V OL 41 NO 8 | O CT . 6 TH , 2013
E STABLISHED
IN THE
R E - ENACTING C OMMUNITY
IN
1974
HARTFORD CITY: IN OUR SIGHTS
T A proud member of the “Army of the Wabash” A founding member of the “Cumberland Guard”
he mission of the 49th Indiana, Company F is to preserve Indiana’s Civil War heritage and to educate the public, as living historians, about the vital role the events of the civil war played in directing the course of our nation.
The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. Since 1974, we have represented Indiana’s civil war heritage in movies and documentaries, for newspapers and TV, and at schools, museums and reenactments across the US. For more information, please contact Fred Leickly at 317-896-2311 or visit our website at http://www.49thindiana.com. The Rank & File is the membership magazine of the 49th Indiana Company F.
2013 MILITARY ROLL CALL .=>30 Years of Service 1974 Dave Shackelford .20 - 29 Years of Service 1982 Joe Sharp
1983 Rich Best
1984 Rob Van
.10 - 19 Years of Service 1995 Ian Fulford 1996 Beau Cunnyngham
1997 Chuck Cunnygham 1998 Les Bedwell
1999 Nathan Malone
.5 - 9 Years of Service 2004 Robbie Van 2006 Scott Lawalin
2006 Ray Van 2007 Dennis Curtis
2007 Dennis Curtis II 2007 Greg Swank
.2 - 4 Years of Service 2009 Dan Anderson 2009 Rich Anderson 2009 Alex Spaulding
2010 Riley Van 2010 Ethan Vanover 2011 Stan Hurt
2011 Brandon Kreisher 2011 Ivan Vargas
2012 Kip Stainbrook 2013 Jeff Landess 2013 Matt Moller
2013 Brent Freiberger 2013 Anthony Wyrobek 2013 Dennis Wyrobek
.=< 1Year of Service 2012 Cole Bradburn 2012 Paul Filliman 2012 Andrew Smelser 2013 John McAdams Unknown Year of Enlistment Fred Leickly Richard Coslet Kyle McMillian Mark Guyer Jacob Gifford
49TH INDIANA COMPANY F C/O ROBERT VAN 6085 WALNUT COURT BROWNSBURG, IN 46112 U.S.A Rob Van, Captain T: 317.557.2244 E: ROBERT.R.VAN@GMAIL.COM Fred Leickly, Lieutenant T: 317.896.2311 E: FREDLEICKLY@YAHOO.COM Ivan G. Vargas, Editor T: 317.997.0864 E: IVARGAS21@GMAIL.COM
Gus Guyer Brian Coslet Ryan Farrell Ken Pryor Stan Horn
Steve Smith Russ Hays Jeff Roberts Craig Malone Craig Abbott
* For some of our members who have been involved 'since birth', their year of recruitment is based on when they began marching. * Grayed out italics indicates dues not paid.
2013 CIVILIAN ROLL CALL .5 - 9 Years of Service 2007 Laura Curtis .2 - 4 Years of Service 2009 Melissa Anderson Unknown Year of Enlistment Stacy Roesseler
2009 Bonny Van
Mary Bedwell
Linda Leickly
The
R ank & File THE VOICE OF THE 49TH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, COMPANY F VOL 41 NO 8
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OCT 6, 2013
CONTENTS The Captain’s Desk
4
From the Telegraph
6
Photo Gallery
8
Genuine Article
10
Financials
12
Union Fashionista
16
Calendar
17
Next Event
18
Links
21
How To Join
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FROM THE CAPTAIN’S DESK A LETTER FROM THE CAPTAIN
T
hanks to everyone who turned out for Lebanon…our numbers were not as large as I would have preferred, but we were augmented by the 35th Indiana which helped. Seems like we always hit a low spot for attendance just before Hartford City, then we ramp back up. I’d like to thank Nathan Logue, Cole Bradburn and especially Ivan Vargas for doing doubleduty on recruiting. If you helped out and I didn’t see you, I apologize for not mentioning your name. Remember, always try and get legible e-mail addresses. We’ll have to consider this event for next year if it works well from a recruiting standpoint. I had some vehicle issues and was not able to take my normal trappings, so I slept on a pile of straw Friday night (there is photographic evidence), and then during the rain, along with some other soldiers, slept under the pavilion structure. The battles were small and quick, but it was good to engage our good friends with the 44th Tennessee. At Hartford City we will have a company meeting shortly after the battle to discuss a few things, including nominations for 2014. (Insert comment “Wow…I can’t believe the 20XX re-enacting year is coming to a close”) I will announce the time during one of the formations. If you are not in formation, it is YOUR responsibility to find out the time from me. This is your company, and we need your input to keep it successful. Sounds like there will be some changes this year at Hartford City. The artillery is coming off the hill, and the infantry will be camped in a different spot. So…be sure you check in with someone from staff BEFORE you pitch your tent or throw your stuff down. As I mentioned in my last
