I want to take this opportunity to present you with something I think is an important topic as we get ready for TMD and for next year. Before I do that, though, lets quickly run down what is on the horizon:
TEXIAN MARKET DAYS – October 24th to the 26th
Kudos to Chris, Frank, Rodney and all of you boys who have worked to get the winter quarters organized. I think this will really add to our experience and I look forward to seeing how they are “finished” by the messes.
The plan for the event is the same as usual. Arrive at the George Ranch as soon as you can get off work on Friday afternoon/evening and we should finish up around 4:00 or 5:00 pm on Sunday. Some of us are spending the night out there on Thursday evening, so if you had not heard this and can take Friday off, come join us! We will be supporting the school program on Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm if you can make it out for that, if not, just get out there later on Friday as soon as you can.
We should have a decent turnout. Company C is coming out, as well as several other members of the battalion. The 13th U.S. will be there and we have some new recruits who plan to join us for the first time.
We also have some important business to discuss, as you all know, and that will take place immediately following the dinner on Saturday night.
LIENDO PLANTAION – November 21st – 23rd
This event is going to be a blast. We have acquired camp ground in a great spot that is off from the Plantation house, parking and other camps. There is nothing un-authentic in view. We will be doing an immersion camp and we will be going as Federals. Be ready to do your best with your impression and your campaign skills. I have been organizing this with Stephen Mitchell of Company B and we have several other units who will be participating. We are hosting this immersion Battalion and we will be commanding it, so we need EVERYONE’S support. I hope I can count on at least 30 Texas Rifles to be on the field. Chris Strzelecki will be the Adjutant and Stephen Johns will be our Sgt. Major. Lt. Keahey will command the TR in the field. More information is coming on this event, but I can tell you now you don’t want to miss it. We have some awesome things planned. If you are lacking in any of the Federal gear, please let myself or John know so we can begin making arrangements.
WINEDALE – January 9th – 11th
Winedale will be here before you know it. We have another great muster planned so please start thinking about what workshops we should do and if you are interested in leading one. The competition cups will be up for grabs again and I wait for the slideshow and tactical with baited breath.
We have had a bit of a “strange summer” and it is time to put it behind us and do what we love best. I hope to see each and every one of you that can make it at these events.
Ok. Now that we have got the next few events on the calendars, lets talk about the future. We are a group that is focused on the past, but to be effective in this endeavor, we need to have clear goals and a “plan” for our future. The decisions we make when we vote on issues and when we decide on things control the here and now, but often times they create the need to take stock of the status quo and make decisions on where we are headed. You control where that is. The direction we go depends on what you as a member want to do with your time in this hobby. What we end up with is a collective identity based on the majority of the opinions of our members. This identity then helps to dictate our organization’s direction. Whether or not we serve under the umbrella of a larger organization and what/who that organization is then becomes an easier decision because we have a clear vision and direction.
Obviously, as Captain, I have ideas about this vision. More importantly, though, I need to know and understand what YOUR vision is and what YOU want out of your reenacting experiences. This is important because there will be times when the executive board and I need to make decisions, steer direction and set priorities without the input of the membership. This is what we have been elected for. Much like a politician should represent his or her constituents by making decisions and casting votes, this should be done with the organization’s vision in mind and should represent the wants and needs of our majority.
So, I think I have a pretty good idea of where we want to go and what our direction for the future is, but I think it is time we all put some thought to this and “re-affirm” it together.
