The first in a fight…                                             …the last to leave

 

 

 

The Irish Volunteer!

 

                          

 

-August 2002-Vol. IV, No. VII-

Duncan’s Mills this year was the best it has ever been! The battles were big, long, and very impressive.  The clubs also worked very well together. 

Since we had so many Irish lads in the 69th over the weekend, the four members of the 79th NY who were present decided to fall in with us. At our largest we had about 12 muskets in line. Both in battle and in drill everyone looked very impressive, good job!  

On Saturday morning we did some unit drill, and everyone did well. Some of our marching maneuvers were a little bit rusty, so we'll work on them at Fort Point. 

At Duncan’s Mills, Corporal Coye volunteered to carry the green regimental flag on the field for all four battles. It was very impressive seeing a line of several hundred soldiers at right-shoulder shift with the Irish Brigade flag centered in the middle.

*****

Fort Point

Fort Point is the next event, and it falls on the 17th of August this year.   We need to have a quick meeting there to discuss the Fresno event and how the unit will operate for the first part of next season. As several members can only stay until early afternoon, lets plan on having the meeting at 12:00 noon in one of the upstairs officers barracks.

We will also be doing a good bit of unit drill before the meeting. During one of our formations I’ll announce the meeting specifics.   I hope everyone will be able to make it, see you there!

*****

Dear reenacting friends,


              I will be organizing a Fort Point event on Saturday August 17th, 2002. If you are interested in attending, I NEED YOU to do the following:
1) RSVP who is coming

2) let me know if you have any specific living history demonstrations
3) BRING YOUR OWN BAG LUNCH
4) PARKING IS TIGHT...please try to carpool.

Major Justin Oldfield will most likely be in command as Colonel Kitzero will be on detached duty. As always, we are hoping to have artillery drill (the napoleon is back!), medical demos, civilian demos, a Victorian dance demo, and various other soldier demonstrations. As we did in January we will have formations and then leave drill up to each individual company. We may have to merge some smaller companies into larger ones.

This is not an official ACWA event, and attendance is optional, but the same ACWA safety rules apply...and in addition, no powder or caps are allowed.  We are going to bring a coffee pot to make coffee and maybe some hot cocoa.
Remember...it may be cold so civilians should bring layers! After you have dropped off gear and passengers, we are asking that all members move their cars back to the newly opened parking lots. These new lots are immediately to your right when you come down off the hill onto Long avenue and onto the Fort.

We are expecting a good sized public turnout. As always, APPROPRIATE Union or Civilian impressions are required (no blue jeans, sunglasses, please try to hide anachronisms such as non-period jewelry). Unfortunately, NO CONFEDERATE impressions are allowed at the Fort, but we do have some loaner gear if you let us know in advance.

Retrofitting has started on the bridge but the Fort is open Friday through Sunday. As always, if individual units wish to hold a living history demonstration at the fort on any other day, you just need to contact Maureen at the Fort.


Respectfully submitted,

Captain Mike Musante

20th Maine, Company G

 

Directions to Fort Point

FROM THE NORTH: Proceed over the Golden Gate Bridge, staying in the farthest right lane. After passing through the toll gate, take the first available exit to the right, continuing in a circle to the right, through an underpass, through the visitor parking lot, to a stop sign (Lincoln Blvd.), then turn left onto Lincoln Blvd. Follow road for about 1/8 mile and turn left onto Long Avenue/Marine Drive to the fort.

FROM THE SOUTH: As you approach the Golden Gate Bridge, stay in the farthest right lane and take the "Last San Francisco Exit". Proceed through the parking lot to your right until you reach the stop sign (Lincoln Blvd.). Turn left and proceed to Long Avenue/Marine Drive and onto the fort.

FROM THE EAST: It is best to get a map because you will have to drive in downtown SF. This is probably the easiest way: take the first San Francisco exit after crossing the Bay bridge and get on the Embarcadero heading northwest. Follow the Embarcadero until you reach Bay street and make a left onto Bay. Follow Bay for 10 blocks and make a left on Van Ness. In 3 blocks you will make a right on Lombard. Drive west on Lombard Street and instead of taking Richardson Avenue to the Golden Gate bridge, make a left to continue on Lombard through the east gate of the Presidio. At the first intersection in the Presidio, make a right on Presidio drive, which becomes Lincoln Blvd (merge to the right). Make a right at the fork in the road near the main post (also near the Burger King) and follow signs to Fort Point. At the cemetery, you will make a slight right turn and Sheridan will merge with Lincoln. Lincoln will take you on a windy path through the Presidio. Make a right on Long Avenue, go down the hill to Fort Point. At the base of the hill to your right is the additional parking lots for reenactors.

FROM THE WEST: Get a boat...

 

*****

Nevada City

           

The Nevada City event is, unfortunately, looking a little iffy for the 69th. Neither Cpl. Coye or myself will be there, (I have real military duty that same weekend). As of now, Sergeant Gilbert is unsure it he’ll be able to make it, though he is really hoping too.   If it is impossible for Sgt. Gilbert to attend, any enlisted men who do attend are welcome to fall in with some of the other Federal units present. They should take good care of you.

