At this point, I do know that there have been a couple of references to the validity of reenacting (newspaper article in DeRidder LA, reprinted in this News Magazine issue 02-01#2).  There are some organizations that don't like what we do (statement by NAACP Feb 2001 and Lake City NAACP March 2001) but none of them have taken an organized official stand.  As of this moment, I know of no grassroots efforts to start a push to outlaw/curtail any reenactments.  Keep your eyes and ears open.  If you can show me any proof that there is a problem, let me know and I will investigate your claim.  Do not start any rumors.  The rumor you start may bring unwanted attention to a problem that doesn't exist.  Be careful of what you say and to whom, you may put gas to the fire of a reporter on a slow news day.  Case in point the recent TV show on the History channel.

Lake City Seals.....I had wondered exactly what the Lake City seal looked like before the recent change took place.  Thanks to Mark Tingen I found out and now I can share that information with you.  The seal still has a Confederate flag on it and now it shows a battle scene.  The first seal (left) is the original seal.  The second seal (right) is the new seal.  I personally like the new one better.  What do you think?
 

OLD  SEAL									NEW  SEAL

Natural Bridge......Sgt. Chris Ellrich 2nd Fla. Co. D (Leon Rifles) wrote to ask for more Federal support of the battle at Natural Bridge event.  Attention Union troops.  Now is your time to shine.  Pitch in and fight.  How about you USCT men?  The USCT troops fought there, it would be great if a few of you showed up.  Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the reenactment.

Comments On Bishops Farm........I have gotten a few comments about the cancellation of the Bishops Farm event.  Some of the comments I can't reprint, some I can.  The following is from Al Perkins.  Al is a Sgt. in the 7th Fl. Co. F. CSA Infantry.  The 7th F sets a period correct standard that few can follow.  They camp campaign style with only what they can carry in.  Sgt. Perkins looked at the Bishops Farm cancellation from a different view.  He wrote......

Howdy,
Yeah, I was upset with the cancellation of the event.  But I was even more upset with the news article with the city manager saying "It is not a racial issue".  Of course it is.

But listen guys, after this was pointed out to me, I felt a lot better about the situation.  Holly Hill's decision could very well be for our own safety.  Think about it!  Maybe 50,000 young black men in tot'en.  Ok you know how many (5,000?,who knows) will be carrying firearms.  Most will be drinking, etc. and feeling cocky.  Hey, all it would take would be a couple of them to decide to come over and "show those crackers some real war".  Don't scoff at this.  If you think about it, you would have to agree it would be a very real possibility.  It's a crazy time we are living in.  My big complaint is that we are portrayed as the villains in this mess.

Sgt. Al Perkins, Co.F 7th Fl.

Down Load Trouble......I have heard from a couple of people that there is sometimes a down load problem with the News Magazine.  This is mostly happening to people who have AOL.  What it sounds like is that AOL is putting the newsletter into an attachment format.  When AOL puts something into an attachment, it usually shows up as a zip file.  Not all the time, but usually.  The reason AOL does this is because after an email reaches a certain size, AOL thinks it needs to be an attachment.  (Silly reason, I know.  But that is AOL for you.)  What you need to do is click on the "download attachment" button.  This will download the magazine.  HOWEVER, you must figure out where the attachment is being downloaded to.  AOL has a nasty habit of downloading attachments into some obscure file that is impossible to find.  So if your version of AOL lets you pick where to download to, I would suggest you download to your "my documents" file or some other easily accessible file.  Once the download is complete, just go to the file you chose to download to and double click the icon for the magazine and it should open right up.  AOL.com and CS.com work the same way.  There may also be a server problem.  AOL is so large that they employ hundreds of servers from different companies.  If you have a server problem, the only thing you can do is change internet companies.

Civil War Dog Tags........Mark Tingen wrote and asked...."Dog tags or I.D. medals?  What is the proper name and material used for I.D. metals that were sewn to the shell or sack coats?  Were there different designs on the opposite side of the metal that depicted a unit or state of the Union (or Confederate)?  Did the stenciled in name have a unit number, rank or state added on the medal?"  Does anyone know of any sutlers who carry these dog tag blanks?"