I would like you to think about the following 3 topics, and what your opinion on each one is. I have provided an explanation of what I think our collective opinion is for each one as well. I would like you to consider this and when we meet at TMD, I would like to bring up these topics and I would like to have some discussion around them with you either validating where I think we are headed, or pointing out where you think I am off. Once this is done, I will sit down with the executive board and we will work up a “Vision” or “Mission” statement to hand out at Winedale for approval. I think having a short, decisive vision like this will be a good thing for our unit. We can post it on our website and review it periodically. The reason I think it is important is because this hobby (and our unit) is always changing. The hobby is different than when I first started and that was only 9 years ago. I think we can be sure in the fact that it will be different 9 years from now. Here are the topics I would like you to think about:
The Texas Rifles should make an effort to schedule a wide range of events in respect to the travel necessary to get to and from events and the physical requirements of the events we support. A breakdown of what a typical year should look like is this:
This would give us between 6 and 8 max effort events in a calendar year. Regardless of the “category” of the event, the Texas Rifles should also strive to support the most authentic events whenever possible. When making decisions about what events we should support, how “authentic” an event is will be a major consideration.
A Texas Rifle Soldier should be able to portray a Confederate soldier (using both an ANV impression and a Trans-Miss/Western Theater Impression) and a Union soldier (using an authentic Federal Impression). Some groups focus on a single impression, but the Texas Rifles are willing to put forth the extra time and expense that is required of having multiple impressions. The benefit of this practice is that we can choose from a much larger number of events and create a more “interesting” schedule.
We consider ourselves to be a progressive unit. This means we diligently research the soldiers and civilians we portray and provide our membership with clear guidelines to follow when making purchases and acquiring items. We work with our members to steer them in the right direction. We take pride in our appearance and in the fact that what we wear and use is accurate. We are not “hardcore” or “threadcount snobs”, meaning we don’t have weight limits for recruits, severe uniform regulations and other policies that are meant to exclude people. In contrast, we work with our newer members to “show them the way” to the proper items and help them along as they improve their impressions.
We also take pride in researching and developing the appropriate military command knowledge amongst our NCOs and Officers. Our leaders are elected and appointed based on ability and knowledge and we strive for the most authentic and accurate drill possible.
We prescribe to the “campaign camp” philosophy when we are in the field. This means we manage our military camp authentically and we only bring/use authentic and appropriate items. We believe a private should carry on his back or in his bedroll all that he needs to bring into the field when at an event.
So, think about these three topics and be ready to provide feedback into what YOU think our direction should be as we move forward. There are many great things about the Texas Rifles and at the top of the list is the fact that we are always looking forward, improving what we do and how we do it and working TOGETHER towards a common goal.
Until we are together again at TMD,
Rob Williamson
Captain, Texas Rifles
BRIGADE T.O.O.
The purpose of this article is not political. It is to place before the Texas Rifles membership information on how the “Brigade” is organized. I am writing this information now because it took a long time for me to understand it. Most of it I only learned recently. Perhaps this data is known to some of our members, but probably very few. I do this so that our discussions at TMD can be as well informed as possible and based upon facts, as far as they are known.
Table of Organization (T.O.O.)
What I refer to as “Brigade” is actually incorrect. The Texas Brigade, Inc. is a corporate subsidiary of the Nineteenth Century Living History Association, Inc; generally referred to by the acronym “NCLHA”. Each of these organizations has been formed and has been incorporated as a non-profit 501-c3 corporation in the State of Texas and in Arkansas. The NCLHA is governed by a Board of Directors. The initial members of the NCLHA Board were Jack King, Scott Curran, Bill Martin, John Blackmon, Tommy Morgan, Ted Conerly and George Osborne. Most of these men have passed from the scene. The current Trustees are President Jack King, Jack Ziegler, Ed Walsh, Happy Bone, Fred Anthamatten, and Bobby Crisp. There is one vacancy on this board.
The Board of Directors of the Texas Brigade, Inc. in 1998 was Jack King, Happy Bone, William Hardaway, Jack Zeigler and Larry LaFont. LaFont has died and I don’t know if he has been replaced on this board.
