US Cavalry crossed swords

[GAR]

Originally Posted by dculgan

Participating as a family in reenacting may require one to make some accommodations with regard to historic accuracy, but its not a good idea to ask for others to help justify them on an internet forum where you probably haven't met and don't know the majority of people who hang out there. Participate, improve, have fun with your kids, and learn all you can from the many knowledgeable people here. I do however think you are a great dad for including your sons.

Dave

Thank you Dave. I'm really not trying to justify anything since the crate hasn't been stenciled yet and it might not be seen anyway. If it is ever seen, it will be as a glance, not as some central display piece. If by chance, some civilian brings a measuring tape into my tent, well then I'm busted. What can I say? It's already built and I'm attempting to make it look better than "Hello, Kitty", just in case. If I get negative feedback on it from others in my camp, I'll throw a quilt over it.

I tried to prime the pump with my boys this summer. We took a family 10 day driving vacation to Colonial Williamsburg, Wash DC, Gettysburg, and the Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill. They are great kids for sharing my interest. If I was a REALLY great dad, we'd probably all be dressed up as Pokemon.

Point of interest. The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is an amazing place but I was on the other side of this discussion with the staff while I was there. They have a facade of the White House with the Lincoln family standing out in front. Behind them, next to the entrance, they have waxed figures of McClellan and Grant, having a discussion over coffee. Both were represented as being almost as tall as I am, and I'm 6'. When I brought up the fact that neither were that tall and reminded them that McClellan was referred to as "The Little Giant" and "America's Napoleon", they gave me the "whatever" look and assured me that it had been well researched.
Here I am with them. Neither was a very good likeness, IMHO.

No, I didn't jump over any ropes. They are there for the touching or in my case, the posing.

G

[GAR]

Originally Posted by GaWildcat

If its not going to be seen, I guess so... I guess you could paint it Pink and yellow with Hello Kitty on it. But why run the risk, when its just as simple to stencil 10 Sharps' Carbines/.52 Caliber/C. Sharps, New Haven, Conn, and keep it correct if it is seen?

Wasn't it Hartford, Conn? And it was .52, not .54, correct?

[GaWildcat]

Good Catch! My apologies.. I must have been thinking Hartford, and typed New Haven.. I tend to have Henry on the brain, plus a young 2 year old Rebel bumping my elbows when I type... I am sorry BTW... I must apologize if I was rude with the Hello Kitty comment.. it was supposed to be tongue firmly in cheek...

and yes, .52 Caliber

[GAR]

Originally Posted by GaWildcat

Good Catch! My apologies.. I must have been thinking Hartford, and typed New Haven.. I tend to have Henry on the brain, plus a young 2 year old Rebel bumping my elbows when I type... I am sorry BTW... I must apologize if I was rude with the Hello Kitty comment.. it was supposed to be tongue firmly in cheek...

and yes, .52 Caliber

Thanks for the kind reply, but no need at all to apologize for making me smile. I saw your tongue was in your cheek and thought it humorous enough to re-use it a few times myself. It instantly conjures up an image. Sadly, more so to the general public than a civil war soldier from either side.

The lack of vocal inflection in the written word leaves too much open for interpretation. Even those comments that are sometimes intended to sting, seldom get my goat. My skin is thicker than that. Keyboard commandos are a dime a dozen and anonymous bravado is anything but. I've had my share of folks with disjointed noses typing things to me that I have never once heard to my face. Keyboards and motor vehicles too often empower those with poor self images.

The repro Sharps are .54, are they not? I'm still learning about this aspect of the ACW. I have a Smith carbine and it's a .50. Interesting too is it's barrel is stamped Baltimore, but not Maryland. I guess they figured that anyone who could read English would know where Baltimore was. Does the same hold true for Hartford? Is CONN stamped on a Sharps? If not, then perhaps it shouldn't be part of the stencil?

I'm running short on time to do the stencil. I did find out though, this Trick or Treat for the Troops candy exchange is sponsored by Smiles Change Lives, a nonprofit organization that provides orthodontics to children from low income families. So, besides providing candy to our fighting boys in the mideast, and braces for poor children, it's another great way to teach my kids the importance of giving something back to the community. My 11 year old said "Great! It helps 2 ways!". Two years ago, we decorated a wreath in a firefighter theme and gave it to our local fire department as a holiday gift. Once in a while I get a great opportunity like this to try and influence the choices they will some day make as adults. It also helps offset the times of impatience, when my parenting skills are considerably lacking.

Enjoy that little rebel while you can. Those dreaded teen years come quicker than you can imagine.

G

[GaWildcat]

Gary,

Dont I know about those teen years... got one of those too!!

By the way, as a Veteran of Iraqi Freedom, thanks for what you are doing with the Trick or Treat for the Troops.. thats awesome. The stuff they are coming up with for the guys and girls is amazing, and people like you that take the time to think of them are amazing as well.. and that deserves a great big 1st Cav Well Done TROOPER!!! GARRYOWEN!!

[GAR]

Thank you for your service to our country. When I'm not doing this, I ride my Harley for fun and relaxation. Most Harley riders are all about doing the right thing for all those who choose to put their lives on the line for others. Military, police, firefighters, EMT's and the like, are everyday heros that deserve better recognition for their deeds. All I did was collect a little candy as a token thank you. Come to think of it, I guess re-enactors and Harley riders are very similar in their beliefs regarding patriotism and paying homage where it is due. It's probably what drew me to this new hobby. Thanks again.

G

[just4fun63]

sorry for the lateness of this reply got busy at work I will try to get the picture of the box tomorrow when I start digging things out. Blair thanks for the info I spent hours Googling and didn't find that info.

[Blair]

Tom,

Unfortunately it is in an Archaeology Report written up in book form titled "The Blockade Runner 'Modern Greece' and Her Cargo" by Leslie S. Bright, Archaeology Section, Division of Archives and History North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Raleigh, NC June 1977
I bought the copy I have from the Blockade Runner Museum at Fort Fisher in Carolina Beach, NC.
You may now have the info you need to make finding it easier with a Google search.
Of course you know buying the book would help raise moneys for preservation and conservation efforts of the collection. This was one of the reasons for printing the book in the first place.

[GAR]

We hit about a dozen or so homes in our neighborhood and collected 26 pounds of candy. The people at the collection center were very pleased and I was able to give my boys another life lesson about the joy of giving. Huzzah!

Thanks all for your valuable input.

G

[GaWildcat]

Originally Posted by GAR

We hit about a dozen or so homes in our neighborhood and collected 26 pounds of candy. The people at the collection center were very pleased and I was able to give my boys another life lesson about the joy of giving. Huzzah!

Thanks all for your valuable input.

G

Thats awesome give them boys a Salute from me, and HOOAH from me.... your doing a great job with those young men...