The Newsletter of The Washington Artillery of New Orleans Reenactors.

FROM THE GHP:   

The GHP Speaks

What a weekend!!!

Snow on Friday, nice days on Saturday and Sunday and just enough rain to make it uncomfortable on Monday! But what great sports we have in the WA! We had all the guns manned and even a crew left over for one gun to hold the bridge on Monday.

It was the WA that made this all happen though. It was our Donnalee for the civilian program, our Ann for registration and meal ticket control, our Scot to run the Union artillery, our Mikey to be a private while our Sam ran the confed side, our Janet to bring the hot dog cooker and our ladies at the forefront to serve the Monday hot dogs and get all those other ladies to help.

Right after you get this (Jose’s first newsletter) we will be girding our loins for St. Catherine nothing new here it is the same ‘ole program we have been doing for the last 10 years except, the kids found out that the fence at Newmarket was on the confederate side! That means the work party on Wed, is going to have to load some extra fence so the kids will see we can be more historically accurate.

That’s what we get for going to a school that teaches kids how to read and research stuff!

Bring all the Union stuff you have for St. Cath. We may have to put two Union Guns on line and put the Howitzer on the Confed. side. I am leaving it up to Sam and Scot to distribute two Howitzers and four guns and still allow the Infantry to maneuver in front of the bleachers without us tattooing their hinneys.

I sent Jose the attendance calendar from the annual meeting and modified it with all the events that are coming up and who signed up at the meeting to attend. This schedule, the attendance sign up that we e-mail out, the general orders and just plain common sense are all we need to figure out what to do about events. I will get a manual on common sense for me. DA GHP

DA GHP

FIRST SARGENT'S BARK!!   

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Battalion

It is a great honor to have been elected as the First Sergeant of Battalion Washington Artillery following the excellent leadership of Mike Collins and all the wonderful commanders we have been fortunate to have had throughout the history of this Club.

The Battalion has an excellent safety record envied by other units-both artillery and infantry. We are a reliable unit always ready and able to man the gun line, and we have always been invited and welcomed at events regardless of which reenacting organization puts on the event. It is my fervent intention to do everything in my power to do, at the least, what needs to be done to maintain the Battalion’s stellar reputation.

I know reenacting is a hobby and none of us are real soldiers. Therefore, all the rules, regulations, and orders imposed on soldiers do not have the weight of law as they pertain to the actual serving men and women of the armed forces. However, we as reenactors have an obligation to two distinct entities to conduct ourselves in a “military” manner. The first group is the First Company, Battalion Washington Artillery. They are the men who left home, business interests, wives, sweethearts, and family to endure the cruelties and privations of fours years of war. An adjunct group would be the modern serving members of the Washington Artillery who use the same logo and motto of the historical unit. Though legally we are the Washington Artillery REENACTORS, I personally, and I’m certain most of you, rarely append the last word when asked “What unit do you belong to?” as I am certain most of you just answer “Washington Artillery”. Therefore, for the memory of the past and reputation of the modern members of the unit we must put our best foot forward and remember and be conscience of how the public views us.

The second group is comprised of the event sponsors and organizations. When we are asked to an event the next question is asked is “How many guns can you bring?” Well we can bring an entire battery’s worth of cannons, but what the real question posed is how many guns and CREW can you bring?

Well in advance of each event you all will be asked to indicate your availability to participate. I implore you most earnestly to reply to the question-either positively or negatively. I am not asking too much from you; just a small action on your part to help the Club fulfill its commitments to events.

I have more ideas on how the military side of our Club will operate to the enjoyment of our members and enhance our portrayal of the best artillery unit which I will share in later issues of the War Cry. Until then I look forward to working this upcoming reenacting year with Sergeants Hill and Justiniano (newly elected), as well as the new Corporals Kowalcyk, Alfredo Torres and Steven Torres. All these men have shown extraordinary commitment to WAR and demonstrated their leadership skills in great abundance.

Until the next report, I remain Your Obedient Servant

AFTER THE ACTION REPORTS:

Calico Ghost Town
Calico, CA, February 13 - 15, 2009

Friday 13 February, 2009:
The Battery arrived in the early afternoon and set-up its position in a moderate rain fall. After ensuring the guns are well situated we retired to the shelter of the town hall building to await the arrival of the rest of the members of the Battery.

Telegraphic messages were received indicating delays encountered by some of the cannoneers due to snowy and icy conditions hampering travel over some of the higher elevation roads. As we were reading those reports a light snow began falling on our positions and the men of New Orleans took great delight in this event which is rare in our Parish.

