AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOCIETY
Company Dispatch
Official Newsletter of the American Civil War Society
Signed editorials and letters are the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the
American Civil War Society.
APRIL/MAY 2017
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Editor’s Note:
Hello all and welcome to 2017 – So much has happened and yet 2017 came anyway. Calico was a HUGH
success and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. The weather was very nice and pleasant. The
ACWS is now working on new events for the membership. As Editor of the ACWS Dispatch Newsletter I
am always looking for new articles and folks who want to expand their knowledge of the Civil War period
by sending in articles on the war. Please do so by sending your article to me at [email protected]
Welcome our new ACWS President Michael Akkerman. Michael has been on the ACWS Board of
Directors as Vice President and Membership Director for several years and brings a great deal of experience
and looks forward to bringing new life to the ACWS. Let’s all help make that come true.
Joyce Bolin
Company Dispatch
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
From: ACWS Interim President; Michael J Akkerman
Hello ACWS members;
I have moved into the President position as of two weeks ago replacing Kenneth Dacey, who stepped down
to do more reenacting. ACWS has had an interesting few months. There has been many changes in our
membership as well as in our leadership. With the change in the ACWS Board this past year, there has
been a lot of confusion and rumors that have been spread. I want to assure you that your ACWS group is
on the road to recovery from all the rumors that has put some strain on ACWS. We are not there yet but
we and an organization will come out stronger for it.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
THE ACWS 501(c)3 NON PROFIT CORPORATION STATUS HAS BEEN RESTORED!
There were no laps in this non-profit status, meaning you can take advantage of all your tax deductions for
our ACWS events! This was the accomplished by a joint effort between the past 2016 ACWS Board of
Directors and the current ACWS Board of Directors.
You, as members of American Civil War Society look to us, your Board of Directors, to give you events so
that we have a wonderful time reenacting with our family and friends. We have a wonderful future in 2017
so let’s get out to support our events and tell others. We all can be working to create more and better
events.
I look forward to hearing from you, and taking your input very seriously, as we all try in making ACWS a
better organization. I want a better ACWS! The best way to do this is to get you members involved in this
effort to make the board better and ACWS to serve its members better.
Calico 2017 turned out to be a wonderful Event! Even with the threat of rain on Saturday, Sunday was a
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beautiful day! The only issue was a mix-up with the event being open on Monday or not. There was a bus
load of kids from Victorville expecting to see our encampment. Fortunately we had a couple of reenactors
that stayed for the morning, Tom Atkins and Steve Pavich for providing a “in the street skirmish”. Thanks
to Tom and Steve for stepping up to provide the kids some of what they came for. This mix up was from a
notice on the county web page and the actual Calico schedule! For next year we will do all we can to make
sure we have those schedules synced up and that we have other reenactors stay to Monday.
There was a Board meeting on Saturday night, this meeting was open to all current member of ACWS for
2017. The Board took questions from the members in attendance and provided as much information and
the future state of ACWS.
Our next Board meeting will be some in the middle to late part of June. The time and location will be made
public as soon as I can get it scheduled and send you all a notice so if you desire you can attend.
I have a sad note on my side and that is my computer crashed two weekends ago, and still do not have my
email back on line again. Once I do, I will send everyone an email indicating this. For the mean time if
you need to contact me please use my GMAIL account.
Your humble servant,
Michael J. Akkerman
Interim President
CALICO 2017 – Federal Report by Col. Jason Coffey
So that is a wrap! Another Calico Ghost Town event is in the bag. 2017 was fun as always, but the event
started off a bit on the wet side. Most of the reenactors got setup before the downpour began on Friday
