Crystal River School Refund......Last week I sent out a notice at the request of several people concerning the refund of pre-registration money due to the cancellation of the C. R. School. There have been differing opinions about the refund options.  I had a few comments both positive and negative emailed to me here at the News Magazine about the refund procedures and/or the intended donation of unclaimed money to the New York Fire Fighters Fund.  Due to the confusion surrounding this issue, the Nature Coast Civil War Committee has decided to refund everyone's money through the mail.  Bob Mann (Nature Coast Civil War Committee) emailed me a couple of days ago and has asked me to inform everyone about the following changes to the C. R. School refund situation.  Bob Mann and the committee said that they have received some unfavorable comments from some reenactors on "our attempt to donate money from the canceled School of the Soldier to the Fireman's Fund in New York City."  He also wrote that... "Due to this fact, we at the Nature Coast Civil War Committee will refund all monies back to the pre-registered reenactors of the School of the Soldier.  Thus, the people themselves can make a donation if they so desire.  This will take some time but this will be done by the end of this month."  Bob also expressed concern about the possibility of negative reaction to the regular Crystal River Event this March.  I personally do not think that this problem will keep anyone from attending the event.  I think that everyone understands that people's opinions and personal thoughts on this problem are different.  We all need to cut these people some slack.  They are trying to please everyone and that is a hard thing to do.

The following letter is from Gen. Goodrich......

THIS IS AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL REENACTORS REGISTERED FOR THE NATURE COAST SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.

We want to apologize to any reenactor who was offended or misunderstood what was suggested to do with the registration fees from the school.  Neither I nor General Hardy wanted to offend or upset anyone.  It was thought it would be a good thing that anyone wanting to donate their fees could do so.   We feel the misunderstanding came with the wording of certain letters that were published.  At no time did we want anyone to feel they had to donate their fees, we understand that everyone does not have the money to do so.

All registration fees will be refunded to the person that mailed them in.  If a single person mailed in fees for several persons, then that person will get one check from the Nature Coast Civil War Committee, it is then up to that person to disperse the money.  All other persons will receive a check for the full cost of the registration fee.  There will not be any postage taken out of the fee.  This will take some time, due to the amount of refunds going out, so please be patient and all will receive their money.

We also want everyone to know what transpired on the evening of September 11th and after that date.  I received a call from a member of the Nature Coast Civil War Committee who said that some of the committee members felt that due to the happenings of the day, we should cancel the school.   I said, "I did not think it was necessary, but  would bring it up to General Hardy for discussion and abide by his wishes."  We both agreed that we should go on with the school and at that time the weather was not an issue.  I returned the call to that committee member and informed him of the decision and thought it was a dead issue.   After a short time, I received another call from that same member who stated it was discussed by the committee and they decided to cancel the school.   I informed him the school was not the committee's to cancel but since they were the link with the property owner, we had no other choice but to go along with their decision.  At no time was the weather an issue.

******

This part of the letter is addressed to the artillery crews.  When it comes time to certify your crews, there will be a $7.00 fee for each member of your crew.  This goes to the National Civil War Artillery Association to cover certification and membership dues. It will be collected as crews are certified.  This was a part of your registration fee.  I am going to work on getting any crew who wishes to be certified, certified.  This will take some time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

Respectfully,

Robert Goodrich,
Brigadier General,
Chief of Artillery,
Hardy's Brigade

Everglades Raid.....The 10th Tenn. (sponsors of the Raid) are having a meeting at the site of the upcoming event.  The meeting will be held on the 27th of this month at 11am.  The walk through is your opportunity to state your opinion and wants or needs (within reason).  All those who want some input into the event or have special needs are invited to attend.  Take I-95 South.  Exit at Miami Garden Drive (183rd Street) East 3 miles to US 1.  Go South on US 1 to 163rd Street.  Go East on 163rd about one mile.  The park will be on the right before the bridge.  Event Coordinator, Rick Brass cwbrass@hotmail.com

Sick Call....Col. Corky (Alabama Volunteer Battalion) sent me a update on Jim.  He said..."Jim is back in the hospital.  It seems he passed out last night for an unknown reason and is still losing weight.  That is all I know at this point."

