Indiana Brigade 2008 Annual Business Meeting

Indianapolis, IN

12 January 2008

Welcome – Colonel Paul Neher

Opening Prayer – Chaplain Bettes

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call - COS Les Howey

Indiana Medical Society - Paid

4^th Indiana Cavalry - Paid

14^th Indiana Infantry

19^th US Infantry - Paid

32^nd Indiana Infantry - Paid

33r^d Indiana / Virginia Infantry - Paid

34th Indiana Infantry - Paid

35th Indiana Infantry - Paid

44^th Indiana Infantry - Paid

97th Indiana Infantry

7th Indiana Light Artillery

21^st Indiana Light Artillery - Paid

6^th Indiana Infantry (probationary)

12^th Indiana Infantry (probationary) - Paid

Member Unit Status

Membership is down, though recruiting continues. It is hoped with Gettysburg on the dawn, this will be an UP year.

Treasurer Report

Dues - $15 per unit. Treasurer Les Howey reported the IB account holds approximately $650 excluding dues deposited. Current balance to date is $781.04.

Old Business

2007 Review

Paul Neher gave a summary of the highs/lows of 2007. It was suggested we watch how we mesh with the Western Brigade, to see if we suit them, and vice-versa. We need to review our camp impressions, as well as our Customs and Courtesies.

Web site:   

Please visit www.theindianabrigade.com as we continue to help it grow.    

We are in need of a web-master to continually update the site, Joe Reeves has volunteered to assist until a full time web-master can be secured.

Insurance:

Paul Neher has obtained an NRA Endorsed Re-enactment Club insurance application. Copies will be forwarded on to all unit POC’s.

Probationary member status - The 12^th Indiana was accepted unanimously as a full member into the Indiana Brigade, pending receipt of roster.

New Business

Elections: 

Colonel – Paul Neher

Lt. Colonel – Ryan Williams

Major – Dan Davis

Adjutant  - TBD

SMAJ  - Nick Leach

Colonel Neher emphasized the need to begin training our replacements at all levels, and voiced concern of lack of volunteers for future staff leadership. It is never too early.

Mill Springs, KY review

Discussed good and bad @ Mill Springs. Everyone enjoyed themselves, but tempers were raised at having to guard empty tents or “standing in the sun guarding HQ staff while the smoked a cigar in the shade.”

Western Brigade

Discussed the 2007 Congress, as well as how we mesh with the WB. Need to evaluate “do we fit in”, as well as our “style”.

Indiana Brigade Constitution revision

All were in receipt of the IB Constitution. Paul Neher asked all to review, and suggested around BC we hold a committee to entertain motions for revision if necessary.

Military Protocol -  COS Les Howey discussed the need to step up our customs and courtesies. We have gotten lax, and we need to remember we are portraying MILITARY soldiers .. especially in light of Gettysburg and our marching with Vincent’s Brigade.

Brigade Event ideas

Many events were discussed. The big one was moving out Brigade Drill to the old Fort in Fort Wayne, for a drill weekend, and School of NCO’s and Officers. This was well met, much discussion, and decision made to hold April 12-13, Fort Wayne, IN. It will be in full barracks, buildings for training, water, wood, etc. More as we finalize plans, but mark your calendars now!

Summary – Colonel Elect

Closing Prayer – Chaplain Bettes

1. Reveille
2. Roll Call
3. Weapons Inspections
4. Morning Reports Due
5. Breakfast for Soldiers
6. NCO call
7. Breakfast for NCOs' (I know it sucks)
8. During Officers Call, Corporals will drill the privates in the School of
the Soldier.
9. After lunch/before the battle- Roll Call/ Weapons inspection. Adjusted
Morning Reports due.

June 3, 2007

Indiana Brigade and Friends,

First off, Brandon, please post this under my announcements ASAP.

Lads, I hope that you are all still planning to attend Billie Creek this coming weekend (June 8-10). We will be forming a battalion there, as always. I know that the rising costs of fuel will keep some away, and put many die-hards on the fence of indecision … but I pray it won’t deter you. Following is what I DO know about this year’s Billie Creek:

Barring emergencies, I will be there approximately 7 or 8 pm Friday.

Dave Shackleford will be overall Federal Commander. Colonel Shackleford and I are working hard to smooth over issues that have divided our two organizations over the past years. Please afford him all the courtesy due his position.

Count on guards being posted on Friday night to act as traffic control and to direct folks to their camps. We will post guard duty during the hours the village is open as well as a provost all of Saturday until about midnight.

We are camped in the village this year. The area around the middle bridge and between the buildings close to the middle bridge (ie. The Governor’s house) has been allocated to us. That includes the grassy area between the blacktop road that crosses the middle bridge and

the gazebo.