The 1st Texas Regiment, Inc. is also a subsidiary of the NCLHA, Inc. The members of the Board of Directors of the 1st Texas are Jack King, Jack Ziegler, Fred Anthamatten, Ron Strybos, Mike Bringhurst, Christopher Parker, Herbert Macks, Kevin Hall, Gregg Sanchez, and Rob Williamson. From a corporate standpoint the “Regiment” only consists of Fred Anthamatten and his regimental staff. All other members of the 1st Texas Regiment fall under company contracts.
The Texas Rifles, as Company G the Reagan Guards, agreed to participate with the Brigade for the 2003 year. Each company is also a subsidiary of the NCLHA. The Board of Directors of Company G consists of Jack King, Fred Anthamatten, Rob Williamson, John Keahey and Jack Zeigler. Note that this Company Board of Directors is not the same as the Executive Board as described in the Bylaws of the TR. The Executive Board of the TR has no standing what so ever with the NCLHA, just as the Texas Rifles and the Texas Rifles Bylaws are not recognized by the NCLHA.
As you can see the NCLHA is set-up as a multi-level non-profit corporation. It consists of a series of corporations governed by boards of directors. Most of these boards are composed of NCLHA trustees such as Jack King and Jack Ziegler and other men. Control in the corporation rests in the hands of the NCLHA Trustees; as they sit on virtually every board little can happen without their collective approval. The one apparent exception is the 1st Texas Regiment, Inc. Board of Directors, where the Company Commanders collectively outnumber the Trustees.
Rules and Procedures
Rules that determine the relationships, voting procedures and boards of directors are known as the NCLHA Articles and the NCLHA Corporate Processes. I don’t know if the Corporate Processes are a by product or different from the Articles. I have never seen a copy of the NCLHA Corporate Processes, so I can not describe them.
There are ten Articles that set out the various corporate entities. Each article is a short statement in several parts outlining how a part/function of the corporation is conducted. Several items stand out from the NCLHA Articles. Firstly, the NCLHA has reserved names such as the 1st Texas, Company G the Reagan Guards, 4th Texas etc. as its legal property in the state of Texas. No other business in the state can use these names. Second, all company, regimental and Brigade officials are actually elected by their respective Boards of Directors, not by their memberships. Company officials must be nominated and elected from the members of the company. For example, my election as lieutenant last November was invalid from the corporate point of view because I was not a member of the corporate Company G the Reagan Guards (I being listed on the regimental contract at the time). The Regimental Commander is elected by the 1st Texas Board of Directors. The Brigade Commander is elected by the Brigade Board of Directors. Lastly, as an inactive company without a signed contract, we are not allowed to form our own company at regimental and Brigade functions.
All this is confusing and the repetitive use of the “Board of Directors” term makes it more so. In essence, it requires a total change of mindset to understand it and operate under it. In my personal experience I have belonged over the past thirty years to a series of voluntary informal clubs with the external trappings of military units. The NCLHA is a multi-layered, highly structured, non-profit corporation with external trappings of a 19th Century military unit. Think of the NCLHA in terms of MICROSOFT in Confederate uniforms. One reason we have never communicated well with the NCLHA is that we expect them to think and act like us; a small group of like-minded friends sitting around the same table. What the NCLHA has expected to receive from Company G is not 19th century military courtesies or committee recommendations from motivated members, but corporate legalisms and memos required by Articles no one in Company G has ever seen or read (to my knowledge). Two radically different cultures, languages and mindsets.
Neither the Articles nor the various contracts specify any rights or removal procedures relating to members.
Contracts
The NCLHA, Inc. is based upon contracts. Company G signs a contract with the NCLHA. The regiment also signs one with the NCLHA. I suspect that Brigade signs one with the NCLHA too, but I have never seen that document. All company contracts must be signed by the NCLHA officers, Company Commander and the elected NCOs of the company. Although the Articles do not specify that the signing be in person, Jack King has specified that it be so in 2003. Due to various scheduling conflicts, the actual Company G Contract with the 1st Texas Regiment has not been signed; thus legally Company G is not an active company within the NCLHA for 2003.