night so that was helpful. So things got off to a bumpy start in the morning, with breakfast and drills
running late, spectators were a bit shy so we opted not to do some of our morning activities.
We did our first battle in the Silver bowl with the Federal forces defending, and the Confederates
slogging up through the mud towards us. This made some of the hills around the Silver Bowl difficult to
maneuver across and take up position on. While we were destined to defeat, we had a safe battle with no
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one really going down on the wet surfaces. The public and sun were a bit light, it was still enjoyable
especially as most of us had not been to an event since November. The Federals were forced from the
Silver Bowl and back into the town of Calico.
After lunch, we were back out again – and the sun joined us! Most of the camps and equipment
began to dry out, and the cold weather clothing and rain gear could be put away. This time the Federal
forces were on the offense, and poised to assault the School House. We launched our initial attack
through their Camps, and found support from a naval cannon. However the Confederates were dug in
tight, so we maneuvered on each flank to suppress their artillery and the main body. While this found
some success, it was the final push across the bridge with the artilleries support that won the day for us.
Saturday night saw a cessation in hostilities, and the departure of the spectators. We had the first
of what we hope will become an annual Membership Meeting where folks can ask questions, offer
opinions, etc. and help provide direction for our organization. Reenactors were then able to enjoy a wellstocked BBQ provided by the town, causing many of the participants to go to bed early in the evening with
full stomachs. Those that recovered from the meal were able to enjoy a dance with the wonderful music
of the Occasional Strings, and the guiding voice of our favorite Dance Caller Tom Atkins.
Sunday morning arrived with a beautiful sunrise, and the armies went to the Church services or
served as the Kitchen Police (KP) cleaning up their cooking areas. For many of us this also means taking
down the cook pit so it can cool enough to be packed away that afternoon. Then it was off to have the
troops inspected by President Lincoln, and march up the hill for the daily combine Parade. Once all of the
formalities of the day were done, we dropped packs in camp and headed off to the Silver Bowl. The
Federal Forces entered the now dry wash and advanced on the Silver Bowl. As we entered the area, we
spread out and moved up a cannon to support our advance. A line of battle went up the left flank to push
against the building, while an attack column went up the right flank supported by the cannon. Finally we
were able to push the Confederates back into the Adobe, and out of the Bowl gaining some ground. They
fought valiantly, and we moved beyond them to clear out their cannons.
Then finally off to a much needed lunch. While premonitions of defeat loomed on the horizon, we
prepared to march up the hill and defend the School House we had taken the day before. Our Federal
troops dug in for the forthcoming assault. There were many feints by the Confederates during the
afternoon, but the attack finally came up the side of the Point near the Artillery. Normally our brave
Federal soldiers can hold the line, but they were punched through and enveloped by the Confederate
assault.
UNION COMMANDER’S ORDERS
Dear Military Reenactors,
As I write this column in March, we are busily preparing to travel out to Arizona for the Picacho
Pass reenactment. While it is a long drive, it is the closest Historical Battlefield we can all drive to. For
many years the 8th LA and the 71st PVI have attended the event on behalf of the ACWS, sometimes with a
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couple of people, sometimes with full companies. As a school teacher, I have found that many people
cannot connect with the American Civil War like most of us can, as it seems like something just “back
east”. While there were only 3 “major engagements” in New Mexico and Arizona, with no more than a
short Brigade or two on each side, it happened here. Growing up in New Mexico, we even had a couple of
the Mountain Howitzers used in that fighting in our town square, just not in our school books. So even if
you cannot make the Trek, there are plenty of books about “The Civil War in the Southwest” that you can
use to maybe get more people’s attention to the American Civil War by looking closer to home. If you are