Saturday 14 February, 2009:
The First Company set up its Howitzer in the Silver Bowl section of the Town of Calico, and I am sad to report before we could fire a single shot a blue horde overran our positions and captured our piece. To our everlasting shame our howitzer was then manned by members of 3rd US Artillery.

14 February, 2009 Battery F 3rd US Artillery:
To the credit of our men, the howitzer we captured from the Rebs was put to use in the most efficient and professional manner in supporting, in close proximity, the advance of our infantry troops as they surged through the ruins of a structure immediately to our front on their way to the center of the town and taking the higher ground on the surrounding hills. Once the area has been cleared of any living Rebs, LtCol Iverson called a halt to the advance and took possession of the Silver Bowl area of Calico Township.

Saturday 14 February, 2009 2.45pm Battery F 3rd US Artillery:
The Parrott Rifle and the Ordinance Rifle were positioned atop a knoll the men refer to as Artillery Point, and commanded by Sgts Justiniano and Hill, respectively. Infantry scouts reported large enemy forces moving through the Township of Calico and they were supported by a single piece. Their infantry attacked on our right flank using a rarely used access road while at the same time their piece fired suppressive fire against our own gun positions. Unfortunately the upper reaches of the road were protected from our fire, and the Rebs moved quickly up the road and amassed their forces in complete safety from our guns.

The infantry sergeant major commanded his troops well, and held his position and then drove the rebels back from the access road toward their staging area. On their retreat some more well placed shots from our guns took their toll on the audacious enemy.

The Rebs’ commander was obviously a determined individual for he ordered his troops to attack our right flank on two more occasions. LtCol Iverson came up to our gun emplacements and noticed, from this unique vantage point, the Rebs had a second force of men who continued north through town with the objective of crossing a bridge toward the school house, and our right flank with the ultimate goal of combining their assaults on both flanks and enveloping us in a pincer maneouvre from both sides.

I detailed the Ordinance Rifle to cover the head of the bridge and deny the enemy access to cross the ravine separating our position from the town. The piece was defended on our left flank by the 10th NY Infantry who were augmented by a shot of canister from our position causing a large number of enemy to fall where they stood and obstruct attempts of their troops to cross the bridge until the carnage could be removed from the narrow bridge.

The right flank continued to be hard pressed by the third assault of the Rebs who forced that side to contract toward our gun emplacement. A defective primer in the Parrott delayed its firing and gave the 8th AL Infantry the opportunity to overrun our infantry and to capture the piece. The Rebs continued to press across the bridge on the left flank, and once again a defective primer delayed the firing of the Ordinance Rifle and thus enabling the Rebs to overrun our position.

Prior to gathering his remaining forces and reforming in a more defensible position, LtCol Iverson expressed his compliments to us for an excellent job done. His compliment helped us swallow the bitter pill of losing our position.

Sunday 15 February 2009 11.45am Battery F 3rd US Artillery:
The 3rd US Artillery detached one of its Howitzers to the command of Maj Simmons, and it joined a Howiztzer of the 5th US on a prominent position overlooking the Township and ordered to protect and support the troops from an anticipated assault by a superior number of Rebel infantry.

After setting up our position, LtCol Iverson rode up to inform Maj Simmons his scouts have encountered the lead elements of a large enemy force determined to take control of the town, and soon thereafter, our pickets engaged the leading edge of the Rebs.

As the Confederate main body assembled 3rd and 5th US guns opened fire and began to take a toll on the enemy. Under an almost continuous barrage raining down the determined Rebs brought up their engineers who immediately commenced to erect barricades to give cover to their troops. Solid shot and canister belched forth from our guns knocking down barricades and scything through the troops and engineers until their efforts slackened and their will to pursue the attack ebbed to nil.

Sunday 15 February 2009 2.45pm Battery F 3rd US Artillery:
The section held the top of the knoll next to the school house and deployed one piece to cover the bridgehead on the left flank and the second gun to suppress the Rebel battery below our position.

The level of anxiousness was as thick as molasses for the men were eager to commence the battle and suppress the insurgents once and for all. Our scouts have reported the Confederates have left their encampment on the southern outskirts of town, yet nary one gray clad son of the south was seen. The townfolk lined the streets as though they were going to see a circus parade, yet no one appeared marching up their main road.

The infantry shouldered their rifles, then cradled the Springfields in their arms, and finally checked their cartridge boxes to ensure all their ammunition was readily accessible. The cycle repeated numerous times in an effort to spend their nervous energy. My gunners peered over their sights and fiddled with the elevation screws in a nervous manner-all these actions designed to occupy their time productively and guarantee the accuracy of their first shot.

