Officers:

Dues: $30.00 Single

Greetings Everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying this summer and its warmth. I know it has been difficult at times going out on the field or doing camp duties with the heat and humidity higher than normal and I wish to thank everyone for putting in the extra effort.

Gettysburg: We fielded two guns, participated in 5 battles and 3 "Massive 142^nd Artillery Explosive Independence Commemorations". We fired 98 rounds and collected a powder bounty of $400.00 and 100 primers. Bedford was the only unit to provide artillery support for the cavalry battle Sunday morning. This was probably one of the better ‘Gettysburg’ events that I have been to. The communication between the higher command and the batteries was very good, we had time to place the guns and very little ‘hurry up and wait’ time once we were on the field. I attribute this to the Officers in charge and the fact they have been battery commanders and know what is needed at the lower levels. The Officers also kept their egos in check. It’s easy to get full of oneself and they all did a fine job keeping the ‘puffed-out chest’ in check. I thank everyone in the battery for a job well done.

Mumford: I did not attend but I did get quite an earful about this event. We fielded 2 guns and participated in 2 battles. We fired ~35 rounds and I’m still waiting for the Powder Bounty (last year’s bounty came in November). Two of the major complaints I heard was cramped camping space and safety on the field. I cannot understand why they cannot give us the room we need to camp. The infantry camps campaign style and it is assumed that all others will do likewise. This is not acceptable. The organizers are not participant-friendly. This also is not acceptable. I can get by for a weekend with tight quarters and uncaring organizers, what I can’t accept nor stand for is a lack of safety. There is not enough room for our guns on the field, we do not have a good field of fire and our safety zone is often compromised. Other artillery units have little disregard for the safety of fellow artillery units, fellow re-enactors and spectators. Those that were there know what I’m talking about. I do not wish to jeopardize the well-being of any member of our unit, therefore, I will not support us going back to Mumford.

Liberty: We fielded 2 guns, participated in 2 ‘scripted’ battles, 1 tactical and the candlelight tour. We fired 41 rounds and received $300.00 in powder and gas bounties. This Liberty was one of the better ones for the main reason it didn’t downpour, at least not until after we left Sunday. We also had a great time on and off the field. Our forces were outnumbered about 4 to 1 for

the tactical. We had one gun covering the Federal artillery and one gun supporting our Infantry. We placed ‘Smoke Wagon’ to cover the road and our infantry planned to draw the Federal infantry across the road, giving us a prime target. As our infantry was falling across the road I observed a small band of Federal skirmishers advancing on us through the woods. Despite my pleadings and attempts to make them aware of the threat, a small band of our skirmishers, didn’t give us the support on our left flank. As the Federal infantry crossed the road, we fired sending about 12 of the Federal infantry back to their mothers. At this point the Federal skirmishers advanced on us from the woods and took our gun before we could fire a second shot. Now our infantry awoke to the threat on our front and after firing a couple of shots advanced to the rear posthaste. The Federals were so excited at capturing a gun they forgot that a second gun was now in their rear. We turned ‘Hoss’ to give them a surprise, as we loaded, one of their Officers noticed we were preparing to fire on them and they rushed forward and captured ‘Hoss’ before we could get a round off. Had we had the infantry support we needed we could have held off the infantry longer. Our position was strong and we should not have been wasted. One of the odd moments of the battle was near the end when the Federals were overrunning our positions. It was observed that an older couple was traversing the battlefield during the battle. We had to remove them for their safety as they were

oblivious to the dangers

around them. The battle in the afternoon went well. We

placed both guns behind the breastworks. Sgt. Sheerer and ‘Smoke Wagon’ kept up a steady fire until we were overrun. Sgt Karnitz did a good job with ‘Hoss’ and Pvt. Hehcox had the honor of handling her first misfire. She did an excellent job. We had a moment of comic relief when Pvt. Hehcox was repicking the charge during the misfire drill and ‘Smoke Wagon’ fired. Even Pvt. Craig McCann, veteran of many campaigns, flinched and I do believe more than one pair of shorts were soiled. It was a job well done by Pvt. Hehcox on her first (and hopefully, last) misfire.

We participated in the Candlelight tour. We had one gun on line and fired twice. Capt. Karnitz explained the drill to the crowd. Gordon’s friend Nigel was with us and took and excellent picture of three crows under a tree during the night fire. Wait, I mean he took an excellent picture of ‘Hoss’ firing with his digital camera. It is now on the front page of our website. Nigel and his daughter, Margaret, are friends of Gordon and Rosemary and camped with us. Nigel helped on the gun as we were short handed, he did a fine job.

On the second day we placed our guns on the far battlefield where the infantry spent the weekend digging and expanding the rifles pits, now trenches. We could not place our guns on top of the hill in back of the redoubt

because of safety concerns so

we placed our guns on the left of the bottom rifle pit. Our infantry was not happy to have us there. Our skirmisher engaged the Federals in the woods and drew them back across the open field before the redoubt. We engaged them with canister and after 5 rounds were fired from our left piece the Federals got up the courage and charged us overrunning us before we could get off a final shot. They captured or wounded most of the battery. They attempted to take our infantry but the trenches were too strong and the Federals were forced to retreat after heavy losses. After the battle I looked over the field and next year I think we would be better off to place our guns to the right of the redoubt. We would have a stream to protect our flank and we could enfilade the infantry as they crossed the field. Food for thought.

We have Hamlin Beach, Macedon, Gettysburg Living History/School of Instruction, and Cedar Creek left for this year. Then it’s Remembrance Day, and the ‘close of the year’ meeting/Christmas party at Gordon and Rosemary’s home.

If I have forgotten anything or anyone, I offer my apologies. On that note I will close.

Your Obedient Servant,

Captain Michael J. Karnitz

The first Sgt. has nothing to add at this time.

The blue or gray speckled enamelware that is often seen among re-enactors is inappropriate for our era of portrayal.  This type of cookware was not patented until the 1860s and did not see common use until after the Civil War.  Cast iron pots and pans were readily available during our period, but pot shapes and styles were much different that what is currently available.  The weight of cast iron gear also made it impractical for use by an army in the field.  The most common cooking gear would have been tin.  (Actually a sheet iron, plated with tin.)  Tin cookware had been in common use throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.   Similar vessel made of sheet copper would also be appropriate, although it would have been less common due to its expense.  Common cookware carried by a soldier could have included a tin cup, a tin boiler of some kind and possibly a small sheet metal fry pan with a forged handle riveted on the pan.