When I am asked a question like that I need to go to the primary source of historical information in our area.  Jeff Grzelak from the 17th Conn. Infantry Co. B.  Jeff sent me this information.  It comes from Lord's Vol. II Pages 80-82.

Dog Tags......American soldiers have used "dog tags" only since WWI.  In the Civil War troops went into combat with no assurance that, in case of death, their bodies could be identified or their ultimate fate made known to "next of kin".  In the Federal Army alone there were 354,791 men captured or missing in the war.  Among the missing were thousands who were buried and still remain on the records as "unknown".  These men, usually strangers to the burial details were "those who never came back."  Many men who died under the surgeon's knife at field hospitals in rear areas, were only "bodies" to hospital attendants.  The graves of thousands more who died in Confederate prisons are marked by one word, "unknown".  When one examines regimental histories of reports of state adjutant generals, he is struck by the frequency of such entries as "never heard from" or "missing at the battle of..."

Much of the heartache caused by the uncertainty of a son's fate would have been spared the mother if the Government had issued some means of identification to the soldiers.  On several occasions, men going into combat improvised means of identification which their Government failed to provide.  At Cold Harbor, in preparation for what was obviously going to be a desperate assault, men were observed calmly writing their names and home addresses on slips of paper and pinning them on the backs of their coats, so that their dead bodies could be identified on the field.  History records that many of these slips of paper were useful before the day was over.

However, some soldiers on their own initiative made reasonably sure of their identification in case they became causalities.  Often such items of equipment as haversacks and knapsacks were stenciled with the owner's name and regiment.  Occasionally a soldier would scratch his name and unit in the back of the brass U.S. Buckle of his waist belt.  Notebooks, diaries and letters from home were invaluable in identifying a man killed in battle.

The more farsighted (or pessimistic!) soldiers provided themselves with items sold by private concerns before leaving their home States or purchased them from enterprising sutlers on arrival at the theater of war.  These items were of two general types.  The first type was the more expensive and was widely advertised in Harper's Weekly, Leslie's and other popular periodicals.  This type was a pin, usually of gold or silver and quite ornate.  Generally these pins were shaped to suggest a branch of service and were engraved with the soldier's name and unit.  Often the pin was in the shape of the army corps badge but must not be confused with the Corps badges as issued by the Government for wear on hat or cap.  The privately purchased badges were usually worn on the coat.

The second type of identification markers were similar to the "dog tag" of World War I and early World War II pattern, but were of brass or lead instead of aluminum.  These tags had a hole for attaching a string to be worn around the neck.  There were several variations of these tags.  Usually they had on one side an eagle or shield and such phrases as "War for the Union," or "Liberty, Union and Equality."  The other side had the soldier's name and unit and sometimes a list of battles in which he had participated.  Lettering was machine stamped.  On one occasion, at least, nearly an entire regiment went into an active campaign with this type of identification disc.  In July, 1864, the 14th New Hampshire Infantry, passing through Charleston, West Virginia on its way to the Shenandoah Valley, purchased many of these brass discs from a sutler who had set up his tent by the roadside.  He stamped each disc purchased with name, company, and regiment.  The lead discs included on one side such legends as "Gen. Geo. G. McClellan, USA." and "First in the hearts of his soldiers," or the New York State coat of arms with "Lincoln and Constitution," and "N.Y.S. Vols."  with the dates "1776" and "1861".  The soldier's name and regiment were stamped on the reverse side.

All the badges and discs mentioned here and other types as well, were used by Federal soldiers during the war, but there was no official issuance of identification media of any kind to Federal troops in the Civil War.

Lee Painting.....Eddie Fuller found this....A painting of Gen. Lee done in 1908 may be restored and rehung at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta.  Vote (free) if you are for or against the restoration of the Robert E. Lee painting. I have reprinted the details and photo below in the feature article section of this issue in case some of you can't log onto the site.  Details and the story are at:  http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/ajc/flag/lee0216.html

3rd Fl. Co. K site....Our company, the 3rd Florida Co. K (CSA cavalry), has a web site now.  It was put together by Bonnie Coker with some help from her husband Ross.  It is under construction but is mostly completed.  There are links to sutlers and email address to reach our members.  The event roster is there also.  Bonnie will be adding to it every few weeks so come back to it when you can. http://www.geocities.com/fl_3rd_cavalry/index.html

