Volume 6, Issue 9 May 1862 (2007)

E n t e r e d a c c o r d i n g t o a n Ac t o f C o ng r e s s b y b o t h t h e U n io n & Co n fe d e r a t e g o v e r nme n t s , i n t h e Y e a r 1 8 6 5 , i n t h e C le r k ’ s O f f i c e s o f t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t s .

T h e O f f i c i a l N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e W a s h i n g t o n C i v i l W a r A s s o c i a t i o n

Arlington, Washington

Page 1

THE DISPATCH A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF WCWA NEWS

Friday - May 25

7:00pm - Pie Social US Medical Camp Saturday - May 26

9:00am - Camp opens to public 9:00am - Brigade morning parade 10:00am – Tug-a-war federal camp 10:30am - Artillery Demo 11:00am - Battle 12:30 - Medical Demo 1:00pm - Tug-a-war Confederate camp 1:30pm - Fashion show 2:30pm - Cavalry Demo-Battle Fld. 3:00pm - Battle 4:30 - Medical demo 5:00 - Camp Closes 7:00pm Dance Sunday - May 27

9:00am - Camp Opens to public 9:00 - Brigade Morning Parade 9:30 - Church Service 10:30 – Artillery demo 11:00 - Battle

Upcoming Events…Upcoming Events…Upcoming Events…Upcoming Events… May 12th, 10am, Board Meeting, GAR Cemetery

May 19th, Armed Forces Parades

May 26-28th, Spokane Reenactment

June 16th, Board Meeting, GAR Cemetery

June 23-24th, Port Gamble

12:30 - Medical demo 1:00pm - Tug-a-war Federal vs Confederate Brigade championship! 1:30 pm - Fashion show 2:30pm - Cavalry Demo - battle field 3:00pm - Battle 4:30 - Medical demo 5:00 - Camp Closes Monday - May 28

9:00 - Camp opens 9:00 - Brigade Morning Parade 10:00-11:00 - Cavalry demo saber course 12:00 - Battle 12:45 - Memorial service 1:00 Camp closes 1:01 - Pack for home! Cars can come into camps

8TH ANNUAL

BATTLE OF SPOKANE FALLS

MAY 26-28TH, 2007, SPOKANE, WA

The Dispatch Page 2 May, 1862 (2007)

News Flash: Provost Marshall's patrolling the camps!

Battle of Spokane Falls , Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 to 28: Be aware that there will be Provost Marshals wandering the camps checking for Event Cards, if you do not have a card on you, you can be arrested! They may also be checking for cards as you file off to battle so show it or be late for the battle!!!! These Provost Marshall's are tough! So what does this mean, REGISTER early!!! When you register you will be given an Event Card, by all means carry it!!! That’s all we are asking…

The above may sound harsh, but in realty we have done this before, but never really enforced it. We de-cided to do things a little different this year and came up with the idea. Why we are doing it is to ensure that everyone is a member of the WCWA or an affiliated group. You have to be members to be here, so don’t wait till the last minute to sign up, do it now!!! You can have a lot of fun with the cards too, the scenarios that you can come up with can add a lot to the weekend as well as to have more interaction with the public. We will have blue and gray cards and if you are in Federal camp with a gray card without the proper paperwork, why not be arrested as spy! Think of the roles the Civilians can do…

We are also talking to a group of Old Time fiddlers that want to come out and play as well as a group of Bag-Pipers. We should have something for everyone this year! So do not miss the first Battle Event of the year…. We know it is a long way to come, and more than any-one understand the “windshield” factor. Do plan on coming so you will not have to say “darn I wish I made that event”!! We appreciate the effort you all take to come on out to play! For more information please go to our website: http://www.14thvirginiacavalry.org/spokane-falls Bob Davisson, Event Coordinator 509-995-8619 bob@14thvirginiacavalry.org.

FOR DIRECTIONS, PLEASE SEE PAGE 8

Battle of Spokane Falls May 26-28th, 2007

You can set up camp anytime starting Thursday afternoon, but all cars must be

out of the camp area by 7:00am Saturday morning. Modern camping will be in

the same area as before. Reenactor parking will also be along the access to

modern camp, both will be well marked. Cars will not be allowed in period

camps from 7:00am Saturday till 1:01pm Monday, unless it is an emergency!!! If

you need to leave early, please park in the parking area and get assistance with

moving your camp. We may have a horse drawn cart to assist you in moving, for

a nominal charge!

The Dispatch Page 3 May, 1862 (2007)

Here is a first hand story from one of the Confederate Veterans that settled in Washington State. Thank you to Marjorie Ann Reeves and the UDC Robert E. Lee Chapter #885 Archives.

