The
Tyrants' Foe
The
Newsletter of the Texas
Volume XXI, Number 1****************************************** February 2005
Click Here To View a Previous Issue
Editors
Note: This is another extensive, but
important newsletter. In addition to the
regular articles & reports, there are articles covering the NEW Texas Rifles STANDING ORDERS, the current TR
Bylaws, an article on Women in the Civil War, and a correction involving the
proper method of saluting. Please read
it all. Thanks, Don.
It didn’t emotionally sink-in that I was the newly elected captain of the Texas Rifles until I opened the painted canvas case traditionally given to the commanding officer of the unit. There, inscribed in black ink on the inside of the top flap, are the names of all the previous holders of the office of Captain of the Texas Rifles. It is a list of seven names of which mine will be the eighth. That is when it hit me; my name was now entitled to be on this list. The names on this list belong to men that I know, respect, followed and feel privileged to be counted amongst. A line from one of my favorite books, paraphrased, keeps running through my mind, “… in whose mighty company I must strive to stand unashamed.”
I hope you all enjoyed Winedale 2005. There were many of the usual pleasures and things to do and be done, plus a couple of new things. I hope you noticed that an effort was made to make the Saturday evening meal a little more formal with candle light, toasts and wine. We hope to improve upon that next year. As always Winedale doesn’t just happen. My thanks on behalf of all our attendees to the many members who made this year’s Winedale work; the instructors, speakers, Chris for the slide show, the Civilians for the table lights and table ware for the elected officers, auctioneers, people who donated auction items, and lastly the members who showed-up and added to the good times.
The business meeting was long, but much was
accomplished. The Bylaws were amended
for the first time in ten years, and that process was accomplished in a spirit
of cooperation and moderation. The
schedule was set for 2005, with the next event being
As captain I have several goals
that I wish to achieve. First of all we
need to add members. New faces and more
members make for a better experience for us all. The best new members are people you already
know who are interested in history. Talk
to them about us! We should pursue
Federal 501-C3 tax exempt status for the Texas Rifles. This would have numerous benefits for the
organization and for its members. An
Avant Garde group to advise the Executive Committee on future trends and events
within the hobby was formed and a rations system will be developed. Insurance options will be checked-out. Rodney Bode has checked-in as the new Texas
Rifles Quartermaster.
There is much work to do. What make it all worthwhile are the
friendships and the shared experiences.
Don’t forget to work on those as well.
Captain
John Keahey,
Lieutenant’s Inkwell 
Winedale has come and passed and now we can all get ready for a great year in the field. I will once again thank you all for placing the trust in me to serve you in the Texas Rifles Executive board. I look forward to working with you all this year and will do my best to help make this year fun and interesting for all. With a new rank comes a new set of duties, and one of the duties that I have been charged with is to keep everyone up to date with what is new in the hobby. Since I am always going to the Authentic Campaigner website this should be an easy job.
The first thing that I would like to bring to your
attention is that there is now a new re-enactors magazine being published. It
is called "Civil War Historian" and is aimed at the more progressive
minded re-enactors. The first issue had articles reviewing last years
The national event at
The scenarios will include: Iuka, Ms. - Late Friday
Oliver's/McArthur's 1st contact - Sat. morning
There is some preservation in the works as the
CWPT wants to make a donation to The Verandah Curlee House in
I found it interesting to note that the CS General staff says that no sky blue, US trousers will be allowed in Confederate ranks and that they WILL be enforcing this throughout the event.
That's what is new and interesting. I look forward to seeing you all at our first Max Effort event of the year at Jesse Jones park in Humble. This is a fun event and should be a great recruiting opportunity. See you all then.
FJMarek
Lt. of
Because the Sergeant Says So!