Check out this new web site... www.authentic-campaigner.com

7th Florida......The 7th Florida Co. B (CSA Infantry) has a web site.  The site is written and maintained by Cindy Sloan and is located at http://members.aol.com/seagee69/7thflcob

Wauchula Living History........Maj. Riker writes....The living history event in Wauchula went well.  Members of Company E and K of the 7th Florida Infantry Regiments showed up.  Special thanks to Lt. Roger Statzer and his Mrs., also Brevet Lieutenant Doug Westney, Becky Westney, Kevin Gonzalez and members of the medical staff as well as other unnamed members.  Many local officials including city commissioners and county commissioners came by Friday night and had a chat.  They are interested in providing the reenacting community with access to 1,200 acres of reclaimed mine land in the form of a park with three lakes.  They provided us with wood, hay, water, meals and portapots for nothing.  The local police were very supportive.  In general, this is a small community which wants us there for school days and for a full blown event and they did everything within their power to convince us of the same.

Maj. D. Riker
Major / Brigade Surgeon
Hardy's Brigade
Army of Tennessee, CSA

Battle of Ft. Myers.....Robert Gates writes.....I would like to thank everyone who participated in our ever growing event and let the reenacting community know that although some things have negatively and unfortunately hurt our hobby (events unfairly being cancelled) we must press on and keep reenacting.  I would like to personally thank all Union soldiers, regular or galvanized who fought under my command.  The event was a huge success!!!!!!  Over 250 reenactors showed up and spent more powder than they do at Olustee and Brooksville combined--What a show ladies and gentlemen.  We had coverage from two radio stations, the newspaper and three television stations--we drew close to 5,000 spectators.  The free pig roast as always was a great success, nice dance and great weather.  As the Union field commander I would like to extend my thanks to my galvanized Lt. Sam West and the following company K 7th Florida, 10th Tennessee dismounted, Gambles Light Artillery (Clarence Patterson), Mike Simpson and his gun crew (artillery was very, very hot)  Charlie Coe, Lee County Parks Dept., Col. Del Gados Zouaves, 15th New York Volunteers, 6th Kentucky Dismounted Cavalry, Confederate field commander Ted Moss and his Confederate Marines, 5th Florida Infantry, 8th Florida Infantry, 4th Florida Militia, 37th Alabama, Emerald Guard, 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry, Sgt. Maj. Kevin Daniels and Field Nurse Jesse Daniels, and to Reverend Calvin Martin.  Both days included prisoner exchanges-- and on Sunday just before the battle the Civil War wedding which the crowd loved.
To those of you who participated, I salute you.  To those of you who couldn't make it we hope to see you next time around--we will save you some barbecue--and pray that you bring lots of powder.  This is truly a reenactor's reenactment.

Your fellow reenactor and servant
Robert Gates

Also......Sam West wrote to say that the community was very supportive of the event and the spectator turnout both days was excellent.

Great......The Sons of Confederate Veterans put on another great event.  There were some bugs to get out on Friday but Kirby Back and Maj. Riker made good exterminators.  Almost all problems were solved by Saturday morning and the few remaining were of no consequence.  I vote that Maj. Riker becomes the permanent "problem solver" and from now on we should bring all camping, set up, traffic, and general nuisance problems big and small to his doorstep.  Major Riker, can you see what you can do about the wandering cow problem for next year's event?  Perhaps you could walk around all night with a flash light and cattle prod to protect the camps.

The meals provided for us on Friday night and Sunday morning were good.  The camp sites were nice and the sponsors friendly.  What more can you ask for?  Event sponsors we thank you for a fun weekend.

Medical Report.....Brigade Surgeon, Maj. D. Riker reports.....

I wish to thank everyone for keeping cool heads during this past weekend's event.  I know there were a lot of problems but I really appreciate what everyone did to help and then make me feel welcome after all the problems.  Not having any association with the sponsoring unit, I was told by one wise rider, "If you don't want the problems, you should not have asked for them."

From a medical aspect, thanks to everyone for stepping forward to help, especially the new personnel.  Special thanks to Roger Schlievert for taking care of the one eye injury in camp while I was at the ball.  On the field, we had no injuries.  I understand that 1st Sgt. John Russell's horse is also all right after its spill on Saturday.