Clarence Talbot Gifford, Co. C, 43th MS Infantry “I was born in the state of MA on August 30, 1833 . When I was an infant about one year old my father moved to Florida . He served in the Seminole war and held the rank of 2nd Lt in Co. I, of Camden SC Volunteers. When the Civil War broke out I was living at Aberdeen , MS. and in 1862 I enlisted in the 43rd MS Infantry, a regiment organized at Aberdeen and composed entirely of Mississippians. We were a part of Adams ’ Brigade in Loring’s Division. Gen. Loring had been a captain in the Mexican War in which he lost an arm either at Monterey or Buena Vista . My first active service was at the battle of Iuka , MS , where we were commanded by Gen. Sterling Price. Our regiment was the a part of Gen Grtee’s MS Brigade, and we occupied the extreme right of the Confederate line. Being outnumbered about five to one Gen. Price retreated across the Mobile & Ohio Railroad and advanced on Corinth , where we captured the Federal breast works. I was First Sergeant of Co. C and was appointed by Col. Moore Ordnance Sergeant of our regiment, a position which I held throughout the war. Col. Moore was killed in this battle at Corinth . This battle at Corinth was the worst kind of a botch, owing to the drunkenness of Gen Earl Van Dorn. He was a able cavalry com-mander when sober but it seemed that he could not keep sober. I, myself, saw him drunk during the battle. After nightfall of the first day’s battle at Corinth , Capt. Johnson, the Brigade Ordnanace Officer, told me to take his mule and ride to where our regiment was in the trenches and find out what they might want in the way of ammunition for the next day’s fight. It was quite dark and I had to feel my way along to where the regiment was. On going down a short, steep hill the mule suddenly stopped, throwing me over his head. On arising I found that the cause of the mule’s fright was a dead Federal soldier lying right across my way. I hitched the mule to a pine sapling and began to feel my way along on foot to where the regiment was. I had not gone many yards when I stepped on a stick that broke under my foot with quite a noise in the stillness. In an instant I heard the click-click of a rifle being cocked and the knowing that I had run onto the enemy’s pickets. I very quietly fell back and made my way by a circuitous route again to the front and finally found our regiment sleeping on their arms. I happened to strike Co C’s line and interviewed Orderly Sergeant Dillworth who informed me that the regiment was well supplied with cartridges, so I found my mule where he was tied and rode back to the Ordnance Train. On the next day this same Capt. Johnson was killed on his way to the front and we buried his body in the rear of our ordnance wagons. We went down to Chickasaw Bayou and went into winter quarters at Snyder’s Bluff. We stayed there all winter and until Sherman came and tried to flank Vicksburg . We were ordered into Vicksburg early in June of 1863 and were attached to Gen. Herbert’s brigade. On the way to Vicksburg , I received by courier an order from Gen. Herbert to report immediately at a certain point with my ammunition wagons, and I obeyed at once without consulting Col Richard who commanded my regi-ment. For this I was put under arrest and expected to be reduced to the ranks but I was released and exonerated from blame on the day following. One night while on our way to Vicksburg we were making our way as best we could in the dark. Gen. Dabney Maury rode up to me and said “Who is in command”. I answered that I was Ordinance Sergeant of the 43rd MS and had charge of the ammunition wagons. He ordered me to feed our mules and then fall back as we were right close to the Federal breastworks. It was night and I could not tell where we were. Afterwards I found that we were almost up to them and would have been captured or annihilated. We got into Vicksburg and our line was formed. It was about 10 ½ miles long in shape of a horse shoe. That was at the beginning of the siege by Grant. There was only one day of real hard fighting at Vicksburg , but there was more or less firing every day. We had 32,000 men under Gen. Pemberton, of whom we lost 1185. Gen. Grant had 128,000 men of whom he lost 25,000. We held Vicksburg for 47 days and surrendered only after were starved out. It was there that we suffered the greatest hard-ships of the war on account of lack of food. Our ordnance mules, about 800, were killed and eaten for beef. Two days before the surrender we had neither coffee, meat, bread, or any kind of food. Being short of ammunition we took spikes, wrapped them in jute bags and tied them with twine. These we loaded into our 42 pounders and fired at the enemy. They did terrible execution.

CONTINUED ON PAGE TEN

An Article of Interest

The Dispatch Page 4 April 1862

Special Presentation: Linda McCune would like the WCWA to participate in a Civil War Veteran Dedication Ceremony on April 28, 2007 at 2:00 at the Woodinville Cemetery . The cemetery is located at 132nd & NE 175th NE in Downtown Woodinville. The veteran was a Union soldier, Company K, 11th Indiana Infantry. His family is flying in for the dedication so it would be greatly appreciated if WCWA members could attend( Color Guard and enough for a Musket salute to this Civil War veteran). For more information contact Bruce Smith (425-483-0351) or Linda McCune at (425-483-3759) if interested in attending this event. This will be covered by a local newspaper and possibly could get TV coverage. The WCWA would get some compensation for this event. Bruce Smith and Pat Pietch were given medals in honor of the Rachel Roberts award they received in Orting, 2007.

