THE COURIER
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ASSOCIATION
Volume XX—No. 1
January/February 2015
Membership Newsletter
Las Mariposas Civil War Days
Long’s Ranch off of Yaqui Gulch Road
April 18th—19th, 2015 (School Day on April 17th)
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President’s Message
by Stephen Aguirre
Dear ACWA club members.
It is highly likely that by the time you read this we will have completed the first two
events of the season. Knights Ferry in my
estimation and from what I heard from other members, was a successful opening
season event, special thanks to Bob Preston and all the folks who worked to bring
this event to fruition. As we get ready for Las Mariposas, I would like to encourage
you to consider helping with the school days portion of both Las Mariposas and
the following event, Roaring Camp. I fully understand that each of us are
volunteers and in addition to the efforts required for the events, many of us are full
-time employees and family members. At the same time the schools are
continuing to look to us to provide a living history portion as edition to their
curriculums. On a separate topic as you may have heard, I decided to move the
Board meeting to Suisun City, frankly as an experiment to see if this would
possibly result in higher attendance, (it is farther for me personally to drive than
Tracy). I am happy to report that the meetings are running on agenda, on topic,
on time and in addition we have seen increased attendance evidenced by club
members at large attending to witness the proceedings and to speak on several
topics. I encourage you to attend the meetings and to let your voice be heard. At
this time I would like to provide a special thanks to the Executive Board Members
and Appointees, you are a fantastic team, the club is fortunate to have each one of
you and the diligence you continue to put forward in each of your respective areas
is very significant. With that let me say, I look forward to seeing each of you at the
next event, please seek me out and say hello.
It is my pleasure to serve you,
Stephen P. Aguirre
ACWA Club President
MARCH/APRIL 2015
THE COURIER
The ACWA Courier is the official publication of
the American Civil War Association (ACWA) and is published monthly throughout the year.
The ACWA is a non-profit organization dedicated
to educating the public in a friendly way, about the people,
culture, times, military life and tactics, and events of the
American Civil War, or War Between The States, circa
1861-1865. We encourage the participation of families and
are proud that we create an environment where families can
enjoy this hobby together, one and all can pursue their individual paths of living history under the ACWA umbrella.
They, along with all who are interested in our hobby are
encouraged to join. No prior experience or knowledge is
required, we train.
The Courier may be reproduced, for distribution to
friends, neighbors, enemies, in-laws, outlaws, or strangers,
and our permission for that is granted with gratitude. However, you can not pretend that you wrote it (and probably
would not want to) so you have to attribute the source and/
or author if you want to republish entire articles from herein
or whereabouts, and no article may be partially used or
quoted without permission of the Editor in Chief of the
Courier. Graphic design and advertising are the property of
the Courier and may not be used without written permission
from the creator of same.
Federal Employer No. 77-0397962
A California Nonprofit Association, No. 1952313
© 2015 ACWA
MAY/JUNE 2015
COURIER SUBMISSION DEADLINE
MAY 6TH, 2015
For more info about the ACWA:WWW.ACWA.ORG
Burned-out Richmond, VA—Circa May 1865
"Top 20 Great US Civil War Photographs Listverse." Listverse. N.p., 18 Nov. 2008. Web. 10 Apr.
2015.
Submissions—Please submit any articles, letters, schedules,
historic facts, and photos to: Brendan Krepchin, 2111 Latham
St. APT# 211 Mountain View, CA 94040 or you can email me
at [email protected]. Graphics or digital photos can be no
smaller than 200dpi. Color or black & white. Please include
credit name or source for photos and/or graphics.
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2015 ACWA & PACWR
EVENT SCHEDULE
DATES S UBJECT TO CHANGE
ACWA EVENTS
Las Mariposas
MARCH/APRIL 2015
NEXT ACWA BOARD MEETING
April 25th 2015
Black Bear Diner
111 Sunset Ave., Suisun City, CA 94585
Meeting Starts @ 10:00am
Saturday, April 18, 2015—Sunday, April 19, 2015
Mariposa, California
School Days Program on Friday, April 17, 2015
Roaring Camp
Ladies and Gentleman of the ACWA—
Saturday, May 23, 2015—Monday, May 25, 2015
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton, California
School Days Program on Thursday, May 21, 2015 &
Friday, May 22, 2015
I would like to encourage people to submit articles for publishing.
Kearney Park
articles, and stories pertaining to reenacting in the eyes of the
Saturday, October 24, 2015—Sunday, October 25, 2015
Kearney Park, Fresno, California
School Days Program on Thursday, October 22, 2015 &
Friday, October 23, 2015
younger generation, we can push this club further, and we can
PACWR EVENTS
Courier in general, whether it be comments, questions, concerns.,
Gibson Ranch (NCWA)
The members are what makes this club work. Plus, with photos,
keep this hobby going strong for years and years to come. Along
with content, I would like to hear from members regarding the
moments of epiphany, or just general feedback. After all, it is
Saturday, May 2, 2015—Sunday, May 3, 2015
Gibson Ranch Park, Elverta, California
School Days Program on Friday, May 1, 2015
your contributions that keep this club running. Please send any
Graeagle (RACW)
can always send items which you can’t send through a computer to
Friday, July 3, 2015—Sunday, July 5, 2015
Graeagle, California
the address on page 2.
