OPENING COMMENTS: Hello everyone! I hope all of you had a happy and joyous holiday season as we head into the new millenium. Things have been hectic at the Varga household, as I am sure it has at everyone’s home and world in general. The year ended on a high note, just as the new year started out with a bang on the very first day. Kathy Coulter, is the organizer of a Victorian acting troupe here in Cheyenne. I read an article about her group a few weeks ago in the newspaper, became curious and called her. After talking for a bit, we realized her group and reenactment groups in general are very similar, and for the most part, have the same goals. We were invited to participate in a fund raising event with her group, on new year’s eve.

To make a long story short, we had a great time meeting her actors, and had fun interacting with the guests at the event. We portrayed several people we all know, specifically Queen Victoria and her entourage. The group included Mr Marley, the Queen’s escort, Mr Ebenezer Scrooge, Miss Hardly Ever, Miss Fezziwig, Ann Burrows, Captain Thomas Burrows, and Captain Calbreath Rodgers. The pictures at the top of the page are (on the left) Captain Rodgers, Ann Burrows and Captain Burrows. The picture on the right is of the ladies (from the left, Miss Fezziwig, Miss Hardly Ever, Queen Victoria, Ann Burrows).

The second group of pictures above, are from the event in December at the Old Governor’s Mansion in Cheyenne, where members of the 5th US Cavalry (reorganized) and Co. G of the 9th US Infantry participated in the annual holiday open house. Members assisted in manning various tour posts throughout the wonderful Victorian mansion and also providing an honor guard at the front door. Even with the cold weather and high winds, the guard’s spirits were high as they greeted guests and the ones assisting on the inside helped the visitors to experience the Victorian era first hand in their outfits and knowledge of the mansion. A good time was had by all. On the left, is Sherry and Lynda of the 5th US Cavalry; in the middle is our ever-impressive Sergeant Major Hank Miller; on the right is Betty and I, posing as Captain and Mrs Burrows. The authentic setting gave ample opportunity for great backdrops for photos as you can see.

HISTORY LESSON:
In our on-going effort to make our impressions more authentic, here is another addition to our word and phrase glossary of 1800s era vocabulary. The complete list of phrases was forwarded to me by Lt Col Corky Reed, and can be viewed on the following web site:

http://www.world.std.com/~ata/terms.htm

BANQUETTE: A small elevation of earth three or four feet wide and four feet nine inches below the crest of the parapet to enable the shortest man to fire over it easily (a firing step).

BREVET RANK: Temporary, often honorary, commissions enabling the owner to wear the uniform and collect the pay of that rank while yet being listed in the official lists with a lower rank.

CAMOUFLET: An explosive device placed in front of defensive works that would explode inward in shafts tunneled under the works.

CROWS FOOT: A trefoil created by stripes of embroidery or lace at the end of a buttonhole.

FLYING TELEGRAPH TRAIN: A mobile communications post consisting of two wagons equipped with two Beardslee telegraphs, two hand-cranked magnetos, five miles of wire (the maximum effective range), 150 15-foot poles, 50 18-foot poles and five wire hand reels.

BEARDSLEE TELEGRAPH: A telegraph used in the US Army that used a dial for pointing to the appropriate letter rather than a key which required knowledge of Morse code, a lighter cable and a hand-cranked magneto instead of a battery.

GUM BLANKET: A waterproofed, often by rubberizing, canvas blanket or poncho. The white underside was often inscribed with gaming table markings by troops in the field.

HOUSEWIFE: A sewing kit containing needles and thread, carried by most soldiers.

KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE: A secret pro-southern society in the north which performed subversive activities during the Civil War.

PANDA: A mixture of crumbled hardtack and water or whiskey.

SHODDY: Old woolen rags passed through a machine that reduced them to wool, then saturated with oil or milk, mixed with new wool, and then run into large shallow pans, partially dried, and then pressed between cylinders to make new cloth. The result looked good but lasted only a short time in the field. Many 1861 Union uniform items were made of shoddy.

STOCK: A tight-fitting strap worn around an enlisted man’s neck, usually of leather, which was regulation but rarely worn during the war.

VEDETTE: A sentry on horse-back.

NOTE:
It might be a good idea to start keeping a personal notebook containing all the different phrases and words we have learned in the various issues of the Post Herald for use in the future.

Also, I have started making replicas of items a soldier might take with him on campaign, such as pictures of loved ones (wives, daughters, sons, parents, etc). This will help add a personal angle to my impression. Think of what a person might take with them while away from the fort, other than vices like liquer, cards, etc. Add your own personal touch!

A WOMAN’S VIEW:
My older daughter, Bonnie, had to write a personal diary for one of her school classes recently, as a participant on the Oregon Trail and the westward movement during the latter part of the 1800s. For lack of space, I can’t put the entire diary which covered five entries. However, here are some excerpts from what she wrote which I thought came out very well.

