4th Quarter issue October - December, 2018

Contents

An Bealac Newsletter In this Issue Route of March  Wrap up the Campaign season with Prairie Grove ------Page #3 Captains Call  A final few words from Captain Kevin Christensen ------Page 2 Muddy River  Battalion Update & what’s going on ------Page #5 Is the quarterly publication of the Missouri Irish Herman MO. Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors? The An Bealac welcomes all submissions, but reserves  After Action Report for a first time event ------Page #6 the right to edit or omit any contributions. The & in the Civil War views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editor, the Missouri Irish  Taking a look at hair & how you should have it ------Page 11 Brigade, its leaders, or members. If you would Skirmish at Brownville Nebraska like to submit an article or to inquire further about the MIB, please contact: - - - Page 16  After Action report & the story of the Irish in the Territory MO. Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors 7527 Jefferson Street Kansas City MO. 64114 Or E-Mail: [email protected]

Or visit our web site at: www.moirishbrigade.org

As a Civil War Re-enactment unit, the MIB

represents the Consolidated Battalion of the 7th & 30th Missouri (Union) Volunteers who were primarily of Irish heritage as they were in 1864. The MIB is a proud member unit of the U.S. Muddy River Battalion and 1st Federal Division. Our founding father is James E. Crofutt who established the organization back in 1995 & built the foundation, so as always Faj An Bealac For the Campaign 2018 season, our duly elected Officers and NCOs are: (Clear the Way) & Huzzah! Captain ------Kevin Christensen – a.k.a. Kace o 816-721-2880 [email protected] An Bealac Newsletter Staff Editor – James Crofutt Lieutenant ------Mike Sager – a.k.a. “Cotton Pants” o Jason Huff o [email protected] o Tom Hindsley 1st Sergeant ------Doug Dahman This issue of the newsletter covers – o [email protected] Oct., November,& December 2018 2nd Sergeant ------Jerry Cunningham Vol. 23, Issue 4 Corporal ------Josh Huff Corporal ------Paul Mallory Deadline for the next issue: Jan. 15, 2019

Front Cover – The Muddy River Detachment at the Battle of Brownville Nebraska Territory in October 2018. (Picture by Diana Crofutt @ used with permission)

Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

attend, we could field a 40 + rifle company! Yes 40 + Captain’s Call rifles! So do not think that we are shrinking we are stronger by Capt. Kevin Christensen – aka Kace than ever. What our membership and numbers mean is that we are guaranteed decent numbers at all of our events because Well for years now I we are not reliant on EVERYONE showing up at every have been sitting down to event! write up a Captain’s Call for the newsletter. To be This is our true strength we have solid numbers and our honest 95% of them or members are alway reaching to friend, family and coworkers more have been easy to knock to draw them into and add them to our numbers! Look at the out. This one is and has been very hard. It is to be my last Huff’s. Josh joined then dragged his brother Jason out. They one. WOW! both dragged their dad Scott out and now Josh is lured his pard Matt into the unit! I challenge everyone to try and match I have loved being the Captain of the Missouri Irish Brigade that! for the last 8 to 10 years. ( I honestly don’t know how many.) I have worked many many many hours before and after events I am not sure if the news letter will be out before PG but if it to make sure everyone had the kit they needed, meals, is be sure to bring your long underwear and prepare for one of sleeping space, and most importantly had a great time at the the best events this side of the Mississippi. We had to cancel events we went do. I have to admit that there were events that the planned work day on the 17th of November so the next I did not personally have a good time at because I was so captain will be setting up a time after the first of the year to stressed out as things were all but falling apart behind the get the company gear cleaned up and stored for the off scenes that I was worried that it would impact the experience season. I am also looking forward to seeing everyone at the of the company. But the hearing the stories from the you all upcoming holiday party!! about how great your experiences always were was my reward.

In return for all I gave to the MIB I think I received back SOOOOOO MUCH MORE!!! I have a large and loving family that is and has been there for me when I needed it most! Members of the MIB helped me as my marriage fell apart, were there for me through the divorce, and starting my life over again. You were there not only to house and feed my family when needed but to help me find structure to live in and turn it into a HOME!

