THE. Dispatches from the Dog Tent Ted Miljevich. Commander s Call. newsletter of the California Historical Artillery Society. May 2016.

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1 THE CANNON S MOUTH newsletter of the California Historical Artillery Society Mike Johnson Chronicles May 2016 Commander s Call To my troops, Terry Thompson The rebellion at Los Mariposa was quelled with only minor losses. The detailed reports are included with this dispatch. Thankfully, no one was hurt. As I write this, my heart is with you at Gibson Ranch. I am confident Lt. Foster will lead (not like last time). I am also confident that each of you will perform with courage and valor make me proud. As many of you know, I served this country in the US Navy prior to commissioning in the Army. Because of this past, the US Revenue Cutter Service contacted me to join them on a mission. I believe I was chosen for my top secret clearance and ability to speak Canadian, eh? We will be underway soon. I spent time with some of the crew last night and believe this mission will be a great success. But then we drank many pints so that may have all been a blessed dream. I am honored to be your Captain and look forward to our leading the unit soon. Humbly, Capt Terry Thompson Dispatches from the Dog Tent Ted Miljevich Spring in here in full force and so is our event schedule. Can you believe our biggest event of the year AND our biggest unit fund raiser of the year are just around the corner. Yes they are one and the same. Civil War Days Duncan Mills July 16 & 17. Unless you are a new member to the unit, everybody knows about this event. We have work parties leading up and pre-event and after event set up and clean up to work on. We need maximum participation as this event. The unit does double duty. We have to do our normal impression as the 3rd US and be the event hosts. This means everybody is doing extra duty. History of this event is long and colorful. At this event you could expect to see great battle scenarios and one of the largest reactors turnouts in the western US. You could also expect to see members doing a lot of work while receiving minimal recognition. This is not the intent, it is just that a lot of members do a lot of different things both behind and on the front line to make this event happen. Sometimes personalities clash and sometimes tempers can get heated under the stress. This is not what we wish to happen. It just is what could or seems to happen. With this in mind. I would make a plea that we all, me included, make a concerted effort to all work together for the greater goal of making DM 2016 the best we can and the most profitable for the unit. Next board meeting is Sunday May 15th 10:00 am San Ramon Marriott. As always, any member in good standing may attend or may contact your member at large to send along any message. We look forward to any helpful participation. EL DUCE A reminder why school days are important. May 2016 Cannon s Mouth 1

2 Last month the telegraph was down. We finally received El Duce s correspondence via messenger. April Dispatches from the Dog Tent Ted Miljevich Spring is here and the reenacting season is in full swing. Our event calendar is full and has events for everyone's tastes. As always, when the call goes out for any type event the need to get people's response is very important. One way or the other. Planning has to be done. Let us all have a fun and safe season. The board has been working on feed back received from the annual meeting and other issues coming to our attention. As always we want to hear from the membership and your input. I would like to restate that our organization can only be as good as our members and what we all put into it. Working together is the way we grow. Working in opposite directions will simply slow us down. We are all here as volunteers and have a little fun too. Next board meeting is Sunday May 15th, 10:00 am at the San Ramon Marriott. As always, any member in good standing may attend or you may contact your Member-At Large to send along any messages. We look forward to any helpful participation. EL DUCE Friends of Civil War Alcatraz is a non-profit organization that supports the National Park Service with educating the general public concerning the Civil War Experience on Alcatraz Island and in Northern California. They host a Spring & Fall Living History Day each year. Pictured above are Chris O Connell and Evelyn Owens who have attended numerous events and would be happy to help you with an impression. The purpose of the Alcatraz Living History Day is to enhance the experience of visitors to the National Park. It is hoped that the living history program will augment the visitor s understanding and awareness of the many layers of history present on the island. The story of the Post on Alcatraces Island, as it was officially known, is largely untold. As a participant in the Living History Day, you will be tasked with the telling of this story from a very human perspective. The National Park Service is commemorating the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. In keeping with these programs, we are beginning to gear up living history on the island. Military impressions must be that of a unit stationed on the island during the War Between the States. Expect to interact with 4,000 visitors. Let people know about your uniform, your equipment, your rifle, and what it is like to be stationed at Alcatraz (monotonous, isolated, and cold). The next event is October 1st. Contact is John Nevins, Event Coordinator, Friends of Civil War Alcatraz scss1co@comcast.net Phone: May 2016 Cannon s Mouth