interested in more information please feel free to email me for a list.
Event wise this is a bit of a turbulent year. In 2016 the independent Prado Dam event folded a few
weeks before it was to happen, to most reenactors dismay. While a great loss to the reenacting
community, Ed Mann was able to move Moorpark onto that date and site in the beginning of April. This
new date broadens the ability of the ACWS Units to attend Moorpark as their own Battalions, not just
folded in with other groups. What this does is it allows our Units to be seen supporting the event, rather
than being there unseen with folks left to assume we have not supported it. Our Federal Battalion began
to look at attending last fall, and is happy to confirm attendance there for the 1st week in April. While
there may be a slight cost over your membership like with Huntington Beach. Unfortunately Orange
Empire Railroad Museum (OERM) has been assumed by another Organization, so it is no longer our event.
We plan to have a replacement event by next year. Our fall season begins with Huntington Beach in early
September, and ends with the Las Vegas event in mid-October, at its new site like Moorpark.
We also are in a time of rebirth in the hobby the past few years, and in the upcoming few. Many of
our older reenactors are unable to continue to participate due to age related issues. This leaves Units and
Events smaller, and knowledge and expectations within the hobby lost. It is up to each one of us to decide
if we are going to ride out the wave, or help bring new people into the hobby keeping it alive for future
generations.
With that being said, we will finally be able to process through a number of the 2014 proposed
Gold Book changes in the coming months. Some of it has been out for review during the last year or so,
and some still is in the idea stage. We hope to simplify and clarify; Membership, Benefits of Membership,
Guest Units, Guest Organizations, Rank Ratios, and so forth. This is a big hobby with space for everyone,
and the ACWS, Inc. has enjoyed its niche as a fun and family orientated association. I will not say we are
not that anymore, but I will say that the majority of us want to return our focus more to those concepts,
and let others go elsewhere to build their empires.
Be safe, have fun, build (or upgrade) your kit, educate the public, be consistent in your support,
and be welcoming to other reenactors, new ideas, and the public.
Yours in service,
Col. Jason Coffey
Director (Federal Forces)
ACWS, Inc.
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MILITARY DISPATCHES
CONFEDERATE COMMAND On the orders of Major General J.E.B. Stuart,
Major Mosby dispatched our company to assist Kanawah's Cavalry Brigade in repelling the Yanks from the
area around the Moorpark train station. After five skirmishes over the weekend (our boys in gray soundly
won two) the armies were pulled back to our positions too "bled out" to fight more. Camping was in tall
grass (too tall?). Parking and the necessaries were very removed from camp. I had to shuttle a handicapped
member of my command to and from his truck. We cooked in camp but I understand the Rotary dinner
(chicken and tri-tip) was excellent. The dance was also well received by the members who attended. Overall
I would say it was a good event, and we can look forward to it again next year.
Respectfully submitted,
1st. Lt. Bob Macmillan
43rd Virginia Cavalry Co. E
Mosby's Partisan Rangers
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HISTORICAL MILITARY RANK
Today I would like you to follow along with me and explore the Historical Ranks in an Infantry Company. I
would like to explore with you the 1980's generated ACWS Rank Ratios, and specifically how they relate to
ACWS and Guest Units at events. In 2013 my unit went to the 150th Gettysburg, and in the process of
attending along with what we saw there gave us some new perspective. For a long time we had been
struggling with the idea of what a "Zebra Unit"
Looking at the old Hardee Diagram;
We see in an Infantry Company, there are about 80 Riflemen plus some additional Line Sgts and Officers.
This is from Hardee's book and the US Army Regulation at the start of the American Civil War. What is
interesting to note is that before and after the War our Government kept the Cadre of Officers and NCO's
- yet reduced the Privates - bringing it down to "half size" of about 40 Riflemen. The same "half size" was
also common during the middle years of the War, mostly from high casualties and low replacements.