Thank you from my entire being for all that you have been for me through the years. I am looking forward to taking a promotion to private. I cant wait to hump a musket and make quiet comments from the peanut gallery in the rear ranks.

I hope that everyone will be as supportive of the next captain as you all have always been for me. The MIB is great unit and has a great reputation both in the region and nationally. We are one of the few units that continues to have strong recruiting. While our numbers at events may have been low when compared to the 150s this doesn’t mean our membership or our potential numbers are shrinking. Running the number for the Prairie Grove Registration, I reached out to all of our current member, recruits. If everyone where able to

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter 2018 Schedule of Events Please welcome the following new members

October 13–14 (MIB MAX EFFORT) PROVISIONAL RECRUITS Brownville Aaron Troester of Blue Springs Missouri he will be Nebraska Territory trying out the hobby at Prairie Grove event – Huzzah! Muddy River Sanctioned MUSTER INN (Since Lexington got rescheduled Richard Gimbert & Ryan Gimbert - Olathe KS this is the new Muddy River Veterans Battalion event. We need to No New Veterans have been reported. support our battalion – Always has been a good event)

John D. Stevenson December 1 - 2: (MIB Max Effort) Prairie GroveBattle Arkansas of Prairie Grove Information Board

MIB TREASURY REPORT – Current amount of Muddy River Max Effort Greenbacks and resources that are in the MIB We are part of an Army once again accounts: and we are on original ground. Possible new Federal Infantry  General ------$179.02 Battalion in attendance which  Unit Ammo ------See Notes gives us another player in the field  Kitchen ------$198.33 & so the event gets more authentic Notes – Unit ammo we have 12 lbs of powder, 2000 caps, & more fun! – Muddy River 100 lose rounds & 100 tubes. Battalion Max Effort

HAVE YOU ANSWERED ROLL CALL? - When was New Date T.B.A. (Per MIB Board): the last time you just got on the internet & visited (MIBMIB Sanctioned) Holiday - partyLiberty, MO the MIB (Members Only) Facebook Page? Perhaps just get on there and say hi to the pards let (MIB Members, family, and invited us know you are still out there! guests only) Stay tuned for an announcement on this - there was COMPANY KITCHEN – Don’t forget that if you are going to go to an event talk about possibly trying this after be sure to sign up with Lieut. Mike Sager so he can get you on the Pay-Pal list the Holidays instead, perhaps in and send out proper invoice in order to cover cost of food for that event. January so folks don’t have to juggle family & Work obligations! PRAIRIE GROVE – This event every other year always a good one. Interesting It was an idea & waiting to hear for the MIB we will have 4 Dahmans in the ranks talk about support from 1 final decision on this from the family we do appreciate. Amos, Doug, Clay, & Will Dahman – Huzzah! Captain & the Board.

MIB FAST SHOT CONTEST – This year the MIB wants to try to do its fast shot Campaign 2019 – MIB contest down at Prairie Grove if the park will allow probably be on Sunday of Headquarters is already working the event. Be sure to be there and see who our unit’s fast shot award goes to on trying to figure out a Campaign for 2018. – Perhaps a new Gold Minnie ball Medal to be awarded out! 2019 schedule for the unit so looking forward we hope to have a An Bealac – Final issue of newsletter being a quarterly publication. What are 2019 schedule figured out real your thoughts? Should we continue or should we go back to bi monthly? soon. Will announce on the MIB Facebook page.

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

Your singing is what has caught my imagination. We men of the 2nd Colorado Volunteer Infantry down here have been working on something similar, but nothing compares to the Irish Infantry. Pvt. Bill Bullock, 2nd Colorado

A huge thank you to everyone who came up to Brownvile yesterday! I think it was the BEST Brownville I have ever attended. We all had a great

time. I loved the fact that it was infantry on infantry and we didn't have to deal Prairie Grove - This is the last event with any mounted or dismounted cavalry. In the past the cavalry has raced from street of the year, for those of you joining us to street they would cut through the crowd to get back into the fight. Crowd safety is at Prairie Grove, safe travels! For always hard at this event but the cavalry made it so much worse. But that rant aside it those unable to attend, 2019 is already was a great event! The MIB blocked the Rebs at every attempt they made to break out looking to be a busier year than this and out flank us. I was so proud of the unit. We had to make a lot of fast adjustments was, and we do hope to see you at to counter the Rebs and you all rose to the occasion every time! events in the coming year. To all, I received many complements from the Reb commanders on what a great job you all did. They also agreed that this was one of the best events in many years. Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas, and enjoy your time with family and friends. Lads and Lasses: This is a shout out for a MAX effort in attendance for our last two events of the year (Brownsville and Prairie Grove? Why do you

