TEXAS TIMES
Newsletter of the 5thTexas, Co. E
June 2008
Company E. Contact Information
MILITARY
Captain-
Ronn Touchstone - “Opie” Farquhar -reb5th@yahoo.com
- 313-522-5303
1st Sgt - Ken Davis “Fish” kcddavis@comcast.net
- 734-729-7803
2nd
Sgt - Brian “The Professor” Kallus - bkallus@umich.edu
1st Cpl - Larry Fifield/Buford “Red” MacGregor –flying_ace69@yahoo.com
– 989-549-2841
2n Cpl - Stephen/William “Billie the Kid” Allen - 517-263-9103
3rd Cp – Ken Little – colt.51navy@comcast.net
Recruiting Sgt & Quartermaster.-Joe Rodriguez – “Gator” redneckmex@hotmail.com
Camp Guard Cp - Keith Kirschner
CORPORATE
President – – Mike Rich Sr. - Rufus King Felder -rufuskingfelder@yahoo.com - 586-531-3109
Treasurer – April Henne - confederaterose64@hotmail.com - 989-656-7192
Secretary – Rebecca Touchstone - touchstonephotos2000@yahoo.com - 734-560-3987
CIVILLIAN
President – JanieTouchstone - sarahsummers@charter.net - 248-782-7060
Vice President –DeniseDavis - dmdrn@comcast.net – 734-729-7803
Secretary – Michelle Vaughn - bennie45@hotmail.com- 517-605-9376
LOANER EQUIPMENT
Military, Loaner guns & leathers – Joe Rodriquez “Gator” – redneckmex@hotmail.com
Civilian - Mary Pederson - 810-824-3009 - mpederson@hotmail.com
Newsletter Editor - Rose Vincent - 734-747-7952 - fifthtexascoe_editor@yahoo.com
Fifth Texas Website – www.5thtexascoe.com/
VOTED IN EVENTS FOR 2008
June 21-22 Portage, MI
July 12-13 Civil War Days, Ft. Wayne, Detroit
August 2-3 Light House Park, Port Hope, MI
August 23-24, Cascade Falls, Jackson, MI
September 20-21 Mt. Pleasant, Mi
September 20-21 Chicamauga, ,GA –Military only
October 18-19 Wolcott, Mills, Romeo, MI
FROM YOUR CIVILLIAN PRESIDENT, JANIE TOUCHSTONE
Well! It is the 2nd of June and all the hard work is behind us and the relaxing fun times ahead. Dixie Blue junction and GVHF were great.! They really did turn out wonderful but thank God thats over with for this year. At our civilian meeting we talked about many things but the next thing on our agenda is Portage. Our last encounter of this event was quite memorable, lets hope this year is better. We have a quilt to put finishing touches on and the quilt of wool patches from old wool pants to work on. If you have wool you would like to donate to this quilt, please bring your donation to your next event attending. We'll work on this project at my fly and we'll have lite refreshments and work on first person. It was announced there would be a company meeting at Fort Wayne, Detroit in July; true to form we will also have a pot luck. Would any one like to sponsor a civilian activity at this event? If you would but don't know what to do, I have a few suggestions, just let me know. Just one more thought...If you would be interested in making a quilt for your self and want some help making your blocks and would be willing to help some else by making one block for their quilt in return let me know. this is something we can arrange and have some fun too. I know I would love to have an old project finished. If I have some responses to this idea I will give more info on how we could do this. ....Sorry I had one more thought, Lets give our post mistress some business write a letter to a friend, a lover, a sweetheart, a neighbor, or a soldier. Till we are around the campfire again, my best to you always, Janie
FIRST SARGENTS REPORT
Because
i haven't gotten to the last couple of reports, im going to do a joint
report on the last two events, ill start with Dixie Junction.Capt.
Otis Preston Farquhar, 1st Sarge. Alexander F. Peabody, 2nd Sarge. ____________,
1st Cpl. Buford "Red"ford MacGregor, 2nd Cpl. Jimmy MacGregor, 3rd Cpl.
