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vol9-6
The Wedding of a Regular.
Congratulations Patrick and Robin from the Regulars one and all.
See article "A Very Special Day" for more details on this happy occasion.
Mail the Editor with Submissions for the Regular or if you have a good picture you'd like to see on this site.
Field Commander’s Report
The turnout for the Forgotten Regular at the Leister House in Gettysburg over the Memorial Day weekend
was far better that in the recent past. A mixture of regular participants, new members, and old friends not
seen in many moons made up the company. Mark Vlahos ran the Regulars through drills and inspections
for the entire weekend, and attended his farewell dinner at Buckley’s Irish Pub on Saturday evening. Much
to his surprise, Mark found himself in the spotlight. He was both roasted by friends, as wells as toasted by
all. He has been a dependable Regular for many years, and it will not seem the same without him in the
ranks. We wish you well in your new assignment, Lt. Colonel, friend, and pard. Come back and see us
now and then. A thank you is also in order for Julie Vlahos; for without her support and encouragement,
we would not have seen much of Mark. We also wish to thank her for allowing Mark to wear the blue
uniform. It could not have been easy. Our loss is the Air Force’s gain. Good luck to both of you.
Soon, it will be time to turn our attention to the big one in July at Gettysburg. Remember, if you have not
registered by 1 June, it will cost you $15.00 as a walk-on. Moreover, it is possible that the advanced
turn-out will be so great that walk-ons may not be permitted. So...Get your money in to Tank well before
the deadline.
Captain Don Rivera
Company Commander
Brigade Schedule:
June - July, 1998
ME - Maximum Effort
FYI - For Your Information
Deadline Dates for Registration:
-June 1st is the deadline date for 135th Gettysburg so by the time you get this it may well be too late. After
this cutoff you will be charged a walkon fee of $15.00 and if there may be a possibility that they won’t even
let you walk on after a certain point.
Date: June
Place: Reading, PA
Event:Gruber Wagon Works. FYI
Info: Some of the lads are going. It will be a camp and drill weekend. Nice easy event with always a good
feeding by the event organizers.
Uniform: Fatigue, full kit.
Directions: Take route 78 to route 61 South to route 222 W and get off at the Sinking Spring Exit. Take to
183 exit and make left off of on ramp and go 1/2 mile. Look for Gruber Wagon Works Sign. If you pass a
gas station, you’ve gone too far.
Date: July 12, 1998 Sunday
Place: Easton, PA FYI
Event: Heritage Day, Living History
Info: This is a one day PAID Living History with an opportunity to set up the recruiting booth and work
the crowd. It’s on a Sunday. The Regulars did this last year at a historic tavern downtown. This time we will be near the river in the shade of the trees. All we need are some tents with gear and we will do some drill demonstration and
participate in the opening of the ceremonies.
Civilians are invited and encouraged to attend. Saturday will be a barbecue at Jim Wassel’s house for those
who want to come early and of course you can crash there as well. We had a great gluttony fest last year.
Uniform: Full kit with tent and accouterment to show the public. Also, bring a few rounds.
Directions: To Jim Wassel’s house. Take 78 East to last exit in PA (Easton) and follow signs to the
downtown area. (route 611) continue straight past the McDonalds thru town heading for CW statue (Center
Square). Continue straight around (half the circle) the circle and keep going straight. You come to a big
hill. Go up hill and continue for two lights make a left a Sal’s meat market and go down two and 1/2
blocks, third house on left. 722 Burke St.
If going directly to the event, follow same directions but make a right after passing McDonalds and go thru one light near bridge and the park is on the left.