Wornall House - The MIB had ask? Very good question I say. These will be my last to events as Captain of members assisting the 1st weekend of the Missouri Irish Brigade! and I want EVERYONE to be there to celebrate my the John Wornall House for their transition back to private in style. So if you are a current MIB you need to be at these Haunted Wornall event. A big thanks two events. If you have served and/or fallen in with the MIB at any time in the past 10 to Josh, Jason & Scott Huff, Richard or 12 years you need to be there! - Capt. Kevin Christensen (aka Kace) & Ryan Gimbert, Tom Hindsley, Mike Scheller. We set up a small soldier camp around the fire and hosted a Got a new baby today (See Picture) ... and show and tell table at registration full nobody puts baby in the corner Huzzah! of historic artifacts. The Wornall House was very apprecitave for our Pvt. Richard Gimbert help. The MIB also loaned the Wornall House a few uniforms so that their volunteers could work the 2nd If anyone is going to Prairie Grove on weekend. Friday, could my son and our tent ride down with you? The MIB was asked to participate in a I will not be able to come down till late Saturday history festival hosted by the Johnson because my job keeps getting in the way of fun time, County Museum at one of their historic sites in Edgerton KS. A big and I would like for Chaser to get the whole weekend thanks for Richard and Ryan Gimbert experience in. The tent is an “A” frame. for setting up a Recruiting Station & Also, a friend was asking if there was a display table, talking to the guests and pilgrimage to the sacred site of where Split Rail Sager getting us out into the public’s eye. got his name? Maybe I should ask when I get down there. Thank You to our pards from the 13th Pvt. Brandon Mills U.S and of the 8th Kansas who fell in with us at Brownville.

Thank You to those who supported the Lexington Living History event!

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

Our Next Event - December 1-2: - Prairie Grove Arkansas - (Battalion Max Effort) - 1862 portrayal of the battle of Prairie Grove Arkansas, an actual recreation of the battle on original battlefield. Saturday Portrayal of 20th Wisconsin. On Sunday we will re-enact the arrival of Blunts Division we will be portraying the 11th Kansas Infantry. More information on Battalion Facebook Page as Information becomes available.

Muddy River Web – A new Look The Battalion has launched its new Web Page with a whole new look and we hope it is agreeable with most everyone. Feel free to check it out at www.usmuddyriverbattalion.org and let us know what you think always looking for input! Also don’t forget to find us on Facebook if you haven’t already done so! If you are not a member of the Members Only Camp for Muddy River Battalion and want to get in you just have to verify your MIB membership which automatically makes you a member of the Muddy River Battalion. We have all sorts of cool stuff on the battalion level through Facebook.

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And yes even the Recruiting Poster with the American Eagle on it below is a link. This is a really neat site that tries to present the Muddy River Battalion with the best view & we just want to make sure folks are utilizing resources and options to help keep our battalion in the fore front with all the latest News & Updates. Perhaps you have visited the web site but didnt realize these two cool links on the site. They are there to serve as a quick link to get to the needed pages. We update as often as needed. As for the the rest of the Web Page we are still working out a few kinks here & there but for the most part the Battalion web Page is up and running and has served the Muddy River Battalion well this past year giving us a very professional look as an organization. Our Officers work behind the scenes more than most folks ever realize just to keep our groups going and to make things happen for you guys a lot of time you don’t realize what our unit leaders do for us every event it’s a lot of work and managing to do this and still also keep up with a 40 hour week job and family & honey to do list it can become very busy. Please thank an officer when you see them for their service to the hobby (most importantly our own MIB Officers – (Crofutt is our founding father & deserves his Star but at the same time we don’t want to lose him, Kace our brave Captain has done so much these past 10 years and now Lt. Sager ) But also how important the Battalion is and how the Missouri Irish Brigade is a part of the Muddy River Battalion – The MIB is the backbone of the Battalion – Huzzah!