3 April has been a busy month. Terry & William met at his place to start new picnic tables for Duncans Mills. They were able to get the tops and seats primed, painted and put together. Final assembly will be at Duncans Mills before Civil War Days. Katie had two horse training weekends. Horse veterinary day was April 14th. Spring Horse Training Corporal Flint, Corporal Ed Owens, and Private Hasslinger would like to thank everyone that came out and participated in the Spring Horse Training. We retired a few horses/gained a new horse, and had to work some of the teams. Everyone did a magnificent job! We were able to train a few new horse drivers as well! We had three new membership signups from these weekends. Please don t forget to welcome to the club Natalie Hales, Robert Mayer, and Paul Lavrischeff. The teams are up and running and doing a great job! We also celebrated Private Hasslinger s birthday on the second weekend. Welcome to the twenty-one club Garrett ;-) Trainings and work parties are great times to get together, work hard, and have some fun after the work is done for the day. William painting primer for new picnic tables for Duncans Mills. Picture from left: Corporal Flint driving lead, with new recruit Natalie Hales (Nate) and Private Hasslinger working the team. Cannon s Mouth Submissions Due by the 28th of each month to: Digital Bugler (chasdigitalbugler@gmail.com) Out to dinner on after a long day: Far Left: Corporal Flint, Private Hasslinger, Corporal Owens Far Right: new recruit Hales, Private O Connell, new recruit Mayer May 2016 Cannon s Mouth 3

4 May 7th Also Attending The US Cavalry Fred Klink (SOHS) Jeff Wall (SOHS) Other great demonstrations Schedule: 7:30 AM Meet at Camp Warhorse (Salinas) to catch and tack one horse team. You can stay overnight Friday in the bunkhouse also. 9:30 AM Leave Camp Warhorse around arrive in Marina by 10:15 and hitch up the team. Unload the cannon and limber. Drivers are needed for hauling the trailers. 2:00 PM Event ends, un-tack the team, load the cannon and horses and head home. Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado would like CHAS to fire the cannon as was done last year so we also need cannoneers please. Bring or purchase your lunch on site. (BBQ fundraiser for FOWD) A wonderful and easy going event for those who want to ride the team and need practice! Come one come all! One of Dennis's most important events and let's all repay Margaret Davis and the Friends of Fort Ord for cleaning all of Team 1's tack. Thank You! Contact Dee Murphy momagna@yahoo.com event visiting with the public and showing off the horses. 4 May 2016 Cannon s Mouth

5 May 21st Re-Cycling Into The Future is the fast-paced theme for the 122nd Annual Luther Burbank Rose Parade & Festival. The community is invited to join us for an exciting event in Rose Parade history: both the Parade and the Amgen Tour of California cycling competition will take place on Saturday, May 21st, 2016 as we celebrate the best of the North Bay. The Parade is in Santa Rosa only two months before our Civil War Days so a great opportunity to advertise. Evelyn Owens coordinator. Roaring Camp Railroads and the American Civil War Association (ACWA) 35th Annual Civil War Battles & Encampment MAY Travel back in time to the Civil War where encampments of Union and Confederate soldiers re-make history right before your eyes. Experience the sights and sounds of cavalry charges, musket fire and artillery shells in one of the longest-running historic reenactments in the West. Ride an 1880s "iron horse" through an ancient redwood forest and witness skirmishes as the steam train ascends Bear Mountain. Glimpse a soldier s daily life as he cooks meals over a campfire, cleans his musket and prepares for the day s campaign. Then chow down on a Chuck Wagon Barbecue and take in the camp. See you at Roaring Camp for this fun family event on Memorial Day Weekend! CHAS will be there with one gun and no horses. Scott Foster coordinator. From May 2016 Cannon s Mouth 5