The company contracts are identical for each company. The company contracts are short and only consist of three legal pages. The contracts are easily understood and open. By open, I mean that they require very little of the company in terms of conduct, required events etc. The majority of the contract is concerned with the duties of the Company Commander, company size versus rank and record keeping. Some of the highlights from the current contracts include a dues breakdown, a requirement to improve authenticity, and written exams to qualify for promotion. Item 12 of the current Company Contract specifies that the $40 in NCLHA dues is spent as follows: $25 for insurance, $10 to Brigade for communications and other expenses, $3 to regiment for expenses, and $2 to company for expenses.
Item 8A of the company contract specifies that candidates for promotion must pass a written and field test to become eligible for promotion. These tests will be administered by the Regiment or Brigade.
Item 19E states that the Company Commander shall “Develop a plan for the improvement of authenticity, and to increase the historical knowledge of the company as it relates to the regiment, its battalion and the Brigade.”
Insurance
The NCLHA provides insurance to covers its members at events and during travel to and from events. Although the TR leadership has not signed a company contract with the NCLHA we are covered by insurance as NCLHA members. There are two policies. The first is a Travelers Commercial Liability Insurance policy. This policy provides liability coverage up to $2,000,000 total or $1,000,000 per occurrence. There are limits of $100,000 on fire damage and $5,000 on medical expenses. This policy covers our members being held liable for damage cause to other people and property.
The other policy is Hartford Special Risk Accident Insurance. This policy covers the members during an event and during travel to and from the event. It offers $3,000 for death benefit, $7,500 for accidental dismemberment and $5,000 for medical expenses. However, the maximum dental expense allowed is $500.
A NCLHA Board of Trustees document from October 31 of 1999 specified that each member would be provided with a Proof of Insurance card with policy numbers and phone numbers to report claims. This has not happened.
John Keahey
Lieutenant, Texas Rifles
In the Army, there is an air of urgency to the many daily duties that are to be performed. This is especially true when it is time to set out on a march. We have all heard the phrase “hurry up and wait.” This is from the fact that soldiers are often hurried to one place from another just to stand around a wait for further orders. Something that has been lost in the past few years with the Texas Rifles is this feeling of urgency. I think this is in part due to our “red headed step child” feeling that we have had within the Battalion.
At Red River 2 in 1999, when the battalion was called to form up one morning, the Texas Rifles were the first company in formation. As Colonel Mount came by, Rob Williamson, who was acting as First Sergeant at the time, told the Colonel, “Sir, Company G is formed and ready.” To which the Colonel replied, “Of COURSE they are Sgt. Williamson.”
Flash forward to the Port Gibson march this last spring. The battalion was called to form up, and as other companies were already in line, one of the battalion officers came up to me and said, “Let’s go Sergeant. We’re waiting on YOUR men.” That’s quite a change in attitude for us. What I was seeing was a lot of fellows who were given First Call, and instead of getting ready to move out right away, sat around until the order to fall in was given before they started to put their accoutrements on. This has happened a few times before with our own battalion. I would really like to have a better attitude about this when we serve within a battalion structure.
So what to do? In the first place, when you hear someone give FIRST CALL, don’t take that as a signal that you still have ten to fifteen minutes to sit around before falling in. At the order of FIRST CALL, you should immediately start putting your accoutrements on, straightening your gear and getting in line. Don’t wait for the order to fall in to do this. In an army in 1860, orders were expected to be followed and an individual was punished if he did not obey. Obviously there is not much punishment in a company of re-enactors, but you should ACT like you would be.
Another thing to watch for is your Corporals. I have been told a few times that our new corporals were coming on a bit strong, but the truth be told, they are following orders that I have given them as First Sergeant. Please don’t take offense at an NCO for doing his job. They are only trying to help with our overall impression of being a veteran military unit. As First Sergeant, I am trying to get the company formed up in an efficient manner for our officers. It would certainly be with a feeling of pride for me, and I think our officers, if we could be first on the line again and one day have a Colonel say to us, “Of COURSE the Texas Rifles are ready!
