Prizes will be awarded prior to the battle on Sunday, March 14.

School Day............Your help is needed for the school day presentation at the Heritage Village Skirmish.  The staff and host of the Heritage Village event, which is being held on Saturday, May 15, 2004, is looking for help in several areas: Volunteers to work with children's period activities, and spare period clothing, uniforms and civilian wear, for the "try-on" area.  As the purpose of Civil War Days is to directly involve spectators in this historical period, these two activities are an important outreach.  Please contact Lew Zerfas as soon as possible, email: lewz@knology.net and he will pass your name on to the staff at Heritage Village.

Promotions.........Lt. Ken. Murphy of the 3rd Fla, Co. B wants to announce the promotion of Mitch Morgan, (3rd Florida, Company B), to Corporal.  Morgan's new rank was made official at the Battle of Olustee reenactment last weekend. Mitch lives in Merritt Island in Brevard County and has been reenacting for six years.  Congratulations Cpl. Morgan.

Living History...........Reenactors are needed for a living history at an air show (June 12-13, 2004) that takes place at the Ft. Pierce airport.  I have no other details besides their website address. www.slcwingsandwheels.org.  If you are interested, contact Bill Blackmon ( TwoCan56@aol.com ), Viet Nam Veterans of South Florida.

Photographer Receives Award.........The International Society of Photographers published one of Kathy Heitman's photos in their coffee table book recently and informed her that her photo (" Sunset Fishing On The St. John's River") was also submitted to the International Library of Photography.  Our reenacting photographer friend is now famous.  Kathy's photo was selected by an panel of top professional photographers and she received the Outstanding Achievement in Amateur Photograph Award for 2004.  She will be presented her award (a silver bowl, mounted on cherry wood with inscription) at the Society's annual convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.  The story doesn't end there, Kathy will also work hand in hand at the convention with other photographers, apprentice for three days with other professional photographers from New York and Los Angeles.  Kathy's photo now moves into the Top Amateur Photographer of the World in 2004 competition.  We all wish her the best of luck.
  She has also been asked to bring a portfolio of my best photographs.

F.Y.I......Contact your senator and ask them to vote against this bill if and when it comes up for a vote.  This bill was introduced by Senator Mandy Dawson from Broward County who is active in the NAACP.  The bill is senate bill S 1448 which would delete Confederate Memorial Day & Jefferson Davis' birthday as legal holidays in the state of Florida.  The bill was referred to Governmental Oversight and Productivity; Rules and Calendar on 01/16/04.  To view bill go to: www.flsenate.gov  Please contact your senator today.   A short letter or email expressing your thoughts on this bill would be fine.

Ft. Taylor.........In the last issue of this News Magazine, the comment was made about camping within the fort.  This was said... "Next year the park rangers will let us set up and camp in the Fort.  This is a first, this has never happened before".   Well Cpl. Walter Patt (3rd US Artillery Battery E.) saw that and he wanted to correct the statement.  He wrote......."I have photographs from back in the last century, in the early 90's (probably 91 & 92) of the 3rd US Artillery, Battery E, camping on the parade ground.  It may be Major Brass' first time camping in the fort, but it's not re-enactings' first time.  I remember how I bent my tent stakes, trying to hammer them into the hard rock underneath the thin covering of soil and grass". 
  "Park management has changed, the park volunteers have changed, they must have forgotten that which has already occurred a decade ago, but the spirit with which we re-enact, has not changed a bit". 
Cpl. Walter E. Patt, Jr.

Comments.......I have gotten a lot of feedback from this small event.  It seems that they treat the reenactors very well down there and everyone has a good time.  In attendance were members from the 7th Conn.Vol. Inf, 10th Tenn., the New Haven Ladies Aid Society, the Fort Taylor garrison troops, a member of Berdan's Sharpshooters and even Honest Abe Lincoln showed up.
  The education day drew about 250-300 kids from five schools and included artillery demonstrations and music.  The parade down Mallory Square into the fort was well received by the locals and the living history displays of candle, toy, wood workers and basket makers.  The battle went well and by the end of the weekend, the event was attended by a crowd of 3,000 spectators.
  Bill Kaiser (known as the "Colonel")  from the 7th Conn. and the Sons of the Union was honored in a memorial on Sunday.  If you remember, he passed away this year.  His widow, Lois, also attended the event and she can be seen dancing in the photo above.  Unfortunately, Lois took ill Saturday evening after dancing at the ball and was taken to the hospital and was not able to attend Bill's memorial.  She has fully recovered and was in attendance at Grandparents Day in Miami (see event article below).  We all miss Bill very much.  Col. Kaiser was a reenactor for many years and very active with the Fort Zackary Taylor, Yesteryear Village, Harvest Festival, Everglades Raid and many of the events throughout Florida.  He also fought in WWII as a fighter pilot.
  Next year’s event will be held on January 28, 29, and 30.  If anyone has any comments or suggestions for next year’s event, please send them along to Harry Smid at Harry.Smid@dep.state.fl.us or Marshall Pixley at KA2TSD@juno.com

