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Gamble Sugar Plantation

Christmas Event

During the War Between the States, Confield and Davis owned Gamble Sugar Plantation. Captain Archibald McNeill, a Scottish Sea Captain, and his wife Ellen Clark McNeill were its caretakers. Captain McNeill held a position in the Confederate Commissary department so several searches of the plantation were made by Union troops hoping to catch Captain McNeill.

Captain T.P. Green, Commander East Gulf Blockading Squadron, thought that the plantation belonged to Jefferson Davis. In August 1864, Captain Green sent the Federal Schooner Stonewall up the Manatee River on an expedition of destruction. After burning the Gristmill in the village, Master H.B. Carter led a force three miles up the river to the Sugar Mill which they blew up.

On that day Union forces looted the mansion of all foodstuffs and whatever else suited their fancy. They waited for Captain McNeill until the next day. After killing the McNeill children's pet calf for breakfast, they gathered all the chickens, took all the books they could find and departed. Until after the end of the war, the Union continued its harassment of the area and pilfered anything that was not hidden. McNeill and two other families had hidden small hand gristmills and neighbors were given free use of these. The most dramatic episode came at the end of the war when Major John Lesley arrived with a gentleman introduced as Mr. Howard.

Mr. Howard (AKA Juda P. Benjamin) was given the best bedchamber facing the river. He stayed with the McNeills for almost a month. The mansion was searched at least once during that time. After a particularly close call in June, Captain McNeill took Mr. Howard across the river and arranged with Captain Tresca to get him to the Bahamas and finally England. Captain Tresca returned with a gift from Mr. Benjamin of 10 yards of black silk, braid and buttons to Mrs. Tresca and Mrs. McNeill.

Ellen Clark McNeill (Mrs. Archibald McNeill) conducted the daily business of the Plantation and Sugar Mill, growing produce for the Confederate Commissary. She sheltered wives and children of neighbors and Secretary of State Juda P. Benjamin despite the $40,000.00 reward offered by the Union.

This Years Event At The Plantation

Gamble Plantation Christmas............A 19th Century Southern Holiday Experience. Saturday, December 3 and 4, 2005, 10:00am to 4:00pm. This year's theme will be "Visions of Sugar Plums". For the children there will be an Elves playground of fun activities with a special guest. There will be free tours of the Gamble Mansion and Patten farmhouse. The rooms of buildings will be authentically decorated. There will be 1860's soldiers campsites, sutlers, living history interpreters, live music and plenty of good food. This is an educational and fun weekend for the whole family. The plantation is located on U.S. 301 in Ellenton 1.5 miles west of I-75 (exit #224). For information, contact Pam Steele at pamba1@aol.com This event is sponsored by the Florida Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Gamble Plantation Preservation Alliance and the Florida Park Service.

Confederate Marker & Memorial Dedication Ceremony

from Mrs. William Tindle, Jr. (Sheila), President
Annie H. Darracott, No. 791
United Daughters of the Confederacy

You are Cordially Invited to Attend a

27 Confederate Marker & Memorial Dedication Ceremony

Hosted by United Daughters of the Confederacy, Annie H. Darracott 791

at Bethel Baptist Church, Socrum Cemetery, Lakeland Florida

on Saturday January 28, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Those to be Honored are:

Pvt. James L. Bryant, 2^nd Lt. John M. Bryant,

Pvt. Joseph Bryant, Pvt. John Wesley Bryant,

Pvt. Rizan V. Bryant, Pvt. Thomas Jasper Bryant,

Pvt. Moses W. Dees, Pvt. William Douglass,

Pvt. Oliver Foster, Pvt. John E. Gavin,

Pvt. William Hancock, Pvt. Robert Ivey,

Pvt. James S. Lanier, Pvt. John W. Lanier,

3^rd Lt. James J. Lewis, Pvt. Enoch Mizell,

Pvt. Henry Prine, Pvt. Frank Randall,

Pvt. Wiley Robson, Pvt. Roan Sapp,

2^nd Cpl Cleytus Sherouse, Pvt. Orvil Sloan,

Pvt. Robert Sylvester, 4 Sgt. Edward Wilder, Pvt. William W. Wilder.

* Also to be Recognized Pvt. Lorenzo Bryant & T. H. Rushing, Sr. *

Recent Events

First Annual Barber's Plantation Reenactment

(Glen St. Mary, FL.)

The first annual reenactment of the ambush at the St. Mary's river and the Battle of Barber's Plantation was held on Saturday, Sept. 24th. Originally planned as a skirmish and a salute to the veterans of all wars of Baker County , it was decided to hold the historically accurate battle on the site considering that the actual ground was only a few miles away.

The event was held on the 600 acre nursery farm of Mr. Lin Taber, just outside of Glen St. Mary. Mr. Taber is a Civil War buff and owner of Glen St. Mary Nursery. During the War, the land was a cotton plantation and was sold to Mr. Taber's grandfather who moved South due to health reasons. The plantation was overrun with weevils and mostly useless after the War. The nursery sits astraddle the old Jacksonville/Tallahassee road that the Federal Army marched out on during the 1864 Olustee campaign. One of the more remarkable features is an old 1880's restored plantation house on the grounds.

The original battle began as part of the advance Federal forces of Union General Seymour's command that started out of Jacksonville on Feb. 8, 1864, and consisted of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, the 40th Mass. Mounted Infantry and a section of Elder's Horse Artillery. The 1st Mass. reached a plantation house near the St. Mary's river and approached the bridge over the river when shots rang out. They quickly dismounted and engaged the Confederate forces consisting of the 2nd Fla. Cavalry, believed to be about 200-300 men but actually numbering only 150 men. Col. Guy Henry commanded the Federal forces numbering about 1000 men that were strung out on the road behind him.

After engaging, a lively battle began . Henry ordered the artillery brought up to relieve his pinned down troops and sent the 40th Mass. forward to take the bridge only to discover that it was destroyed and the Confederates in force. The 40th Mass was withdrawn and ordered to reinforce and attempt to ford the river in another charge.They discovered the river too deep to ford and were again withdrawn. A patrol found a ford further downstream just as Elder's guns went into action shelling the hidden Confederates.

Just as the artillery began, a woman came out of the Barber house with two small girls to draw water from a well near the action. Elder spoke to her " You'd better go back to the house Madam. You're in great danger here!" Mrs. Barber ignored him continuing to draw water from the well until her youngest daughter told her " Come mama, you mustn't stay here, the Yankees will kill you." This scene was reenacted during the battle. Thirty minutes later, her home was transformed into a hospital for the wounded.

The artillery found its mark along with accurate fire from the 40th Mass. and the fire slackened. Col. Henry ordered both the 1st Mass. and the 40th Mass. to charge, both fording the river and attacking which sent the Confederates fleeing on foot and ending the battle.

The Union losses were five killed and the Confederate losses were two dead, seventy captured. Also captured were sixty horses and Confederate sabers, carbines, and pistols.

Although the battle has been reenacted in the past at Olustee, it has only been reenacted once in the last 23 years on or near the original site. The now defunct Fla. Military History Preservation Society reenacted it in the mid to late ' 80's. This year marks the first time it has been reenacted in recent history near the actual site.

Larry Rosenblatt of the Winston Stephens chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans located in Macclenny organized the event initially as a skirmish before deciding to employ the Barber's scenario. His two granddaughters portrayed the Barber girls while Dr. James Gipson's wife portrayed Mrs. Barber. In the past few years, Barber's has not been portrayed or reenacted at Olustee. The units involved were the 10th Tennessee Cavalry and the 25th Ohio Vol. Inf./ 8th Fla. Vol. Inf. Regt.

