This Issue. Miss Bunny Speaks. The 142 nd Takes The Field. The Sojourn Continues. Questions from Lt. Will. Remain by The Sgt.

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1 This Issue Miss Bunny Speaks The 142 nd Takes The Field The Sojourn Continues Questions from Lt. Will Remain by The Sgt. s Side The Summer Campaign Other News Gettysburg Visitor s Center opened to record crowds in April. The 142 nd was well represented as Lt. Guilliams, Cpl. Tarantino, and Cpt. MacGregor attended in uniform. We can report that the center looks like the $105 million Federal dollars it took to build. The 12 galleries are filled not entirely with artifacts as you would expect but with video and interactive display to dazzle the modern day visitor. The new center is geared towards an interpretation of the entire Civil War, before and after, with only 3 of the galleries dedicated to the actual Battle of Gettysburg. We spent 3 hours in the galleries and a poll of the group gave two thumbs up. The visuals are dazzling and the IMAX theatre and the new film, (although pricey) is worth admission. We spent the day on the battlefield afterward, and rendered a hearty salute at the 142 nd Monument. Thanks to Pvt. Rob Kinsey (Retired) of Atlanta, GA who donated his entire reenacting kit to the 142 nd to use as we see fit. We thank Rob for his dedication and will miss his camaraderie. His gear will be put to good use to help outfit fresh fish until they acquire their own gear. Thanks to Cpl. Tarantino for donating maps to the unit to use in our Living History displays. 145 th Gettysburg is shaping up to be quite an event. As of this newsletter, the 142 nd has over 45 registered. Attendance for the event is capped at 12,500. Indications are they reached that limit as the website has indicated no more registrations. You can still get registered if you want to though. They are accepting registrations from units who are already registered. Contact Keith MacGregor if you still want to go, as soon as possible. No walk-ons permitted. The Voice of the Frosty Sons of Thunder The Union Forever!

2 By The Sergeants Side Last issue found us looking for answers to many questions as if we portray those who went before us. We attempt to understand the daily issues and situations the common Union soldier found in his path of existence. The mere fact of looking for a bit of news from home and words from loved ones as illustrated by John Bingaman s letter is no different today as it was in Was this private any different from us as we walk in the fields of glory. We face the Confederates, hear the volleys, wither in the heat, feel the rain, the weight of the musket, the smoke, confusion, and excitement of battle. Then we retreat to the camps, and revel in fellowship, tell stories, some true! And try to recall the facts of could I have really done it. I believe the differences lie in facts such as when the battle ends we all get up shake hands and mosey back to camp, during the rebellion not all got up!. We will have refreshment awaiting us, cold and clean, not necessarily water from a stream or who knows where, if we had water at all. A few years back while wondering the fields of Antietam I found a bull s eye canteen; it is perhaps 60% complete lying on a rock near a stone fence. I wonder what stories it could tell. To this day I consider it often and wish things of this nature would discuss its travels. How often during meal time is your haversack empty, does your brogan soles have holes in them and when was the last time you took a bath. So the questions will always haunt us. Could I have done it what kind of soldier would I have been? I really don t like the term common soldier then as now no soldier is common. They are and will always be uncommon. A common person won t answer the call. It takes an un-common soldier to carry the flag in the face of your enemy. I for one will never forget this. morning I got up pretty early and made fire, when the drum beat. I reported to the doctor, he marked me for half duty but he felt as I do I know there would be no duty at all. We drew two days rations of soft bread, it is said we will have soft bread regular now one day in five. This evening we had a mess of onions, weather dull with rain. Feb. 12, This morning I felt worse I reported to the doctor but the miserable old holsey our Regimental Surgeon, returned from a leave of absence and gave me a powder of quine and Dovis Powder. When I got back to my quarters I put quine and Dovis powder in the fire determined not to return to him again. This morning right wing of the regiment went on picket. Justus Keller was detached to division HQ for Postmaster. Feb. 13, 1863 This morning I got up as usual although feeling better, I fried a fish for breakfast, after breakfast I commenced writing a letter to J.S. Zimmerman but I could not finish it. I went down to the sutlers and bought.10 cts apples,.10 cts cakes,.10 cts oranges- afterward I bought.25 cts worth of apples. I spent.60 cts today. I received an answer from home to my last two letters. Some rain today. Apparently the Sergeant is in winter quarters and not feeling well, the diet seems to be fair and weather is poor. He is receiving news from home. We don t know how his quarters are or what it may be but if the issue of soft bread is important as he has written of these things we must look at as we go on our ways to the fields of glory. Respectfully submitted for your contemplations! 2 nd Sgt. R. Bingaman 142 nd PVI So let s follow a real 142 nd soldier for a while. Jacob J. Zorn a 142 nd Sgt.- Feb. 11, This