Duncan’s Mills (CHAS)
Saturday, July 18, 2015—Sunday, July 19, 2015
Casini Ranch, Duncan's Mills, California
Virginia City (CCWR)
Saturday, September 5, 2015—Monday, September 7, 2015
Virginia City, Nevada
School Days Program on Friday, September 4, 2015
Hawes Ranch (RACW)
Saturday, October 3, 2015—Sunday, October 4, 2015
Hawes Ranch and Farm, Anderson, California
School Days Program on Thursday, October 1, 2015 &
Friday, October 2, 2015
OTHER EVENTS
Fort Point
August, 2015 (Exact Date Unknown)
Fort Point, San Francisco, California
input to: [email protected]. Remember, there is always a submission deadline for content, and it will always be on page 2. You
Thank you all, and I hope to see and hear from you all.
~Editor
P.S. The Courier will now be in a digital format, which you can
find at acwa.org/courier.
ACWA Information
ACWA
298 Warren Drive, Ukiah, CA 95482
Website: www.acwa.org
On the website, you will find applications, tests,
rules, bylaws, as well as prior editions of the
Courier and a program that will let you take
the safety tests online.
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
To all members:
It has been another dry year in California and we
do not need any unauthorized fires in our
campsites or on the battlefield.
We need a 6 foot cleared diameter around all fires,
whether they are in a pit or in the ground.
Remember, more is better!!
The safety zone between canvas and fires of any
type is ten (10) feet. A fire extinguisher and/or a
fire bucket must be near the fire at all times.
Thanks and lets have a great season!
David Wilson
Safety Officer, American Civil War Association
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
As of March 7th, 2015,
PACWR has amended the safety
rules and the safety tests to
accommodate the following rules
regarding Gatling Guns and Mortars.
These new rules and test questions
take effect immediately.
The following pages contain the new
safety rules.
To view the safety tests, visit
ACWA.org and click on “Forms”
under “Rules & Forms”.
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
Safety Rule Changes (cont.)
Gatling Guns (4 new test questions have been added as well)
1. The Gatling gun must be manned by a minimum of 3 men, two who have been fully trained
in the proper operation of the gun.
2. The Gatling gun must have been manufactured by a known Gatling gun manufacturer (such
as Battery Gun Company).
Determination of suitability will be the responsibility of the Artillery Safety Officer. The
senior artillery officer must approve Gatling guns before being placed on the field.
3. Gatling guns munitions boxes will be next to the Gatling gun for ease of loading the magazine
on the gun.
4. The Gatling gun munitions box shall be constantly manned when unlocked. When not in
use, the box is to be stored in a safe and secured area.
5. The placement of the Gatling gun is the responsibility of the senior artillery officer and the
gun owner.
6. The safety zone for a Gatling gun is 15 feet to the sides and 20 yards to the rear and to the
front. Only Gatling gun crew members or authorized personnel are allowed within the safety
zone when the gun is loaded or the munitions box is opened.
7. The Gatling gun shall not be loaded when the safety zones are not clear. The gun shall not
be fired when the front safety zone is not clear.
8. The Gatling gun will be a .45 Long Colt brass case loaded with 30 grains of FFF Powder and
sealed with floral foam. The blank will be placed in the steel cylinder provided by the gun’s
manufacturer. Each blank being loaded in the munitions box shall be inspected by the gun
owner and the senior artillery officer.
9. There shall be no hand to hand combat at the Gatling gun.
10. No one shall touch the Gatling gun without the permission of the Gun Owner or his
designated artillery representative
11. To remove ammunition from the Gatling Gun: 1) call for a cease fire, 2) Twist the locking
screw closed, 3) Remove the magazine, 4) Open the top receiver & 5) Remove the two (2)
live rounds in the receiver with a magnetic tool.
12. In the event of a misfire: 1) Signal a misfire, 2) twist the locking screw closed, 3) Remove the
magazine and open the top receiver, 4) remove the two (2) live rounds from the receiver with
a magnetic tool & 5) wait 3 minutes before reloading.
13. The host club at a club event has the right to allow or disallow the use of Gatling guns on the
field.
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
Safety Rule Changes (cont.)
Mortars (3 new test questions have been added as well)
1. Whenever specific mortar loading requirements are not required, muzzle loading procedures
are used.
2. All cannon regulations that pertain to training, fire prevention, the care and use of mortar implements and the tasks of the mortar crew, which are almost the same as a muzzle loading cannon, shall be used my mortar crews and enforced by the “Chief-of-the-Piece”.
3. The “Chief-of-the-Piece” is responsible for the muzzle loading artillery regulations for cannons and mortars with all crew members.
4. Muzzle loading mortar artillery pieces are to be manned by a crew of at least 3 (up to 4), one
of whom is the “Chief-of-the-Piece”/Gunner, who has been trained in the proper operation of
the gun which they are operating and runs powder and two who work the front of the gun. If operating with a crew of 4, the 4th member will run powder.