Sick Call (horse)......I will not make the Huntsaders event.  Wish I could.  My horse (Solomon) decided to try to jump over the arena fence (five foot tall fence panels) last Monday the 1st  of October and caught his front foot in the top rail between the panels.  He fell and became entangled and ended up hanging upside down by his left front hoof.  Somehow he did not break his leg or pull off his hoof in the accident.  In the process of all this confusion, he drove the 1/2" rod that holds the panels in place into his coronary band (just above the hoof).  Lorraine and I had to take down about 38 feet of the steel panels to free him.  He started to go into shock and his blood pressure dropped while his heart rate soared.  We were able to stabilize his failing vital signs and get the vet out to look at his injuries.  He is improving but we may have some problems with infection in the cuts.  As of today (the 8th of Oct.), we are aggressively treating him and hope for his full recovery soon.  My other horse Rambler is still a little lame from our last drill and is not getting much better.  We will do a ultrasound on his leg/shoulder area and see if there is any permanent tendon damage.  I am shopping around looking to purchase other horses to use in the cavalry but the way my luck is running, I am almost afraid to buy anything so I am presently horseless.  I hope to have these horse problems cleared up and be back in the saddle by the Palatka event.  Since I will miss Huntsader, I would like to ask that someone (several people) please write a report about the event and email it to me so I can put something about it in the next News Magazine.  Thanks......Bob

Questions.....Actual Questions Asked of Rangers at National Parks: "How many of the Civil War battles were fought in Europe?" [Answer by Tom Fasulo - Actually the answer is "maybe" one, if we discount diplomatic "battles". The C.S.A. Alabama fought the U.S.S. Kearsarge on June 19, 1864. The sea battle was close enough to the French coast (off the port of Cherbourg) for people on shore to watch it. The Alabama was sunk. But since the battle took place outside the three mile limit, it wasn't technically fought in Europe.]

Thank God  for "Ice Angels"  I got an email from Sgt. Tim Hollamby (Hardys Brigade CSA Medical Corps).  He wrote...."We have all seen them,...But have we ever really noticed?  The ladies at a battlefield aid station, ready if they are needed.  Giving water and ice before the battle and fighting parched throats and keeping heat stroke at bay.  Working diligently as hard as anyone on the field...quietly.  A kind word, a smile, another cup of cool water.  They follow in the footsteps of other great American women.  Louisa May Alcott, Captain Sally Tompkins, CSA, Mother Bickerdyke, Felicia Grundy Porter and thousands of others.  The nurses and our own "Ice Angels".  They deserve our respect and a word of thanks.  There is a term in Latin "Nulli Secundas"; it means "second to none".  I can't think of anyone who deserves it more than these fine ladies.  My hat is off to you and we thank you."

Looking For A Home.......There are several new companies being formed and others looking for additional members.  The 10th Tennessee Cavalry (dismounted and mounted) will soon add a mountain howitzer to their numbers.  The 10th has decided to call the new artillery unit Rice's Battery.  The 10th is at most Florida battles and sometimes out of state events.  Don is looking for some help with the gun.  He can be reached at oldreb53@aol.com.  I am also looking for some mounted troopers to ride with me in the 10th Tenn. Co. D. mounted.  If you have a horse and would like to become part of a new cavalry company, email me at mayorbob@sprynet.com.  Bill is looking for at least two men to help in the Grayson Artillery too.  Grayson Artillery was an early Florida unit, for middle and North Fl, Ocala to Jacksonville.  They have a mountain rifle with the early pack carriage.  Grayson Artillery has a complete company set up including a wall tent, two A tents, fire and cooking sets and a camp cook.  They usually attend the battles close to Central Florida.  Contact Capt. W. S. Mc Clelland at 352-669-6501 or you can email him at BMcclel105@aol.com.  If you need a home, there are plenty of companies for you to fall in with.