3 May Battle of New Market, New Market, VA - Registration Closed. Walk-on s at $ Actual Battlefield, right off I-81 about an hour South of Winchester, VA. Terrific location, proceeds support the Battlefield. for additional info. Directions this newsletter. June March to Destiny, Shippensburg, PA - $12.00 registration fee. Includes a meal. Camp and fight in town on the Valley Pike where a small skirmish did take place. Lots of fun and activities for all. for additional info. Walk-Ons accepted at $15.00 Info this newsletter. July th Battle of Gettysburg, Gettysburg, PA - $25.00, contact Keith MacGregor on how to register if you still want to go. Do this now, as it will close to all soon. NO WALK_ONS. The big one of the summer. 12,000 expected. 3 days of battles 5 battle scenarios total. Info this newsletter. for additional info. August A Soldier s City, Harper s Ferry National Park, Harper s Ferry, WV No registration fee, but let Gaylyn know if your coming. MAXIMUM EFFORT EVENT! If you come to one event all year, make it this one. We are the featured unit that weekend. Camp in downtown historic Harper s Ferry. A quality event. for additonal info. August th Battle of Chancellorsville, Louden Heights, VA - $12.00 registration fee to March 20, $15.00 after. Closed to spectators and capped at 2000 reenactors. for additonal info. October th Battle of Cedar Creek, Middletown, VA- $15.00 registration fee by July 15. Actual battlefield. for additional info. November 22 Remembrance Day, Gettysburg, PA March to the monument, brunch (on your own), and parade. No registration fee. - info. December 6-7 Harper s Ferry Christmas Program, Harper s Ferry National Park, Harper s Ferry, WV. Register with the National Park- No Fee. Great program, Santa included. for additional info. Good News- Everything else might be going up but the dues are still the same Dues are now being accepted. Dues are $20.00 per family (at one address). Please make checks out to: 142 nd Penna. Vol. Inf., Co F And mail to: Gaylyn Wentz 170 Snyder Road Mt. Joy, PA Dues cover the cost of this newsletter and operating expenses of the unit. Dues should be paid by the first event.

4 the banks of the pond. I do wonder if our life will ever be the same, even after this war ends. Patti Van Brederode Signal Corps Visit the Co. F, 142 nd PVI Web page at: Old Bedford Village, April 19 Today was a most harrowing day in our little village. Just outside the edge of town, a skirmish broke out. The boys all ran to see the excitement, so we had to follow to ensure that they were out of harm s way. As we gathered the boys to bring them back home, we heard the shouts of soldiers gathering on either side of us. In the breath of a moment, we were surrounded by volleys of gunfire. The Union officer shouted to us to find cover and we barely made it to the safety of a neighbor s porch, where the lady of the house took us in until the fighting subsided. As close as we all have been to this war, this was closer than I d ever want to be again. I think our boys may have gotten a taste of what this war is really like, and I hope it taught them that war is not glorious. This war may be necessary, but it is a terrifying reality when it comes to your own doorstep. Now I sit by the pond as dusk draws near, thinking that today s events were a far-away dream, but the sounds of soldiers camped nearby remind me that is not so: Fife and drum, military bands, cadences... almost soothing and pleasant, but a constant reminder of the world that we have come to know now. A world very different from our peaceful life of marketplaces, daffodils and forsythia blooming in the warmth of the Spring, and gentle workhorses turned out to pasture, grazing along & For Recruiting: Recruiting Information, Newsletter Archive, Picture Archive, Directions, & other good stuff. If someone asks about recruiting, just give them this website Union Troops in the Square OBV- April 2008 Photo: Patti Van Brederode