My plan is for the infantry and artillery to be camped in the area between the fences by the road, artillery closest to the crossroad and gazebo. Medical to be set up in the open area by the barn. I have no idea where they will be setting the civilians for the weekend.

I need immediate status reports from all company commanders as to expected numbers for attendance. The 11^th Indiana will be our guests for the weekend.

Jack Gaby of the 44^th has offered to cook breakfast of flapjacks Sunday morning.  Your counts will help my organization as well as his food preparation.

Battalion officer’s call will be 10pm at Battalion headquarters (look for the DIVISION HQ FLAG near the creek) Friday evening.

Orderly (First) Sergeants will be required to keep their orders book for the weekend. Orders will be posted at HQ.

14^th Indiana will be color company for the weekend. Whether we actually carry colors will be determined by our numbers.

Organization for the weekend:

A – 35^th Indiana

B – 11^th Indiana

C – 14^th Indiana

D – 44^th/34^th Indiana

E – 32^nd Indiana

Sergeant Jim Coon and the Cavalry, you are requested to act as our skirmishers for the weekend. Please advise if you can fulfill this mission …as well as advise as to numbers.

Chaplain Bettes, will you be providing a worship service for the Brigade on Sunday?

Captain Ziggy Pairitz, you are hereby appointed Brigade Artillery Chief for the weekend.  Please organize all of our artillery, trying to keep them as a BATTERY. I will look to you for their disposition.

Mister Schaefer, please advise me as to our medical dispositions and abilities for the weekend.

Further orders for the event will be forthcoming. We will be providing morning and inspection forms for all units including Artillery and Cavalry.

Lads and lasses, please be CAREFUL coming down this weekend. And Lord willing, I will see you all at Billie Creek. Thank you all.

With God’s blessings,

Paul Neher

Commanding

Some basics on brigade evolutions:

Brigade will post guides when we form; there should be 11 paces between battalions. We will be SECOND battalion.

While marching in column of fours and the command, "forward into line" is given, Brigade will again post a guide that will be our front right corner.  Now, the book says we immediately go into a column of companies when the forward into line is given. We then change direction to the left and march parallel to the new line of battle until you get to the Brigade guide. We then change direction to the right so you are marching toward the line of battle.  When we get three paces from the new line, we halt. Then on the first company, right in front, deploy column. Battalion, left face (first company doesn’t move). When I give the march command, the first company then moves onto the new line and each company commander halts his company when they have reached the left of the proceeding company and move it onto the line. Attention must be given to the guide on the LEFT of the line so the angle of the new line is where it was intended. I emphasize there are two guides and the new line is anchored on both, not just the right guide. When our battalion is on the line, I give the post command to move your file closers and guides back into the line.

As it pertains to firings-

Firing by battalions, the Brigade Commander will give the command:

fire by battalions

ready

commence firing

1st battalion then says

aim

fire

load

When the commander of the 2nd observes the 1st is nearly reloaded, he says

aim

fire

load

The firing command has already been given and the men brought to ready. After the first firing, the fire by battalion is done without regard for the other battalion.

Fire by file, the Brigade Commander will give the command:

 fire by file

ready

commence firing

The first file IN EACH BATTALION then fires and then the fire by file progresses down each battalion. Thus, both battalions are doing a fire by file simultaneously. This continues until the cease fire command is given by voice or bugle.

April 4, 2006

6-26-05

After Action Repot

Billie Creek, Rockville, IN

June 3-6, 2005

I arrived early Friday to find most of the Federal command staffs arriving ahead of the troops. I took this as a good sign. The Cumberland Guard was placed in town closest to the registration area. General Heitman’s HQ was established at the log cabin, and the Indiana Brigade was emplaced behind (in the trees) and around the cabin. I pitched my shebang in the trees, established my battalion HQ, and proceeded to direct the men to their new homes. Officers call at 10pm showed few troops, little knowledge of what lie ahead, but eagerness to plod forward.

            Saturday broke with our usual schedule, a parade, and a LOT of confusion. We seemed to have troubles forming the battalion, and my personal issues gave me a short temper (for which I humbly ask forgiveness). Officers’ call (to which we were late) was conducted.  Companies did well heading off to Company Drill, as well as NCO’s drilling School of the Soldier throughout the day. My compliments. We had a SHORT Battalion Drill before Brigade drill. Battalion drill went well I think, other than knocking off a lot of apparent rust. At Brigade Drill, we were the ONLY Battalion to Attend. It began to rain, so we grounded arms and went at it. It was a good thing that we were alone, as we got to go over again what we’d tried in Battalion Drill. After dinner we had a knapsack inspection. All performed well, and we were complimented by the staff … until they went through our ranks. I don’t have the numbers, but some 27% were without knapsacks, some 50% had no blankets. Most had no changes of clothing, and oddities of weapons issues (cones, ramrods, springs, etc.) and certain members of the 5^th company and contraband. It was a humorous and enlightening time. I thank all of you for participating. I was not included in any of the battle planning, and it was evident as we approached the field. Not knowing the “plan” I was in numerous shouting matches with General Heitman and his staff over what I saw before me tactically and what I was ordered to do. All was chaos and despair. And I was in a FOUL mood. We performed well, but orders were convoluted, and we LOST a man … and no one seemed to care. We found our way, and the man, but my mood grew darker.