Date: 3 - 5 July, 1998
Place: Gettysburg, PA
Event: 135th Gettysburg ME (As if you’re going to miss this one)
Info: Make certain that you check with your section NCO before coming to this event. At this moment,
the event organizers are attempting to finalize arrangements for the land. We will not know if they have
been successful or not until the first week in June. If they are successful this will be the 135th Anniversary
reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, and will be held at the end of Pumping Station Road, South of
Gettysburg. If you haven’t registered before 1 June, walk-ons will pay $15.00 at registration. This is an
NR event, and a Brigade maximum effort event. Check with your NCO to determine the NR battalion to
which we are assigned, and our company assignment. We will be joined by a number of men from the
Washington Territory, more from California, as well as two chaps sent over by Queen Victoria.
Remember, it gets HOT and HUMID in July at Gettysburg...Prepare accordingly. If, during the weekend,
you should feel sick, STOP what you are doing IMMEDIATELY and let your NCO know. We DO
NOT want any casualties this year. Drink plenty of water.
Scenarios: Friday, First Contact, Bufford’s Stand; Saturday AM, Culp’s Hill, Afternoon, Custer vs.
Stuart & Wheatfield/Little Round Top; Sunday AM, Cavalry Battle, Afternoon, full scale (?) Pickett’s
Charge.
Uniform: Sack coat, kersey trousers, fatigue hat, polished brass, clean weapon, darkened leathers, full
canteen, dog tent, blankets, and foul weather gear.
Directions: US 15 to Gettysburg, take the road past the Eisenhower Farm and continue to the end where
you will find the event site, and 16,000 people.
Latest Update as of 6/8/98 on 135 G'burg.
Arrival; best during daylight hours on Tuesday thru Friday. Vehicles not allowed in camp after 0800 Friday. If you arrive later than 0800 Friday, walk
into camp after registering. Cars allowed into camp after Pickett's Charge on Sunday. Camping at site is allowed for those who wish to remain until Monday.
Emergency number; 717-338-9355
No one under 16 allowed to carry a weapon. Anyone near the age of 16 must bring a photocopy of their birth certificate as proof of age.
Military; camping will be under the trees, but the cutting of poles is forbidden. Bring your own poles.
Civilians; due to the large number of civilians coming to the event, organizers urge everyone that they can only hold a large space open for a reasonable time. Come early. Federal civilians have two choices. Those who
wish to remain close to the federal camp should be directed to the federal "refugee" camp, while those civilians who wish to be closer to the sutlers
should be directed to the "federal civilian camp". Civilians who wish to view the battles must proceed to those areas at least one hour before the start of the activity. All large RVs for reenactors and sutlers must be placed in the
"modern camping area" next to the tenting areas.
Water and port-o-johns will be provided. A $25.00 fee will be charged at the registration desk. Please call Glenn LeBoeuf's 24-hour info line at 908-903-1064 and leave your name and number if you need to discuss particulars. He promises to return your call within 24 hours.
Directions
>From the North; Take US 15 to the Steinwehr Avenue exit, make a right at the end of the ramp and an immediate left onto Bull Frog Road. Make a right at Pumping Station Road, and go about two miles to the red registration barn.
>From the West; Take PA Rte. 30 East towards Gettysburg. Take Ortana Road South, and make a left onto PA Rte. 116 towards Fairfield. After passing through Fairfield drive to Camp Gettysburg Road, and turn right. Drive to
Pumping Station Road, and make a left. The red registration barn will be on your left. There are to be "CW" signs on Camp Gettysburg and Pumping Station
roads.
>From the South; Take US 15 North to Steinwehr Avenue. Exit and drive toward town and make a left onto Bull Frog Road. Make a right at Pumping Station Road, and go about two miles to the red registration barn.
Order of Battle
Wednesday, July 1
1100 Custer vs. Stuart cavalry battle
1400 Live mortar fire competition
1500 Custer vs. Stuart (battle continues)
Friday, 3 July
1600 First Contact, Buford's Stand, The Iron Brigade,
Heth's Division, Ewell arrives
1800 Confederate sweep
Saturday, 4 July
1000 Hood's advance, Thr triangular field, 20th Maine,
The Wheatfield
1300 Horsemen take the field
1400 PA Reserves, Valley of Death, Bigelow's Battery
1600 Culp's Hill
Sunday, 5 July
0930 Stuart's Grand Review
1330 Pickett's Charge
Date: July 18, 1998
Place: Carroll County Community College, Westminster, MD
Event:
Recruiting and Living History.
FYI
Info: This is a one-day event for both civilian and military members. The military will set up our
recruiting booth on the campus of the college. We would love to have several members man the recruiting
station while a small platoon sets up camp and does living history impressions and a little drill. We could
duplicate our successful effort of this past weekend at Gettsyburg. Please let Jim Wassel, or me, know
whether or not you can attend. We are serious in our recruiting efforts and this will offer us an excellent
opportunity to recruit in that part of Maryland. The event has acquired some high powered sponsors which
include the Carroll County Office of Tourism, the Carroll County Times Newspaper, the Maryland
Humanities Council, and the college
itself. There will be ample publicity through newspapers, television, and radio as well as printed
brochures and flyers. With the civilians of Sykes’ Regulars, we want to make a good show of it. The event
runs from 0930 hours until 1900 hours. For those coming from afar, we can set up on the campus on
Friday evening. Water and sanitary facilities will be available Friday and Saturday.
Uniform: We need men in both uniforms, so if you do not have the nine-button frock coat, Hardee hat,
scales, dark blue trousers, and white gloves, wear the late war uniform. Of course, clean your weapons, and
polish your brass.
Directions: Carroll County Community College is located off of MD Rte 32, South of Westminster,
Maryland
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Report from the Field
The Regulars’ Historical Tour
Gettysburg, PA
If you had been on the Gettysburg Battlefield on the weekend of May 9,10 you might have noticed a small
group of what appeared to be ‘ice cream lickers’ (tourists) amongst the throng of other tourists touring the
battlefield. What stood these visitors apart from the others was the fact that they were Regulars in disguise
gathering historical knowledge on the first day’s battle of Gettysburg ‘s three day struggle.
Seven of our unit, including a member of Syke’s civilians, braved the promise of wet weather and were
repaid with a day of clouds and sunshine with nary a sprits of the menace to all the reenactment
community, namely - RAIN. We barely spoke of the menace as to not jinx our good fortune though we
we’re prepared for any eventuality.
The stalwart few who came together to improve our knowledge of this enormous battle were: Tank, Pete B.,
Jim W., Eric S., Jason M., and Mike and Kim A. Janice, Kris and the Lunch Lady arrived later in the day.
A number of us had decided to pick parts of the first day’s conflict and research them individually and then
report to the group as we walked the very ground where it occurred. If you hadn’t done this before, this is
one of the very best ways to learn about military history as terrain is ever so critical in the outcome of any
clash of armies. Though time has changed the landscape somewhat the essential scene remains intact and
by seeing what the commander’s saw you can attain a better understanding why certain decisions were
made and why others can be considered utter folly. And if you have a creative mind’s eye, you can almost
envision the armies themselves as they march onto the field and struggle for victory in a panorama of
carnage and destruction. Then maybe, you can reflect on why it happened at all as the spirit of that place
where so many perished effects any who walk there.
The group began it’s tour on McPhearson’s Ridge where Gen. Buford chose to make his crucial stand
against Heth’s division. Tank gave an excellent overview and introduction to an often times overlooked
part of the battle. For some reason, the second and third day’s battle receive more attention than this action
that was so critical and extremely hard fought. Mr. P. Brooks then gave an informative discourse on the
role of Buford and the cavalry.
The group then moved to the south across the Chambersburg Pike to the area of McPhearon’s woods
where Eric Schlegel informed us about the advance of Confederate Gen. Archer and his troops as they
encountered the famed Iron Brigade in the dense wooded area around Willowby Run. The Rebels were
thrown back and Archer is captured but at the cost of Major Gen. John Reynolds who is shot most likely by
a rebel sharpshooter. The Union loses one of it’s best commanders. Tank went on further to explain as we
stood at the place where Reynolds met his fate, the reason why his death was so critical to the outcome of
the first day’s action. (Ask him about it sometime and be sure not to miss the next tour.)