5 Spring Drill/Norlo Farm- Chambersburg, PA - About 22 of the 142 nd took part in our annual Spring Drill at Norlo Farm Park. Welcome new potential members Zach, Larry, & Linda Carter, and Charles Bridger, and Amanda Esoldo who participated for the first time. Also in attendance was Mindy Diehl from the 105 th PVI. Saturday we had drill, drill and more drill. Classes on gun safety by Sgt. Bob Bingaman, Camp layout by Quartermaster Sgt. Bryon Black, Marching instruction by Cpl. Adam Tarantino. Sunday, 1 st Sgt Bowling demonstrated tent layout for camp inspection. We also had a long over due pay-call where hefty fines where levied for misbehavior, and a great deal of money was raised for the Christian Commission through appeals by Kathy Bingaman, along with some prodding by Lt. Guilliams caused the men to be very generous. The troops, eager for a fight and no rebels to be found, were divided into two groups. The Union Army was headed by brevetted Lt. Bingaman. The Rebel Army was headed by General James Bowling. The train located in the park was the object of the tactical in a juried competition where each side needed to complete a series of maneuvers we practiced in drill. Will Guilliams was the impartial field judge, and Keith MacGregor was an imbedded judge with rebs. On Saturday the skirmish was creative as the train offered up some unique opportunities for a creative command. The Union had the last man standing, and won a significant victory on style points. On Sunday, the outcome was the same, only by a much narrower margin, with brevetted Lt. Tarantino defeating General Bowling by a mere 5 points. Prizes were awarded on Saturday to everyone with the winning team also scoring a prize bottle, and had the honor to pick first. The surprise visitor of the weekend was Pvt. Tom Blesedell who we haven t seen in quite a few years. Also, Margaret Shuttlesworth and Roger Beaston were back with us. Thanks to Roger Beaston for supplying firewood for the weekend and securing the site for us to camp in. We were able to bivouac in the barn which worked out really well. It was comfortable surroundings despite the fact that Keith managed to wake everyone up when his cot malfunctioned sending him crashing to the floor. Also, thanks to Will Guilliams for help organizing the event. Old Bedford Village- Bedford, PA We had 19 participate with 142 nd on what was a beautiful and warm weekend to start. Saturday was the Fredericksburg scenario. We began across the covered bridge and fought our way through town. Being assigned the first company in the line of battle we saw our share of action. Halfway through the town, we were assigned a field piece and we pushed back a company of rebs to the edge of town. After a lull, where we had time to re-supply we positioned ourselves in the field to the left of the bridge for the final assault on Marye s Heights. After pushing through the woods, we assembled for the assault. Captain Murphy led the Division in a short lived assault as the defenses were too daunting. A tactical was held later in the day. A kids battle was held for the children of the division and they had a great time. A rather lengthy fireworks display was held on Saturday evening. Sunday brought a soaking, driving rain and the event was called early. We packed up wet canvas and headed home. Falling in for the weekend was Kevin & Dulce White and family, along with 2 members of the Mason-Dixon regiment. Pvt. Zach Bowling made his first appearance on the field as a guidon bearer and runner for General Kelly. Also attending was Chis and Patti VanBrederode, Terri, Chelsea Bowling with Heather Z. Zach and Miles Stevens, Zach, Linda, and Larry Carter, Charles Bridger and Amanda, and Adam Tarantino who saw extra duty as the Union kids army commander. We set a new Zach record for the weekend with 3 in the ranks. Your Obedient Servant, K. S. MacGregor, Captain 142 nd Pennsylvania Volunteers

6 Directions to New Market Battlefield New Market, Virginia May Located at the intersection of I-81 and Rte 211 at Exit 264. (540) Driving directions: Interstate I-81, exit 264-New Market, VA. From the south, turn left onto Rt. 211W; from the north, turn right onto Rt. 211W. Take a right onto Rt. 305 and follow the road to the end of the drive Directions to March to Destiny Shippensburg, PA June Shippensburg is located off I-81 South of Carlisle, PA and North of Chambersburg. Registration is located at 73 W. King Street at the Shippensburg Public Library area. This is on Route 11 in downtown Shippensburg. (See Map Below) From the North: Take 81-South, Take Exit 29, PA 174 exit toward King Street. Turn Right on Walnut Bottom Rd/PA 174, for 1.4 miles, then turn left on US-11 (this is King Street), continue for.9 miles to 73 W King St. Walk-on s accepted at $ From the South: Take 81-North to Exit 24, PA-696 exit toward Fayette St. Take the PA-696 N ramp towards Shippensburg. Turn left onto PA-696 for 2.8 miles. End at 73 W King Street. Website: This event has much to offer. Battles both days, parade, dance, many varied activities, and occurs in different locations throughout the town. Our third year here. Fight on the Valley Pike where it happened. 142 nd on the Attack OBV Picture- Patti VanBrederode Rebs on the Run- OBV-2008 Picture- Patti VanBrederode

