TThhee RRiifflleemmeenn’’ss SSttaannddaarrdd Volume VII ♦ ♦ ♦ September 2013 (1863) ♦ ♦ ♦ No. 6 The Official Newsletter of the PALMETTO RIFLEMEN & NEW YORK ZOUAVES Palmetto (S.C.) Sharpshooters & 17th N.Y. Veteran Volunteers Volume VI, No. 6 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, September 5th, 2013 Volume VII, No. 6 Thursday, September 5th, 2013 The “Rifleman’s Standard” is the monthly publication of the “Palmetto Riflemen” & “New York Zouaves,” a group of American Civil War Living Historians and Reenactors, it is sent out via e-mail the first Thursday of each month. All submissions are welcome, and should be sent to the Editor. CONTENTS OF THE STANDARD Quote . 2 From the Field Desk – Captain K. Robison . 2 Comments from the Company Commander Attention to Orders . 2 – 3 Announcements, notices, advertisements, and other items of interest Marching Orders – Events Schedule . 3 Upcoming events and activities for the year Staying Dry in Rainy Weather . 3 – 4 An article by Andrew Jerram of the GVB on staying dry at events Company Songster – The New York Volunteer . 4 – 5 Period music, songs, and poetry, written prior to January of 1865 Company Classroom – 2nd Zouaves at the Alma, 1855 . 5 – 9 Historical articles about people, places, or events prior to January of 1865 After Action Reports . 9 Reports from reenactments, living histories, etc., from unit members COMPANY STAFF Captain Kenneth H. Robison II [email protected]; (803) 345 - 2025 1st Sergeant Matthew E. Wilbanks [email protected]; (864) 638 - 7598 Corporal Charles E. Ferguson [email protected] Civilian Coordinator Cynthia Lampley [email protected] Company Website – http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~scprnyz/MainPage.html On the Cover: The 21st Ohio at Chickamauga by Keith Rocco Company C, Palmetto Sharpshooters Regiment, & Company H, 17th N.Y. Veteran Volunteers Page 1 Volume VI, No. 6 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, September 5th, 2013 “The colors bear the same relation to the soldier as honesty and integrity do to manhood. It is the guiding star to victory. ♦ ♦ ATTENTION TO ORDERS ♦ ♦ When in the smoke and din of battle the voice of the officer is drowned in the roar of artillery, the true soldier turns his eye From Colonel Lance Dawson, Army of the French Broad to his color, that he stray not too far from it, and, while it Gentlemen, floats, is conscious of his right and strength……Take it, guard it as you would the honor of the mother, wife, or friend I want to express my sincerest gratitude for your you leave behind.” – Colonel C.K. Hawkes, presentation to the support and efforts this past weekend. Working with each of 52nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, ca. 1861 you was and continues to be both a pleasure and a privilege, and I am very fortunate to call you each friend and pard. Throughout the event we pulled together in a unified, ♦ ♦ FROM THE FIELD DESK ♦ ♦ cooperative and professional manner to represent the men who fought and sacrificed 150 years ago. To have so many Greetings Comrades & Friends, different organizations represented among our ranks, I am Well the 150th Chickamauga has come and gone, I believe proud of how well the overall command performed despite all that were present enjoyed the company of their comrades weather or challenges with the scenarios, etc… One thing is and all did a fine job at representing the “Battalion that never certain, when given opportunity, we demonstrated our was.” More on the event will be found in the After Action fighting spirit and commitment to victory. Reports section for those interested. Please extend my appreciation to the officers, NCOs The next company event will be the Skirmish at Denver and men of your command. They should always be the Downs near Anderson, South Carolina, the weekend of October foremost inspiration for the lengths we take. 25th, 26th, & 27th; we will be portraying Federal, both Zouave On to Knoxville and the defense of Fort Sanders! and Regulation, and all are encouraged to attend if at all YMOS, possible. On Saturday we will be having a birthday party for Lance Dawson, the regiment as the 17th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Commanding 2nd Brigade, 150th Chickamauga. Regiment was mustered into United Service on October 17th, 1863, making our regiment 150 years old, after some Hawkins Zouave Uniforms. The Hawkins discussion it has been decided to celebrate the occasion. Zouave Uniforms of the company are The season is once more upon us and work has begun on available for purchase by company members. The package planning for the 2014 event schedule, all members with includes the fez, sash, gaiters, jacket, vest, and trousers; the