Broxton's Bridge

Due to the wretched weather (I am especially concerned about the hazardous thunderstorms forecasted for Saturday Night) we have made the decision to cancel our participation in this event.
I apologize for the disappointment & any inconvenience.

Y.O.S

Duke

Round Rolling/Broxton's Bridge revisited

Wednesday, 6pm Harve's farm. We will do dinner 1st...
Duke

Battle of Anderson

Brothers & Sisters,

It has come to my attention that I have not listed the Battle of Anderson on our schedule. Please include this: Battle of Anderson Mar 28th & 29th.

Lieutenant Gardo: Please contact Allen Ashley 864-934-4075 ~ 864-296-1275 & Jim Bay 864-207-6748... Let them know that Columbia, with a detachment of CS Marine Sharpshooters will be on the field. If they need a registration form have them mail you one, & we will fill it out.

Regards,
Duke

Oconee Event

Brothers & Sisters,

The Oconee event has been rescheduled for July 18-19 2009. I can sign us up. It will be blessed hot... let me know what you want to do.

Regards,
Duke

More on Broxton's Bridge

Right now, attendance looks like:
Saturday: Myself, Richard, Harve, Dennis, Chaplain Written, two new recruits, With Chris arriving at some point during the day.
For Sunday, we can add Ben to the scenario.
I had hoped to field the battery plus a small company to aid the Federal Infantry.
Our numbers will not allow this. So, at this point, we will serve as artillery, armed to defend our cannon.

Regards,
Duke

Broxton's Bridge Location & Directions

To All:
For those who have a GPS: 1685 Broxton Bridge Rd. Ehrhardt, SC 29081
For the rest of us- use this address to google directions from your home...

The elusive "Goat Chair"

To all:
I have found a manufacturer. They ain't cheep... (I need to find a Paki Supplier...)

http://www.blueridgechair.com/chairs/slingrecliner.html

Round Rolling/Broxton's Bridge

Gentlemen,
We need to roll rounds for Broxton's Bridge. I suggest wed. 25 Feb @ 6:30 PM. Meal to precede rolling....

Duke

Duty/Command Assignments RY 2009

Brothers & Sisters,

The affiliation with the Valley Division will require a few minor adjustments. Per your expressed desires, we will again work on becoming our own SC Battalion. Under the authority of our by-laws, I am making the following appointments:

Battalion Chief of Staff: Captain (CS) Harve Kateman
Battalion Chief of Ordinance 1st Lieutenant (CS) Joseph Kateman
Battalion Sergeant Major: Benajah Eure
Commander Columbia Flying Artillery Captain (CS) R. Duke Bohland
Commander States Right's Artillery Captain (CS) Harve Kateman
First Sergeant, Columbia Flying Artillery: Chris Creely
First Sergeant States Right's Artillery: Dennis Gardo
Ordinance Sergeant: Richard Bohland
Chaplin: Captain (CS) Michael Written
Commander Troop F SC Senior Reserves: 1st Lt(CS) Joseph Kateman
Commander Battery "A" 1st Michigan light Artillery: Captain (US) Harve Kateman
Commander CSMC Detachment Charlotte Naval Station TBA
1st Sergeant CSMC Detachment Charlotte Naval Station TBA

We will be required to have a Divisional Liaison officer with the Kanawa Artillery & The Valley Division. This officer will also serve as Battalion Safety Officer, & Captain Kateman's & my Adjutant. Battalion Adjutant: 2nd Lieutenant (CS) Dennis Gardo. Date of Rank: 07 February, 2009

Additionally, as recognition of his dogged "combat" performance, Chris Creely will take over command of Company A of the 17th Michigan. Rank: 2nd Lieutenant (US). Date of Rank 07 February, 2009.

Please offer your congratulations to these able & loyal soldiers for their new positions.

I will continue to function as First Sergeant of the 17th, offering whatever help I can to the new Commander.

I would like to offer my humble thanks to our brother Ben Eure for taking on the job of commanding the 17th during its formative years. It was a position he did not seek (Ben has never sought ANY position of power or influence for himself), but he accomplished the task with good spirits, & diligence. I am thankful for the job he has done, & I am grateful for his presence among us.

Needless to say, we have set up the cadre for a larger organization. We will need to function "slick sleeved" at events as we have done in the past.

I remain,
Your Obedient Servant
Duke

Affiliation/Insurance

Brothers & Sisters,

Based on the information I have gotten from the Valley Division regarding its philosophies & expectations, your feedback, & the availability of liability insurance, I have, on our behalf, accepted the Valley Divisions offer of affiliation. We are now part of the Kanawa Artillery, 4th Battalion.
This will not effect our day to day operations our your events.

If you want to be insured under the Valley Division policy, it will be $12.00 per head for the upcoming year. (That is based on their coverage last year. Any over charges will be covered out of the unit Treasury).