Approximately fifteen minutes passed when I spotted the exact location of a gun belonging to Pegrahm’s Battery and I ordered the Parrott to commence counter battery fire. The air was heavy with moisture from the storm front that will reach us tomorrow so when the Parrott fired the smoke hung in the air obliterating my view of the round’s impact.

Major Simmons, however, was in a position to see the effect of the shot and he reported it landed ten yards to the right. I immediately ordered Sgt Justiniano to adjust his aim and he commenced to fire with some effect.

The enemy split his forces and attacked under nominal supporting artillery fire on our right flank and about five minutes later attempted to cross the bridge in front of my left flank.

At the appearance of the infantry at the head of the bridge Sgt Hill commenced firing case shot to a great effect. The enemy attempted to cross once more and left a large number his men dead and wounded without achieving any success against our forces.

The remaining infantry fell back from our left flank and returned to their original position on our right and acted as a reserve force. Our infantry on the right succeeded in repulsing the first attack and their men retreated to their starting point as well.

A ferocious assault ensured after a very brief respite and was followed almost immediately with a second waive that succeeded in pushing back our supporting infantry almost to my gun positions. Canister shot was ordered, however the enemy was spared due to another malfunction of the primer, and thus they were able to reach the Parrott. Sgt Justiniano spiked the gun and personal weapons were drawn to defend our position along with some of the remaining infantrymen. I am sad to report three of the Parrott crew was killed while valiantly defending their piece, and four of the Ordinance Rifle’s crew were captured before they could effectively come to the rescue of their comrades.

Monday 16 February 2009 11.45am, Artillery Point, 3rd US Artillery:
The clouds hung low and a slight rain fell on us as the remaining cannoneers of Battery F stood vigil by their remaining piece which was trained on the now accursed bridge spanning the ravine in the north end of town. With the casualties we sustained in the previous afternoon’s battle fresh in our minds, the men were eager to wreak havoc and unleash murderous destruction on the head of any Confederate.

As if agreeing with our desire to destroy the Reb forces they suddenly rounded the corner and assaulted the bridge. A ferocious musket volley was aimed at our position, but caused damage to our gun or crew. As they stepped forward, canister was loaded and our piece barked and sent the deadly missiles toward our target creating a swath of evicerated rebels. They sent a company of sharpshooters into the ravine, effectivey shielding themselves from our murderous fire, however, they were quickly dealt with by our infantry support and the survivors scampered back across the ravine. When they crested the far side I ordered our piece to fire more canister to mow them down. There more loads were fired, and the few survivors slinked back to cover and retreated from the field. The Battery exacted its revenge for our lost comrades of the previous afternoon.

Monday 16 February 2009 2.45pm, Silver Bowl First Company Washington Artillery:
The Company was ordered to place its guns in the Silver Bowl and to due to neglect or complacency of the enemy we found the position totally undefended and unoccupied. We immediately set our gun to protect the rail way or defend from any possible assault up from the southern draw approaching the Silver Bowl. After completing our disposition of the gun and ensuring adequate ammunition was on hand, we heard the sound of musket fire and yelling of men at the north end of Calico. It was obvious the battle would not be one of grand maneouvres on the field, but of fierce close quarter fighting pitting man against his enemy in almost single combat.

The din of battle drew nearer to our position, and suddenly a column of blue clad soldiers double quick marched on our left totally ignoring us because close on their heels were the brave gentlemen of the South relentlessly pushing the aggressors out of the town limits. We waited until our men passed through our gun line and opened fire upon the fleeing enemy.

It was at this moment a detachment of South Carolina Sharpshooters outpaced the rest of their comrades and were already taking position to fire at the retreating Yankees. Unfortunately, at the distance that separated us and the haze of gunfire laying low to the ground the Tarheels were mistaken for the enemy and I ordered the gun to open fire on them. Five of their number fell to our deadly missile, and I will regret this incident until the end of my days. LtCol Harriott shouted to us to cease fire and informed us of the horrific mistake made by us; I apologized for the error, and I ordered the gun to immediately traverse to the right and continue firing at the fleeing forces. In a matter of ten minutes the Yanks were driven out of town and the battle for the township of Calico is finally over and its valuable resources of silver and lead firmly held under control of the Confederacy

I remain your most obedient servant,
1st Sgt. S. Frankl

GENERAL ORDERS OF THE WASHINGTON ARTILLERY REENACTORS :

INTRODUCTION:
The orders listed herein are the general orders of this unit and are in effect at all events. They are to be supplemented as needed by special orders that are pertinent to the activity. The most common of which shall be the schedule for the day, availability of the mess and uniform of the day.

GENERAL ORDER #1. SCHEDULE:
Each member shall maintain cognizance of the schedule for each event either through the posted calendar or the newsletter.