Grandparents Day at Ransom Everglades Middle School was a wonderful success with 16 reenactors, and one horse.  Almost everyone arrived Monday night and by nightfall, an impressive little camp of eight tents and one cavalry picket line was set up for the Tuesday event.  The living history for the school kids was held in much the same way as a regular school day at a reenactment is set up.  The main difference between this schoolday event and others is that the kids had a two page list of questions that they had to get answered by the reenactors.  To encourage interaction between the students and the living historians, the reenactors were only allowed to answer the questions that pertained to their impression; then the students had to get the other answers from different reenactors.  At the first stop, the students and Grandparents took part in 1860’s dancing, thanks to Randy and Tammy Deal.  Here, they were quickly taught the paddycake dance and when the music started they actually did quite well.  They then were led in a short field Drill with the help of Maj. Rick Brass, Capt. John Thompson, Earl and Victor Greathouse.  The kids and a couple of hearty grandparents fell in and were marched around the demonstration area and then to the next stop on their journey.  Sergeant Greathouse cleared the students' misconceptions on the War of Northern Aggression.  Our Federal reenactors talked a little about a lot of subjects including the damage a minnie ball could do when it hit someone.  Bob Jones and Bob Pszyk (Union) pointed out that the conflict was really the War of Southern Rebellion.  Lois Kaiser taught the students the use of etiquette in the 1860’s.  She also brought several antique items and showed the kids what they were for and how they were used.  At Eric Desjardin's tent, they were shown how weapons were disassembled and rebuilt while Gerald Fortner explained how the weapons were used in a battlefield setting.  Fred Parks' display always had a fire going and something cooking while he enlightened the students as to how the blockade runners worked in South Florida.  Calvin Greathouse, Jr., assisted with both Eric and Fred.   Palmer Schatell and Dale Hensley did a fine job of teaching the role of the militia in the war.  Major Niepert brought his horse, Bird, and kept the students complete attention while sharing the use of the Cavalry horse and its accoutrements in the war.  Of all the Reenactors that came to the event, the one who will be most remembered, is the horse called Bird.
  Thanks go out to the civilian participants, the 10th Tennessee and the 7th Connecticut for their continued support of this event.  Through the efforts of everyone, this was the best Grandparents Day I could have ever imagined. 
  Thank you once again for making a great learning experience for students, Grandparents, and everyone that came to the event. 

As you know, this was the 140th anniversary of the battle at Olustee.  What a weekend (mess).  As Johnny Cash said, "kicking and a gouging in the mud, the blood, and the beer".

A Word From Col. Riker.........
The medical staff was very busy at Olustee this year.  Roger Schlievert told me that he had started Wednesday and Thursday taking care of various real world problems that by the time Saturday rolled around, he was too exhausted to take the field.  He and the park service did a good job of getting water dumps out and prestationed.  Unfortunately, as we all know who attended, the last thing that was needed was more water Saturday.  If you were thirsty, simply turn your head skyward.  The field was busy though.  We had everything from fall into holes, to falls onto palmetto bushes which ended up in the nose.  We had people overheated due to all the rain gear, to smoke associated breathing problems.  Then there was the shoulder injury and the impending baby birth.  The medical staff up front said they had to treat two during the battle, too.  (photo at right by Joe Stone)
  In camp due to the inclement weather, the medical unit actually circled the wagons (trucks) and threw up canvas over the collected A-frames and made our own little enclosed village.  Our poor cook had to tote most of his cook gear in from the road and made a great dinner.  I must ask for the forgiveness of Roger and Laura Niedrich and the members of their church group who had invited me to dinner from which I had to keep running in and out.  By Bob Niepert's information, you can see where I ended up.
  Once we were off the field, we had to contend with the endless mud.  Mud, mud and more mud.  It kept us hopping with more injuries.  The ball was wonderful but crowded.  There were an abundance of beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen.  Again, the nurses (Christina Watson, Katie Kingham and Jackie Hope) proved they could go from hard workers to lovely dance companions. 
  As for Sunday, it was amazing to watch the sun come out and the skies literally part as Reverend Roger delivered his message on "The Mustard Seed Faith." 
  The pre-battle assembly actually saw the yellow jackets attack in force.  They found out it had stopped raining and decided to try and attack.  We took four casualties in the span of about 10 minutes.  Pretty effective targeting actually. 
  The battle itself found a few injuries with one case of heat and one ankle injury to the Confederate forces at the end of the battle.
  With the road moderately repaired, we thought we were headed home but low and behold, the gate stayed locked until about 4:30 so people could visit the sutlers.
  My special thanks go out to all the medical personnel, Union and Confederate, that braved the weather and helped out.  Come rain or shine, we will trudge on beside the men and women we are proud to serve.

D. Riker
Lieutenant Colonel / Brigade Surgeon
Senior Medical Officer
Hardy's Brigade
Army of Tennessee
Confederate States of America 

Mid-February and it's time for two things:  Valentine's Day and the Battle of Olustee.

Friday:  It started out with an omen of things to come.  Cool temperatures and a misty rain.  It didn't slow things down, though.  The site was filled with kids and adults for the annual School Days at the Battlefield Park.  Anyone dressed out in 1860's apparel was sure to be stopped by students with the school groups who asked questions about what they did as reenactors.  Food vendors were kept busy as well as the sutlers that were open.  The big question of the day:  "What is the weather going to do?"  Answer:  Rain.  All day, all night.

Saturday:  Cold and rainy.  As the troops assembled for Colors, the rain let up.  The road through the park was a muddy mess.  The Colors Parade detoured on the north side of the sutler area, and turned  onto the road at the end of the Ball Tent.  Colors were the usual grand ceremony with a large troop turn out.  Afterwards, reenactors boarded buses for the annual Lake City Parade, some went shopping along Sutler Row, some went back to camp and some formed up for drill.  The rain started again.  It didn't stop.  Saturday afternoon, the battle was a true test for reenactors.  Rainy, cold and in the woods or palmetto bushes.  It was definitely a flavor for what the original battle must have been like.  It was a tactical with everyone vying for position, firing and general confusion with such large groups.  After the battle, everyone returned to camp to try and dry out.  No use.  The rain kept coming.  For those who decided to pack up and leave, it was a real feat.  The back road was so muddy it was closed at one point.  The road going through Sutler Row was a test of a person's patience and mud bog driving skill.  The most fun all day was watching cars, trucks and trailers go through the mud and muck, taking bets on who would make it.  The Dress Ball Saturday night was wet, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the participants.  The women were beautiful, the men handsome, the music and dancing excellent.as expected.  I've always said, "A woman dressed in her 1860's hooped finery is absolutely beautiful."  It's true.

Sunday:  It was still wet in the early hours.  Colors took place as usual, with one exception.  The Black Caucus made a special presentation to the Olustee Battlefield Park.  It was special.  After Colors, participants were surprised by blue sky and sun.  It even got a little warmer.  It was breezy, but that was all right, it was sunny!  Activity increased everywhere, even in the mud pit that used to be a road.  A bulldozer and dump trucks with rock tried to make the road..a road.  Personally, I think those responsible for pulling this together deserve a big "thank you" because it was Sunday, they worked hard and they worked fast.  They did a good job with the mess they started with.  The battle followed the usual Sunday format.  Troops from both sides pushed forward, pulled back, pushed forward again.  It was a sight to see.  Artillery barrages lessened numbers on both sides.  After hundreds of rifle volleys and many cannon blasts, the Confederates pushed the Yankees back and overran them.  Victory Day for the South.

