THE DISPATCH A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF WCWA NEWS Volume 6, Issue 10 Everett, Washington June 1862 (2007) Entered according to an Act of Congress by both the Union & Confederate governments, in the Year 1865, in the Clerk’s Offices of the District Courts. The Official Newsletter of the Washington Civil War Association Join us for The BATTLE OF PORT GAMBLE JUNE 24-25 PORT GAMBLE, WA. Port Gamble site: This re-enactment (camps and battlefield) will be located in the town of Port Gamble. This unique jewel has preserved its historic character throughout the years since 1850’s. Port Gamble is blessed with surrounding beauty which makes this town a haven for locals and tourist. Viewpoints near the General Store and the Cemetery offer scenic vistas overlooking the Hood Canal. The structures retain the east coast architecture prevalent during the 1850’s. There are no modern structures in Port Gamble. This will indeed provide an excellent back drop for a Civil War Re-enactment. You will feel as if you stepped back in time. The town of Port Gamble is registered as a National Historic site. Port Gamble re-enactment (camps and battlefield) will be located in the town of Port Gamble. For more information please contact Gene Knight at (253) 441-0479 [email protected] or Howard Struve at (360) Upcoming Events… 874-8548 [email protected] and the WCWA web site June 16th, Board Meeting, GAR Cemetery at www.wcwa.net under “2007 Event Schedule” for June 23-24th, Port Gamble July 14, Board Meeting, GAR Cemetery Page 1 June , 1862 (2007) The Dispatch Page 2 Battle for Port Gamble Directions to Port Gamble: On I-5 Southbound towards Tacoma take Exit 132 to Hwy. 16/Gig Harbor/Bremerton. Hwy.16 merges into Hwy. 3 South of Bremerton at Gorst. Hwy 3 merges onto Hwy 104 just passed the HOOD CANAL BRIDGE. Port Gamble is approximately 1 ½ miles east of the Hood Canal Bridge. Directions to Port Gamble: Northbound on I-5 towards Tacoma: Take the SO. 38 ST. exit- EXIT 132- toward GIG HARBOR / Hwy.16/ BREMER- TON. Stay in the left lane as it parallels with I-5 and then crosses under I-5 and merges with Hwy. 16.Hwy.16 will merge into Hwy. 3 South of Bremerton. Hwy 3 merges into Hwy 104 just passed the exit to the Hood Canal Bridge. (DO NOT CROSS OVER THE HOOD CANAL BRIDGE). Port Gamble is approximately 1 ½ miles East past the Hood Canal Bridge exit. Travel distance: In Tacoma at the junction of I-5 and Hwy. 16 is only 51 miles to Port Gamble. Notice: For those considering the Washington State Ferry system as an alternate means please be aware that there are rules for regarding transporting black powder. Please check the Washington Administrative Code. Remember there are no guarantees that you will be able to transport black powder onto the Washington State Ferry system. Participants planning to use the WSF should considering taking the AM boats to Kitsap County due to 2-3 hour waiting period because of summer/weekend travelers. WSF will charge higher fees for vehicles with trailers. June , 1862 (2007) The Dispatch Page 3 June 23-24th, 2007 Tentative Schedule Camps are located next to these roads. As you Friday Evening, June 22 leave the event please do your best to place your 7:30 pm Street Battle— garbage in the dumpsters and/or garbage cans. 8:00 pm Preservation Awareness March Thank you see page 4 for details Sutlers: For Saturday, June 23 Sutlers will be allowed to arrive on Thursday Throughout the day, Magic Lantern show and Musical afternoon for set-up. Checkout time is no later presentations by William & Carla Coleman than Monday, June 25, 2007. Please contact Norm 9:00 am Camps open Harriman e-mail address is [email protected] if 10:30 am Cavalry Demonstration - (Battlefield) you are planning to attend this event. 11:00-12:00 Battle (Battlefield) Registration: Will begin Friday, June 22, 2007 at 12:30-1:00 pm Hospital Demonstration 1:00 pm. The registration table will be located 1:15-1:40 pm Fashion Show (near Post Office) near the intersection of Puget Way and View 1:40 pm Union Recruiting scenario – 20th Maine Drive. 2:30 pm Artillery Demonstration Camp setting: Port Gamble has large grass areas 3:00-4:00 pm Battle Re-enactment (Battlefield) which is more than suitable to hold a 4:15 pm Hospital Demonstration re-enactment. All grass areas are maintained 5:00 pm Camps Closed to Public throughout the year. 7:30 pm Street Dance Public is invited (Old Fire Modern Camp: Modern camp is located within Station) Port Gamble. See Map for more details. Please For Sunday, June 24 contact Gene Smith (4th U.S.) e-mail address 9:00 am Camps Open [email protected] if you are planning to camp in 9:30 am Church Call (Confederate & Union camps the modern camp area. public is invited) Re-enactor parking: Re-enactor parking is within 10:30 am Infantry Demonstration – 20TH Maine Port Gamble at the Old Mill Site. See map. Please (Battlefield) do not park your vehicles on the streets near the 11:00-12:00 pm Battle (Battlefield) camp. Street parking areas are designated for 12:30-1:00 pm Hospital Demonstration spectators and visitors. 