Old Business- Yakima event for 2008 is still being worked on by Bruce Frazier. More information will be given at a later date. Occupation/Interest line will be added to the WCWA application . The motion was made and passed. Committee Reports Event Planning& Activities-Given by Howard Struve. Interest of a partnership between Tacoma event coordi-nator for the city, Mr. Doug Miller and the WCWA is being discussed. Howard was approached via e-mail that Mr. Miller was impressed with the WCWA’s impressions. He is thinking about having an event at Pt. Defiance Park in August/September of next year. Ft. Nisqually is another possibility. He is currently trying to find sponsors. The mtg. between Howard and Mr. Miller will be after the 4th of July. If you would like to be a part of this meeting, please let Howard know. Mr. Miller has many contacts and does the Tall Ship Event plus other events for Tacoma/Tahoma area. Finance-Kudos to Bonnie/Corky for their effort in merchandising WCWA items. It has been awesome and it is making money for the WCWA. Thanks for all your hard work. Snohomish- $l,000 was given to WCWA for the 2006 event held in Snohomish. The other check will be given before the 2007 event. Many neat things are planned for the Snohomish event this year. There will be a better battlefield and more shade. The parking and camping will be better and the layout is being improved. More information will come later. Look for larger battlefield, better terrain and an easy walk into town-Possibly even a

FROM THE

SECRETARY—

WCWA Board of Directors’/Membership Meeting

April 7, 2007 Snohomish , Washington

Call to Order -10:05 Roll Call- Adm. Board Absentees- John Persinger,Joann Knox, Sharron Lawler General Board Absentees-1st US Cavalry, 20th Maine , 7th South Carolina ,21st North Carolina and VMI. Secretary’s Report- Approved as written in the Dispatch. Treasurer’s Report-Cindy gave out copies of budget and stipends. ½ of the membership has turned in their paperwork. WCWA has a profit of approximately $700. A reminder was given about using the correct current membership application. Current prices for membership are $40-family and $25-individual. The stipend report was also handed out, not a lot of changes. If units needed money, Cindy had brought the stipend acct. checkbook. The taxes of WCWA will be completed this week. Confederate Report- Breakfast will be available to purchase at Marblemount on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29th. On Saturday evening, a supper will be available to purchase. Please let Linda and Bruce Wickler know if you will be eating the breakfast or supper. This is so they know approximately how much food will need to be prepared. Phone number-360-387-3938 or e-mail the Wicklers at blwickler@verizon.net if you will be buying breakfast or supper at Marblemount April 28-29th. Federal Report-Thanks to Col Starr for the invitation to have Union units attend the Marblemount due to Reenactor Basic being cancelled. Submitted a proposal for an overnight Preservation Awareness March to take place at Port Gamble. Awaiting a response. John Strand has been appointed to a Staff Position as Public Affairs Officer. Looking forward to the addition of the 39th NY within the ranks of AOC. Have received reports of several reports of several units meeting for drill several times during the off season. Seeking volunteers to help host the End of the Year celebration. Contact Battalion Staff.

The Dispatch Page 5 April 1862 (2007)

trolley. Please encourage your units to attend this event in 2007. Spokane- The contract for this event was signed and Tom Peloquin asked for an artillery count. Many scenarios and some new ideas are being worked on for this event. More information will be forthcoming on this event. Membership-Members only Webpage is being worked on. On this webpage the rosters of the units and names will be posted so rosters can be checked by unit commanders. Outreach- Bonnie is calling places to see if WCWA calendar of events can be listed on their calendars, booklets etc. A big notebook with all unit information will be put together this month. Those units that have not given the information to Bonnie yet will have about a week to rectify that situation. After that, John Strand and Heather will be following up with phone calls and e-mail reminders for the unit information. This notebook will be one of the first things the public will see and look at so it is important for recruiting purposes etc. to get the information into the notebook. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Webpage-It is going slowly. Some of the images to too small to use. She thanks everyone for the feedback she received at the Orting Conference. Right now the Members only page is in the testing phase. The photo gallery link is working so send pictures to be used for recruiting etc to Howard or Heather. Also send them any battalion/unit information etc that you would like to share with others. WCWA logo is too small to use as the logo on the webpage. Risk Committee—there being no objection, Tom signed the contract for Spokane. New Business Tom would like some WCWA members to become School Visit Coordinators. The coordinator does not have to at-tend event . The coordinator would be a liaison between what the schools want to learn/see/know about Civil War era and the club and club members willing to supply the information. For specific information speak to Tom Peloquin. In late May or early June, the Federal Way School would like a WCWA presentation. Tom Peloquin has the specific information on this event, if interested contact Tom Peloquin A sanctioned event at the Cheney Rodeo Ground was added to the schedule. It is on April 29th and no added insurance is needed. It is a recruiting/living history event. For more information you can contact Bob or Barb Davisson at bob@14thvirginiacavalry.org or Barb at romanaruth@pondcomp.com. Phone number is 1-509-995-8619. New Unit Presentation- Capt. Patrick W. Brennan did a presentation on the 39th New York Volunteer Infantry oth-erwise known as the “Garibaldi Guards” They have 11 members signed up, the commands will be given in Italian.