The next stop was a bountiful lunch and then on we went to the Railroad Cut where Davis’s brigade was
captured after it had inflicted many casualties on the Federal defenders.
Our next destination - Oak Hill. We parked at the Eternal Peace Candle and Mr. McConnell briefed us on
the advance of General Rodes division of Ewell’s corp from the north. Focusing on Gen. Iverson’s ill-fated
advance, he described the devastating effect of flank fire and what can happen when a Gen. leads from the
rear and sends his force out with no skirmishers or reconnaissance. Complete annihilation.
We then marched to the area where Baxter’s regiments hid till just the right moment and then sent
Iverson’s brave men to their shallow graves in that open field north of Gettysburg town to forever after be
known as Iverson’s Pits.
Standing on Oak Ridge we looked to the east and saw the valley where the 11th Corp advanced in support
of the hard fighting 1st Corp. From that high prominence we could plainly see Barlow’s Knoll and Jim W.
introduced O.O Howard’s role as he assumes command being one of seven commanders in charge of the
field that day.
We then motor over to Barlow’s Knoll and Jim W. tells the story of the much beleaguered 11th Corp.
Having been the Corp that was first struck at Chancellorsville by Jackson’s flank maneuver, the 11th Corp finds itself once again in position to be flanked, this time by Jubal Early’s division. Gen. Francis C. Barlow
makes a brave stand as Gen. John B. Gordon’s brigade smashes into his front and is hit by two Rebel
brigades from the right and rear collapsing the Federal line and sends it streaming through Gettysburg.
O.O Howard receives credit for leaving one of his divisions on Cemetery Hill where the remnants of 1st
and 11th corp rally to set the stage for the next day’s battle.
The last stop on the Regulars tour is the ‘Brickyard’ where Coster’s men are surrounded and captured. A
foollish decision by a commander is presented here as these men were placed in a position they could not
retreat from.
Thus ended the first of the Regular’s Historical Tours. Informative and fun, the Regulars get together once
more to explore history and enjoy one another’s company.
The next tour is now being planned for later in the year as we continue our study of the battle of
Gettysburg. We plan to study the engagement that took place at Cemetery Hill and Cull's Hill and Syke’s
Civilians will report on the role the Gettysburg civilians played as two great armies fight through their once
sleepy little farm town. Stay tuned for further details and if you are interested in conducting the tour on a
subject let Tank or Jim Wassel know.
Written by the Editor
The Regulars Shine at Gettysburg!
Huzzah for the Lads!
The Regulars descended on Gettysburg in force the weekend of the 23, 24 of May to educate large crowds
about the United States Regular Infantry, the ‘Forgotten Regular’.
The Regulars accomplished their task with large numbers (a 25 to 30 man company) and with great
professionalism and spirit. G’burg Ranger Tom Holbrook introduced the company at each show by stating
and emphasizing that the park brings only the very ‘best’ units in the country to do living history programs,
and this event bore out the fact that the Regulars are indeed amongst that number.
Ably leading the men was Lt. Mark Vlahos, in what would be his last association with the Regulars for a
while in that he and his family are moving to Arkansas. Mark has been promoted and will being flying in
defense of our country as a Lt. Col. in the USAF.
It was truly gratifying to arrive on Saturday morning and see 20 tents in a row lining the fence from the
Leister house to the barn. The lads soon had the company area in excellent trim and set upon their brass
with a vengeance to make it and their rifles shine for morning inspection. Amongst our number were a
cadre of new recruits who we welcomed with open arms, rifle polish and rags. Bonding over scrubbies, the
recruits were enlightened to what sets a Regular apart from a volunteer in maintenance of government
issue.
Once shined the Regulars were issued rounds and caps for firing demonstration. The Nat’l Park system has
now trained their personnel in firearm safety and will now permit ‘chosen’ units to fire on park property.
