The Post Herald
The Official Newsletter of the 9th U.S. Infantry Company G
Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming Territory
Issue #5 December 1999

OPENING COMMENTS: As we leave 1999 and head into 2000, all of us probably have our own thoughts (and in some cases, fears) of what the new year will bring. I hope the new year brings all of us good cheer, good friendship and peace. Hopefully, the world won’t suffer computer crashes and chaos that would bring, where those of us who help bring the past to life won’t have to teach others how to live with candles, heating water, hunting for food, and trying to survive! If that were to happen, I’m confident all of us who keep history alive will extend a helping hand and a calm word to those who need them! And if the world continues as is, we will still be happy with our hobby. Sounds like a win-win situation to me! As this year comes to a close, I would like to thank everyone who has sent their thoughts, ideas, articles, and of course their support in my attempt at putting this newsletter together. Without your patience, this document would have never been possible. On with the Herald!

PROJECTS: Lester Dumm’s sister has her own web site for black powder and mountain man enthusiasts. On the site she lists several different recipes which are not only authentic but sounded quite tasty! One recipe I found interesting was for Moravian Cookies. In 1752 a group of Moravians went to the mountains of Western Carolina to select a site for a colony. However, they moved eastward and settled the area around Winston-Salem, N.C. Here is the recipe as she lists it:

MORAVIAN COOKIES:

1 cup molasses 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 stick butter 1 tablespoon soda 3 ½ -4 cups flour 2 tablespoons grape juice or wine

1 teaspoon ginger 1 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamom 2 teaspoons ground cloves ¼ teaspoon salt

Mix butter, sugar, molasses. Then add dry ingredients, grape juice (or wine) and STIR TO MIX WELL. This causes very stiff dough. Cover and keep in cool dry place at least 3 days to ripen. Roll VERY thin (use cloth covered, floured board, and plenty of flour). Cut with fancy cutters, place gently on cookie sheet and bake at 275 F for 8-10 minutes. Store in an air tight container (can be stored indefinately).

If anyone tries this recipe (or Les, if you’ve already tried it and want to give a commentary on the taste), please pass on the word to others of our group or friends in other groups.

NOTE: for those of us who would like to try our hand at baking, there is a bread recipe from the Fort Laramie National Park staff located on the following web site: http://www.indianwars.org/bread.htm

HARD TACK RECIPE: Chuck Casada of Company C, 9th US Infantry (SPANAM) has sent me an interesting recipe for period hard tack. The recipe is for "round" hard tack, that was apparently used during the Spanish American War, but it can also be adjusted to make the square hard tack we are all so fond of (grin). Instead of using your tin cup to cut out the pieces, find a square item and use it. I will type it our for you here to include the tests Chuck did on his finished product.

2 cups of Jiffy Mix
2/3rd cup of milk

mix ingredients and on a floured surface, knead the dough about 20 times, then roll out to about ¼ inch thick by using a rolling pin (these need to be pretty flat as the dought will raise a little). Flour the inside surface of your tin cup or other item and use it to cut out the individual pieces. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet, and place it in a pre-heated oven of 425 degrees. Bake for 12-13 minutes. Once done, carefully put holes in the hard tack using a toothpick. Place your hard tack in a cloth sack or cover it for a day or two (this will give it the texture and firmness we are accustomed to).

This recipe will make approximately six pieces, four inches in diameter. Chuck then let them sit in the pantry for 48 hours, resulting in the pieces hardening. He loaded them into his haversack along with other odds and ends and went on a 3 mile hike. He also left the hard tack in a sack and hung it up for seven weeks to check for mold. He said the hard tack held up well to the hike and there was no mold after the 7 weeks. This project may be cheaper than having to buy our hard tack before each event, and it will no doubt be a little tastier than the bought type also. Enjoy!

WOOD PROJECTS: I have started sanding down some of the wood I brought from work for the numerous projects I have planned for this winter. Sanding one piece at a time will be very time consuming, but once the rough outer edge is sanded off, the wood underneath is very nice to look at but still has that "aged" look, which will be good for our purposes. I will keep all of you up to date on my progress, and if I am lucky, my busy schedule will allow me a moment or two to draw out or scan sketches I already have of the numerous projects. The sketches don’t have measurements on them, since furniture in the 1800s (especially camp items) were still not mass produced and were not of a uniform size. I would recommend making them to fit your own needs and comfort. For those of us who portray the more gentile side of the house, I have come up with a basic idea for a folding camp bed! With luck, I will have a prototype made before the end of the year and will be able to send pictures of each project that I complete. I would encourage others to do the same if they decide to build one of the projects. Betty has me currently working on a rustic-looking love seat, which is about half completed. I will hopefully take a picture of it once finished to add to my growing pile of "project information". I’m happy with the results so far.