5. Mortars are to be placed on a wheeled cart, specifically made for the mortar that seats the
mortar for placement on the gun line, and can be chocked or secured for stability when firing
the mortar. A mortar may not be placed on the ground.
6. Crew members will stand well away from the piece when fired because of the vent blast. The
“Chief-of-the-Piece” will call clear front, prior to firing the mortar.
7. In the event of a misfire:
a. The “Chief-of-the-Piece” ensures that everyone and everything are in safe order and calls
“Clear Front” before giving the order to fire.
b. If the second firing attempt fails, after a minimum interval of 3 minutes, the vent and bore are
flooded completely with water and, after a minimum interval of 3 minutes, after the mortar is
tipped forward and drained, worming clears the bore.
Please be advised that
these rules and procedures are identical
to those of larger artillery pieces.
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
Battle of Knights Ferry 2015
Knights Ferry Covered Bridge, Knights Ferry, CA
Photos by: Michel Buxton, Michelle Chiulli and Erin Bleibaum
This photo is courtesy of Michel Buxton:
In Loving Memory of Gregory J. Hammock
January 21st, 1961—March 20th, 2010
You will be missed.
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The following photos are courtesy of Michelle Chiulli:
MARCH/APRIL 2015
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The following photos are courtesy of Erin Bleibaum:
MARCH/APRIL 2015
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
TO ALL REENACTORS WHO PLAN ON ATTENDING
MARIPOSA AND/OR ROARING CAMP:
At certain events throughout the year, our club provides 1 or 2
education days for school children all around the state. These
children come to the event site, are indoctrinated into our ranks
and learn about the time in American history that we work to
preserve.
That being said, as a reenactor, it is your duty to educate the public
in any way possible. Therefore, the school days coordinators are
looking for assistance from all reenactors, young and old, to help
teach the children and give them an experience that they will never
forget.
If you are interested, please contact one or both of the school days
coordinators to ensure that our next generation remembers their
nations history.
Shawnee Iacono
Mariposa School Days Coordinator
Lisa Price
Roaring Camp School Days Coordinator
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
Due to the amount of items for sale, this page is dedicated to
items that your fellow members and our sutlers are selling!
Check it out!!!
For Sale—Lewis from the Yankee Reb is selling a still-in-box Euroarms CS Richmond Rifle for $850.00. He is also
selling a grouping of reproduction CS Uniforms and
Equipment which includes an Armisport 3 Band .58
Caliber Enfield Rifle and numerous Uniform pieces and Leather Accouterments.
Call Lewis at (209)-840-4900 for more info.
For Sale: Period Hardtack and Rifle Ammunition Boxes delivered to you at the
next event:
(1) (1) .58 caliber musket ammunition box per 1862 regulations, with period paint,
cut nails, straight screws, wooden handles, stenciled with correct outside markings
and inside—Watervliet Arsenal 1862. $50
(2) (2) Hardtack box with white pine, cut nails and exterior glue, (hidden wood
screws for strength on the bottom), 2 coats of linseed oil and stenciled with A J
Hanks Bakery as per regulations. $85 (rope handles, not authentic, can be left
off, but very handy- No charge)
Email for pictures or visit The 69th New York State Volunteers. Michael Gatley,
69th NYSV (559) 960-2784 [email protected]
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL OR IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
SOMETHING TO BUY, EMAIL THE INFORMATION TO:
[email protected]
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MARCH/APRIL 2015
For sale is a 12lb Coehorn Mortar. The Gun was built in 1999 and has been used a
few seasons. It has a Dixie Gun Works barrel which is 2 1/4 inch bore with 1/4 inch
steel liner. The gun has been live fired a few times and is very reliable. The base is a
Federal Base design and is full scale. The gun also includes a cart and all implements including powder box. The gun can be fired on the cart as long as it is blank
rounds (3 to 4 ounces per shot). It has always been stored in the garage and is in excellent shape. Would like to keep it in the club. Asking $1,900 obo. Call Paul Vancas at 530-873-3190 or email at [email protected] .
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL OR IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
SOMETHING TO BUY, EMAIL THE INFORMATION TO:
[email protected]
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LOST AND FOUND
MARCH/APRIL 2015
SUTLERS
Found—1 Canvas Sewing Kit and 1 Rifle Sack. Found at
Fort Point on Sunday. Email [email protected] for info.
Found—Slide portion of a rear rifle sight. Found at
Duncan's Mills on Sunday. Call Dave Latona at
(209)-376-2262 for more info.
SUTLERS & SERVICES
The Yankee Reb
Timeless Stitches
Jim & Rebecca Ross
Norm & Lynne Harriman
[email protected]
7060 Joy Rd., Everson, WA 98247
Yankee-reb.com
tstitches.com
(503) 991-1601
(360) 960-5132
SUTLERS! ADVERTISE IN THE COURIER!
Send a business card sized ad of your company and we can put it in for free! Must be Civil War
period items. As per space allows it may be rotated per month. Must be a current member of
the ACWA. Send ads to: [email protected] with “Sutler Ad” as the subject.