Fort Meade Event. Nov. 9-10-11,..CANCELED...Jason Baker (1st. Lt. Provost) has had to cancel their event.  He wrote...."I regret to inform you that we are canceling the Fort Meade Event this year.  Due to the overwhelming attention needed for the Atlanta Campaign this year, it would be unrealistic to expect an adequate attendance from the reenacting community at our event.  We are canceling instead of rescheduling because we do not have the liberty to change the dates with the City of Fort Meade.  We also regret if this has caused anyone any inconvenience.  We hope to reinstate the event in next season's schedule."
With my regards,
1st Lieutenant J. A. Baker
Brigade Provost Marshal/ Commanding
64th Georgia, Company "D"
Office of the Chief of Staff,
Hardy's Brigade, AoT, CSA

Special Thanks.....I need to take a second here and say THANKS to my daughter Rebecca for all her work on the web site.  Everything you see on the site was done by her.  The only thing I contribute are the ideas, all the work is hers.  The main problem I have with the magazine is the spelling and punctuation.  I have a specialized spell check and grammar correction device on the computer.  Her name is Lorraine, my wife.  If it wasn't for her, you would spend more time laughing at my spelling and grammar errors than reading the News Magazine.

Fort Pierce Event...... Tim Futch (8th. Fla. Company C) and one of the hosts of the Ft. Pierce event wrote about the reenactment.  He said......."First, I would like to say thank you to everyone that participated in this year's event.  We had a good turn out of reenactors and sutlers, thanks again."  He went on to describe the weekend....

"On to the event:  What can I say, Rain, we had rain every day but Sunday.  On Friday we had school day.  We had approx. 1800 kids show up from the tri-county area.  Everyone I spoke with really enjoyed the program we presented.  We even got Pack Rat Bob and the Kettle Corn people involved.  The weather was nice for the entire time the kids were there, overcast not too hot.  The Explorers sold 600 hot dogs on Friday alone.

On Saturday morning, we raised colors and had our attention to orders.  This was done after the gates were open so that the spectators could watch.  We had our colors combined with both armies lining up at the flag poles located at the front gate.  At the time of battle, we had the Union in the fort on the hill.  They had the support of two cannons and one mortar.  We attacked across the field towards the fort. Our forces took heavy casualties at the fence line and were forced to retire.  After the battle, we presented a salute to the spectators along with a tribute to the fallen and heroes of September 11th.  We also did something that I for one have never seen.  We combined the armies on the line. We had the first army on line to space out in a single line with enough room for the other to step up in between.  The spectators seemed to really appreciate the show of unity.  After we retired to camp, our Lt. Tigner Blackman by unanimous vote of the members on the 8th. Fla. Co. C, was promoted to Captain.1st. Sgt. Lou Rausch was promoted to 1st. Lt. They and the company then promoted me the Quartermaster Sgt.  This is a great honor, and I will strive to fulfill my duties to the best of my ability.  (Editors Note:  Congratulations to those who were promoted.  We know you all will do an outstanding job in your new positions.)  After the events of the day, we held our dance.  We had Bruce "Bugler" Bowden and his boys play for us.  The group seemed to enjoy their music.  We also had a good participation at the Ladies tea.  Not to mention the fun we had at the dying and weeping contest.

On Sunday, the weather finally cleared and we had a glorious day.  As on Sat., we had combined colors.  Then Church service.  At the time of the battle, the Union had refortified itself on the hill.  After our reserves had arrived, we started our push to the top of the hill.  Under heavy canister fire from the union artillery, we were able to push them off the fence.  Once they had retreated to the fortifications on the slope of the hill, we massed our forces for a final assault.  Colonel Corky, under a flag of truce, approached the union command to offer them the opportunity to surrender.  They denied and wanted to fight it out to the end.  We fixed bayonets and charged the fort and the gun emplacements.  With heavy casualties, we were able to gain the upper hand and pushed our way to the top on the hill, taking their guns and forcing a surrender to those that were still standing.  Once again at the salute, we combined our armies as a show of American unity.  After the salute, a young girl of about 8 years of age asked if she could sing the national anthem.  I do not believe there was a dry eye in the place when she finished.  That young lady could not only sing, but she put her whole heart and soul into that song.

With both armies retired, we broke camp to move to our next engagement.  The members of the 15th Alabama have been dispatched to Andersonville, Ga., to ward off an attack that is sure to come on the prison.  The members of the 8th. Florida Company C are on furlough until our unit strength is back up and our wounded are healed.  It is rumored that we will be dispatched to a farm called Huntsader's in Bradenton, Fla."