6 School Days were held on Friday, April 15th. Garrett, Robert, & Capt Terry. Pictured, Garrett is explaining the tack and limber to the children. School Days turnout was fantastic. We talked to classes from as far as Turlock. The kids were wonderful. After Action Report Submitted by Capt Terry Thompson Mariposa is such a beautiful location. I wish we had time to camp for several weeks so the troops could have traveled to this Yosemite Valley I have heard of. Apparently it was just over the hill. Unfortunately, a band of Rebs encountered us and we were off to skirmishes. The battles proved to be great training grounds for new drivers and cannoneers. My old 1st Sgt, George was back with extras. The horses were especially happy with the results of the winter s rains much feed. It was not hard to tell who was snoring loudest. The team definitely won out over the soldiers. A couple of minor mishaps occurred that will require further look. Our capable company clerk, Cpl Eddie has taken fondness to the team and has decided he can ride. Any driver who dismounts at a trot has seriously violated numerous best practices. Remember, rider on top, horse on bottom. Thankfully, (although we can t quite figure out how) Cpl Eddie tucked and rolled, got up and chased the team until it stopped to place the piece. He then remounted and finished the battle. Cpl Eddie must have know the better place to be was with the team as the piece was overrun with several casualties. Sadly, our new recruit, Pvt Robert was discovered by the Reb Marine outfit he had defected from and was shot. Pvt Chris decided he would rather not be captured and made an unsuccessful dash. In the future, troops need to refrain from stealing from a fellow soldier until he is cold. Even our provisioneers faired poorly as reported by Pvt Gumbley. Alas, we will rebuild, refresh, and move on. Your services are greatly appreciated. Thank you my troops. Honors to Pvt Clancy During the last battle that took place in Mariposa, on John Fremont's land, there was a disturbing occurrence during the battle. A Confederate unit advanced on our camp. A Union group, but not from our battalion, was being overrun. The rebs were getting very close to the cook tent. Private Clancy was so angered by this affront to all a soldier holds dear (their rations), he charged onto the battlefield armed only with a large potato masher. He was wounded, but bravely continued to fight until he could fight no longer. Clancy was one of my dearest friends and will be greatly missed by all in our unit. He was a wonderful cook, and had a booming laugh (well, snort really...) that will be remembered by every one of us. I could not charge as Pvt Clancy did; what would our brave boys in blue eat for the next meal? I could not sacrifice as Clancy did. It was of course due to my ultimate loyalty to our boys, not any lack of bravery on my part. Please all ask our Lord for mercy on the soul of Pvt Clancy. Requested by Pvt Gumbley 6 May 2016 Cannon s Mouth

7 The Augusta Arsenal and Powder Works A supply officer once told me, the Army can t function without the 3 B s beans, bullets and blood. And it was his job to ensure all those made it to the front lines. The Augusta Arsenal was an established U.S. Arsenal at the time of the war however; it was the Confederates who greatly expanded its facilities and capacity. And Major George Washington Rains, a scientist, professor and graduate of West Point had a lot to with it. In July of 1861, he was sent on a tour of the South to organize the components necessary for powder production and to locate a site suitable for erection of a first class powder mill. He chose the old United States Arsenal site between the Canal and Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia as a secure inland location with good rail and water connections. Known as the Confederate Powder Works or the Augusta Powder Works, the complex was the only permanent structures completed by the Confederate States of America and one of the most amazing success stories in the history of American manufacturing. Construction began in September 1861, and the Powder Works was producing gunpowder in just 7 months in Armed with only a pamphlet describing the processes and machinery of the Waltham Abbey Powder Works in England, then the best in the world, Col. Rains remarkably forged a complete powder production facility in less than a year. This complex of twenty-six buildings, including refineries, laboratories, rolling mills and test ranges grew, by war's end, to rival if not surpass Europe's best facilities to produce the finest grade of powder in the world. The Confederate Powder Works was the 2nd largest gunpowder factory in the world, producing 3.5 tons a day. More than 2.75 million pounds of first-quality gunpowder was produced before its closure on April 18, It has been said the Confederacy never lost a battle for lack of powder. Although the massive works were seized and dismantled after the war ended, Colonel Rains, asked in 1872, that the Obelisk Chimney be spared as he had designed it to "...remain a monument to the Confederacy should the Powder Works pass away". On June 2, 1879 the city of Augusta gave custody of the Chimney to the Confederate Survivors Association of Augusta to "beautify it and protect it from injury as a Confederate Memorial". The CSA of Augusta repaired the square castellated base, protected the corners and in the face, looking towards the canal inserted a large tablet of Italian marble, bearing this inscription: "This Obelisk Chimney sole remnant of the extensive Powder Works here erected under the auspices of the Confederate Government is by the Confederate Survivors' Association of Augusta, with the consent of the City Council, conserved in Honor of a fallen Nation, and inscribed to the memory of those who died in the Southern Armies during the War Between the States". And now the rest of the story: Throughout the war Augusta was a prolific supplier of all kinds of arms and equipment including horse equipment, in particular. In addition to producing high quality gunpowder, it was also the Confederacy s single largest producer of curry combs and brushes. May 2016 Cannon s Mouth 7