Their mentor unit is 20th Maine . Their uniforms were not std., the officers’ insignias were found on the collar. GG is on the hat of an officer and they will maintain their colorful uniforms of the era. The complete presentation was handed out to the units present. They were voted in and have status of a probationary unit. Welcome 39th NY to the WCWA. Your presentation and documentation was wonderful. Honorary Membership-To those members who for a variety of reasons can no longer participate in WCWA events will be able to obtain honorary membership cards. Definition of an Honorary Membership Card-Permanent card with no dues required and it lasts for the lifetime of that member. Units can have honorary memberships too. Tom Peloquin will work on language to address this issue in the By-Laws. Cindy will be receiving a current list of the honorary members all ready in the WCWA. 14th Virginia Cavalry Driving Rules and Testing

thoughts. In a written document handed out at the April mtg. Bob shared some thoughts with the General Membership on how to be serve the public and insure safety of WCWA members.. Thank you for sharing this information with WCWA. It is appreciated. This came about when a new member joined their unit. This member has 2 carts, one buggy, and one he would like to make into an ambulance some day and a single horse. After much discussion, the need for a different

test for a cart horse may be needed. In the paper he presented to the members at the mtg. pros, cons, and concerns and ideas of new testing stations were written down. Bob then asked the general membership for input. Suggested guidelines/rules were stated in the paper and how to become certified in basic driving of a horse with a cart or buggy. The presentation went well and much discussion/input was shared at the mtg. Main concerns liability, standardized test, how would the cavalry oversee the testing and who would be in charge of testing of people from different units who are less knowledgeable about horses etc. David Imburgia will be looking into insurance coverage for passenger carrier wagons. Contact Bob Davisson for more specific information on a copy of the paper handed out at the meeting. WCWA Insurance 2007 is in place and taken care of by David and Cindy. Thank you for your help and willingness to take care of such an important issue

for the club. Past Events The Living History Conference in Orting was successful and seemed to be enjoyed by those who attended. It was a one day event. Clean up went well

The Dispatch The Dispatch Page 6 February, 1862 (2007) )

WASHINGTON CIVIL WAR ASSOCIATION CONTACT LISTWASHINGTON CIVIL WAR ASSOCIATION CONTACT LISTWASHINGTON CIVIL WAR ASSOCIATION CONTACT LISTWASHINGTON CIVIL WAR ASSOCIATION CONTACT LIST WCWA Mailing

Address:

P.O. Box 5667

Lynnwood, WA

98046

WCWA Website

Address:

www.wcwa.net

Reciprocity

Organizations:

Northwest Civil

War Council

(NCWC)

www.nwcwc.org

Reenactors of

the American

Civil War

(RACW)

www.racw.org

Idaho Civil War

Volunteers

(ICWV)

http://

geocities.com/

icwv

Administrative Board (elected officers) Chair Tom Peloquin 360-659-4995 rebgunner@hotmail.com Vice Chair Howard Struve 360-874-8548 hstruve@nwinet.com Secretary Sandra Burwell 425-357-8159 bburwell.wa@netzero.com Treasurer Cindy Easterson 425-876-1055 eastersonfamily@msn.com

Administrative Assistants (appointed positions) Insurance Coordinator David Imburgia 360-733-2663 dvimb1@aol.com Newsletter Editor Heidi Curnutt 425-316-8775 gardeniapassion@yahoo.com Publicity Coordinator Bonnie Starr 425-743-9851 Recruiting Tom Peloquin 360-659-4995 rebgunner@hotmail.com Sutler Coordinator Norm Harriman 360-966-5132 norm@tstitches.com Webmistress Heather Sturgill 503-357-1861 hsturgill@hotmail.com

Confederate Representatives (voting General Board consists of full-strength company representatives) Battalion Commander Col. Frank “Rusty” Starr III 425-743-9851 majfstarr@aol.com Honorary Commander Brig. Gen. Frank Adams 425-868-6144 mg0adams@msn.com Adjutant Major Tobey Gulley 360-354-3011 Gulley246@aol.com Sergeant Major Sgt. Wm. Lewis 360-435-8287 wcwadirtywater@hotmail.com Aide de Camp Capt. Michael Borden 208-891-9407 mikedatailor@shocker33.net Chief of Artillery Capt. Court Fraley 253-661-2116 kntkyguns@msn.com Chief of Cavalry Parson

Capt. Brian Buntain Capt. Hiram(Brian)Curnutt

360-943-1945 425-316-8775

Splendid_bob@msn.com Brian_Curnut@wycliffe.org

Civilian Comm. Leader Ms. Joann Knox 425-252-6264 Joannk3@hotmail.com 1st C.S. Engineers Capt.Mike Hamel 360-988-4040 menaghammell@msn.com 1st Louisiana Inf. 1st Lt. Jean Paul Bordelon 253-891-0277 Ur340@aol.com 4th Alabama Lt. Collen Potts 503-849-8783 “ 1st Sgt. Kristian Granish 360-789-8198 mobmh@yahoo.com 7th South Carolina Inf. Capt. Carnan Bergren 509-548-5431 topfruit@televar.com 7th Tennessee Inf. 7th Tennessee Inf.

