Florida Reenactors Online News Magazine

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Recent Events

Annual Brooksville Christmas Parade

The annual Brooksville Christmas Parade took place December 12th. The participants started arriving very early in order to finish decorating floats and get lined up. The Civil War reenactors float was #27. Everyone stepped off right on time and the parade was on. As in the past, there was a great turn out of participants and spectators. There were about 30 reenactors participating in the

parade including civilians (men and women) and military. All of the soldiers marched and some civilians walked the mile long route. Civilian reenacting children handed out candy to other kids and the crowd. For those who preferred to ride, a parade float was built. The trailer turned parade float was decorated very nicely by members of the 3rd Battalion of Hardy's Brigade and Bob and Jan Knowles. The honor guard was provided by Col. Doug Davis. Special thanks goes out to all those who did a great job getting every vehicle, every person and every detail just right. By the way, you can tell from the photographs that the weather was just right. Photos by Lori Fensterer.

Suwannee River Raid - A Cavalryman's Perspective

by Maj. George Scott

Commander of the 2nd FL.

Facilities; Excellent - Good stalls or paddocks were available and use was mandatory, as was the deposit. Deposits were returned promptly thanks to Col. Niepert's close monitoring. The field area was one of the largest made available to us, comprising about 80 acres with some scattered trees, but otherwise an open area. Wooded areas were used to advantage on the perimeter of the field. Water was very convenient, hay was provided by Leroy from his own fields. Camping areas for the trailers were handy to the stalls, and the authentic areas were commodious.

Weather cooperated, with rain overnight, letting up in the morning. Some infantry had given it up, but mounted troops were diminished.

Saturday; Second Florida/5th Florida rode Confederate against the galvanized 10th Tenn. Initially an advance guard was posted, relieved at regular intervals. At initiation, Confederate Cavalry advanced a skirmish line toward the Federal camp. This line was vigorously attacked by a strong Federal mounted force. Confederate mounted reinforcements were called in holding and engaging the Federal Cavalry forces. All weapons were used - mounted pistol attacks initially, dismounted with carbine, and saber engagement was demonstrated in the central part of the battle field. Confederate infantry forces then advanced, forcing the Federal Cavalry to fall back to their left, hotly engaged by the Confederate horsemen. Through the remainder of the engagement both mounted forces worked against each other, while simultaneously carefully watching for an open flank, exposed gun or other tempting targets on the other side. At the end, all ammunition was expended by both sides and both sides could take pride in a job well done.

Sunday; The event opened with a grand review, well received by the small crowd. Roles were reversed with Second Florida/5th Florida now on the Federal side and the 10th Tenn. riding as Confederate. Again the 2nd FL/5th FL sent out pickets from the Federal camp. They discovered the skirmish line sent out by the mounted Confederates, and rallied back. Federal mounted then advanced, formed skirmish order at the trot and attacked, driving the Rebel horse. Skirmishing again demonstrated mounted attacks against mounted and dismounted troopers, saber fights, and dismounted against dismounted. As Federal dismounted held in check the Confederate forces a numerical advantage allowed the Federal horse to ride to the right end of the Confederate gun line and engage the gunners at close (but safe) range. A Federal infantry company advanced to the rescue of the dismounted troopers and drove the Confederates back on their camp. A large Confederate infantry force was concealed beneath a swale of ground, they rose up, volleyed and saw the Federal company retreat in disorder. 2nd Florida/5th Florida then mounted and moved on the exposed Confederate flank helping to check them until more Federals arrived on the scene. Federal horse was then delegated to the Federal right flank, covering the gun line and keeping a route of retreat open. At this point an overwhelming Confederate force advanced out of the woods, forcing the entire Federal force back on their camp.

A hearty and sincere well done to Col. Bob Niepert for the huge amount of work done on preparations and management of the event. It came off far better than anticipated and particularly for a first time event was exceptionally well managed. Thanks as well to Alan Nicely who assisted in the advance work, and to Leroy, who brought a roll of hay.

