Battle of Charleston

I will miss this weeks encampment in Olathe. I will be in Charleston SC, for a wedding. I hope to attend the Battle of Charleston at some time before my return on Sunday afternoon.

Lexington Battalion Muster Reflections

Reflections of the Spring Muster
Lexington, Missouri
April 1, 2 and 3, 2005

On Friday I left work early so I would arrive at the event site by 3:00 p.m. When I arrived at the site the gates were closed, that threw me. As I was backing up Sgt. Nicholson came in behind me. It was decided that we should open the gates and go in. At the crest of the hill I saw Mike Mandrake's truck and the set-up began.

In my haste to leave I forgot to load the theatrical make-up and my pillows.
Luckily, I was able to call Margaret and arrange to meet her half way for the transfer. As luck would have it, Terry, our new recruit, also forgot some items as well. Terry had arranged for his wife to meet him about two blocks from my rendezvous location. I caught a ride up with Terry to 291 and 24 highways. Curtis needed pipe tobacco so Terry and I went to Wal-Mart, after the transfer of goods, to secure the tobacco and purchase some bread that Mr. Mandrake said we were short on.

It was good to see everyone again after the winter furlough.

Friday night was really cold and clear! The temperature dropped to 28 degrees. Thank goodness the latrine was close. 1st. Sgt Maxwell woke me at 5:30 a.m. Saturday to borrow my pen and ink for the morning report. I was sleeping so soundly I thought I had missed first call. The cook fire felt great and the bacon and eggs were delicious.

Saturday was a busy day for the battalion. Lot's of drill and especially running.
Since this was my first spring muster, I had no idea what to except. The boys worked hard and long. It was physically tiring on them.

At the end of the day, during parade, the Provost arrested a so-called rebel spy. A trial was held at 7:00 p.m. The defense attorney was none other than our own Capt. Being the crafty devil that he is, the Capt. was able to prove the innocence of the prisoner and saved him from a firing squad or hanging.

Several of the boys and I attended the Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lexington. On our way to Mass we learned that Pope John Paul II had died.

The 7th and 30th filled an entire pew. As I looked down the pew and saw the men, I could help but think that we, the boys of the 7th and 30th, are indeed a band of brothers.

In 1861, when the 7th Missouri garrisoned Lexington, our brothers in arms, sat in this very church and attended Mass. I wonder if they were with us on Saturday?

After Mass, Paul, Aaron and I went to Riley's Irish Pub and had dinner. The food was good but the atmosphere wasn't Irish, in my opinion!

After sitting with my friends, upon my return to camp, and sipping a little Jamison, I hit the sheets at 9:30 p.m.

Somehow or someway during the night my tent flaps open and threw themselves on the sides of the tent. Once they even untied themselves and threw themselves on the sides of the tent. This remains a mystery that needs further examination. I smell an Otter!!

Since daylight savings time changed on Saturday night, 1st call was at 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning instead of 6:00 a.m. The sausage potato combo and bacon made a tasty breakfast. The old Steward was hungry. At 8:30 a.m. the brigade had morning parade and inspection. The troops had knapsack inspection and the aid station was also inspected.

I was glad the aide station was inspected; it made me feel my impression was part of the reenactment experience at the muster.

Nick, my new hospital assistant, is going to be great help. The medical impression can now expand with the help of Liz Mandrake as nurse and Nick as hospital assistant.

Tear down began at 10:00 a.m. Everyone chips in and helps. I arrived home, after a stop at Sonic for a large limeade, at 12:30 p.m. I unloaded some of truck. I am definitively going the purchase a small covered trailer before the next reenactment so I do not need to unload and load the truck each time.

Finally, Paul Byrne made me a wonderful medical desk from a pattern I gave him. The desk was fashioned from a Union Bread Box. I attempted to pay him, but Paul only wanted me to make a contribution to the Flag fund. This I will do with great pleasure, after tax day.

Almost Ready

ALMOST READY

Everything was completed except for the making of the splints. Maybe I'll have time today at the event.

It's going to be cold tonight, better put in my long underwear.

I'm leaving school at noon. I'll get the ice then and the last bale of straw.
I need to purchase some bungy cords.
I need wooden coffee stirs

I've made some documents up for the new recruits.

I have the Bible Society cards with me.

Had to order some new business cards this morning.

I must get a trailer for all this material. It's getting to be too much to load and unload each time.

When I return from Charleston SC, I'll go and purchase a covered 10 ft one.

Have some really good burn/blister latex to use this year. The teeth from the dental college are packed.

I'll be busy with real blisters this weekend.
Packed all the sunscreen, moleskin, kaopectate, calamine lotion for the poison ivy, antacids, and tylenol in period bottles along with castor oil, alcohol and perioxide.

Set the barometer and checked the thermometer.

Paul Byrne is coming on Saturday with my desk bread box.

I need a large pedistal table.

Learned how to fold a Greatcoat last night between loads of laundry.

Called Skip again at the request of the Lt.
Skip is sitting this one out.
He'll be at the Olathe event.