As this is my first ever “Drill Bits,” I have elected to avoid speaking about linear formations, the manual of arms, skirmish drill, sentry duty, and the like in favor of addressing a subject of equal (if not greater) importance to the proper functioning of our company in the field—attitude. When ranks are formed for purposes of either company drill or active combat operations, each soldier should take his place in the line prepared to focus on the task at hand. Without question, the effective practice of maneuvering the company requires one to constantly think. Blindly going through the motions, succumbing to distractions (such as certain former Captains now returned to ranks), conversing, and day-dreaming are behaviors guaranteed to result in mistakes. All of us are guilty of such breaches of concentration. They are, in fact, natural occurrences. The key, then, is to master our less disciplined tendencies in a concerted—and collective—effort to exhibit superiority on the drill field.
For each of us to contribute to this objective requires something relatively uncomplicated—a general willingness to recognize and adhere to the authority of the “decorum lamp.” As we all know, when the “decorum lamp” is figuratively lit, the rank and file should automatically transition to an elevated level of seriousness not typically displayed in camp. To be sure, it is difficult to think and remain focused as an individual soldier if one’s comrades are cutting up and/or distracted (again, a likely consequence of former Captains liberally sprinkled among the men). Therefore, before the company is formed, each and every man should make the personal decision to “get into character,” if you will. We are, after all, portraying a nineteenth-century military organization. Our individual and company-level demeanor should reflect that reality when engaged in drill. Now, this is not to say that we are to abandon the simultaneous goal of enjoying ourselves. As we are involved in a hobby, enjoyment SHOULD be a top priority. However, camp life affords ample opportunity for socializing and ribaldry; the drill field should be reserved for a more business-like, instructional attitude.
I realize that this missive may seem like a matter of common sense to many of you. But, a little reminder now and again cannot hurt. Clearly, if we approach drill in a locked-on frame of mind and with a focus par excellence, we will continue to maintain our high drill standards and continuously improve as a company and still have fun along the way.
To tyrants never yield!
Respectfully submitted, Phil Sozansky,
First Sergeant,
From the Homefront
Winedale was a great start to our 2005 (1865) reenacting season. The introduction of our more formal dinner on Saturday night seemed to be well received. The effect of candlelight was greatly enhanced by the music played by Bo Ramirez. I know that next year will be even better.
The schedule for this
year offers many opportunities for civilian involvement. One challenge I look forward to this year is
planning a garrison event at
The other great opportunity this year will be at Texian Market Days. The Rifles are in negotiations to manage the Civil War area. In doing so, we will be able to plan demonstrations and activities which will engage and educate the public.
As we know, being a civilian is often difficult, because you must first construct your appearance. So much time is spent on this aspect of reenacting that understanding period mindsets, material culture, and pasttimes are saved for later. It is great to see our group developing into one where people are learning various skills to share with all members. With so many talented members, there is no limit on what we can accomplish as a group.
I encourage all of you to join the TR Civilians yahoo group. This forum is where we’ll be discussing activities for future events. Thanks to Steven Bethke for starting the yahoo group. Jesse Jones is coming up fast. I hope you’ll all be able to make it.
Nancy Tucker
Civilian Coordinator
IMPORTANT: Saluting Correction from Winedale
For all of those who suffered through the saluting & etiquette session given at Winedale, a mistake was made by the instructor. The proper salute to an officer while under arms for ALL soldiers is what was described as the Sergeants salute: At shoulder arms, the left arm should be placed smartly across the body with the left hand perpendicular to & across the musket at the right shoulder, palm down.
Other basics of saluting
discussed at Winedale:
The customary salutation to a superior or lady was to salute in one fashion or another. The form of the salute is conditioned upon the context of the occasion and the state of activity of the subordinate person.
The salute for the period is for a soldier without to initiate the salute by raising the right hand to the right side of the visor of his kepi or hat. The right hand is to be positioned so that the palm of the hand faces forward, and the elbow is level with his shoulder. At all times, the soldier is to maintain a respectful and soldier-like facial expression . After the officer has returned the courtesy with a salute, the soldier may complete the salute by lowering his hand from his visor to his side.