Lt. Rick Montoya Chair. Terry Mourning

509-924-4351 509-536-4252

hometakers@icehouse.net dixiefifer@yahoo.com

14th Virginia Cavalry 1st Lt. Bob Davisson 509-995-8619 14thvirginiacavalry.org C.S. Signal Corp. Comm. Kevin Saville 360-264-4373 savillekr@comcast.net 15th Alabama Inf. Capt. David Imburgia 360-733-2663 dvimb1@aol.com 21st North Carolina Inf. 2nd Lt. Ken Harrison 208-278-5024 anzadams@msn.com 26th North Carolina Inf. Capt. Dan Gerrer dgerrer@comcast.net 43rd Virginia Cav. 1st Sgt. Dave Surowiec 360-769-2094 dnasurowiec@juno.com Cobb’s Battery 1st Lt. Court Fraley 253-661-2116 kntkyguns@msn.com C.S. Medical Dept. Capt. Charlotte Martinelli 425-258-5964 martinel@u.washington.edu.net C.S.S. Sumter/Marines 1st Lt. Roy Houston 360-691-4965 GrynpaRoy@aol.com Polk’s Tennessee Battery Capt. Mike Childers 360-435-7311 polksbattery@hotmail.com Stanford’s Mississippi Battery Capt. Tom Peloquin 360-659-4995 rebgunner@hotmail.com Virginia Military Institute Capt. Brian Curnutt 425-316-8775 brian_curnutt@wycliffe.org

Federal Representatives (voting General Board consists of full-strength company representatives) Brigade Commander Chief of Infantry Chief of Cavalry Chief of Artillery

Col. John Persinger Lt. Col. Ted Sayler Major Marshall Geho Comm. Steven Jones

253-941-4770 360-456-4743 509-966-0867 360-629-6628

pa76zouave@hotmail.com tsayler400@aol.com alang@yvn.com steven.jolene@verizon.net

Adjutant 2nd Lt. Allen Farrand 360-493-0978 afarrand2@comcast.net Sergeant Major Sgt. Michael Cook 253-677-2302 Chaplain Capt. Dave Lambert 253-847-5331 cwchap@yahoo.com AoC Fife and Drum Corps 1st Cpl. Dennis Lawler 360-620-3287 Djlawler43@aol.com Civilian Comm. Leader Mrs. Sharron Lawler 360-273-0385 srlawler@aol.com

1st U.S. Cavalry Capt. Alan Marshall Geho 509-966-0867 alang@yvn.com 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters Inf. Capt. Derrick Sturgill 503-452-1861 recruitingsargent@hotmail.com 3rd. Michigan Inf. Capt. Jim Vaughn 509-747-0331 jbltbumblin@sisna.com 3rd Michigan Inf. Pvt. Danette Allen 509-448-0924 Duckman79@comcast.net 4th U.S. Inf. 1st Lt. Bernie Bateman 253-846-9305 SgtBBB@earthlink.net 4th U.S. Inf. Sgt. John Strand 206-784-5141 Strandjr@hotmail.com

7th Wisconsin Inf. Capt. Lohn Leyde 360-652-5397 Jleyde4228@aol.com 20th Maine Inf. Capt. Paul Timmerman 425-369-6138 Pault5255@yahoo.com 20th Maine Inf. Cpl. Bob Ballard 425.649-5821 Robartballard49@hotmail.com 28th Massachusetts Inf. Capt. Charles Bryant 253-874-1566 Cbryant999@aol.com 76th Pennsylvania Inf. 1st. Lt. Norm Harriman 360-966-5132 norm@tstitches.com USS Tahoma Lt. Ernie Sherrill 360-568-0735 E_sherrill@hotmail.com U.S. Medical Dept. (west) Maj. Dave Lambert 253-847-5331 cwchap@yahoo.com “ (east) Maj. Mike Inman 509-328-2467 mjginman@aol.com U.S.S. Tahoma Marines Capt. Andy Anderson 503-289-6204 Andyanderson6204@msn.com U.S.S. Tahoma Marines Inf. Sft. Howard Struve 360-874-8548 hstruve@nwinet.com 1st Michigan Light Art. 1st Sgt. Gary Michie 509-328-2467 Michiegr1@msn.com

The Dispatch Page 7 March, , 1862 (2007)

