1st NC Cav.
Regimental Dispatch

Kaptain's Korner

As most of our readers noted, our last newsletter was quite subdued (for obvious reasons). Now its time to look ahead to another fun-filled season as a Civil War enthusiast and reenactor. As we have said many times before, if you're not having fun as a member of the "Bloody 1st NC", then we want to know about it! Now settle back, for its tiiiime once again to share with you yet another dramatic true story about Mon Capitan (me). Noooo, hold it. Wait! Instead, I'm going to open with a profound melodic poem, which reflects back on the last few months. Here goes:

Tis, just a note to say I'm living, that I'm not among the dead. Though I'm getting more forgetful, and mixed up in the head. I got used to my near-sightedness, to my pain I have resigned. I can manage my bifocals, but gosh I miss my mind! For sometimes I can't remember, when I stand at the foot of the stairs. If I must go up for something, or have I just come down from there? And before the fridge so often, my poor mind is filled with doubt. Have I just put food away, or have I come to take some out? So if it's my turn to write ye, there's no need for getting sore. I may think that I have written, and don't want to be a bore. Just remember that I'm a writer, but I don't want to start a trend. Now it's nearly mail time , so I must say goodbye, me friend. Here I stand beside the mailbox, with a face so very red! Instead of mailing you our newsletter, I have opened it instead!
 
 

As noted above, I used the term "Civil War reenactor", which basicly is the art of pretending, while you're pretending, not to be pretending - (Huh?). Seriously speaking, the term means "a person who re-creates an actual historical event that is both representative & historically correct
 
 

Most, if not all of us, see our-selves as serious Civil War reenac-tors. We take great care and pride in portraying a Tarheel horse-soldier and/or civilian of that period. I have spoken to many that are always striving to be as authentic and period as possible and I have seen many giving careful attention to detail. I'm proud to say that we've stayed away from that cowboy look and of course we are always watching for anachronisms in camp and on our person (e.g. wristwatch, earrings). Because of these high standards, we have a reputation as a "crack unit" and this reputation precedes us wherever we go, either as a unit or individually.
 
 

But we are not alone in this endeavor. There is a movement among all reenactors across the nation to be as period as possible in our impressions of our 19th century ancestors. Always remember that we portray a mid-to-late war Regiment. Most, if not all of us, should have that "to hell and back" look. Heck, most of you look like hell anyway! The more worn-out your trousers and jackets are, the more period you look. Most jackets by this time appeared dirty and/or worn, with mixed and missing buttons. A quick note about buttons: Phase out your CSA buttons as soon as possible and replace them with a mixture of Federal, "C" (for Cavalry), militia, or Starburst NC buttons. The star-burst buttons are preferable, and "C" buttons are a close second.
 
 

By this time in the war, little or no yellow facing was being issued (whatever facing you had should have been bleached out by the sun and rain). According to research con-ducted by Sgt. Steve Kroh, F Company, our Regiment was never issued jackets with yellow facing. The soldier's wool trousers was, in most cases, "liberated" and therefore skyblue in color. Captured federal cavalry accoutrements and weaponry was pre-dominant. Footwear was either pre-dominantly "liberated" leather cavalry boots and/or brogans (preferably boots). By this time the hat brass had easily loosened, was then lost and hardly ever replaced (least of a soldier's worry-besides there was a shortage of brass in the South at this point in time). Headgear differed from person to person with preference given to brimmed hats for protection against the rain and sun.
 
 

After you have purchased the above essentials then its time to purchase a blue shell jacket or sack coat to round out your impression and to galvanize when necessary.
 
 

A note about weaponry. According to research conducted by Sgt. Steve Kroh most members of the 1st NC had either a Sharps carbine (captured), or a 2 Band Enfield rifle or an Enfield musketoon. By 1863 some were still using the Colt revolving carbine (originally issued to the Regiment).

The most common makers of weapons for the North were: Sharps, Spencer, Smith, Maynard, Burnside, Spring-field and Gallagher, to name a few. For the South, the makers were: Enfield, Cook n' Brothers, JP Murry, The Hall, The Richmond, Harper Ferry, to name a few. The type of weapon was categorize by its length and are noted below:
 
 

3 Band Rifled Musket - 55" long

(made for infantry)

2 Band Rifled Musket - 47" long

(made for light infantry)

2 Band Musketoon - 40" long

(made for the artillery)

1 or 2 Band Carbines - 36-38" long

(made for cavalry)

Here is a typical example: A Cook n'Brothers is a Southern copy of an Enfield musketoon. This maker also made Carbines.

As mentioned earlier, paying attention to details is important. Check your impression against the following list of items to eliminate:

1) yellow trim or facing (used for early war impressions. According to Sgt. Kroh, facing was never issued to the Regiment).

2) pleats or creases on trousers, shirts, jackets (an anachronism).

3) buttons with the letters "CSA"

4) modern bandannas (anachronism). Solid color bandannas can be used but are to be kept out of sight (tucked away).

5) modern eye-ware (an anachronism).

6) backing (an anachronism) to your chevrons (chevrons should be sewn directly onto the jacket sleeve). 7) hat cords (can be saved and used for Federal Impressions).

8) 1904 McClellan Saddles - Phase in 1859 McClellans (rawhide tree for the enlisted and leather-covered tree for the Orifices, Ocifers, I mean Officers!!).

Keep in mind that just by being seen in public you are giving out information and while in uniform you will be considered an expert on the period your portraying. We're repre- senting a proud and distinguished Regiment during the late war. So let's continue to represent them as authentically as possible. To achieve this objective our Regiment will have an "Impression Review"(new buzz word) at the next event, time permitting. Each person will be rated on a scale of ten, ten being best. And no, we will not be asking you to drop your trousers to see if you are wearing period underwear, cause some of you may not be wearing underwear- Ugh!

Important Terms Defined:

Accoutrements: Usually, the items attached, strapped, or belted to the soldier, including the haversack, canteen, blanket roll and belt. Additionally, it means anything else attached or carried. Diminutives are the nickname "cootie", the lice and other bugs that "hitch a ride" for the duration; and "couter up", the command to put on the gear and get ready to "fall in".

Anachronism: An item that doesn't fit into the time period portrayed. This could mean wearing Mexican War (1840s) or Indian War (1870s) uniform articles during reenactments. If an item must be out of period, it is more authentic to go backward than forward in time.

Authentic: People who take great care in their uniform and accoutrements. They are "authentic" reenactors, as opposed to "farbs".

Cowboy: A "farb" or non-authentic reenactor. Also, one who does not follow rules concerning safety and acts dangerously, or a glory hound.

Farb: Non-period, non-authentic equipment, or the person who uses it, also known as cowboy, clown, or polyester soldier. Variations on the term include farbette, farble, farfest, and farb-a-thon.

Galvanize: To change sides. Many times at a reenactment, there will be too many on one side and few or none on the other. Some of the men on one side will volunteer to change sides to make them more equal and to have someone to shoot at, and thus become "galvanized" Union or Confederate, usually the former.

Early War/Late War: An early-war event is a reenactment of an event that took place during the first or second year of the war. A late-war event is a reenactment of an event from the period 1863-1865. For Confederate reenactors, it usually means a change in uniforms.
 

TAXES-R-US, I.R.S. SLOGAN: "YOU MAKE IT, WE TAKE IT!"

Yep! It's that time of the year again when we try to understand the U.S. tax system, which is so complicated that no normal human can understand it, or even think about it for more than 10 seconds without bleeding from the forehead, ears and nose. The laws are written by staff tax nerds who can put pretty much place any wording they want in it. If you actually read the entire vastness of the U.S. Tax Code, you'd find at least one sex scene ("Yes, yes, YES!" moaned Jennifer as Shane, his taut body wet with moisture, again and again depreciated her capital assets and reduced her adjusted gross rate of annualized fiscal debenture").

As an ex-I.R.S. agent (NOW you know where that last scene came from), the good Captain has included the Tax-form 8283. Please remember that the expense has to be incurred in 1997, with no benefit or no element of pleasure ("ah-em, ah-em"). The form is to be used if you have non-cash contributions over $500.00. Also note, that our up-and-coming east coast trip in September is fully deductible (e.g. lodging, airfare, meals, blackpowder etc.). Your expenses are deductible when you itemize. To itemize, your total itemize deductions must exceed your standard deduction. Always keep your receipts in a safe place.

For more info. call the Major.
 

Companies A,  and F are to establish themselves in the usual configuration.  With Company A and F to the right. The Hospital Tent shall be located at the end of A Company's line of tents. Our Civilian tents will be situated at the right of our hospital tent (this wall tent will be on the side adjacent the Artillery encampment) and will hook around to the right if necessary. All mounts, when present, are to be picketed in the field to the left of the Infantry encampment.

Also make note of the Cavalry encampment for Lake Casitas, Ojai. This time, Dick Wixon has promised that the Mounted and Dismounted will not be separated. If you recall last year F Company was separated from the rest of Regiment & the Cavalry Corps. (they were across and 1/4 of a mile down the road).

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

The bloodiest hour of the Civil War was during which battle?

a) Gettysburg

b) Fredricksburg

c) Cold Harbor

Game show melody noted here [ ].

Ack! Ack! Time up! Answer is: Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864. At dawn one of the most terrible charges of the Civil War was made (including a Cavalry Charge). This battle lasted less than one hour. Eight Union Colonels died in as many minutes. 50,000 Union troops engaged out of 117,000 (7,000 casualties); 30,000 Confederate troops engaged out of 59,000 (1,500 casualties). It was an appalling slaughterhouse for the Union. This brief battle occurred on a few acres of scrubby woodland and fields in stifling 100 degree heat.

"MAMA, MAMA! Can Yaaaankees go to heaven?"

"Don't ask such foolish questions

chhhild......of course not!"

PAST AND UPCOMING EVENTS

HAND-2-HAND FIGHT AT TORRANCE? At this event half of our Regiment galvanized into the 6th U.S. Cavalry and at each of the five battles we charged each other and engaged in hand-to-hand combat, right in front of the audience! Both the audience and our fellow reenactors paid us some very nice compliments. We have become very skilled in this area and it shows! Now if we can only find a way to remove those goal posts. Someone reported seeing a flying football and soccerball when the 1st NC and the 6th U.S. started to charge each other.
 