The sun stayed out, reenactors began packing up and leaving.  Motorhomes, trucks and cars, some hauling trailers or campers, lined the main road waiting for the gate to open at 5:00 P.M. so they could go home.  Some reenactors and sutlers stayed Sunday night and went home Monday morning.  The annual Battle of Olustee was over.  My wife Kathy and I stayed over Sunday night, just as we do every year.  It's sad in a way because the sights and sounds of the event are gone.  It's nice in a way because it's peaceful and quiet.  I sincerely hope everyone had a safe trip home.  Looking forward to Crystal River in a few weeks.

Cannon Black Flagged.........Yes, it's true.  Our 3" ordnance cannon was not allowed to go on the field for either battle.  Point of information:  The two mountain howitzers in the 10th did pass and did participate in both battles.  Our artillery crew (made up of 10th Tenn. men [except two]) passed the pre-battle drill inspection with no problems but the ordnance cannon was not allowed to participate due to the rotted spoke and hub damage on the right side wheel.  We knew going in that there would be a chance they would fail us but we decided to try anyway.  They were fair and just in their decision and I am not angry with the safety inspectors or with the event hosts.  As a matter of fact, their decision to exclude my cannon proves that safety is the first concern of their artillery inspection crew.  The inspectors did their job properly and well.  To the credit of the event hosts, they did give us 18 cans of powder (the prearranged ration amount) even though the gun did not make it to the field.  Thank you for the powder ration, you didn't have to do that and your generosity took some of the sting out of the bite when we missed the battle.  I will put this one in the "lessons learned" column.  We are taking steps to bring the cannon up to and above standards and you can rest assured we will not have this problem again.  The gun will be out of service until Resaca.  It will be completely rebuilt and refurbished before we put it on the field next season.  You will know our cannon when you see it because when we are finished, it will be the best looking cannon out there.

Water, Water, Water everywhere...........I can't believe the luck we have been having lately.  Looking back over the season, I think I remember a lot or a little rain at every reenactment (except Horse Landing) since last year's Crystal River event.  Yes that is almost one whole year.  Some event sites can handle water better than others.  Unfortunately, Olustee doesn't hold its water well.  A light to medium rain fell from Friday to Sunday morning.  The road turned to mud and everyone and everything was cold and wet throughout the entire weekend.  Reenactor injuries were slightly higher than normal for this size event and all attending were just plain tired out.  You could see it in their eyes.

The Good........

Somehow the event hosts got the water swept out of the ball tent by Saturday night and I hear the ball went very well.  The rain stopped in time for a sunny battle on Sunday.  At least sutler row didn't end up under 4" of water like it did last year but it was close for a while there.  There were a lot of sutlers to shop at as usual.  There are some good photos of the battle posted on the Jacksonville Times website at http://www.jacksonville.com/images/galleries/021604battle/ .  That's about it for the good part.

The Bad And The Ugly........

Firewood........Did anyone ever find any?  We didn't see any in the modern camp area. 

So Called Roads, Parking And Blocked Driveways......This event has always had vehicle problems.  Most are due to the inability of the park service to decide on a reasonable traffic pattern, accessible parking areas and to maintain the entrance and exit roads.  Come on guys!  This is the second biggest event in Florida (still an ongoing debate between Brooksville and Olustee) and you have one narrow dirt road in and out.  Using a one lane path (road) for a reenactors entrance and trying to put two way traffic on it is crazy.  Add a little rain and it becomes a 14" deep mud quagmire.  The photo on left (by Kathy Heitman) was taken just after the sun came out Sunday morning.  It is a little hard to tell but in this area of the road the mud was so deep you couldn't even walk across it.  As early as Friday, the west entrance had to be closed due to the condition of the road and soon afterwards the mud extended all the way to the registration tent.  By Saturday morning, the mud was about 10" deep going into the sutler area.  With all the money the reenactors bring into the Olustee park, there is no reason some of it could not be spent fixing the road.  I know there are rules about what can and can't be done in a national park but if you are going to sponsor an event this big, you could at least fix and maintain a decent road for the reenactors.  This is the second and perhaps third time in the last three years that this has happened.  Something needs to be done when the only usable road in the park (for reenactors) becomes impassable when it rains.  What would happen if a major medical emergency were to occur?  The best the park service could do is to bring in the little John Deere Gator medical cart and try to get the victim out through the mud.  A good lawyer could get this case and end up owning the whole park.  I will give the park credit for deciding late Sunday to bring in a couple of truck loads of lime rock to stabilize the mud moat (road) but it was almost too little too late.  The bulldozer in the photo at right (by Kathy Heitman) is working on the road.  Why was the exit gate locked and no one allowed to leave until 4:30?  We didn't have to worry about running over spectators because not many showed up.  Everyone was wet, tired and just wanted to get out of there.
  Reenactors:  Where is your brain?  A lot of the vehicle parking and driving problems were caused by inconsiderate reenactors.  We could avoid a lot of angry words and unnecessary delays if every driver would take a second and think ahead.  The bulldozer was trying to spread the lime rock and some people were getting in the way.  When a dozer is doing its best to fix a problem, please stay out of its way!  Why did some of you park your vehicles in a way that they partially blocked entrance and exit driveways?  Why were your cars parked in the road?  Come on guys THINK!!  We all have to keep the other guy in mind when we park or drive.  Let's try to be more considerate of our fellow reenactors in the future.
There must be somewhere that the artillery trucks and trailers can park other than jammed up in the small area west of artillery camp.  How about the area by the tracks at the stone wall?
  Olustee event committee:  Now is your chance to correct some long standing problems and get this event back on track.  How about it?  Will you fix the road, set up reasonable parking areas, establish and enforce traffic flow patterns and make the battles better for the reenactors and spectators or will it just be the same thing next year?