Although numbers were small for this year's reenactment, there is great enthusiasm for next year. The land lends itself well for reenacting a large battle or skirmishing .Mr. Taber had graciously supplied the reenactors with hay, firewood and water. Plans are underway to move the dates of the reenactment next year to a time closer to the actual date and organize a full weekend of reenacting that may feature a running skirmish that could develop into the Barber's scenario. Battles or skirmishes are planned for both days regardless, and efforts are underway to build a permanent reenactment on site.

Confederate Graves Restored

(Jacksonville, FL.)

Last month an article appeared here detailing the desecration of Confederate graves on Jacksonville's Westside. At this time, reports are that the graves have now been restored and the headstones re-installed in the cemetery . Some of the headstones are still in disrepair and may need replacing in the future, but the intact stones were placed in their proper original locations and the graves re-covered or filled with earth. Preservation efforts for the cemetery by local UDC and SCV camps are calling for the erection of a fence to prevent further vandalism or desecration in the future.

USS Fort Henry Reenacts the Miranda Raid

by Ross Lamoreaux

18th Ind.

On Saturday October 1, the crew of the USS Fort Henry was given the rare opportunity to reenact a portion of local Civil War history - the burning and raiding of the home of Abel Miranda, a local Confederate in 1862. According to "Bethel's History of Point Pinellas", written by John A. Bethel, a lieutenant of Co. K, 7th Fla. Vol. Inf. and neighbor of Abel Miranda, sailors of the US Navy from Egmont Key, alongside civilian Unionists, raided, sacked, and burned the Miranda home, driving him, his wife Eliza, and young son Charlie to a nearby residence, and scoring foodstuffs, animals, and assorted plunder. This incident was one of many such episodes in the history of Hillsborough County, as Point Pinellas was part of in the 1860's before the official founding of Pinellas County, which involved civilian and military "bushwhacking" and fighting. Many former friends and relatives were found on opposite sides at the outbreak of hostilities, with several homes burned and death becoming a result of some of these actions.

The original raid involved the sailors with civilian guides rowing in wooden launches from the Federal Naval station at Egmont, and this recreation included much the same, with sailors from the USS Fort Henry group and several civilian reenactors from the Tampa Bay area, being coordinated by Fritz Wilder, a local reenactor and historian, and the St. Pete Historical Society. The Society was hosting a large Tour of Homes for several beautiful waterside homes, as well as a marching band, food, and a few hundred spectators in a bi-annual historical tour, but this raid reenactment was a first-of-its kind for all of these groups. One thing that made this particularly special for all was that it was held within yards of the original site on Big Bayou in south St. Pete, and it was a rare opportunity for sailors to actually use water and boats for a historical interpretation.

In front of about 200 people, Chief, Kevin, Ross, and Master Burridge portrayed the sailors in a wooden launch boat, actually rowing to and from the raid site and assaulting the home, firing at a few local Confederates and the Miranda family, portrayed by Fritz Wilder as Abel, Jennifer Lamoreaux and her son Joseph as Eliza and Charlie, and James "Archie" Marshall as one of the Whitehursts, a local Unionist family. Archie also handled the duties of firing a naval swivel gun from the woodline to simulate the naval bombardment that preceded the actual raid. It was a great rush to row a wooden boat and land on the beach under fire, close to the actual spot of history, and I am happy to report that no houses were actually torched in this recreation; however, there was quite a bit of plunder brought back by the sailors. Also of note was Mr. and Mrs. Greg Centanne of the USS Ottawa who were on site with Greg's fantastic Navy living history display of original arms and research who had the opportunity to talk to several local folks about the US Navy in Florida while the rest of the reenactors rushed back to Veteran's Park in Tampa to reenact the Hillsborough River raid for the rest of the weekend. I might add that the Gandy family was gracious enough to allow us to use their back and side yard for the reenactors and spectators. The Gandy property borders that of the actual Miranda plot and is in a quite lovely neighborhood of expensive waterfront homes. The USS Fort Henry wishes to thank Fritz Wilder and the St Pete Historical Society for this wonderful opportunity to present history to many people who normally wouldn't get to see it and allowing some sailors to practice the very craft which they strive to represent. - Ross Lamoreaux, part-time Seaman, USS Ft Henry

The Raid on Abel Miranda's Farm

By Lew Zerfas, USS Fort Henry

www.ussforthenry.com

It has been over 144 years since the U.S. Navy raided Abel Miranda's farm in the Big Bayou area of St. Petersburg. On Saturday, October 1, 2005, men

of the U.S.S. Fort Henry reenactors portrayed the raiding party from the U.S.S. Ethan Allen in the first ever (as far as

we can determine) reenactment of that raid. The event took place in the Historic Driftwood area, very close to the original site of Miranda's farm. It was sponsored by the St. Petersburg Museum of History and the reenactors were coordinated by Friz Wilder, and Jesse Marshall (of the Veteran's Memorial Museum).

Bill Burger supplied the launch similar to the ones that the navy used to get from their ship anchored off Egmont Key. Like the original sailors, the reenactors from the U.S.S. Fort Henry knew how to "give way" (row) as well as the other commands needed to row in unison. Several hundred spectators were able to see the sailors landing and "attack" the farm as Miranda and his friends stood helplessly nearby. Our hope is that this will become an annual event.

Egmont Key

October 1st and 2nd

Brandon Barszcz wrote...."As I was born and raised here in Florida in the Tampa Bay area, I had never been out to Egmont Key. The Egmont Key Alliance in conjunction with the Egmont Key State Park hosted their annual "Discover the Island" program. I set up my 1898 Span-am War display of U.S. weapons in the renovated guardhouse. Due to conflicting events (Veterans Park, Parrish Train Raid and Andersonville) I was the only reenactor out there. I have been out to Fort DeSoto many times doing Civil War, Span-Am, WWII but always looked across the water to Egmont Key wondering if and when I might get out there. Well I have and it was an enlightening experience". For information on volunteering or about upcoming Egmont Key events, contact Barbara Schmidt at barbara.schmidt8@verizon.net

Crystal River School

Of The Soldier

by Lt. Col. Niepert

We were anxious to see some of our friends so Lorraine and I arrived early Friday afternoon, set up camp and visited with other reenactors. The annual School of the Soldier is a laid back event so uniforms are optional for everyone except the officers. I was pleased to see that most participants did wear their period correct clothes. Rules about vehicles in camp and non-period items were not enforced so it was convenient for everyone. I did not get the attendance numbers but I estimate that somewhere around 200 to 250 participated. The weather was a little hot during the day but by 9 p.m., it had cooled off just right. The moon was so bright that it cast shadows across the battlefield and made sitting around the camp fire a very pleasurable experience.

We started off Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with colors then broke off into our drill or instruction groups. The artillerymen got together and drilled as did the infantrymen. The cavalrymen saddled their horses and took to the field shortly afterwards. After lunch, there were more drills and practice. The medical team did their thing and the officers laid out plans.

General Hardy held an informational meeting open to all. The General opened with his thoughts and suggestions about the Brigade's upcoming season. Many topics were touched on and comments made. The meeting lasted about a hour and everyone left with anticipation of another great reenacting season.