[editor's' note....John's'horse was accidentally knocked off balance by one of his fellow riders.  He and his horse fell.  The horse was on top of John for a few tense minutes before both were untangled  from each other with the help of fellow riders and the medical staff.   John and his horse are fine.]

For everyone involved, thanks again for all the kindness and effort to make things work.
Maj. D. Riker, Brigade Surgeon CSA.

Accept this hasty scrawl warm from the heart of your sincere husband.  The fierce wind from this afternoon has passed and now the night is cool and silent.  We are so close to the enemy that no fires are allowed but the moon is full and bright.  So bright that it causes shadows to be cast upon the ground.  Its brilliance enables me to write to you without candle or lantern.   I am employed tonight with the care of our horses.  They must always be attended and I stand to that duty now.  They at times are worse than children.  Fighting and trying to take one another's food.  As has become my custom, I think of you in these quiet times when all else take their rest.  I have been thrown into disorder by your absence and feel uneasy as of late.  My wedding band was just a moment ago exposed to the moon light and reflected its brilliance.  In my absence, I have always worn this ring and hope that you have done the same with yours.  We have been apart a long time.  It is hard for me as I am sure for you also.  Be assured that if I am assaulted with improper thoughts or tempted in any kind against my duty to you I have but to cast my eyes upon it and call to mind you who gave it to me and where it was received.  I remember that solemn time.  I will be faithful to you.  My unhappiness tonight flows from the uneasiness I know you must feel from being left alone.  I beg that you will endeavor to pass your time as agreeably as possible.  Nothing will give me so much sincere pleasure as to hear this from your own pen.  Please pursue any plan most likely to produce to yourself content and tranquility.  It would add greatly to my uneasy feelings to learn that you are dissatisfied or complaining about my military duty, that of which I could not avoid.

Today we were so close to the enemy that our pickets trade insults with them.  We call them Lincoln's baby boys.  They call us dirty rebels and such.  As our great forefather Thomas Paine wrote "Let them call me a rebel, and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one whose character is that of stupid stubborn brutish man.  By perseverance and faith we have the prospect of a glorious victory; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils, a ravaged country, depopulated cities, habitations without safety, homes turned into barracks and bawdy houses and a future race to provide for whose fathers we shall doubt of"  I say we shall defend our Southern homes to our deaths.

The Alabama bugler is up and has sounded his bugle.  I became agitated with the confounded noise.  I was very close to putting a bullet in him.  Those Alabama boys take this army life too seriously at times.

I do not wish to cause you concern or anguish but thought it best to include with this letter my last will should I fall in defense of our Southern soil.  I am confident that I will hold you again soon but it gives me peace to finish that document.  I have written it just as we had discussed before I left.  See to it that my brother handles our affairs.  He is trustworthy and fair.  I would like to leave some of my personal items as listed in the will to those mentioned.  All else is yours to do with as you see fit.  Do not forget to give generously to the hospitals and widows of our fallen men.

The day has grown very hot.  This is strange after such a cool night.

We have been ordered to our horses.  I will finish and send this letter to the post upon my return.

The Union army had moved in the night and our Captain ordered us to search for them.  We rode into a wooded area south of the sugar mill.  It seemed as though we would not locate them there but at length we did.  We charged from the woods and assaulted the infantry.  After letting fly with only a few balls the Union cavalry set upon us.  They were in the woods also.  We held them for a moment while our infantry came quickly forward.  The Federal force was stronger than we had anticipated and we were pushed back.  Men fell and were captured.  The front was organized and held, each adversary trading shot for shot.  The artillery was noticeably silent but their time would come.  It was more than we could do to keep the flanks of the infantry safe.  Wave after wave of Union cavalry brought the battle to us.  Our cavalry was outnumbered by three to one.  As quickly as one charge was repelled, another took its place.  We could not regroup or organize ourselves under their relentless charges.  During the battle, we did not even have time to reload our weapons.  We had to retreat long enough to rally and reload.  Our company neverously fumbled with spare cylinders as the sweat flowed freely from both men and horses.  Each man felt the dishonor in the abandonment of our brothers but without ammunition we could do nothing.  Our infantry was fighting bravely and trying to hold our ground but it was useless.  We were pushed back further.  Reinforcements came up for our infantry and the tide of battle changed.  Hopes were raised for a moment but soon dashed as the Federals advanced with more determination.  The Union cavalry was sighted trying to get through our right flank and behind our artillery.  We rode to their challenge.  A fierce fight broke out around the artillery.  The infantry was soon pushed back to the corner of the field.  There the battle ended and all fell silent.