From our Hardy's Brigade Adjutant..........I want to commend the troops for their largess on the battlefield at Townsend's Plantation.  Despite inclement weather, including heavy rain, wind and cold, the troops held like they had tar on their heels!  These were the soldiers who do not need to be led.  In fact they were led by courageous and magnificent officers!  They stayed when the faint-hearted and weaklings had shrunk away.  They assembled in the blowing rain and would have fought even if the sun had not broken forth on Sunday.  They are the "hard corps"  and include Hardy's Brigade and the Alabama Volunteers!  And speaking of the "Volunteers", their performance in camp and battle was nothing less than superlative!  A finer group of soldiers I have never seen than those who fought at Townsend's Plantation.  The Department of the Gulf could never, or any other reenactment organization for that matter, outclass these troops!  The Cavalry and artillery were superb and held fast and fought like fury!  The spectators certainly received more than they expected on Sunday afternoon in spite of the weather.  I am so proud to be a an officer attached to such units!  Three cheers to Hardy's Brigade and the Alabama Volunteers and others that fought on that line all weekend without complaint in such dire circumstance!   I have never seen General Hardy any prouder than he was on Sunday afternoon!
Capt. Pete Perry
Adjutant, Hardy's Brigade. 

From The Florida Reenactors Online Discussion Group........This post was so good I wanted to share it with everyone.  If you would like to become part of the discussion group, you can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/floridareenactorsonline/   The comment was written by Larry Cywin.
  "With us (Confederates), what sometimes "appears" to be "still fighting the War" is just a tremendous pride in our Southern ancestors and what they fought for and believed in. In these times of political correctness, put yourself in the situation of a person who has a family history of Confederates who served their country (C.S.A.) with love and pride and honor.
  I did not intend to imply that most or even many Confederate reenactors are "still fighting" the War. But there are a few and they are a definite turn off. I understand having pride in your ancestors. My great-great grandfather was a cavalry man from Illinois. I'm quite proud that he fought for what he believed in, just as did the ancestors of many of the people on this list. The people I refer to are the ones still fulminating about the War. It has nothing to do with pride in the accomplishments of the past; only acrimony for how events turned out. As you say, they are few and far apart.  This is all being now eradicated through political mechanisms which want to erase that time in our history and to totally do away with any Southern symbolism and memory (t-shirts, the flying of our flag, bumper stickers, etc.). It's VERY sad......a beloved era gone forever!
  I caught a comment on the radio the other day to the effect that certain groups are planning on picketing the movie "Cold Mountain." Seems that there wasn't enough anti-slavery sentiment in it for them. This whole thing is disturbing and repulsive. The idea that some people should be proud of their heritage while others should not is repugnant. We should all take pride in who we are and where we are from and who our ancestors were and what they did.  Honoring ALL the men and women of that era is our goal and I think we do it very admirably.
  I have no doubt that you do just that. I have found that the folks on this list are genuinely the cream of the crop, whatever their period of interest. Again, let me apologize if I have offended anyone here. That was not my intention and I deeply regret if I have done so".
Larry

A Satire..........This is a humorous letter written by a reader.  Hope you enjoy it.

  Civil War re-enacting, participating in living histories and memorial services and parades is a seriously time-consuming hobby (passion).  Some of us are fortunate enough to have a spouse or significant other who shares the same passion; perhaps not to the same degree but understanding of our need to pursue this time consuming and expensive hobby.
  But on the flip side of this, there are those who are less fortunate.  How does one strike a compromise that each party can live with? Do we go to the negotiation table and try to strike out a deal without ending up "striking" each other; or even worse, "divorcing" each other?
  I hear, "But Bee, it is only six to ten times a year.  Other re-enactors participate in something almost every weekend ALL year long.  Look how good you have it!" And the long-suffering sigh#*@.  (What he doesn't take into consideration when he makes this dangerous statement is that with participating in the cavalry, the prep time is a week or two before and several days afterwards unpacking and getting ready for the next one!)
  If you have a partner that has a separate hobby then you have a little breathing room as he/she will spend the time that you are away in pursuit of that hobby for themselves.  The only problem you might run into is will they meet someone who is interested in what they choose to do and dump you?  It is just a thought....
  The only suggestions that I can make to help ease this dilemma are:  Separate your personal life from that of your hobby.  Make certain that you show an interest in something other than re-enacting that your partner likes and be as supportive of it as you'd like your partner to be with re-enacting.  Life does exist outside of the re-enacting field.  Unless you were born into a re-enacting family, you once had other interests besides the hobby and were able to function without the wearing of wool and carrying a weapon for long amounts of time.  If you were born into a long line of re-enactors, hopefully there will be a cousin far enough removed that it will be legal to marry so that none of these issues arise.
  Be careful to plan other activities that include your spouse and be energetic and happy to do so.  It is very easy to come to resent something or someone outside the home that  takes all of your partner's time, effort and attention and you become an afterthought or a "tag along", or worse yet, just plain ignored or forgotten.
  Participating doesn't mean helping to get you ready, keeping your gear together and your clothing mended, seeing to it that you have all your needs cared for and then being left behind while the other goes off to have a great time.  There just might be a strange man waiting to serve you papers upon your return or all the neighbors lined up on the sidewalk to see the fireworks when you get back and find all your non re-enacting belongings set outside the house on the curb, a strange vicious dog tied to the front door stoop waiting to nail you if you try to enter; or even worse yet, come home from work one day to find all your re-enacting equipment in a heaping (voraciously burning) pile in the front yard.  It's a hard thing to explain to the cops why all that black powder exploded!
  So, if you are bitten by the bug, make sure your spouse or significant other is truly comfortable with it.  Beware of the "if that's what you really want to do".  That usually means that after you've spent a ton of money on gear and weaponry and attended a season's worth of events and are hooked for the rest of your natural life, your spouse decides that it is now intolerable and makes the demand of togetherness (not re-enacting) or singleness.  What's a guy to do?  For most, it was sure nice knowin' her/him for all those years!

This is part two of the two part series of Crimes and Punishments in the Civil War.  If you missed the first part, check the back issues section of this website and you will find part one in the previous issue of The News Magazine.