            Saturday evening was a release for me; my mind was drifting towards home. Many thanks to the 44^th Indiana for having me over to their camps for a wonderful dinner. Thanks to General Heitman’s Chief of Staff for giving me a venue to vent. Thanks to the 35^th Indiana for being concerned enough to post guards over me (nice touch) and for the entertainment. I was plunging into darkness after the day, and you all helped me get through the nigh. I cannot thank you all enough.

            Sunday came with a little more rain, a damp parade, and a poorly attended Brigade officers call. Thanks to Chaplain Bettes for giving us our own church service. We had an Officers tabletop drill before the Drill Competition. Only the Indiana Brigade and I believe the Independent Guard attended. We all did poorly. In the end, we got second. I know you men were disappointed we didn’t win, but I for one am glad. Two reasons: (1) it PROVES judge impartiality, contrary to what has been accused in the past; and (2) loss makes GOOD men strive to succeed. You men have PROVED your mettle in the past. Let’s turn this to a goal for next time. And there WILL be a next time.

            We were not included in battle plans again on Sunday, and once again it showed on the deployment piece. We began in the woods out of sight of the field. We came out of the trees in a column of fours, deployed a company at a time into a line and began to abuse the enemy. Ordered forward, we were UNLEASHED! And the rains came. We advanced a company at a time from the right, firing as we came on line in a sledgehammer that seemed to stagger the enemy. That became our manner of attack. Move. Fire. Move. Fire. We were supposed to lose apparently, and true to form our casualties mounted. And still it rained. And the smoke hung. And the fog obscured the field. Miraculously, the rifles continued to fire. Ordered to charge with a depleted company left, we retreated in the manner we attacked. Fire. Retreat. Fire. Retreat. Until eventually, we disappeared into the fog, then the trees. All said it was the most awesome thing they had seen in a LONG while.

            We were all wet. We were all ready to go home. But friends lingered for a final round of good-byes … the worst, saddest part of any event.  I pray my mood didn’t ruin the event for you my friends. All of you who know me showed such genuine concern and care, I cannot thank you al enough. God’s blessings to you all. Don’s words ring true every time we are together: “It’s easy to lead, when you have the best men in the Army!”

Until next time my friends!

Your brother in arms,

Colonel Paul Neher

Commanding, Indiana Brigade

2/4/05

Gentlemen,

I apologize for the lateness of this e-mail. We have been trying to
finalize our meeting information .. which I can now safely pass on to you:

The Indiana Brigade representatives will meet to finalize the Brigade
schedule on Saturday February 26, from 10 am to 12 noon at Tabernacle
Presbretarian Church in Indianapolis (same place of al prior meetings).
Please bring your unit schedules, your dues if you have not paid them
(19th US Infantry, 33rd Indiana / Virginia Infantry, 35th Indiana Infantry,
and 97th Indiana Infantry ...As per the By-laws, dues are $15 per unit per
year), and any issues you feel we have not addressed prior to this
meeting.

Directions to TAB are as follows: The easiest way to get there is to
come down I-69 to where it becomes Binford Ave.  You don't have to do
anything,just go straight.  At 38th turn right, by the fair grounds, and go west
to Central. Turn left and the church is at 34 and central.  Park on the
parking lot on the north side and go in the parking lot door and follow the
signs.

Also, I am at liberty to announce that at the planning meeting for the
Bonneyville Mills event, it was decided to DROP the re-enactor's fee for
pre-registration, and walk-on re-enactor fees will drop to $5. This was
a MAJOR victory for us all. Thanks to Ziggy Pairitz for inviting me to the
meeting, and for fighting so hard for all of us.

As you will also note on the attached master list, I am pleased to
announce that the Rev. Michael Betts has accepted the posting of Chaplain, and
Brandon Rollings has accepted the position of treasurer. Thanks to you
all for giving of yourselves for the sake of the battalion and the men.

That is all I have for now, more as things develop. I look forward to
seeing all of you February 26th!

Yours in service,

Paul Neher

Gentlemen, I had been waiting to get this out pending any further contacts or unit dues ... I have received neither ... so I am giving you all I have. If your name has not paid it's dues, please send it ASAP to Capt. Les Howey (see address list). If your unit has not send me your contact list, I need this ASAP so I can get things together for the website. Colonel Neher