column, we may have some new faces with us, so I’d appreciate everyone bringing any extra gear they may have. Be safe,
Rob Van Rob Van Captain
Find us on the Internet
49THINDIANA.COM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE 49TH INDIANA CO. F
COMPANY DUES
M
embership dues are due at the beginning of every year. If you write a check, please make it payable to “Robert Van”, NOT “49th Indiana” $15 : Membership with eNewsletter $20 : Family Membership with eNewsletter Send payment (check preferred) to : 49th Indiana C/o Rob Van 6085 Walnut Court Brownsburg, IN 46112 Questions? The Captain can be reached at: ROBERT.R.VAN@GMAIL.COM 317.557.2244 (m)
YO U C A N A L S O F I N D US AT:
4 9 T H IN D IA N A . S H U T T E R F L Y . C O M
F A C E B O O K . C O M /4 9 T H I N D I A N A
FROM THE TELEGRAPH Indianapolis Civil War Roundtable
Crown Hill Tours Crown Hill Tours: Nikki Schofield will be doing several walking tours on Saturdays at Crown Hill this year.
Indianapolis Civil War Roundtable Meetings for 2013-2014
(The Indy Roundtable meets at the Indiana Historical society at 7:30 PM on the 2nd Monday of each month)
Oct. 14, 2013 - Professor James & Patience Barnes – 500 Strong: Wabash College Students in the Civil War
Nov. 11, 2013 - Kevin & Cindy Rushton – U.S. Christian Commission
Dec. 9, 2013 - Dan Moll – Edmund Ruffin
Jan. 13, 2014 - Dennis Haskett – Sutler Tokens
Feb. 10, 2014 - Dave Sutherland – VMI’s Civil War Legacy
Mar. 10, 2014 - Justin Ellison – Civil War in popular culture
Apr. 14, 2014 - Gail Stephens – The Shadow of Shiloh: Major General Lew Wallace in the Civil War
May 12, 2014 Fred Leickly – The Battle of Cedar Creek, by Col. W.H. Polhamus
June 9, 2014 Anita Morgan – State & County Governments providing material & financial relief for soldiers’ families
October 19, 9:30 a.m. - "Tombstones & Trees" walking tour
Mail Call at Hartford City There will be a mail call at Hartford City. Please take a moment to draft a letter to a pard in our or one of the other units. Or if you’re a sad lonely bastard, send one to yourself!!
LIFE IN THE INDIANA 49TH
BY IVAN VARGAS
“Can’t I just follow you on Twitter instead?”
Hamilton County Civil War Roundtable Hamilton County Civil War Roundtable The Carmel-Clay Civil War Roundtable is now the Hamilton County Civil War Roundtable. They meet at the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park located at 13400 Allisonville Road. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the program will start at 7:30 in the Lilly Theater on the 2nd floor of their main office building. We will have plenty of free parking, and people should enter through the main entrance where the ticket office is located. Camp coffee and hardtack should be available. Meetings will be on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, September through May, excluding December.
10/16 Daniel Moll – “A Portrayal of Edmund Ruffin”
11/20 Harvey Warner – “Confederate Finances
Dec. – no meeting
1/15 Brian Dirck – “Lincoln and Civil Liberties”
2/19 Jim Johnson – “Religion During the Civil War”
3/19 Brian McCutcheon – “Ft. Donaldson”
4/16 Robert May – “Origins of the Confederacy”
5/21 Mark Jaeger – “The 10th Indiana Volunteers”
Boy Scouts of Amberica: Battle of Belzer The Battle of Belzer is coming up October 25-27th 2013. For those that are unfamiliar with this event, this is a Civil War immersive event with the boy scouts. There are typically 300-600 scouts take the field with wooden muskets, learn drill, attend several classes and then have a battle along with their reenactor commanders/instructors. "Rations" are provided as well as a hot supper Saturday evening. It's an awesome experience to interact with young people interested in our hobby (and maybe do a little recruiting). The event takes place at Camp Belzer in Indianapolis.