Notify the First Sergt. and the GHP, at least one week prior to an event of his intention to attend, his arrival time and mess plans.

Make every effort to attend Friday set up time.

Support maximum effort events. Meet the requirements for events requesting pre-event registration.

GENERAL ORDER #2. ATTENDING THE EVENT:
Each member shall: Arrive prior to 0800 on the day of the event, unless posted otherwise, if you have to setup tent, furniture, other personal baggage. Be at the event site at least one half hour before public time with no set up or setup after public hours.

Bring ice for the larder, drinks for personal consumption and lunch.

Provide the following information; when you plan to arrive, what meals you would like from the camp mess.

GENERAL ORDER #3. AT THE EVENT:
Assist in the camp and gun line set up. During public hours maintain a “defarb” attitude.

Be attentive to our visitors, make them welcome to our camp.

Do not leave camp without informing the Provost or First Sergt. Always plan to return 45 minutes before the next scheduled unit event.

Volunteer for mess duties, fire starting, water, cleanup etc.

On last day of event pre-pack un-needed personal equipment.

GENERAL ORDER #4. AFTER THE EVENT:
Do not leave unless special arrangements have been made with the first Sergt. Otherwise, remain until the gun line and common camp equipment have been loaded on the club trailer.

Make every effort to stay until entire camp packed and policed.

Turn found items over to the First Sergt., GHP, or broadcast to the Club membership what you have found.

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPPLY OFFICER:
We have a new stove and if I may say so, it’s a good one. It worked great at Calico. New items were bought for the 1st Sgt.’s bag to replace the missing ones. If you use something out of the bag, please return it or give it personally to the 1st Sgt. or to me.

The water buckets were repaired for the 10 pounder and the 3” ordinance. A new box was built for the heavy items used for the explosive magazines. If something is broken or missing or doesn’t look right, please get a hold of me.

See ya at St. Catherine’s!

Doug
Supply Officer

LADIES CORNER:   

NEWEST RECRUIT:
Well here she is FINALLY. Brooke Rose Fowler was born on Friday, 2/20 and both mom and baby girl are doing great, but grandma and grandpa are plum tuckered out.....we will see everyone at St. Cath this weekend.

Joyce

A NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY:
After St. Catherine’s I will send out an updated membership roster and an email/phone list. If you haven’t renewed for 2009, the application can be downloaded from WAR’s website or I’ll have some with me on Saturday.

We have a good year planned and hope you will join up with us.

Your new 2009 officers are listed below.

Janet De Nubilo, Secretary

Scotty unloads during the snow storm Friday nite

EDITORS CORNER:   
The Newsletter will be published on a bi-monthly schedule. The publication dates are as follows, May, July, September, November . January 2010. After Action Reports or Articles pertaining to events should be in 2 weeks after each event. Other contributions I would need no later than the week prior to the publication date. I can be contacted thru e-mail jose.justiniano@hotmail.com

EDITORS NOTE:
The next edition of the War Cry will be coming out the first week of May and will cover the events from March through April. If you have any questions or suggestions, Jose Justiniano, editor of the WAR CRY, can be contacted thru e-mail jose.justiniano@hotmail.com

NEXT EVENTS:

St. Catherines, Feb 28 – March 1. Anaheim, CA
Saint Catherine’s Military School - 215 Harbor Blvd.,
Anaheim, CA.
WAR sponsors this event and it is our major fundraiser for the year. We need everyone’s help in manning the registration booths and raffles, directing groups with their set up, and providing living history to the public. This is also the only event where we perform the famous Washington Artillery Punch Ceremony!

Directions :
Hwy 5 to Lincoln Blvd. East to a left at Harbor Blvd. The school is on the left, go around the block to the cannon entrance.

Mooney Grove , March 7 & 8,
Mooney Grove Park
27000 S Mooney Blvd
Visalia CA
Directions
North on I-5 to Hwy 99, continue North to Tulare. North of Tulare take the HWY 246 exit. (Tagus), Go East and then a left on Mooney Blvd. Pass the park on your right and take a right at the road at the end of the park. Turn right into the camp area.***

A REMINDER FROM THE GHP

Remember everybody, Sam and I need to know if you are or are not going to the events if you would like a meal, and when you plan to arrive so we can plan, how many guns go and meals. Remember to bring ice and drinks.

CHANGING ADDRESSES?
If you change your snail mail or e-mail addresses, please let us know. Call or e-mail Janet DeNubilo with the changes. Some folks don't find out about events and, worse, don't get the WARCRY cause they changed addresses. Don't be left out!

You can also access the WAR CRY and our calendar of events here on the WAR web site.