Late Saturday afternoon General Goodrich and his gun crew put on a demonstration of what can happen to you if you wander in front of a cannon as it goes off. They shot a dummy several times using different powder charges. Once you see the destruction a cannon can do, you will always look twice before you get close to the end of that tube. The

demonstration was interesting but that was nothing compared to what happened next. Someone in the crowd yelled something about placing the General's hat on what was left of the dummy. Gen. Goodrich replied along the lines of that's fine if you pay me $50 dollars. It started as a joke but it only took about five seconds for several reenactors to chip in the money. Giving credit where it is due, Bob turned over his beloved hat to the ecstatic mob and counted the money. The hat was placed on the dummy, the cannon moved in real close and the shot fired. That hat went at least 50 feet in the air with the liner spraying all over the field. The hat drifted slowly back to earth and was still smoking as it lay on the ground. The crowd went wild. The photo at left shows the good General about a hour later mourning the loss of his most prized possession. Look closely and you can almost read his thoughts.... "why was I crazy enough to say something like that?" Thanks General Goodrich for being such a good sport about the outcome of your hat. By the way, the hat lives on - kind of - it was seen later that evening on the head of a reenactor during the skirmish. It was in pretty bad shape but it still held pretty much together.

The evening skirmish went well. About half the group split off and hid

over by the small pond. The other group formulated an attack and went into action. Everyone was dressed about the same so it was really hard to figure out which side you were on once the battle got thick. I think that some of the men on the losing side defected and went with the group that held the advantage several times. The first group split and tried to flank the second group from the east and west sides. It wasn't easy because the opposing team was well dug in among the trees and were reluctant to leave their cover. It wasn't going well for the attackers so the men had to assault the defenders from open positions. Just before the battle ended, my horse and I came up behind an infantryman that we

thought was the enemy. I leveled my pistol at him and told him to surrender or die. He looked rather surprised and informed me that he was on my team. I apologized then turned to ride off and the joker shot me in the back as he yelled fooled you! Never trust a smiling Confederate with a gun. The artillery got off a few shots and the infantrymen ran everywhere in various areas of the field. All enjoyed the battle. The battle was an enjoyable break from drills, meetings and studies of the day. It will become a part of the school next year.

Sunday was a shortened day as Gen. Hardy wanted to close by noon so no one would get home too late. The day started with a Brigade drill. I must say the Brigade looked good out there. We have come a long way and the pride of where we are today could be seen on every man's face.

Next year we are going to try something different. In addition to the normal drills and meetings, we will have a "reenactors period correct flea market". It will be like the reenactors flea market we had a few years back in St. Cloud. All reenactors are encouraged to bring their extra Civil War items, set up a blanket and sell what they don't need. This will be a great time to unload your extra gear and give new members an opportunity to pick up some needed equipment to start the season with. More details will follow.

See you at Ocklawaha,

Bob

A Visit To Civil War Sites In Tennessee

by Denise Patrick

On my way back from St. Louis I visited two Civil War historic sites just south of Nashville.

The first was the home of a young Confederate soldier. I had never heard of him but was intrigued by his story. His name was Sam Davis. He was born October 1842 and joined the Confederate Army early in the War Between the States. Due to his loyalty, integrity, and knowledge of Middle Tennessee, he was hand-picked to be a member of the elite Coleman Scouts.

In November, 1863, young Sam Davis was sent on a mission from which he would never return. He had the trusted duty of transporting papers to General Braxton Bragg in Chattanooga. Sam was captured just south of Pulaski, Tn., tried as a spy and sentenced to hang.

General Dodge was so impressed by Sam's forthrightness and honor that he offered him a fresh horse and an escort to the Confederate line if he would just reveal his source. Sam, knowing he was facing certain death, uttered his now immortal answer, "If I had a thousand lives to live, I would give them all rather than betray a friend". His words have become a symbol of heroism.

The Sam Davis home sits on the remaining 168 acres that the Davis family gave to the State of Tennessee. The main

house was built in 1820 and the grounds also include the family's cemetery where Sam and other family members have been laid to rest, slave quarters, overseers cabin, smoke house, kitchen and stables and garden. Some of the land is still being farmed to this day. There is an excellent museum on the grounds and guided tours of the house are given daily. The house was simple yet quite beautiful and really gave an accurate glimpse back in time to how farm life was in the 1800's. The Sam Davis Home is located in Smyrna, about 20 minutes south of Nashville and is well worth the visit.

My next stop was on down the road a ways in Murfreesboro, TN, site of the Stones River Battlefield. The battlefield is maintained by the National Parks Service. The 600 acre battlefield occupies one tenth of the original battlefield site. The fiercest fighting during one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War took place at the Battle of Stones River, fought December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863. It marked the Union offensive that trisected Confederate territory.

The Battle of Stones River, although indecisive, put Union forces in control of another section of Middle Tennessee. One of the nation's oldest intact Civil War monuments and a landmark of the battlefield, Hazen's Brigade Monument, was constructed in 1863 by the survivors of the fight for Hell's Half Acre in the Round Forest, a significant location of the battlefield so named because of the intense fighting that took place there.

Nearly 24,000 Confederate and Federal soldiers were either killed, wounded or were missing as a result of this battle, making it one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.

This is also the site of the Stones River National Cemetery which occupies 20 acres across from the visitor's center and museum. It contains the remains of more than 6,000 Union troops (2,562 of them unidentified), killed at Stones River and other nearby battlefields. The Confederate dead were initially buried in mass graves on the battlefield and later relocated to either family cemeteries or moved to nearby Murfreesboro.

You can easily spend the entire day going through the museum, visitor's center and touring the battlefield. You have the option of doing a 2.5 mile walking tour or a more extensive driving tour. Either way, every time you stop at a marker, it doesn't take much imagination to visualize the horror of the battle. There is a good representation of cannons throughout the battlefield. They sit silent now overlooking beautiful fields with wildflowers, goldenrod and split rail fences. There is also an artillery site in the woods that shows two Wiard rifled cannons that were abandoned by Lt. Alexander Marshall of Battery G. 1st Ohio Light Artillery when all of their horses were killed and the Confederates were a mere 40 yards away. It was an eerie sensation to walk in those woods and picture those horses trying to pull heavy cannons and limbers over the narrow, muddy and rocky trails.

I'm glad I took the time to stop and pay my respects to the soldiers of the Civil War and reflect on how much they sacrificed for the ideals that they believed in - ideals they thought worthy of dying for.

by Denise Patrick

Andersonville Event

article and photos by Wes Mayhle

The railroad terminal at Andersonville, Georgia, was the arrival point for 45,000 Federal prisoners destined for incarceration at Camp Sumter also known

as the Andersonville Civil War Prison. Prisoners were marched the quarter mile from the depot to the prison. After becoming the supply center for the prison, the small town of Andersonville was also the location for the office of Captain Henry Wirz, keeper of Andersonville Prison. The remains of the prison can still be seen today (photo at right). The town of Andersonville holds a fair every October at its Civil War village. There is food, music, gunfights on the street, crafts of every kind and a Civil War Reenactment.