When a soldier encounters an officer when that soldier is not in formation, he should salute (with or without arms) when he is approximately 6 feet from the officer, & the officer will return the courtesy. Once the officer has either completed his own salute or walked past the soldier, the soldier may then complete his salute.
Rarely is a soldier excused from saluting!
Corporal Tucker,
STANDING ORDERS
1) All commissioned officers will carry drawn swords whenever their men are under arms. Swords may be sheathed when the men are at rest. When the sword is drawn, the manual of the sword will apply.
2) All commissioned officers will wear swords, sword belts and sashes at dress parades. Sashes are optional in battle, unless otherwise ordered. Swords and sword belts will be worn when on duty.
3) Officers are gentlemen. They will wear their tunics and a cap/hat upon all occasions of duty. Tunics will be completely buttoned and may be only partially buttoned if a vest is worn.
4) Sergeants and men acting as sergeants will have fixed bayonets whenever under arms, unless in a battle situation, as a symbol of their rank.
5) The First Sergeant may wear a NCO sword and sash at his pleasure.
6) The First Sergeant will wear first sergeant’s chevrons on his sleeves. The Second Sergeant will wear sergeant’s chevrons. All other sergeants, men serving as sergeants and all corporals will not wear chevrons, unless otherwise ordered.
7) The First Sergeant is charged with running the company. He is responsible for the carrying out the officers’ orders. He is responsible for the unit Medical Kit being present with the unit at all times and where most likely to be needed. The Medical Kit will contain medical supplies and medical sheets on members with special medical conditions.
8) The Second Sergeant is the Ordnance Sergeant. He is responsible for every enlisted man to enter battle with forty rounds of cartridges and percussion caps. The Second Sergeant is responsible for knowing the whereabouts of the Texas Rifles’ ammunition boxes and their contents. The Texas Rifles will purchase and have on hand at all events a ramrod puller.
9) The Second Sergeant is also the Quartermaster Sergeant. He is responsible for food and water distribution within the company. The Second Sergeant is also responsible that all enlisted men report to formations with adequate water. If the company strength warrants, the quartermaster duties may be turned over to a third sergeant.
10) Officers and enlisted men will bring full canteens to all drills and battles.
11) Officers and men will carry haversacks and canteens for all formations, unless otherwise ordered.
12) For battle scenarios entered from a static camp, officers and men may be ordered to prepare a Light Marching Order. Light Marching Order will consist of a blanket roll composed of a single blanket, or a lightly filled knapsack. The purpose of Light Marching Order is to simulate the appearance of a full kit without the weight of a full kit.
13) The
Texas Rifles will inspect its weapons before any battalion,
14) The purpose of the Texas Rifles is to recreate the experience of infantry in the American Civil War era. To that end, all military courtesies will be rendered when the “decorum lamp” is lit. Superior officers and NCO’s will be addressed by their rank. Enlisted men will stand at attention in the presence of a commissioned officer, unless otherwise ordered. Enlisted men will be addressed by officers by their rank and/or last name.
15) Enlisted men with arms and out of ranks will render salutes to commissioned officers from the shoulder arms position using the left hand. Hand salutes will be utilized by men without arms. Enlisted men posted as sentinels will salute field, commanding and the Officer of the Day by Presenting Arms. Company grade officers are saluted on sentry duty by turning towards them at Shoulder Arms.
16) Sergeants
are required to carry a complete set of
17) All corporals or privates acting as corporals will carry either a sharp period Hatchet or a sharp “D” Guard Bowie Knife on campaign events. These tools are to be used to build latrines, shelter, cut fire wood and tent poles.
18) A rations purchase and distribution system will be put in place for events as needed.
19) All commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the Texas Rifles are expected to set a good example for the members in matters of deportment, drill, and authenticity.
John M. Keahey,
Editors Note: These are
the current bylaws of the Texas Rifles as voted upon at the January, 2005
Winedale meeting.
