Sorry about the delay for this issue. The Season is coming faster than I can believe. Our spring drill is in just about here. This issue will have some important information for the upcoming year so read it carefully. There are a lot of changes in the event dates, we will need to discuss at spring drill.

Check the roster and make sure all your information is correct.

Called to order 15:40 by Vice president Mike White

Outstanding postage for 2001 Messenger of $70 owed to Mike White.

Paid $45 Whites dues and T-shirt were deducted from total.

Preservation donation to the Vicksburg national park of $200 was authorized.

Approval of purchase for 24 tins of musket caps was authorized.

The rental of a Porta-John was authorized for Spring drill.

Meeting adjourned at 15:55 hrs

(Members of the Fifth Mo at Vicksburg Nat. park)

The second reason is to preserve the value of your investment. Perhaps some more wealthy than I may disagree but the purchase of a reproduction musket represents a fairly significant outlay of money. Black powder fouling is corrosive and if a musket is left uncared for it will cause rust. This will at least lower the value of your musket should you decide to sell or trade it for another and if allowed to progress can impair proper functioning altogether.

The third reason is authenticity. We are trying to represent to the public the clothing, equipment and conditions of the Civil War soldier. Some time ago I was a sergeant in the US Army Infantry and I would never let any of my men get away with having a dirty rusty weapon. While I’m not quite old enough to have served with Pap Price I believe the army, whether 1775, 1865, or 1965 hasn’t changed much on this. Also, no soldier in his right mind is going to neglect an instrument with which in a battle his very life may be endangered if it fails to function. I am not just speaking about cleaning and caring for the bore and lock internals of the musket though this is of primary importance, but also of the exterior of the weapon as well. Some will point to surviving originals on which rust pits and a grayish brown rust patina is to be seen as evidence that this is how they looked in 1863. To this I say Bunk! That rust and pitting is the result of the 40 or 50 or more years they spent neglected in some closet, attic or basement well after the Civil War when they were nothing but old obsolete guns with no value. I quote a passage from a book written by Leander Stillwell entitled “The Story of a Common Soldier“. Mr. Stillwell lived on a farm near Alton , Illinois and in late 1861 at age 18 enlisted in the 61^st Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The 61^st fought at Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Vicksburg and then later in Arkansas and finally portions of the regiment finished the war near Macon, Missouri. The regiment was initially issued Austrian Lorenz rifle muskets and in 1863 received Springfield’s. Mr. Stillwell served to the end of the war and rose from private to Lieutenant. He wrote this book in later years from letters he wrote home that his had mother preserved. It has been reprinted by Time-Life Books. On pages 90 and 91 he says “ About the only drawback resulting from our being caught out in the summer rains was the fact that the water would rust our muskets. In our time we were required to keep all their metal parts (except the butt plate) as bright and shining as new silver dollars. I have put in many an hour working on my gun with an old rag and powdered dirt, and a corncob, or pine stick, polishing the barrel, the bands, lock-plate, and trigger guard until they were fit to pass inspection. The inside of the barrel we would keep clean by use of a greased wiper and plenty of hot water. In doing this we would ordinarily, with our screwdrivers, take the gun to pieces and remove from the stock all metallic parts. I never had any head for machinery, of any kind, but, from sheer necessity, did acquire enough of the faculty to take apart, and put together, an army musket, - and that is about the full extent of my ability in that line. We soon learned to take care of our pieces in a rain by thoroughly greasing them with a piece of bacon, which would largely prevent rust from striking in.” While this is a Federal unit I hardly think the officers and NCO’s in Confederate service were any less professional in performing their duties. I will quote again from Mr. Stillwell. This on page 45 of the above mentioned book. This takes place at Shiloh and the author is speaking of Confederate troops “ Suddenly on our right, there was a long wavy flash of bright light, then another and another! It was the sunlight shining on gun barrels and bayonets- and- there they are at last a long brown line with muskets at right shoulder shift.” I hardly think rusty barrels or bayonets are going to reflect sunlight in that manner. As you can see from this those re-enactors who use three band Enfields with blued barrels and brass mounts are going to have it easier but even a blued barrel will rust if neglected and brass will tarnish.

This concludes part one of this article. Next month I will address the methods I use in cleaning and caring for my Musket both at home and in the field Until then, keep on the good side of the First Sergeant!

Spring Drill Information

Spring drill will be held on March 16^th &17^th 2002, located at 31975 Jacket Factory Rd, California MO. The dress for the week end will be confederate full uniform and equipment. Yes, Civilians are welcome. We will be firing muskets so bring cartridges. If you do not have all of your uniform and or equipment at this time, that is fine. Bring what you have. This drill is for us, not the public. This will be a good time to get your questions about your gear answered. Due to the weather in Missouri this time of

Year, bring a cot or what ever you may need to stay warm and dry in your nice warm tent. We will have a port-a-john and firewood on hand. There will be a company meeting on Saturday at 4:00pm.

Here is a map and directions to the location (North is ^^up)

From HWY 50 and HWY 87 intersection turn east on HWY 50 towards Jefferson City. Look for Jacket Factory Rd on the right side of HWY 50 (across from the east end of the cemetery). Turn Right or South drive1.5 miles on Jacket Factory Rd the site will be on the right. Look for the signs along the way.

Individual & Family membership ($12 & MCWRA $10)= $22.00

Each additional family member whishing to receive a MCWRA vote add $10.00

Associate Membership (News Letter only)= $9.00

Make checks payable to FIFTH MISSOURI INFANTRY (CSA), INC

Return to , 920 west Broadway Columbia, mo 65203