The Firing Squad.......In 1863, executions reached their highest point.  As you can imagine, the easiest most convenient way to carry out the death penalty was by firing squad.  The drawings above and below show the typical arrangement of the Regiment when a criminal was to be executed in that manner. 

Diagram of an execution by firing squad.  Refer to the drawing above.  The Regiment formed up in a three sided rectangle made up of four ranks with an aisle way between them.  Position "F" - Guards marched the condemned man between the assembled ranks of the Regiment while the band played Pleyel's Hymn or the Dead March.  They would walk the entire length of the three sided rectangle following the path marked by the arrows in this drawing.  Position "A" - Reserve firing squad (weapons loaded and ready).  Position "B" - Firing squad (weapons loaded and ready).  Position "X" - Prisoner stands or is seated on the coffin.  Position "C" - Coffin.  Position "D" - Grave.  Position "E" - Twelve guards (six per side).

John D. Billings was a member of Sickles Third Corps attached to General Birney's First Division while they were at Fairfax Station.  He witnessed an execution by firing squad of a soldier who had deserted several times and additionally was suspected of giving information to the Confederates.  A vivid account of another execution was written by Charles E. Bingham on August 9, 1863.  He wrote:

  "The day before yesterday the execution of a man took place out in front of our camp it seems as though he had enlisted some three times getting a big bounty each time and then desert again I stood and watched the execution of him the division that he belonged to was marched out the band playing a lively tune all the while until they formed a hollow square then came the officer on horse back then came the pallbearers four in number carrying his coffin the one that I spoke of in one of my other letters close to them was the chaplain and the criminal keeping the step as firm as if he was going out on parade.
  Next came the band playing his death march in fine stile but it did not seem to affect him in the least and following them was 12 with loaded guns and I think there was four others with loaded guns in reserve so if the first did not make the work of death complete the others could finish it at once.
  They marched in and sat the coffin down and took their position behind the man the chaplain then stood by him and made a prayer and shook hands with him bade him good bye and stepped back.
  The officer approached him and he stepped forward took off his cap and blouse laid them down aloud himself to be blindfolded and then took a seat on his coffin the officer shook hands with him and bade him good by and stepped back to the twelve executioners the criminal then raised his hand three times holding it out straight the last time but he did not hold it long before the death messengers hit him he fell from of his coffin and lay there kicking.
  The officer stepped up and called the others they stood there they came putting their guns quite close to him and let drive and that was what all called butchering and then my company right ahead guide right march pass in review pass and the whole division passing by where he lay and so back to their quarters and so ended the life of a Deserter.
  So I have give you as good an idea of the matter as I can but believe me that I don't want to see any more such proceedings The first shots I did not mind so much but when the others came up and almost put their guns against his breast and head it all most made me sick and as many as was seen at Gettysburg laying dead it did not cast as match solemnity over the troops as that one mans death did and what will his wife think when the news reaches her for I have heard that he left a wife and two children". 

  "In the autumn of 1864 - near Fort Welch, I think it was - I saw three military criminals hanged at the same moment, from the same gallows, for this (desertion and enlistment to the enemy's side) crime against the government.  They were members of the Sixth Corps.  The condemned men were all foreigners, and rode to the gallows in an ambulance attended by a chaplain.  The ambulance was well guarded in front, in rear, and on the flanks.  The gallows also was strongly guarded.  If I recollect aright, the troops were not ordered out to witness the spectacle.  Nevertheless, thousands of them from adjoining camps lined the route, and standing around the gallows, saw the prisoners meet their fate,  No loyal heart gave them any sympathy.
  In April, 1864, I saw a man hanged for a different offence, on the plains of Stevensburg.  He belonged to the second division of my own corps.  Most of the corps, which was then twenty-seven thousand strong, must have witnessed the scene, from near or afar.  In hanging the culprit the provost-marshal made a dreadful botch of the job, for the rope was too long, and when the drop fell the man's feet touched the ground.  This obliged the provost-marshal to seize the rope, and by main strength to hold him clear of the ground till death ensued.  It is quite probable that strangulation instead of a broken neck ended his life.  His body was so light and emaciated that it is doubtful if. even under more favorable circumstances, his fall could have broken his neck".

After the war in 1870, the Adjutant-General's report accounted for one hundred and twenty-one soldiers executed from 1861-1865 (including firing squads and hangings) thus proving that very few men who committed crimes worthy of the death penalty actually received it.

What To Do......The problem with punishments was much more complex than deciding what to do with the soldier who was charged with a crime.  Believe it or not, the manpower needed to carry out the punishment was as big a problem as what to do with the soldier.  If a man was put into confinement, at least one other soldier was needed to watch him.  If a court martial was called for, three to five officers must be taken from their duties to handle the proceedings, evidence had to be submitted and witnesses called.  Most commanders tried make their punishments ingenious, but not a waste of time and manpower to perform.

Bucked And Gagged.......Having a soldier bucked and gagged was one of the most common physical type punishments used by both the North and South in the Civil War.  This same way of restraining and bringing pain to the person being punished had been in use before the War Between The States and was commonly used on soldiers and prisoners of war all the way through WW I, II, Korea and the Vietnam Wars.

A New Jersey soldier described how this punishment was inflicted:

"A bayonet or piece of wood was placed in his mouth and a string tied behind his ears kept it in position," then the man was "seated on the ground with his knees drawn up to his body.  A piece of wood is run through his legs, and placing his arms under the stick on each side of his knees, his hands art then tied in front, and he is as secure as a trapped rat."

Strapped To A Stick.........The criminal would have, as the troops called it, a stick (which was actually a medium weight log approximately seven feet long) placed behind his head and across his shoulders.  His hands were tied at the wrist to the "stick" and he was made to walk around the camp in this predicament for several hours.

Hanging By The Thumbs.........This was a minor punishment.  The man charged was suspended by his thumbs with arms at full length from a horizontal pole.  The pole was placed just high enough to make the trooper stand on his toes.

The Sweat-box.......The prisoner was made to stand in a box a little smaller than a coffin.  The lid or door was placed tightly in place and the box taken out into the sun.  After all day in the sun, the criminal was more than happy to conform to the military way of life.