Until we meet again on the field of battle.
Quartermaster Sgt. Tim Futch
8th. Fla. Company C
Alabama Volunteers, CSA

More On Ft. Pierce......Capt. Dave Iannone (3rd Rhode Island Artillery Battery " C ") wrote......"For those of you that did not make it, let me tell you a little about it.  First of all, the three hour ride is a little far but it turned out it was worth it.  We arrived on Thursday afternoon for school day on Friday.  Weather was still holding out.  So after setting up, what else to do but sit back, pop a top, read the schedule, then go to someone in charge to find out the pertinent times and placements for the school day.  After that, back to camp pop a top and enjoy.  We also had plenty of hay for the tents and most important of all, plenty of clean port a lets.  Friday's school day was well done.  We heard that about 1800 kids showed up  It sure felt like it.  All in all, we made it through the day and I believe the kids may have gotten a little knowledge out of it which is why we do this.  Then the rains came, but not so bad, then they stopped just in time to go over to the main tent and have a nice free (yes, free) meal.  Saturday, we woke up to a little drizzle through colors.  After colors, some people started coming in and once in a while it would rain lightly but it stopped for the battle.  The battle was fine and the works and redouts that they made looked and worked great.  We Yankees held the fort and the Johnnies tried to take it but to no avail.  After about 30 minutes the battle was over and we had a very, very nice salute.  We all lined up shoulder to shoulder but the difference being a Yankee shoulder next to a Johnnie shoulder.  It showed unity and pride to the public.  It sure looked good.  That night it started to rain and rain it did but not enough to stop the ball.  The music was great and everyone have a good time.  Still further in the night, a small storm hit but in the morning everything started to dry out and the sun came out for a perfect day.  The people came and filled the stands and the music played and the battle began.  The Yankees still holding the fort from the previous day.  Finally after constant charges and bayonet fighting, the Johnnies over ran the breastworks and then the fort.  Again the salute which was the same and added the singing of the national anthem.  The people gave us a standing ovation.  From our view point, we will support the Fort Pierce Raid next year.  Thank You for letting us play,
Capt. Dave Iannone 3rd Rhode Island Artillery Battery " C ".

Andersonville Event.......Maj. Dave Riker was kind enough to send me some details about this past weekend's Andersonville reenactment.  He wrote.......

Andersonville Village and Historic Area opened its doors with its normal Southern hospitality again this year. Special thanks to Peggy Shepherd, Tourist Director and Sandra for all of their efforts. The Village never looked better.

Units from Florida included the 37th Alabama, Co. H, the Alabama Volunteers, Gamble's Light Artillery, 3rd Rhode Island Artillery, members of the 3rd Florida Company B, several Federal members (excuse me guys for not remembering your unit designations) and members of the medical staff. The host unit was the 4th Georgia with assistance from the 10th Georgia and the Georgia Battalion.

Friday found the weather changing as a front came through with some rain but nothing like the Fort Pierce event.

Saturday morning's colors found a good turn out of troops.  A salute for those who died at the World Trade Center was held in combination with a salute to Captain Wirz, the commandant of Camp Sumter / Andersonville Prison.  A parade followed which heard cheers from the spectators for all units involved.  Noticeably, the new Georgia flag was absent but the old one flew over several units.  Saturday found Confederate forces fighting downhill against Federal forces entrenched in the works.  More than one fine Confederate soldier lost their life near the banks of that muddy creek.  True injuries found only one member of the 4th Georgia sustain a cut due to an attack by a vicious canteen as one of our fine Confederates found his mark with shot.  Following a day of fighting, the 4th Georgia hosted its usual quiet entertainment evening.  I would imagine this had some result on the numbers of attendees at the Sunday morning colors.