1st Zouaves-2 units will be visiting from Central California to attend 2 WCWA events. The events are Spokane and Pt. Gamble. Polk's Battery-While at Ft. Riley , they were rewarded a trophy and they also had a great time as did the Marines and Cobb’s Battery . Ask one of the members to give a more specific version of their Ft. Riley visit, most entertaining and fun to hear. They may be trying to organize a private live fire event in WA. 14th Virginia Cavalry-13 riders are certified at the highest level. 17 rider/horse combinations ready for the field. 7th Tennessee-Rick Montoya is the new commander and Terry Mourning is now the chair for the 7th. They are recruiting like crazy this year. Stanford Battery-3 people attended a 2nd Brigade 12th Field Artillery function. They attended a Deployment Ceremony at Fort Lewis. They will be going back to Iraq. Bonnie/Rusty had dinner with the 14th Cavalry. They would like any certified medical people in WCWA to be known by club members in case there is an emergency at an event. They would also like the club to purchase 1 or 2 defibrillators. They would like certified people in the medical field to be known throughout the club and also make sure that both Federal and Confederate certified personnel would have a walkie- talkie. This way WCWA Medical Resources could be utilized if necessary in a formal manner. Contact Bonnie or Rusty for more information on this matter. Jessie Clark-A marine who all ready has gone to Iraq once will be going back to Iraq once again. Please keep him and his family in your prayers and thoughts. Mark Terry-North Carolina is fighting against the Confederate flag being banned from Confederate Civil War Veteran’s graves. To petition against this ban, go online to http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ElmConFl/petition.html. More information contact Rusty Starr Next WCWA Meeting is May 12 at Snohomish GAR at

10:00. Flags will be put up for Memorial day possibly

that day. Your help would be appreciated.

Meeting adjourned at ll:55.

Secretary Sandy Burwell

and it was appreciated by the soldier’s home residents. Upcoming Events

4th of July Parade in Everett-Insurance will be needed, a harmless cause will need to be signed and the application for this event is due June 10. It is held in downtown Everett . Pt. Townsend- Heart related incident occurred to Dan Johnson, a member of WCWA. He was taken to the hospital but is now home. He is doing somewhat better now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family Bremerton Parade-It will be held on May 19,2007. It is the Saturday before Spokeane. Start time is 10:00. For more information, contact Howard Struve or Rusty Starr. The directions will be on the web. Marysville School Event-Warm Beach ( ? ) - It is an evening event, the exact time will be given to members by Tom Peloquin. If you would like more information, contact Tom Peloquin. Boy Scout Jamboree-They have been doing some restructuring and this year the Thunderbird dist. is running the jamboree. It will be held Oct. 19-21. Depending on where it is held will decide if we need our own insurance or need to add additional insurance. Right now they are setting up the budget for this event. John-Paul is the contact for more information on this event. Pt. Gamble-Flyers are available to members to distribute to various acquaintances or businesses etc. Please take some to distribute to better publicize this event for WCWA. Sponsors for this event are still being sought. Howard Struve and Gene Knight are contacts for this event. Spokane- Verification of membership may be asked for by Provost Marshals. If card not presented (event card) you could be jailed. Even marching on to the field may be hazardous if you cannot present your event card. Just something to keep in mind as the season starts up and different scenarios etc are being planned for this years events. Snohomish-Surprises are in the making for this event. There maybe fireworks shot off at this event. Artillery can do night fires hopefully no hassles included. Please encourage members of your unit etc. to attend this event. There will be some river access but would have to cross railroad tracks-not a real safe option. The parade will be optional and the scenarios are 1864-65 and are planned. Water Buffaloes will be at Snohomish. We share one border with carnival and terrain will be different on field than before. Unit Reports 7th Wisconsin-Offered to sing for their liability insurance.

The Dispatch Page 8 May, 1862 (2007)

Battle of Spokane Falls Directions:

From interstate 90 eastbound,

take exit 280, Maple street bridge

at the second stop light—

turn left at South Walnut St.,

(staying in the left lane, this is a one way street)

go under the overpass and turn left

on West 4th Ave.

take West 4th ave. till it dead ends on

West Sunset blvd.

turn left on West Sunset blvd.

turn right at 2nd light,

South Government Way

take South Government Way past the cemeteries,

past Fort George Wright (meawca)

turn right onto North Aubrey l White Parkway

You are almost there!

turn right at the fence with signs for WCWA!

follow the gravel road till you get to the

site

THE ARMED FORCES DAY

PARADE IN BREMERTON

(Publicity for the Port Gamble

event)

Saturday, May 20. Parade starts at 10 a.m. sharp. See the www.wcwa.net and check the 2007 event calendar for the Armed Forces Day web page for street map & more information regarding this parade. Or contact Howard Struve for more information (see above). We will form up near the intersection of 4th

Street and Hewitt Avenue at 9 a.m. This is a large parade similar in size to the Veteran’s Day Parade in Auburn.

WANTED------

CARPOOL TO SPOKANE

1 adult male, Yankee, needs ride to Spokane event. I live in Tacoma but can drive to your place. I can leave anytime Friday. Will help pay for gas.

Stimulating conversation is a freebie!