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

Irish Mike Sager - This event was held in September 2018. We had 10 rifles. This was the first event where multiple people paid for food and did not show. That has been a rarity since we started invoicing for the company kitchen. But we made the best of it, AS THE ONLY FEDERAL UNIT AT THE EVENT! There were actually 4 union cannons that showed up, they had offered a bounty for cannons. There was a Confederate Cav unit that regularly galvanizes as union, and they showed up, expecting to be Union, so on Sunday's battle it was our unit of 10 men, and 12 cav.

The location is AWESOME! We camped among several period buildings. Though, when they do the event again, they plan to do it every other year, I want to camp on the ridge, next to the battle field, where there was some wind. A bluff, which gave us shade in the evening, also blocked the breeze. It was sweltering both days. Heat took its toll.

I think it is worth doing again. The battlefield is a mile long, and could accommodate a thousand troops, if they could get them there.

Sunday morning, we had nothing on the schedule, so the troops were dismissed, and encouraged to explore the town. I went with a few to share a bottle of wine at one of the wineries, with an anti-pasta platter. I look forward to doing that again.

There was water and flush toilets at all camping sites, and they provided transportation to the top of the bluff for the battles. They also provided transportation into town for the scenarios they did there.

This used to be part of the Hermann Heritage days, but is not completely put on by a couple of brothers that are reenactors, and own the White House Hotel/museum down town. The MCWRA called it their event, but the hosts ignored them for the most part. There were, two confederate cannons, 14 confederate infantry, and 5 confederate Cav for the event.

The biggest impact for me came from watching the battle start. From one end of the bluff, I imagined a battalion marching into the field, going into column of companies, and they battle line. It would have been much like Prairie Grove. I want to try to support it, just to see that happen.

I highly encouraged them to try to do it every year. Not sure if they are up to that.

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

We ducked in unison at the first, loud report of the Rebel gun, There is often a misconception in civil war reenacting communities that improvement though none were surprised. The to your impression requires shelling out hundreds of dollars on clothing and Irish had been hastily lined up, accouterments. Many reenactors wish to improve their impression but feel blocked by inspected, and marched from their the high costs. As a full-time college student, I can emphasize. bivouac near Westport straight That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the three most effective and inexpensive/free ways down Grand Avenue to the wharf to improve your impression regardless of unit or side. This article is inspired heavily along the Missouri River, by Cal Kinzer’s article on the topic. boarding a steamer headed up river. Rumors of Guerilla activity 1. Wear Full Gear in Battle meant a sleepless night afloat as There is a myth in reenacting communities that soldiers routinely dropped their packs the gallant 7th & 30th Missouri and bedrolls prior to battle. While there are accounts early in the war of such behavior, Vols; was borne up to the soldiers quickly realized that this was often a mistake. Nebraska Territory. Soldiers would often finish a battle miles from where they left their packs. Also, being No doubt the guerrillas on the defeated side of an engagement often meant recovering your packs was nearby heard our steamer’s impossible. Soldiers would be compelled to spend long stretches of time without whistle but busy frightening shelter, blankets, and other necessities. Of course if you’re portraying a particular civilians and taking tons of loot, engagement where it’s recorded that unit’s did drop packs, then that would be a but the tardiness of their approach situation where you would not want to carry full gear for historical accuracy. to the town was their downfall. Carrying a haversack and bedroll or knapsack into battle was the logical The Irish, always economical in choice for most soldiers. If you already own a knapsack, simply fill it with your our maneuvers, had already belongings and carry it into the field. If packed correctly & not overly done like a disembarked and met up with the 1st fresh fish the extra weight should be easily manageable. If you don’t have a knapsack Nebraska, and forming a detachment simple use a bedroll. Typically it’s easy to borrow or buy a period wool blanket. of the U.S. Muddy River Battalion, quickly set about drawing rations and 2. Hike up Your Accoutrements ammunition, and inspected arms & Most reenactors these days wear their accouterments roughly at the same height as just as it was being completed a boom modern belts. This is natural since it’s what we’re used to from 21st century civilian of a cannon turned rumor to reality. life. However, it was custom to wear belts higher in the 1860’s. Additionally, you The cannon off in the distance replied might have noticed your haversack, canteen etc. slapping against your leg while in turn, but any further artillery play marching. Since most mainstream reenactments do not include multi-mile marches was drowned-out by the clatter of our this isn’t a noticeable issue. now-two Companies rushing up from However, the civil war soldier was often compelled to march 20 miles a day the landing into the streets of while on campaign. Thus this flapping would become a major inconvenience. Soldiers Brownville. The Secesh Partisans, quickly realized raising the height of their accouterments stopped them from flapping used only to fighting outnumbered against their legs. Hence when comparing photos of soldiers and reenactors the height home guards, found themselves difference is quite noticeable. As a reenactor simply wear your belt, haversack, and quickly pushed back by the shock of canteen at roughly the same height as the soldiers in the above photo. This will make Veteran Infantry wearing the blue coat moving around in your uniform easier and make you more authentic, but also will of Union Volunteers. Our Companies make a noticeable difference in your appearance. worked in tandem, fixing the Rebels in one place only to quickly flank them 3. Portray the Common Soldier out of it. “The longer the war goes on the less our men look like soldiers and the more they look Before long the Rebels had like common day laborers”- General William Sherman been completely thrown out of the Less is more when it comes to improving your impression. I suspect that town and across Whiskey Run Creek, many reenactors wear multiple brass insignias and outlandish uniforms for the wrong our intrepid drummers pushing us ever reasons — to impress the public and draw attention to themselves. I was once guilty of continued next page / See Brownville this. Continued next page / See improving your impression