Raid On Fort Pierce, Florida

Savannas Recreation Area

December 11 - 13, 2009

by Kathy Heitman "The Picture Lady"

The 8th Florida Co. C, 75th Ohio Volunteer Regiment, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Explorer Post #400, along with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Bomb Squad put on another outstanding event this year. This event has grown annually. It has come a long way from its meager beginnings. Just like last year, there were various buildings on the northwest side of the canal with a sign above the walled entrance that read "Village of Fort Pierce Est. 1837". There was a Sheriff's Office and jail, Saloon, Post Office, Tribune Newspaper Office, Doctor's Office, Common Ground Church complete with benches and cross inside and a Feed Store. The Federal period camps were inside Old Fort Pierce and down along the dirt road leading out of the town. There were some new buildings this year on the northeast side of the canal that comprised a Confederate Village next to the Confederate period camps. There was a working blacksmith shop, a building for Lieut. Col. Larry Rowe, 10th TN Cavalry along with the corral for his quarter horse, Dixie Belle, that has been there every year, and a building for John Simmons who portrays Florida Senator David Levy Yulee throughout Florida. The hosts constructed a little church for Confederate Battleline Ministries Reverend Roger Niedrich. They made it a point not to tell him what they did. They wanted to surprise him when he drove in Saturday morning to set up his tent. When he arrived he was indeed surprised. In typical Reverend Roger fashion with arms and hand pumping he exclaimed, "I can't believe I have a church, I just can't believe it. Thank you so

much!" Needless to say, he gave one of his best sermons ever. The period camps were well marked with hand painted signs that marked each unit's campsite. The bridge across the canal that was there last year is a permanent fixture in the park. The reenactors love to fight back and forth on the bridge. When I spoke to Bob Burdge of the 8th FL. Co. C. over the weekend about why Fort Pierce was chosen for the reenactment site, the buildings and the battle scenario, he said, "Well, it's a beautiful area, a nice battlefield and we wanted to have something down in this area. There are no reenactments in this portion of South Florida. We wanted to do something extra this year to help it grow, so we erected a Confederate Village. With the bridge in the center over the canal, the troops will have to fight one another for control of the bridge. The troops that control the bridge will gain control of the towns. We wanted a type of themed reenactment and with the bridge it works out perfect. The bridge is like the Burnside Bridge, you know. It makes it very interesting and the public loves it." He was right, the public loved the two towns and they loved the bridge. Bob got a big smile on his face and said, "Kathy, look at it this way, Fort Pierce didn't really contribute anything to the war effort. Fort Pierce was just a sleepy little town until about 1878. We thought it would be quite nice to showcase this place." He shuffled his feet and continued, "You know, the Sheriff's Department Explorer and Bomb Squad put a lot of hard work and sweat into pulling this event off. You saw how long it took the Bomb Squad on Friday to set up all the charges on the field and in the canal. It took them all day. They need to be recognized. Sgt. Barbara Smith of the St. Lucie Co. Sheriff's Office also needs to be recognized for her years of dedication because she's retiring this year." Sgt. Smith who commands the Explorers was honored just before Sunday's battle by being called to the microphone, given a nice speech and awarded a dozen roses. Sgt. Smith was surprised, thanked everyone, and then immediately went back to what she does so well. She coordinates and runs the event. When I spoke to her on Monday I said, "You will certainly be missed, Sgt. Smith, will you come back to be with us each year?" She smiled her beautiful winning smile and said, "Oh, I'll be back, Kathy. I told the Sheriff I would come back and help him out. I'm not going to stay away, but thank you very much for your concern." The Explorers she commands are comprised of congenial, polite young men and women who would do anything to help someone. The Bomb Squad did, indeed spend all day Friday setting up charges. When they blew them, you knew it unless you were in another universe. They did it right, they did it loud and they did it with high flying debris and lots of flash and bang. When they blew the mock-up of the Federal Ammunition Supply Depot it was earsplitting. It must be noted here that the depot was far enough away on the field to prevent harm to anyone. The Sheriff's Explorers also made a point to give out earplugs to every person in attendance. There were even signs along the entrance and in front of the viewing stands that read, "Please use earplugs, it will be loud." Since the stands were close to the canal and would spew water when the charges were blown, there were signs stating "Anyone sitting in the first two rows of the stands will get wet". It was true. It was like being in the first row at Sea World's Shamu Show. Any soldier nearby was also soaked.

There was a very nice Ladies Tea Saturday morning under the big tent next to the viewing stands. The Confederate Colors Ceremony was held off until right before the battle to afford the people in the viewing stands a chance to see

what it was all about. Quite a few people said it made for a nice presentation and they hoped it would happen again next year. Everyone held their breath as they watched the dark clouds gathering and hoped they would not soak the place. Speaking of soaked, the skies opened with pouring rain just as the first cannon blast fired on Saturday. Since there was no thunder or lightning, the battle raged. Some people stayed in the stands, some ran to take cover under the big tent that provided a respite from the wet stuff. The tent was situated in such a way to provide a good view of the fracas. Not only were the soldiers drenched from the rain, they were soaked from the charges blowing up in the canal. Water spewed fifty feet into the air in some places. If they weren't drenched with canal water, they were littered with debris from the dirt that was exploding around them. The ground charges blew at least

fifty feet in the air as well. It didn't seem to faze the soldiers as they battled back and forth on the field and back and forth on the bridge for control of the town. About half and hour into the battle, the skies stopped weeping but the cloud cover remained. The crowd that was in the tent returned to the stands to watch the fight. The rifle and cannon smoke was so thick it was reminiscent of thick spooky fog on Halloween. The two pieces of the New Jersey Light Artillery Co. A. and the two cannons of the Milton Light Artillery Co. A. did a great job of keeping their pieces dry enough to belch a lot of smoke and fire. At the end, the bridge was a solid mass of Confederate bodies with hands, arms, legs and brogans sticking out from between the bridge supports. Rifles lay atop the soldiers or beside them. Next to the dead bodies sat injured comrades who were too wounded to fight, just waiting for someone to come and shoot them to put them out of their misery. some of the Federals tried to make their way across the bridge to the other side, but couldn't get to their comrades on the east side because of the bodies. The Federals clearly took the day with huzzahs and shouts.

Saturday evening the skies dripped lightly here and there, and then the clouds scattered to reveal beautiful starry skies. There was a small Dress Ball held. Campfires were lit to help dry out wet uniforms and brogans, cook meals or just sit around and compare stories.

Sunday morning dawned beautifully to sunny skies and a light breeze. Rain wasn't even in the forecast. Just like Saturday, the Confederate Colors Ceremony was held right before the battle. Immediately following Colors, both sides formed up to duke it out again. The battle would not be as long as the day before. The Confederates pulled a

fast one on the Union troops. It was quite a scene with gray coats marching out of the period camps across the canal and down the dirt road in front of the stands. A few of the Federals rolled out big wooden barrels to provide protection for themselves as they feverishly shot into the oncoming grays. It proved futile as the Confederates kept coming. The Federals, led by Captain Barry King of the 75th Ohio Volunteer Regiment, decided to roll a few of the barrels over to the bridge and put them upright to block it. That didn't work either. They came under heavy fire before they completed their task, and were trapped in a sitting position on the bridge. While they were hunkered down on the bridge unable to make a move, they were dispatched accordingly by a company of Confederates, lead by David Hackle, supported by the Milton Light Artillery Co. A. who marched toward the bridge. They didn't have a chance. The rest of the Federals

were in the town or right at the entrance. Other Confederates rushed up to the entrance of Old Fort Pierce, while others surreptitiously moved behind the viewing stands to sneak into Old Fort Pierce the back way behind the wall into town. The Confederate Captain who lead the boys made a "Shh!" sign with his finger to his lips to his troops. The crowd, along with the troops didn't say a word. Suddenly, everyone on the Confederate side opened fire and took the Federals by surprise. At first, the blue coats didn't understand what was going on. It didn't take long though. The New Jersey Light Artillery Co. A. turned their pieces to shoot out to the dirt road, while the Confederates of the Milton Light Artillery Co. A. provided support for the onslaught of the boys in gray who marched up to the dirt road into Old Fort Pierce. One brave cannoneer from the New Jersey Light Artillery Co. A. tried to take a final stand with his pistol against the Confederates, but he met death quickly at the hands of the Confederates. The graycoats succeeded in pushing the Federals back into the town, while Col. Dwight Dovel and his Aide rode out of town the back way. It was over in a mere thirty-five minutes.

The Savannas is a very nice park with picnicking facilities, a campground with clean hot showers and laundry room with several washers and dryers. You can contact the Savannas Recreation Park for directions and more details at 1-800-789-5776.

To see photos of this event, you can Google my website www.piclady.smugmug.com or email me at t.general@att.net until my next report, be well and stay safe.