Call Johnny at rem-nant64@yahoo.com or 253=846-8958

The Dispatch Page 9 May, 1862 (2007)

BATTLE OF PORT GAMBLE JUNE 24-25

PORT GAMBLE, WA.

BATTLE OF PORT GAMBLE in the historic town of Port Gamble located on the Kitsap Peninsula.

For more information please contact Gene Knight at (253) 441-0479 cscgene1@aol.com or Howard Struve at (360) 874-8548 hstruve@nwinet.com and the WCWA web site at www.wcwa.net under “2007 Event Schedule” for

more information

Port Gamble site: This re-enactment (camps and battlefield) will be located in the town of Port Gamble. This unique jewel has preserved its historic character throughout the years since 1850’s. Port Gamble is blessed with surrounding beauty which makes this

town a haven for locals and tourist. Viewpoints near the General Store and the Cemetery offer scenic vistas overlooking the Hood Canal. The structures retain the east coast architecture prevalent during the 1850’s. There are no modern structures in Port Gamble. This will indeed provide an excellent back drop for a Civil War Re-enactment. You will feel as if you stepped back in time. The town of Port Gamble is registered as a National Historic site. Port Gamble re-enactment (camps and battlefield) will be located

in the town of Port Gamble.

The Dispatch Page 10 May, 1862 (2007)

First Person Account Continued from pg. 3 The Yankees had hand-grenades and at night they would creep up right under our breastworks and throw these hand-grenades over at us. They did considerable execution and we had to devise means to stop it. Many of the shells that were thrown from Admiral Porter’s gun-boats in the river into our lines, failed to explode. We took these shells and sent them to our arsenal and had the fuses fixed. They we made a thing like a horse-trough only open at the ends and then laid in wait for the Yanks with their hand-grenades. We could hear them when they came up in the dark and at the right moment, we would light the fuses and with the aid of our troughs rolled the shells over among them. The explosions that followed did terrible work. A few doses of this kind relieved us of the hand-grenade nuisance. On the 3rd of July were completely starved out. Not only our men but the women and children in the city were suffering for food, and there was nothing to do but surrender. During the siege, our sharpshooters had picked off a great many Yankees. I re-member one day one of our sharpshooters saying to me that the “got” eight Yankees that day and that he had an average of seven each day. After the surrender some of Gen. Logan’s men were exchanging their rifles for ours that we had stacked and surren-dered. I asked them why they did this as the rifles were all the same. They said to me your guns must be better as your people killed some of our men 800 or 900 yards off. I told them that it was the man that had hold of the gun more than the gun itself that did the work. Some of the Yanks were pretty good sharpshooters also. Sometimes we would, just for fun, put a hat on a ramrod and stick it up over the breastworks. It would be full of holes in less than a minute. In our regiment, we had three sharpshooters who keep a Federal siege-gun battery perfectly useless for ten days preceding the surrender. This battery was composed of six heavy steel siege-guns, capable of carrying a ball six or eight miles, and it was planted about two hundred yards from our works. The object of this heavy ordnance was to batter down our fortifications. As fast as the guns could be manned our sharpshooters picked off the men, the consequence being that for ten days not one of the guns could be fired. After the surrender some of our men were taken north and kept in Federal prisons and others were allowed to go home on parole not to take up arms again until duly exchanged. I went to my home which was then at Camden , SC , and was there sick for eight months. I then went back to the army and was at the siege of Atlanta under Gen John B. Hood. On the 21st of July, 1864 , in the battle of Franklin near Atlanta we lost 6,000 men in five hours, owing to bad generalship. This was the worst managed battle on the part of our side that I ever was in. our men were very bitter against Gen. Hood for the useless sacrifice of life. I remember that some of us were behind a whitewashed fence that was entirely demolished by the enemies fire in less than two minutes. On the night before the battle, having nothing in the way of rations, I went into a cornfield and gathered a few ears of corn. Then I found a piece of an old canteen and shelled my corn into it, then parched the corn over a fire and put it in my haversack. This took most of the night. On the next day I divided my corn with some of my comrades who had nothing atall. Many of them fought all day without food. Gen. Hood advanced north to Nashville , TN , and we maneuvered around there about a month without accomplishing any-thing except to lose men. Our men were willing to fight but not under Hood. When we retreated from Nashville , Gen. Stephen D. Lee was in command of our corps, Gen. N. B. Forrest commanding the cavalry. They Yanks probably thought that we were not moving fast enough so they pounded us with their artillery and followed closely after us. After leaving Nashville , Gen. Loring’s Division were all given furlough to go home and rest and also get recruits. I went home sick, and after recuperating was put on post duty at Greensboro , NC . When Gen. Lee fell back from Richmond , his ord-nance supplies were all sent back to Greensboro and I had charge of them under Capt. Payne. I surrendered at Greensboro on April 20, 1865 . During my service I was in 18 battles and three sieges, but was never wounded. There were many interesting incidents which I have not attempted to relate. One very peculiar circumstance occurred at Jonesboro , GA. On the retreat from Atlanta , there was a hard rain all night and my blanket was soaking wet. Next morning I was trying to wring out the water and was standing near a sapling that was about two or three inches thick. I was holding one end of the blanket up against this sapling when a shell from the enemy’s batteries cut the sapling in two right by the side of my face. I thought that the side of my face was torn off and put my hand up to it, but there was not a drop of blood. It gave me a good scare and caused me to tremble and vomit. But the strangest part of the matter was this. My mother was at Camden , SC , and had not heard from me for about two years. I afterwards learned that on the night before the above mentioned incident occurred, she dreamed that I was in great danger of being killed, and in her dream she saw the word “ Jonesboro ” painted on a sign. The incident happened at Jonesboro which was several hundred miles from Camden . The hardships and privations that we Confederates endured are impossible to describe. At Nashville we were without proper food and only half clothe with the mercury sometimes down to 6 below zero. Many of us were without shoes and protected our feed by wrapping them in pieces of blanket. We were not allowed to build fire as they attracted the enemy’s fire. We had no coffee, and had very little bacon. We lived mostly on corn bread with sometimes some very poor beef. However, the last year and half, we had no winter quarters. The spirit of genuine patriotism was all that kept us up and we finally surrendered when we could hold out no longer. Some of my friends have wondered that I, being of northern birth, should take sides with the South. The answer is that al-though born in the Massachusetts , I went south when an infant and was raised among Southern influences, and in this way I was thoroughly imbued with Southern ideas. A few years before the war I went north and located at Keokuk, Iowa, but my hear and my sympathies were with the South and I soon went back to Mississippi and went to war with other Southerners to fight for the rights of the states as we understood them.”