BATTLE FOR MELODY RANCH - A GREAT VICTORY FOR THE 1ST NC! Whata event! This event, co-sponsored by the 10th N.Y. Infantry and the 1st NC Cavalry was a great success. Its not every day that one gets to engage the enemy at close quarters inside a full-size town that looks period and more! The audience and reenactors loved it! Unfortunately the local residents didn't. Apparently their livestock went ballistic from all of the cannon and gunfire. I don't think this type of event will ever occur again because of the tremendous noise we created. At least we left the town and its movie props intact. It is important to note that our mounted, F Company, displayed fine horsemanship when they attacked the enemy. Our new mounted yet veteran Troopers, Dan Peterson and Ted Boyias made their debut with F Company and, although understandably nervous, did quite well.

JOHNNY FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF CALICO? And the walls came a tumb-ling down. So thats what they say happened a week after the event. Apparently a big quake hit the area and the town was pretty badly shaken. According to one of our members, a flyer was circulated encouraging re-enactors to attend this event and specifically stating that the 1st NC was not invited. Imagine that? If anyone has this flyer please forward it to Regimental Hdqtrs. Apparently Calico is a small area and of course our large Regiment takes up a lot of space. I suspect that is why we were specifically mentioned. So don't take it personal. Apparently the event had few Federals (what a revelation!) if it wasn't for the 10th New York. We therefore plan to attend next year as the 6th U.S. Cavalry.

CAMP WRIGHT - Two of our mounted from F Company attended this event, namely SGT. Steve Kroh and TRP Dan Peterson and it was reported that this year's event was superb. They had about 14 mounted for both sides and many Federals to shoot at. Lets definitely put this on our calendar for next year! Thanks for showing the Regimental Colors boys!

CAMP MATAGUAY-FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE (FTX) AND TACTICAL - A GREAT SUCCESS! This was a first for the 1st NC and it exceeded expectations of all involved. Weather conditions were ideal, with cold evenings and warm sunny days. The terrain was rugged but magnifi-cent for the tactical that were planned. The accommodations were comfortable. The prepared food (a large dinner and breakfast for $15.00) was excellent. The live-firing waaas...an education, and was made possible by the live rounds donated by our Yankee host, Mr. Barry Messer and his Yankee staff. Our Confederate troops immediately noted that the .69 caliber minnie ball issued would not fit in a .69 caliber barrel!. I here tell that there may have been a hidden agenda, that is, the Staff felt very uncomfortable in issuing live rounds to "a bunch of rebels".

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER-LE GRAN TOUR OF CIVIL WAR BATTLE SITES/BATTLE REENACTMENT OF SHARPSBURG

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

 
CLINTON CARDINEZ HAS A BOY! - Nice trick Clinton! Must have been reeeeal painful seeing how you only have a small hole up front there. Christine Haas, his lady, had a baby boy named Brody Cardinez, born on January 14, 1997. Congratulations to both of our members. Brody means second son in the Scottish language. Clinton is recovering from a serious head injury and we wish him a quick recovery. And you thought he looked deranged befoooore the accident. Ha!

SPECIAL THANKS TO TRP BOYIAS - One of our newest members, Trooper Nick Boyias recently donated $100.00 to the purchase of a period U.S. flag that will be used when we galvanize into the 6th U.S. Cavalry. Thanks a million Nick, or should I say.... a hundred. Nick, if you recall, had dressed-up as Santa Claus at our last Christmas Party. Both he and his brother Ted are great people and we are very glad to have them as members

CARBINE RAFFLED????

Absolutely! Starting in April the Major will be selling raffle tickets at $2 each to anyone interested. The raffle for a new Cook n' Brothers Carbine will be held as soon as 200 tickets are sold, which will take approximately 2-3 months. You can enter as often as you want and the raffle will repeat itself again and again. And who says we are trying to buy your attendance! A consolation prize will be given: a glass bottom bus tour ride oooooof..... Pacoima!
 

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE:
 

What was the U.S. Government's official name given to the conflict from 1861-65?

a) The War Between the States

b) The Civil War

c) The War of Rebellion

Answer: C. A term not popular with Southerners, who referred to call it "The War of Northern Aggression", "The Late Unpleasantness", "The Second Revolution". and "The War for Southern Independence", .

Being a Living Example

Living history and role playing have two different approaches: first person and third person. The first person historian acts, talks, and looks as though he or she came from the period being reenacted. To be done effectively, the first-person historian must have a great deal of knowledge about the persona and time period. To be effective the character has to remain in first-person, which could be very difficult when the spectator gets serious and is asking where the bathrooms are located while doing the pee-pee dance. Will you say?: "Well, theres a tree over yonder " or "whats a bathroom?". In contrast, living history in the third person gives more flexibility, since the reenactor can were the correct clothes and use authentic equipment but can answer modern or comparative questions. Talking in third person reduces the stress of acting a role. Also third-person reenactors seem more approachable to spectators.