Sunday's church services were nestled below the woods of the hill by the creek or in the original church on the grounds.  Both services were well attended as many needed to repent from the night before.  At 12:30 p.m. when the units were forming for battle, an announcement came across the band speakers stating that President Bush had just announced that bombing had begun on Taliban targets in Afghanistan.  A cheer went up from all but you could tell it was also followed with a moment of prayer for our servicemen and women.  Confederates defended the works but were overrun on Sunday with the 37th making a valiant stand event when surrounded.  One leg wound was received by a Georgia infantryman and a deputy sheriff from the host county found the unfortunate experience of accidentally stepping in front of an artillery piece as it was fired.  Very luckily, he was not seriously injured.  At the final salute, units opened ranks and mixed Confederate then Federal to show that we were again all Americans.  This was very well received by the spectators.

Major Murdock, adjutant to the Atlanta event, wished everyone to know that the Atlanta Campaign 2001 is still on for next month, no matter what the rumor mill has to say.  Primedia has pulled its backing due to lawsuits from Manassas but all registration fees have been passed to the Georgia coordinators.  The Wild West show has been canceled to reduce conflict.

Hopefully, everyone made it home safely from another great Georgia weekend.  Let's have a great turnout at Hunsader Farms in two weeks.

D. Riker
Major / Brigade Surgeon
Hardy's Brigade

Contest Winner.....Lou Crabtree (79th New York Company D)  was the first to correctly identify last month's mystery photo.  In the photo is Cpl. Steven Smith 79th New York Company B.

The effects of the war on the home front were severe.  Ladies from the North and South were impacted by the war.  I hope that this article reflects the women and the hardships they endured.

With the passing of every re-enacting season, I have more respect for the ladies who actually lived through the war.  I am constantly amazed at the strength and will of these ladies.  They endured hardships that the majority of us can not even imagine.  I realize every time I need to wash out something by hand how truly hard they had it.  We tend to take for granted the easiness we have in life.

Life for the 1860's lady was not the glamorous portrayal that Vivian Leigh lived on the big screen.  It was challenging, especially for the ladies in the South.  Cut off from virtually the whole world, they had to create new resources for survival.  The ladies in the North were inconvenienced, but instead of ripping apart everything in their house for pieces of textiles, they signed agreements not to buy foreign materials unless necessary.  Even in the midst of the great Civil War, the North and South were still worlds apart.

The onset of war brought new hardships to an already difficult life.  When the men went off to the war, the women had to assume the man's role as well as their own.  Suddenly women were thrown into roles they never had to deal with and kept this country going.  Women like Mrs. Rose O'Neal Greenhow who ran one of the most famous spy rings out of Washington, D.C.  Even after being captured and thrown into Capital Prison, she continued her work for the southern cause.

Pauline Cushman, a Union spy, was captured and sentenced to death for her work.  Escaping death only by the Confederates retreat to Shelbyville.

For the first time, women were allowed to be Nurses.  Dorthea Dix, a Social Reformer, was appointed by Abraham Lincoln superintendent of women nurses.  She held this position till the end of the war.  Overseeing 2,000+ volunteers who cared for Union soldiers.

Clara Barton, a great Humanitarian, organized supplies for field hospitals.  In 1862, she received permission from the Surgeon General to work in the front lines.  Dubbed 'the angel of the battlefield' ;  her efforts continued after the war helping families find where their loved ones were.  Whether they were in hospitals or their final resting place.  Later she founded the American chapter of the Red Cross in 1873.

Loreta Janeta Velazquez , Confederate spy and Officer, Cuban born she accompanied her husband into the Confederate Army.  Disguised as Confederate Officer 'Lieutenant Harry Buford' continued to fight after her husband's death, until her true identity was revealed in 1863.  She continued her spy work and in 1876 wrote the book 'The Woman in Battle'.

Kady Brownwell, the most famous soldier of the Civil War.  She too accompanied her husband into war.  Carrying the regimental colors, in her skirts with trousers underneath.  She received an army pension for her time served in the Rhode Island regiments being discharged by General Ambrose Burnside from the Union Army.

Belle Boyd, the most famous spy to come out of the Civil War.  She served P.G.T. Beauregard and T.J. Jackson as a courier.  In May 1862, she became a Confederate Heroine by signaling Jackson's troops to accelerate their advance, saving the bridges at Front Royal ,Virginia.  So charming and handsome in features, upon being captured three times, she escaped three times.