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

Continued from Page 7 / Brownville Continued from Page 7 / Improving your impression With the exclusion of units such as Zouaves, most soldiers in the Union and Confederate armies wore rather plain uniforms. Most seldom wore hat brass beyond 1862. Many of the colorful uniforms had long since been abandoned. To authentically portray the civil war soldier one must forward. Captain Christensen (known to most of the men as Kace) split off squads emphasize with their worries, under 1Sgt Dahman and Cpl Mallory as our little ad-hoc Battalion became more principally not wearing things that spread out, yet a small party of Partisans was able to sneak through and head back could draw attention to them in a towards the town. Their foray came to an ignoble end as the jaws of the blue-clad trap fight. snapped shut, ending the morning’s fight as most of the enemy surrendered or fled in a Portraying the most average complete route. Calm was restored to the town, whose citizens fed the lads with minimalist will stop you from falling chicken & dumplings, plus pies and all sorts of good Harvest-Time Eats. Whatever the into many reenacterisms and save you losses (thankfully few) from the raid, they were more than repaid with the townsfolk’s money! generosity. If you’re a Confederate, base Sadly, however, the threat to Peace & Harmony was not long gone. Local your impression off the famous 3 farmers came in through the Noon Hour reporting Depredations & Outrages being Confederates at Gettysburg. CS is committed by the remnants of the raiding party (who had regrouped) near their harder since there is less photographic rendezvous about a mile out of town. Refilling our cartridge boxes, we marched out to evidence & uniforms had greater confront the marauders. The Nebraskans were at the front of the variety. Unfortunately many column and immediately took the Rebel camp under fire, confederate reenactors look more like while we Irish moved around the right to repeat the cowboys than the victors of Bull Run. morning’s successful pattern of maneuver. We had barely Conclusion - Improving your had time to announce our presence with a volley, when impression isnt difficult. It’s not we found our own flank subjected to murderous canister helped that an “authentic” impression from the Rebels’ hidden cannon. One would no doubt for many reenactors is associated with understand the brilliant alacrity with which our Irish, pretentious hardcore reenactors. minus those comrades newly sprawling on the However, it’s our duty as living encrimsoned grass, hastily redeployed to the rear in a historians to be serious about seemingly hap-hazard manner calculated to confuse even constantly improving our impression the wiliest bushwhacker. so that we and the public can gain a Yet the Irish were by no means out of the fight. better understanding of the soldiers Advancing with a Refused Right Wing, the 7th & 30th soon who participated in the conflict. took both the Partisans and their gun under a rain of punishing musketry, and Sgt Many of the tips listed actually don’t Dahman led his Platoon on an intrepid charge that captured the gun and what was left require you to buy anything at all. If of its crew. The flank was finally secure. Nebraskans and Missourians together rushed nothing else, buy less. Even an upon the Partisans, with the former accepting their inevitable & final surrender. The impression with inexpensive sutler Territory had been row items can be greatly improved by secured, the dead following these tips. buried, and the brave What’s most important is that boys of the Irish you make the effort to research your Seventh & Shamrock impression. We’re fortunate in that we Thirtieth headed back portray a photographed conflict and down the river toward have many primary resources to rely Westport and further on. It’s the willingness to utilize these Glories. resources that separate the authentic