I have some sad news.  Yesterday our Col. Johnson was cut down in battle.  We have retrieved his body and will send it home.  His life was a sacrifice and his sacred honor attended him to his death and it remains behind him an untarnished legacy to his posterity and his Confederate brothers in arms.  He has distinguished himself in every engagement by his courage and fortitude.  He was first a great commander in battle and an exceptional gentleman off the field.  A soul as pure and benevolent as his has nothing to fear in the life after.  You and the women at home in giving to this cause your sons and husbands sacrifice more courageously than we men. In battle we can only give but one life on the field.  You women have the misfortune to survive those who have fallen and whom they love most.  I am sure that the sacrifices of our women are no less than the most heroic of our soldiers.

This day is overcast and gloomy reflecting the feelings of our defeated army.  The Union has not left this area.  They have shifted to our west flank with a large lake to their backs.  This is an easily defended area and I fear that our losses will be great.  The order to prepare for battle has come.  This we accept this order with mixed emotions.  Some are eager to avenge the losses of yesterday, some fear the losses of today still we ready ourselves.  The Chaplin known only as Roger is busy talking with some for the last time.  Our company mounts and rides to the enemy.

We had gotten badly needed reinforcements in the night.  The Yankees are confident in their previous victory and feel they have no reason for fear.  Our infantry is resolved to the last man that the victory today will be ours.  This will be a bloody battle.

The artillery opened up with a vigor that I have not been witness to before.  The Union artillery answered.  We were assigned to protect our infantry whose backs were to the wooded area.  The Union cavalry charged from the woods as our Confederate army advanced and engaged the Union men.  Although outnumbered again today, we held our ground determined to protect our infantry.  The battle raged in all areas of the field.  Again men fell and again men moved to take their place in the fight.  Push after push was soon resulting in a steady gain of the field.  The Union refused to yield and the killing continued.  Our cavalry was constantly engaged and ran from side to side protecting our flanks.  We ran low then we were out of ammunition.  The officers knew that the decisive blow had to be delivered and it had to be now.  Artillery, infantry and cavalry all were low on ammunition.  The infantry fought closely and massed for a gallant charge.  I fired my last shot as the order for the infantry to charge was given.  With a chilling rebel yell the mass of men ran to and swarmed over the Union position.  I could only watch with a satisfied sense of victory and a feeling of sorrow for the fallen men moved through me.  It was done.  This day we faired much better and with the momentum established by the welcome site of our reinforcements were able to regain our lost ground and achieve a victory.

The weather has changed again.  It is raining hard and we have been ordered to Flat Lake.  I will write again soon.
Death alone can only loose my heart from your grasp.  Your husband

To: FFA Commander
Attention. Col. Dwight Dovel
Subject. After Battle Report
From. Lt. Dave Iannone 3rd R.I. Battery C

Dear Sir, My report of the battle of Narcossee is as follows:

On the 17th of March after a four day march from our post at Grand Island we approached the mill at Narcossee.  We needed little time to rest and recoup for we knew what the results of a surprise attack would bring.  The men were anxious and wanted the supplies that were in the depot.  We struck fast and hard and within several hours accomplished our deed.  Our unit then settled down for a meal and some well earned rest.  We slept well that night even though we knew that the rebels would try to retake the depot in the morn.

Waking up the next day proved to be somewhat different.  I knew after breakfast that I and the rest of the officers must report to you for further orders for the day.  At officers call you made it clear what each unit's responsibility was such as my unit which was to take two pieces of artillery and a company of flanking infantry to hold the north side of the pond at all cost.  This was not a problem for the area the rebs had to come through was small enough that we would have not trouble defending it.  As the battle began to come about we set our pieces about 25 yds. abreast with our infantry support between them.