Bylaws of the
1.
PREAMBLE
We,
the men and women of the Texas Rifles, have joined together for the purpose of
honoring those who came before us and bravely endured the crucible of the
American Civil War in defense of their homes and beliefs. Thus, our primary goal shall be to accurately
portray the period roles of nineteenth century men and women during the War
Between the States. The activities of
the men of the Texas Rifles will center on recruiting a company of Confederate
Infantry and attached personnel. The
activities of the civilians of the Texas Rifles will be based on the portrayal
of citizens of the Confederacy who gave their time and energy in support of the
Southern Cause. The Texas Rifles strives
to provide its members with a quality historical recreation experience in a
safe environment.
The
secondary purpose of the Texas Rifles shall be to portray other important
historical nineteenth century roles such as the Texas Revolution, Mexican War,
Indian Wars, various peace time periods and any other impression which the
membership shall consider to be of interest to themselves and the public.
2.
MEMBERSHIP
1.
Classes
of membership
1.
There are four (4) classes of membership. They are: active,
inactive, probationary and honorary.
2.
An active member is defined as someone who has completed
the requirements for application and justifies membership through active
participation with the company or on staff.
3.
An inactive member is defined as someone who is not current
on paying dues. An inactive member may
not participate as a member, may note vote and may not hold office in the Texas
Rifles.
1.
A member shall be declared inactive when they become three
months delinquent on payment of dues.
2.
An inactive member will be reinstated to full membership
upon payment of dues, provided such payment is made within one year of the due
date.
4.
An honorary member is defined as someone who has retired
from the reenacting hobby and has been voted into honorary membership by the active
membership.
5.
A member may be placed on probationary, or “not in good
standing” status, by a vote of the Executive Board. A probationary member retains membership, but
may have some, or all, of the privileges of active membership withheld by the
Executive Committee.
6.
No member can be removed, or have his/her membership status
reduced, except by the processes specified, which will be reported to the
membership for their ratification by vote at the next business meeting.
2.
Admission
to Membership
1.
Eligibility:
Membership is open to any man or woman who is willing to accurately
portray a nineteenth century impression that is typical of their age, sex,
race, and national origin. No person
shall be denied full membership provided they are fully willing to abide by all
regulations noted herein.
2.
An applicant (hereafter known as recruit) is defined as
someone who is engaged in complying with the regulations for admission to
active membership. A recruit may not
vote, and may not hold office.
3.
Sponsorship of Members; A recruit interested in joining the
Texas Rifles must first be sponsored by an active member.
3.
Sponsorship
1.
A sponsor must be an active member of the Texas Rifles in
good standing. Good standing is defined
as being free of reprimands for failure to abide by the bylaws or uniform and
camp regulations of the Texas Rifles.
2.
An active member may sponsor only one recruit at any one
time. Regional directors may sponsor any
number of recruits.
3.
Duties of the Sponsor:
1.
Make necessary plans and arrangements for getting the
recruit to events.
2.
Make certain the recruit has all necessary uniform and
equipment for an event.
3.
Help the recruit meet and feel comfortable among other
members of the Texas Rifles.
4.
Help the recruit learn the necessary routines within the
Texas Rifles; such as drill, setting up camp, the proper way to wear a uniform
and accoutrements, fatigue details, etc.
5.
Be available to answer any questions the recruit may have
concerning the Texas Rifles.
6.
Strive to keep the recruit’s interest and enthusiasm
growing from one event to another.
4.
Eligibility
for Election to Membership
1.
Recruits must attend two (2) Texas Rifles maximum effort
events before they can stand for election into the Texas Rifles. The recruit has one (1) year to meet this
requirement; unless an extension is granted by a vote of the active
membership. A “maximum effort event” is
defined as an exceptional event approved as such by the membership at the
annual meeting. All members should
strive to attend maximum effort events.