Up until this point, all units had to content themselves with going “BANG” when the order to fire was
given. This tends to take away from the reality of gunfire.
First Sgt. Hanson soon had the company assembled and off we marched to our first show. After an
introduction by the ranger, Sgt. Kelly (Will Hutchison) briefed the crowd on the history of the Regular
Infantry. Tank Nickle then demonstrated load in nine times which he did flawlessly except for the lack of
cooperation from his rifle. Misfires are indeed a pain. The company then wheeled away from the audience
and demonstrated volley fire, firing by rank and firing by file. The company was then deployed as
skirmishers and advanced and retreated while firing, rallied by fours and rallied on the company. We then
marched back to the audience and presented arms to an appreciative audience. We followed this same
exercise for three shows each day with Mike Resser (2nd US) doing the announcing on Sat. and 1st Sgt.
Mastapeter doing it on Sunday.
After each show we repaired to camp where we answered questions from the history seeking public. The weather smiled on us each day and a better weekend could not have been asked for.
At this juncture we would like to say ‘good work’ to the new recruits: Joe Vilar, Allen Thompson, Bill
Ford, Andy Fiekert, Niel Carmichael, and Kenny. You lads are doing great and we thank you for swelling
the ranks of the Regulars.
After our duties at the Leister house came to an end on Saturday, the company assembled at Buckley’s
Tavern where we were to bid a fond Regular farewell to our left flank corporal, Mark Vlahos. Upon his
arrival, Mark and his wife Julie were usherd upstairs to a fine dining room where the company gathered
round. We then posted the colors to the corner of the room after the pledge of allegiance in the finest
military tradition. Mark was unsuspecting of this tribute and we can assume quite touched. After a gluttony
fest of vast proportion, the entertainment (if you can call it that) ensued. This portion of the evening began
with Hutch telling a joke about Mark’s severely handicapped (fictional) brothers, a bell and a head
Monkness. The crowd had more fun throwing napkins at the aspiring Henny Youngmen than laughing at
his woe begotten joke. He should of told the bear joke.
After this comedic misfire, several of Mark’s comrades rose and spoke of Cpl. Plug with funny stories and
fond remembrances. One of which revealed the secret that Mark was indeed capable of playing a drum.
Fearing the draft into the drummer boy’s company he never revealed this talent as he was intent upon
wielding a rifle. So to make up for the years of lost percussion cadence, Mark was given a set of drumsticks
nearly as big as he was. If he ever uses them on anything out in Arkansas we should be able to hear them
if we listen very hard. It was then that Captain Rivera presented Mark with a framed photograph of
General Generic and his staff including the ever incompetent and much put upon Major Berger on the
porch of the Leister house. (Mark as Major in charge of quartermaster corp who was unable, no matter how
hard he tried, to get a single crate of supply anywhere near Gettysburg.) We then gave our comrade three
hardy cheers and we wish him well once again in his new assignment. There will always be a place at the
campfire for our Left Flank Corporal.
We then repaired to the tavern below where we began to sing and to celebrate another grand event soon to
be in the offing. The upcoming nuptials of a certain Patrick Francis Xavier Mooney. In honor of this
momentous occasion we bestowed upon Patrick Francis a position of great power in the company - that of
Company Songmeister. The Songmeister has the power to choose all songs and lead at any time according
to his mood and or whim. He was presented with a baton of the highest quality and aerodynamic design (a
stick from a tree till we can get him a real baton). Don’t forget Mooney, all you have to remember is “I
DO.”
As the Regulars once again sang themselves hoarse the evening regretfully wound to a close and the
celebratory soldiers made their way back to the battlefield underneath a clear sky full of shooting stars.
That night the Regulars were forced to mummify themselves against the cold night air as the dampness
crept in to rust our rifle parts and freeze our digits. A good lesson. Make sure you bring enough gear
because you never quite know what the weather will do. Also, try to get up early as some nefarious comrade
will take advantage of a sleeping pard and decorate them with little slips of paper or release their feet from
the confining influence of a warm wool blanket. Words to live by.