FJMarek
1st Sgt, Texas Rifles
Houston Regional Report (with the Austin boys at Gettysburg)
Gettysburg 140th Anniversary
Company G was represented at the anniversary of this great battle by Lee C., his new recruit, Mike, Bo, Daniel and myself. We fell in with Company C lead by Mike Bringhurst. Daniel arrived earlier in the week and was introduced to us when we arrived as Frenchy, a former Napoleonic soldier, drumming in the Confederate army.
Friday morning (first day) began with an early morning rise and the usual company drill followed by some battalion drill, Fred in command. Strybos served as second in command and the commander of one company. Daniel played a French drummer in the Confederate army and drummed with four other soldiers. How great to march to a strong beat! The battalion had about 60 men in attendance. We spent the early afternoon on a Jack King, battlefield preservation march (~3 miles) that included several good sized hills that always seemed to be going up and not down. Yes, it was HOT. The land we marched on was reportedly the location of several Calvary skirmishes that many would like to have included in the national park. The march concluded in the location representing the outskirts of Gettysburg and Heth’s movement toward McPherson’s Ridge. During the march I looked back a few ranks and discoverd our old buddies from Red River II, Leo Decanini and Dave (last name?). Leo was a private and Dave a lieutenant. Both have graduated and are doing well in the business world. For those of you who are interested, I have Leo’s contact information. They left our group before we had a chance to perform the Clown Roll for evil. Next time.
Company G messed together and following dinner as the light began to fade, lightening flashes began to appear in the sky. We rushed to put together a shebang for four of us with one shelter half and two gum blankets, connected by a web of string. Truly a shelter that any homeless person would be proud of, or would he? Thank God it did not rain that night! We were so jammed under the shebang, that we had to all turn together each time someone switched sides. I drew picket duty at a very late hour and elected to stay outside afterwards and chance it. Fortunately, we were all spared a wet night.
Saturday (second day) we conducted the usual drills in preparation for attacking Little Round Top in the late morning. During drill, Daniel showed the company the drum rolls for each step in practice firing. Naturally, Company G members with a strong sense of rhythm kicked ass on this drill. Then came the attack on Little Round Top. For two pushes up the hill we were repulsed and then on the third we were pushed back by charging Yankees. I think all of the G boys but Daniel were killed that day trying to take that infamous hill.
The attack on Culp’s Hill came that early evening. As we attacked, we moved forward, knocking down fences much the same as 135th Gettysburg, but this time, the First Texas had to wade through knee deep water ten feet across before we moved up the hill. We moved up the hill on a left oblique, continually dressing the line as men fell. As we moved forward, we were confronted with federals on our front, but then suddenly with federals on our flank. As the right company, we were quickly cut off and most of the officers and several companies, including your G buddies, were either killed or captured. Poor leadership let us get nabbed! Rob, Chris, Phil, where were you when we needed you? Only the left wing of the battalion escaped. The only good part of the capture was the blond female federal Zouves we found ourselves facing.
We marched back to camp and were pretty much pooped. Daniel, Lee and Rick drew picket duty in separate late night shifts. Following dinner, the adult members of Co. G ventured off to the artillery camp where a friend of mine (not seen since Chicadusta) suggested we drop in for some refreshments. Just to be polite, we were forced to consume many COLD beers, while relaxing on chairs and eating cherry cobbler. What a life these artillery folks have! We stumbled back to camp in the dark and spotted Frenchy (Daniel) guarding the officer’s camp. In our stupor, we elected to attack the officer’s camp to kill our high reeking (ranking) officers for the earlier day’s events. Unfortunately, we had to kill the picket guarding the camp. Frenchy died with dignity! Bo and I were still restless and looking for a good time (both of us are ADHD) so we worked our way over to the dance. In particular we were looking for that female Zouve who was not to be found anywhere. No decent women! Instead we finished a bottle of Southern Comfort. Likely we smelled too bad to attract in nice females at the dance anyway. When Bo and I approached (staggered to) the camp, we found Lee and Rick on picket duty. We decided to repeat the earlier adventure. Two more members of Co. G were attacked on picket duty, neither the attackers or the pickets survived.