There can generally be no more than four maximum effort events in a
year. The annual election muster shall
be considered a Texas Rifles maximum effort event.
2.
The recruit will become a full member of the Texas Rifles
by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of approval by the active membership.
3.
The recruit shall first become eligible to be put forward
for election to full membership after attending his second maximum effort
event.
5.
Requirements
of Membership
1.
Payment of annual dues, due at the time of the annual
election muster.
2.
Payment of participation fees as required per event.
3.
Adherence to the bylaws, uniform guidelines and camp
regulations of the Texas Rifles
4.
Compliance with the military orders issued by the officers
and non-commissioned officers.
5.
A minimum level of participation will be expected of each
member; consisting of attendance at no less than two (2) Texas Rifles events
per year. Participation is defined as
service with the company or in a staff level position.
6.
Rights
of Membership
1.
All members in good standing will be eligible to vote on
all issues that require the attention of the Texas Rifles.
2.
All members in good standing will be eligible to be elected
or appointed to any position recognized under Section III of
these bylaws.
3.
All members in good standing shall receive a copy of the
Texas Rifles newsletter when issued and are invited to submit any articles,
letters, thoughts, or complaints for publication in said newsletter, subject to
editing by the editor.
4.
All officers and members of the Texas Rifles are expected
to act in the best interests of this organization when representing it.
7. Removal from Membership
1.
A member may be removed from membership by a two thirds majority vote of the
members present, or represented, at a meeting. This meeting and the membership status vote
must be announced thirty (30) days in advance.
3.
GOVERNING
BODY
The
following shall be the official organization and command structure of the Texas
Rifles.
1. Elections shall be held for the ranks of Captain,
First Lieutenant, First Sergeant and Civilian Coordinator on an annual
basis.
1. A member will be elected at the annual
election muster to serve for one (1) year as the Civilian Coordinator. Duties will be to organize and supervise all
civilian activities, including recruitment of civilian members and event registration of
civilians.
2. The Executive Committee of the Texas
Rifles shall be composed of all elected officers plus the Treasurer.
3. The Captain as serve as an ex officio
member of all standing and temporary committees.
4. The Military Council is composed of the
elected military positions, who govern purely military matters.
1.
The elected officers will appoint such officers,
non-commissioned officers and posts (such as Authenticity Committee, Newsletter
Editor, Regional Directors, etc.) as necessary.
1.
Officers – i.e. 2nd Lieutenant - shall be
appointed by the elected military officers on an event-by-event basis, as
company manpower levels demand.
2.
Non-commissioned officers shall be appointed by the elected
military officers at the annual election muster, and in proportion to company
strength. NCO positions shall be held on
an event-by-event basis.
3.
The Authenticity Committee shall be appointed by the
elected officers at the annual election muster to serve for one (1) year.
1.
The Authenticity Committee shall consist of five (5) voting
members and as many non-voting members as wish to participate in its
deliberations. The voting members shall
consist of four military and one civilian member of the Texas Rifles.
2.
The authenticity Committee shall be chartered to conduct
research on such subjects as nineteenth century uniforms, unit histories,
dress, habits, etc.
4.
Regional Directors shall be appointed by the elected officers
at the annual election muster to serve for one (1) year.
1.
Regional Directors shall assist the elected officers in
maintaining proper communication among the members of the Texas Rifles between
events.
2.
The number of Regional Directors shall be determined by the
company strength and geographic location(s) of the membership.
3.
Duties of Regional Directors
1.
Organization of such small local events as shall be held in
their
region
2.
Distribution of information to regional members
3.
Promotion of local recruiting
4.
Organization of local cartridge rolling parties
5.
Oversight of event transportation and messes
5.
Vacancies in the elected positions shall be filled by
special election called for by the highest-ranking officer or NCO present when
vacancy occurs. Vacancies in appointed
positions shall be filled by appointment by the elected officers to serve as
required.