The Spare Wheel.........The artillery had a unique way to punish their trouble makers.  They would lash the guilty party to the extra wheel carried on the rear of a caisson.  This punishment was referred to as being "on the spare wheel".  With the man's hands tied at the wrist and his legs tied at the ankles he was stretched out as far as possible across the wheel and left in the sun usually in the center of camp.  This punishment doesn't sound too bad at first, but the soldier in addition to being in an uncomfortable position had to put up with the insults of his fellow artillerymen.

Serving Time.......The most common punishment was to serve time in the guardhouse.  Every camp had a guardhouse and it could be anything from a log structure with bars on the windows and doors to a open area marked by ropes.  Armed soldiers would be posted when men were to be confined in the guardhouse.  As the war dragged on and conditions worsened in camp, many men looked upon a sentence to serve time in the guardhouse as a welcome respite from duty.  Soldiers could be sentenced to the guardhouse for anything from being late to roll call to drunkenness or crimes against civilians or other soldiers.  The sentence could consist of several hours to several months confinement.

Barrel Punishments.........The common wooden barrel was used to ship everything from gunpowder to food and 
water.  It didn't take long for the officers to figure out a way to use them as a punishment tool also.  These Union soldiers (photo at right) are paraded around in wooden barrels.  In many circumstances, the men were made to strip to their underwear then donned the barrels.  Sometimes the lid was removed from the barrel and the trooper was made to stand erect and balance on the rim.  If he fell off, he had to climb back up and stand again.  Most of the barrel incidents lasted only a few hours but were remembered by the men for quite some time to follow.  These punishments were meant to humiliate the criminals more than harm them.

Riding The Wooden Horse........The wooden horse pictured at the left could be as simple as a horizontal log supported by four legs or as elaborate as an somewhat accurate wooden sculpture of the real thing.  The most important aspects of this type punishment were that the horizontal log be narrow at its top, the misbehaving soldier's feet were not to be able to touch the ground and it was to be placed in full view of the camp.  The person on the horse was under armed guard the entire time of his sentence.  The platform punishment is basically the same as the wooden horse.  A platform was set approximately ten feet off the ground and the soldier was made to stand atop it in a public area. 
 

Ball And Chain......A sentence to wear a ball and chain was normally melded out to criminals who committed relatively minor crimes.  The ball was a thirty pound cannon ball with three feet of heavy chain attached to it and it was secured to the ankle of the criminal.  Once sentenced to wear the ball and chain, it was seldom removed before the time expired.  Some men serving time in military prisons were additionally burdened with a ball and chain as they did their time.  There are accounts of soldiers on the march who were required to carry their ball and chain with them.

References:
Library Of Congress
The Cry Is War by Taylor
Chicago Historical Society
War Letters by Andrew Carroll
U.S. Army Military History Institute
Southern Invincibility by Wiley Sword
A Brotherhood Of Valor by Jeffry D. Wert
Hard Tack And Coffee  by John D. Billings
Soldiers Blue and Gray by James Robertson
Customs Of Service For Officers Of The Army
Fighting Men Of The Civil War by William C. Davis
Regulations for the Army of the United States Revised 1861
Customs Of Service For Non-Commissioned Officers And Soldiers

CHARLESTON, S.C. - As many as 50,000 people are expected to come to Charleston in April for what organizers are calling the last Confederate funeral - the burial of the crew of the submarine H.L. Hunley.

The Hunley was the first submarine in history to sink an enemy warship and Tuesday was the 140th anniversary of the Hunley mission.

The vessel with its crew of eight sank on Feb. 17, 1864, after sinking the Union blockade ship Housatonic off Charleston. The sub was raised in 2000 and brought to a conservation lab at the old Charleston Naval Base.

About 2,000 people, many of them Confederate re-enactors, have signed up to make the almost 5-mile funeral march on April 17 from Charleston's Battery to Magnolia Cemetery.

There the crew will be buried next to the remains of two other crews who died in earlier sinkings.

"We are into the home stretch now," Hunley Commission Chairman Glenn McConnell said Monday. "Very shortly, we will reunite all three crews in port."

The Hunley sank three times during the Civil War - once after it was swamped at its mooring, again during a test run and finally after its sinking of the Housatonic.

During the week leading up to the April 17 funeral, facial reconstructions and biographies of the crewmen will be unveiled. There will also be lectures, ceremonies and vigils.

The public will be able to pay their respects to the crew at the aircraft carrier Yorktown at Patriots Point on April 12 and 13, at John Wesley United Methodist Church on April 14, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on April 15, and the Church of the Holy Communion on April 16.

The day of the funeral, the remains of each of the crewmen will be loaded onto a separate horse-drawn caisson for the funeral procession.

"It is a funeral, not an event, not a flag rally," said Kay Long, a member of the burial committee of the South Carolina Hunley Commission. "It will be done with the dignity and honor that these men so richly deserve. It will be history in the making."

New Shop.  Southern Hospitality Antiques and Gifts Formally known as the 7th Fla. Sutler is now located in a 3200 Sq. Foot shop full of antiques, unique items, furniture, gifts, fine glass and collectables.  Military antiques, War Between the States is my specialty.  We are located at 2416 Gulf to Bay Blvd. (State Road 60) in sparkling Clearwater, Florida 33765.  Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 12 to 5.  (727)  797-4848  sutler7@knology.net  Mention this newsletter and receive a 10% discount.  Dealer space is still available.  Consignments are welcome. 