7 Here's a ditty composed to honor the day... Highlander's Prayer I shall go down in the gloaming and be found no more a roaming by the waters of the James til my master he be tamed. But that forsooth tis a hard road, more than Richmond he can fathom, yet I'll keep on moor a roving with the fey ones of my gatherin' What a blessed race we're born to O Lost! Ye clans of old, take the low road or the high road promise stay be loving bold. By an Orangeman's Daughter (Miss Bunny's version of 'Keep the Faith' dedicated to the Scots and men of the Irish Brigade) Below is an actual verse found in "the good parlor" at Little Buffalo homestead on the Middle Ridge, Perry County, March 1865, shortly before the fall of Petersburg, where the 208th PVI were camped at the Avery House, Army of the Potomac, Ninth Corp., Hartranft's (Third) Division... Beyond the ridge He holds the line And I pine, for I wish That he were mine But who art thou, My old blue coat, Lancelot? or Just another old goat? As grandmother said, Where there's life there's hope, Just so you don't Wind up with a dope Now those weren't her words, I'm paraphrasing, But the fact is true, I'm still stargazing For I know my boy in blue awaits, Someday his brigade will come up Until that day, I'll cast my spell So he doesn't end up with a belle! Roses are red, Violets are blue Take it under advisement From Me to You (reveals strong genetic bent toward foolery with a slightly wary eye:...boys and men in those parts are known as sharpshooters with tendency to wander) Erin Go Bragh! Miss Bunny Thought to have been written by Margaret Mckeehan (nee Gantt) who married Capt. Frank McKeehan when he returned home from the Grand Review. "Tattered verse found in a horsehair settee" Roses are red Violets are blue Most heroes are gone Except for you Monument at Sunken Road, Antietam May 2008 K. MacGregor

8 Directions to 145 th Gettysburg July 4, 5, & 6 From the East Route 30 West to US Route 15 North, to Hunterstown Exit, Route 394, (Shrivers Corner Road). West on Shrivers Corner Road to left on Table Rock Road to parking lots. From the North Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) to exit 236 (US Route 15 South). Follow US Route 15 South to Hunterstown Exit, Route 394, (Shrivers Corner Road). West on Shrivers Corner Road to left on Table Rock Road to parking lots. From the South Follow US Route 15 North to Hunterstown Exit, Route 394, (Shrivers Corner Road). West on Shrivers Corner Road to left on Table Rock Road to parking lots. From the West US Route 30 East to left on Herr's Ridge Road, left on Biglerville Road (Pa Rte 34), right on Goldenville Road, right on Table Rock Road to parking lots. From Gettysburg Business 15 North (Carlisle Street) to left on Boyds School Road, right on Table Rock Road to parking lots. Birney s Division has 350 registered for this event. We will be on site on Thursday July the 3 rd. If your coming sooner, make sure to locate Birney s Division Camp Site. 12,500 are expected for this event. We will also be running a Recruiting Fly in the Living History Village. Heather, Patti, & Chelsea at OBV, April 2008 Picture Courtesy Patti Van Brederode

9 Brain Busters from Lt. Will Guilliams 1. Has there ever been a women Medal of Honor winner? 2. Who was Sylvanus Thayer? 3. Who was Harriet Moses Tubman? 4. Was there a war with the Mormon s? 5. What is Water and Molasses? 6. Who was Willie Johnson? Answers: 1. Dr. Mary E. Walker One of very few female Dr. s in 1863 Only female winner in history. 2. Commandant of West Point who made it what it is today. Spent 16 years and made it one of the finest Military schools in the world. Zach & Adam at OBV Keep your powder dry April Leader of the underground railroad: slave herself, with out any schooling. Spy, Scout and leader of military operation in one instance Made over 20 missions from deep south to Canada. 4. Yes, Under Brigham Young then Governor of the territory of Utah. (1849) Mormon s attack wagon trains headed west. The impression grew the Mormons were about to separate from the USA. Troops were sent to put down the rebellion Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Lee, George H. Thomas, and William Hardee served in the troops sent. Spring Drill at Norlo Farm March Given to troops instead of hard drink : 1 barrel water 3 gallons molasses 1 quart undiluted vinegar (bite) 0.5 pounds ginger (flavor) Resulting concoction quite good as a substitute for the harder stuff. As one said it would cheer but not inebriate 6. Drummer boy Company D 3 rd Vermont. Awarded Medal of Honor for being only drummer boy to come away (did not run, but held rank and gave commands by drum) with his drum, during Seven Days of retreat in the Peninsular campaign no mean feat. Thus he became the youngest Medal winner at the age of 13. Dress Parade at OBV March 2008

10 President - Will Guilliams (717) cplwill@comcast.net 337 N. Hanover Street Carlisle, PA Vice-President - James Bowling (412) southernson@comcast.net Civilian Coordinator Kathy Bingaman (301) Bingy1863@verizon.net Field Commander Keith MacGregor (717) macsuv@comcast.net 5 Ronald Road Mechanicsburg, PA Secretary-Treasurer Gaylyn Wentz (717) gaylyn.wentz@capbluecross.com 170 Snyder Road Mt. Joy, PA Ceremony at the Monument-2006 Photo: Courtesy Sandy Millin Visit the Co. F, 142 nd PVI Web page at: Courtesy of Tom Blesedell Next Newsletter: August 2008 Keith S. MacGregor/ Editor 5 Ronald Road Mechanicsburg, PA Mail To: