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Latest News
We are half-way through the first year of the new decade, and the Southern Piedmont Historical Reenactment Society has had a promising year so far. Through the past six months, the unit has become more involved in the preservation and restoration of the Historic Vance House in Statesville, finished the 145th Anniversary of the American Civil War at events at Bentonville, NC and Appomattox, VA, and began preparations for the Civil War Sesquicentennial, the 150th Anniversary of the War Between the States. Over the next six months, the SPHRS will attend reenactments and events at Latta Plantation, 2nd Manassas, and other events not yet decided. As always, we'll keep you up to date here in The Regimental Dispatch.
Shenandoah 1862
Over the weekend of June 11-13, the SPHRS journeyed to the Shenandoah Valley for Shenandoah 1862, the inaugural event of the newly-formed Southern Division.
Over two hot days, the Division recreated two scenarios from the Battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic, and partook in a seven-mile march on Saturday and Sunday to travel from one battle scene to the other.
Next, the Division will travel North to Pennsylvania to recreate the battle of 2nd Manassas in late-August! The road to the 150th continues...
CAPTAIN'S REPORT: JULY 2010
Captain Jerry Hopping, 49th North Carolina Troops/21st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
We are half way through a great year.
Fort Fisher was an excellent drill and event until Saturday night when heavens open and the floods came. The weather was warm but the downpour kept most up all night. Aaron and I swam out of our tent to find the 26th packing up and heading home which left us without a unit so we head home along with the others.
Our biggest event so far this year was been Bentonville. We fielded a company and along with the 26th, 25th and 35th represented our selves well. Jim Hazen cooked and his food was excellent as usual. The Federal under Earl Zeck-man had a company of Henry rifles, 22. I talk to Earl at Resaca and he told met they fired 5,000 rounds. It was a most impressive show of firepower. Things went well until Mike Wenger, the Legion‟s Adjutant, had his horse stumble and fall on him, fracturing virtually all of ribs, pelvis and back. He was weeks in the hospital and is still recuperating at home.
In April we were to go to the 145th Appomattox but one by one people dropped out. In the finally tally it was Frank Cachia and my self so we opted not to go.
We had a great turn out at Hickory for annual school program. We were pleased Chaplain Morgan Gardner and Sid Elliot, our surgeon, were able to join us. They add so much to our pro-gram. It was Sid first outing with is since his near fatal accident in December. Thanks to all.
In May we headed to Resaca, Georgia and helped fill the ranks of our sister unit, the 25th. It's a long drive but nice laid-back event.
Our June event was the Shenandoah Campaign. Eight of us made the trek to Port Republic. Leaving early Friday, we headed for Lexington, Va. And toured Stonewall Jackson's home, VMI, Washington and Lee College and Lee's and Jackson's graves. We pigged out at an all you can restaurant before going into camp. The event can only be described as brutal, the heat being unbearable. The march on Saturday took its toll on all of us. We got into Port Republic around 2 PM. Our campsite was a shaded field beside a beautiful river where many took a cooling dip. Sunday we were up and on the road by 6:15, marched 2 ½ (felt longer) and whipped the Federals at the coaling. We were finished and loaded for home 10:30.
Our next event will be Latta, and then we head north once again for "Return to Manassas". This should be the years best event. The organizers are committed to putting on superior event. Their focus is on making a reenactor's event. I would like to see us field our own company. This should not be a physically demanding event but you will need an early war impression.
Again I want to welcome Joseph Hayes and his mother, Jackie Childers and Ralph and Elfie McCall to our family. I am reminded of what Chuck Clements always said: "There is no problem that can‟t be solve by recruiting".
DIRECTIONS TO RETURN TO MANASSAS:
-Travel into Virginia, and take I-81 through the Shenandoah Valley, into Maryland and Pennsylvania.
-Take exit 59 to merge onto PA-581 E toward US-11/Camp Hill/I-83. Go 3.3 Miles
-Continue onto US-11 N. Go 2.2 Miles.
-Continue onto PA-581 E. Go 2.1 Miles
-Merge onto I-83 N. Go 4.4 Miles
-Take exit 46A to merge onto I-283 S toward I-76/Airport/Lancaster. Go 3 Miles
-Take exit 1A to merge onto PA-283 E toward Airport/Lancaster. Go 6.6 Miles
-Take the PA-230 exit. Go 3/10 of a mile.
-Merge onto Toll House Rd. Go a tenth of a mile.
-Turn left at PA-230 E/E Harrisburg Pike. Go 4.7 miles.
-Turn right at Hollinger Ln. This is the event site.
A message from the Captain
As some of you are aware, the 35th NCT has been in discussion with Legion regarding joining us. They decided to make the change and accept General Stepp's offer to join the Legion. They will join the 49th and 25th to make a second brigade. This is something we have been hoping for several years!
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Captain Hopping, 49th NCT
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STATUS REPORT 49TH NORTH CAROLINA
By 1st Sgt Matt Paris
Friends,
I would like to take this time to inform you of what transpired at our 2010 business meeting, as well as give you an up-date on what we have going on for the rest of the year. The elections at the business meeting are as follows:
Captain: Jerry Hopping
1st Sgt.: Matt Paris
Board: Robby Boyles
Board: Chad Deal
Ramseur Award: Chad Deal
Joe Jacobs Award: Ron Lamberth
Captain's Award: Steven Hancock
Jan Williams received the Joe Jacobs Award for the 2008 season.
Jim Hazen stated that he would like to perform duties in the commissary for the 2010 season. This being considered, the board of directors appointed him Commissary Sergeant. So, our illustrious cook will have command powers! Also, Jim stated that he will cook four meals per event. When we take registrations for each event, it will be an additional $8.00 per event. This is a great deal! He promises that the food will be good and authentic. No Cedar Creek gruel for us!
As you are all aware, the upcoming 150th events are fast approaching. As such, we have been asked to update our uniforms to an early war impression. This will once again be done by sewing black tape around the collars of our NC depot shell jackets. This process will need to be completed before the "Jackson the Valley" event in June. The unit will be purchasing the tape and giving it out to the members who need it. Below is an example of how to sew the black tape around your jacket's collar.
Photo courtesy of Alan Hodges
Also, Col. Smith of the 26th has invited us to attend an event in 2011 at Fort Sumter in SC. To attend this event it is required by the NPS that you wear a kepi. I know that this is the most useless piece of military head gear ever invented! This being said, we will still need them. The 26th has a run set up with Greg Starbuck to produce some for the 26th. The price is $75. The only issue for us is that they will all be made using the brown jeans cloth. Most of our members have the Ben Tart logwood dyed NC shell jackets. After doing some research, Rex Hovey with the North State Haberdashery has several well made kepis in the cloth to match our coats for $69! That is a very good deal. I will be speaking with Rex shortly and I will let you know about if they can be ordered in bulk or picked up.
We will also be asked to wear the 1850 SC belt plate for the Sumter event in 2011. This will cost us $13 a piece and can be procured from the 26th. We will need your money, then we can pass it on to Col. Smith.
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First Sergeant's Notes:
LIVING HISTORY TIPS
Hide all Farby stuff (non period items). Nothing ruins a period living history like a Farb drinking a Coke in camp.
Set up an appropriate camp. Have some dog tents and she-bangs set up as well as some A-frames. Lay out a campaign bed roll.
Allow visitors to crawl under a dog tent or into an a-frame. It will make the event more real to them to see it from our point of view.
Don't stack arms. It's difficult to talk about your musket when you can't get at it.
Keep a spare coat on hand for visitors to try on. Wearing a confederate shell jacket in hot weather is different than just looking at it. Plus it will answer the same ole question that we always get "aren't you hot in that wool coat. The answer is "YES!!"
Keep your military bearing in camp. Keep coats on and covers on your head. Address officers and NCO's by their title. This will make the visitors experience all the more real.
Drink beverages out of period TIN cups. Leave plastic bottles and the like in your tent for after the moon people leave!
Shut off cell phones or place them on silent. If you have to use them, step away from camp and handle your business.
Please: DO NOT WEAR A WRIST WATCH! Nuff said.
Man your displays and don't leave them for more than a few minutes. If visitors approach please greet them and be cordial. Work with a partner to relieve you. Also, you don't want your stuff to up and walk away.
Watch your weapons and treat them as if they were loaded. Do not let visitors handle your musket with out you being there. There is to much civil liability involved in this case.
Make sure all muskets are clear before you bring them back into camp from a firing demo.
The biggest thing is to know your facts. If you are going to talk about uniforms and equipment then you better know what you are talking about. Know the types of articles and when they would have been made and how they were made. If talking about muskets and weapons then know everything there is to know about them. The public looks upon us as "experts". Therefore we need to be experts as much as we can. KNOW YOUR STUFF!!! If you are asked a question and don't know the answer then ask someone else. Do not let a visitor leave camp with an unanswered question.
Finally, just have fun! You can have a ball without being in a battle. Take the opportunity to educate the public and you may learn something about yourself in the process!
1st Sgt. Matt Paris, 49th NCT
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