I attended the reenactment on October 1 and 2 and captured photos from the battles on Saturday and Sunday, scenes around camp, artillery night firing, the cemetery, and the ground where the infamous prison once stood. You can view 99 photos of the event at www.instydigipics.com

-adapted from: The Civil War Society's "Encyclopedia of the Civil War."
Officially named Camp Sumter, the most notorious Civil War stockade was hastily constructed in early 1864 near the town of Andersonville in southwest Georgia. The number of Union soldiers held near Richmond had swelled with the breakdown of prisoner exchange agreements, posing a threat to the Confederate capital's security and taxing Virginia's already limited resources.
By July, Andersonville, built to accommodate 10,000, was jammed with over 32,000, almost all enlisted men. The open-air stockade was enclosed by 20 foot-high log walls and grew to 26 acres. It was horribly overcrowded and conditions became intolerable. Running through the middle of the camp was a stagnant, befouled stream, absurdly named Sweet Water Branch. It was used as a sewer as well as for drinking and bathing. There were no barracks; prisoners were forbidden to construct shelters, and while some did erect tents and flimsy lean-tos, most were left exposed to the elements. Medical treatment was virtually nonexistent.
With the South barely able to feed its own men, the prisoners, who were supposed to get the same rations as Confederate soldiers, starved receiving rancid grain and perhaps a few tablespoons of mealy beans or peas per day. This all took a toll on the prisoners in the form of dysentery, scurvy, malaria, and exposure.

During the summer months, more than 100 prisoners died every day. Others fell victim to thieves and marauders among their fellow captives. The desperate situation led a Confederate medical commission to recommend relocating those prisoners who were not too ill to move, and in September 1864, as William T. Sherman's advancing army approached, most of Andersonville's able-bodied inmates were sent to other camps.
Remaining in operation until the end of the war, Andersonville held over 45,000 captured Union soldiers, more than any other Confederate camp. Nearly 30 percent died in captivity. The North had learned of the camp's appalling conditions and outraged citizens urged retribution on Southern prisoners of war. Unfortunately, the Union had its own wretched prison camps including Elmira, New York, where the death rate approached Andersonville's, even though the North was far better equipped to cope with captured soldiers. Mismanagement and severe shortages were more to blame for the horrors of Andersonville than any deliberate attempt to mistreat prisoners.
Nevertheless, many Northerners insisted that the abuse was deliberate and demanded vengeance. Consequently, after

being tried by a U.S. military court and convicted of war crimes, the prison's commander, Captain Henry Wirz, was hanged in November 1865 for "impairing the health and destroying the lives of prisoners." Meanwhile, Clara Barton and other government workers compiled a list of 12,912 prisoners who had died at the camp. Andersonville's mass graves were replaced by a national cemetery, which is today still used as a burial ground for American veterans.
-end adaptation
It is also worthy to note that President Lincoln was informed of the crowded conditions at Andersonville and yet refused to reinstate the prisoner exchanges that had previously been a common practice. This undoubtedly contributed to the overcrowding. He also refused to meet with a delegation of Union prisoners sent from the prison to state as much. At Henry Wirz's trial he was not allowed to present his best witnesses and it was determined after

his execution that many of the prosecutions witnesses were not interred at his camp as they claimed. Many of them were never interred at all. For example: The star prosecution witness was a man named Felix de la Baume. De la Baume testified about his captivity at Andersonville, and that he personally saw Wirz shoot men. After giving his testimony, and before the trial was completed, De la Baume was given a written commendation for his "zealous testimony" signed by all of the commission members. He was also rewarded with a government clerk's job in the Department of the Interior. After the trial had ended De la Baume was identified by veterans of the 7th New York Regiment as a deserter from their regiment. They went to the Secretary of the Interior and had De la Baume fired, at which time he admitted that he had committed perjury in the Wirz trial. Henry Wirz was the human sacrifice that appeased the North's anger and no other Confederate Americans were tried for "War Crimes".
Wes Mayhle

Sean's Wedding

Here are some photographs of Sean's period wedding. What a grand day it was. Above is a photo of the wedding party. From left to right is Jim Henratty (Oregon), Tom Fyock (Cape Coral, FL.) Clarence and Wllay Patterson (Moore Haven, FL.), Larry Skipper (Ft. Myers FL.), The bride and groom, (Lehigh Acres FL.), Dolly Geffert (Punta Gorda FL.), Ben and Leann Walton (Pine Island FL.) Leon Artur (Arcadia FL.) Steve Smoke (Port Charlotte FL.). Front row, Tom Geffert (Punta Gorda FL.), Rob Gates (Ft. Myers FL.), Eric Smith (Muse FL.).

The Confederate Red Baron Flies Again

by Lt. Col. Niepert

I have done a little flying in the past. I have flown a Cessna (I think just about everyone has flown one of them at some point in their life) and I have spent a few hours in the right hand seat of a Piper Nomad (six passenger commuter) and one or two others now and then but we did something a little unusual last Saturday. My grandson Michael (most of you have met him) and I went flying in WWII T-6's (real 60 something year old antiques not replicas). He flew the Navy one and I flew the USAF one. The Marine one was down for minor repairs. This isn't sitting there while the pilot flies the plane, this is real stunt flying. When you strap on the parachute and the instructor attaches the static line and shows you the ripcord backup then tells you he will pitch the aircraft down left to give you a chance to get out if things go bad, you know you are in for a experience. The instructor controls the plane when you take off and land (that is fine with me, I don't like takeoffs and I really hate landings - I always feel that we are too high and too fast coming in) but once you get to 5000 feet, he hands over the controls and you can do whatever you want. Some of the hard stunts he talks you through but you do the flying (you can hear him yelling at me through some hard pitches and wing over rolls on the DVD). My biggest problem was diving too fast (got too close to the ground a couple of times - don't do that, the instructors gets upset - he made me go up to 6500 feet after the second time) and over-flying the plane. The T-6 is a very responsive airplane and I was trying too hard. It's like the instructor said "The engineers were paid millions to make this thing fly and it flies fine all by itself so all you have to do is tell it where to go and what to do. Don't try to make it fly". When I realized that fact, things went easier. My grandson Michael did a great job in his plane and in the DVD of his flight you can see that the instructor's hands were not on the controls. Michael was flying the plane like an ace. After a few anxious moments on my part for him, I realized he was fine and I was amazed at how well he caught on. He did very well pulling his own loops and rolls and I am quite proud of him. He is already talking about getting back up in the air and I am thinking about the possibility of buying a stunt airplane. Lorraine is going to have a cow when she finds out. The video DVD of both flights is great. We both had one made along with still camera shots. Small cameras are mounted on the wings and tails (look closely at the upper tail section above the "W" and you can see one of them. We stayed up for about 1 and 1/2 hrs - wheels up to wheels down. and landed with low fuel, we had to taxi over and gas up before returning to the hanger. Reenacting a WWII fighter pilot is a whole new ball game. This was incredible. You gotta do this!

In the photo above, you see the two planes in formation. At the lower right below my airplane, you can see Michael looking back at us from his plane. We did the 'razzle dazzle' (over and under the lead aircraft) back and forth a couple of times and follow the leader for a few minutes (the video segment of that looks like a dog fight and I tried to keep them where my gun sights should have been) then we split up for Arial stunts (they went to the north section and we took the south section). At left, you see me in a dive. That 2,600lbs. airplane can fall like a really big rock especially when a 600 hp. 9 cylinder radial motor is pulling it down at the same time. I got the airspeed almost to the redline. The instructor warned me about ripping the wings off so I thought it was about time to pull up. As you can see I about got the tail a little too far over and it is starting to slip right.

That was a thrill. The higher up you are, the harder it is to figure out how fast you are falling so you have to watch your airspeed. Pulling out of a power dive is not easy. In the photo at right I stood it on its tail and came within 12 mph of a stall before pulling out. The G-force makes it hard to breathe and your head feels weird then when you start to come out of it the plane is about impossible to get under control. It is hard to think with your body doing strange things. I put it into a wing over to the left and leveled off at about 3,000 feet. By that time I had lost a lot of altitude and almost stalled it again trying to regain to quickly. The airplane gets real squirrelly just before a stall. Drop the nose, adjust the throttle, check the airspeed and you will be fine within a few seconds. These antiques are not fuel injected, they have a carburetor so negative G's can not be pulled (except for very short periods of time). I did manage to pull about one half negative G for a few seconds but that was it. The positive G's are incredible. I didn't look at the meter, I didn't want to know, I just went until it hurt too badly. In the last photo below, we are upside down. You can't stay that way long, it hurts. Try flying level with the earth over your head and the sky where your feet are. It is very disorienting. The artificial horizon gauge acts strange at that point

also (or I just couldn't figure out how to read it while upside down). It was a job watching the airspeed, fuel pressure, oil pressure, ground, the horizon, and everything related to flying while rolling, doing loops, wing overs slipping and diving. The only draw back to this type of flying centers around renting two antique WWII trainer/fighters (the three cameras and the DVD is extra) is that it is somewhat expensive so bring a big bag of money or a very thick credit card. Don't forget to tip the instructors well. They deserve the gratuity for dealing with us part time pilots. Well, time to go take some more back pain medication it may take a while to get over this adventure.

Regency Oaks Living History

by Lew Zerfas

www.ussforthenry.com

This was a first time event for the folks at Regency Oaks, a large retirement community residing in two multiple story buildings on nicely shaded grounds. The weather was overcast throughout the day, with a very light rain mid-afternoon.

The activities director at Regency contracted with Steve Lombardo to put on a program for the residents. It was mostly "living history" as opposed to a reenactment. Much of the focus was on people of the period. As many of the residents were unable to make it to the grass areas where we all set up, a schedule was put together for reenactors to present, play music, and sing, in an activities room.

Others that were able to go out to the road saw a firing demonstration (muskets and mortar) as well as visit the various setups. There were nine tents set up around the perimeter of the designated area and one across the drive where one group cooked a wonderful stew for the other participants. Each of the tents had different themes, both Union and Confederate equally represented showing both civilian and military life.

In addition to the approximately twenty civilian and military reenactors, Regency hired "Mr. Lincoln" as well as a large carriage to take residents on rides around the community.

There was some confusion about registering. According to Lombardo, last minute cancels (mostly due to Wilma) were offset by several who showed up without registering. He was concerned that he would be overwhelmed by those that would show up without having pre-registered. I also told him that several reenactors had contacted him and they never heard back. This was Mr. Lombardo's first attempt at putting on an event like this. It was a unique event in that is was held on a Friday and that a "cash incentive" was given out.

Although they were not flooded with a lot of spectators, most likely less than a hundred, those that did see us viewed a good show, heard some nice music and singing, along with nice presentations. Those that were able to make it outside were also treated to a last minute skirmish demonstration with about a half dozen per side.

Book Review

Cracker Outlaw

by Lee King

The article was written by James Combs and appears in the November, 2005 issue

of Lake Magazine, published by English Communications. (reprinted here with permission)

Bob Lovell claims to be the son of his great-great-grandfather, a Civil War soldier......

Not literally, of course. That would be impossible. But Bob is allowed to say this because he has an unusual link to his ancestors and to Florida's past. He grew up in the 1940s in rural Pedro, just south of Ocala, among relatives who were still living in the late 1800s, still "fighting" Civil War.

One of those relatives was Uncle Sidney, the son of Bob's great-great-grandfather Peter Perry. "I was an impressionable child who listened spellbound as Uncle Sidney told me gripping accounts about Peter Perry and his war experiences."

The stories were so realistic that "I sometimes imagined Peter riding up to me on his horse, his saddle squeaking, puffs of dust pushed up by the clattering hoofs of his steed. That's how alive Peter seemed to me. And when he stood before me with a warm glint in his eye, I felt as close as a son."

Bob's special kinship with Peter Perry (who founded Pedro) is revealed in the book he and Lee King have just written, entitled, "Cracker Outlaw," a 200 page autobiography with over 200 pictures, many of them historical. Co-author Lee is a writer who has also authored "The Villages: Then and Now." She also co-authored George Rast's autobiography: "My First 100 Years."

"Cracker Outlaw" describes how a man raised in the 19th Century finds his place in the 20th and 21st Centuries. "For me, this has been a life-long struggle," Bob says, "because, I only really became a 'city boy' after being raised by "Cracker Outlaws," backwoods grit-and-spit farmers with radically independent, nomadic, anarchical and combative dispositions. I was taught to fight, cuss and distrust."

Towns people, his people told him, were no-count "skeetsters," money-hungry folks who were naive to the wily ways of crackers. Worse than fleas were government and politics which "we distrusted along with strangers. A real man was a self-reliant farmer who harbored a hard-fisted will and got mean-dog mad and shot-to-kill when wronged."

After absorbing this rural culture, Bob did an about face. He attended high school in urban Ocala, jumped into university life, became a big-city minister and devoted 21 years to politics as a city commissioner where he still serves in Leesburg. How, one might wonder, did he adjust to all this, given his upbringing? In typical "outlaw" fashion-as you will find out, if you read the book.

Stephen Papp, a Leesburg winter visitor, read it and had this to say: "The chapters on Bob's childhood read like a modern-day Tom Sawyer, only better because they're true."

Leesburg's library director, Barbara Morse, had this reaction: "A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith was my favorite Florida historical fiction. It led me to wonder what life was like for the real settlers of Florida, the real "Crackers." Bob's story gave me great insight into the early Florida Crackers who were Bob's ancestors. This new book is so much more than an autobiography. It's the history of our own region, the history of the very locale where I live at the Villages, told by someone who has a truly remarkable connection to the past."

Recently Bob Lovell, 68, was chosen Citizen of the Year by the prestigious Leesburg Partnership. Bet they don't know he got his first "smokewagon" (firearm) before the age of 10, hunted on land now home to The Villages and at one time hated Yankees.

Even today Bob occasionally grabs a handful of Redman chewing tobacco to chaw on, fires up a batch of Civil War era hoe-cakes, instructs his grandkids to "root hog or die poor" (work hard) and will direct a lost motorist by shouting, "It's down yonderway, half a quarter."

(To order a copy of "Cracker Outlaw," contact Lee King at (352) 409-4915)

The Texas Hospital & Confederate Cemetery
Quitman, Mississippi, February 17, 1864

(Editors note: This article is posted here with permission of its author).

By
Wayne C. Bengston
May 30, 2003

Archusa Springs, an Indian derivation meaning "Little River" but for the people of Clarke County, Mississippi, they have their own meaning for the Springs; "Sweet Water." The Archusa Springs consist of two streams that flow down to the Chickasawhay River just South of Quitman, Mississippi, and flows through Clarke, Wayne and Greene counties where it enters the Pascagoula River and eventually empties into the Gulf of Mexico.¹The river was a highway for commerce plying steamboats, flatboats, and keelboats to and from the Gulf.

