MONTHLY DISPATCH
44th VIRGINIA C.S. INFANTRY, COMPANY H
MEADOW FARMS RECAP
Over 300 men, woman, and children reenactors converged upon Meadow Farms on May 5-6, 2001.
On Saturday, after a morning tactical, President Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Davis addressed the crowd and reviewed the troops. Around 2:00, the Federal troops marched out of the woods and happened upon a group of Confederate soldiers. The battle was fierce and the brave Confederate soldiers charged the Federal fortifications and "chased" the Federals out of sight.
At 4:00, Longstreet’s Adjutant Tony Zusman married his beautiful sweetheart Jenny on the front lawn. Congratulations to the happy couple.
Saturday evening, the reenactors were treated to a barbecue pork dinner with all the trimmings. Later, our favorite band, Southern Horizon, provided the music at a dance held by the Tobacco Barn.
Sunday morning, the troops went on a tactical. We received a report back in camp that the Confederate General had been captured. It was rumored that our own Johnny Glazebrook did the deed. Luckily, the General escaped and returned to camp unharmed. The General then brought charges against one of his staff, Captain John Wagstaff, for deserting him and allowing him to be captured. He was found guilty and shot.
The Federals regrouped on Sunday and after another fierce battle, drove the Confederates down the road. I witnessed Walt Sands gunning down , a couple of officers including John Wagstaff at the end of the battle. Just wasn’t John’s day.
A big "THANK YOU" is extended to all the members who pitched in and help to make this reenactment memorable and successful.
EDITORIAL
At Meadow Farms, over 120 individuals who had signed up to attend were "no shows". This appears to be a common problems shared by all reenactment groups.
It is important to note that situations do occur at the last minute that sometimes prevents members from participating in an event. This is understandable and acceptable.
However, there appears to be a growing number of people who sign up for an event and simply do not show. If you are unable to attend, notification should be made as soon as possible to the appropriate party so proper planning can be done. Also it is necessary to notify the organizers of the event so they can acquire the goods and services needed for the event.
Donnie Wilson did a outstanding job setting up the event on Meadow Farms. However, only a handful of members showed up to help setup the event and work during the weekend.
If you truly want to participate in an event, check your calendar to see if there are any conflicts, and if the days are "clear", sign up and show up!!
Y 19-001
THIS MONTH IN CIVIL WAR HISTORY
May 1, 1863
Four day battle of Chancellorsville begins
May 5, 1864
Two day battle of the Wilderness begins
May 6, 1861
Arkansas secedes, Davis approves state of war between US & CS
May 8, 1862
Battle of McDowell, Virginia
May 10, 1863
Wounded at Chancellorsville on the 2nd, Lt. General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson dies
May 11, 1864
Maj. General J.E. B. Stuart is mortally wounded at the battle of Yellow Tavern
May 12, 1864
Battle of Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania Court House
May 15, 1864
Battle of New Market
May 20, 1861
North Carolina secedes
May 23, 1861
Commonwealth of Virginia secedes from the union
May 25, 1862
First battle of Winchester
May 28, 1818
Gen. Pierre G. T. Beauregard, CS, born
May 31, 1862
Two day battle of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks
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EVENTS FOR 2001
May 19-20, 2001—Company Event
Fort Pocahontas—Sherwood Plantation
May 27, 2001
Color Guard Fluvanna, Beulah Baptist Church
June 2, 2001
Color Guard—Massing of the Flags—UDC Headquarters -
July 6-8, 2001—Corp Event
138th Gettysburg—$8.00 before 5/31, $12.00 after 6/1
August 3-5, 2001—Corps Event
140th Manassas—Leesburg, VA - $15 before July 1, Walk-ons $25 after July 1
August 18-19, 2001
White Sulfur Springs, WV—Federal Impression
September 28-30, 2001
"The Challenge" Tactical—Fort Pickett—Non Spectator Event—Campaign style
September 29-30, 2001
Shirley Plantation—Federal Impression
October 20-21, 2001
137th Cedar Creek
November 3-4, 2001
Fort Branch—Hamilton, North Carolina
JACKSON STANDS LIKE A STONE WALL
The name of Brigadier General Barnard E. Bee deserves a place in the highest niche of fame. He displayed a gallantry that scarcely has a parallel in history. The brunt of the morning’s battle at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, was sustained by his command until past two o’clock. Overwhelmed by superior numbers, and compelled to yield before a fire that swept everything before it, General Bee rode up and down his lines, encouraging his troops, by everything that was dear to them, to stand up and repel the tide that threatened them with destruction. At last his own brigade dwindled to a mere handful, with every field officer killed or disabled. He rode up to General Jackson and said: "General, they are beating us back."
The reply was: "Sir, we’ll give them the bayonet."
General Bee immediately rallied the remnant of his brigade, and his last words to them were: "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here and we will conquer. Follow me!"
