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

KAugust 23-24:  Jackson, MI

October 10-12:  Hartford City, IN

November 8:  ANNUAL  GUARD  LEADERSHIP MEETING
Indianapolis, Indiana
the usual place

The annual Cumberland Guard leadership meeting was held on November 2, 2002. All in attendance agreed it was a very productive meeting.  The attendance was great with 24 units represented.
 

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.

Also in attendance as the guest of honor was Pat Vogel-the new CO of the Iron Brigade and staunch member of the Black Hats. He gave a presentation discussing the interaction between the BH and the CG. I followed with a chart that clearly depicted the organizations and how they relate to each other. Ask any attendee how clearly it was explained.

Awards for their contribution were given to Charlie Mount of the 1st Wisconsin Light Artillery and to Nick Waltz, musician of the 19th Indiana, Company A. Bruce Kolb presented a sample of the flag to post at future meeting of the Napoleon Club.

The discussion of 2003 was lively and informational. There was complete support for the following events:

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.

 
Gettysburg-140 July 4-6

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.

 

Hastings, Michigan  July 19-20.

 We will be in the woods again. Always a good time.

 

Jackson, Michigan  August 23-24.

 The battle will be on the hillside again. The scenario will be announced later.

 

Hartford City  October 10-12
This annual event is underestimated and should be given serious consideration by your unit,  especially you Michigan guys.  
 
Lengthy discussion was held regarding improving our impression and raising the authenticity levels across the board. Less canvas in the camps was discussed as well as upgrading our uniforms and impressions. Serious discussion was given to the camp routine and how we do not conform to the regulations regarding the functions of a camp. This will be emphasized at Culver and incorporated into our impression throughout the year.
Various discussions including posting of the Cumberland Guard flag on Friday at events so arriving members can find the appropriate camp.
I gave a short talk regarding how the Guard has progressed throughout the years and how everyone marvels at the success of the Guard. 3 cheers and a tiger rang loudly though the meeting hall and the assembly was dismissed. Oh yes, the French and Saxons whipped the Austrians and Russians at the subsequent war-game at my house.

Gentlemen of the Guard-here is to a safe and prosperous winter and the promise of a great 2003.
 
Respectfully submitted,
David Shackelford
Colonel, commanding

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.

Their major, Roger Ford has served with distinction with the Guard battalion and their company commander, Pat Mithchell, is as solid as they come. His son, John (or as well call him, nib, is an up and coming leader.
They host the Fort Wayne, Indiana event the first weekend of May and we are planning on using that for an intense training weekend.
Welcome to the 30th!!
Colonel Dave

 

 

NEW UNIT JOINS THE GUARD

It is with much pride that I announce the admission of the 1st Michigan to the Cumberland Guard. They are a unit that has fallen in with us for a while. They have worked hard to improve their impression and their efforts are paying off. Give them a Guard welcome when you see them.

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.

 

 

Hastings, Michigan
Boy, this is a tough event to summarize. There is clearly a level of discord throughout the reenactors as they watch the event change from the original formats. It would seem they are tired of feeling like they are second class citizens in the eyes of the host facility.
Certainly, the host Federal unit, the 24th Michigan, did a fine job with their part. But the cramped camps and long walk for straw and longer for firewood is getting old. The request to return any unburned wood to the stack a 1/4 mile away reflects a complete lack of understanding on the part of the host village. The request to rake the straw into piles was simply ignored.
There certainly seems to be a "Do what we want and we really are not too concerned about what you want" attitude with the village.
The camp situation will not improve next year when the Feds return to the village.
The new rule making the buildings off limits removed part of the magic that made the event unique. Now, it is just another event that you would find anywhere in the country.
The tacticals are getting silly. There are so many small units sent out without judges that they turn the Civil War experience into a mockery. It no more resembles 19th Century combat then it does 21st Century.
While the tactical course is interesting, most reenactors I talk to want a return to 2 days of tacticals--with impartial judges. Now that is a tough item to obtain but there must be a better source than other reenactors.
Actually, the whole thing is a mathematical equation and the judging should be easy. But, they do not enforce their own rules and it becomes an exercise in personal opinions. When we were assessed 25 casualties on the 3rd scenario on Saturday, that would have reflected 250 shots. We received about 40. But, the judge (a Confederate) ruled that Nick's men had killed 25.
That kind of stuff is unfair to the enlisted men who sweat their a***'s off just to have their efforts thwarted by that kind of biased opinions.
Personally, I still believe the event is a quality event. I am trusting that the host facility will turn their around their attitude and restore this event to the high esteem it deserves.
 

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/


 

APOLOGY
My nephew Nub is showing off some very racy French post cards and trying to tell his pards she was his last lady friend. I apologize for his conduct and will deal with him directly. Colonel Shackelford