According to tradition, these springs were first found by the Indians who believed that the waters from these springs had healing powers and would camp by them for months. When the white man started settling the area, they would come for miles for the mineral waters.²Eventually, a gazebo was built over the springs and they became a social gathering place on Sunday afternoons. One of the springs flowed freely from the high banks and into a stone jar. Legend has it that this stone jar was sent to the hospital containing thousands of pounds of snuff for the wounded Confederate soldiers that were brought to this area for care.³

It was here, that with the help of citizens of Galveston and Houston, Texas, that a hospital was built in July of 1862 to assure that Texan Confederate soldiers and others would receive proper medical care. They sent Dr. Louis A. Bryan with wagon loads of medicine, purchased in Mexico, since these items were extremely difficult to obtain in the South due to the war.⁴ Assisting Dr. Bryan was Dr. Enos Thomas Bonney, a prominent surgeon from nearby Enterprise, and who eventually took charge of the hospital, in addition to a Dr. January.⁵ The hospital was commonly known as the "Texas Hospital."

Soldiers sent to the hospital were primarily Texans, however, it served as well soldiers from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana. Not only did the hospital treat the wounded from battles at Corinth, Iuka, Jackson and other engagements, but they also treated those with ailments such as dysentery, cholera, croup, tuberculosis and other diseases that caused the majority of deaths during the war.⁶Not only did the hospital serve soldiers, but it also cared for citizens of Quitman and the surrounding area. However, despite the efforts of the medical team, there were deaths, and the dead were buried in a plot near the hospital. In addition to the Texas Hospital, the Quitman Methodist Church was also converted into a hospital in order to care for the sick and wounded Confederate soldiers.⁷

The war was going bad for the South. Lee was defeated at Gettysburg. Pemberton surrendered his army at Vicksburg. Bragg's victory at Chickamauga was over shadowed by his defeat at Missionary Ridge. By sheer numbers, the Union army continued to be victorious over Confederate troops in the Western Theater of the war. It was in January of 1864 that General William T. Sherman received approval from General U.S. Grant to make a raid into the heart of Mississippi at Meridian, and to destroy anything that would be an asset to the Confederacy.⁸ Sherman had been planning to make such a raid since October 24, 1863 when he wrote General James B. McPherson about the "destruction in total of a large section of the railroad at Meridian, the larger and more perfect the better."⁹

On 3 February 1864, Sherman's expeditionary force left Vicksburg in two wings. The right wing was commanded by Major General James B. McPherson and consisted of two infantry divisions commanded by Brigadier General Marcellus M. Crocker, 4^th Division, XVII Army Corps and Brigadier General Mortimer D. Leggett, 3^rd Division, XVII Army Corps, in addition to a brigade led by Brigadier General Alexander Chambers. The left wing was commanded by Major General Stephen A. Hurlbut and consisted of Brigadier Generals Andrew J. Smith's and James C. Veatch's divisions of the XVI Army Corps.¹⁰

From Vicksburg to Jackson, Brandon, Morton, Decatur to Meridian, Sherman swept aside all Confederate opposition, crossed the entire width of the State, and arrived in Meridian on the 14^th of February, eleven days after starting out from Vicksburg. His goal was to destroy.

On 16 February, Major General Crocker gave the following order to Brigadier General Walter Q. Gresham, Commander of the Third Brigade, Fourth Division, 17^th Army Corps. The next day, pursuant to orders from you, (McPherson) I detached General Gresham with his brigade to destroy the railroad bridge in the vicinity of Quitman, across the Chickasawha, and the bridge and trestle-work across Alligator Swamp, this side of Quitman.¹¹ The standing order from Sherman was to destroy anything that would be of military value to the Confederacy.

Crocker was a young General that just had celebrated his thirty-fourth birthday on February 6^th. He attended West Point for three years, but had to drop out to take care of his mother and the family when his father died when he was nineteen. This expedition was hard on his health, for the coldness and dampness weakened him further since he had tuberculosis. He would die of that disease on 26 August 1865 following the end of the war. He was a veteran of the battles at Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, and Champion's Hill.¹²

Gresham was also a young general of thirty-one years of age, just exactly one month shy of reaching the age of thirty-two when he and his troops destroyed Quitman. He too was a veteran of many battles as commander of the 53^rd Indiana regiment. He would be shot in the knee later during the Atlanta campaign that would end his military career. He would however, in later years become Secretary of State under President Grover Cleveland.¹³

Gresham commanded the 3^rd brigade of the 4^th Division. The brigade consisted of the 32^nd Illinois regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George H. English, the 23^rd Indiana regiment commanded by Colonel William P. Davis, the 53^rd Indiana commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William Jones and the 12^th Wisconsin commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James K. Proudfit. Accompanying the brigade was the 11^th Illinois Cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Lucien H. Kerr. (A company of this regiment remained with Crocker and served as his escort), and a section (four napoleons) of Spear's battery.¹⁴

Gresham's force arrived in Quitman and proceeded to burn the railroad depot, the Methodist Church that was used as a hospital, the town jail, courthouse, stores, a sawmill and a grist mill in addition to other buildings.¹⁵ The troops then also tore up over four miles of the track of the Mobile and Ohio railroad and had stacks of ties from ten to thirty feet high and proceeded to make "Sherman Neckties." To make these, they would take the torn up rails and throw them on a fire, made from the railroad ties, until their middle was red hot. Then they would take the rails and bend them around a tree or a telephone pole in such a manner that they would not be useful again.

Part of the force proceeded to the Chickasawhay River and destroyed a two hundred foot covered railroad bridge that spanned the river.¹⁶ They then also marched to the nearby Archusa Springs and set fire to all the Texas Hospital buildings. The hospital complex consisted of two large buildings, in addition to twelve or fifteen wooden barracks. There were other buildings as well, including a drug store built for the comfort of the recuperating soldiers.¹⁷

Gresham's troops came, they saw, but they did not conquer. They destroyed not only things that would be an asset to the Confederate war effort, but they also destroyed wantonly anything and everything. The Methodist Church Hospital and the Texas Hospital were a place of healing, not a place of destruction. For those patients that were recuperating there, their war was over. They just wanted to get themselves well enough in order to go back home. In the cemetery by the Texas hospital, lie over three hundred soldiers who were not able to find health and go home. Gresham was proud that he destroyed these hospitals and so indicated in his report to General Sherman. Instead of being proud, he should have reported his actions as moral shame.

Fifteen miles away, slaves on the Langsdale Plantation saw the smoke of Quitman and the Texas Hospital burning. The staff and patients of the hospital were evacuated upon learning of the approaching Union army, and moved on into Alabama and established a medical facility at Auburn. The Texas Hospital at Quitman was never rebuilt. The cemetery became forgotten for over a half a century.¹⁹

In the 1930's, a Black farmer, plowing in order to put in a corn crop, turned up a handful of buttons from a Confederate uniform. He had discovered the long forgotten Confederate cemetery. In a course of time, identifications were made, and headstones were put into place. A story of the exploration was recorded in a compilation name Federal Writers of the WPA. The Quitman Woman's Club and the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) took interest in rebuilding and honoring those that had fallen for what they had believed in. An arch to the cemetery was designed by George Weir, a veteran of World War I, inscribed "Confederate Cemetery." (This arch was partially destroyed by hurricane Isabel in the 1970's). The Long-Bell Lumber Company donated cement blocks which line the perimeter of the cemetery.²⁰

For years, the cemetery was cleaned by the nearby battalion of the Mississippi National Guard, Boy Scout troops, and interested citizens. Under the direction of V.F.W. Commander and Quitman Mayor, Sam E. Box, the Confederate Cemetery became a project of the Add Riley V.F.W. Post 4982, and that the cemetery would receive perpetual care. On Memorial Day, May 25, 1987, the cemetery was formally dedicated.²¹