Sunday (third day). The usual hurry up and wait. At least it was under trees in the shade. We portrayed Florida on the far right and reserve battle line. The terrain was the same as Little Round Top and we had to scale and drop another fence. This time the area of the creek we crossed was four times as wide and a little deeper. Not easy getting up the embankment on the other side. You know the story from here. We were told to take many casualties, unusual since the Yankees in front of us weren’t even firing. Poor scripting! I think Daniel, who was with rifle this time, was the only survivor of Co. G.
The Austin boys and Daniel packed up and drove off, while most of us boarded the bus and headed to York to stay at the Holiday Inn. Monday was spent at the Gettysburg park until we had to leave for Baltimore later in the day. In all, another memorable experience, but not quite as good as 135th Gettysburg. Estimated that approximately 14K reenactors showed up for the event.
THE WOLF; aka Corporeal Gates.
CenTex Regional Report
Aaaaaaah, can you feel that crisp, refreshing, Autumn air? Yes, lads, the long, hot, dog days of summer are finally behind us, and a whole new campaign season awaits us.
We’ve not had much going on here in the CenTex region over the past few months, but quite a few of our region’s members have been active outside of the region. Bo Ramirez and Mike Lucas recently met members of the Ninth Texas Infantry at Mejia for a weekend of drill and…err…”socializing.” Bo also attended Gettysburg in early August.
Just last weekend, I assisted the Houston Region boys with the construction of our incredible winter quarters at the George Ranch. Wow—what an event Texian Market Days is going to be this year! Apart from the tremendous scenario we’ll have at the ranch, we also have much to discuss at the business meeting in regard to our future relationship with the Brigade. This is a “must attend” event, then.
Liendo Plantation looms in November, along with a special Christmas gathering at the George Ranch sometime in early December. The CenTex Region is in need of a cartridge-rolling party in the very near future, perhaps in the next couple of weeks. I will be looking for someone to host who is both willing and able. In the meantime, gentlemen, enjoy the fall weather and let’s get ready for an outstanding close to the year!
Warmest regards,
2Sgt. Phillip Sozansky,
CenTex Regional Coordinator
I recently had the opportunity to examine an Armi Sport M1855 Rifle-Musket reproduction. Both Euroarms and Armi Sport make reproduction M1855 Rifle-Muskets. I have not had an opportunity to examine a Euroarms musket, and so have little basis for comparison of the two firearms.
Historically, the M1855 firearms were the first US weapons specifically designed to fire the new .58 caliber hollow based cylindro-conical (Minie) ball ammunition made famous by the later Civil War. They were the most technically advanced muzzle-loading weapons ever produced by the United States government. What made them high tech was the Maynard Tape Primer system located on the lock plate beneath the distinctive arched hammer of the M1855’s. The Maynard system was designed to automatically advance a tape containing small pods of fulminate of Mercury over the cone as the hammer was cocked. It eliminated the separate priming procedure with the individual percussion cap. The M1855’s were made in two types; the three band rifle-musket and the two band rifle. The rifle-muskets were made at both the Harpers Ferry and Springfield Arsenals. Total production of rifle-muskets from 1855 until 1861 was approximately 59,000. The rifles were only made at Harpers Ferry; 7,000 were completed. Before the war started this top-of-the-line weapon was issued only to the regular U.S. Army and militia units with strong political clout. Manufacture of the M1855 ended at Springfield when that arsenal changed to the M1861 Rifle-Musket design, a simplified version of the M1855 without the tape primer. Production of the M1855’s ended at Harpers Ferry when Federal troops burned the arsenal after Virginia seceded from the Union. The weapons machinery was subsequently shipped to Richmond, where it was used to produce a modified M1855 Rifle-Musket for CS forces.
