Mail the Editor with Submissions for the Regular.
Membership Renewal
Please remember to send in your dues with your membership application enclosed with this month's Regular. We have included a stamp addressed envelope to make it easier for you to reenlist in the best unit in the Army of the Potomac. $20.00 for a single membership, $30.00 for a family membership and $12.00 for an associate membership. Make checks payable to ‘Sykes’ Regulars’. Don’t forget to circle the unit you are joining or renewing membership in. If you have already re-upped you don’t have an application enclosed in your Regular. If anyone needs a membership application please contact Jim Wassel.
Field Commander’s Report,
Our annual meeting went well, and it was good to see old friends, and to welcome new members. This year
we have embarked on a different policy relating to the schedule. Rather than fill the calendar with an
excessive number of event dates, we have elected to trim the schedule and offer a limited number of
maximum participation events. The reasoning here is to reduce the number of events and thereby,
hopefully, to increase attendance at each major event. For those who have extra time, and the inclination
to spend it with their comrades, we have also listed a number of FYI events. Please check the schedule
below. The registration amounts, and the dates that the money is due to the Treasurer, Jim Nickle, is listed
to the right of the individual event. Moreover, it is important that each NCO make every effort to
communicate with every member of his section, and that the membership participates in the maximum
effort events.Written by Don Rivera
Company Commander, Sykes Regulars
Presidents Message, Liason to the President
Historibot #694
Craig.Mastapeter
President, Sykes' Regulars Inc.
Brigade Schedule
Written by the Editor
Report From the Annual Meeting
While serving out our sentence in winter quarters the members of Sykes Regulars and Sykes Civilians are
granted a furlough where we can once again gather together and acquire a fix of each other’s company and
remind each other that the coming campaign season is just around the corner. We call it “The Annual
Meeting. We meet to figure our battle strategy (brigade schedule) and prime ourselves for the work ahead.
This year’s meeting began with the arrival of the Regulars to the Day’s Inn on Friday night where a
impromptu lounge was created on the third floor hallway by collecting furniture from all parts of the
hallway and from several rooms. A precedent has been set for informal gathering at our brick quarters. We
collected in our new living room and chat and sang deep into the night.
The next morning everyone gathered to their respective unit meetings and attacked pressing matters and
reinforced unit goals and priorities. The accountants rehashed the budgets and the motions were carried
and the ‘I’s and ‘Nays’ filled the air.
The highlight of the 2nd US meeting was the final unveiling of their much awaited regimental standard to
accompany the 4th’s beautiful national colors. The ooooohs and ahhhhhs were accompanied by goose
bumps as the eagle of the Second was finally set free. Mr. Steve Hill of Westwood Mass. is a man that both
units are deeply indebted to, for doing such an incredible piece of art that does justice to the memory of the
units we have chosen to represent. We are indeed proud of our new colors. May we never disgrace them.
Unit ranks were also decided with Jason McConnell being elected as a corporal of the 4th US. In the 2nd,
Lance Corporal Brooks was once again elected to his Lance Corporalship. Fine work sir. Mark Vlahos has
stepped down as a corporal of the 2nd due to the fact that he is receiving a reassignment from the air force
enabling him to get back in the air after June of this year. Jim Wassel was given the slot and will do his best
to mirror the fine work of Corporal Plug. We’ll miss you left flank corporal. Congratulations to the new
Noncommissioned officers. We are confident that they will continue to measure up to the responsibility
commensurate with being promoted to their new rank. (and not become power hungry despots looking for
victims to assign duties to unless of course the lowly privates deserve it [insert maniacal laughter here];
Example: “Private, I don’t care if your fingers are bleeding. I need 4 more chords of wood and 40 gallons
of water and clean the sinks while you’re at it and then maybe I’ll let you polish my brogans).
Congratulations also to the new president of Sykes’ Civilians, Lori Amodeo.
After much deliberation the unit meetings finally broke up and next on stage was the brigade meeting. We
had a good turn out of folks which was gratifying to see and the work of the brigade commenced. Pres.
Mastapeter opened the proceedings with appropriate words in praise of the colors and then requested the
pledge of allegiance which as men and woman of the Union we said with not a trip of the tongue that the
Confederates I’m sure suffer from.
The first order of business was the awarding of the Jonah of the Year Award. Having been the founder of
the Jonah of the month award I was indeed gratified to have it awarded to ME! for being responsible for
letting the Regulars go thirsty. Remember the wooden cask of beer that blew up in the van at Antietam. A
lesson I will take to my grave is “DON’T BLOW UP THE BEER”. I pledge that the next attempt will have
a private assigned to the keg to release pressure and make sure that the laws of physics do not interfere with
the taste buds of the Regulars. Amen
The prize for the Jonah of the Year was a belching beer mug that was quite a hit until I became really
annoying with it. Thanks Craig M. for getting such an appropriate prize. Here’s to another year of creative
Jonah incidence and humor.
