The Redleg

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We made it! The cannon was safely fired a number of times on August 21^st. The last shot was fired by Colonel Ron Leubke of the Wisconsin Army National Guard. We found this a fitting tribute to the Battery because Colonel Leubke is the present commander of the Iron Brigade, now known as the 57^th Field Artillery Brigade, Wisconsin Army National Guard.

I want to personally thank all of those who made this project possible by their generous donation of skills, materials, money and time.

Stock Holders: Dan McGraw, Bob Bobinger, 2^nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (CWSA), Ben Killips, Fred G. Cook, Doug Rasmussen, Gerald Paul, Scott Gutzke, Ugljesha Pirocanac, Tom Klas, Gary Klas, Dale Brasser, Weston Severson, CPT Mark Arvidson, John Lesselyoung, Randy Popp, The Popp Family: In Memory of Adeline Popp, Dorothy Ardisana, Garrie Hainer, Elmore Holt, Major Eric Peterson OSB, Marvin Kostka, Jerod Alderson, Doug & Laurie Rasmussen, Rich Grzyb, Chad Grzyb, Robert Nuszbaum, Richard Nuszbaum, Ronald Nuszbaum, and Robert Schwingle.

Add 1 3/4 cups of cool water to dry mix ingredients. Mix well and add more flour, if necessary, to make a stiff, dry dough. Roll out to 1/2" to 3/4" thick and cut in 3" by 3" squares. Pierce tops to prevent buildup and bake at 300 degrees for 50 to 80 minutes, or until bone dry.

1. The stuff you loaned the recruit is older than the recruit.

2. Your uniforms have all shrunk in an odd pattern - more in the belly and butt than elsewhere.

3. You used to hit on the recruit's sisters, but now their mothers are looking good!

4. You still cherish your Sears work shirt and Zouave rifle and remember the "good old days" of reenacting, which really weren't - any more than now - just different.

5. You hit on the recruit's mother, but don't remember why.

6. It takes all night to do what you used to do all night.

7. You look like an authentic 1860s 25 year old.

8. You actually go to sleep at night in camp.

9. You remember when cannons were made of sewer pipes & concrete (no joke!).

10. You realize the guys you thought were old then really are now, but not that much.

11. You remember when you could wear your Confederate flag T-shirt to school without getting expelled.

12. You remember when you could hold drills on school property without getting arrested.

13. You remember when EVERYONE was a farb, and the word didn't exist.

14. You really don't remember any of the above or much of anything else.

I have noted that in the past too much time is wasted milling about wondering what to do. We will adopt this standard operating procedure to be modified only by host scheduled activities.

The cannons will be unloaded from the trailers immediately upon arrival. That shall be the responsibility of the cannoneers. Camp will be set us as soon as possible at the direction of the ranking unit member on site at that time.

Beginning with the first day in camp and ending at the close of the event the following schedule is to be followed whenever possible:

0600 hrs      Assembly of Buglers (Wake up)
0615 hrs      Reveille (Roll call)
0700 hrs      Stable Call (Final prep of cannons)
0730 hrs      Breakfast Call
0800 hrs      Sick Call
0900 hrs      Watering Call (Fill canteens)
1000 hrs      Drill Call
1100 hrs      Boots and Saddles
1200 hrs      Dinner/Mail Call
1600 hrs      Watering Call
1745 hrs      Retreat (Roll call)
1800 hrs      Assembly of the Guard
1815 hrs      Supper Call
2130 hrs      Tattoo (Final roll call)
2200 hrs      Taps (Lights out)

This makes for a very structured day. You will note that there is adequate time for rest as well as visitation of the sutlers. This is the way it was done in the Army of the Potomac light artillery batteries. (For more info read Hardtack and Coffee, by: John Billings.) Please note that the guards are exempt from all roll calls or fatigue duty.

Military Courtesy and Etiquette to be Followed on the Field

Those of you who are veterans may find some variance with modern military custom in which Privates are accorded more rights.

1. A soldier never addresses a superior in the first person. An Officer or NCO is only addressed in the third person. Example: "Would the Captain like us to move forward?" or "What time does Captain Peterson wish us to report to Him?" In both instances the officer is being directly addressed.

2. A soldier always requests permission to speak before addressing a superior.

3. A soldier always stands at attention when addressing a superior until told otherwise by the superior.

4. When passing by an officer the salute is rendered when approaching six paces from the officer.

5. When speaking to superiors the subordinate never makes eye contact with the superior.

These simple rules will make our military Camps more authentic to 19^th century standards.