Dr. Mary Edward Walker, Union Surgeon, spent three years as an Army nurse and a sometime spy.  Finally in 1864 was commissioned the first woman assistant surgeon in the U.S. Army.

There are countless others who rose above the war.  Quilting circles were turned into groups of ladies rolling bandages for our soldiers.  Ladies teas became forums for ladies to discuss their frustrations.  Roles of taking care of the businesses, farms, plantations, and keeping what was left of the family together.  Ladies had to go out and find work, many times taking in sewing.  Through it all, their strength and determination got them through what was one of the most horrific times in our nation's history.  These ladies persevered by sheer faith, hope, and the ability to keep a level of normal in their lives.

I hope that we can all emerge from the situation we now find ourselves in as well as the ladies from the Civil War.  By Hope, Strength, Will, and most of all, Faith in God, we shall endure as the victorious ladies of old.  It is my prayer that we all stand strong together and come through with the Red, White, and Blue colors flying high.

God Bless America and God Bless You.

Fredricka

If you are serving our country or if you have a loved one serving, may God bless you all and keep you all safely in his hands.  My prayers will be with you.

Fly those Yellow Ribbons until our boys are home!

Thank you
Fredricka

Recently a TV news reporter announced that the deaths at the World Trade Center and Pentagon probably total about 6,000 people.  She then stated that never in our country's history have more Americans died in one day, not even in the Civil War.  As any Civil War reenactor or living historian knows (or should), the bloodiest day in American History occurred on another September day near a small Maryland town.  The battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg) occurred on September 17, 1862, resulting in 4,710 dead, 18,440 wounded and another 3,043 missing [statistics are from the Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War, 1991, 850 pp].  Those counting the casualties at Antietam usually only total the number of dead and wounded [23,150], but who knows how many of the missing at Antietam were also killed?  Was the reporter right or wrong about the deaths at the World Trade Center exceeding those at Antietam?  Frankly, I am not interested in arguing the point as that is not why I am writing this.  Still, statistics can be impressive if used properly.  In my living history presentations, I often ask spectators if they have seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan" with its brutal depiction of war.  I then point out that more Americans were killed or wounded by 7:30 am at Antietam [in the cornfield] than were killed all day on June 6, 1944, and the battle of Antietam was just getting started.  It allows spectators to understand just how terrible American Civil War battles were.

The United States now has a population of about 270 million.  During the Civil War, there were probably about 11 million people in the northern states and 7 million in the southern states, or about 18 million total.  This means our country's population is now about 15 times what it was during the Civil War.  Mary Chestnut, a southern woman whose diary is now famous, once wrote [about three years into the war] that before the Civil War, she did not know a family that had someone in the army, but that now she did not know of any family that had not lost someone to the war.  Our population is now far greater and yet our country is still tightly linked.  I have two cousins who work in the World Trade Center complex - both survived, one by a lucky chance.  At the University of Florida, I work closely with a graduate student who still has two friends among the missing.  All of us, those who have lost friends and family and those who haven't, are deeply affected by this tragedy.  Yet consider what Americans who lived in the Civil War must have felt when the casualty lists from Antietam (23,150), Gettysburg (more than 50,000), Chickamauga (28,399) and other battles were published.  Worse than the battles were the lists of those who died from disease - two of every three of the 622,000 who died in the Civil War.  The despair in the cities, towns and hamlets during those four bloody years must have been overpowering at times.

Also consider that the men in most military units were from the same area, companies being formed of men from the same town or county.  What happened in those communities when units like the 1st Texas and the 16th Connecticut took horrendous casualties in the cornfield at Antietam, or at Gettysburg when units like the 26th North Carolina had three men left when it reached the stone wall, or the 1st Minnesota, a small regiment of 280 men attacked an entire Confederate brigade, to buy five minutes for General Hancock with their lives?   What this meant was that entire towns or counties lost all their young men.  I'm reminded of the folk song from the 1960s that went, "Where have all the young men gone?  Gone to graveyards every one.  When will they ever learn?  When will they ever learn?"  What must have it been like in America after the war, with a large part of an entire generation missing?  Yet, despite the hardships, those Americans who survived still struggled to build a great nation.

