2003:
February 8: Memphis,
TN
North-South Alliance Convention
May 17-18:
Merrilleville, IN
the 9th Indiana is hosting an event and
extends an invitation to all Guard units to attend
May 24: Gettysburg Meeting @ Gettysburg
June
14-15: Gettysburg Brigade Drill
Culver Military Academy, Culver, IN
July
4-6:
GETTYSBURG NATIONAL EVENT
Gettysburg, PA
July 19-20: Hastings, MI
August:
GETTYSBURG NATIONAL EVENT
Gettysburg, PA
October 10-12: Hartford City, IN
November 8: ANNUAL
GUARD LEADERSHIP MEETING
Indianapolis, Indiana
the usual place
After recapping the 2002 season, we were indulged with a feast with the
kind assistance of Patti Mount and Shirley Toney. The rumors that your Colonel
provided 3 dishes was true. No one reported ill effects from my cooking
although I did not think blurred vision and the shakes could be so much fun.
June 14-15 Culver Military Academy.
This is going to be a BIG event with the 3 battalions that are going to
Gettysburg in attendance. Those 3 are the Cumberland Guard, the Black Hats and
the Illinois Brigade. Nick Medich and his boys have been invited so we may
have 4 battalions.The focus of the weekend is to prepare for G-140. Some of
the topics to be addressed are: Camp routine, battalion and brigade drill, how
to cook out of your haversack, how to improve your impression, the drum and
bugle calls and what they mean, demystifying the artillery and giving whoever
volunteers the skills needed to serve a piece, 100 man company drill-you will
elect your officers and nco's for this one-etc. The list goes on and this
should be a great experience for all. We never get the chance to do this stuff
without the interference of the event responsibilities. A company of the
Campaigners will be there to help those who are wanting to improve their
impression with suggestions and assistance. They will be invaluable in
providing sources and contacts to acquire any equipment you have been
considering.
The big one. Expect 25,000 troops. There is some bad press circulating about the site but, hey, it is an eastern event and we know what to expect. We will have a dynamic Brigade with seasoned and practiced men ready to roll. Our anticipated strength will be nearly 800.Figure to be there on Friday morning.
We will be in the woods again. Always a good time.
The battle will be on the hillside again. The scenario will be announced later.
The Cumberland Guard proudly welcomes the 30th Indiana as new members. They are a great group and bring many seasoned veterans as well as enthusiastic new fellows.
NEW UNIT JOINS THE GUARD
BRUCE KOLB'S GETTYSBURG REPORT
Friday began with a battle at 11:00am and we marched out early so we could stand in the sun. Unfortunately, we were to stand in the sun a lot throughout the weekend prior to each battle. The worst part was that each staging area had no available shade. The great battle began with what the organizers termed, “The Enemy Probes The Line.” In this scenario we marched out and were placed in reserve and were finally sent to the far right of the union line to protect the flank and we engaged cavalry and dismounted cavalry. We gave no ground and charged repeatedly which thoroughly confused the confederates. It was only when we were ordered to withdrawal that we did reluctantly. By this time the heat on the field was unbearable so everyone headed back to camp to cool down before the 6pm battle. For the last battle of the day the 56th USV was placed under my command and we were to portray the 6th Wisconsin at the railroad cut. We were privileged to have quite a few members of the 6th marching with us and they brought their colors. Our Brigade now numbered over 250 men. After quite a bit of confusion as to how we were to march into battle we finally managed to get the brigade on the line of battle and our job was to protect the left flank of the army and to not give any ground no matter what. We survived numerous charges from the confederates and finally pulled the 6th Wisconsin out and placed them in reserve next to the 14th Brooklyn (red legs). I placed the 6th under command of the Lt. Colonel and at the appointed time he marched the 6th and 14th into the railroad cut. Friday’s battles were over and most men were asleep long before taps.
Saturday started out with the Little Round Top scenario. We once again stood in the sun for an extremely long period of time and were finally sent into battle next to the 20th Maine. The Culp’s Hill scenario went basically the same way, except at the last moment we were sent at the double quick from the extreme left flank to the right to once again protect the army’s flank. Saturday night the men celebrated and we were all invited to partake in the “Circle of Fools” by the men from California.
Sunday’s battle was Pickett’s Charge. We marched out early and sat in the sun for almost two hours before the battle began. Once the fire from the pyrotechnics subsided the final battle began. We were to be the 72nd Pennsylvania. We had the honor of the 72nd as our color company and we carried their flags in to battle. Our battalion was placed just behind the angle and we fired at the advancing confederates as they approached the stone wall that had been built. As Armistead made it over the wall we did a right wheel and fired killing him on the spot. We then went to port arms and advanced as the double quick capturing dozens of confederates. That was the end of the event and we broke ranks and walked back to camp.
All I can say is that it is a good thing that more troops did not show up. The battlefields were small enough, and there was barely enough room for the troops that did show up. It was a shame that with all the planning the confederates could not seem to follow the scenarios. It seems as if they went out of their way to screw them up for us. The men fought hard through five battles and really showed the easterners how to fight. The discipline was superb and the leadership was excellent. To our credit not a single man in our Brigade went down from the heat. It was a true honor and a privilege to command the Cumberland Guard. I would like to personally thank each and every soldier for their patience throughout the weekend, and their ability to form the Brigade at a moment’s notice.
STOVE LINK- some of you wanted the internet link to get the authentic 1844 metal camp stove. Here is the address. If not on their web-site, request a catalogue. It runs on sale at least once every four months. They do not know it is an authentic stove.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/