Robert Hunter Hastions , Cmp. Cpl. Kieth Kirshner , Pvts. Joseph "Gator"
Rodriquez, Nathanial "Spider" Sparks , Louis McPeak, Beauregard Hagird,
George "Floppy hat" Hatfield, Robert Hatfield, Musician: Ian Kirshner,
Guests: Jeff Verstaete, Andrew Verstaete
Over all the event went well, there was a full town set up including
Saloon, Post Office, Sheriffs Office, some general stores, and even a Christian
commission. The event played out well, although the captain was disappointed
in the amount of rounds we all started out with, it was bad. we made up
for it on the second day however. the demonstrations for the school kids
did well, and we impressed, and even scared a few with a bayonet charge.
it would have been more impressive if we had more numbers though, and i
highly encourage those who weren't there on the first day to make it next
year. there was a poker tournament on saterday, and natural Texans took
tech pot. and on sunday a surprise tactical of sorts that put me threw
my paces, and I extremely proud of how the boys handled themselves. save
a few close calls. all and all the event was a success. not to mention
an opportunity to see the old guard drill.
Greenfield Village
Capt. Otis Preston Farquhar, 1st Sarge. Alexander F. Peabody, 2nd Sarge.
Sean McCoy, 1st Cpl. Buford "Red"ford MacGregor, 2nd Cpl. Jimmy MacGregor,
3rd Cpl. Robert Hunter Hastions, Cmp. Cpl. Kieth Kirshner, Pvts. Joseph
"Gator" Rodriquez , Nathanial "Spider" Sparks , Louis McPeak , Beauregard
Hagird
George "Floppy hat" Hatfield , Robert Hatfield , Thomas Monroe, Charles
Allen, Ben Kidd, Musician: Ian Kirshner
with a slightly better numbers, we where able to show in force, we
still had less then most other companies, but things are looking hopeful
with the addition of 5 new potential recruits, I foresee a need in some
of our number purchasing there own rifles in the near future, and congrats
to Spider on already doing so(I believe Dixie gun works sells Enfield ramrods).
though our drill was sloppy, and our lack in remembering skirmish drill
we still managed to maintain our professionalism. even though our after
hour activities were not up to par, this seemed to be a good learning event,
and has brought about a few changes, for the better. we made new friends
with the cavalry and managed to turn them Grey, and Texan even. all and
all the event was a success and we managed to draw a good crowd as well
as max bounty for the event. That about wraps up the report, until
next time, 1st Sargent Alexander F. Peabody
Gettysburg “High Tide” information
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Guys
here are some rules listed on the site. It sounds like a good thing for
reenactors. I will post other info. Rufus
All persons wishing to register for and participate in the "At High Tide " event must agree to the rules and regulations listed below. If, after you have read these terms, you agree to abide by these rules, please click on the "I Agree" button at the bottom of this page to access registration forms. All questions concerning these regulations should be addressed to the event host. Thank you for your participation. These rules apply to all participants equally. No illegal drugs. THIS IS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.
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Hello
folks I came across this & thought it would be good readin' if not
informative on local history. Kinda cool. I am not suggesting the some
go to it vs the 8th event mind you just a mention is all. Rufus
August 1-3, 2008
Forage cap with no brass
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THE CORPORATE PRESIDENT SPEAKS……
Texans,
I am need to call a General Meeting at the Ft. Wayne Civilwar days Event July 12th after dinner. A place willl be determined at the event. We will need to decide to vote on the Dixie Blues Event for 2009 & a Ball for 2009' . Committee's volunteered and wolcott orchards notified. I will be bring up another concern that came up at Greenfield Village about what is a member of the 5th. Believe it or not there is a grey area in that direction. I think in another 200 years we might have the By-Laws tied down to all needs of the club. But they were designed to be updated as time needs, so ,we are going in the right direction. Hopefully, you have all recieved your copy of the Special Meetin' minutes of the Dixie Blues Junction Event thru snailmail and the subject has been satisfied to our needs.
Website News-The good news is we are up with the site again,being down for over 3 weeks because of a web provider meltdown. AJ has talked to Janie about the web site civilian content and is on his way to getting it on it's way. We have a alot of good things comin' to the site and have asked Ken Davis to give a hand with the site. I want this site to be the envey of all other reenactor sites. I want the 5th to be the leader in reenacting . We have put in the budget moneys for such a plan, approved for this year. It will surely help with recruiting even in our troubled econimic times. We will go forward. Any pictures send on to AJ on any event that you have. I got one from Marie thru Nancy Ovsenik in a photobuck form and it works beautifully for the site and anyone to view. If you have photo's to turn in go to "photobucket.com" and register,it's free, download your pic's to you account then send them on to AJ & others. Thanks Marie and welcome to the 5th.