8 Go to put in your info and choose us for your charity. Then, start searching! Fundraising Fundraising Chairman still needed. Reprinted to encourage members to have a backyard BBQ and involve your friends. Horse Cookies According to Alan Ginos, Cassini Ranch Campground sold about 2,000 bags of horse cookies last year. That is an easy $2,000 for the club. Our cost is around $20 for a 20 pound bag which then makes125 to 135 smaller bags for $1 each. So be ready on Saturday evening around the campfire to count out 7 cookies per Ziplock bag to resupply the campground and make a few dollars for the horses. SHARES Cards Each year, Save Mart Supermarkets donates over $5 million and several thousand tons of food in support of the communities they serve. Through the SHARES program, they donate a portion of their profits back to schools and nonprofits. Your old SHARES card will no longer work after March 31, They are going digital! Enroll with your 10 digit telephone number at savemart.com/shares or escript.com/shares. This is a very simple and painless fundraiser for CHAS. We all go to the grocery store so even if you don t shop regularly at a Save Mart affiliate, you probably end up there every once in a while. Sign up and sign up family and friends. CHAS nets several hundred dollars a year without really trying. 8 May 2016 Cannon s Mouth

9 T-shirts available in the Ray Ahrenholz design. May 2016 Cannon s Mouth 9

10 3rd US Roster Assignments 2016 Role Name Report To Role Name Report To 1st Lieutenant/ Sergeant Foster, Scott Captain Stable Sgt. Winfrey, Dennis 1st Sgt. Company Clerk Owens, Evelyn 1st Sgt. Teamster Murphy, Brooke Stable Sgt. Provisioner Gumbly, Nancy 1st Sgt. Teamster Newton, Melinda Stable Sgt. Assistant Provisioner Sullivan, Lisa Provisioner Guns & Teams Chief of Piece Duncan, George 1st Sgt. Chief of Piece Entriken, William 1st Sgt. Gun Corporal Gun Sgt. Gun Corporal Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Ebert, Bob Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Hales, Natalie Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Gillich, Mabel Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Krshul, Steve Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Gumbley, Ben Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Murphy, Sierra Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Thelan, Carl Gun Sgt. Cannoneer O Connell, Chris Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Boyd, John Gun Sgt. Cannoneer Mayer, Robert Gun Sgt. Team Corporal Faubel, Wes Gun Sgt. Team Corporal Rejaian, Katie Gun Sgt. Driver Berry, Michael Team Cpl. Driver Hasslinger, Garrett Team Cpl. Driver Carlisi, Debbie Team Cpl. Driver Bradford, Bryan Team Cpl. Driver Fischer, Peter Team Cpl. Driver Merritt, Susan Team Cpl. Driver Ginos, Alan Team Cpl. Driver Miljevich, Ted Team Cpl. Driver Gillich, John Team Cpl. Driver Murphy, Dee Team Cpl. Driver Lavrischeff, Paul Team Cpl. Driver Horton, James Team Cpl. Artificers Signal Corps Artificer Boling, Roger 1st Sgt. Signalman Dombrowski, Ken Captain Artificer Weston, Mark 1st Sgt. Medical Civilians Physician Rogers, Keith Captain Civilian Coordinator Boling, Judith Nurse Rogers, Laurie Captain Soldier Aid Thelan, Rose Civ Coordinator Soldier Aid Thompson, Donna Civ Coordinator Soldier Aid D Agostino, Mary Civ Coordinator Soldier Aid Entriken, Kecia Civ Coordinator Reserves Soldier Aid Entriken, Kaiya Civ Coordinator Amari, Gary Byrne, Jeannie Soldier Aid Entriken, Meagan Civ Coordinator Johnson, William D Hawkins, Virginia Burtz, Daniel Faubel, Carolyn Hawkins, Bill Thompson, Gary 10 May 2016 Cannon s Mouth

