Headquarters
Birney’s
Division
November
3, 2018
Soldiers, Civilians and Friends,
I hope that this notice finds you well and in
good spirits. We are fast approaching the time to settle into winter quarters.
Many of our member units have completed their scheduled events, are repairing
their kits and planning for the next campaign season. However, for some of our
units and those that do partake on their own to participate in the annual
pilgrimage to Gettysburg for the Remembrance Day parade, I have the following
information to share with you. Also, at the end of this notice a heads up on a
few more items to come.
On
Friday November 16th, the 150th would like to extend an invitation
to a free battlefield tour with tour guide Rich Kohr. This year the subject
will be the Confederate artillery July 1, 1863.
The tour will begin at the Peace Light Memorial at 1:30 pm, tour begins at 2:00
pm. Be prepared to walk and dress for the weather. As is tradition, the hat for
Rich will be passed at the conclusion of the tour.
On Friday, November 16, 2018 in the lobby at the Hampton Inn Gettysburg,
1280 York Road, I would like to hold a staff meeting to include the Division
and Battalion staff officers and NCO’s. The time of this meeting will begin
promptly at 7:55 pm. The agenda is to plan and coordinate for the 2019 Campaign
Season. If you are unable to attend please RSVP your regrets to me or your
battalion adjutant.
On Saturday, November 17, 2018 there will be the
Annual Remembrance Day Masonic Ceremony at the Friend
to Friend Masonic Monument. The ceremony will begin promptly at 11:30 am and
end no later than Noon, giving plenty of time to walk to the parade assembly
area. It is open to ALL period-authentic Civil War
Masonic re-enactors.
On Saturday, November 17, 2018 the members of
the Division are requested to assemble behind the middle school (same as last
year) no later than 12:30 pm. Your timely arrival allows enough time for
the staff to organize the lines and determine the order of march. The parade
will step off at 1:00 pm. We are in need to two soldiers that are capable of
carrying colors during the parade. If you are willing, please let me know ASAP.
The following was published by the SUV as the parade’s
order of march. This should help you find us as we assemble.
Gettysburg
Remembrance Day Parade Second
Division (Reenactors)
(20) 2nd Federal Rifles
(21) Mifflin Guard
(22) Vincent’s Brigade
(23) USV’s
(24) National Regiment
(25) Army of the Potomac/Birney’s Division
(26) Federal Volunteer Brigade
(27) All other orphan reenacting groups and civilians
(28) Grand Army of the Republic/ United Confederate Veteran. This group will be last in line between the 2nd Division and the Third Division
(20) 2nd Federal Rifles
(21) Mifflin Guard
(22) Vincent’s Brigade
(23) USV’s
(24) National Regiment
(25) Army of the Potomac/Birney’s Division
(26) Federal Volunteer Brigade
(27) All other orphan reenacting groups and civilians
(28) Grand Army of the Republic/ United Confederate Veteran. This group will be last in line between the 2nd Division and the Third Division
A reminder of
the Army of the Potomac / Birney’s Division Staff of the dinner to be held at
the Pike Restaurant, Gettysburg, PA. Social time is 5:00 -6:30 pm with dinner
followed at 6:30 pm.
The Division
is looking for sites near Youngstown, OH to hold our Annual Meeting. Tentatively,
the General Commanding is considering a Saturday in late March, 2019, but still
is TBD. So possibly March 23rd or the 30th. I don’t want
to interfere with those that partake in St. Patrick’s Day and Easter is in
April, so those two possible dates appear to hold minimal conflict. Also, it is
early enough for those evens just weeks away to consider and the weather should
be reasonable for driving (maybe).
Several years
ago, Dave Strichko and I compiled a resource guide for battalion tactics. It
was not designed as an absolute replacement of the period tactics such as
Casey’s or Butterfields work, but only as a quick resource to unify our drill,
evolutions and camp organization. I would like to again resurrect a form of
this publication for the Division’s use. It would be good to do the work on
this during winter quarters and presented at the Annual Meeting. For this
reason, the Division will establish a committee, under the direction of the
staff, to plan, compile and publish this guide. Please contact your respective
battalion adjutant, if you would like to be considered for this committee.
Also, is
there any interest in creating a logo for Birney’s Division that could be
placed on T-shirts, sweaters and hoodies? It could be embroidered or silk screened. It
would be nice to have traveling civilian
attire to events and maybe increase interest to the Division.
I look
forward to seeing all that can make the trek to Remembrance Day in just two
short weeks. For me, this has always been a special event where pards, friends
and family come together in good fellowship at a very special place.
Lastly, I am
honored to lead you in the campaigns before us. In all behind the scenes labors
you may not be aware of, I represent the Division and its interests with you in
mind. My staff and I will make every
effort, within our realm of influence, to make the events we attend as positive
and enjoyable as possible. My challenge will be to make a positive impact
beyond and after the exemplary tenure of my mentor General Maffei. He’s a tough
act to follow!
Respectfully
yours,
Paul D.
Baltzer,
Brig. Gen.
Commanding
Birney’s
Division
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