The Armi Sport is a three band rifle-musket stamped “SPRINGFIELD” and “1857” on the lock plate. The Maynard Tape Primer door is stamped with an eagle. It has the proper brass nose cap, one piece American Walnut stock, long range rear sight, one piece swelled ramrod, and proof markings on the barrel. Weight is about right as the breech area has not been thickened as on some reproduction muskets. The lock plate is fitted with the Maynard Tape Primer door, but the Maynard mechanism behind the door has been left out to save cost. The door is functional and swings open; on the Euroarms version the door is false and part of the lock plate. Other areas where costs have been cut by Armi Sport are the stock cut for a non-existent ramrod spoon and in the lock parts. The bridle has a separate loose pin to position it correctly over the tumbler that is easily lost during cleaning. The cone comes with the usual modern pinhole aperture in the base. This needs to be drilled-out. Finally, the Maynard Tape Primer door beneath the hammer is “closed” by a tiny thin pin bent over the door. This pin is easily broken, as Armi Sport cleverly disguised it as a screw and if one attempts to tighten this “screw”, it promptly breaks. I speak from experience.
Aside from these problems, Armi Sport has created an attractive reproduction firearm. The design is good, as it should be. The real design work was done 148 years ago by some very serious people. The M1855-61-63-64 weapons are classics that proved their worth in the hardest of schools; a long war. Armi Sport has not “improved” the stock with the usual polysynthetic finish; it left natural and lightly oiled. Perhaps the industry is learning that to make a good, functional, robust musket, you only need to closely copy the original. The long range rear sight, brass nose cap and Maynard Tape Primer door add interest to the familiar appearance of the M1855, which was copied for the most common weapon used in the Civil War, the M1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket.
One of the main attractions of this reproduction to reenactors lies in its potential convertibility. Compared to more common weapons such as the M1861 Springfield and the P1853 Enfield, used in quantities of hundreds of thousands, the 59,000 M1855 Rifle-Muskets available at the beginning of the war seems trifling. Yet, recall that while M1855’s were used by both sides, a copy was made exclusively for CS forces in Richmond. Theoretically, a reenactor could replace the “US” stamped iron butt plate with the Richmond style brass butt plate, and switch the US marked lock plate for a CS stamped version. The internal parts are the same. This should give you a distinctive US and CS musket for the cost of some additional parts.
John M. Keahey, 1/31/03
We are just about ready to vote on our last bunch of recruits who have been with us for several local events this summer. That is good because we have several new folks coming out to TMD. I haven’t gotten to meet with them or email them yet, but they are very interested in the Texas Rifles. Two of them are from Austin and found us through the Texas Rifles website, and the other is from Victoria, Texas. So Texian Market Days will be a big event for our newest recruits and our company as a whole.
With the construction of the winter quarters, we will have a great opportunity to recruit from the spectators during the whole TMD weekend. Too many times people will walk up and want to talk, but are too timid to ask questions. So I am appealing to all Texas Rifles, make the first gesture. If a visitor walks up as you are having coffee, invite them to sit down with you and visit. Stop telling stories with you pards and tell a reenacting story to a potential recruit. We will be the main reenacting force at this event. Let’s net some recruits right here in our own backyard!
Chris Strzelecki
Recruiting Coordinator
Financial Status
As of 9/10/03 the Texas Rifles QM funds showed a balance of $-12.32.
New Items
Two Federal haversacks have been added to the collection. The offer to the membership to exchange these new haversacks for others has not produced any takers. If no offers to exchange occur, then the new haversacks will be labeled with the company numbers reserved for TR QM gear and placed in the inventory.
