The Post Herald
The Official Newsletter of the 9th U.S. Infantry Company G
Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming Territory
Issue #3-4 August 1999

Welcome Back: It’s hard to believe this is already the third issue of the "Herald" for this year! Where has the time gone? Since nobody has thrown stones at my windows or eggs on my car, I will have to assume my poor attempts at providing our group with a newsletter has met with your approval so far (grin). I will try to keep the Herald going on it’s current track then unless I hear otherwise in the future.

Our members had an enjoyable time this year at various events. The events ranged from mountain man rondezvous to Civil War battles, 1860s Indian fights on remote outposts to events where all the eras came together and participated. At one event, there was even an artillery unit! I never would’ve believed a cannon made out of wood could sound that loud (grin). Anyway, that’s enough of my usual rambling opening statement - on with the newsletter!

NEW MEMBERS: When talking to Max last night at "O-dark thirty" with instant messages, he said we now have two new members in the Ukraine. Bill, who has reenacted old west portrayals for quite a while, has joined our ranks as a scout, and Helen, has joined as one of our more gentile members as a civilian. Max said he will post their pictures and information on our unit web site at the earliest possible convenience. From all of us in the company, we say welcome to our newest members!

UPCOMING EVENTS: Even though it may be just a "little" too early to start thinking about next year’s events, we might want to keep ideas in our heads in case we want to go to an event as a group or just to "show the flag" as individuals. Our Ukraine friends have been cordially invited to a major IWP event in their area next year. A group that portrays Indians approached them and told them IWP reenactors from around Europe willl be attending the event. They will be working on their uniforms, equipment, and outfits during the winter (or as Max calls it, the Death Season) to be in shape for the event. We look forward to hearing of the event in the future, and are here to help any way we can in their preparations.

Still no word from MICA (Montana Indian Contemporary Arts) or Russ Pierry if they will be coming down here for our annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. I will continue to work with them in the hope they can add their special touch to the event and keep everyone up to date.

According to Russ, their event in Montana will be scheduled for the week before Fort D.A. Russell Days, which is the first weekend of Cheyenne Frontier Days. He is hoping the reenactors here and the ones there can support each other’s events next year to make both bigger and better than before. It would be nice to have an infantry presence of some type up there (no pun intended but dismounted troopers running around in boots is an interesting sight!). We would have to let the warriors know the difference in the range and accuracy of the carbines and rifles to make it more authentic, since they haven’t worked with infantry before, but that’s just one of those minor details that can be worked out at the event.

AFTER ACTION REPORT: Hank Miller sent me a letter about the event he attended up near Casper Wyoming where he worked with the 3rd US Volunteer Infantry. The event was set in the 1860s just after Captain Casper Collin’s death, tensions were high and Indians were in the area. Hank said numerous skirmishes were fought during the day and a guard was posted at night. One benefit of this event was being able to sleep in a barracks setting instead of on the ground in a tent. I will try to get some pictures from Janet Wragge in the 3rd of the event and will hopefully post them either in this issue or the next. For anyone who has a model 1860s Springfield rifle, this event may be one to look into for next year.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND: For a few hours on Saturday, Lou Janack and I took a trip to the Territorial Park in Laramie, Wyoming in our wool to enjoy our last outing of the year in an authentic environment. We had a lot of fun interacting with the park actors, had pictures taken, took a lot of pictures ourselves of the new additions to the park, and had an overall enjoyable time. We were also approached by Pam Malone, the new park director. She asked us if we would pose for their new park pamphlets which will come out next spring. More pictures were taken. Milward Simpson, the park’s new "reenactment coordinator", introduced himself. He said the park is looking into hosting an 1870s type of reenactment sometime in August 2000, and asked us to help "spread the word" to the different groups to see if there was any interest. They are especially interested in a "balanced" reenactment - not just military, but also a strong civilian reenactor presence with displays and presentations. Numerous e-mails were sent out to people near and far, but due to the holiday weekend, no responses have come in yet. The new additions to the park include a large corral for horses, Indian lodges, an entire area dedicated to original reconstructed log ranch buildings, and also an area set up as a Union Pacific Railroad serveyor’s camp, which I took special interest in. All in all, it was a great day and well worth the trip. When Ms Malone broached the subject of prices and payment to reenactment groups, I told her each organization is different and she would have to work it out with each group. It would be great if we could have a quality event nearby in an authentic setting for a weekend next August, but only time will tell if this comes to pass. I am hoping to post a few of the pictures from our outing in this issue.

As of 10 September 1999, elements of both the 2nd Cavalry and the 7th Cavalry have shown interest in this event for next year and are working on the logistics with Pam. I plan to attend, Betty is working on a new dress already, and I invite anyone else who is able to come on out. We could definitely have a lot of fun in the park’s setting! I will keep everyone posted as events unfold.

Here is a picture of my campaign partner, Lou Janack (5th US Cavalry - reorganized - Company A) and I standing guard in front of the prison gate, with the main prison cell block in the background.

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Okay, I know the picture is a little lopsided, but I never said I was a computer genious now, did I? (grin) At least you can get an idea of what the prison looks like, to include the authentically made stockade wall with a guard walk way. The infamous Butch Cassidy was imprisoned here in the 1800s, along with several other notorious ne’er do wells. Once I scan some more of the pictures, I will include one of the new "cattle ranch" area at the park, which has all original buildings that were removed from an original ranch and settled at the new site, the new Union Pacific Railroad surveyor’s camp, and a picture of the "main street" of the town so everyone can see the changes made. Cavalry reenactors might be interested in the rather large corral area they have constructed next to the ranch buildings. Plenty of room for your mounts while you’re in the saloon enjoying a cold Sasperilla!

The remaining pictures I will put on the next page, since none of them will fit on what’s left of this page. See ya there!

This picture shows part of the new "ranch area" at the park. There are several other buildings in this area that you can’t see here. This picture shows just the corner of the area next to the stage coach stop. The buildings continue on behind the ones you see here and there are also other buildings and barns going up to the right of this picture, between these buildings and the large horse corral that has been constructed. All in all, it is a large area and would be a good setting for civilian reenactors to put up displays and have fun with the spectators.

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This next picture shows part of the main street in the town setting. From the left, we have the Mercantile, a small storefront, and the Belle of the West Saloon. The town section also boasts a jail, photography studio, candy store, school, blacksmith, furniture store, and stage coach station, along with other smaller store fronts.

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The last picture I will add to this newsletter, is of the Union Pacific surveyor’s camp. I took special interest in this area since I work for the Union Pacific RR and had fun looking through everything. I found it humerous that the park staff even included several "drinking jugs" in the tents - VERY authentic! The sight of a soldier near the tents is also authentic, since the Army protected the railroad during the 1870s.

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CLOSING COMMENTS: Well, I think I’ve bored everyone long enough with my third edition of the Post Herald. I was hoping to have one more edition before Christmas and here I’ve already finished it! Gee, what will I do for the rest of the year? Should I try for a fourth edition, or just relax and concentrate on other things? Only time will tell! (grin) I hope this latest edition finds all of you healthy, happy and safe. As a reminder, anyone wishing to enter an article in an upcoming edition feel free to contact me. It doesn’t have to be from our members, but can include members from other groups. I’m especially interested in printing articles from our civilian side of the house, which includes you scouts! (hint, hint). I am looking forward to hearing from all of you in the future. To Hank, thank you for the info you sent via pony express on our regiment and on the Fort D.A. Russell Days. To all of you, take care, keep your hair, and keep up the fire!

your ob’d servant,
Roy D. Varga, Corporal, Bugler
9th US Infantry, Co. G

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