BEDFORD LIGHT ARTILLERY
May 2006 Mini Newsletter
Adjutant’s Announcements
Something special occurred this year: Palm Sunday and April 9th coincided, which, although regular, is a not-exactly-common event. For those of you still wondering what the hell I am on about, this set of circumstances pertained at the time of the Surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865. So I thought we could not let this pass without some form of commemoration.
I received permission from Captain Karnitz to hold a commemoration at the American Legion Post in Campbell, NY, and managed to persuade Sergeant Paul Sheerer and his "Smoke Wagon" crew to haul their gun out. (It did not take much persuasion – Qm. Sgt. Sheerer will haul his gun out to burn powder at the slightest pretext!)
The form of the Commemoration included a short service, comprising a reading from the Soldiers’ Psalm (Psalm 91, if you are wondering), followed by the Lord’s Prayer. I read out General Lee’s General Order # 9, his farewell to the Army of Northern Virginia. Then "Smoke Wagon" fired 3 rounds (Qm. Sgt. Sheerer maintained this was in defiance of the Surrender). Then, to maintain full authenticity, since active Confederates were required to make the oath of allegiance after the War, everyone present, participants and spectators alike, was invited to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Not many people realize that the Pledge of Allegiance came into being for just this purpose, just prior to the Surrender.)
I hope everyone present gained something from this experience. I know it brought home to me the significance of what this all means to Miss Rosemary’s and my adopted country. The Civil War marks a defining moment in the history of the United States that is still reverberating across the intervening years. I hope we rise to the task of fulfilling its true meaning through our efforts to portray those awesome days.
And now for something completely different:L
I think the start of the season is an appropriate time to address the general safety around our guns. General question:
"Would those guns really kill you if you stood in front of them when they’re fired?"
After the blood returns to my face (I turned white when I heard this question), would any of you like to stand in front while I give you a demonstration!!!! No? Good! Now let’s get to the heart of this. I suggest you take a look at the picture on the front page of our web site taken of "Hoss" during a night shoot at Liberty. Do you really believe that that would not kill you? Even the vent plume would do you a great mischief! From a personal point of view, I do not react well to the sight of blood and stripped flesh. So please do not try to find out if these guns will really kill you. At least, not while I am around!!!! I prefer my food well done, not my privates!! And for further confirmation, you could get in touch with one James Dassatti of Vermont. Ask him if it hurt when his arm was ripped off by the premature discharge of a "Napoleon" 12-pounder. But I suggest you don’t stand too close to him when he answers!!!!
Do not construe this as meaning you should approach the guns in fear. Treat them with the correct degree of care and respect, and they will give you years of fun re-enacting with artillery. I myself have over 30 years experience, so far without so much as a scratch. (I doubt I should have said that – it might be pushing my luck!)J
I remain, as ever, very sincerely, your obedient servant,
Gordon Clifford
1st Lieutenant (Adjutant)
COOKS COLUMN
Meals for Memorial Day Weekend
Please is to bring the following items for the meals you plan to eat at the Memorial Weekend BLA only event.
Saturday Breakfast -- Western Scrambled Eggs
4 eggs per person
½ pound of ham cut up, bite-size per person
1 pepper diced per family or couple
3 English Muffins per person
½ dozen pieces of fresh fruit per couple
Saturday Lunch
½ pound of lunch meat per person
3 slices of sandwich cheese per person
own beverages
Saturday Dinner – Beef Stew
1 pound of beef cut into cubes per couple
2 potatoes per person
1 bag of baby carrots per couple c
own beverages
Sunday Breakfast
4 eggs per person
4 slices of bacon per person
½ dozen donuts or ½ dozen pieces of fresh fruit per couple
Sunday Lunch
1 can of Chicken Noodle Soup per person
Crackers or Rolls
Snack Cakes or fresh fruit
own beverages
Sunday Dinner
Hot dogs or hamburgers for yourselves and your own condiments/rolls
Dish to Pass
Monday Breakfast
4 eggs per person
4 sausages per person
½ dozen donuts or ½ dozen pieces of fresh fruit per family
Each family is to bring a container of coffee in the prefiltered packs. If you have any other items to donate for food, cooking, and cleanup, please bring them.
If you have a hearty appetite, please be sure to bring additional food. For example, if 4 pieces of bacon is not enough for you and you want 6, bring at least 6 pieces. If you plan to eat more than a cup of soup, bring 2 cans. I think you get the picture.
Miss Rosemary and I will take care of the other items needed to complete the meals.