Classified AdsClassified AdsClassified AdsClassified Ads Submit your ad and let the Dispatch work for you. This is a free service for

WCWA members. Ads will be run for 4 months then removed. If the item sells

before that or you wish to run your ad for another 4 months, contact the Editor.

Wanted: An "A" tent around 6 feet tall and 9 feet long.If anyone has one they want to sell, then please let me know.Stephanie Bushnell(360) 658-2433 bush-nell_pics@hotmail.com

The Dispatch Page 11 May, 1862 (2007)

Historic Fort Steilacoom Association

May 20th -Gideon Pete, president of the Historic Fort Steila-coom Association and re-enactor for thirty years, will demon-strate how to develop a First Person Persona for living history purposes by incorporating elements from ones own personal life experiences at 2 p.m. in Fort Steilacoom's Quarters # 2.

May 27th - Lawrence Bateman a re-enactor with the Fourth U.S. Infantry and also a Fort Steilacoom Board member will explain the development and role of the antebellum U.S. Army post trader. The audience will be treated to a guided tour of the recently completed Sutler's Store exhibit in Quarters # 3 and participate in it's ribbon cutting ceremony. 2 p.m. in Fort Steilacoom's Quarters # 2

June 10th - David Scroggins, a nationally known journeyman saddle maker from Yelm, using original and reproduction ex-amples, will explain the various stages in the development of the McClellan saddle from it's inception in 1859 to it's discon-tinuation in 1943. 2 p.m. in Fort Steilacoom's Quarters # 2

Historic Fort Steilacoom is located on the grounds of Western State Hospital 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard in Lakewood

Unofficial Calendar of Events

MAY

10-11, Whatcom County Schools, Hovander Farms, Ferndale, sanctioned.

Contact David Imburgia dvimb1@aol.com 360-733-2663

12, General Board Meeting, Snohomish G.A.R. Cemetery.

19, Lilac Day/Armed Forces Day, Spokane, sanctioned.

Contact Jim Vaughn, jbltbumblin@sisna.com 509-747-0331.

19, Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade, Bremerton, sanctioned.

Contact Howard Struve, hstruve@nwinet.com 360-874-8548.

19, Fort Lewis Armed Forces Day, Ft. Lewis, sanctioned. Contact Ken Morgan

26-28, Battle of Spokane FallsBattle of Spokane FallsBattle of Spokane FallsBattle of Spokane Falls, Spokane River State Park, sponsored public battle. , Spokane River State Park, sponsored public battle. , Spokane River State Park, sponsored public battle. , Spokane River State Park, sponsored public battle.

Contact Bob Davisson, bob@14thVirginiacavalry.org 509-995-8619.

JUNE 7-8, Fort Walla Walla Contact Terry Mourning, dixiefifer@yahoo.com, 509-536-4252.

16, General Board Meeting, Snohomish G.A.R. Cemetery

23-24, Town of Port Gamble, sponsored public battleTown of Port Gamble, sponsored public battleTown of Port Gamble, sponsored public battleTown of Port Gamble, sponsored public battle

Contact Gene Knight csgene1@aol.com

WCWA

P.O. Box 5667

Lynnwood, WA 98046

U.S.A.

Washington

Civil War

Association

Presenting the Past to Preserve the Future

The Dispatch Page 12 May, 1862 (2007)