and unauthentic reenactors.

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

A brief look at & in the 19th century army

In the early days of the United States, facial hair was quite unpopular until just about the time of the American Civil War, when pogonotrophy saw a rebirth in popularity. Photographs and portraits from the Civil War era, of generals and common soldiers alike, show a huge variety of facial hair. More often than not, a soldier in any given photograph from a march or battle has short haircut & hair on his face. The styles varied with each man. There was a simple , a , a moustache-soul patch combination, full -moustache, full beard with shaved lip, and a chin beard, to name some of the more common examples. It's understandable why a soldier would feel the need to grow facial hair, because in photographs the clean-shaven ones look comparatively young and undistinguished. But while it's tempting to believe that some soldiers grew a beard out of necessity (not having the time, tools or inclination to shave), it must be said that many of the facial hair designs must have required meticulous and regular upkeep. Probably the most common form of facial hair for a soldier in the Civil War was a simple moustache, judging by its prevalence in photos from the era. Unlike today, the fashion wasn't to have a closely trimmed moustache, though. They were more full, angular, droopy and pointy on the ends than is fashionable today. It was exactly the sort of moustache you'd expect a film villain to twist between thumb and forefinger before tying a damsel to a railroad track.

Enlisted Men Like many materials made of metal, blades were scarce during wartime. Not every soldier would necessarily have a blade of his own, and even civilians had trouble finding them for purchase. Yet the Union Army's official guidelines were quite particular:

100. Where conveniences for bathing are to be had, the men should bathe once or twice a week. The feet to be washed at least twice a week. The hair kept short, and the beard neatly trimmed. And then, again updated in 1862 - The hair to be short; the beard to be worn at the pleasure of the individual; but, when worn, to be kept short and neatly trimmed.

However, this rule wasn't necessarily enforced. You may be able to discern from the fact that more than 1,662 rules existed that not all of them could possibly be enforced (the Revised United States Army Regulations of 1861 amounted to more than 500 pages of rules). As we shall see, some of the very highest ranking individuals in the Union Army ignored this rule.

Generals Of the generals in the Civil War, a few were notable for their facial hair, but none more so than Union general Ambrose Burnside - the man who led the North in the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg. He had possibly the most ridiculous-looking facial hair in the entire war. Burnside allowed the hair along his cheeks and upper lip to grow, but shaved his chin. That along his cheeks appears to have thrived, and would have formed an impressive beard. But because of his shaven chin it appeared to curve in towards his nose (all of this enhanced by a receded hairline). Most photos of him resemble a man who has stapled a pair of unwilling squirrels to his face. His last name became a term to describe the growth of hair on the side of the face, in front of the ears. The term 'burnsides' was somehow flipped so that today these patches of hair are commonly referred to as '.

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

Other famous Civil War generals with interesting facial hair included: General George McClellan, who was one of the highest ranking members of the Union Army and an eventual candidate for president, sported a full moustache and an unshaven bit below his lips (today often called a soul patch). General Ulysses S Grant (Pictured left) had a wholly unshaven look (sort of Hemingway-esque). General William Tecumseh Sherman was also unshaven, but, unlike Grant, it appears as if Sherman simply didn't care about his appearance. In photos, his hair is also untamed and his clothes dishevelled. Incidentally, most photographs also make it seem as if he's about to punch someone. General Robert E Lee, the top Confederate for much of the war, had a grey beard-moustache combination which made him look wise and distinguished. He was sometimes called the 'Grey Fox', in reference to his hair color and wiliness. General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson had a dark full beard. General James Longstreet had a long, dark beard and moustache. The end of his chin seemed to point out like one of the faux-beards found on a mummified Pharaoh's face mask. Brig. General John D. Stevenson (pictured right) formally of the 7th Missouri Infantry – Sported a wild long mustache.