New Members- I also wanted to mention we had
a get aquainted time for some new members from Virginia.
Rev Farley and Family. He made a statement about his intentions with the
5th and I think it went well. Welcome Reverand. I still would have like
your son to give in for some activities maybe next time. Well Folks, along
with the other articles I'm sure were going to have alot to read in this
newsletter to so, so long for now.
your President Mike Rich (R.K.Felder)
Dixie Blues Junction Event Chairman statement: I would like every coordinator to give me a report on there activities that will be copied into the chairman's book for reference to next years event as a reference to help out next years activities. Have contact info,costs incurred or thought of, any coordination that was needed that might help in the future that might not have been there before. I believe we need a cleanup crew also designated that we didn't have this time. We must learn from this event on things to improve upon. I don't believe we will be perfect but better. I want to thank all involved in every fasit of the event who made the event a good one with out being prodded. It sure makes the event run smooth if everybody does there job and not everybody's also. Onward to 2009'....
. Mike Rich
AN ANNOUNCEMENT…
ATTENTION: 5th Texan;
The President has called a General Corporate Meeting to be held on July 12, 2008 during Ft. Wayne Civil War Days at 7pm. The Meeting will be in regard to the follow up from 5-17-08. Regards,
Rebecca C. Touchstone, Madam SecretarY
THE MORNING AFTER, DIXIE BLUES JUNTION BY MARY PEDERSON
Well,
here we are, past the first morning after and on to the first evening after.
We had a grand weekend. We all, of course, share the sadness of the "8th
Arkansas" in their loss of a family member. We understand why they did
not attend the event this year. We look forward to having them all with
us at our second Dixie Blues Junction Event.
So here goes. My weekend started on Thursday morning. It got off to
a slow start, because I didn't have everythng ready to go on Wednesday
night. Imagine that. "I" didn't have everything ready. Anyway, I had to
get up and bake a cake. Then I had to run to the Hobby Lobby and get the
makings for 18 tops for the children. I put the last of the clothes and
bags into the van, and by 11:30 I was on the road, alone. I was to meet
Larry Fifield at noon to set up my tent. I arrived at about 12:45, and
no Larry. He wasn't far behind me, though. Even with the construction detours
I made pretty good time, and was excited to get set up. By the time they
got to the Orchard we were all hungry, so Larry, Brenda, Tony, and I started
out to find lunch. We soon found a nearby McDonalds, filled our tummys,
and moved on to find the last minute things that he needed to finish the
signs. We got back to camp, got set up,and Brenda was soon on her way back
home to get her girls and then to Port Huron to get my guys. After a light
supper some of us women got at the job of filling the poke sacks. First
the men's, then the women's and children's. We kept at it until dark. Peanuts,
eggs, cookies, candy. It all went into the bags. At least into the men's
and children's. Where were the goodies for the ladies? What did they get?
A quilt block. A quilt block that they have to put together. Everyone else
got goodies, and we got more work to do. Is that fair? I don't think so.
Being on the committee I think I will do something about that next year.
Anyway, by then it was late, and cold, and we were ready for bed.
Friday morning I got up early, because we had to get set up before the
school kids got there, which we didn't. We had a good group of kids come
through, and I, for one, enjoyed showing them what we are all about. They
all seemed to enjoy it. They stayed around. Some came back around and asked
more questions. They ate their lunch under the trees in the orchard, and
left us with the impression that they found it informative and enjoyable.
After the school children were gone we finished setting up our camp.
We had our fly up, but still needed tents for our granddaughter Patricia
and our dear friend Dolly Rose from New York. We filled in our spot with
a tent for two most enjoyable young ladies who came out and joined us for
the first time this weekend. Welcome to Alyse and Erin. Hopefully between
us and their sponsor we can make this hobby a joy for them, too. The whole
day had been busy, and I must have gotten too much sun. I was not feeling
well by the end of the day, and I went to bed early.