Here is a link to their site: http://www.crossroadsbsa.org/Activities/CivilWarDays.aspx
Have Something to Say!!
FOR SALE . . . MUSKET CAPS & GUNPOWDER 1 lb. of Goex Powder : $15 per pound 1 Tin of 100 caps : $10 per tin
SEE THE CAPTAIN FOR PURCHASE.
Want to make you voice heard? Have something to share? The newsletter wants your stuff!! We’re always looking for pictures or info of members at work, rest or play. Send a r t , p h o t o s , announcements, letters, opinions, articles or ads to the editor at: IVARGAS21@GMAIL.COM
Volume 41 Issue 7
PHOTO GALLERY
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49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
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Volume 41 Issue 7
THE GENUINE ARTICLE by Tom Williams Enlistment Procedures. By Thomas B. Williams, 1st Lieutenant and Assistant Adjutant-General, 4th Virginia Infantry, Indianapolis.
O
nce hostilities commenced with the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, patriotic citizens of the Northern and Southern states flocked to local recruiting offices to enlist in the armies that were to decide the issues on the battlefields to follow. Whereas in the North the federal government had a small regular army to serve as a nucleus about which to organize a national armed force, the Southern Confederacy had to start from scratch. Since the American Revolutionary War able-bodied male citizens were required to serve in local militia units that mustered for periodic drills, often just once or twice a year. Over the decades into the 19th Century, however, militia service became neglected by many men as laws made it easy to avoid the responsibility or were simply not enforced. Several states even repealed the requirement and some of the new states joining the Union did not bother to enact militia laws in their jurisdictions. In the early days of the war, the militia units that did exist were called into active service and recruiting offices were established in county seats and other towns to handle the enlistment of local citizens into the armies.
marked that he knew of at least six men in his company who were over sixty years old, considerably over the maximum age limit of thirty-five in effect at the time. The required physical examinations were often barely cursory at best, as the examining surgeon did nothing more than ask a few questions. “You have pretty good health, don't you?” a surgeon asked Charles Barker of the 23rd Massachusetts. When Barker allowed that he did, the surgeon felt his collarbone, asked if he suffered from fits or piles, and promptly pronounced him fit for duty. When an automobile accident in 1911 revealed that one veteran was actually a woman, one of her former messmates recalled of their enlistment that “when we were examined we were not stripped. All that we showed were our hands and feet.” Most recruits likely experienced a more thorough examination as described by Pvt. John Billings in his book about soldier life titled ‘Hardtack and Coffee.” The enlistee would undress and his fitness for service was evaluated after he was instructed to jump, bend over, kick, received sundry thumps in the chest and back, and other laying-on of hands deemed necessary. His teeth and eyes were also examined. Billings notes “that in 1861 and ’62 men were mainly examined to establish their fitness for service; in 1863 and ’64 the tide had changed, and they were then only
The recruits would appear at the recruiting offices and volunteer their services to one of the local companies being organized there for induction into state service. The basic procedure was rather simple: the recruit would place his name on an enrollment form and then be granted a few days of leave to take care of personal business and bid farewell to friends and families. The qualifications for military service were not very stringent. In 1861 there was a minimum age requirement of eighteen years for an enlistee. This caused many sixteen and seventeen year-old boys to write the numeral “18” on a piece of paper and place it in the heel of their shoe so that when a recruiting officer asked them how old Enlistment at Natchez Courthouse, Mississippi. This rare Confedthey were, they could answer, “Over eighteen!” erate photograph preserves a lively scene that was typical of A member of the Richmond Howitzers once re- the war preparations in the South in the spring of 1861.
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49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
anxious to prove their unfitness.” In today’s reactivated units portrayed by living history clubs, such as the 4 th Virginia Infantry of Indianapolis, every new recruit goes through a similar cursory physical examination to gauge his fitness for duty. Perhaps the most important qualification of the typical club is that each recruit must have at least two teeth opposite each other so cartridges can be torn efficiently. After returning from his leave a new recruit would then be marched to a rendezvous point where he would be united with other members of his company for processing into the army and sent to a camp of instruction. As soon as practicable, the state regiments would be inducted into national service. Especially in the early days of the war this was occasioned by an impressive ceremony that usually featured a presentation of colors and patriotic speeches. Politicians especially liked these occasions because they had a captive audience. Then, after forming by companies, officers and men were inspected by a mustering officer. After that, each man was required to swear that he would “bear true allegiance” to the United or Confederate States and “serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or oppressors whatsoever, and observe and obey the orders of the President . . . and obey the orders of the officers appointed over me according to the rules and articles for the government of the armies . . . . The articles of war, numbering 101, and having identical content in the armies of both the North and the South, except for the words United States and Confederate States, were read. One of the articles provided that “after a noncommissioned officer or soldier shall have been duly enlisted and sworn, he shall not be dismissed from the service without a discharge in writing.” The swearing-in ceremony was the point of no return for a soldier - it would be his last act as a civilian.