May 1, 1876
My name is Bethanne Burrows. I am 19 years old and the mother of two healthy sons, ages 2 and 3. We’re traveling to Oregon to meet my father Thomas Burrows, who is a captain in the Infantry, because my dear husband died in battle in the war of the Rebellion. I worry about my boys, now that they don’t have a father, and I’m hoping my father will be able to take his place. My mother died five years ago from consumption. She put up a good fight. Sadly, she left me with my two boys to raise on my own. The wagons are forming tomorrow to take part on the trip at sunup. Well, the boys need to be put to bed and I have to finish packing what little I can take with me.

May 30, 1876
Now we are on the Great Plains. It’s a rather desolate place and very hot. There is a shortage of water between rivers. One of the women went into labor the other day and I was there and mopped her brow when the baby came, but sadly, the infant perished. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as they covered it up with dirt and rocks. The wagon master warned everybody not to stray too far from the wagons for fear of savages. I fear for my son’s safety. One of the children got too headstrong and went a’wanderin’ away too far from the wagons. Nobody could find him. We never did. Unfortunately, we had to press on. A herd of thundering buffalo went stampeding through our campsite and overturned two wagons. It gave us such a fright because it shook the ground so hard, we thought it was an earthquake. When it was all over, we found many of the supplies are damaged and we fear we have not enough food to last us the trip. The men went hunting and brought back 1,000 pounds of meat to split up between the wagons. I will write again later.

June 28, 1876
We are now at Register Cliff scanning the rock to see if there have been any other survivors who have made it this far. I did recognize the name of Nathaniel Ebineezer Johnson who we met from living close by them on a farm, not too far from up in St Louis. I happily made my mark on the side of the rock but we had to hurry on our way if we were to make it to Ft Russell near Cheyenne City. One of our army escorts arrived today with some disturbing news. It just so happens that Colonel Custer and his entire command got wiped out north of here in Montana Territory by the Sioux and Cheyenne Indian tribes. The army escort will stay with us for the remainder of our long journey. The escort is commanded by my father who was also there and we had such joyous greetings.

My daughter went on to write several more entries, and to make a long story short, Bethanne Burrows sadly lost her 2 year old son from a leg infection, but made it through to Oregon. She plans to settle by a river and become a school teacher.

SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER:

Lou Janack and I were busy during January, doing in-depth research on the company at the state museum archives. Most of the credit has to go to Lou, who is very knowledgeable of research techniques, enjoys a challenge, and doesn’t take «no» for an answer! The amount of information we found is staggering, so this issue will deal with what we have recorded so far.

Our company was very active along the Bozeman Trail while it was posted to Fort C.F. Smith in 1867-1868. Remember, this is where Red Cloud, one of the leaders of the Sioux, created merry hell for travelers. His warriors, along with the Cheyenne, were responsible for the Fetterman Massacre, the Wagon Box Fight, the Hayfield Fight, and attacking literally every wagon train, mail escort, and emigrant group that plied the trail during this time frame. Here are some of the specifics.

May 19, 1866: The 18th Infantry Regiment, under the command of Colonel Carrington, departs Kearney City to establish posts along the Bozeman. The column contained over 1,000 men, 226 wagons and 1,000 head of cattle.

May 24th 1866: The column arrives at Ft McPherson and camped for two days near O’Fallon’s Bluffs.

May 30th 1866: The column reaches Fort Sedgewick.

June 2-3 1866: The column crosses the Platte and begins work on Ft Phil Kearney.

July 23rd 1866: Captain Burrowes, Company G Commander, sends Carrington a message stating the wagon train he is escorting is under attack at Clear Fork, and another train 3 miles away is also under attack (at this time, 3 trains were actually under attack in the general area). Captain Nathaniel Kinney is sent with Company D and one mountain howitzer to assist Burrowes.

NOTE:
Also on July 23rd, farther south a group of 29 travelers consisting of army officers, women and children and enlisted men were corraled and under siege by a large group of warriors near Crazy Woman Creek. Lt Daniels, a member of the group, had been captured and tortured at the stake in view of the group.

July 24th 1866: Captain Burrowes leads Company G and one other company to break the siege, led by Jim Bridger. The siege is broken. During the last week in July, Burrowes and his train return to the Pineys.

August 3rd 1866: Captains Kinney and Burrowes lead their respective companies north to establish Fort Smith, escorting an emigrant wagon train enroute. NOTE: Companies D and G made up the bulk of this garrison. The post was situated 90 miles northwest of Ft Kearney. Jim Bridger was assigned as scout for the column. During the month of August, two wagon trains were attacked on the 6th. One train was a sutler train, one was an emigrant train. Total losses from the attacks were 17 men dead, 5 men wounded. (Neither train was under army protection).

NOTE:
From October 1866 to January 1867 the garrison busied itself building Ft Smith. No Indian depredations were noted during this time.

February 1867: Crow Indians warn the garrison of an impending attack by Sioux and Cheyenne warriors on Ft Smith.

March 1867: The regiment is changed from the 18th Infantry to the 27th Infantry. Burrowes is in command of the post till March 27th (general order 10). Captain Kinney resigns his commission and leaves post for Ft Kearney. Garrison is employed building quarters and stocking firewood.

April 1867: No Indian attacks noted. Garrison still constructing post.