Many of us who reenact say we do so in awe of and to honor the Americans of the 1860s who struggled under such great personal hardships, in battle and on the home front.  But now is our time to really honor them.  If they could continue to live in such terrible times, when they shuddered in anticipation of the next day's newspapers and its casualty lists, how can we shrink from our own fear of the loss of a loved one or economic hardship?  Do statistics really matter?  Which is worse, 6,000 dead in one day, or 622,000 dead in four years? Perhaps John Dunne answered this when he wrote in his Devotions #17, "...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

Those of us who chose to live our lives in the past for one or two weekends a month, can best honor those whom we try to impersonate by facing the future with courage and resolve and not turning aside from our goal.  They did it once, we must do it now.

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

I recently read the book "Our Sacred Honor" by William J. Bennett.  The book consisted of letters written by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and many other great men associated with the founding of our nation.  The book covered the time period from the first conception of the Constitution to just before the Civil War.  I found it fascinating that almost all of the founding fathers, including George Washington,  not only predicted the Civil War but were not far off in guessing the time frame that it would take place and were equally accurate in defining some of the causes of the war.  In this article, I will present excerpts of some of their original letters in an attempt to demonstrate to the reader the incredible insight and wisdom of the exceptional men who created what we know as our United States of America.  I hope you find their thoughts as interesting as I did.

The author of the book William Bennett wrote...

"In 1775, the population of America was 2.5 million.  About one-fifth of all Americans were black, and nearly all of them were slaves living in the South.  In Virginia, slaves were half the population, while in South Carolina, slaves outnumbered white inhabitants, constituting two-thirds of the population.  At the time that Jefferson declared that all men were free and equal, about half a million were not.

Jefferson attempted to protest the wrongs of slavery in our founding document, the Declaration of Independence.  John Adams believed that the passages condemning slavery were the best parts of the Declaration.  Yet the Southern states strongly opposed Jefferson's position and would not vote for independence so long as it was included.  It was stricken from the final draft."

"Would anyone believe I am the master of slaves of my own purchase!  I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of living here without them.  I will not, I cannot justify it.  However culpable my conduct, I will so far pay my devoir to virtue as to own the excellence and rectitude of her precepts, and lament my want of conformity to them."

"I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.  Everything we do is to improve it, if it happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot and an abhorrence of slavery.  If we cannot reduce this wished-for reformation to practice, let us treat the unhappy victims with lenity.  It is a debt we owe to the purity of our religion, to show that it is at variance with that law which warrants slavery.

I know not when to stop.  I could say many things on the subject, a serious view of which gives a gloomy perspective to future times."

"Is the importation of slaves permitted by the new Constitution for twenty years?  By the old, it is permitted forever.  It were doubtless to be wished that the power of prohibiting the importation of slaves, had not been postponed until the year 1808, or rather that it had been suffered to have immediate operation.  But it is not difficult to account either for this restriction on the general government, or for the manner in which the whole clause is expressed.  It ought to be considered as a great point gained in favor of humanity, that a period of twenty years may terminate forever within these States, a traffic which has so long and so loudly upbraided the barbarism of modern policy; that within that period it will receive a considerable discouragement from the federal Government and may be totally abolished by a concurrence of the few States which continue the unnatural traffic, in the prohibitory example which has been given by so great a majority of the Union.  Happy would it be for the unfortunate Africans, if an equal prospect lay before them, of being redeemed from the oppressions of their European brethren!  Attempts have been made to pervert this clause into an objection against the Constitution, by representing it on one side as a criminal toleration of an illicit practice, and on another, as calculated to prevent voluntary and beneficial emigrations from Europe to America.  I mention these misconstructions, not with a view to give them an answer, for they deserve none; but as specimens of the manner and spirit in which some have thought fit to conduct their opposition to the proposed government."

Article VI of the Northwest Ordinance
"There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted; Provided always, that any person escaping into the same, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any one of the original States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed, and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or service as aforesaid."

"This is to raise two, three or four battalions of Negroes; with the assistance of the government of that state, by contributions from the owners in proportion to the number they possess."

John Jay wrote to R. Lushington on March 15, 1786...