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Volume 41 Issue 7
MONTHLY COMPANY FINANCIALS Powder Cans In Stock
Caps In Stock
35
43
Debit / Credit
Balance
Date
Comment
$
1,970.35
$
100.00 $
2,070.35
9/29/2013
Reported at September 23, 2013 Newsletter $100 Donation to 49th from Lebanon Event
33
43
$
30.00 $
2,100.35
9/29/2013
2 Cans of Powder Sold @ $15 each.
33
40
$
30.00 $
2,130.35
9/29/2013
3 Tins of Caps Sold @ $10 each
33
40
$
2,130.35
Reported at October 7, 2013 Newsletter
The wedding of General Tom Thumb (real name Charles Stratton, 1838-1883) and Lavinia Warren (1841-1919) took place February 10, 1863. Arranged by their employer P.T. Barnum, the event was front page news across the United States -- despite the raging Civil War -- and also in Europe. 10,000 attended the reception, and President Lincoln even received the couple at the White House. To the left is a period sixth plate ruby ambrotype copy of a carte de visite of General Tom Thumb and wife Lavinia Warren. Housed in a scroll Union case. Carte by Geo. G. Crane of Taunton, Mass., dated 1866.
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49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
A
s our invasion of Kentucky was cancelled, we have been given extended leave to allow us to prepare for our assault on Lebanon. How to pass the time in garrison while waiting for the march up Lafayette Pike to run the rebels out of Boone County? For my part I have been spending time in my garage trying to convert it into a workshop so I can knock together bits of wood to make useful things. I have already built a bench and an icebox, and my next project was a cot based on one found in the 1859 book The Prairie Traveler: A Hand -book for Overland Expeditions.
the end product was pretty close to the one pictured in the book. However, the original cot, at least as pictured, was not built for sturdiness: I found when testing my replica that even my kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weight put a lot of strain on the side boards. So, I will need to use a thicker and/or harder piece for the side board. Part of the problem is the original design was for our shorter and lighter ancestors and there simply isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough strength in the center for contemporary fatsos like me. Therefore, a pair of middle braces may be needed. I plan on building four of them for my merry band and hope to have them done in time for Hartford City.
This cot is designed to break down into easily-carried parts. All I have is this picture to go by, so there was some guesswork as to dimensions, but
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Volume 41 Issue 7
Photo m By
HTTP://PHOTOMEMORIESBYRHAYS.ZENFOLIO.COM 14
R.H
49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
emories
HAYS
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Volume 41 Issue 7
LE UNIĂ&#x201C;N FASHIONISTA by Ivan Guillermo Vargas
Van Gogh & Greg Swank
Bonny on Zombie Day & Alice Cooper everyday
Les Bedwell & Pops from the Muppet Show
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49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
CALENDAR 2013 Events EVENT
LOCATION
DATE
Army of the Wabash Meeting
Conner Prairie
11:00 a.m, Feb 9, 2013
49th
Winter Meeting
Conner Prairie
06:00 p.m. Feb 9, 2013
49th
Camp of Instruction
Brownsburg, IN
April 12, 13, 14 2013
Vernon, IN
April 26, 27, 28 2013
Fishers, IN
May 17, 18,19 2013
Hesston, IN
June 21, 22, 23 2013
Gettysburg, PA
July 4, 5, 6, 7 2013
Event
Hastings, MI
July 19, 20, 21 2013
Event
Richmond, KY
August 23, 24, 25 2013
Lincoln Days
Lebanon, IN
September 27, 28, 29 2013
Hartford City, IN
October 11, 12, 13 2013
Sassafrass Tea Festival ** Conner Prairie Steam Museum ** Gettysburg
** Event ** Possible AOW Max Effort Events
Potential 2014 Events EVENT
LOCATION
DATE
Atlanta
Hampton, GA
September 19, 20, 21 2014
Civil War Trivia What Union Regiment had the highest number of officers killed in the Civil War?
The 1st Maine Heavy Artillery had 32 officers killed.
Thanks for a great year!!