May 1867: Troops are issued corn to eat. No supply trains have arrived at the post. A large war party of Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapahoe and Gross Ventres run off the Crow stock and all of the sutler’s mules. 3 Crows are employed as mail carriers (special order 44), two of who are named Iron Bull and Feather In The Hand. One deserter from Fort Kearney is captured by garrison. All communications with Fort Kearney are interrupted.

June 1867: Captain Burrowes again in command of post. No Indian activity noted.

June 25th: A skirmish was fought with Indians. Supply train finally arrives.

July 1867: Companies H, and I arrive to join garrison. Company G’s strength is listed at 80 men total. A trooper from the 2nd Cavalry, Co. K is arrested. Colonel Bradley assumes command of the 27th Infantry at Ft Smith.

August 1867: Supply train arrives and all men are issued Springfield breech loaders. The Hayfield Fight occurs during this time frame, involving 500-800 warriors according to post records.

September 1867: Captain Burrowes, 37 men and one howitzer are sent to help a besieged train of 100 disbanded militia. The rest of the month the company escorted various trains through the area.

October 1867: The company and garrison is employed guarding trains, wood parties, and garrison duties.

November 1867: A large group of warriors attack a train near Peno Creek, and capture a wagon of supplies. The skirmish costs two soldiers dead, three wounded. Total loss included one complete wagon, 10 tent poles and pins, 3 shovels, 6 mules, and 1000 rounds of primed cartridges. Teamster D.B. Bowers was charged with carelessness in the loss but was acquitted and released.

General Order 29 issued: Drills are to be done in accordance with Upton’s manual on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30 PM, and 3 PM.

Special Order July 67: Post gates are to be closed and barred at retreat and not opened till revielle. Nobody may leave the post unless they have and know the correct countersign.

NOTE:
Throughout 1868, the company is tasked with escorting trains between Ft Smith and Ft Kearney.

April 1868: General Order 9 orders target practice for all men. Three rounds per day per man.

General Order 11 orders procedures for Indian alarms. Each company assigned «alert» duty for a week at a time, on a rotational basis. During the day if an alarm sounds, the alert company forms on the parade ground immediately and moves to the scene of attack, insuring it does not go outside the supporting distance of the garrison. For night time alarms, each company turns out and defends a specific area of the fort walls through it’s loop holes. I Company is assigned the north wall, D Company is assigned the east wall, C Company is assigned the south wall, G Company is assigned the West wall, and H Company is held in reserve.

May 5th 1868: Fort is heavily attacked by a large war party. Over 600 cartridges are expended in defending the post. Colonel Bradley rebukes the men for «wasteful expenditure of ammunition» during the attack. The ammunition situation is grim because Colonel Bradley orders any further waste of ammunition will be dealt with by the violator being executed!

This brings us up to date on the continuing research. More to follow!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Provisional Infantry Battalion will definitely form in June for the event near Pompey’s Piller Montana. The exact numbers of members will not be known till we are closer to the event date. Word has been sent out to other IWP Infantry groups about the event, and the Indian Wars Association has also mentioned it to their members in two newsletters. We are hoping for a good turn out of walk-a-heaps and a good experience at the event. Anyone interested in the event, please contact me or Russ Pierry, the event organizer. My email address is: BVARGA1@JUNO.COM. Russ may be contacted at RWPierry@aol.com.

Also coming up July 5-6, there will be a wagon train event in Laramie Wyoming as part of their annual Jubilee Days celebration. The wagon train will cover 20 miles in two days including one overnight stop. The event organizers are interested in having an army escort and reenactors to interact with the travelers, to bring the 1800s to life. More details will be sent out as they are learned. The wagon train will end it’s trip at the Wyoming Territorial Prison and Park in Laramie. For those of us who have visited the park, we know it’s a lot of fun for reenactors!

NOTICE:
The Fort Hartsuff event has been changed from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Jerry Davenport of the fort staff, has said the logistics for the event could not be worked out in time for the earlier date. I will send out more information concerning t he event as I receive it. I don’t know how this change will affect everyone’s schedules, but if you can still make the event on the later date, it will be well worth the time.

I am including some pictures I received from Jerry Davenport that were taken during Fort Hartsuff’s mid winter social event.

The picture on the left is of Sergeant and Mrs Davenport. Jerry is proudly wearing his new infantry dress coat which was recently made for him. The picture on the right is of Jerry and his entire family. Great pictures Sergeant Davenport!

IN CLOSING:
I have much more information and articles to continue this letter, thanks to several people who have forwarded information on to me, but I must save it for the next edition. I hope this humble newsletter finds all of you happy and healthy, and looking forward to a very active reenactment season. There are a couple of new events going on this year, namely the wagon train event in Laramie, Wyoming and the living history event in Meeker, Colorado, both of which sound interesting and enjoyable. I look forward to hearing from all of you in the days and weeks ahead, and invite everyone to submit articles, pictures, recipes, or «food for thought» for this humble newsletter. As always, take care, keep your hair and keep up the fire!

Your ob’d servant,
Roy D. Varga, Corporal
Newsletter editor and publisher
bvarga1@juno.com