I will need (in addition to the $12.00) the full name of the person to be covered & current contact information to include address & phone. I need this ASAP

PS send contact information to me at: scwarhorse@hotmail.com


Regards,
Duke

Bummer(s)

To all:
As I am in the business of selling quality imported goods to the reenacting community, I don't often recommend a competitor. But, some items are just too good to be ignored.
My Federal Bummer cap is one of the most comfortable pieces of headgear I have ever owned (I also had a grey one a few years back, but I loaned it to a troop who then promptly deserted). Heck, I fight the urge to wear it around town between events.
The hat was made by Fair Oaks Sutler. He pretty much got out of the business a couple of years ago, but I have seen today that he is back & making Kepis & Bummers again. Once you wear a Fair Oaks Bummer, you will never put on a formed kepi or packi kepi/bummer again. I am about to spend $75.00 Yankee Dollars to buy two for Richie & another grey one for me.
The website is: http://www.fairoakssutler.com/catalog/01.htm

Regards,
Duke

E-Zine

Brothers & Sisters,

I am working on our 1st quarter issue of the e-zine. If anyone wants to contribute, I would more than welcome the submission.

Regards,
Duke

Rank on Uniforms

Several comments have been made to me regarding the wearing of Rank on the Uniforms. There seems to be some misunderstanding... Please allow me to clarify my position:

1) This is a hobby. We are all here to have fun. Your uniforms have been purchased out of your hard earned money. They are yours- not mine- not Columbia's. As such, you can put anything on them you want. (However, bare in mind that most events frown on Nascar patches)

2). Rank is not given out willy-nilly. It is earned through your aquiring of knowledge, work & increased responsibility. As such, I would never object to any member of the battery/regiment wearing their earned rank.

3) Having said all of that, we do several different impressions; sometimes at the same event. We all have different ranks in different units that Columbia portrays. To better fit in these roles, I suggested that if a member has more than one coat, they keep one coat "slick sleeved".

4) We do not require any member to have two Confederate or two Federal jackets (although many of you do; & in fact, a couple of us could outfit a small company). As such, any member who only had one jacket would be expected to sew his rank on the one jacket.

5) Refer to point 1. I don't care which coat you do or do not sew rank on. Those of you who have frocks, I have suggested (note: suggested) that those would be good coats to leave un-ranked (frocks fit in any theater or any army). But, I also realize that the frocks are good looking uniforms. If that is the uniform you want adorned with your rank, by all means sew your stuff on it :)

I hope this drives a stake through the heart of this issue.

Regards,
Duke

Valley Division

Brothers & Sisters,

The Valley Division has agreed to accept us as a battery. Let me know your thoughts. We need to make a decision withing the next week or so. Drop me an e-mail & let me know what want.

Regards,
Duke

Broxton's Bridge

Brothers,
I have recieved confirmation on our Broxton's Bridge registration. The event requests that we bring our grey coats in addition to our Federal uniforms (apparantly, our gun is to start as "Confederate", then be captured we will shuffle off the field & change jackets)
Y.O.S.
Duke

Warm Springs

Brothers & Sisters,

The 2nd NCMI has posted event info on Warm Springs http://www.2ncmi.org/hotsprings.html
I have registered us (so please dont).

By the way, we have gotten hard dates on Green River (Nov 14-15)
Regards,
Duke

Furman

To Harve, Joe, Dennis, Chris & Richie....
Many thanks for the hard work. I think y'all did a superb job this morning.

Regards,
Duke

Southern Guards Brigade

Brothers & Sisters,

We have been offered membership in the Southern Guards. This is the dispatch I received from General Parson's in response to several questions I have asked. I offer no editorial opinion on this. I am simply sharing information. Please consider the information & let me know your thoughts.

"

Sir:

It is because of your accomplishments and your ability on the field as Artillery ,Infantry and willingness to galvanize that we would be honored to have you become a part of the Southern Guards Brigade.

I understand about you being burned by Volner and I can assure you you and your troops would be treated with all respect and honesty.

I will answer all questions :

1. Yes in fact we welcome you r Command structure in South Carolina and the Brigade prides itself in not interfering in any companies policies or politics regulating the running of your command.

2. Although we do not offer any liability insurance at this time , we are working on possibly obtaining some for all members if cost effective and worthwhile . All events that we host we do have covered with insurance.

3. While we do not have any requirements for any number of Brigade events that the membership must participate . We do encourage participation at as many events possible which don’t affect work or family obligations. besides that when we aren't together it seems as if part of our family is missing)

Duke please don’t worry about not being liked by a few like the Palmetto Battalion or ANV etc. We are somewhat like you all the ones that don’t like us respect us.

What the Southern Guards can offer you and your troops:

(1.) A well Organized Umbrella Organization comprised of Infantry /Cavalry and Artillery units .

(2) Each Company is commanded by elected individuals from their companies without interfering politics.

(3) Quarterly Newsletters which keep the Captains of each of our Commands informed of Brigade happenings.

(4) Assistance and participation from the Brigade at your individual Events. (example 276 Southern Guards members attended the 145th Gettysburg) we placed 125 rifles on the field at Saltville, Virginia which was hosted by one of our brigade Companies .

(5) We also offer a certain amount of clout at larger events , when we register as Southern Guards Brigade/Hardees Corp in that we are grouped together with other member companies and therefore fight with those we know. Also there is strength in numbers at any event!

Participate with others who share the same passion of the Hobby without the Egos and Politics of other Organizations

(7) We are a Family Organization that Welcomes the Ladies and the Children at all our Events.

Brigadier General J.R. Parsons