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Volume 41 Issue 7
NEXT EVENT INFORMATION Hartford City Civil War Days Hartford City, IN October, 12-14 2013 DATE AND TIME: October 12-14 LOCATION: 798 Indiana 26, Hartford City, Indiana, United States WEBSITE www.hartfordcitycwdays.com ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Straw is provided, one half bale per person. Hay will be provided for mounted cavalry. Fire wood also provided and located near all camps. Free Saturday evening meal served to all re-enactors. Other activities: Ladies tea, fashion show (competition), cooking contest, battle, skirmishing, and on-going entertainment. Saturday night will feature night time artillery firing, mini-concert, Lincoln address and Military Ball. Sunday: church service, tactical, skirmishing, pay call, and battle.
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49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
Additional notes from Ron Wilkins: Hartford City's scenarios will be fights from the Gettysburg battle, so if you have a Hardee and a bummer, bring both. If not, wear what you have. Some new things for Hartford City: 1)
2)
3)
Mail call. If you can, please have each person attending write a couple of letters from home or from a brother serving in another unit. Or have your wife/girlfriend write a letter. This is a first-person thing, so try to keep the jokes to a minimal. And please write to people in other groups. Turn the letters into Sgt. Major William Behrman when you get to the event. We will sort the mail by the appropriate company and distribute the letters to 1st sergeants during the weekend. We will set aside specific times for first-person conversations and interactions. Don't ham it up. Talk as you would today. If you would complain about your boss in 21st centurty, then those conversations are about your sergeants or officers. If you are ticked at your wife, well, that's pretty much the same. Kids ... same. If you use profanity, know that pretty much what is profane now was profane then. With regards to Steve Bouldin, there will be a memorial camp fire on Saturday night at Hartford City. At Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formation at 9:00 a.m., a Battalion volley will be fired in his honor.
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Volume 41 Issue 7
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49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
WEB LINKS OF INTEREST 49th Indiana Company F. Webpage: http://www.49thindiana.com 49th Indiana Company F. Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/49thIndiana
Are you a Member of the 49th Indiana E-Group? Send and receive group e-mails and updates on the unit automatically. You can subscribe by sending an e-mail to 49th_Indiana-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Other Interesting Sites : http://www.10thbattalion.org/school.php
Site that shows drill maneuvers
http://www.rjsamp.com
Civil War Bugle Calls
http://www.10thbattalion.org/school.php
More drill maneuvers
http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/links.htm#N_17 http://www.civilwarteaser.blogspot.com
Our own Corporal Swank
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=31792
Article on the steamer the 49th was on
http://18thindependentbatteryindianalightartillery.weebly.com
Great article on leather care
http://thebalticforge.weebly.com/
Blacksmithâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;The Baltic Forge
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Volume 41 Issue 7
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49TH INDIANA COMPANY F
49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Co. F The Premier Central Indiana Civil War Reenacting Unit Established in 1974 The 49th Indiana is seeking individuals who have an interest in the Civil War and a willingness to portray the life of a Union Soldier
Meet The Members - Contact us by phone or email, or simply visit us at one of our upcoming events and let us know you're interested.
Acquiring Equipment - We do not expect new members to purchase all of their equipment at once. Start slowly, and ask other members for advice on where to purchase your basic uniform. We allow new members a year to fully equip themselves. Under some circumstances we can offer to loan gear to those wanting to test out the hobby before they spend too much money.
Become a Member - Once you have attended a few events, attained all of your necessary gear, and paid your yearly dues, you will have become a full member! 49TH INDIANA COMPANY F C/O ROBERT VAN 6085 WALNUT COURT BROWNSBURG, IN 46112 U.S.A Rob Van, Captain T: 317.557.2244 E: ROBERT.R.VAN@GMAIL.COM Fred Leickly, Lieutenant T: 317.896.2311 E: FREDLEICKLY@YAHOO.COM Ivan Vargas, Editor T: 317.997.0864 E: IVARGAS21@GMAIL.COM
If you are interested in joining, please feel free to contact us or visit us at one of our upcoming events.
2012 © Copyright 49TH Indiana Company F All rights are reserved. Any reproduction or modification, of all or part of this publication, regardless of the method of reproduction or modification used and regardless of the carrier used, is strictly prohibited, unless written authorization by 49TH Indiana Company F has been obtained beforehand. Those acting in breach of this notice expose themselves to criminal and civil prosecution, in accordance with the international conventions and copyright laws. www.49thindiana.com www.facebook.com/49thIndiana
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