Upcoming Events

Price’s Raid – St. Louis, Missouri

April 30 – May 2

Early registration time is upon us.  To register through our group, you must do the following:

• Complete a check, made payable to 7^th Kentucky, Inc. for $30 per person

• Return the above to the Treasurer on or before March 15, 2004

If you want to look at specific event information, go to their website.

Infantry Training Camp

Perryville Battlefield State Shrine

Saturday, March 20, 2004

Be on the field by 9:00 a.m.  Wear your Uniforms if you have them, if not wear long pants regardless of the weather.  This is a one day event.  Bring something to eat for lunch.

Mill Springs Artillery Weekend

June 26-27, 2004

Note this on your schedule.  This is the new date for this event.

Committee for Military Standards and New Recruit Manual Meets

Agenda Item Number Two:  Manual for New Recruits
This manual hasn’t been substantially modified since 1998.  Updating and printing in a ring binder format was discussed.  Bill had personally purchased three copies of the Columbia Rifles Compendium and a copy of the Hardcracker Handbook.  After review and discussion, the committee is recommending purchasing copies for use as the basis for our New Recruit Manual.  In introductory section specific to the 7^th Kentucky and the 5^th Indiana will be edited from the old manual and placed in the CRC.  The committee recommends assessing all new recruits a $25 initiation fee, which will cover the cost of a copy of the CRC with our modifications.

 Wayne will review the infantry drill section of the old manual for inclusion in the new manual.

Agenda Item Number Three:  Discussion of Uniform and Equipment Costs

Emphasis has been placed on steering new recruits to the “good stuff”, so they obtain quality items from the very beginning.  We want to have new recruits avoid buying substandard gear.  However, the top quality gear may be so expensive and out of reach for some folks.  And there was discussion on how really authentic a completely hand-sewn sack coat would be, as the originals were mostly machine-stitched with hand finishing (smacks of farbism at the other end of the pendulum).

Chuck said he tended to err on the 10 foot rule… original sack coats were crap – machine sewn and of dubious quality, made by contractors who took enormous short cuts to make money.  They were to be replaced every 90 days or so.   He suggested we get samples of gear purchased by our members from Jarnigan, Sekela and others and look them over.  How big of a difference is there, really???

As to suppliers, Kathy West is a local source of wool items.  We should meet with her to discuss bulk buying for new recruits and for veteran members who need to replace items.  Chuck said she did a fine job on his Brigadier General’s uniform and she pays close attention to detail.  She also is reasonable in delivery turn-around and price.

The committee reviewed the Columbia Rifles website and recommends it as an information source for the membership, in place of our existing suppliers list on our website.  Specific suppliers were also mentioned (they may or may not be on the Columbia Rifles website):

·         Leathers and Brogans – Skilletlicker; Dailey

·         Hardee Hats – Tim Bender; Dirty Billy

·         Tinware – Wendy Osman

·         Knapsack and Haversack – Haversack Depot; Phil Cavanaugh

·         Rifles (Zimmerman/ Hoffman) defarbed that costs (Contact Bill Christen about the defarbing article in Winter04 Dog)

It was also suggested that all members be contacted as to their new or replacement needs to see if there was enough interest in a “group” purchase, which might save us money.

Agenda Item Number Four:  Cleaning Up the Recruiting Process

After much discussion and introspection, the following process will be recommended to the Military Sections:

1. All infantry recruits will be referred to the Orderly Sergeant for follow-up and processing.  All artillery recruits will be referred to the artillery commander or his designee for same.
2. Recruiter will assign the new recruit to a member to act as sponsor, based on geographic location or willingness of sponsor to fulfill these duties.
3. Sponsor will contact new recruit within 15 days of referral to set up personal, face-to-face meeting.
4. Sponsor will share key points of membership obligation with the recruit, including dues, fees, participation expectation and gear acquisition.  During the interview, the sponsor should consider recruit’s apparent health, attitude and emotional stability.  This meeting will conclude with the affirmation of the recruit’s interest and willingness to meet the obligations of membership.
5. Sponsor will complete a written report of the interview, to be forwarded to the appropriate section commander and the chair of the membership committee.  He will also notify the treasurer of the status of the new recruit, so that personal information can be added to the roll and contact list.  The Treasurer will invoice the new recruit at that time.
6. If the sponsor’s recommendation is positive, the commander will send a written note of welcome to the new recruit and encourage his future participation.  If not, a letter will be sent to the recruit stating the membership request has not been accepted.
7. Each calendar quarter, the sponsor will complete a written report on the activity and progress of the new recruit.  This report is to be filed with the membership committee chair and the appropriate section commander.
8. At the end of the fourth quarter, the sponsor will make written recommendation for each recruit as to acceptance as a full member or termination of membership.
9. Those recruits that achieve regular membership will be issued completed enlistment papers (to be completed by the Treasurer) and an official emblem of membership (such as an authentic knife/fork/spoon set for their kit).  The presentation will be made during a special formation of the members, preferably at a well-attended event, giving formal recognition of membership confirmation.