Saturday morning I again had to get up early. I was scheduled to help
with registration and I didn't want to be late. We got registration over
with and got back to the tent to start our day. I, the clutz that I am,
promptly tripped over a tent stake and landed on my face in front of my
tent. At least I didn't have far to go to get help. I just had to open
the flap on my tent and wake Dale up. He was right there, and got me back
on my feet. A feat I couldn't accomplish on my own. I have to do at least
one stupid thing at each event, and hopefully that was it. I did pretty
well the rest of the day. We had an interesting Ladies Aid Society meeting
and a cake contest, won again by Samantha Edgerton. What a supprise? Not
to us. Her entry was delicious. Congradulations Sam. My molassas cake wasn't
so lucky, but it was fun to take part. That evening we had a box social
scheduled. I had big plans. Roast Chicken with Dressing, Carrots, baked
Potatos, and topped off with a piece of my wonderful cake. At least my
husband thought it was good. The chicken came out very well, but I couldn't
get the potatos done in time for the social, so we shared with our friends
who didn't have a box for the night, and had our own little social. We
finished the evening off by going to the barn and watching the young people
dance. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and I want to thank all
the young men who turned out to escort the young ladies. I heard it said
by one young lady that she had always been left on the sidelines, and had
never felt so much a part of what was going on as she did this weekend.
The Southern Gentlemen were coming through for us this weekend. I heard
there was a bonfire planned somewhere near us after the dance. What a way
to put a close to a lovely evening. A box social, a dance, and then a bonfire.
Sunday was another cold but beautiful morning. Well, maybe not as beautiful
as the other two days, but no rain. That made it beautiful. We had a fulfilling
Church service, and good fellowship after. We visited with our neighbors,
went for walks, finished our chores, and went to see a battle. Then it
was over, and time to go home. I admit it was cool all day, and we had
to wear jackets to tear down and pack up, but we were not so hot we could
barely breathe, and it wasn't raining. We didn't have to pack up wet tents
to go home.
I want to thank our host. It was a beautiful site, we had great service,
the doughnuts and coffee were a definate plus, and we are looking forward
to doing it all again next year.
We had a little problem getting packed up and ready to go home. One
of the doors fell off the back of our old van. Can you imaging that? We
got it back on, and tied it shut with a piece of tent rope, but it was
tight and we were able to continue on our way. Dolly Rose and I took Patricia
home to Marlette, while Dale and Jim took the crippled van home. We traveled
together to Davison where we ate dinner at the Big Boy, and then parted
ways and did our own thing. Dolly Rose and I arrived back at my house about
ten Sunday night. She will be spending the week so she will not have to
make the trip from New York again next week for Greenfield Village. Our
delightful weekend was over. It was time for most of us to crawl into our
own beds and think about what we had accomplished in the past four days.
Good bye to Lammersville (named for our friend Jim Lammers from Cedar Creek
Sutlery,who passed away in February), and Goodbye to Scott Patrick street
and Jeanne Downs-Patrick street (named for fellow 5th Texans who died in
a terrible automobile accident within a few days of Jim's death). We will
miss them forever. Hello to a new life, a new site, a new event that will
continue for many years. DIXIE BLUES JUNCTION.
See you next weekend at Greenfield Village.
THE MORNING AFTER….. BY MARY PEDEERSON GREENFIELD VILLAGE
Yes, here I am again.
My morning after has almost become an afternoon after. I spent the entire
morning recouperating. Not recouperating from the weekend, but from my
reoccuring problem of vertigo as a result of inner ear damage long ago.
I got up this morning having to feel my way to the bathroom and then to
the recliner. I was awoken by a phone call sometime after ten. Now here
I am at the computer trying to hold my head somewhat still while I get
my business taken care of, so if this makes no sence you can blame honestly
call me that dizzy lady trying to tell you about her weekend.
Well, it is the morning after a wonderful weekend. I had a good time,
anyway. After a week together at my house, Dolly Rose and I got started
out forGreenfield Village in pretty good
time. We left home about five, and arrived with no detours, no lost directions,
and no getting lost. We found an ideal spot near the "little brick house",
just past the "duck do-do". Believe it our not, the two of us got our tents
set up and everything put away before dark, and it wasn't even raining.