Sunday’s duties were much the same as Saturday’s with the notable implementation of the Historibot
5000+ series as spokesman for the Regulars. The Historibot was at full power and regaled the enthralled
crowd with large number of facts about the Regulars. The creators of the Historibot series are reported to be
concerned that this series is developing an artificial intelligence with the possibility of securing
bureaucratic positions in the gov’t as this would be a natural progression. Well done Historibot 7859.
The Regulars were well represented this weekend and we hope that we honored the memory of the brave
men of the United States Regular Forces on this Memorial Day Weekend.
Submitted by the Editor
Bugle Call!
"Till we meet again"
Sykes’ Regulars bids a fond farewell to our Left Flank Corporal, Mark Vlahos. All the best and to you and
your family in Arkansas Mark.
The Big Day
Congratulations Patrick and Robin on your wedding day. May your love grow like that ivy that tangles and
twines and never breaks and is really hard to pull apart and covers everything.
Arghhh!!!!
He's Moved Again!!!!
One more time. Patrick Mooney had found that there were 47 carpet fibers too many at his last place of
residence so he moved. (just kidding, a new love nest for his beautiful bride no doubt) His new address is
5709 A Woodlawn Gable Drive/ Alexandria, VA/ 22309 /Phone 703-780-1818.
Jonah Award
This month’s Jonah award has a split winner. Jim Wassel and Tank will share it as the former has a
tendency to chew tobacco near the company fly and the latter has the tendency to sit in the spitting area. No
company spittoons.
A Regular disguised as a Duryee Zouave
infiltrates France on
Secret Mission.
Pete Brooks will be in France by the time this Regular reaches the membership. His Mission........ purloin
recipes for stew. He is also to learn exactly what ‘Il ya du fromage’ means. He will be travelling with the
5th NY Zouaves on their ‘Baggy Pants Tour’ of France. Being hosted by the small town of Hirson in the
country. The Zouaves will bring their peculiar brand of bayonet ballet to bemuse the crowd and will then
take a tour of some really great sights (lucky fezz heads). We will be expecting a full debriefing from
‘Agent X Fromage’ after his continued excursion to England where he will attempt to insult the Queen.
Mind the Gap.
A Call for Wounded!
This year’s Meade’s Headquarters event, July 25,26 needs enlisted men. We would like to put the word out
early that we need as many enlisted and nco’s as possible to attend. The event will be more like a daylight
torchlight tour with more scenarios going on. The headquarters scenario will be more connected with what
is going on at the hospital on top of the hill. Soldiers will be needed as wounded and orderlies. But their
roles won’t be static ones. They will be rotated around the area and can do some 1st person if they are
comfortable with it. We want to visually recreate the casualties making their way to a corp hospital. There
will be more make-up used this year for the sake of realism. (So bring old uniform parts that can be messed
up a little) We are endeavoring to make living history as dramatic and realistic as possible which we hope
will enthrall the audience and make it more interesting for us, the living historians. More details in next
month’s Regular.
More Address Changes
The lovely and gorgeous Janice Applegate and her daughter Kristen can be now be found at
356 Avenue A//Lake Ronkonkoma, NY/11779 / Ph. 516-471-7110.
Glenn Texter in now residing in the state of Joshua Chamberlain. Specifically Columbia Falls, ME. He
bought a place of huge proportion that will soon be a bed and breakfast where anyone who wants to see
Maine can visit at a very reasonable price. Look for Glenn at the Gettysburg event and make your
reservations. His new address is: PO Box 178 / Columbia Falls, ME 04623 / Ph. 207-483-3862.