So that allows a Company to divide into 2 Platoons of 40 rifles or rather at "half size" about 20
rifles per Platoon.
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
Which makes a Platoon divisible into 2 Sections of 20 rifles or at "half size" about 10 rifles per
Section.

Per Regulation the Company had 5 Officers and 4 Line NCO's in addition, allowing 1 Officer and 1
Sergeant per each Section thereabouts.

So each group of Reenactors representing a Historical Company tends to be about 1:4 its midwar
size, or when fully staffed 1:8. In short a Battalion of Reenactors is about the size of a short Infantry
Company.

This is provided that everyone showed up for formation, and no one was Absent, AWOL, Sickcall,
etc. which would further reduce the numbers on a given day.
The 1:4 idea uses;
The hope that each unit will have "at least" (3) Privates in the Line to form a Unit in between the 2
Corporals. A smaller group of Corporals might best be led by either a Sgt or an Officer. Having both can be
taken the wrong way by others when you have a small or new Unit.
The (2) Corporals to dress the front (Rank) of the Line, and yell at the men to "dress" up. Unit
Corporals actually have a job during Drill, Battle, and Maneuvers - not just to look cool in stripes. If used
properly these are the most valuable NCO’s on the field. In camp you can use them to run “Fish” Drill
(School of the Soldier), lead rifle cleaning, keep track of who is in/out of camp, alternate KP leadership,
etc. In between events you can even task them to help with recruiting, helping run new recruit workshops,
or even getting information out to your Unit members.
The Sergeant to keep charge of the Fire into the enemy. Often this places him at the rear of the
Units center, and does not allow him to fire. Alternatively he can stand on one side or the other and still
fire with the men or independently. However from the side it can be harder to watch all of your men for
Safety issues. It is recommended that all NEW Company Sergeants spend a year wearing "Buc Sgt" stripes,
before sewing on the Diamond. A simple act like this can instill confidence in your men, and the
organization your Unit is part of or falls in with. In camp they will often take Roll, manage your Morning
Reports, arrange Guard Duty, and teach Company Drill (School of the Company). In between events they
can manage contacting people for the next event, run workshops for new recruits, and even setup things
like Parades or afternoon Recruiting or Demonstration events like gunshows.
Lastly the Officer to watch the Battle and the Higher Command (Battalion, etc.). He will often stand behind
the Sergeant, or with him, to keep a general view on the field. Keep in mind that all Units have the right to
be led by an Officer. In my personal experience I strongly suggest that all NEW Company Officer spend a
year wearing "2nd Lieutenant" straps, before sewing on the "1st Lieutenant". And then another year
before sewing on the railroad tracks of a "Captain". Again an act like this should instill confidence in those
around you that you care about doing it right.
This means we should be thinking in about the Scale of a Section (10 Riflemen)

(1) Officer (2Lt to Capt) carrying a Sword & Pistol

(1) Sergeant (Buc or 1st) carrying a Rifle

(2) Corporals (1 at each end of the FRONT line) carrying a Rifle
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
(8) Privates aka Riflemen
Ideas for Larger Units with 12, 14, or more Rifleman:
Larger Units with enough Privates in the field May wish to add a 2 nd Sergeant down on the end. If
you are the last Company in the Battalion, they are in the front rank. If you are not the last Company, then
the 2nd Sgt steps behind the last File of men. This is probably my favorite role on the field as a Reenactor.
You get to fire separate from the Company (when appropriate), and your role is to step in where needed.
Either to take a Platoon, or step up and replace Leadership casualties.
Some Units may want another pair of Corporals in the middle. You can use these middle Corporals
to do a couple of things; Firstly you can use them as a “Break point” to separate your Company into (2)
Platoons and have your Officer run one and your Sergeant the other. Always make sure to have the larger
half of the Unit be on the right Flank, and be commanded by your Senior Officer. Secondly you could use it
as the point to “Refuse the Flank” or “Bend” the Unit 45 or 90 degrees to prevent your Company or
Battalion from being “Flanked”.
When I talk about "bottom up" this is what I mean regarding Units. Army Staff is another matter,
as it can often be minimalized to what is actually required to safely manage the Army.
Where Branch Commanders are concerned to run the Artillery, Cavalry, or Infantry - Most of the
time one of the Unit Commanders can handle this at and between events. It is helpful for the Infantry to
have an Adjutant (Lt. or Capt. who is the right guide) and a Sergeant Major (left guide) as well, since that
helps to form the Battalion in the field and during drill. In camp they help the Unit Commanders
coordinate any safety or other issues. In between events they should be keeping in touch with Units for
any upcoming events, and even searching out new ones. Typically the rank of Major is sufficient for most
Branch Commanders, unless they have multiple Battalions including Guests (Min. of 2 Units each), so
could be a Lieutenant Colonel.
In regards to the overall duties of Army Command, at the event that is primarily one person.
Generally they can be a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel based on the number of Branches (including
Guests) in their Army. Their Branch Commanders should handle most of the Reenactors needs at and
between events (using the Chain of Command), so there is not too much of a staff needed. Often one of
the Branch Commanders is also the Deputy Commander, and can handle things in the overalls absence.
The Adjutant-General (AG) is the single most important Staff Member, and is usually a Captain. They help
with the paperwork at the events, and in getting information out to Unit Commanders during and
between events. The AG can even help by being the Chief of Staff and helping out any Staff (Surgeons,
Chaplains, Music, Engineers, Runners, Colors, Guards, etc.) at the event. Usually a couple of Privates can
be attached as well to be Runners, Guards, or even carry a Brigade or Division Flag to denote where the
Headquarters is for safety reasons. Any other kind of “Living History” staff is awesome, but not at the
expense of combatants. I will save detailing that for another article.
At the end of the day we each have to understand:

Follow your “Chain of Command” on the battlefield, in camp, and in between events. Often they
know the answers you seek, and folks at other “levels” have other responsibilities to the event.

The Spectators are looking to come out to the event and see Battle Demonstrations and Camps –
which focus on the life of a Private soldier and associated Civilians.
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
The History Channel and College Professors give the Spectators an earful on Generals, Strategy,
and Tactics already so let’s make their time more valuable.

Be friendly to the spectators and invite them over to talk. Be you in first person, or simply sharing
with them your experience living in similar conditions to the soldiers of the time.

Without the paying Spectators there are no “amenities” like; firewood, extra toilets, rifle raffle, etc.

Likewise the Event is looking for attention to its site which the Battle Demonstrations and Camp
setups provide to the public. If we do not give them at least a couple of cannons and a couple of
infantry units on each side they frequently will not be satisfied. Any Staff displays are icing on that
cake – not the bread and butter.
So go out to events, be safe, have fun, and help show the Public things hands on. Often what we can
offer are things not discussed in lecture halls, and infrequently addressed in books or documentaries.
Museums are further and few between out West, and even if they are, few get to see/touch up close the
material and equipment we use.
Col. Jason Coffey
Director (Federal Forces)
ACWS, Inc.
**************************************************************************************
REPORT FROM COL. ED MANN RE MOORPARK REVIEW
The Moorpark Rotary Club held its 17th Annual "The Blue & The Gray" on April 1 and 2 at its new
site, Hitch Ranch in Moorpark. While both reenactor and spectator attendance was less than that
at Tierra Rejada Ranch at past events, it was a marked improvement over events of the past two
years at other sites, and reenactors spoke very highly of the event in general, and particularly with
regard to its very rustic setting on this sprawling ranch that lays hidden just outside downtown
Moorpark.
Due to the move to the first weekend in April from what had been the traditional November dates,
the hillsides were green and the fire risks were reduced. The weather for the weekend was very
good, and this was a key component for success. While the thermometer hovered around 80, a
cooling breeze prevailed during much of the day. Combined reenactor attendance was around
350. The Saturday night dance provided by The Armory Band with Logan Creighton as the
caller was particularly well-received. Attendance overflowed the dance floor, but this did not pose
any difficulty for the dancers given the flat, hard surface.
The ACWS attendance at the event was substantial. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the
Mariposa event was set for the following weekend, the Fresno and Visalia reenactor contingent
that was usually substantial in the "glory days" of past November events was lost. Their opting for
the much closer Mariposa event only a week away was very understandable.
The terrain on the battlefield that was bordered by two slopes was particularly conducive to
imaginative scenarios, and the Rotary's event coordinator, Dale Parvin, complimented reenactors
on the quality of each of the battles.
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All in all, given the problems with event sites for the past two years, the site served as a great
turnaround. Word of mouth about the event has been very positive, and those who took a "wait
and see" approach concerning this new site and did not attend would be well advised to mark
their calendars next year when the new dates are announced.
New location for Moorpark event
Confederate battery on top of the hill
Patrick Gorman, "General Hood"
in "Gettysburg" and "Gods and Generals," in the Richmond Howitzers' camp
(Provided by Col. Ed Mann of the Richmond Howitzers)
The Ancestry American Civil War Collection
Discover your Civil War ancestors in our online collection of American Civil War military records,
spanning 1860–1865. Featuring more than 18 million names, both Union and Confederate, from
service records, pension files — some created as late as the 1930s — to photographs and more.
Because of the various record types included, some soldiers will have more than one record in
the collection. www.ancestry.com
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1862 SEIGE OF YORKTOWN
Union forces under General George McClellan arrive at Yorktown, Virginia, and
establish siege lines instead of directly attacking the Confederate defenders.
This was the opening of McClellan’s Peninsular campaign. He sailed his massive Army
of the Potomac down Chesapeake Bay and landed on the James Peninsula southeast
of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. He reasoned that this would bring
him closer to Richmond, and the Confederates would have a difficult time gathering
their scattered forces to the peninsula. The first resistance came at Yorktown, the site
of George Washington’s decisive victory over Lord Cornwallis to end the American
Revolution 91 years earlier.
McClellan was discouraged by what he thought was a substantial force resting inside
of strong and well-armed fortifications. The Confederates he saw were actually 11,000
troops under General John B. Magruder. Although vastly outnumbered, Magruder
staged an elaborate ruse to fool McClellan. He ordered logs painted black, called
“Quaker Guns,” placed in redoubts to give the appearance of numerous artillery
pieces. Magruder marched his men back and forth to enhance the illusion. The
performance worked, as McClellan was convinced that he could not make a frontal
assault. He opted to lay siege instead. Not until May 4 did Magruder’s troops finally
abandon Yorktown, giving the Confederates valuable time to gather their troops near
Richmond. The campaign climaxed in late June when McClellan was driven away from
the gates of Richmond in the Seven Days’ battles.
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CIVILIAN COOKING RECIPES FOR REENATING EVENTS
A camping recipe from Mountain Man.
At the campground, prepare this recipe in a Dutch oven, then slice and serve it like quiche. But it is better
when prepared in your kitchen oven. Just mix it up and place in a large flat glass baking dish and bake at
350 for 15 minutes. I fixed this revised recipe for a church brunch and had phone calls for a week from
people to get the recipe. It is really good and hardy, and you will absolutely get rave reviews.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:






1/2 pound bacon
1/2 pound sage sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 medium onion, diced
1 2-pound bag hash brown potatoes, diced
1/2 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 dozen eggs
Preparation:
Pre-heat Dutch oven, 6-9 bottom coals and 12-15 top coals. Slice bacon and onion into small pieces, and
brown in the bottom of the Dutch oven until onions are clear. Stir in the hash brown potatoes and cover.
Remove cover and stir occasionally to brown potatoes (15-20 minutes). Scramble the eggs in a separate
container and pour the mixture over the hash browns. Cover and cook until eggs start to set (10-15
minutes). Sprinkle grated cheese over egg mixture, cover, and continue heating until eggs are completely
set and cheese is melted. Slice and serve.
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ACWS 2017 Calendar of Events
Sponsored and Supported Events
Dates are subject to change, but not more than a week or so.
Date
Event Name
Sponsor
June 34,2017
FTHA Civil War Reenactment
https://www.facebook.com/events/1653858774916204
/
FTHA
July 9-10,
2017
August
2017
Septembe
r 2-3, 2017
October
20-21,
2017
November
2017
December
2017
Fort MacArthur Days
Hhp://www.ftmac.org/ofmd.htm
Fort
MacArthur
Huntington Beach Historical Society
New Event TBD
Additional organizations and links of interest:
PACWR: http://www.pacwr.org/events.htm
Fort Tejon: http://www.forttejon.org
NCWA www.ncwa.org
SWCWA http://www.swcwa.com
We Are History:
http://www.americanheritagefestival.com/ACWS
The History Channel Club: www.historychannelclub.com
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ACWS/SNLH
A
Sponsore
d or
Supported
Location
Fort Tejon
CA
Supported
San Pedro
CA
Supported
Huntingto
n Beach CA
Las Vegas,
NV
Sponsore
d
ACWS NEWSLETTER
Joyce A Bolin
21758 Mirador
Mission Viejo CA 92691
Inc.
Civil
The is
American
War
pleased to
Civil
announce
War Society,
a new
[email protected]
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