OPENING COMMENTS: Well everyone, we’re just about done with this year’s campaign season. Several quality events have been held this year which our members enjoyed. Some of these events will be looked forward to with enthusiasm next year when we meet up with our friends again who share our hobby. As I write this issue, members of the 5th US Cavalry, Company A, are participating in an event at old Fort Laramie. I will post the pictures in this issue when they arrive. Next month (September), I will hopefully be heading to Fort Hartsuff to enjoy an encampment with Company C of the 9th US Infantry, who cordially invited us to participate. We may also have a new member on our side of the big pond in the near future. Pete Uhl, a black powder enthusiast who I met at the territorial park event in Laramie, may be joining the ranks as an army scout. I am sure we will all greet him warmly if he decides to «join the army» before next year. One last comment in my rambling opening section. My younger daughter, Megan, will be starting her own editorial from a civilian’s viewpoint in this issue. I’m not sure what the title will be because she is keeping it a secret till publishing time! One of her goals is to interview General Crook! I wish her the best as she starts out on the journalist’s road. The pictures at the top of this page are of our two stalwart scouts, Les and Ron, in their «new duds» as scouts. We also have Carolyn Souza in camp working on a quilt, the Honorable General Crook, and Rick Souza, cleaning his beloved Long Tom. Way to go guys! Anyway, on with the Post Herald!

FORT HARTSUFF EVENT: General Crook, the good surgeon Bill Hutchinson, my campaign partner Lou Janack, my daughter Megan, and I headed out on our road trip to scenic Fort Hartsuff, Nebraska earlier this month to participate with our comrades in Company C, 9th US Infantry, who garrison the post. Megan tried on her new uniform as a drummer, and I barely finished her drum in time for the event. Jerry Davenport of Company C, made us welcome on our arrival and we found the members of the garrison, very helpful, friendly, and earnest in their efforts at authentically reenacting what life was like at a frontier post «in garrison». The garrison scene was very different from our usual campaign impression and there were some interesting times «learning the ropes» as it were. I got a little chewing out (in a good natured way) by Sgt Davenport during a weapons inspection which I didn’t expect when he found some minor rust spots on my faithful old trapdoor. Needless to say, I don’t think he found any on the next inspection.

The time spent at the fort’s firing range was very educational! Firing weapons with the actual powder loads showed in a very quick fashion how much kick the trapdoors had and several people ended up with slight bruising on their shoulders. I was happy to hit the cardboard box the target was attached to, and I would be stretching the truth if I said I hit the target more than twice. Due to my chest surgery, I fired only around 6 or 7 shots total for the day, but now I can add the needed muzzle kick when firing blanks so my impression looks even more authentic! The ladies of the post proved to be gracious hosts as well, and were very helpful with Megan’s many questions concerning post life and the duties of laundresses. By the way, Megan did very well playing her drum for the soldiers all the way out to the firing range, even after I knocked two TINY holes in the drum head! (she would argue just how small the holes were, but she added to their size by the time they reached the range-grin).

I am still anxiously waiting for the film to be developed from the event so I will have to add to this newsletter when they finally do come out of the shop. The two things I hope to add to this issue of the newsletter will include how to do weapons inspection, and how to do your morning «setting up exercises». The members in Company C enjoyed the different skirmish drills I helped them learn.

WILL THE REGIMENT FORM?
Members of Companies C, G and H of the 9th US Infantry have been doing a lot of talking and working on logistics to see if we can form a provisional company at the Montana event next year! So far it looks like the three soldiers and maybe one or two scouts, along with two or three civilians from Company G will attend; Adam Lid from Company H says he will probably bring 10-12 soldiers, and the members of Company C have shown a lot of interest in attending. If we are able to form the company at the event, we should end up with a first sergeant, two sergeants, one corporal, and the remainder will be privates. More news on this will be forthcoming but it looks like the regiment will form next June near Pompey’s Pillers in Montana.

  

The two pictures above are from the Nebraska event. The one on the left is a picture of General Crook, Bill Hutchinson, ladies of the regiment, and members of the garrison and 9th US Infantry. My campaign partner, Lou, was the only cavalry trooper at the event so I’m sure he finally understood what a lone walk-a-heap feels like at a «cavalry convention»! (grin) The picture on the right is of my daughter Megan in her full regalia as a drummer of the regiment. The members of the garrison were very appreciative and complimentary of her drumming on the way out to the firing range, which was about ¼ mile away from the post. She did very well and did herself proud. She will alternate between being a camp follower and a drummer from time to time, depending on the event.

I will attempt to include some of the garrison things we learned in this issue under our «school of the soldier» section. This will include a weapons inspection and morning «start up» exercises. If possible, I will also put in the skirmish drill information that we practiced.

SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER: This is a section that has been missing from the last several newsletter issues so I had to make it a point to include it in this one! This will cover a couple of the things we learned at the Nebraska event, and with luck, I will include pictures to illustrate the items being covered.

1. INSPECTION ARMS: One item of interest was the inspection and checking of weapons. When formed in company formation, the order «inspection arms» is given. The company is either at «carry arms» or «order arms» when this begins. The NCO will approach the first soldier and turn to face him. As he is doing this, the soldier will bring his rifle up with his right hand and toss it across his body to his left hand. As he catches it in his left hand, the rifle will be vertical with the sling to his left (his right arm returns down along his pant leg). The sling will be along his left thumb and he remains in this position until the NCO accepts the weapon. The NCO conducts a check of the weapon looking for damage, dirt, etc, to include looking down the muzzle with the trap door open. During this, the soldier remains at the position of attention. Once the inspection is completed of the rifle, and the NCO is prepared to return it, the soldier accepts the rifle in his RIGHT hand, and returns it to it’s original position (carry arms or order arms), and remains at attention in position until told otherwise.