Items For Sale

And Wanted

For Sale. Original Colt .31 cal. percussion "pocket revolver" #61077. Photo at left is an example of the type and not a photo of the actual pistol that is for sale. Fully operational. Above average condition. All numbers match on all parts. Colt grips good. Blue Book value; 80% - $2250, 70% - 1500, was appraised at $1600. Will negotiate. Contact Janet at jdlpga@embarqmail.com

For Sale. Period Correct Wood Items. Cpl. Hamilton McElroy (25th Ohio Volunteers, Co. E.) has started a small company specializing in wood camp furniture called McElroy's Woodworking. His inventory includes common camp things like chairs, chests, boxes shelves and more including lamps, lavatory, benches and tables. Painting and stains are not included in the prices but you can have him do that to if you like. You can visit Ham's website at http://www.geocities.com:80/irishham97/furniture/ or you can email Hamilton at irishham97@yahoo.com

For Sale. New large 18 X 30 feet (set up only one time). Includes vents for heater, curtains with roll up screens and vent in top to let the heat out. Could be used as sutlers tent, a hospital tent, or just a general purpose tent. Poles and ropes not included. Bargain priced at $450.00. Contact John Green at info@brigadesutler.com

For Sale. Several prints of "On Empty Rifles" featuring Cleburne in battle. This is a limited edition signed and numbered print by Rick Reeves. They are 24" X 26". This print has sold for as much as $150 when it was issued but can now be purchased for $65 plus $8 shipping. Contact Frank Wood at butternut4662@dixie-net.com

For Sale. Cavalry horse. Registered Tenn. Walker. 19 years old. Has been a reenacting cavalry horse for about 10 years so he knows how it's done. 15.2 tall. Contact Ralph VanDyke at shellev@msn.com

Wanted. Officer's wall tent. If you would like to sell your wall tent, contact Kelly at savannahlee66@yahoo.com

Wanted. Tent fly. In good condition. Contact Kurt Hilberth at kurt@hilberthlaw.com

For Sale. Reenactors' Calendar. The 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry has put together another great full color glossy page calendar specifically designed for Civil War Reenactors. Each month features a photograph taken at one of our local reenactments and a pen and ink sketch form the 1860's. Historic dates and events from the Civil War are printed in blue and Federal Holidays are printed in red. Our modern reenactments (local and some out of state) are printed on their respective weekends for easy reference. Their calendar runs from September 2009 to August 2010 (this covers our reenacting season). The cost is $8 each with $2 shipping - $10 total. This is a good price for a very useful item. Less than a dollar a month to easily access reenacting information. You can find more information and order one for yourself at http://www.97thpvicoa.us/index.php/sellcalendar

For Sale. Confederate POW MIA flag. The flag is a 3'X5' polyester D100 with brass grommets. A portion of the proceeds go to support SCV camp 2086 the Dixie Defenders in Cross City, FL. For more information and to order a flag, go to their website at www.confederatepowflag.com or www.rebelflag.com

For Sale. Window stickers, signs, vehicle lettering, graphics, magnetic signs, banners of all sizes and more. Will ship anywhere. Contact Robyn Banks (artillery) at southerncanoneer@aol.com

Multiple Items For Sale..........To purchase any of the items below contact Hamilton at 912-882-2775 or the25thovi@yahoo.com

For Sale. Tent Fly - 12x12. Been in use for 3 years. No tears, rips, or major stains. Just normal usage. 5 grommets along both edges, plus 2 for the ridge, all are double reinforced. Includes all ropes and poles (2 uprights, 1 solid ridge, and 6 side poles). Asking a bargain price of $100.

For Sale. Sleeping Cot - roughly 36x72. Metal frame w/ polyester sleeping part (I don't know what it is called). No rips, no tears, excellent condition, very taunt. Again, a bargain at $50.

For Sale. Cap Pouch - Standards U.S. issue. No wool inside. $10.

For Sale. Stainless Steel Canteen - Canvas Strap. Dark blue cover that needs to be resewn. It looks like bits of the cover were moth eaten, but recover it and it'll be great!!. $15 (yes, only $15).

For Sale - Kitchen ware:

- 4 plain white plates. Good for civilian/family impression. Still in box. $15.

- Green Speckleware...4 plates, 3 cups, 1 serving bowl. Green was very rare, but it did exist! I found it documented. Has some chips and nicks in the enamel, but still in very good condition. Again, good for civilian/family impression w/o worrying about it breaking. Asking $20 for the set.

For Sale - Ladies Hats:

- 1 straw bonnet ($30)

- 1 gray riding hat ($30)

To purchase any of the items above contact Hamilton at 912-882-2775 or the25thovi@yahoo.com)

Upcoming Events

For a complete listing of all Civil War reenactments, living history events, and monthly meetings in Florida, please see the 2009 - 2010 Event Schedule at http://www.floridareenactorsonline.com/EventRoster.htm or go to this magazine's home page and click on the Event Schedule button.