"It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished.  The honor of the States, as well as justice and humanity, in my opinion, loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people.  To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused.

Whatever may be the issue of the endeavors of restrictions with which narrow policy opposes the extension of Divine benevolence.  It is pleasant, my Lord, to dream of these things, and I often enjoy that pleasure; but though, like some of our other dreams, we may wish to see them realized, yet the passions and prejudices of mankind forbid us to expect it."

Please remember that what you have read above was written almost 100 years before the Civil War.  For additional reading on this subject look for these books... "The Coming Storm" that was published in the late 1850's and mentions the same founding fathers and another, appropriately is called "Years of  Madness" and was published in 1951.

Yankee Pot Roast

3 to 4 lbs beef roast
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 lb bacon
1 15oz. can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 bay leaf
8 to 10 small onions
8 to 10 small carrots
1/2 cup vinegar

Fry bacon in Dutch oven. Rub roast with salt and pepper.
Brown on all sides in hot Dutch oven.
Add bay leaf, vinegar and 1/2 cup water
Cover and cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Add veggies, tomato sauce and rest of water.
Cook for about 1 hour more.

Don't let the Rebs know you are cooking this or they'll shoot ya for just
calling it Yankee.
1st Sgt. Denny Rosenow

How God Created Confederate Veterans...The following was sent to me by Peggy Marders (10th Tenn. dismounted cavalry)

October 11 through November 17.  Frank Wildhorn’s “The Civil War” will be playing at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers, FL,. Experience this emotionally moving musical.  It will make you cry…it will make you proud!  A show every American should see.   Tickets are now available by calling (941) 278-4422.    For more information, visit the web site at www.broadwaypalm.com

October 2O, 21, 2001.  Beauvoir's 14th Annual Fall Muster, Biloxi, Mississippi (Gulf Coast).  This is a recreation of an 1861 Confederate Boot Camp.  Union is also welcome.  This event is complete with camp activities, drill demonstrations, period music, skirmishes, tours of Beauvoir, and the Jefferson Davis Presidential home and library.  There is also a Civil War museum on site.  All reenactors are welcome but participation is by invitation only.  For the "off hours", you can visit some nice casinos within walking distance of the encampment. I recommend the Beau Rivage hotel.  It is better than a 5 star hotel, has a great casino, and several fantastic restaurants within the complex.  From Florida, go North to I-10.  Take I-10 West through Alabama  to Mississippi. Go South on I-110 a few miles to Hwy 90.  Go West on Hwy 90 a couple of miles and Beauvoir will be on your right.  It is easier however to fly into the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional airport (about 10 miles away) and rent a car.   Contact (228)  388-9074

October 18, 19, 20, 21, 2001.  Huntsader Farms Bradenton, Florida.  Hardy's Brigade 1st Battalion maximum effort event. Battles, sutlers, ladies tea and a ball. School days Thursday and Friday.  1000 are expected each day.  Help is needed for school days (10am to 2pm Thurs. and Fri.)  A free lunch will be provided to reenactors who help with school day.  The battlefield is good and there are a lot of sutlers here.  ALL SUTLERS are to contact Tom for their information.  Tom does not have access to the old sutler list and the sutlers who plan to attend must contact him.  Hay and water for the horses will be provided.  This is usually a good weekend of fighting.  Battles will take place at 2 pm Saturday and Sunday.  Take I-75 South.  Exit at Exit 42 (SR 64).  Travel 10.5 miles East on SR 64 to CR 675.  At CR 675 go South for 2.5 miles. Contact Tom Aloisio at (941) 727-4465 or you can email him at msmaj@tampabay.rr.com

October 27, 28, 2001.  Ft. Clinch Garrison (North of Jacksonville, Florida).  Live, eat, sleep and cook in a real Civil War fort.  School of Soldier, Living History, no reenactor fees, no horses and no battle but lots of real history fun.  From Central Florida, take I-4 East to I-95 North.  Go to the Ft. Clinch State Park Exit (US 2 Fernandina Beach).  Go East into and through the town of Fernandina.  Turn right at the State Park sign and follow the signs to the park.  Contact Al Perkins (904)  409-7313 junkman5@prodigy.net

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