6. Any elected officer of
the Texas Rifles who fails to conduct him or her self properly, or act in the
best interests of the Texas Rifles, may be removed from office by a 2/3
majority vote of the voting members present, or represented, at a meeting held
with at least thirty (30) days prior notice to all members. If the Captain is removed/resigns the Lieutenant
will assume his office. If the
Lieutenant is removed/resigns the First Sergeant will assume his office. If the First Sergeant is removed/resigns his
replacement will be appointed by the captain.
If the Treasurer is removed/resigns the Captain will appoint a
successor. If the Civilian Coordinator
is removed the Captain will appoint a successor.
4.
FINANCES
1.
This proposal supercedes Section 4; A and B of the
bylaws.
2.
Appointment
1.
The Treasurer is appointed by the Captain as an executive
assistant, and has a seat on the Executive Committee.
2.
The Captain may seek the advice of the Executive Committee
and of interested parties in making this appointment and satisfy himself to
their skills and knowledge according to part 5.
3.
The term of the office shall be one year.
4.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Office
1.
The Treasurer will:
1.
have custody of the checkbook and register
2.
reconcile bank accounts monthly
3.
prepare checks. The
treasurer will not be a signatory on the bank account.
4.
receive funds and make deposits
5.
issue receipts for cash
6.
prepare annual budgets of reoccurring activity
5.
Knowledge of Office
1.
The Captain must satisfy himself by any process deemed
reasonable as to the Treasurer Candidate(s)’ following traits and choose the
best qualified member:
1.
commit time to office
2.
maintain accessibility
3.
show self-discipline
4.
have above average knowledge of fundamental accounting and
book-keeping
5.
have journeyman experience level
6.
at least two (2) years membership in good standing in the
company
7.
history of active participation with the Texas Rifles
6. Removal
from Office
1.
The Captain can dismiss Treasurer at his discretion. The 1st Sergeant will act as
interim treasurer, if necessary, until one can be appointed.
2.
Upon dismissal, the former treasurer must expedite the
return of all books and records to the successor treasurer – the Executive
Committee may expedite.
7. The initial treasurer will prepare the first set of books and is
responsible for transferring this knowledge to the next Treasurer.
5.
AMENDING
AND VOTING PROCEDURES
1. All votes on any issue under consideration by the Texas
Rifles, excluding amendments and membership questions,
may be determined by simple majority (50% + 1) vote. Amendments to these bylaws, membership and removal from membership must be approved by
a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. Active
members not present at a meeting
may have their votes placed by another active member displaying a signed and
dated proxy.
2. A quorum for a meeting of the Texas Rifles at which any
voting shall occur shall consist of at least a 33% representation of the members in good standing, plus at
least three members of the Executive Committee.
3. Texas Rifles Dues can only be changed at a meeting
called with a thirty (30) prior notification and the announcement of the intention of changing dues. Current dues are $12.00 per member and $18.00
per family.
4. All business meetings of the Texas Rifles will be
conducted under Robert’s “Rules of Order.”
6.
SPECIAL
PROVISIONS
1. Any grievance should be submitted, in writing, to the
commanding officer, and/or other officers, non- commissioned
officers or regional Directors as are appropriate.
2. In the event that the members in good standing of the
Texas Rifles votes to disband the organization, all property of the Texas Rifles shall be donated to one of the
following entities listed below. In
order of preference they are:
1st choice- George ranch
2nd choice-
Adopted
as Amended
as Amended
as Amended January, 2005
WOMEN IN THE CIVIL WAR
This short article does not due justice to the topic, but it is an expansion on the portion of the Civil War Presentation that I do for elementary, middle and high school classes. For our Civilian Contingent this will be a review, but some members of the military side might benefit.