HISTORY LESSON: The following information was taken from a book titled "Indians, Infants and Infantry", written by Merril J. Mattes. It is a personal history written by an officer’s wife (Elizabeth Burt) who’s husband served in the 9th US Infantry while stationed at several posts on the plains. I took information dealing specifically with their posting to Fort Russell in Wyoming, and also some interesting experiences the regiment had between 1869-1876. I have paraphrased some parts of the writing due to lack of space:

"Five companies of the 9th Infantry and five troops of the 5th Cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel Duncan formed a delightful garrison. Among others whom I remember with pleasure were General L.P. Bradley, Lieutenant Colonel 9th Infantry; Colonel Royall, Major of the 5th Cavalry; Major Sam Summer, Captain 5th Cavalry; Major Thomas Burrowes, Captain 9th Infantry; (our company commander), Major Mears, Captain 9th Infantry; Lieutenants included Walter Schuyler, and Jesse M. Lee." Some of the social events done by the garrison included theatrical plays such as "Caste", "Lend Me Five Schillings", and "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady". A popular song favored by the garrison included "Robin Adair".

In 1873, the regiment was ordered to Fort Laramie, where the Burts seemed to enjoy their stay. Mrs Burt also mentions comments made about the regiment’s companies (C, G, H) after the Yellowstone Expedition, to include the infamous "horsemeat march". "The infantry was a command to be proud of, and Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Chambers was the man to appreciate it. Detachments from three fine regiments gave him a full battalion of tough, wiry fellows, who had footed it a thousand miles that summer, and were all the better prepared to march two thousand more." In 1874, while at Fort Laramie, the walk-a-heaps of the 9th Infantry were kept busy. Hostile Indians conducted frequent raids to capture cattle, and burned outlying ranches. In February 1874, Lieutenant Levi H. Robinson and Corporal Coleman, of the 14th Infantry, were killed by Laramie Peak by a war party from the Red Cloud Agency. Several other isolated cowboys and teamsters were also killed in this time frame. After clerk Frank Appleton was killed in the doorway at the Red Cloud agency office by hostile braves, elements of the 9th Infantry marched on the agency as part of a cavalry - infantry column which established Fort Robinson, close to the agency. In autumn of 1874, walk-a-heaps from the 9th Infantry once again took the field, to escort an archeological expedition from Fort Laramie to the Badlands of Nebraska. In 1875, the 9th Infantry companies were kept busy trying to control the mad rush of miners into the Indian Territory near Fort Laramie. The soldiers were tasked not with only preventing the miners from entering the area or detaining them, but also guarding them in the guard house which soon filled.

I have already covered some of the events the regiment was involved in during the year of 1876, so I won’t repeat them here. Suffice it to say, elements of the regiment were kept busy not only with hostile warriors, but also with miners, whiskey peddlers, escorting wagon trains, guarding prisoners, keeping an eye on the nearby Indian agencies, and investigating the murder of soldiers, miners, teamsters and ranchers in the area.

SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER: In the last issue, we briefly covered some of the duties of sentinals and that of challenging. In this issue, we will cover some of the tactics used by skirmishers. This information is also taken from Upton’s manual, courtesy of the 16th Infantry at Fort Concho, Texas.

1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SKIRMISHERS: When skirmishers are thrown out to clear the way for the main body of troops, their movements are regulated as to keep it constantly covered.

• Each company of skirmishers will have a small reserve. They are to fill vacant places and furnish the line with cartridges.
• Skirmishers are permitted to carry their pieces in a manner most convenient to them, muzzle elevated.
• Skirmishers are encouraged to take advantage of the ground and available cover.
• Experience teaches skirmishers that "the ardor with which an enemy pursues a temporary advantage secures his defeat, if again boldly and unexpectedly confronted".

EXAMPLE: When the order is given to rally, soldiers immediately fall back, reform with bayonets fixed and fire concentrated volleys into the enemy.

2. DEPLOYING AS SKIRMISHERS:

• THE COMMAND: "as skirmishers, on the left (or the right), two take intervals, march".
  RESPONSE: The first two in line, conducted by the NCO, moves straight to the front. The consecutive groups of two make a partial wheel movement to insure proper interval between skirmishers till members are 20 yards from their original position and five yards distant from each other. Skirmishers are then halted.
• MOVING FORWARD: To march in line - "forward, march, guide center".
• TO REVERSE DIRECTION: "to the rear, march. Guide center".
  - To march to the rear while firing: When told to "commence fire", the ODD numbers halt, turn about, kneel, fire, turn about and reload while moving. This is repeated by the even numbers.
• THE RALLY: When pressed by enemy cavalry-
  "rally by squads/company, march"
  - the specified unit (squad or company) rallies AT THE RUN and forms a circle around the leader, facing out with bayonets fixed.
  - during the enemy’s approach, the "rear rank" will turn to face the enemy and add their firepower to the overall defence. The squad/company continues to fire till the enemy closes. Then they "charge bayonets and remain firm". (common sense would show the front rank would kneel during this).
• RESUMING MOVEMENT: Unfix bayonets, "deploy, march".
  - skirmishers move AT A RUN to the previous formation for an advance.