Wanted.  I am looking for a copy of the book, "The More Complete Cannoneer"; M.C. Switlik; 3rd Edition, 1990.  I haven't had any luck finding it.  If you have a copy you would like to sell, please contact Bob Niepert at mayorbob@embarqmail.com 

For Sale.  Wells Cargo Trailer.  Excellent condition, 5' X 8', full 4' back door, 5' (inside) tall.  Perfect size for reenactment trailer.  Fully enclosed, inside lights, good tires, clearance lights, baked on enamel exterior skin, plywood protected inside skin, aerodynamic fiberglass nose cone adds extra inside room, large heavy duty tires, can haul one ton.  Originally paid $2,150 will sell for $1,000 cash; firm. This is a good trailer at a fair price.  Don't miss this deal.  Contact Bob Niepert at mayorbob@embarqmail.com 

For Sale.  Gun Socks.  These socks were made by reenactors for reenactors.  They are made of duck canvas, padded and are water resistant with a fleece lining with rawhide ties.  They will fit any rifle.  A portion of the proceeds will go to advancing Living History Scouting.  $25 each.  Contact Ed Smith (79th N.Y. Co. B.) at (727) 526-2851 email at edscout@aol.com 

For Sale.  Company Stickers / Signs.  Custom made vehicle stickers, signs, artwork, magnets and more.  Have your reenactment company or anything else you want printed in any color or script.  Contact Robyn Banks email at southerncanoneer@aol.com

For Sale.  Navy Arms brass 4X15 power scope.  18 inches long.  $100. Contact Steve at Rebboss1@aol.com

For Sale.  Two patterns.  Never used.  One is for a duster multi size pattern.  $5.  Woman's ball gown size 8-12.  $5.  Contact Steve at Rebboss1@aol.com

February 26, 2004. Thursday.  The Greater Orlando Civil War Roundtable meets every 4th Thursday at 730pm.  The meetings are held at the Marks Street Senior Center at 99 E. Marks St. between Orange Ave. and Magnolia St. in downtown Orlando.  This month's topic is "Conspiracy Theories Surrounding The Assassination Of President Abraham Lincoln" and will be presented by Joe Mee.  For information contact Ruth Ann Wood at cwldy@mybluelight.com

February 27, 28, 29, 2004.  NEW DATE.  The date of the Fort Clinch event has been changed due to a conflict in their schedule.  This will be to our advantage as it will be cooler weather and will give us an additional event in February other than Olustee.  We will have an off weekend between Olustee and Fort Clinch and an off weekend between Fort Clinch and Crystal River.  For information contact Fred Jakobson at csarooster@adelphia.net 

February 28, 2004.  Wetlands Park Festival.  Near Ft. Christmas Park in Christmas, FL (east side of Orlando).  Living history and possible recruiting opportunity.  The host of this event is looking for a variety of historical reenactors and living historians to come to the Orlando Wetlands Park Festival.  Their goal is to help educate the public and the kids who show up at this event about Florida, its environment and its history.  Aprox. 1,500 spectators are expected to attend between 9am and 3pm Saturday.  For more information contact Mark Sees at mark.sees@cityoforlando.net 

March 7, 2004.  Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Gamble Plantation.  Ellenton (near Bradenton) Florida.  Sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (Florida division) and the Florida Park service.  You are invited to step back in time and experience a free tour of the Gamble Mansion and the Patten House.  Proceeds (donations) from this event will be used for on-site preservation and restoration.  Directions to the Gamble Plantation Historic State Park is located 1.5 miles west of I-75, Exit #224, in Ellenton.  For further information, email Gail Jessee at Cantiniere1@aol.com

March 5, 6, 7, 2004.   Gainesville Raid (north Alabama) Hosted by the 4th Alabama cavalry (dismounted).  Sutlers and spectators welcome.  Gainesville is very picturesque and hasn't changed much since Forrest surrendered there in April 1865 but is somewhat isolated; so come prepared.  Camp stew on arrival $5.00 registration fee.  Regimental band.  Very cavalry friendly, one bale hay per horse.  Modern area with electricity and running water.  On site cooked whole hog B-B-Q Saturday night before ball.  Ball with music by the 5th Ala. Contact Capt. Mike Graham mgraham@uwa.edu or 1st. Sgt. Brian Walters at walters9@mindspring.com

March 6, 7, 2004.  Fort Clinch Union Army Garrison and Living History.  State Park Fernandina Beach.  Federal (Union Army) Garrison and Living History.  Living historians free.  Admission to Park: $3.25 per car.  Admission to Fort: $2 each.  Also check at gate for possible candlelight tour on Saturday night.  Candlelight tour admission is $3 for spectators.  Fort Clinch State Park  Contact the park at (904) 277-7274.

March 6, 7, 2004.  Battle of Natural Bridge (North Florida) This battle is held on the original battlefield located 12 miles south of Tallahassee.  Sponsored by the Florida Park Service, Natural Bridge Historical Society and the Leon Rifles.  No modern campsite is provided.  No fee for reenactors.  Saturday night ball with band.  Hay and water are available as well as a free meal Saturday evening.  There will be military and civilian demonstrations as well as a skirmish on Saturday and the traditional battle on Sunday.  The Natural Bridge Event is held at the Natural Bridge State Historic Site which is located six miles east of Woodville.  The best way to find the site is to take I-10 to Tallahassee, exit onto US 27 (North Monroe Street-Exit 199) where you will travel south of US 27 (Monroe Street) until you reach the Florida Capitol.  At this junction, US 27 will turn to the left.  Do not continue on US 27, simply continue to travel south on Monroe Street.  A few miles south of town, Monroe Street becomes Woodville Highway.  Continue to travel on Woodville Highway until you reach the town of Woodville.  Turn left on Natural Bridge Road, go six miles to the site.  The park is located at the point where the paved road ends.  Registration open at 1pm Friday.  Due to the size of the site, we cannot allow any mounted troops.  Artillery is by invitation.  Contact Mark Rominger (850) 877-1263 or Chris Ellrich at cellrich@hotmail.com

March 13, 14, 2004.  Immokalee (south Florida).  Raid on Gopher Ridge.  Hosted by the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch.  This reenactment is based on a real skirmish between the U.S. 2nd Fl., the 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry and F.A. Hendry's Confederate Cow Cavalry.  Powder and food rations provided for pre-registered participants.  No sutler fee.  Limited modern camping, hay, and horse corral.  Negative Coggins required for horses.  For more information contact David Southall at davidsouthall@colliergov.net

March 20, 2004.  Alabama.  Cleburne County.  All reenactors are invited to join in on a parade to honor Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne.  The parade will march down main street and end at the courthouse where a ceremony and the raising of the Hardees Corps flag.  A living history will also take place.  Musicians and reenactors are needed.  Horses welcome.  If you are interested, contact Janet Baber at bobeeple@aol.com 