1:15-1-45 pm Fashion Show (near Post Office) Water: Water is available at locations marked on 2:00 pm Battle Re-enactment (Battlefield) the map. 3:00 pm Camps Closed to Public. Wood: Wood will be provided for this event. Vehicles are allowed in camps after 3:00 pm. Fire pits: The town of Port Gamble will allow fire pits. Please remember to remove all garbage prior Brigade and Civilian camps: Campers will be al- to filling in the fire pits once the re-enactment is lowed to set-up starting on Friday noon June 22, finished. 2006. Campers are welcome to stay overnight on Amenities Information: Port Gamble General Sunday. Checkout time is Monday, June 25, 2007 at Store will have on sale, bags of ice, assorted 12:00 pm. Keep vehicles and trailers on designated beverages, some food stuff (picnic type items), drive aisles in camps. Out of courtesy for other gifts and other miscellaneous items. In addition, campers’, once your vehicle is unloaded please re- there is a small café/deli located at the back of move your vehicle to designated re-enactor parking store which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner area. If possible, please do not leave your vehicle in everyday and my personal favorite – ice cream. camp overnight. Exception is granted to arrivals Store hours are from 8am-9pm. coming into Port Gamble after 9:00 pm. All vehicles Lodging: Opportunities abound for those who need to be removed from camps before 7:30 am Sat- prefer a cozy room and a shower to boot. Port urday. Vehicles will be allowed in camp after 3:00 Gamble is well served with lodging available in pm on Sunday, June 24th. Kingston (4 miles away) and Poulsbo (6 miles) Out of respect for others, vehicles will not be al- nearby. lowed in camps from 7:30 am Saturday through Kingston: Blue Water Inn (Formerly Smiley’s Mo- 3:00 pm on Sunday. If you need to leave early be- tel), 11067 State Hwy 104. Phone (360)297-3622. fore the event is over or arrive during the event, Poulsbo: Holiday Inn Express: please park your vehicles on Puget Way or View Poulsbo: Poulsbo Inn, 18680 State Hwy 305 NE. Drive to unload/load your gear. Phone (360) 779-3921 ext. 110 or 1-800-597- 5151 toll free (360) 779-9737 fax June, 1862 (2007) The Dispatch Page 4 Attention Members of The Grand Army of the Republic Port Gamble Preservation Awareness March Friday night of the Port Gamble event, following the Street Battle, a 'foraging party' will be organized and dispatched by Union HQ. Those who wish to partici- pate will form up and march out of town, flags flying, carrying with them everything needed for the night. Once the trailhead is reached, the participants will take on the impression of an Army marching through enemy territory. The march will be conducted with flankers and skirmishers. Staying in character for 1864 will be encouraged and is solely dependant upon each participant. Once the area of our 'outpost' camp is reached, roughly two miles, camp will be arranged. Since the ‘outpost’ is in ‘enemy’ territory, pickets will be posted and guards mounted. Guidance will be provided in this area since this type of impression is seldom used and implemented by reenactors. This impression and duty will be shared by all members equally and will run throughout the night, the more participants there are, the shorter the guard shifts. In the ‘main’ camp area, there will be a picket fire around which to gather, sing songs, cook rations, tell tall tales, and make new friends. Come morning, camp will be struck, after a fresh cup of coffee of course, and then the marchers will strike off towards town. The goal of the march is to raise our own awareness of what soldiering actually consisted of, minus the battle portion. In doing so, we can better appreciate the efforts of those we portray, better preserving their memory. In keeping with the theme of a Preservation March, participants will be encouraged to seek sponsors or donations. Although not required, there is a suggested $5 donation to participate. There will be a fire extinguisher, cell phone/two way radio, and potable water at the outpost camp, or in close proximity.