4th U.S. Infantry

A Weekend at Port Gamble

greenlakenick — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:21:04 +0000

This weekend the boys from the 4th joined roughly 300+ other reenactors at the annual Port Gamble event. According to authorities in the know, the 4th had one of its largest turnouts in recent memory — twenty plus soldiers plus several civilians. Still short of our goal of thirty, but we’re getting there.

No doubt I’ll be updating this entry more in the days ahead. For now I’ve got a link to some pics taken by my wife and brother in law on Saturday; a link to Steven Johnson’s pics, most of which were taken on Sunday; and a link to the excellent photos taken by the folks at Freedom Mobile Photography.

1st Sgt. Tom Allen leading the troops into battle.

Birthday Boy Moskowitz Leads 4th Contingency to Fort Semcoe

greenlakenick — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:51:45 +0000

Bugler Bernie Moskowitz celebrated his 71st birthday today by leading a small group from the 4th over to the Fort Semcoe Veterans Day Re-enactment outside of Yakima. (Pics.) The event was small but fun for all. Of particular significance (to me, anyway) — the discovery of town ball, the period-correct precursor to modern day baseball. We played for a good two hours between battles. I think I’ve officially discovered a solid way to pass the ‘tween-battle times.

Bernie Moskowitz joined Bernie Bateman and host Bruce Frazier in beating back the rebs.

Also of particular significance — the discovery (again, for me anyway) of Miner’s, a Yakima burger joint. Some dude on UrbanSpoon.com called it “Yakima’s burger.” I’d go a step further and put it in the running for “Washington’s burger,” right up there with The Pumphouse‘s burger in Bellevue.

This place rocks.

Anyway, I digress. Fun trip, good folks, see you at Port Gamble.

The 4th Hits Spokane

greenlakenick — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:11:14 +0000

Two weekends ago the folks from the 4th travelled to Spokane to participate in a decent-sized re-enactment. I wasn’t there and I haven’t had much luck in getting any details on the event to blog on it. I did learn, however, that Eddie Pole of Freedom Mobile Photography was there — and apparently as per usual, snapped some wicked good pics.

Doing the 160th Fort Steilacoom Celebration

greenlakenick — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:38:36 +0000

This weekend the 4th U.S. put on an event celebrating the 160th anniversary of Fort Steilacoom. Fun times were had by all. The crowds were solid, the re-enactments fun and frequent. Props to Gene and Shelly Knight for putting the whole thing together. John Strand (as usual) also went the extra mile.

What hasn’t worked out so well has been my effort to obtain pics for this entry. So for now, please check out the write-ups we received in the News Tribune and The Olympian. We also got some TV time on KING-5 News.

Actually this pic was taken last year, but I'm not having much luck getting new ones.

UPDATE: Pics received after all.

A Report From the School of the Regular

greenlakenick — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:16:36 +0000

This weekend Company C had its first School of the Regular. The School was an educational event to help tighten our impression of Regular Army soldiers just prior to the War. Lawrence Bateman and John MacPherson led the School with big assists from Tom Allen on drill and Carl Hicks in the mess. Tactics, impression tips and practical guides were all taught during the 30+ hour gathering. Instruction was Grade A, although no doubt a few points were lost when Pvt Bateman revealed that he carries sunblock, circa 2008. 1st Sgt. Allen called Pvt Hicks’s Saturday afternoon food ration “the most authentic” he’d ever seen. Pvt Hicks was promoted to Corporal Hicks the next day.

Good grub, that.

Lining up for rations.

Just like they did it in camp, 1863.

Private, er, Corporal Hicks.

For posterity’s sake, the vain fellas in the group had their portraits shot:

Cpt Bernie Bateman

1st Sgt Tom Allen

Sgt Gene Knight

Cpl Bernie Moskowitz

Pvt Lawrence Bateman

Pvt Kevin Flatley

Pvt Art Garcia

Pvt Jimmy Holt

Pvt Lance Jarosik

Pvt Nicholas Jenkins

Pvt John Roten

Pvt Mike Scriver

Pvt John Strand

The always-handsome Corporel Hicks did not have his photo taken — no doubt to spare the rest of us the unfavorable comparisons.

Big time props to Pvts. Bateman and McPherson for all their yoeman efforts in putting the School together.

Historic Fort Steilacoom Celebration

greenlakenick — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:19:39 +0000

Two weeks ago I blogged in these pages about our upcoming Historic Fort Steilacoom 160th Anniversary Celebration. Now we have a poster for it:

Big Name Pol Predicts Another American Civil War

greenlakenick — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:58:28 +0000

NOTE: The views expressed herein are the views of the author only and are not necessarily those of the 4th’s other members or management.

Two weeks ago I wrote in these pages about predictions being made about another American Civil War. Another big name has joined the ranks. Alan Keyes, a oft-times candidate for president, said last week that if the United States does not “stop” President Barack Obama, it “is going to cease to exist.” (More.)

Now Mr. Keyes’ opinion must be taken with a grain of salt. He is widely regarded as a bit of an eccentric, and if you’re writing a term paper and need good authority, he’s not the guy to cite. But just because you’re an eccentric doesn’t mean everything you say is wrong.

As for me: I think he’s wrong, but I fear he’s right.

Wanna Watch a Re-enactment? If You’re Near Tacoma, Here’s Your Chance

greenlakenick — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:59:35 +0000

The Historic Fort Steilacoom 160th Anniversary Celebration is now officially etched in stone. The event will happen on May 9-10, 2009. Members of the public are welcome to come watch yankees shoot rebs.

The good guys at last year's event.

Private John Strand has set up an event on Facebook that does more justice to the outing than I can. If you’re interested, have a read.

Learning the Basic Drill Moves — on Video

greenlakenick — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:49:25 +0000

For those folks who aren’t yet well versed in the fine art of Civil War drilling, Private Brad Jones found an online video training manual courtesy of the 122nd New York. The online manual goes through all the basic moves — click the pictures and it launches a cool little video. (Click either of the two pics at the top of this page as an example.)

The method behind this madness is now on video courtesy of the 122nd.

Most of this will be second nature to soldiers after a few months in the Company. But for newbies, this is a handy little resource. Props to the 122nd for a job well done.

How We March, Flash Style

greenlakenick — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:04:23 +0000

This one’s for the “Boy I’m glad someone else did this, ’cause I never could” department. Someone smarter than me at the 10th Battalion put together a Flash presentation of march- and skirmish maneuvers. It’s sort of an x’s and o’s, from-the-sky look, a la a football playbook.

moves at the click of a mouse." title="football-plays" width="405" height="260" class="size-full wp-image-22" />

Unlike the typical football play, the 10th's Flash presentation moves at the click of a mouse.

Props to the 4th’s Brad Jones for bringing it to my attention.