NOTE: From experience, it seemed easier and safer to do this evolution from the position of «carry arms» unless you plan to do a lot of practicing in the «toss» from right to left!

The pictures above show a little of the weapons inspection we did at the Nebraska event. In the left picture, one of the garrison members shows the proper position of the left hand and rifle, just after «tossing» it from the position of «carry arms». This position is held until the NCO accepts the weapon.

  

The picture on the right shows Sgt Davenport checking out the barrel of the rifle with the trapdoor open to allow sunlight in. Note the position of the garrison members who have already had their rifles inspected, and of the soldier who’s rifle is currently being inspected. These positions are held until told otherwise. The picture above is of the good surgeon Bill Hutchinson in all of his finery. I’m sorry for the poor quality of the picture, but Bill is a difficult man to take a picture of at times! I was happy to get this one!

SETTING UP EXERCISES: These are a series of four physical exercises that were done first thing in the morning while in garrison to help warm up the body. I will type them out in their entirety here:

1. FIRST EXERCISE:
- count one: bring the hands to the front till the little fingers meet nails downward, arms horizontal
- count two: raise the hands in a circular direction over the head, the ends of the fingers touching, and pointing downward so as to touch the top of the forage cap, thumbs pointing to the rear, shoulders kept down, elbows pressed back.
- Count three: extend the arms upward to the full length, the palms of the hands touching; then force them obliquely back and gradually let them fall to the position of the soldier

2. SECOND EXERCISE:
- count one: raise the arms from the sides, extended to their full length, till the hands meet above the head, palms of the hands to the front, fingers pointing upward, thumbs locked, right thumb in front, the shoulders pressed back.
- Count two: bend over till the hands if possible touch the ground, keeping the arms and knees straight
- Count three: resume the position of the soldier.

3. THIRD EXERCISE:
- count one: extend the arms horizontally to the front, the palms of the hands touching
- count two: throw the arms extended well to the rear, inclining slightly downward; at the same time raise the body upon the toes.
- Count three: resume the position of the soldier
- NOTE: the first two counts should be repeated till the recruit is able to touch his hands together behind his back.

4. FOURTH EXERCISE:
- count one: raise the arms laterally until horizontal, palms of the hands upward
- count two: swing the arms circularly, upward and backward, from the front to rear
- count three: resume the position of the soldier

HISTORY LESSON: Here are a list of words and phrases used in the 1870s which were taken from a book titled Army Morale and Frontier Service. These can be added to words we had listed in an earlier edition of the newsletter some time ago, to help us improve on our first person impressions while enjoying each other’s company at events, and help make it more realistic for spectators.

WHISKEY SOAK ………………………a typical drunk, extremely heavy drinker
ACCOUTREMENTS…………………….soldier’s equipment (belt, etc) other than clothes or weapons
NOONING………………………………midday rest of soldiers on the march or midday lunch on campaign
FORAGE………………………………..food other than rations (ex: 10 lbs hay, 14 lbs grain for each horse)
SHAVETAIL………………………………..a new lieutenant.
BELL SHARP…………………………...an experienced officer
CHARIOTEERS…………………………wagon riding doughboys
WIND SUCKERS………………………..horses
BOB TAIL……………………………….a discharge without honorable character
THE GRAND BOUNCE…………………to desert
WRANGLE……………………………….a hot fight or argument
TELEGRAPH SMITH……………………designation for being a liar (any name can be used)
BLOWN THE HORSE……………………fatigued
FRENCH LEAVE…………………………deserting
JENNY LIND STEAK…………………….choice cut from upper lip of a mule
WALKING DRAFT……………………….a man with a price on his head
COFFIN VARNISH……………………….whiskey
UNCLE SAM’S WATCH AND CHAIN……ball and chain used on prisoners
I.C. BRAND……………………………….inspected and condemned brand on a horse
OLD BUMMERS………………………….men addicted to strong drink
KNITTING BAG…………………………..wool lined cartridge box carried by the cavalry
HEAVIES OR HEAVY…………………….a man in dismounted service or not capable of riding well
A HARD CROWD…………………………group of company drinkers who drink to excess
SHOW THE WHITE FEATHER…………..cowardice
UNCLE SAM’S SEED CAKES……………hardtack
TOP KNOT………………………………..top of a man’s head referred to as a scalp «keep yer top knot»
SKYLARKED……………………………...smoked and gossipped
CUP OF SKALLJAW……………………...cup of coffee
HAWGO FULL……………………………when the infantry had a kind of blow out
COFFEE COOLER……………………….skulker, loafer, escaping duties
GOOSE WINE…………………………….similar to a tea – anything added to hot water to conjur a brew
WIND JAMMER…………………………..a bugler
SLUM BURNER…………………………..a cook
OLD FILE…………………………………long term service for an officer
MR LO…………………………………….an Indian – «Lo, the poor Indian»

NOTE: most of these words and phrases were drawn upon from the army and navy journals from 1864 and 1890.

IN CLOSING: I would especially like to thank everyone who helped make this campaign season the best yet. We had a lot of fun at the various events and enjoyed learning new things, while helping others learn as well. The possibility of the different companies of the 9th coming together for an event is an exciting one and I hope it all works out and becomes a reality. As we head into winter, we can keep active and in contact with each other with several different projects, socials, dances, and other chances for interaction. The infantry community is slowly growing on the internet, and I am sure there are groups out there we still haven’t contacted or stumbled upon.

I hope to get at least one more issue of the newsletter published before Christmas, so if anyone would like to write an article, send a picture, or open up an editorial, please do so. I know there are better writers out there than me! (grin)

As always, take care, keep your hair, and keep up the fire!

Your ob’d servant,
Roy D. Varga, Corporal
Newsletter editor and publisher
BVARGA1@JUNO.COM