 

General Event Info;

In the foothills of the Sierras, Nevada City has been a gold-mining center for over a century. It is also the seat of Nevada County, whose lode and placer mines have yielded more than one-half of California's total production of gold. A lot of the civil war and gold rush era buildings are still intact or have been refurbished. Among the buildings dating from the old gold rush days is the old Nevada theater (opened in July 1865), said to be the oldest theater in California.

We will be involved in the 34th annual community celebration of their "Constitution Days". It celebrates the founding of their town as well as reenactment of the signing of the United States Constitution. The event is a lot of fun because of the town night life as well as the large parade on Sunday. The battlefield is small and held on a baseball field (Pioneer Park), but there is great public turnout and it is a great place to spend a weekend! This year, the Union will be camping on the upper baseball field so that we might maximize the battlefield size on the lower field. The Confederates will be camping in the woods along the creek as in the past.

The battles are Saturday at 1pm and 4pm with a fashion show at 2:30pm at the Seaman's Lodge next to the park. Saturday night there will be a swing band and dance on the main streets of town from 7pm-10pm and some of the shops are going to stay open until about 9pm. The town will be held by the Confederates at night and you will need a pass to get in. There will be ONLY one battle on Sunday at 11am and a parade at 2pm.

A pancake breakfast will be provided at 7am on Saturday and Sunday at the Seaman's Lodge and there will be a Saturday afternoon BBQ by local Fire Department for the public. Parking is tough and more spaces are available farther away from Pioneer Park. There is a shuttle that is free for reenactors or $1 per person for public. There will also be another shuttle bus that runs between camp and the town until 10pm on Saturday night.

We are hoping for a large turnout so please make an effort to attend! Nevada City is paying us for our participation this year and we could make a lot of money from additional donations.

NOTE: above ground fires ONLY! Watch out for high fire danger!

Firewood, hay and straw will be provided.

For more information, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce at (800) 655-6569 or looking at their website (http://www.nevadacitychamber.com) as they have a listing of historical attractions. Also, you can call the Nevada City Historical Society at (530) 265-5468.

 

Directions

From Sacramento and the Bay Area:

Follow 80 East towards Reno, Nevada. On highway 80 you will pass the city of Auburn about 30 miles east of Sacramento. At Auburn, take 49 towards Grass Valley/Nevada City. Continue on 49 north for 28 miles to Nevada City; Take the "Broad Street/ Historic District" exit. Turn right onto Broad Street and go up the hill. Follow the signs to your respective military camp and into Pioneer Park.

From Red Bluff:

Take I-5, 99 or highway 70 south to Marysville / Yuba City. We recommend highway 99. When in Marysville, make a left at the light onto highway 20 East to Grass Valley / Nevada city. About 36 miles East of Marysville on highway 20 you will get to highway 49 in Grass Valley. Take this left and get onto Highway 49 to Nevada City. Exit highway 49 at "Broad Street/Historic District" exit in Nevada City. Turn right onto Broad Street and go up the hill. Follow the signs to your respective military camp and into Pioneer Park.

Nevada City and Fort Point information courtesy of Mike Musante

*****

 

“Cuzz Sergeant Sezz!”

 

First and foremost, I would like to welcome into our ranks Pvt. Patrick Doyle, who joined us at Duncan’s Mills. Patrick, it was nice having both you and your Irish Brogue in camp and on the field. Speaking about the field, you marched quite well considering that it was your first event, good job!

On to the historical part of what I wish to say. By the end of 1862 the 69th was well known for being able to stand its ground, without flinching even while half of it’s numbers were killed or wounded. On December 13, 1862 when the stone wall at Fredericksburg  was attacked by the 69th New York, those in the rear ranks were slowed by the many Irishmen ahead that fell, never to rise again. So aptly nicknamed the fighting Irish, they charged up the slope near Fredericksburg until the could go no farther. At other battles when the left the field, they would march off in parade ground formations with flags flying. 

I would like to see all the reenacters that portray the 69th attempt to follow their example. At Duncans Mills during drill we worked on wheels, flank marches etc. and for the most part staying in a decent line while performing the maneuvers. However the moment we tried to advance while under fire, the line became pretty much non-existent. This was partially because four members of the 79th fell in with us and neither the Scots nor us are accustomed to marching in a large line of battle. However, if we intend to grow we must learn how to keep a good looking line of battle and perform our maneuvers sharply. Besides making us stand out look the best out there it will make it easier for those that are not really familiar with the drill to learn it,

 

Sergeant Matthew Gilbert

Fighting 69th New York

*****

 

“Corporal’s Corner”

Wow! Another event has passed by and every body had fun. The event at Duncans Mills was the greatest event so far this year. it was amazing to see athe different associations fighting together on the same ground. The 69th at the event was in high spirits and looked great in both drill and battle. It was quite flatering to here all the comments about our flags while in battle. A lot of spectators commented that they looked liked the real thing. Lets keep up the good work and look impressive.

I will not be attending the garison at Ft. Point on the 17th of August, so if there is anyone who needs supplies from the brigade loaner gear please report to Color Sgt Richard Edwards. I hope to see you all at the next event. Cheers!

Your obeadient servent,

Cpl Billy Coye

brigade QM

69th NYVI

Co. B ACWA