Vol.XII, No, 2 36th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, Company A Feb. 1999
In this issue (Click on topic)
Small recruits stand tall in the 36th Va.
Howdy,
This weekend marks the first real" event of the 1999 year. Although Hurricane (March 26-28) is not a unit maximum-effort event, the fact that it's in our own backyard (literally for Keith Drake) means that many of the 36th will be in attendance for this one. The small size makes it a good weekend to get in some drill and a good opportunity for new officers and NCOs to gain some experience. I don't think any of us are pre-registered, so plan on paying at registration.
Culture kids
A couple weekends ago, the 36th got to work with some rather small "recruits." Several times a year, the Cultural Center at state capitol complex has programs for children and the Civil War was the theme for this past event. it also marked the opening of the new CMI War display in the Cultural Center Museum.
We had all the "recruits" to sign enlistment papers and then worked With them on dnIl. I think that second group ended up drilling better than a lot of reenactment units. Capt. Sheets reports that he thought the event went very well and that the unit is supposed to receive about $300 for the activity.
Tom Fife was able to join us and he wished to express his thanks to the unit for letting him tall in with us. Tom, you're always welcome around our campfire.
Website
If you have Internet access, you may want to check out the new website for the 36th Virginia. Terry Wass has done some excellent work on redesigning the site and making it much more attractive and interactive. The photos from the Culture Club event were taken from the website which can be found at www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Quarter/6650/index.html.
Other events
Well, that's all I have for now. I've cleaned the rust and mildew from my gear and l'm looking forward to seeing you at Hurricane in a few days.
Your obedient servant,
Henry H. Hogg
(Kevin Cade)
My state(of mind) of the 36th Virginia
Time has gone by fast. At the last annual meeting I was sitting by myselt and later with Dwain Hamlin, thinking back of the first time I attended a gathering of the 36th Virginia Vol. Infantry Co. A.
That was in 1988. We were in the middle of all the 125th anniversary events and there was excitement in the air. Eugene Bell recruited me and was my mentor through the whole process of being a Civil War reenactor. No one was more excited than me. All through my school years there were two periods of history that I felt a passion for - the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. When I visited the baffle fields with my family during vacation I often wondered, if these rocks and trees could talk; what stories they could tell." My interest in the Civil War grew over the years, and to be a reenactor is a dream come true. For that, I will always be grateful to the 36th.
I have seen a lot of people come and go in the past 11 years. Some left because of work constraints, others because of lost interest. The saddest reasons were the flnes who left because of some petty frictions they had with what we were trying to do for the betterment of the unit. And though I didn't agree with their reasonings, I still miss them, and the memories of years past that they were a part of.
I love the 36th Virginia. Past and present. I look forward to every event that I'm able to go to. With the way 1 work, it's hard to attend as many as I like.
Lets all keep the spirit of the 36th. In keeping the spirit we need to cio several things.
1) Cherish the fellowship with one another.
2) Show appreciation to the leadership of the group. I don't know where we would be without Captain Mike Sheets. His wisdom during trying times has shown true character, and his passion for the hobby is past on to the public who receives the best type of education - living history. To all the other officers and NCOs, you are great. Keep it up.
3) Keep a healthy balance between your hobby and the real world. Do your duty to God, your famiiy, and your work. I believe this will make reenacting more enjoyable. And last but not least,
4) Always remember the men and women who gave their lives during this terrible period of our history. Past this along to the public. Tell also of the mistakes that some people of that era made. That we will never experience that again in America.
In closing I would like to say thanks to Mike, Eugene, Kevin, and everyone else in the 36th, past, present, and future.
Your Obedient Servant,
(Keith Drake)
Dues are due !
Time to pay ddes for the 1999 reenactment year if you haven't done so already. Dues for this year are $15 per person for the year Each additional member in the same household needs to pay an additional $7.50. However, there is a $30 cap per household. It sure helps put with our bookkeeping if you pay your dues with a check. lt should be made out to The 36th Va. Infantry. Mail to: Mike Sheets, 1399 14th St., Huntington, WV 25701
Gun law hinders war reenactors
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Mass. This Revolutionary War town is planning a big bash for the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington next year, but organizers say the state's new gun control law is threatening the event's authenticity.
It's the latest celebration slated to go gun less under the law passed last year. During Gov. Paul Cellucci's recent inauguration, the Lexington Minute Men attended yet went without their traditional muskets because of new weapon storage requirements.
In this historic town, up to a quarter of a million visitors are expected for the three day anniversary extravaganza in April 2000, along with 1,000 to 1,500 reenactors of the battle itself.
Hayward Gardner, chairman of Lexington Commission 2000, says the party may go up in smoke unless the state amends its new gun law to exempt antique weapons from storage and trigger lock requirements and to free reenactors from having to get licenses.
Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, and State Rep. Jay Kaufman, D-Lexington, are talking to Gel lucci and legislative leaders about amendments that would exempt muskets manufactured during or before 1899 from the trigger lock and storage requirements mandated by the state's assault weapons law passed last year.
Most gun lockers don't fit the extra-long length of antique muskets, and the orange trigger locks available for them would stand out against the tone of a Revolutionary War reenactment, Fargo said.
Without the amendments, the proposed Patriots Day 2000 bash also may be canceled. State lawmakers also have been working to amend the law to allow veterans to carry guns at Veterans Day parades.
"These amendments will allow us to balance the need for responsible gun control legislation while not detracting from events which celebrate our historic and cultural identity," Fargo said.