March 12, 13, 14, 2004.  Battle of Crystal River (Yulee Sugar Mill).  This is a Hardy's Brigade maximum effort event.  There is a 160 acre battlefield and camping area.  Part of the proceeds go to historical preservation in the Citrus County area.  Extra powder ration for full size artillery pieces.  Powder ration to all infantry, cavalry and artillery who are preregistered.  Unfortunately due to the rising cost of powder, all soldier reenactors will be charged one dollar at the registration desk.  School day is Friday the 12th, 10am to 2pm.  All reenactors that help with school day will receive a free BBQ meal Friday night.  Authentic sutlers only.  Sutlers limited to the first 30 who are registered by Feb. 29th 2004 including a fee of $25.00, late sutler registration will be $50.00.  Live fire cannon demonstration during the weekend.  New this year - live fire mortar competition.  Live fire musket competition will again be held.  Battles Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.  Ladies tea Sat. morning at 11am.  Living history demonstrations throughout the weekend.  Sat. night 1860's dance for reenactors and guests only.  Authentic camps for CSA and USA.  Hay, wood and water on site for authentic and modern camps.  Modern camping (no hook ups) on site.  Directions:  7 mi. northwest of Crystal River along US 19/98.  It is accessible from Dunnellon via SR 488 or take I-75 to Wildwood exit (SR 44) go west on SR 44 when you reach Crystal River, follow the signs.  Go about 7 mi. and the site will be on the left.  As you pass over the railroad tracks, get in the left lane go about a mile turn left into the small one lane driveway.  The entrance is just south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal.  This event takes place on land owned by HCR Limestone.  You can pre-register on line at www.crystalriverreenactment.org    or snail mail to PO Box 640012 Beverly Hills, Florida 34465.  Contact Bob Mann (event chairman) at email bmann@gowebco.com or b_mann_007@yahoo.com email Ray Smutko phone (352) 746-2243 or email at ray1861@digitalusa.net  Sutlers contact Diane Micklon at trechuck@tampabay.rr.com 

March 19, 20, 21, 2004.  Battle at Narcoossee Mill This event (in its 10th year) is southeast of Orlando near St. Cloud and takes place on the shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga.  The reenactor entrance will change this year.  More info. on that to follow.  The battlefield is on 150 acres of open and wooded land.  The event is sponsored by the Jacob Summerlin Camp #1516 Sons of Confederate Veterans.  The event host will be checking coggins papers for horses at the registration desk.  All copies of coggins and reenactor registrations are to be given to Jacob Summerlin Camp officials at the event registration tent.  This was a great event last year; over 500 troops were present.  Friday the 14th is School Day which begins at 9:00am.  Reenactors are needed to provide demonstrations; contact Mike Kilcoyne email trimshop@kua.net for school day info.  Saturday the park opens at 10am and the battle will be at 2pm-3pm.  Night cannonfire at 7pm.  The military ball will be at 7:30pm.  Sunday, the park opens at 10am.  Sunday battle will be at 230pm-4pm.  Take Hwy 192 (Irlo Bronson Hwy) to Hwy 15.  Go 2mi north on Hwy 15, look for the park sign.  Another way to get there (from the North) is to take I-4 to the Toll Road 528 (Beeline Expressway) go east and get off on Hwy 15 exit (Narcoossee Rd) go south on Hwy 15.  Another way if you are coming from the Florida Turnpike get off at exit #244 and go East on Hwy 192 through St. Cloud, then turn North on Hwy 15 (Narcoossee Road).  Contact Mike Kilcoyne email trimshop@kua.net or Jacob Summerlin Camp Hotline (407) 931-7003  Web http://www.fl-scv.camp1516

March 25, 2004.  Thursday.  The Greater Orlando Civil War Roundtable meets every 4th Thursday at 730pm.  The meetings are held at the Marks Street Senior Center at 99 E. Marks St. between Orange Ave. and Magnolia St. in downtown Orlando.  This month's topic is "Kentucky During The Civil War - A State In Turmoil" and will be presented by William Bauman.  For information contact Ruth Ann Wood at cwldy@mybluelight.com

March 27, 28, 2004.  Ft. Clinch Secession Garrison.  This garrison will recreate the period before the fort was evacuated as the federals arrived.  Battleshirts and milita unit impressions are preferred.  Civilian impressions welcome.  For information contact Sgt. Willie Evans at uw6165@aol.com 

March 26, 27, 28, 2004.  Battle of Anderson.  (Belton S.C.)  No registration fee.  Firewood, straw, water, and horse hay to those who preregister by Feb. 20, '04.  $75 bounty to largest Federal infantry unit; $50 to second largest, $75 bounty to largest Federal Cavalry unit; $50 to second largest, $75 bounty to first 4 federal full scale guns with mim. six person crew.  Thursday: Camp opens for re-enactors.  Friday: Education Day ( 9 AM – 2 PM ) Saturday: Ladies Social 2 PM - Battle 6:30 & 8 – Play – “War Comes to the Homefront” (Trials and Travails of a family caught in the war). Sunday: Church Service 2 PM - Battle No Fee to Sutlers who register prior to March 10.  Overall commander: John Vaughn 2nd in Command: John Busbin Cavalry Commander: James DeShields Infantry Commander: John Vaughn Directions: Check website for map at www.geocities.com/battleofanderson contact: Allen Ashley Email: allenashley@mindspring.com

March 26, 27, 28, 2004.  Bridgeport, Alabama.  Siege at Bridgeport.  10th anniversary of this reenactment.  The usual amenities, hay, fire wood and beautiful camp sites, Supper on Saturday night, and Powder bounties for full sized cannons and mountain howitzers, (first six units registered full size cannon, and for the first six units registered of howitzer).  Powder bounty for the largest Infantry (Confederate or Federal) Unit of over 40 men.  To qualify for the bounty (20 pounds of powder), your company has to have paid the registration and be on site.  Band for the weekend and Saturday night Social/Ball.  All Cavalry is Free admission, along with fed hay.  The event will take place on the Jere and JoJohn McCraw farm located on country road 255 just off of hwy.  277 (old 72).  Contact: Glenn Hill 256-495-3614 or 256-495-2721 or email: dghmdh@Aol.com