The first two times the enemy tried to flank us we held them off with very little problem, but I knew they were prodding us to find a weak point and sure enough it came but not like a military mistake but by a military blunder of an order sent by a runner whom I did not know or who when asked could not tell me where the order came from.  As a result he also told another officer on the second piece to pull way back to the breastworks.  As this started to unfold and I trying to get the other officer to stay with us the enemy saw their chance to attack.  As the other piece pulled out we were left with only one piece and a half of a company.  Needless to say sir that we lost all of our infantry and five men on the piece and also the gun, as a result the flanking move by the rebels became very effective and as a result the battle turned in favor of the rebels and they won the day.

Sir, I lay in this hospital bed thinking of those men and cannons lost only due to a blunder in not following orders of could it be a lower leadership problem.  I fear that I have failed to do my duty to you and my country and also why I'm the only one to survive is beyond reasoning.

With regret,
Lt. Dave Iannone 3rd R.I. Battery C.

Tom Fasulo Writes......

On the Altar of Freedom

James Henry Gooding first appeared in history as a 19-year old who signed on as an ordinary seaman on a whaler at New Bedford, Massachusetts in July,1856.  While at sea he wrote a series of letters that were printed in the New Bedford Mercury newspaper.  These letters revealed that he had obtained a classical education sometime in his first nineteen years.  This was unusual in mid-19th Century America, as Gooding was an African-American.

Historians are puzzled as to how and where Gooding received this education, but thankful that he did.  Since most African-American Civil War soldiers were former slaves who could not write, Gooding's letters are one of the few sources of the experiences and attitude of the 186,000 black Americans who served in the Union forces.

Gooding was one of the first to enlist in the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.  He supplied the Mercury with letters on his experiences in the unit on a continual basis.  In fact between March, 1863 and February, 1864, the newspaper printed one of his letters almost every week.  These letters are compiled in the book "On The Altar Of Freedom: A Black Soldier's Civil War Letters From The Front."

Gooding survived the assault on Battery Wagner, but was wounded at Olustee while serving as a Corporal.  Captured, he was sent to Andersonville prison, where he died.  The preface to the book states that. "Gooding's eloquence helped persuade Congress to equalize the pay of white and black soldiers in 1864."  What might this Man of Letters have contributed to our history if he had lived?  A letter from Captain Grace, Gooding's commanding officer, reporting on Gooding's presumed death is available on the Battle of Olustee WWW site.  http://extlab7.entnem.ufl.edu/Olustee/  Under Letters from Olustee.

Thomas R. Fasulo
extension entomologist
University of Florida
http://www.ifas.uf.edu/~pest/

True to my word I have researched the Language of the Fan for my readers.  I found two different versions of the language.  As I read the two versions I found them quite intriguing.  I do question if they were ever used.  As I explained to Bob and my husband; men do not pick up on subtleties and hints, how would they know this secret language.  And if you used this language every lady who knew it would know what you were saying to a particular gentleman.  I also wonder how a man would know that the lady was using the fan as a fan or if she was sending a secret message.

The first version is European and was dated back to the 18th century and went through to the early 19th century.

If a lady appears at the balcony, slowly fanning her face, then she shuts the balcony.  This means 'I can't go out'.
If she does it excitedly, not shutting the balcony: 'I'll go out soon'.
Resting the fan on her lips:  'I don't trust you'.
Fanning herself with her left hand:  'Don't flirt with that woman'.
Running her fingers through the ribs:  'I want to talk to you'.
Fanning herself slowly:  'Don't waste your time, I don't care about you'.
Fanning herself quickly:  'I love you so much'.
Moving her hair away from her forehead:  'Don't forget me'.
Passing the fan from hand to hand:  'I see that you are looking at another woman'.
Hitting her hand's palm:  'Love me'.
Carrying the fan closed and hanging from her left hand:  'I'm engaged'.
Carrying the fan closed and hanging from her right hand:  'I want to be engaged'.
Closing the fan quickly and impetuously:  'I'm jealous'.
Dropping the fan:  'I belong to you'.
Resting the fan on her heart:  'My love for you makes me suffer'.
Half-opened the fan over her face:  'We are being watched over'.
Hitting any object:  'I'm impatient'.
Hiding the sunlight:  'You're ugly'.
Looking closely at the painting:  'I like you".

The second language of the fan I found was published in 1877 in a book by Daniel R. Shafer titled "Secrets of Life Unveiled".