AFTER ACTION REPORT: Some of our members attended the annual decorating p arty at the F. E. Warren Air Force Base Museum earlier this month. Hank Miller, Betty, myself, our daughter Megan did quite a bit of work with other members of the historical society and 5th US Cavalry (reorganized) while enjoying cookies, cakes, and different period drinks, offered by Paula Taylor, the museum’s curator. After all that hard work, I’m sure all of us will enjoy the annual dance in January all the more!

UKRAINE ACTIVITIES: Believe it or not, I FINALLY got the package sent off to Max and our friends over in Kiev. I have to apologize for how long it took me to g et the items together and send it, but at least it’s riding and floating it’s way across the big pond, and will hopefully get to our friends in time before the next campaign season. Max, please let me know if it was worth the wait!

NEW NEWSLETTER SECTION: I am thinking of adding still another new section to our quickly growing newsletter titled "Comrades in Arms". This will be to highlight members of other infantry, cavalry and artillery groups, including their civilian members, Native American groups, and groups from other time periods (pre-1900s). Please let me know what you think of this idea since the newsletter is in existence from all of our efforts. I’m just the one who has the fast typing fingers! (grin). The issue after this one may have an article in it from the shadier side of life in the 1870s! It’s from a book titled "Soiled Doves", written by Ann Seagraves, and is about prostitution in the 1800s. DON’T WORRY - I’LL KEEP IT CLEAN!!! Only statements and pictures that pass my stringent morality test will end up in the newsletter (in other words, we can probably expect a very short article - grin).

COMRADES IN ARMS:

Here is a picture of Adam Lid of Company H, 9th US Infantry in camp (he’s the one standing). Adam is the one who started me out on the walk-a-heap road and has been my mentor in many a question concerning infantry. Company H is a nationwide group of historically accurate members in every aspect of 1870s army life, to include eating issue rations and sleeping with just a blanket! This picture was taken at an event in California. We say a friendly "hello" to our fellow walk-a-heaps in Company H of the finest regiment! Keep up the fire Adam!

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EVENT UPDATE: Pam Malone, the director of the Territorial Park in Laramie Wyoming, has asked me to help her and her staff set up a reenactment for the park for sometime next August. I will attempt to keep everyone up to date on events leading up to this reenactment and would appreciate any and all help offered. Ms Malone has stated the park staff would work with any reenactors that attend and give them their full support. The date has been chosen as August 5-6 2000. She also stated the park could provide free meals, free camping, hay for horses and possibly some black powder. She would like an encampment set up but said a full blown battle would be "tremendous". She openly admits the park staff has never set up a reenactment before and has asked for help. Although this is a little late to start planning an event, we will give it our best efforts to set up a quality event in our own backyard. Only time will tell if this event happens or not. I will keep you posted on happenings as they occur. So far, it looks like the 5th US Cavalry (reorganized) has committed to the event, some members of the 7th Cav out of Colorado are interested, the FAD (frontier army of dakotas) has asked questions, the 2nd Cavalry out of Montana are coming, the Montana Indian Contemporary Arts (MICA) will attend, Bill Hutchinson - CW surgeon and his entourage will attend, a CW unit from Nebraska is interested, and any of our members are encouraged to go so the horsie soldiers don’t get all the glory!

INFANTRY TO THE RESCUE!!! Sunday afternoon I received a call from a good reenactment buddy of mine, Jim Wenzel (7th Cav out of Colorado). While traveling from Cody to his home in Golden, his alternator gave up the ghost and he had to stop in Cheyenne near the Governor’s mansion off the I-25. I went and picked him up, helped him get a new alternator from Checker Auto Parts (which surprisingly was still open) and helped him get the new one installed. To make a long story short, after a short fight with his Isuzu Trooper truck, he and his wife were happily on their way home. Moral of the story? The" infantry saving the cavalry" heritage is still intact (grin - sorry Jim, had to do the dig)!

Private Steve Beistline of the 16th US Infantry, Fort Concho, Texas, poses for the camera!

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As usual, I don’t know for sure how this newsletter will come out, since I’m not the best at inserting pictures. (grin) However, I will continue to try and see how it all comes out!

IN CLOSING: As always, I would like to thank all of you, members, friends and fellow reenactors, for the contributions, advice, help and support you have given me in my attempt at making a reasonably respectable newsletter for our group. I really appreciate it. I will be adding a new twist to the newsletter, titled the Post Herald Pictorial Edition in the near future. Some of the articles we have included in the newsletter since it’s beginning would be better if we had pictures of rifle and body positions, pictures of on-going wood crafts, etc. This version will probably see only two or three editions per year, but I believe it will help to clarify some things in our newsletter. I will include a caption under each picture, explaining what it is and where to look in previous issues for a more in-depth description of what it shows. Remember, thanks to the hard work of Max Popov, previous editions are posted on our group’s web site at: https://www.angelfire.com/wy/9infantry

Till we meet again, I hope your holiday season brings you good health, happiness, and good friendship. As always, keep up the fire!

your ob’d servant,

Roy D. Varga, Corporal
Co. G, 9th US Infantry

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