PIPESTONE EVENT August 16-17

I just spoke with the event coordinator.

The event is really looking forward to seeing the Irish Brigade boys again.

Here is the url for the event be sure to take a look at it.
http://www.pipestoneminnesota.com/cwd/Home.html

Also here is the url for the map of the event area. For those who have been there before we will be camped in approx the same place as in 2006. Parking is close and a sort walk.. Restroom are close as well as the vendors and food tents. No dinner is planned downtown at the church this year. So plan to cook all meals in camp.
http://www.pipestoneminnesota.com/cwd/Images/CivilWarMap2008_bw.png

The cessesssionists. vow not to be captured this year by trhe NINJA"S the gauntlet has been slapped in your face lads.

If you haven't registered please do so today. The early registration before the 13th waves your admittance fee, and you will receive a $5.00 coupon good at most restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations in Pipestone. I believe you'll also receive 5lbs of ice but I'm not sure. It's on the web page.

Weather will be cool for the most part highs in the 70's lows in the 50-60 degree range. Slight chance of rain on Sunday late. Everyone is in long sleeve shirts this morning in Pipestone.

I am asking for a couple of men to assist me in my medical demos at the Dixie Tent at 9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Amputations of either an arm and leg will be performed at each of the four sessions. If you can yell and scream in a most grostesque manner your my man. There are just a huge amount od demos and things to do at this event. It worth the drive without a doubt! Look at the pictures on Muddyriverbattalionmedical on yahoo.

Plan to take the tour of the PIPESTONE National Monument area. Its most interesting and we camp at the entrance to the Park. Be sure to bring a camera!!! If you can, plan to eat one meal at Lange's Cafe 110 8th Avenue South East, Pipestone, MN 56164, 507-825-4488.The portions are huge and its been in continous operation 24/7 since 1957. Its featured in every tourbook printed. You won't be disappointed. The prices are reasonable. The pies are out of this world..

Gasoline was in the $3.50 to $3.60 cent range in Pipestone this morning.

Tips on Recruiting

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since recruiting is critical to the Battalion and its member units and it was a discussion point at the last unit meeting at Zona Rosa I thought I would put down the things I do that have been successful in recruiting new members.

I believe you will find them helpful as you recruit new members.

If you have other techinques that you use please post them here so others can benefit from your success and learn from your failures.

Here are my suggestions and the things I do to recruit:

Become active in the Historical and Civil War organizations in your community. That means become a member of and/or go to the respective meetings of the groups on a regular basis and to their functions and field trips when possible.

Purchase business cards thru VISTA PRINT that advertise the Unit. For less than $15.00 you can have 250 and sometimes 500 quality professional cards made by this business. If you can't afford that, go together with a friend and spend $7.50 apiece then split the cards. Every three months or so Vista Print will offer you 250 to 500 free replacemnet cards of your design, for the postage cost only. I always use ups ground 21 day delivery. 500 free cards for $6.95. I can't even print my own for that.

Purchase and wear the Unit's hats, caps and shirts. The main reason to have such things. is to advertise and elicit conversations about the Unit from non members This can't happen if you don't have them on and or wear them.

Pass out the business cards when people ask you about your uniform at the above meetings or about your tee shirt or cap at other functions you attend. Wear these items when you go out. I do, its effective and you'll find it so also.

Go to and be known at the Historic sites in your area or county or region. Leave cards and a flier or two at these locations on a regular basis. Volunteer your services at these locations ever so often. Get on their mailing lists or email lists. Share these lists with the unit on the MSN site monthly.

Put a bumper sticker on your car about the Civil War. They are 50 cents to $ 1.00 apiece at James County.

When our unit, or an individual of the unit does something that isn't a reenactment., but related, support the activity in numbers and in uniform if appropriate, but by all means, wear your cap and/or tee-shirt to these functions. Numbers attract attention. Attention garners questions. Questions lead to prospects. Prospects lead to recruits. Be sure to have business cards with you and hand them out. Be sure the cards have a phone number and the web address of the Unit or Battalion's web page printed on them.

Post the events of the Historical Societies, Museums, Civil War Round tables, genealogical societies and other related period organizations from your city, county and region to the MSN page. To do this you must do a little leg work, make a few calls, write a few emails and network with people that might be out of your comfort zone a little. This is hard at first, but with each new call or contact , it becomes easier. Wouldn't it be nice to know about the organizations and happenings in Iowa or Harrisonville or from St. Joe and just not Kansas City or Jackson County, Missouri.. I know for a fact there are great museums and organizations in these areas but you'd never know it.

Post tthe above information to the MSN site with interactive urls so all can see what's going on. That's why I always post the url to the Jackson County Historical Societies monthly events and at least one or more of the events that have Civil War interest on MSN and place a copy of it on the Medical Yahoo group page in the files section and on my blog.

Carry small copies of the appearance schedule of the Unit. Its effective to give this to an interested party along with the business card when they ask at the barber shop or grocery store parking lot about your next reenactrment or about your bumper sticker. Invite the interested party to the monthy meeting at Zona Rosa and to the next reeanctment.

The more you practice these suggestions the better you'll be at it. Anyone can do it, it just takes a little practice and some expenditure of you time, but it pays dividends.

Many of you were recruited in just the same manner.

Happy recruiting,

Jim Bair

Lincoln, The Constitution and the Civil War Exhibit

This is a must see for any Civil War reenactor.

Taken from the August issue of the Jackson County Historical Societies newsletter

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Through September 14, 2008

Lincoln: The Constitution & The Civil War

Neither a traditional biography of Lincoln nor a conventional exhibit on the Civil War, Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War explores how Lincoln met the enormous challenges of the Civil War and why his very human struggle still matters to us today. From families with young children to Civil War buffs and history scholars, everyone will find something engaging in Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War. Harry S Truman Library and Museum. Visit their website available through the Jackson County Historical Society's "Jacomo Bookmark" linked at the top of this HistorE-Calendar.



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Medical Staff Roster and New Surgeon

Here is the current roster of the Muddy River Battalion Medical Unit.

Huzzah for John Joe Reyes Asst. Surgeon and his two lovely daughters who are quite the reeanctors as well. John and his daughters have joined the Battalion's Medical Staff.

John will hold the rank of Lt..

John and I have known each other since the College of the Surgeon held at Mine Creek Battle Field three years ago. John will add greatly to the Battalion Medical Staff as will his teenage daughters.

This brings the Muddy River Battalion Medical Unit to eleven members. We are still seeking and actively recruiting a second Hospital Steward and a laundress.

Here is the Roster of the Muddy River Battalion Medical Unit:

John- Asst. Surgeon
Lance- Chief Hospital Steward
Toby- Director of Nurses
Rita- Nurse/refugee
Samantha- Nurse/refugee Samantha lives in the Nebraska Territory
Skip- Hospital attendent
Thersea- Hospital mattron
John's daughters/ refugees
Edward Powers - Surgeon

Second Hospital Steward - open

Laundress- open

In your recruiting efforts if you run across an individual who might be interested in the medical aspect of reenacting please steer him/her our way

The Battalion's Medical Web page can be found at www.7th-missouri-medical.org

YOS,Capt Edward Powers Surgeon Muddy River Battalion.