Gents,
Mess3 is putting onan event on April 4-5 2009 to raise money for the Grant home in Galena. The event will be a fundraiser to insure that the Grant home has the money it needs to repair and keep up this historic home. The funding for the site has been cut to almost nothing and things are starting to go into disrepair. I spoke to Terry Miller whom is the site coordinator and he said that he would haevily publicize this event with what funds they have left to bring tourists there.
The scenario would be the forming and mustering in of the 45th Illinois infantry. The Lead Mine Regiment that was formed in Galena in 1861 at Camp Washburne.
The event will be held across the street from the Grant home in the park.
We would need the men to bring state jackets or frock coats (if anyone needs one I have three),sky or dark blue trousers, accoutrements and rifles. All will be boxed and bailed and issued to the men during the course of the event. We will also have a medical exam by a surgeon, and want ladies, yeoman and townsfolk.
All men should arrive in militia uniforms, civilian attire, or old military uniforms.
Enfields are encouraged if you have them.
You will be mustered in, sign enlistment forms, elect Nco's and begin to be taught how to drill. During the afternoon Saturday we will need ladies to bring picnic lunces to the men from the ladies of Galena.
We are talking to the Grant home for a candle light tour.
The ladies of Galena also gave the 45th their first clors so we will be replicating that.
Politicians are needed. If anyone wants to be Elihu Washburne that would be great.
I am hoping that we can raise 16-20 men from the ONV for this REALLY CLOSE, very worthwhile endevour.
The Grant home has always been there for us. They need us now so it can be preserved for generations to come.
More guidlines will follow.
We hope you will attend and show once again that the ONV is always there for historical sites that we love so much.
Thank You
Terry Sorchy
Mess3/ONV

I think we could combine this event with the ONV drill weekend on May 1-3. It seems to me that we could cover everything we wanted to in the drill weekend within this senerio. It seems a little silly to go the same town two times in a month to an event. I agree that we need to help out the Grant home because we do not want to lose such a great site, so why don't we move the ONV drill weekend to the Grant Home site? We could hold the event either weekend, but would probably have better weather in May. Plus I think we would get a better turn out if we combine the events. Some guys may only be able to chose one. Thoughts, anyone?

Scott,

Terry explained to me why combining the two Galena events wouldn't be such a great idea. First of all, the drill is being held at the Ryan Mansion, not the Grant Home. Additionally, the drill weekend is going to be concentrating more on honing our skills and not so much on first person. Plus, we are limited to numbers at the Ryan Mansion and cannot admit large amounts of public. Once this was explained to me, it made perfect sense why we can't combine the two. Terry understands the proximity of the two events may seem close... but one event is for us and the other for preservation.

I hope this makes sense.

I'm up for keeping these events seperate. I think Dave summarized well. The focus of both events is different, and there are 4 weeks between the events. Looking forward to the mustering scenario.

Terry, I'll email you later with a reference I have to the 45th in a book at home.

Scott,
Piney Woods for those are going is really the first event. For those not going, about 75% we dont have anything till the drill in May. Last year we had a good turnout at the mainstream event in Galena and it was just to have something to do. This is to support the Grant home and yes the event has to be near the home, to show the good folks of Galena what a superb job the ONV can do to recreate history and to let the guys have two short range events in two months. Really if we have both Galena's then the PP we have 3 very close events for the ONV. Isn't that what we were wanting to do? Close, quality events. We have to long range events back to back in the fall remember. Lost Tribes and Bummers.
Galena and Galena are so close its not even funny.
Also we cant have a swarm of spectators at the Ryan home. That event was going to be more for us then the public. I am sorry to say though that I do need a quick commitment on this event because Terry Miller needs to advertise it.
Please All respond ASAP.
Thanks
Terry Sorchy
Mess3/ONV

Can we move the drill from the Ryan home to the Grant property? The area near the cabin sure offers space for drill. I'm sure the Ryans would understand the significancs of raising money for the Grant folks. Besides the weather in April might hurt the spectator numbers thus hurt the donations. Early May gives us a better chance a financial haul.

Either way going to Galena is not a bad drive. Certainly not bad when compared to other road trips we've all made. Also, with so few CW related sites and considering the warm reception the Grant people have offered us over the years we owe them so either way, I'll see ya'll there.


STeve Acker

We have commited to Wendy right now and the park across from the grant home is useless for drill, also the april event will be an immersion event.
Terry

I can make the 45th's muster in Galena.
Dan McGraw

I am for having two separate events for the simple fact they are designed to accomplish two very different things. If we were to move the drill weekend to the Grant home we would find ourselves, at times, surrounded by spectators. While that is good for a living history, it's not good a weekend of instruction. Imagine setting in a classroom or lecture with people strolling by asking questions. I think you may see the point of two separate events if you look at it this way. If you live in Illinois you are all too familiar with the current state of funding concerning our Illinois State Parks and Historic sites. If we can't turn out to help a preservation effort for the Grant home, will it even be available to us in the future?? How is the funding of Old World working for us this year?? While these are two distinctly different sites in two different states, I'm afraid funding cuts at many historic sites that we have enjoyed in the past may close the same sites to us in the future. I'm not trying to sound all gloom and doom here, but State and Federal funding just isn't flowing freely to the places all of us hold as important to our historic and cultural American identity. Just my 2 cents worth.
rg

Great points Rob,

The teaching analogy is true and I understand the difference between
the two events. And as you well know I am all about preservation (Antietam).

I applaud the efforts of Mess #3 in helping raise funds for Grant home. It is one of the few CW related locations in our area and one that has been amazingly supportinve of us in the past. In fact my question about combining the events was born from my desire to help raise funds.

I was concerned with the weather of early Apri keeping the public away, using an immerions event to raise funds thus excluding ourselves from public interaction and getting away for two weekends when one is tough enough.


Let's not make this a debate for I am not criticizing the event, the organizers or the theme of both Galena experiences. I was just offering my perspective.

Steve Acker

Hey all


I think the point that we were talking about at the Mess #3 meeting was we were itching to get to an event. It was never meant to take away from any event either locally or Nationally. Although alot of us would like to go to ITP it's length is stopping alot of us from going to LA. We were mainly looking for a local area to have a nice living history and this fit the bill.

I would tell people that if they can only attend one of these events, attend the ONV spring drill. That is were we as a group will be doing alot of our drill and instruction for the year. This is just a way for us as reenactors to do something interesting before May. Hopefully it raises money as well. Hopefully I will see you all at either Galena event or both. I'm just looking forward to seeing Mrs. Butterworth again.


Jason Reinholz

I agree with Steve's points. I do plan to attend both events. My point on my original response was that we would have a better turnout if we combined the events and moved it to the Grant Home. I am in support of preservation and wanted to help out the Grant Home by getting the most amount of us there to raise the most amount of cash possible. But as others have pointed out (and I really appreciate the teaching analogy Rob!) that these two events might not work so well if combined.

Pards and Comrades,

I am interested in both. I am interested in doing a civilian impression , maybe with my sons.

RM

I have a Sibley tent I am bringing. Could the HardHead mess bring another one if the consensus is to come.
Cheers
Terry Sorchy

We NEED ladies portraying all walks of life to attend this event so please step up girls and let yourselves be heard.
Cheers
Terry Sorchy