'
Chief's Message"
Thanks to each and every one of you, Sykes' Regular Reserve Division once again distinguished itself on
the field at Gettysburg. We turned out 30 men, our largest turnout since Fort McHenry in March 1997,
amply demonstrated our knowledge, skills, and abilities to the National Park Service, and, thanks to Will
and Don (aka "Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum" of Her Britannic Majesty's Service), put on a remarkable
military farewell for Mark Vlahos. All in all, it was an eminently successful weekend. It now can be said
that "...the Regulars taught the volunteers how to fight at 1st Bull Run...at Gettysburg, they taught the
Army of the Potomac how to die...and, on May 23-24, 1998 at Gettysburg, taught reenactors how to articulate and interpret the meanings and complexities of the
American Civil War to the public..." Well done gentlemen, well done.
Enough pundits and plaudits, it's back to business. Please note that time is rapidly passing by for those who
want to preregister for the 135th at Gettysburg. It's $10.00 now, $12.00 for "walk-ons" if they accept them.
Please get in contact with Jim "Tank" Nickle before the end of this week. Also, make sure you can pack
and travel light and fast to the event...it's going to be crowded, hot, humid, sticky...need I go on? If you
need help putting your "light marching order" kit together, please get in touch with Steve Hanson.
Also, please make note in your calendars for the last weekend in July (25-26)
1998. This year's "Meade's HQs" is going to have some new twists and turns and to really pull it off, we
need enlisted and NCO wounded. If you want to participate, please get in touch with Will "Raoul"
Hutchison and/or Jim "People
People People" Wassel. Finally, please mark your calendars for the last weekend in August 1998. We have
a paid event at the Manassas Museum...the more participants, the more cash to fill our depleted corporate
coffers!!!
In closing, I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of the membership to thank Mark Vlahos for his
dedicated service to the brigade and to congratulate him on a successful military tour of duty in
Washington, D.C. We wish him all the best and the same to Julie, Ben, and Brook. Thanks "Plug."
Finally, congratulations are due to Private Patrick F.X. Mooney, Company C,
Second Regiment of Infantry and his new bride. We wish you both all the best in your new life together
and that your lives become one.
Until next month, I remain, with all good wishes and warmest regards, your most humble and obedient
servant,
Craig W. Mastapeter, President
"Message from the Fourth"
Congratulations!!! Company H, 4th US Regular Infantry put 16 officers and men into the field May 23-24,
1998 at Gettysburg. Not only was the quantity of the turnout superb, but so was the quality of the
impression. Uniforms had been brushed, shoes and leathers blackened, brass polished, and rifles smartly
cleaned. The tentage looked good and the interaction with the public was solid
but not obtrusive...natural's a good word.
It was great to see our new recruits too...Messrs. Vilar, Ford, Feikirt, Carmichael. and Kenney. Each and every one of you, as well as your 2nd US counterparts, looked
good, drilled well, and blended in well with the existing impression of the brigade. It was also great to see
Corky (Sykes' "Sharpshooter of the Year")Wenrich and Mike Aldrich...it's been a long time...and Wally
Holderness and Paul Van Brunt. We hope to see you guys more this year.
As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you got a question, a gripe or complaint, an idea,
or just to shoot the breeze. You've got my numbers.
As always, I remain your most humble and obedient servant,
Craig W. Mastapeter,
President and First Sergeant,
Company H, Fourth Regiment
of Infantry,1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Corp ,
Army of the Potomac,
General George Sykes Commanding
in the United States of America
North American Continent
Planet Earth
Milky Way Galaxy
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Tank’s Grumble Corner
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1. There's is no creature lower than a soldier who spits tobacco on the company street.
(Except one that sits in it. The Editor (TE))
2. While it is a great honor to be selected to carry our flag, it is a #@$!$#@@ pain trying to carry a 6 foot
flag in a 5 foot room. (In the case of Mark V. farewell, the posting of the colors was somewhat cramped.