11 Schedule of Events* May 07 Fort Ord Warhorse Day Living History City of Marina Equestrian Center, Marina, CA 1 Cannon, 1 Team, Ambulance Contact: Dee Murphy 21 Luther Burbank Rose Parade Santa Rosa, CA 1 Cannon, 1 Team, Ambulance Contact: Evelyn Owens ACWA Battles & Encampment Roaring Camp, Felton, CA 1 Cannon, NO Horses Contact: Scott Foster Cal Expo Fundraising Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA 1 Cannon, NO Horses Contact: Katie Rejaian June NCWA Battles & Encampment Angel Island, San Francisco, CA Contact: NCWA San Juan Bautista Living History Plaza History Association Contact: Ken Dombrowski 23 San Benito Horse Parade San Benito, CA 1 Cannon, 1 Team, Ambulance Contact: Dee Murphy CHAS Civil War Days Work Party Duncans Mills, CA Contact: Ted Miljevich July 9 STEAM Fest Reid-Hillview Airport, San Jose, CA Contact: Dee Murphy CHAS Civil War Days Set Up Work Week Duncans Mills, CA Contact: Ted Miljevich CHAS Civil War Days Battles & Encampments Duncans Mills, CA 2 Cannon, 2 Teams, Ambulance, Forge Contact: Ted Miljevich CHAS Civil War Days Put Away Work Party Duncans Mills, CA Contact: Ted Miljevich August 20 NPS Living History Fort Point San Francisco, CA Contact: John Boyd September 4 Marina Parade Marina, CA Contact: Dee Murphey 9-11 NCWA Battles & Encampment San Benito Historic Park, Tres Pinos, CA 1 Cannon, Ambulance Contact: Scott Foster October 1 FOCWA Alcatraz Living History Day San Francisco, CA Contact: John Boyd October (cont) 1-2 RACW Battles & Encampment Hawes Ranch, Anderson, CA 1 Cannon, 1 Team Contact: Terry Thompson 15 Ft. Mervine Civil War Living History & Encampment Lower Presidio Historic Park, Monterey, CA 1 Cannon, 1 Team & 1 Wagon/Ambulance Contact: Katie Rejaian Paso Robles Parade Paso Robles, CA Contact: Dee Murphy ACWA Civil War Revisited Battles & Encampments Kearney Park, Fresno, CA 1 Cannon, Ambulance Contact: Terry Thompson Bass Bowl Football Game Lakeport, CA 1 Cannon, 1 Team Contact: Alan Ginos November 5-6 Blue & Gray Battles & Encampment California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA 1 Cannon, 2 Teams, 1 Wagon/Ambulance Contact: Terry Thompson December HAPPY HOLIDAYS January 16 CHAS Annual Meeting California Automobile Museum, Sacramento, CA Contact: Ted Miljevich February March CWRS Battles & Encampments Mooney Grove Park, Visalia, CA 1 Cannon Contact: Roger Boling CWRS Live Fire Orosi, CA 1 Cannon Contact: Scott Foster Celtic Festival Motherlode Fairgrounds Sonoma, CA Contact: William Entriken Maintenance & Work Party Camp Warhorse, Salinas, CA Contact: William Entriken April NPS Living History Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA Contact: AWCA 9-10 ACWA Battles & Encampments Mariposa, CA 2 Cannon, 1 Team Contact: Terry Thompson NCWA Battles & Encampment Gibson Ranch, Sacramento, CA 2 Cannon, 1 Team Contact: Terry Thompson May 2016 Cannon s Mouth * Dates are tentative and subject to change 11

12 CALIFORNIA HISTORY ARTILLERY SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016 President Ted Miljevich (650) Vice President William Entriken (209) Recording Secretary Scott Foster (510) Corresponding Secretary Judith Boling (559) Treasurer Katie Rejaian (530) Members at Large Roger Boling (559) Evelyn Owens (925) Unit Command Military Commander Capt. Terry Thompson (559) Acting Civilian Commander Judith Boling (559) Committees Safety Roger Boling (559) Fundraising Katie Rejaian (530) Materials/Acquisitions/Maintenance William Entriken (209) Recruitment Judith Boling (559) Bylaws/Rules Wes Faubel (530) Historical Educational/Archives Ken Dombroski (831) Events Terry Thompson (559) Submissions for the next issue are due no later than March 26, 2016 Chairman of the Board of the California Historical Artillery Society: Ted Miljevich Federal Employer I.D. # Cal. Corp. # For CHAS Membership Information Contact: Judith Boling (559) chasrecuit@warhorse.org Important Web Addresses Civil War Days at Duncans Mills or California Historical Artillery Society Pacific Area Civil War Reenactors American Civil War Association (ACWA) American Civil War Society (ACWS) Civil War Re-enactment Society (CWRS) Comstock Civil War Reenactors (CCWR) National Civil War Association (NCWA) Reenactors of the American Civil War (RACW) Cannon s Mouth All rights reserved. This publication may not be reprinted, in whole or in part, without permission. The Cannon s Mouth is published monthly by the California Historical Artillery Society., a private, non-profit, educational organization dedicated to educating the public regarding the events and activities of horse drawn United States Artillery ( ). Additional information may be obtained by visiting Opinions expressed in Cannon s Mouth articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors, CHAS, its governing Board, membership, or anybody else. Contributed articles and photographs should be addressed to The Cannon s Mouth, c/o Terry Thompson, Ave 324, Woodlake, CA or e- mailed to tjthompson@wirelesstcp.net. Materials may be submitted via CD, thumb drive, or memory card. Submitted materials will not be returned except by prior arrangement. Changes in mailing address should be submitted to: CHAS Recording Secretary, c/o S. Foster, 4446 Richmond Ave., Fremont, CA or to 3rdartyscott@sbcglobal.net. 12 May 2016 Cannon s Mouth