Future Items
The TR QM has paid for a large size Federal kersey trouser and the de-farbing of two TR QM canteens. Kersey trouser fabric has been received and these tasks should be completed before the TMD 2003 Event.
Needs List
The TR QM still needs shoes of all sizes and a large pair of socks. We also could use another Federal Double-bag knapsack, Painted/Gum Blanket, and large size clothing. Of course I would also like to have access to two more loaner muskets.
Item lost to the Inventory
Bruce Buskirk has resigned from the Texas Rifles and requested that the size 46 CS Jacket he loaned to the TR QM be returned.
Donated Items
The TR QM, with the permission of the TR Executive Board, donated to the 1st Texas QM (Jim Richards, not the Brigade QM) some non-period trousers and moldy shelter halves made of heavy canvas. We were getting no use from these items and they were redundant. Jim is struggling to establish a QM loaner program similar to the TR QM system.
Items for Sale
Steady attrition due to use, donation and purchase has reduced the TR QM property for sale to $1.00 ration bags and several small fragments of jeans cloth. The jeans pieces are too small for trousers or jackets, but vests and smaller items could be made from them.
Regards,
John Keahey
Lieutenant, Texas Rifles
Battle Tactics of the Civil War by Paddy Griffith. Yale University Press. 2001.
This book is an interesting read involving the actual training, equipment and unit tactics employed during the war of Northern Aggression. One of its interesting aspects is that it was written by an Englishman. While this seems to have prevented a bias towards either the Union or the Confederacy, it does present an overall prejudice against the United States in General.
The book defends the hypothesis that the Civil War was not the first modern war but in actuality the last of the Napoleonic wars. His supporting evidence is clear and logical and he does present some interesting facts that are not often discussed in the literature, but I don’t completely agree with all of his conclusions. One interesting fact that is seldom touched upon is that while both sides drilled extensively, neither placed any emphasis on target practice. This created a situation where the rifle had little added effect on the battlefield compared to the smoothbore musket. We may be reenacting at ranges similar to or event farther away than actually occurred many times during the war!
Overall, I think this is a valuable book for reenactors and especially for officers and non-coms. His information about drilling, maneuvering, and maintenance of formation during battle is also thought provoking. While I hate to admit it, the Brit makes some interesting points that we should consider in our quest to become more accurate historians of the Civil War.
Cpl. Don L. Tucker
The December 2003 newsletter deadline is Wednesday, December 3rd.
Thanks,
Rob
The following contacts produce or sell goods of the finest quality. They are the recommended source of supply for members of the Texas Rifles.
John Keahey:
2810 West Pebble Beach
Missouri City, TX 77459
281-261-0665
Shell jackets, uniforms, leather gear
Gaye Frazer
5641 Yale Blvd, Ste 125
Dallas ,Texas 75206
214-696-1865
fax 214-361-9720
www.frazerbrothers.com
Jean Cloth & Period Fabrics
Thistle Hill Weavers
Rd #2, Box 75,
Cherry Valley, NY13320
518-284-2729
Charles Childs
13979 – C Georgetown St. NE
Paris, Ohio 44669
216-862-3307
Ready Made Shell Jackets
Terri Parker
738 Currey Rd.
Nashville, TN 37217
615-361-8765
Ask for Alabama Depot Style in gray brown jean
Hats
Clear Water Hat Company
Bob & Kaye Brewer
Box 202,
Newnata, AR 72680
5017464324
Leather and Paper Goods
Dixie Leather Works
P.O. Box 8221
Paducah, KY 42002-8221
800-888-5183
Custom Made Brogans
Robert Serio
Missouri Boot and Shoe Co.
Rt. 7, Box 207
Neosho, Mo.
417-451-6100
General Merchandise
Fall Creek Sutlery
P.O. Box 539
Freedom , CA
408-728-1888
Musket Tools & Parts
S & S Firearms
74-11 Myrtle Ave.
Glendale, NY 11385-7433
718-497-1100