The meeting continued with a report from the outgoing treasurer, Eric Schlegel. Again we say thank you
treasurer for a job well done. Unit changes in finance took took the form of a restructured fiscal year from
October to November to make membership renewals before the annual meeting. Dues were set at $20.00
for a single membership, $30.00 for family and $12.00 for an associate membership. We also welcomed
Jim Nickle in again as brigade treasurer. And an allocation of $50.00 was given to each unit for recruiting. So
much for finances.
The next order of business was a report on recruiting from Jim Wassel. The past year was a good start with
a few new faces appearing in the ranks. This year we will consolidate our efforts and have at least 3 events
where we can set up our new recruiting booth. We need volunteers to man the booth and schmooze,
schmooze, schmooze. Pamphlets and recruiting kits are all ready to go. Individual efforts are also
encouraged. Everyone should try to interest people they see everyday. If you know anyone that is interested
in the CW invite them to an event and steer them to one of the recruiting officers. Posters will be available
for hanging on bulletin boards where the historically minded tend to congregate. The web page has been
an asset and we’ve a handful of inquires which will hopefully turn into flesh and blood recruits. Should be
a good year for recruits, lets get out there and tackle’em to the ground and say “wouldn’t you rather just be
a Regular.” Remember, don’t let them up until they say “yes”.
A brief report was also given about the Regular. Some folks with with internet access volunteered to forgo
the mailing of the Regular thus contributing the funds for that expense to the Unit. We thank them for their
company spirit. Don’t forget the Regular is your publication, if you have an idea or a contribution please
offer it to the Editor by the 20th of each month. at jwass@nni.com or 722 Burke St. Easton, PA 18042.
At this point in the proceedings ,Corky Wenrich was decorated with the Sharpshooter of the Year
accommodation. The medal is in the shape of a Maltese cross with the inscription 'Sharpshooter, 4th US.’
Fine work sir.
Once again the chore of the year was undertaken. The brigade schedule. In his usual efficient manner,
Capt. Rivera presented the list of events including the new NR schedule and the membership voted on each
event. The main consideration that was qualified this year in relation to the schedule was that the number
of events should be limited so that better attendance would be garnered at the events chosen. With that
consideration in mind the membership chose a leaner year of quality events. (See Brigade Calender) A
Reminder to the membership that registration monies must be sent to Jim Nickle no later than the
registration deadline posted in the brigade schedule each month.
After that all important work was accomplished the lads posed for a few pictures before their new brigade
colors, where one of the first Jonahs of the year was committed by Mr. Jack Lynch. (See Jonah Page) Then
the gathering broke up and everyone repaired to their respective eating establishments and some of the lads
of course were found at Buckley’s tavern. After the usual gluttony fest on Irish fare the lads filled their
glasses and broke in the new songbooks. Manly throats belted out songs till all were exhausted. A grand
time was had by all. The remnants of the gathering were soon found back at the Days Inn in their makeshift
living room in the hall. They were playing a marathon game of Chronology that Janice had brought. The
game was a simple matter of making a time line out of a series of cards with historical facts and their dates.
(Can’t understand why we would find that interesting) The competition was fierce and the game ended
somewhere around 1:00 am. Very little blood was shed.
The weekend was again a fine time with much accomplished and a positive outlook for the future. The
Regulars are growing stronger and it’s all due to the high caliber of folks we have involved as members.
There is a lot of talent which is being put to good use and our organization will continue to lead the way in
the evolution of our hobby. I think the real Regulars would have been proud. (Can anyone see me waving
my pom poms!! Man, talk about your positive reinforcement)
Company Commander, 4th US Report Don Rivera
The 4th US would like to welcome Bill Ford, and his dad, to the Brigade. Recruiting is important, and
we will schedule several recruiting dates later in the year.
Congratulations are in order to Jason McConnell
for his promotion to corporal, thus replacing Corporal Nickle who desired to step aside and give “new
blood” a chance. Thanks are in order to Jim for his past work. I will not hesitate to brevet him in the future
as the need requires.
Craig Mastapeter was re-elected 1stSgt. On to Richmond, boys.
It was good to see new recruit Mike May who joined this past year at the meeting and it was also good to
see veteran Paul Van Brunt once again.
A sincere welcome to the Brigade, is extended to Joe Vilar, his wife Dolores, and their three children. Joe
will fall into the ranks as a member of the 4th Infantry, while Dolores joins the Civilians. Our family
welcomes your family, Joe.