Carrying in the right hand:  'You are too willing'.
Carrying in the left hand:  'Desirous of an acquaintance'.
Carrying in your right hand in front of your face:  'Follow me'.
Letting it rest on the right cheek:  'Yes'.
Letting it rest on the left cheek:  'No'.
Placing it on the right ear:  'You have changed'.
With the handle on to the lips:  'Kiss me'.
Twirling it on the left hand:  'I love another'.
Closing it:  'I wish to speak with you'.
Dropping it:  'We will be friends'.
Open and shut:  'You are cruel'.
Open wide:  'Wait for me'.
Shut:  'I have changed'.
Fanning fast:  'I am engaged'.
Fanning slow:  'I am married'.
Drawing across the forehead:  'We are watched'.
Drawing across the eyes:  'I am sorry'.
Drawing through the hand:  'I hate you'.
Drawing across the cheek:  'I love you'.

There was even a painting done in 1882 by French painter Jules-Joseph Lefebvre; it portrays a woman in red with a red fan.

I would like to know just one thing: Who was supposed to teach the men this secret language?  And if all of this was true and used, my hat goes off to the ladies back then for being able to teach men to notice these little subtleties of signals.  I wish I knew that secret!

Thank you for your suggestions.
Fredricka

Editor's Note....This article by Fredricka was suggested by the Capt. of the 3rd Maine.  His wife was asking about the fan language.  If anyone has an idea or question for Fredricka let me know and I will pass the question on to her.  As soon as her email is up and running, I will publish her address and you can talk directly to her.  Thanks. Bob

It may not be much longer before Confederate Civil War Gen. Robert E. Lee's image graces the state Capitol again. A three-person committee agreed Thursday that the portrait of Lee standing before a leafy backdrop that hung in the Capitol in 1908 should be restored and brought back to the Capitol. The portrait by Louis Kurz once hung in what was then the Old State Library on the second floor of the Capitol before it was moved to the Confederate Soldiers Home and eventually made a part of the Atlanta Historical Society's permanent collection. That's where Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman George Hooks (D-Americus), Secretary of State Cathy Cox and Kay Hightower, president of the Georgia Historical Society, found it. The three composed the committee created by a governor's executive order and charged with overseeing "the acquisition of an appropriate portrait" of Lee that would "preserve his legacy of gallantry." The search for a portrait of Lee began as the Senate was giving final approval to a new state flag. Hooks said during floor debate that it would be easier for him and other Legislators to vote for the redesigned flag if the state also committed to returning a portrait of Lee to the Statehouse walls. Hooks said the 5-foot-by-8-foot painting would have to be restored, but no cost estimate was available. But the acquisition will not be final until the Atlanta Historical Society Board, which meets next week, gives its approval. (THE NUMBERS IN THE GRAPH ABOVE ARE CURRENT AS OF MARCH 14, 2001.....BOB)

Your  Turn . Should this painting go  up in the Capitol? .. .. Yes, it's perfectly fine 73% (4629) No, find or commission a better one  1% (82) No, leave out any depiction of Lee 25% (1592) .. Total Votes  6303

FOR SALE....Armi Sport Model 1861 Springfield.  Has leather sling, bayonet and scabbard-frog.  Contact Chuck ("Bunker") Romano email cromanom@aol.com

WANTED.....Reenactor knows someone just getting into the hobby.  He needs a Model 1853 3-band Musket (prefers ArmiSport in good condition) with the accessories which should include sling, bayonet, scabbard and frog.  If you want to sell call Chuck Romano (407) 306-1049

WANTED.......Ed Scout's company, the 79th N.Y., is looking for a used Enfield.  They would like to have the extra Enfield to use as a loaner to new recruits.  Their company is a scout unit and as such, does not have a large discretionary sum of money.  If you have one for sale at a reasonable price or know someone who does, please contact Ed at (727) 526-2851 or email at edscout@aol.com

Keep In Touch...... You may call me anytime, seven days a week twenty-four hours a day, I will be at one of the phone numbers below.  Please send me (address and email below) photos, event information, general information, reenactor items for sale, comments and letters to be printed in the news magazine.  Without your help with this magazine we have nothing.  Thanks, Bob