BY SHAUNACY FERRO

Say what you will about 19th century grooming habits: those gentlemen knew how to rock some facial hair. The Civil War era, in particular, popularized the stately style we refer to as "sideburns." But back then, the thick side whiskers were called burnsides, after Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside, who sported an incredible ‘do that wrapped around his face like a cat’s tail, leaving only his chin clean-shaven. Indeed, facial hair in general was quite fashionable at the time. With that in mind, one intrepid data -cruncher recently decided to figure out who wore it best when it came to beards: the Union or the Confederacy? An article in the journal Proceeding of the Natural Institute of Science (yes, that acronym is PNIS) by the journal’s editor- in-chief, Matt J. Michel, examines which side of the war sported the beardiest commanding officers. The article may not be the most serious of topics (and the journal is not peer-reviewed), but according to the creators, the data published in PNIS’s humorously-titled subjournal, PNIS-HARD, is no joke.

Michel used a National Park Service list of important Civil War battles with data on the commanders for each side, the casualties, and other information. He used photos found online, on Wikipedia and Civil War sites to collect information about each general’s beard quantity. When commanding officers switched up their facial hairstyles in different photos, he went with the more bearded of the two. Then, he computed each officer’s beard-to-face ratio. Looking at the image above, beard-to-face ratio was calculated by adding B1 and B2, and dividing the sum by F1. A 0 means clean shaven, and anything greater than a 1 indicates a beard larger than the face. How Civil War commanders wore their facial hair, in one chart: to the right and this breaks down to an interesting study. Of course this is of General officers and not enlisted men but goes to show such variety amongst the officer corps.

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

The 20th Wisconsin as part of the Army of the Frontier was in Camp at the old Wilson's Creek battlefield, twelve miles south of Springfield, until early December 1862, Here a message was received from General Blunt, who was then encamped at Cane Hill, near Fayetteville, Ark., 112 miles distant, stating that the rebel General Hindman was advancing against him, with a force reported to be 30,000 strong, and asking for reinforcements. Accordingly, General Herron soon put his army in motion, leaving Camp Curtiss, eleven miles south of Springfield, at 2, P. M., on the 3d of December, and reached Fayetteville on the 6th of December, about midnight. The next day they moved out about five miles, when the First Arkansas Cavalry, in the advance, fell into an ambush, and was driven back. Advancing five miles further, the enemy was encountered. General Herron had sent forward to General Blunt nearly all his cavalry, and had left only six regiments of infantry, three batteries, and about 500 cavalry, in all not more than 7,000 men. The enemy flanked Blunt's position at Cane Hill, and proceeded to meet and attack Herron, before he could join his forces with General Blunt. That General had drawn up his forces at Cane Hill, expecting the attack at that point. The battle between Herron and Hindman began about 10 o'clock, A. M. The enemy had posted himself upon a timber ridge, which skirted a prairie about half a mile in width, about ten miles south of Fayetteville. His force consisted of about 24,000 men, iu four divisions, under Generals Parsons, Marmaduke, Frost and Raines, and was well clothed and equipped, their guns and ammunition being of English manufacture, and were posted, with their artillery, twenty-two guns, in close proximity to the farm buildings on the ridge. Colonel Bertram was in command of the First Brigade, and Major Starr was iu charge of the regiment. The brigade battery was placed in position, supported by the Twentieth Wisconsin, and, with the rest of Herron's artillery, opened fire upon the enemy, whose fire began to slacken in about thirty minutes. Colonel Bertram now ordered the Twentieth Wisconsin to advance cautiously, which they did, about 500 yards, and lay down under cover. The enemy threatening the left flank of his brigade. Colonel Bertram ordered his three regiments to change front to the left, which was done. At this time the enemy were endeavoring to get a battery in position in Colonel Bertram's front. He immediately ordered the Twentieth Wisconsin to charge upon it. Led by Major Starr, the regiment advanced in line of battle, on the double quick, changing front so as to face the enemy; they fired a couple of volleys, and made their way up the hill, through the underbrush, which covered the slope and materially impeded their progress