We had a good time saying hello to our friends again and settling in to
another weekend in the 1860's. Dolly Rose was kind enough to spend the
night on the ground so I could have her bed. I thank her for that. It was
lunchtime Saturday before we could get wood to cook with. We didn't plan
to cook lunch, but it would have been nice to have a fire to heat up our
bicuits and sausage gravy that we had planned for breakfast. We didn't
go hungry, however. We had biscuits and very mature eggs (KFC). Some of
us sewed, and some of us cooked, and some of us spent the day looking around
the village. Some people worked on dresses they would wear for the weekend,
and some of us worked on a flag for the company. I think we all put forward
a good impression. That evening we all got together for a meal of Stone
Soup, which was, by the way, delicious. Thank you to those who actually
did the cooking, in spite of the lousy wood. Where was our wood guy from
Dixie Blues Junction. He definately wasn't in charge this weekend. Anyway,
in spite of the wood, we had a great meal and good companionship. Somewhere
in the middle of the meal my men finally arrived. They had to work Saturday
and couldn't get there earlier. Not to mention that they literally had
to MAKE my bed before they came. They got there while we were eating, and
couldn't start setting up the tent for Jim's family until after that. But
guess what. They got the tent up before dark. Yeah!! They didn't get my
fly up before dark, though, so they set up the tables and such and stored
the rest away. At least we got my bed up, and Dolly Rose didn't have to
sleep on the ground. Sunday morning we got up and left to go to our grandson's
graduation in Marlette. It was a long day, but we got back to the village
before bedtime. We got the fly up and everything settled. Even Jim's little
ones that we brought back with us after our trip. Then we were able to
sit around the campfire and retrack the day behind us as well as discuss
the day ahead of us. That was a relaxing and enjoyable way to end the day.
Monday we got up to another beautiful day. We were able to cook breakfast
this time, and make a pot of chili, as well as finding time to go for a
train ride, and join in the Memorial Day festivities. I personally did
not attend the program or the demonstrations, but my family did, and seemed
to enjoy it very much. Jamie was invited to a tea party with some new friends,
and two year old Nathan seemed to find it his duty to pester the sheriff,
and the sheriff could give as good as he could get. We had another visitor
to our campsite who became friendlier as the weekend went on, to no one's
dismay. We had a robin who enjoyed the treats we spread for him. He got
really brave and I wondered if he would actually get close enough for Sam
or Leon to touch before we left.
I have decided that we need to bring Mila, my daughter-in-law, to every
event. She was a driving force getting everything packed up and loaded
in the vehicles. She loaded most of their stuff on their wagon and hauled
it out to the car rather than bringing in one more vehicle. She kept the
men going. No time to run off and visit with friends one more time, or
even taking a cigarette break. They had to work right through it. I was
impressed. I was sorry that my sore legs and feet didn't allow me to do
more to help. Dolly Rose and I pulled out before the others, and we had
an uneventful ride home. At least I think we did, because once we were
back on the freeway I dozed off until she asked which one of the four Port
Huron exits were we suppose to take. We got home, got my stuff out of her
car, got the rest of her things into it, and she was off to New York, via
Canada. It was a great week for me, and I will miss her until I see her
again at Gettysburg. The guys got home soon after us, and we parked the
big blue van, got into our minivan and headed to Marlette to drop of our
Granddaughter, Patricia. We got home about eleven and I was in bed within
a few minutes. The perfect end to a wonderful weekend.
I purposely did not elaborate on the unfortunate end to the weekend
for two of our new girls, but we wish them both well and hope they are
feeling better for their next event. They both said this will not end their
reenacting. They learned a lesson, though, and will deal with the heat
better next time. Hope you are feeling better, girls.
FIFTH TEXAS BAR-B-Q COMING UP… GET READY FOR SOME FUN!!!
Remember 5th Texas Bar-B-Q at Jim Mitchell’s house, 2721 St. Joseph, W. Bloomfield, MI 48324--Take telegraph Rd. North to /Square Lake Rd./ then go West until you come to the light at Middlebelt Rd. /Go through the light. Stop at stop sign / turn left that's Saint Joseph St. / go to the last driveway on the left that's my house.
LOOK FOR THE FLAG IN THE FRONT
DIRECTIONS TO PORTAGE MI-Celery Flats Event
Take I-94 West through Jackson, and Battle Creek, to exit # 76A, Take South Westnedge Ave. approximately two miles, turn left on Garden Lane, going East one half mile to 7335 Garden Lane, The Celery Flats Interpretive Center & Historical Area. Follow the signs. Phone 269-329-4518 or 269-329-4522
DIRECTIONS TO FORT WAYNE-DETROIT EVENT
6325 W. Jefferson, Detroit, MI phone 313-224-6385
From I-75: South on I-75, past Ambassador Bridge exit, left onto Livernois to W. Jefferson (dead end)
From I-94; Take I-94 to I-75 South, past Ambassador Bridge exit, left onto Livernois to W. Jefferson (dead end)
GREENFIELD VILLAGE
2008