The committee suggests that the recommendations be forwarded to the membership for study and approval.  This committee will take responsibility for the inventory of equipment owned by the 7^th Kentucky, Inc., as soon as the weather improves.

Respectfully submitted,

Annual Meeting 2004

Infantry Section Minutes

By Orderly Sergeant Wayne Fielder

Captain Lemons called the meeting to order at 9:30am.

Due to a sign in sheet already completed, Orderly Fielder moved to dispense with the calling of the roll.  Captain Lemons Seconded.  Vote was Unanimous.

Reading of Minutes from 2003 Meeting

• Sergeant Andrews moved to accept the minutes as written.
• Corporal Dodge seconded.  Vote was Unanimous.

Membership Report

• Orderly Fielder reported the successful recruitment of 6 new members.
• Corporal Oney reported                        “                       2 new members.
• Corporal Dodge reported                      “                       2 new members.
• Sergeant Andrews moved to accept the report.
• Captain Lemons seconded.  Vote was Unanimous.

Captain’s Report

            Discussion of last year’s events

• Corporal Oney moved to accept Captain’s Report.
• Corporal Dodge seconded.  Vote was Unanimous.

 Old Business 

• Orderly Fielder offered presentation on status of Muster Record Project.
• Sergeant Andrews led discussion on our Impression.

New Business

• Corporal Oney stressed the need for social events such as Cemetery Restoration Projects, Work Days at Battlefields, and general “get togethers”.
• Orderly Fielder offered Grave Location Project presentation with emphasis on the restoration project for Capt Richard Lewis Myers, Co G, 4^th Kentucky Infantry.

Special Presentation

• Recruit Dooley offered excellent presentation memorializing the Veterans of the 7^th Kentucky.

Elections

• Fielder moved to postpone vote until all nominations were made.
• Andrews Seconded.  Motioned passed by acclamation.
• Lemons nominated as Captain by Andrews, Fielder Second. 
• Fielder nominated as Orderly by Lemons, Andrews Second.
• Andrews nominated as 2^nd Sergeant by Dodge, Oney Second.
• Andrews moved to nominate current slate of Corporals (Dodge, Oney), Fielder Second.
• Lemons moved to close nominations.  Baas Second.
• Vote for slate of candidates was Unanimous.

Dues

• Fielder moved to keep dues for Infantry Section at $5 per year.  Andrews Second.
• Vote was Unanimous.

Events for 2004

Other Events for Individual Consideration

Annual Meeting 2004

Artillery Section Minutes

The artillery section met to consider the annual report of the section (included in the annual meeting packet distributed to all section members).  The following items were discussed:

Condition of the Rolling Stock

The Parrott Carriage will be transported to Mike Fulkerson’s new shop in Owensboro on Saturday, March 13^th.  Any member that can attend would be welcome.  The cheeks will be removed in order to replace the axle cover, which has areas of wood rot.  The replacement wood will be primed and the carriage re-assembled.  It will then be transported back to Somerset where it will be refinished.

The 3” Rifle and Limber has been refinished.  The Parrott Limber has also been refinished.  The white letter stenciling will need to be redone on the ammunition chests and on the axle cover for each piece.  One of the 3” Rifle Limber wheels has a pulpy spoke.  This wheel will be taken to Bill Kornke for assessment and repair.

Both pieces should be ready for service before required.  Special thanks to Bill Neikirk who has arranged for the refinishing of our rolling stock, the storage of both pieces and the routine maintenance of both trailers (wheel bearing and brakes).  You are strongly encouraged to show your appreciation by personally joining the Mill Springs Battlefield Association (visit their website) and by supporting the annual artillery demonstration.  THANKS, BILL!!!

Special Income Received

We received $500 from the National Park Service for our support and participation in the filming in January.  This brought our income above our expenses for the year (that check was not included in the annual financial report).

Dues

In view of the repairs needed on the rolling stock, Chuck recommended the dues be set at $50 per section member, in addition to the corporate dues, making an assessment unnecessary.  Approved.

Primers

Chuck was authorized to purchase 100 primers for the coming year.  See the detailed report for inventory.

Upcoming Events

Here is the official list of events for 2004, including the rescheduled Mill Springs event in the spring:

Members are strongly encouraged to visit the website and complete the on-line pre-registration form.

Election of Captain

Eric Essex was re-elected to serve as Captain and section commander.  Congratulations, Eric!

That is all the news fit to print. Be sure to pre-register by the event deadlines to ensure inclusion on the roster.

If you have photos or articles you wish to submit, please send them to:

Chuck Warnick, Editor