A GRAVE BY THE HOSPITAL

In the woods by the hospital there lay
A new made grave today
Built by man in his thirst for war
A grave forgotten forever more
For here lies a fighting man
Dead in his youthful age
Never to love or laugh again
Trapped in this earthbound cage
A minie ball came flying through the air
Sought its prey and left him there
Leaving him there in a strange land
Covered with his blood and sand
For his country this came to be
For his country his soul is now free
Now over the battlefield silence is golden
For those that fell, we're always beholden
In the far distance, church bells ring
Then one can hear, the bugles sing
Sleep and rest brave one, sleep and rest
No one can say you didn't do your best
Let your rifle rest on the earthen floor
For you'll not need it anymore
The bugle's notes seem to tell
Farewell brave one, Farewell
Your soul shall be where the heroes are
Your short life was a shining star
Sleep well my hero, sleep well
We now bid you a fond farewell

Items For Sale

And Wanted

For Sale. New in the box never fired Pedersoli 1816 Flintlock defarbed Springfield musket with bayonet. It is listed in the Dixie Gun Works catalog for $1.025.00 plus $25.00 shipping. The bayonet is $95.00. A total of $1.147.00. Asking $750.00 for the works. This musket was sent to John Zimmerman for defarbing. Another $30.00 in work plus about $54.00 shipping round trip. So that adds up to $1.230.00 a $480.00 savings to you. Buyer pays shipping from Bradenton FL. If interested, contact Ron Robertson at ronrobertson69@aol.com

For Sale. One time offer - The Ca.1840 McElroy House; A Glimpse of Yancey County, North Carolina's History. $10.00 shipping included. This small book is a history of the house that served as the headquarters for the home guard brigade in western North Carolina during the war. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please send a check or money order to: Michael C. Hardy PO Box 393, Crossnore, NC 28616. Email Mike at mchardy@hotmail.com

For Sale. Complete Confederate Uniform: The jacket is a shell, 44R, w/ 7 cs brass buttons. The pants are 38W. Both are Confederate Grey and are manf. by The Quartermaster Shop. I also have a matching kepi cap. Hoping to get $100 for the lot (price does NOT include shipping). I am the second owner, but have never worn any of it, won't fit. Excellent condition. If interested, please respond to Hamilton McElroy, St. Marys, GA. irishham97@yahoo.com

For Sale. The following items are in Kennesaw, Georgia. Shipping is not included in the price.

3 foot lockers - Wood with Rope Handles Approx. 3ft X 1.5ft $25 each

1 wooden box to hide cooler Approx. 2ft X 3ft - fits average cooler w/drain - $30

1 wooden box for dry goods Approx. 3ft X 3ft w/compartments $30

1 Mens Great Coat Size 44 Grey in color "Like New" $ 100

2 Mens Artillery Shell Jackets $75 Each "Like New"

1 young adult Great Coat - Grey in color "Like New $75

3 Ladies dresses - Size 8-10 "Like New" $100 each

1 Double Door A Frame 7 Foot w/all poles and stakes tent - $ 100

1 Single Door A Frame 7 foot w/all poles and stakes tent - $100

1 Wooden Equipment Box Approx. 2.5ft X 3.5ft w/compartments $50

Several Mens shirts and pants - Pant size 38 Shirt size Large (All Shirts $25 Total) (2 pairs of Pants $ 75)

2 Canteens - $30

Several Lanterns - $ 40 for all

Fire Grate - $ 30

NCO Short Sword $20

Leather Belt, CSA buckle, holster, cartridge pouch, cap pouch $ 75.00 Total

Other Misc Clothing items

If you are interested in any of these items contact Kendra Riley at littleshoequeen@bellsouth.net

For Sale. 4' -4' trailer, like new. Comes with a spare tire. Three foot high sides that can be removed. Asking $150.00 If interested, email Mike at: mecoh48thnc@wmconnect.com

Upcoming Events

Reenactments And Events

November 4, 5, 6, 2005. 2nd Annual Sugar Cane Festival (9am to 3pm c.s.t.). Marianna FL. Celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of one of the sweetest things on earth: Sugar Cane! Enjoy learning how the early settlers of Florida thrived in the rural areas, as you watch living history interpreted by park staff and volunteers. Park admission is $4.00 per vehicle up to 8 people. Reenactors are admitted free and can arrive as early as Thursday afternoon to set up for the Friday School Day and remain encamped until Sunday afternoon. The Marianna Sugar Festival is primarily a living history, with artillery, infantry and musket fire demonstrations. If they get enough Confederates and enough Federals to attend, a skirmish in the woods and open areas of the park will be scheduled. There are also some Florida Crackers who will be attending with horses, and blacksmiths, woodcarvers, artificers, arts and crafts, bee keepers, sugar cane syrup makers (The Sims Family), dog tag crafters, and a variety of foods will be cooked and served. The event will have a school day on Friday, and then Saturday and Sunday are open to adults and kids alike. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to contact Stan Peacock at PreserveHeritage@aol.com

November 4, 5, 6, 2005. Battle of Conyers, (near Conyers, Georgia). Georgia International Horse Park. Friday, Nov. 4th is school day. Battles on all three days. For driving directions and more information, go to their website at www.atlantacampaign.com GPS position: N33.39.980 W083.55.952

November 4, 5, 6, 2005. Ocklawaha River Raid. Hardy Brigade Maximum Effort Event. All are invited to attend the 21st annual reenactment of the March 1865 Union raid and ensuing skirmish with local troops in Marion County. The reenactment will be held at the Marion County 4-H farm site at the intersection of Highway 464 and Highway 35 just southeast of Ocala. All branches of service are welcome; there is plenty of room. Hay firewood, water, portalets, and modern and authentic camping are provided. Stores, lodging and restaurants are located nearby. Powder rations provided to the first eight cannons pre-registered. The weekend will include two battle reenactments, a ladies' tea and civilian activities, and a ball Saturday night. Driving directions to the site from the NORTH: From I-75 take exit 352 to Hwy. 40. Go east on Hwy. 40 through Ocala to the town of Silver Springs. Turn right at traffic light at the intersection of Hwy 40 and Hwy. 35 (near the Silver Springs theme park). Go five miles south on Hwy. 35 to Hwy. 464. Go across Hwy. 464; the site entrance is about 100 yards on your left. Directions from the SOUTH: From I-75 take exit 341 to Hwy. 484. Go eight miles east on Hwy. 484 to the intersection of Hwy. 484 Hwy 27/301/441. Go across 27/301/441 to the intersection of Hwy 484 and 35. Turn left onto Hwy. 35 and go five miles north; the site is on your right. The site entrance is on Hwy. 35. GPS position: N29.08.133 W082.03.211 For more information, contact Major Keith Kohl at cog4flainf@aol.com

November 18, 19, 20, 2005. 11th annual Battle at Horse Landing, Palatka, (North) Florida at the Rodeheaver Boy's Ranch. Hosted by the 3rd Florida Co. A. and Rodeheaver Boys Ranch. This is the first big battle of the new season and it has always been a good event. Help is needed for school day on Friday with demonstrations, talks and kid control. The Friday living history school days always brings thousands of kids in. Ladies tea on Sat., ball Sat. night. Authentic earthwork battles take place on very large field both Saturday and Sunday. Good pyrotechnics display. Hay and firewood provided. Hot showers available. Food and carriage rides for additional fee. There is a $5 reenactor fee. All proceeds go to the Boys Ranch for operating expenses and for preservation and maintenance of historic site of Confederate Captain J.J. Dickison's finest triumph. The Boys Ranch is 9.7 miles South of Palatka on Hwy 19. The entrance is hard to see so be careful. GPS position: N29.32.426 W081.42.775 Sutlers contact (386) 328-1281. For general info, check out the ranch website rbr.org, or email the ranch at rodeheaverboys@aol.com snail mail Horse Landing, 380 Boys Ranch Rd., Palatka, FL 32177.