suggestions for events, living histories, parades, etc… are price for the set will be $350 or purchased individually at encouraged to send them along to myself. Also I’d like to the prices listed as follows: Jacket - $200; Vest - $40; Sash - encourage all members to get out and talk with folks about the $40; Gaiters - $25; Fez - $40; Trousers - $70. Turnaround hobby and the company, remember recruit quality not quantity. time on production of the uniform, if the materials are on- We have several upcoming events that would be good first hand, is about four to six weeks. When having your events for new folks interested in joining us, and as always measurements taken it is important that the measurements loaner gear is available upon request. are correct. It is suggested that you have someone else With that said I look forward to seeing all of you in a few measure you to be sure. For more information contact weeks at Denver Downs, until then, Michael Zatarga at [email protected]. Toujours Pret! Kenneth H. Robison II, To Arms! Recruiting for the Company. Do you know of someone who is interested Captain, Palmetto Riflemen & New York Zouaves. in Reenacting or the American Civil War? If so take a few Company C, Palmetto Sharpshooters Regiment, & Company H, 17th N.Y. Veteran Volunteers Page 2 Volume VI, No. 6 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, September 5th, 2013 moments to talk with them about the hobby, if they show an interest invite them to come out and join us for an event. New recruits are always welcomed into the Company, and we will be glad to get them get involved. The company has recruiting flyers and brochures available for members use; these can be taken and placed at local libraries, school, civic centers, and other public places. Anyone interested in obtaining the materials or more information on how to do recruit contact Captain Robison at [email protected]. STAYING DRY IN RAINY WEATHER By Andrew Jerram, Georgia Volunteer Battalion Let's face it, we can handle heat, cold, and even the dust of Choke-amauga, but rain has a way of seriously putting a damper, (pardon the pun) on any event. Unfortunately, many campaigners have a nasty tendency on bugging out in the case of rain in favor of the local motel, sutlers tent, or ♦ ♦ MARCHING ORDERS ♦ ♦ even their own home. This has quite a few different bad side effects, and so some effort should be applied to resolving it. The following is the event schedule of the company, One problem is simply that it's the single most covering the next six months. If you are aware of an event that inauthentic thing you can do as a campaigner. Not sleeping should be added to this listing, email the information to at an event makes you no different than the fellow with the [email protected]. propane heater in his wall tent, because you have proved The events are indicated by date and the name of the event. that you cannot get by with what you carry on your back. Any event marked with a (+) represents a Company Maximum Another problem is that when you do this, you immediately Effort Event. A maximum effort event is an event that all draw the ire of those reenactors who have become members of the company are encouraged to be present at and campaigners. And honestly, you increase the likelihood that take part in. they won't ever make the switch because they see that you can't stay dry, so "why don't I just stick to the A-Frame?" ♠ October 2013 (1863) ♠ Now, I understand the argument of "I have to get up and 17th & 18th: Lexington Museum Ghost Tour, Lexington, S.C. go to work on Monday." It is a valid argument for me too, (+) 25th to 27th: Battle of Denver Downs, Anderson, S.C. since as a college student, missing more than one or two classes can result in a severely poor grade. So how do we ♠ November 2013 (1863) ♠ stay dry, (and not sick) when it rains at an event?? Daytime isn't too bad, an oilcloth or poncho along with a good slouch 8th to 10th: Battle of Battery Wagner, Charleston, S. Carolina hat will help you immensely. Sleeping however, is an Tue., 12th: Veterans Day Parade, Columbia, S. Carolina entirely different matter. In a severe, driving rain, there is often no way to avoid getting a little wet. In this case, I ♠ December 2013 (1863) ♠ would suggest finding the best shelter possible, and doing 6th to 8th: Battle of Congaree Creek, Sandy Run, S. Carolina the best you can. In most situations however, it IS possible 14th: Wreath’s Across America, Florence, S. Carolina to stay dry in the rain. I am going to proceed on the (+) 13th to 15th: Battle of Ft. McAllister, Georgia assumption of a few things, 1) a poncho or an oilcloth, 2) an Company C, Palmetto Sharpshooters Regiment, & Company H, 17th N.Y.