Gentlemen of the 3rd,

First, let me apologize for the communications SNAFU I caused about the March powder party/drill. I wasn’t in contact soon enough with Jim Church after the Feb. drill to confirm the date and time. I’m truly sorry for this as it caused a last minute cancellation. Lesson learned; it won’t happen again.

That said, let’s move on to the productive work of advancing the cause of our unit. This newsletter marks a first for us. I’m mailing this newsletter to all who have email addresses, (except Jerry because he has the USPS police reading his mail). This is an effort to get the word out quicker as well as help keep our costs down. If you have a new email address and would like to receive the newsletter this way, please let me know. If you have one and would rather receive it in snail mail, let me know that also. As with the last newsletter, it will also be posted on my web page. The address is:

http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Valley/1295

Upcoming events:

7th MI drill weekend: The 7th has graciously invited us to join them for their drill weekend April 24 and 25. The drill starts Saturday morning at 8:30 am. We can’t set up Friday evening.. To save on the drive and promote camaraderie, I’m opening my house up for anyone who wants to crash Fri. evening. Please call ahead and let me know if you are coming. Drill will conclude Sun afternoon. Please call/email me as soon as possible to let me know if you are coming so I can tell the 7th. They are cooking Saturday evening and there is a couple of dollars donation. Sunday, the park is providing a pancake breakfast and will accept donations.

Additionally, we are asking our entire unit to attend as privates. This will give us all a chance to just be together. Officers and NCO’s will have the experience of being a private fresh in their heads.

Holly: So far we have a good contingent going to this one. It is May 14-16. Registration is $1.00 per person. Registered are: Mike and Dave G., Kurt (pd), Abe, Eric G (pd), Eric R. (pd), Jim, Bryson and Colin C. (pd), Dave IV, Jerry (pd), Jim M.

Greenfield Village: I received a very complimentary letter from Jim Johnson, special teams manager at the Village. They say our unit is exactly the caliber of historians they are looking for but they can’t accept anyone new this year. Apparently, they grew the event too fast in the last two years. Jim said they plan to accept new units again next year and asked us to consider our application on file for then. We’ll see. So we currently have nothing planned for Memorial Day.

Billie Creek: June 12-13 This is traditionally a fun event. We have attended as a group once, about three years ago. For a small event, it has a large Cumberland Guard turnout because it is about an hour west of Indianapolis. Dave Shackelford will be overall commander. Registered are: Kurt , Will, Abe, Jim, Bryson and Colin Church, Eric R., Jim.

July 4th weekend: The 8th Arkansas/22nd MI invited us to do a small living history/re-enactment with them. They needed an answer before we were able to meet on it again (we briefly discussed it at the Feb. drill). Jim and I decided to commit to the weekend and get as many of us to go as we can. Why, you ask? Here’s the answer: $500.00 cash and $130.00 in powder. We need to get a list together quickly so we see how we are doing with attendance and decide if we need to invite another Federal unit to join us. Call/Email Jim or me with questions or registration. There will be a newsletter with further information on this one. Registered are: Will, Jim, Kurt.

Hastings, July 16-18: MAX Cumberland Guard effort. Nick wants to win very bad this year. You know the place. You know the quality of event. This is probably the best event in Michigan. Registered are: Jim, Bryson, and Colin Church, Abe, Dave Thompson IV, Kurt, Eric G, Eric R, Mike and Dave Golden, Will, Jim Martin.

Jackson, August 28-29: Cumberland Guard Max event. Western Theater event. Battles are centered around Corinth in October, 1862. Registered are: Will, Kurt, Dave and Mike G., Jim, Bryson and Colin C., Eric G, Eric R, Jerry, Will, Jim.

Chickamauga, September 17-19: The National for the year. The Cumberland Guard is expected to take at least 800 men. If you only make one event this year, I recommend this be the one. Registration is $10.00. Make checks payable to Will Eichler and I’ll cut one check for the entire fee. Registered are: Will (pd), Eric R (pd), Jerry (pd), Mike Golden, Kurt, Dave Thompson IV, Jim.

Lawton, October 8-10: We had a lot of fun at the event last year and want to go back this year. Now there is an added bonus. We have been asked by Brad Graham, director of “Antietam” to appear as the Old 3rd in the documentary. Where? You ask. All good 3rd historians know the 3rd wasn’t at Antietam. You’re Right. They were at 2nd Manassas where Kearny was killed. The movie opens with the return of Kearny’s body as the beginning of the Maryland Campaign. We’ve been asked to receive Kearny’s body. The scene was slated to shoot in August in MD, but there was no way we could do a third out of state weekend this year. Brad agreed to meet us at Lawton. The small details are still being worked out. Registered so far is: Will, Jim, Kurt.

That’s the season. Call me or Jim with any issues. I hope to see you all on the 23rd at my house.

Best,

Will