The woman’s place in society has changed dramatically for the better since the American Civil War. At the time of the war women could not vote. Women could not hold public office, such as an elected official or a public school teacher in those few areas progressive enough to have public education. If a women felt called to teach, then the only employment open to her was in a privately run academy for women. Neither the South nor the North allowed women to join their armies. The majority of the population both North and South were still farmers. In the South, usually between 80 and 90 percent of the men listed their occupation upon enlistment as farmers. When the man was away at the war, then the women of the household now had to do the farming in addition to maintaining the household and the other family members as in normal times. There were no such things as tractors yet; farming was heavy manual labor.
During the war some women worked in factories. The paper cartridges we roll in comfort and mirth at cartridge parties were generally rolled by women, and children, in less favorable conditions in a wartime sweatshop. Child labor laws were a thing of the future. Ammunition making was not a good job! One spark in the wrong place and the factory could explode, burning or killing the workers. This happened several times during the war and killed 41 women in two incidents in 1864.
Throughout the war many of the
uniform and equipment items were partially or entirely hand sewn. The Depot System developed in
Many younger women worked in the
fa
Women in the border and occupied areas frequently turned to smuggling and spying. The “Cause” could be supported by passing military information through the lines to friendly forces. The North placed medicine on the long list of embargoed goods intercepted by the naval blockade. The result was that ten of thousands of southern soldiers had to undergo operations such as amputation fully conscious and with no pain relief. Women often smuggled medicines into the South. They were particularly adept at this due to the hoop skirts that the fashion of the times dictated. Pockets could be sewn within the huge skirts for transporting smuggled goods. The Civil War took place at the height of the Victorian Era and propriety demanded that no lady could be searched without extreme justification.
Though few women were encouraged
or allowed to attend medical schools, many became nurses in army
hospitals. In prior times nursing
outside the home was a job done by drunks and destitute men. It took Englishwoman Florence Nightingale’s
monumental efforts in the Crimean War of 1854-56 to make institutional nursing
by women socially acceptable. In our
Civil War Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross and the largest hospital
in the western hemisphere was managed by Sally Tompkins in
We all know people who don’t take the word, “no” for an answer. There were people like that during the Civil War era as well. There are at least three hundred documented cases of women disguising themselves as men and attempting to join the Federal army. There is no remaining record of how many tried it in the South. Usually they were discovered quickly and sent home. Jennie Hodges wasn’t. She made it all the way through her enlistment as a Federal soldier and nobody found out till afterwards.
But for most women the war meant less spectacular sacrifices, harder work, separation and, for many southern women, loss of home and family land. As with the military side of the Civil war, it is a compelling story that needs to be told.
John M. Keahey,
The committee membership voting members for the year was established at Winedale. Priority tasks for the committee were set at Winedale, and have been sent to the Rifles via group e-mail distribution along with a general inquiry as to who wishes to participate in the work of the committee. We also discussed the possibility of having certain useful materials in stock in order to allow new members, or those acquiring additional items to do so without having to perform an exhaustive search for materials. T. Attaway
INSURANCE COMMITTEE
The members were selected at Winedale, and suggestions have already been submitted for review. As the serving chair, comments and suggestions may be sent to me at Tommy.Attaway@ta2t.org so that the committee may take it up. Issues at the start appear to revolve around liability at events to/from events, documenting the group requirements, and group purchase vs. individual. What we do may be influenced by incorporating as a non profit, as the members would be acting on behalf of that organization.
REGIONAL REPORTS
We voted in John Lechman as a
new military member at Winedale and had Joey Alamia attend his 2nd
max-effort event as a recruit. We’ll
vote on Joey’s membership at Jesse Jones and I would like to ask those voting
not to hold his dubious family members against him when voting! We also returned the Firing Competition
(Rowdy) & Best Drilled Soldier (Chris S.) cups to
We need to see about arranging some
Frontier Region
Report
Ammunition production
has started, the region can now support its members at events with ammunition
issue. 2 of the 6 members attended Winedale - geographic distribution makes
communication vital, as meetings seem unlikely. Tommy Attaway