Getting in front of the battery, they fired a volley, and rushed over the fence and took possession of it. Color Sergeant Teal planted the national colors over the pieces. After taking the battery, the regiment advanced to the brow of the hill, where they met a heavy force of the enemy, five or six regiments being massed at that point. The right wing Pictured above – Cpl Andreas Ambrose Co. E - 20th Wisconsin Vols. of the Twentieth Wisconsin advanced to within thirty yards of the rebel line, when the enemy opened on it a tremendous cross fire, which compelled it to give way, and it was soon followed by the left wing. The men were, however, rallied, and they again went to work, fighting splendidly, but their efforts were unavailing, a heavy column of the enemy's infantry was seen advancing rapidly on the right; the Twentieth Wisconsin could not change front to oppose them, and to avoid annihilation or capture, it was obliged to retreat. The action lasted about fifteen minutes, in which the regiment lost very heavily. The regiment fell back in good order, destroying what they could of the battery which they had taken. They continued their retreat across an open field to a fence, where they reformed, and remained until the firing ceased for the day. Further attempts upon the battery. General Herron, in a letter to Governor Salomon, spoke in enthusiastic terms of the conduct of the regiment.

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Missouri Irish Brigade of Civil War Re-enactors October to December 2018 - An Bealac Newsletter

The list of killed, and those who died of wounds, we have copied from the Adjutant General's records, and the list of wounded is as officially published: 20th Wisconsin from the Battle of Prairie Grove Arkansas.

Killed or Died of Wounds at Prairie Grove 20th Wisconsin Inf. Vols.— Company A.- Color Sergeant Lindsey E. Teale, Ser¬ geants Jas. Crawford and Joseph Frame, Privates Stephen L. Bowen, Peter Huntsinger, J. D. Chandler, Xavier S. Pierzfall, John B. Parr, Frank Rice, William RUey, Robert E. Taylor, John H. Weston, Robert L. Walshonce and James B. Posey. Company B—Ser¬ geants INIaurice E. Sexton and Samuel F. Curtis, Privates John Peters, Alexander Par- land, William A. Yakeley, John Hineman, Samuel Marsh, Jas. R. Smith and Nathaniel L. Standish. Company C— Captain John McDermott, Privates Norman B. Clark, Elias Lowers and George W.Smith, Company D —Privates Jonathan Corlis, Dennis Calla- ghan, John Jenkins, Henry S. Remington and Joseph W. Rice. Company E— Captain John Weber, Privates August Berton, Gotfried Muster, John M. Ramsey, John Warm, Julius Weigt, Julius Werlich, Louis Fisher, August Kluge, Ernest Schnasse and Frank Schneider. Company F - Corporals Addison G. Hicks and Albert A. Cady, Privates Jas Steward, Hans Shilburn, David Brown, Orris P. Cady, Abel Harper and James Lightner Company G — Corporals Benjamin S. Doudna and John G. Nichols, Privates Willis B: ker Phillips and W. Scott, Corporals T. Parr and D. S. Burbank, Privates A. Hazlewood, D. Foley, M. W. O'Kean, S. G. Lockwood, F. Larson and W. Brandt. Company H - Captain Henry C. Strong, Lieutenant G. W. Miller, Corporal E. M. Lull, Privates A. Nass, F. Crnger, B. Smith, L. St. George and David Weber. Company I— Corporals John Stack, E. A. Sprague, C. W. Snider and G. W. D.ay, Privates M. Bitney, G. C. Johnson, C R. Saddleback, iSI. J. Whitesides, William Waddle, J. Woodhouse, A. M. Barnum, E. Hulthcroft and B. Peasley Company K —First Lieutenant N. Cole, Sergeant J. Black- stone, Corporals F. Rinses, W. Nagues and J. ISI. Hunter, Privates M. Aaron, J. W. Ham¬ ilton, H. Herbig, E. Hager, B. F. Hickman, M. H Judd, G. Otto, D. W.Plopper, J.Shaffer, S. Smith, J. Sullivan and W. Wilcox

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