Captain Commanding,
4th US
(
FourthUS@aol.com)
Reminder to Members of 2nd US. ,
At the Second's unit meeting at Gettysburg we discussed putting together soldier's kits for new recruits.
This is a reminder to anyone that has spare gear to bring it to the NR NCO school in Gettysburg Feb, 21.
and if you aren't attending that event, please bring to a later event. Give to Jim Wassel, Recruiting Officer.
So when you're doing you're annual shakedown of you're gear look for: spare sack coat, kerseys, brogans,
suspenders, socks, forage cap, anything that could be considered a part of a uniform, (or even misconstrued
as such) would be greatly appreciated. Any accouterment such as: cartridge box, belt, bayonet and
scabbard, old haversack, canteen, eating gear, mucket that is just lying around your house collecting dust
and you know you aren't going to use, donate it to the needy. Those fresh fish can't fight naked and who
knows, they might be the one who stops that bullet heading for you. So have a heart.
Anyone who would like to lend as opposed to donate would also be encouraged to do so. I will put
identification tags in all the gear and recruits would have to sign out the gear and leave their modern shoes
as calateral. If gear is still not returned we can form a small acquisition squad' whose three main tools
would be FEAR, INTIMIDATION AND FEAR.
If anyone has a rifle that could be used by a recruit, please let me know who you are so I can contact you to
bring said rifle to an event where a recruit will be broken in.
Recruiting is going to be a priority this year and if we can't outfit 'em we may lose an opportunity to turn a
recruit to the Regular way of thinking. So give till it hurts, we'd like to be able to field at least two recruits
per event, maybe three. Thanks.
Signed,
Recruiting Officer for the 2nd US Inf.Cpl. J.Wassel
(Recruiting officer rank is purely honorary.
It’s like the corporal captain rank on MASH)
Bugle Call
Drum Wanted:
Jonah Award
Congratulations to the reigning Keeper of the Jonah, Mr. James Wassel.
He stated through tears as he accepted his award, “ I owe it all to clean living and my comrades inability to deal with catastrophes
concerning the fruit of the barley.”
The prize this year was a wonderful mug that belches every time you put
it down. Thanks to our illustrious president Craig M for acquiring this fitting talisman of the Jonah.
Though Mr. Wassel received the popular vote. I think it would be remiss of us not to assign an honorary
mention upon Mr. Wally Holderness, who was in heavy contention, and was hoping for the award himself.
His Jonah of knocking down two stacks of rifles in front of the Colonel was definitely a jonah of the highest
traditional order and deserves recognition. Wally, you have permission to use the powerful jonah talisman
to annoy as many people as you can without being physically beaten. You know that’s what I’ll be doing.
In establishing the Jonah of the month program we must remember that chronic jonahism is a disease that
with patience and rehabilitation can be overcome. As stated by Dr. Igneous Feldspar of the Philadelphia
Treatment Center for Chronic Jonahism, “Chronic jonahism is a menace to any company street, but with
proper treatment and nutrition the level of jonahism can be brought to a manageable level. The existence
of moderate jonahism is natural and indeed healthy for the overall sense of humor and morale of the troops.
With proper management healthy jonahism is welcome and expected.”
We will continue in our course of citing meritorious jonahs and do your best to let the fates reek havoc just
so long as you don’t dump the stew into the fire. So do your best lads as every Regular should.
The Jonah is Dead. Long Live the Jonah!!!!!!
February Jonah of the Month
Songbooks The Three Singing Troubadors(
The official songbook of the Regulars made its debut at the annual meeting. While still undergoing some
polishing, the songbooks will be made available this coming campaign season. They will be distributed and
collected at each event so as to keep them from being lost.
There are three volumes: vol. I being the American Patriotic Volume, vols. II and III are a collection of
Celtic songs of the Rebellion and other non period warrior tunes that the Regulars love.
If anyone is interested in learning the songs verbatim and learning the music, copies of the songbooks can
be requested for a fee of $3.00 that includes a tape of many of the celtic songs that we sing. (the $3.00 is
for the tape and the printing) Contact: Jim Nickle, Pat Mooney or Jim Wassel.
Singing has become a great part of the Regulars’ experience and many of the best times at an event are
when the lads are gathered together singing the way soldiers have for centuries. The songbooks will let
everyone join in. Before long we’ll have a choral group and maybe somebody will throw money at us. If
we’re having an off night just remember to duck. Singing lessons not included.
Wassel
Mooney
Regulars Historical Tours Inc.
Regulars Historical Tours Inc.
The Sunday after the annual meeting, a few of the lads took to the field at Gettysburg and toured the 2nd
Day’s battle area from Seminary Ridge to Devil’s Den. We marched around the field for a couple of miles
and thought why not make this a periodic tour with some of the group doing some homework on a certain
aspect of the battle and conducting the tour. So we gave birth to Regulars Historical Tours Inc.