His men obeyed the call; and at the head of his column, the very moment when the battle was turning in our favor, he fell mortally wounded. General Beauregard was heard to say he had never seen such gallantry. General Bee never murmured at this suffering, but seemed to be consoled by the reflection that he was doing his duty.
- Charleston Mercury
BOOTS AND SPURS IN BED
One night, after the middle of it, General J.E.B. Stuart came riding into Headquarters (at Bunker Hill, October, 1862), accompanied by this artillery pet, Captain John Pelham. Everyone had gone to rest. Stuart went directly to General Jackson’s tent; Pelham came into mine. The General was asleep and the cavalry chief threw himself down by his side, taking off nothing but his sabre. As the night became chilly, so did he. And unconsciously he began to take possession of blankets and got between the sheets. There he discovered himself in the early morn in the full panoply of war, and he got out of it. After a while, when a lot of us were standing by a blazing log-fire before the General’s tent, he came out for his ablutions.
"Good morning, General Jackson," said Stuart, "how are you?"
Old Jack passed his hands through his thin uncombed hair and then in tones as nearly comic as he could muster he said, "General Stuart, I’m always glad to see you here. You might select better hours sometimes, but I’m always glad to have you. But, General" - as he stooped and rubbed himself along the legs - "you must not get into my bed with your boots and spurs on and ride me around like a cavalry horse all night."
- Major Henry Kyd Douglas
Reprinted from A Civil War Treasury of Tales, Legends, & Folklore edited by B. A. Botkin 1960
BATTLE OF WILSON’S WHARF
Other Names: Fort Pocahontas
Location: Charles City
Campaign: Grant’s Overland Campaign (May-June 1864)
Date(s): May 24, 1864
Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Edward Wild [US]; Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 165 total
Description: On May 24, Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division (about 3,000 men) attacked the Union supply depot at Wilson’s Wharf and was repulsed by two black regiments under Brig. Gen. Edward Wild (about 1,800 men). At noon about 2500 Confederate cavalry initiated action on Wilson's Wharf, manned by a force of about 1400 soldiers. The attack began with a mounted charge on Federal pickets, and then a dismounted attack on the fort. To attack the fort it was necessary to cross through a clearing. Attempts at the center failed and lines of skirmishers were deployed to attack from the eastern side of the fort. Lee sent a surrender demand which Wild quickly declined. The Federal troops, reinforced by two gunboats in the James River, returned fire and repulsed all attacks until the battle ended at six o'clock that evening. Reports of casualties are conflicting, but can be estimated at 15 for the Union and 150 for the Confederates, including dead, wounded, and captured.
Result(s): Union victory
BATTLE OF FORT POCAHONTAS—SHERWOOD FOREST
Confederate attack on Fort Pocahontas at Wilson’s Landing. Saturday 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.—Living History encampment. 2:00 p.m.— Battle Reenactment. 8:00 p.m.— Lanterns tours. Sunday 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.—Living History encampment and military demonstrations,. 2:00 p.m.—Battle Reenactment
DIRECTIONS
Sherwood Forest is located 18 miles west of Williamsburg and 35 miles east of Richmond on Virginia Route 5, 14501 John Tyler Memorial Highway. The plantation is three miles east of Charles City County Courthouse.
From downtown Richmond, follow Main Street East (Route 5 East). Proceed approximately 30 miles (approximately 45 minutes). Sherwood Forest is on the right.
From I-95 South from Washington, follow the signs to I-295 South and take Exit 22A (Route 5, Charles City). Follow the signs to Sherwood Forest along Route 5.
From I-64 East form Virginia Beach, exit 242A (Jamestown/Rt. 199) to Route 5, Turn left onto Route 5 West (John Tyler Highway) 18 miles (approximately 30 minutes)
MEETING DATE CHANGED THIS MONTH
The next meeting for the 44th Virginia is scheduled for May 22, 2001 at Legend Brewing Company, 321 W. 7th Street. Call 232-8871 for directions
44TH VIRGINIA BOARD MEMBERS
President: Walt Sands
Vice President & Editor: Deborah Salmon
Secretary: Teri Toepke
Treasurer: Dave Anderson
Sergeant-at-Arms: Eddie Willard
Area Coordinator: Frank Clark
Editor’s E-Mail: Dixie963@hotmail.com
Web Site: 44th Virginia:
www.geocities.com/CapitolHIll/Parliament/3347
44th VIRGINIA FIELD OFFICERS
Captain: Walt Sands
1st Lieutenant: vacant
1st Sergeant: Rick Reid
2nd Sergeant: Johnny Glazebrook
1st Corporal: Charlie Knight
2nd Corporal: Monte Lewis
Alt. Corporal: Brandon English
Web Site: Longstreet Corps
www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Square/3208
Deborah Salmon 2001 44th Virginia Infantry