Please bring your own dishes, cups, and utensils. If you have any questions, please call me at 585-659-2240 after 6:00 pm weekdays or Miss Rosemary at 607-478-5100.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Respectfully,
Miss LuAnn and Miss Rosemary
Letter from Miss LuAnn
Hi folks,
I am anxious to get started this year as I hope you all are. However, due to circumstances that have evolved or not evolved depending on how you wish to look at it, I am becoming disappointed and frustrated. It appears that responses for attendance at events are not coming in like they should based on information that I have received when inquiring about meals for events. We all have reasons for not reacting in a timely fashion. Even Bob and I can procrastinate. And we are just as guilty for not getting our attendance list turned in to Capt Karnitz. At first Bob and I were on hold with deciding which events to do because of gas prices. We finally decided that we can’t let gas prices influences our whole summer and our strong desire to be a member of Bedford Light Artillery and to reenact. We finally decided which events we can do based on Bob’s work schedule. Mike, I have our list ready for you. Now to get it to you!
I am sure that many of you are in the same situation of deciding what events are in your budget. Hopefully you have now figured out which ones to do and have your lists ready. If not, what’s holding you up? Is it something more that the cost of gas? Is it work schedules? Is it additional costs of reenacting? Is it more than just financial? No matter the case, if you wish to talk to someone to see how you can work out your dilemma, please contact either Capt. Karnitz or Lt. Col. McCann. If you do not want to talk to an officer, I am offering my ear to listen and I will help if I can with getting your situation worked out with the unit. Events will soon be starting and we would like to see everyone involved.
The unit voted and agreed to do meals differently this year. Our goal was to make it easier for everyone by doing unit "catering". We would collect the money for the 5 meals for 2 day weekend events and 7 meals for 3 day events. Then all the food would be purchased by 1st Lt. Clifford and Miss Rosemary so we can buy in larger quantities and get the same food at a savings to everyone. Miss Rosemary planned to precook for some of the meals to save time at the campfire and ease for transporting. In calculating the cost, we determined that the amount that each person would spend would be about the same if each person was to bring their own food or from a grocery list as we have done in the past. In some cases the cost would be less. We cannot plan meals this way without knowing the numbers that are attending events. Therefore, we have come up with an alternative plan for events we don’t have complete counts for. This alternative plan is detailed in the cook’s column in this newsletter. I think everyone will find this solution satisfactory.
I would truly like to see everyone work together and help us to continue to be a reenacting family. There have been a number of personal changes with members this past year. Let’s pull together to help everyone get through these changes. I personally would like to see that everyone has a wonderful time -- relaxing, enjoying reenacting, and kicking back and spending good fun time with friends! We can all help to make this happen. It will take team work to keep things moving in a positive way and flowing efficiently.
I would like to do a Social Hour on Sunday morning at 10:30. Please be sure to bring your coffee or tea cups. This will be our time for fellowship. I have something special planned and hope that everyone will participate.
Please join me in welcoming a fun loving and positive year for being the Bedford Light Artillery family. May God be with you and your family.
Respectfully,
Miss LuAnn
MAP FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND BLA TRAINING
May 27 & 28, 2006
A map with directions for the Pine City event is on the next page. There is a phone number on the map if you need more information.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND SALUTE TO VETERANS
DATE: Monday, May 29, 2006
LOCATION: Veterans Administration Hospital in Bath, NY
For directions and additional details, please contact Qm. Sgt. Paul Sheerer at (607) 937-5182 or Miss Jackie at (607)664-4927 (work during the day – Bath VA)..
REDEDICATION OF A CIVIL WAR CANNON AT A MILITARY/CIVILIAN CEMETERY
DATE: Tuesday, May 30, 2006
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
Many of you are aware of the story of our Civil War cannon being sold and returned to the Town of Kendall. The town has planned a rededication of the original cannon back to the cemetery. The town Council has asked if we could bring one or two cannons in to join the 21 gun salute they have planned. We may very well have two cannons there if all works out. We definitely have one cannon coming. Therefore, we would like to have enough to crew two cannons if at all possible. We plan to portray both the Union and Confederacy. If you are coming and have a Union jacket, please bring it. The cannons will be placed on the west side of the cemetery right off the Route 18. We will be firing with a 21 gun salute when the Memorial Day parade ends at the Greenwood Cemetery for a ceremonial dedication. Thank you in advance for all who can attend. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Henry at (585) 659-2240.
DIRECTIONS TO KENDALL GREENWOOD CEMETERY
Take Route 104 (Ridge Road) to Route 237 North. This intersection is in Murray which is about a mile west of the Route 237 South and Ridge Road intersection for Holley. Take Rte. 237 North to Route 18 and turn left. The cemetery will be on your left after the first house on the corner. If you need further directions, please call Bob Henry at (585) 659-2240.