T.E)
3. Long, very long and very bad jokes everyone has heard before. (Hutch’s Monk joke. TE)
4. Being a Regular and thus having no state to come from, like New York, Massachussetts, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Ohio as opposed to the volunteers who did have states to come from like Maine, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut.............. (Someone find the off switch
on the Historibot TE)
5. Soldiers who don't keep their rifles clean and thus have very public and humbling misfires in front of
large crowds of people. (Rust in the vent hole, shame shame shame.TE)
Tank
A Very Special Day
When a soldier is married, his new bride becomes a member of the regiment and is now a part of a close
knit military family. On Saturday May 30th, Sykes’ Regulars welcomed Robin Warner as the new bride of
Pvt. Patrick Francis Xavier Mooney. In a beautiful and intimate wedding ceremony, Robin and Patrick
exchanged vows and began their lives together amongst a throng of comrades, friends and family.
The wedding took place at the boyhood home of Robert E. Lee in Alexandria, Virginia. Behind the house in a
garden, the Regulars surrounded their comrade and formed the reserve as he made this last solo charge into
the breach ......of matrimony. He held his own as he repeated the solemn vows and as he and his bride
turned to kiss we knew that this Regular had won the day.
The Regulars then formed an arch of crossed swords and as the happy couple approached they were
required to kiss in order to pass each pair of sabers. As they past the last set of swords, Captain Hutchison
‘officially’ welcomed Mrs. Mooney into the Regulars by swatting her backside with his sword saying,
“Welcome to the regiment Mrs. Mooney.” The crowd could not help but smile.
The photographers had by then, assumed command and the posing never stopped. Next time you see
Patrick make sure you ask him to see the pictures.
The reception was held in the same place with an excellent group of musicians playing genteel classical
airs in the background. A sumptuous buffet left the company mess a distant memory. The gentlemen in
their dress uniforms milling about and the ladies in their beautiful gowns fluttering their fans created a
perfect 19th century scene. (aside from all the other strangely dressed people)
It soon came time for the cutting of the cake and time for the best men, Pat’s two brothers, to toast the
newlyweds. The Mooney brothers, with great emotion, wished their brother and their new sister-in-law the
best of all things and then the floor was open for the rest of the wellwishers. Colonel Rivera toasted the
happy couple on the behalf of the regiment and the Editor gave them the regards of Pat’s comrades in the
ranks. The Editor and Janice were then singled out for introducing the couple to one another at the
Wilderness event several years ago. There was no clue of course that someday they were destined to be man
and wife. Janice noticed this women wandering about at the event and once they started talking found that
she was alone and without a place to make her camp. Janice of course soon remedied this as it is her
character to adopt anyone into her fold that is in need of a home. The lone Irishman not soon after,
wandered into Janice’s camp and inquired of the Editor, “Who’s that girl?”
The rest is, as they say, HISTORY.
The couple was then soon picked up by a horse drawn carriage and as we watched them ride away we were
blinded by the glint from the brass of a very happy Regular on his wedding day.
Sykes’ Regulars and Sykes’ Civilians would again like to wish Mr. and Mrs. Mooney absolutely all things
good in their new life together and we hope to see them as much as possible with their other family on the
fields where we play.
Congratulations you Irish Newlyweds!!
Submitted by the Editor
Book Review
by Frank ‘Books’ Hall
For this month's review, I go, like last month to another time and another place.
"The Gallant Six Hundred"
John Harris
John Harris account of the Charge of the Light Brigade examines the many conflicting themes accounting
for the defeat of the British Light Cavalry at Balaclava. In Harris' judgment the the disaster was brought
about by something more complex the the famous Lucan-Cardigan quarrel, and he presents the argument
that Lord Lucan was a far more able divisional commander than he has been given credit. An earnest,
irascible and unpopular man trying to do his best to lead the men who took part in the famous charge. The
men are portrayed not as the drunken, incompetent soldiers but as intelligent, able and courageous men, led
by officers who were far from the unpopular fools they have been represented to be. For those of you who
are interested in studying the war that helped shape how our own Civil War was fought, this book is a good
edition to your library.