The first
tour will be on Saturday May, 9. We’ve chosen the 1st Day’s engagement as our battle tour. Tank will be
doing the overall commentary with Frank H. doing McPhearson’s Woods and the Iron Brigade, Pete B.
doing Buford and the Calvary, Jason M. has Iverson’s Pits, Flexi has the death of Gen. Reynolds, John
Kelly the ‘Brickyard’, Jim Wassel with Barlow’s Knoll and Pat Mooney with a regimental report on the
24th Michigan.
We’d like to invite anyone who’s interested to come with us and in the future we will be choosing other
parts of the field. If you are interested in being a tour guide and doing some commentary on an aspect of
the battle of Gettysburg we’d love to have you. You just have to pass a small initiation. All you have to do
is sing Kathleen Mauvourneen in the Gettysburg Circle at high noon as loud as you can and you’re in.
Nothing to it. (just kidding)
Patrick Mooney has also contacted G’burg and has adopted Ayres Loop where the Regulars
monument stand. We will take some time and help him to do some upkeep on the monuments to the Regulars.
Review by the Editor
.
Game Review
This past Christmas I came into possession of a computer game that I’d like to recommend. It’s called ‘Sid
Meier’s Gettysburg!’.
The game is in real time (the action is on going) and the graphics are excellent. The game has many
variations and one of its strongest attributes is its accuracy. The battlefield is mapped correctly with all
prominent features labeled. The armies are all there down to the regimental levels with their appropriate
commanders. The marching and formations of the troop is varied and accurate. Formations such as
skirmish line, battle line, double line and marching like road column and maneuver column. You can also
move the troops on a brigade and regimental level. There is infantry, artillery and cavalry which can be
placed by the player for optimum effect. Its a great simulation for seeing the battle from a brigade
commander’s point of view. The confusion and the immediacy of decision is a great aspect.
Troops effectiveness is gauged by their ‘morale bar’ which is the measure of their combat strength. As the
fighting ensues regiments can be worn by movement in quick time, battle stress and artillery fire. They can
be called upon to ‘charge’ and ‘hold’ a position. They will also break and run if their strength is too low.
They will retreat behind the line and rest till they are back to effective strength.
There is a large number of historical scenarios that can be played and a few ‘what if ‘ scenarios such as
Longstreet making the right flank attack around the Round Tops and even one where Stonewall Jackson is
still alive and is in charge of the first day’s battle for the Confederacy. The computer will also create
randomized scenarios with different skill levels and attributes. You can choose the type of commander that
you will fight and the basis for the battle, historical, randomized or a mix of the two.
This game can also be played by multiplayers and can be played over the web. (The only problem we have
is that no one wants to take the rebel side if Regulars play against one another.)
There are a few glitches that have been addressed by the creators. Sometimes enemy troops appear out of
nowhere and the artillery retreats to the commanding officer and follows him where ever he goes. There is
a web site where you can download ‘patches’ (fix for glitches) and they are constantly coming up with little
additions to make the game better.
I haven’t played that many computer games but this one, in my mind, at the current level of computer
sophistication is superior. It retails now from $40.00 to $50.00. So pick it up if you get the chance. It
requires a certain disk space and Ram strength so check the to make sure you have enough oomph in your
computer before you get it.
Pat Mooney, Pete Callahan and I were up till all hours over the holiday so beware, it does get obsessive.
Enjoy.
135 Years Ago This Month
Prohibition will work
great injury
to the
cause of temperance.
It is a species
of intemperance
within itself,
for it goes beyond
the bounds of
reason in that it
attempts to control
a man's appetite by
legislation, and
makes a crime out
of things that are not crimes.
A Prohibition law
strikes a blow at the
very principles upon
which our government
was founded.
-Abraham Lincoln
(1809-65) U.S. President.
They’re not sure if he
really said this or not,
but it is interesting nonetheless.
Book Review
Book Review
by Frank ‘Books’ Hall
Due to an small altercation at the Public Library, where Frank does his research, there will be no Book
Review this month. The Regular Tabloid Division
Eyewitness accounts sighted Frank ‘Books’ Hall wrestling a 63 year old librarian
across the library floor and down a stairwell.
Sources say it was due to a discrepancy in late fees on an overdue book. The librarian, Mrs. Harriet Pensylbocks, was rumored to have been jealous of Frank’s
extensive historical knowledge.
Someone heard Frank say before the incident “that old lady is going to shush me one time to many and I’m
going to take her out.”
So look for Frank’s review next month. Stay tuned for more details concerning this
compelling drama.
>Written by First Sergeant Hanson