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The Drum Beat The Drum Beat The Official News Letter of the 1st U.S. Vol. Inf. Regt. Volume I Issue II October 2014 Table of Contents Correspondence from the Colonel……………………………………………………….pg. II Confederate’s in Montana……………………………………………………………….Pg. IV Correspondence from the Sergeant Major………………………………………….…..pg. V Historical Biography………………………………………………………………….….pg. VII Correspondence from the Quartermaster Sergeant…………………………………...pg. VIII 150th of Platte Bridge……………………………………………………………………….pg. X Upcoming Events-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------pg. XV Letter’s from Home-------------------------------------------------------------------------------pg. XVII I If you would like to submit something to the Drum Beat, please email it to [email protected] by the 20th of September, 20th of December, 20th of March, and 20th of June to make the deadline for submission. THE REGIMENTAL COMMANDER’S PAGE Wow, where has the time flown. We are already into fall and our first campaign season has come to a close. It has been a fantastic adventure that we have embarked upon here in Montana. The 1st United States Volunteer Infantry began our campaign season with what I have dubbed, “The Debut of the Galvanized Yankee’s” at Great Falls in May. Through the event we were able to recruit and get ourselves out there to the general public. Many had never even heard of the 1st USVI and the significant if small portion of Montana History that they had occupied. Through the event we have been able to recruit two new members who have been instrumental in many of our events. Private John Turner has fully committed himself to the 1st USVI and I look forward to taking the field with Private Turner next year for the Custer’s Last Stand event and the 150th of Platte Bridge Station. Also, Private David Huether has agreed to serve as the commissary sergeant and will be supported by Quartermaster Sergeant Beattie. We have a fine command staff and will never go hungry that is for sure. The second event was a chance to bring the beginning of the Indian Wars into focus at the Battle of the Little Big Horn or Custer’s Last Stand. There we had the opportunity to not just do living history, but to participate in the reenactment which saw me demoted from Colonel to private for the event. However, we were able to recruit two new members and continue to grow. I’m truly excited for what is in store for us next year. Every event we have average five members. That is truly amazing for the distances that we here in Montana have to travel. The dedication to the unit is outstanding and I know as we continue to grow, we will reach more individuals. The 1st USVI is also lucky to have established relations with Fort Benton, and have been honored to attend two events there at the fort. The individuals that run the fort are truly thrilled to have the 1st USVI in attendance to interact with the public. I see this as a very fruitful and beneficial experience for the 1st USVI. I’m eager to take the field again and am always looking for more opportunities to work with Fort Benton and establish more events there. For me personally I will use this winter season to spend time preparing for the next summer but continuing to work on building more events for the 1st USVI and growing our numbers, but I will also use this time to welcome into the world Kasie and my first child. We are both excited to be expecting our first girl and I will use the winter season II If you would like to submit something to the Drum Beat, please email it to [email protected] by the 20th of September, 20th of December, 20th of March, and 20th of June to make the deadline for submission. to spend with her. As always you are the finest regiment in Montana and I look forward to 2015 and all the events that are planned. In closing let me just say this has been a truly remarkable year. I’m honored to have such dedicated and amazing individuals on board with this. We have completed our first campaign but never forget that the winter season is just as important and that there are events planned in the winter as well. It is also an opportunity to drill and repair equipment. I promise next year will be even more intense with all of our activities that are planned. If you have an idea for an event please don’t hesitate to let the regiment know. We are always eager for more avenues to get in front of people and bring history to life. Keep up the great work. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Thomas D. Huether Colonel 1st U.S.V.I. III If you would like to submit something to the Drum Beat, please email it to [email protected] by the 20th of September, 20th of December, 20th of March, and 20th of June to make the deadline for submission. Confederates in Montana Territory In the Shadow of Price’s Army One of the most unique things coming from the creation of the 1st United States Volunteer Infantry is the resources and books that have come forward with information in regards to the Galvanized Yankee’s. Many of you may be interested in one of the newest books to come to Montana is the above title book by Ken Robinson. Ken is a local Montana historian that has put together some truly amazing books in regards to Montana during the Civil War. A brief description is available below for those interested in a little more about the book. The book will be available November 4 and if interested pre-orders are now available on amazon.com. Also, November 7 is a planned book signing night in Great Falls that Ken has asked for some volunteer support from the 1st to be in attendance as the 1st USVI is featured in the book. “Confederate veterans flocked to Montana Territory at the end of the Civil war. Seeking new opportunities after educing the hardships of war, these men and their families made a lasting impact on the region. Their presence was marked across the territory in places like Confederate Gulch and Virginia City. Now meet the fascinating characters who came to Big Sky country during and after the war, including guerrillas who fought with William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson, as well as cavalrymen who road with Confederate legends General Nathan Bedford Forrest and Colonel John S. Mosby. Some former Confederates came as "Galvanized Yankees" to the western territories to keep order with Native Americans. Author and historian Ken Robison recounts where these soldiers came from, why they fought for the South, what drew them to Montana Territory and how they helped shape the region.” IV If you would like to submit something to the Drum Beat, please email it to [email protected] by the 20th of September, 20th of December, 20th of March, and 20th of June to make the deadline for submission. THE REGIMENTAL SERGEANTS MAJOR PAGE Now that we have completed our first campaign season, it is time to focus on keeping your gear clean and preparing for the next campaign season. To keep your gear in working order will save on costs when it comes to buying new gear. Proper maintenance will ensure your gear will continue to be effective years down the road. The winter time is a time to prepare and maintain your gear and prep for the next campaign season. Below you will find an article that details how to keep your leather gear in the most pristine condition. I’ve attached the link to the article and encourage all of you to take a look and print it off for use. file:///F:/Montana%20Civil%20War%20Regiment/ Documents/reenactor%20leather%20care%20article.p df V If you would like to submit something to the Drum Beat, please email it to [email protected] by the 20th of September, 20th of December, 20th of March, and 20th of June to make the deadline for submission. Historical Biography Colonel Charles A.R. Dimon Born in Fairfield, Connecticut to James and Amelia Dimon, Charles Dimon was educated at Fairfield Academy and relocated as a young man to Salem, Massachusetts, finding employment as a bookkeeper. When the Civil War commenced, Dimon, age 19, enlisted with the 8th Massachusetts Infantry on April 17, 1861. The 8th Massachusetts was one of the first regiments to respond to President Lincoln's initial call for volunteer troops following the fall of Fort Sumter. The unit enlisted for a period of 90 days. Dimon served as a private in Company J of the 8th Massachusetts, which was a Zouave company commanded by Captain Arthur F. Devereux. Upon their arrival in Maryland, Company J was assigned to the frigate USS Constitution in Annapolis, Maryland to safeguard the iconic vessel as she was transported to New York. For the remainder of their service, the 8th Massachusetts was employed in repairing and guarding railroad lines in the vicinity of Baltimore, Maryland. Dimon returned to Massachusetts with the rest of the regiment and was mustered out on August 1, 1861. In the fall of 1861, Dimon assisted in the recruitment of a new regiment which would become the 30th Massachusetts Infantry. The regiment was one of several being raised by Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler for his planned expedition to take New Orleans, Louisiana, the largest city in the Confederacy. The regiment left Massachusetts on January 2, 1862, arrived off the Louisiana coast in mid February, and played a minor role in the Siege of New Orleans in April and May 1862.
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