December 2, 2005. Friday, 6 to 9pm. Dunedin's "An Old Fashioned Christmas". Musical entertainment from local Churches at Pioneer Park, Horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides on "Dunedin Express," Children's activities, window decorations, quilters, caroling & songs of the season, etc. New this year: Don't miss an old-fashioned "Dickens Village" along Broadway brought to us by Heritage Village, Dunedin Historical Society & the Broadway Merchants are sponsors. There is a need for Civil War reenactors in uniform to participate: to stand "guard" at either end of Broadway (state rode 80, downtown Dunedin) and walk back & forth. For additional info, call Tracy Spikes at Heritage Village 727-582-2212 or send him an e-mail at: tspikes@pinellascounty.org

December 3, 2005. Saturday, 11am to 5pm. Olde Mandarin Christmas. Sponsored by the Mandarin Historical Society. Union, Confederate and Civilian reenactors wanted. Space to drill and set up small camps, no overnight camping. Period Christmas ornaments, caroling, children's games. This event will be held at the Walter Jones Historical Park near the site of the sinking of the Maple Leaf. Mandarin Road at County Dock 1.5 miles south of I-295 on State Road 13. For more information, contact goldteacup@aol.com

December 3, 4, 2005. Plantation Christmas at the Gamble Mansion State Historic Park. Ellenton (south) Florida. 10:00am to 4:00pm. Sponsored by the Florida Division United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Florida Parks Service. You are invited to experience hospitality southern-style with good food, live music, period shopping, free tours of the Mansion and the Patten Farmhouse and much more. Be sure to visit "Auntie Klaus' Christmas Canopy", a special activities tent for the children; games, crafts and story telling. Proceeds from this event are used for on-site preservation and restoration. Directions - The Gamble Plantation Historic State Park is located 1.5 miles west of I-75, Exit #224, in Ellenton. For further information, call the Park at )941) 723-4536. For vendors space, email Pam at pamba1@aol.com

December 2, 3, 4, 2005. Raid on Fort Pierce. Located at the Savannas Park on Midway Road in Ft.Pierce. Hosted by the 8th Florida Company C and The 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The event has been moved to this new date to take advantage of cooler weather and clearer skies. All proceeds go to the benefit of the St. Lucie Country Sheriff's Explorer Post #400. School Day on Friday. Free powder to the first two Union and first two Confederate artillery pieces to register. Calvary units welcome. Main battles Saturday and Sunday with skirmishing both days leading up to the main battle. Sutlers please pre-register. Sites for modern hook (first 20 campers at a cost of $12.94 per night) up for a fee and showers will be available. Directions: I-95 to exit 126 (old exit 64) This is Midway road (SR 712). Go east approximately 5.5 miles to Savanna County Park (the park will be on the left). If traveling from the west coast, you can take SR 60 to I-95 south, or SR 70 to SR 712 and follow the above directions. GPS Degree-Minute-Second decimal format are N. 27°22'53.47", W. 80°18'19.41" Contact: Anita Smith of 75th Ohio Email civilwargal@cs.com or Lou Rausch 8th Fla Co. C Email Greyrider1863@aol.com Bob Burdge Email Commish33@aol.com

December 9, 10, 11 2005. Ft. McAllister State Park, "Winter Muster" event, Richmond Hill, GA. This event depicts the fall of the Confederate fortification, the end of Sherman's March to the Sea and the start of the Carolina Campaigns. They need Federal troopers. A battalion will be formed focusing on the assault of the 70th OVI. They would like to have an overwhelming number of riflemen. Prior to the event, US troops will be camped just away from the fort. Be ready to eat from your haversack. There will be a candle light tour that will occur a few hours after the battle with the focus on the taking of the fort and introduction to its new guests. The following day will continue the living history with the US now in garrison and the CS troops preparing to be sent to Ft. Delaware. Ft. McAllister State Park will provide the following: straw, firewood and ammunition. For information contact: Joe Blunt (Interpreter/US Commander) email: mudcatsgt@earthlink.net Ken Giddens (Interpreter/US Adjutant) email: chifos@aol.com Dan Brown (Site Manager) email: dannybrown@coastalnow.net

Monthly Meetings

Historical Sewing Society Meetings.......On the first Saturday of each month this group meets at the Columbia Co. Historical Museum in Lake City. They endeavor to recreate historically accurate clothing, accessories, and parlor crafts for ladies and children of the 1800's. This is done through shared research, guest speakers, workshops and seminars. Each monthly meeting includes a period project or participation in a living history event and always lots of fun! If you would like to be added to their email list for monthly meeting information or need help with a period sewing project, contact Glenda Reed historicsewing@aol.com

The Golden Teacup Society......The society has monthly meetings (second Sunday of each month) at Walter Jones Historical Park in Mandarin (South Jacksonville). They meet from 2 to 4pm, and do a period activity (handcraft, sewing, impression improvements) and just fellowship. For more information, directions or to get on their e-mail list, contact Shorty Robbins at GoldTeacup@aol.com

The Greater Orlando Civil War Roundtable.......The Orlando 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. GPS position: N28.33.399 W081.22.612 For information, contact Ruth Ann Wood at lady1861@netzero.net

Fort Clinch Federal and Confederate Garrisons..........Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. Activities may include black powder artillery demonstrations, marching drills, as well as soldiers and civilians taking up duty in the laundry, infirmary and kitchen. Please pre-register prior to the event. $10 per person covers entire weekend at the fort including your food on Saturday and Sunday. GPS position: N30.41.834 W081.26.113 Contact Fred Jackobson at CSArooster@adelphia.net

Living History Group. "Circa Of Friends". Meetings will be held every third (3rd) Sunday of the month, unless otherwise noted, at the Maitland Historical Society's "Garden Clubhouse" from 1:00 until 3:00pm. If you are a 19th Century enthusiast who enjoys learning and expressing the culture, customs and crafts of the 1800's, come and join other kindred sprits. Some things the group will participate in are: Education through programs and workshops, the sharing of research, study of diaries, letters, textiles, garments, photographs and original artifacts of the period. Hands on sewing and craft projects of the period. Exploration of historical museums and sites here in Florida and elsewhere according to group interest. Support of historical preservation and educational projects in the community through volunteer activities. Period social events held throughout the year (lawn party, dances and socials) for fun and a chance to interact outside the military venue. If you have never been through the Waterhouse Residence and Carpentry Shop located on the property, come early and take the tour. (House is open from 12-4 on Sunday. Admission is $2.00 per person, $1.00 for students, children four (4) and under are free). Driving directions: Take I-4 East to Maitland Blvd. - EXIT 90A. Merge Right onto Maitland Blvd. Turn Right onto Maitland Avenue. Follow Maitland Avenue for about 1-2 miles. Turn Right on Lake Lily Drive. Drive around the Lake to the grass parking area. Follow the sidewalks from the parking lot. The Garden Clubhouse will be to your left. Mapquest address: 840 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland, Florida 32794-1001. GPS position: N28.37.284 W081.21.969 Contact Carol Everhart cleverhart@wmconnect.com or Nancy LaFleur nlafleur@prohealthmed.com if you have any questions.