Well, somehow we survived. The weather saturday was almost unbearably hot and I, your humble Orderly Sergeant, learned what it's all about to NOT eat before taking the field in that heat.

The 4th Kentucky CS galvanized for this event and we were happy to see them in Blue. As we expected we might, we thoroughly enjoyed their company and look forward to working with them again.

They always feed us well at Richmond but this year I think they went above and beyond the call. Fabulous grub and plenty of it. The string band hired to play the dance warmed up while we ate which was wonderful.

As usual, I leave the Richmond event with mixed feelings. I have to wonder why only a handful of Federals show up for this reenactment. Do we have that few Federal reenactors in Kentucky? Maybe. Do they not understand the importance of the battle? I somehow doubt it. Do they not understand the outstanding work being done to protect the Richmond Battlefield? Perhaps. I would like to see much more participation about Federal reenactors but I have no idea how to achieve this.

Great Job BORA! We will be back!

Many regiments can point to a particular day in their lives where the "Fun" began. Whether that was an important battle, the day their Colonel was killed/promoted/both, or the day they got their Regimental Colors...they all have "that day".

The 7th Kentucky is no different and I would say that this day isn't the day some of you folks might consider to be "the day". Some might say it was the May 22nd 1863 General Assault on the works of Vicksburg. Others might say October 21st 1861 when the 7th(then officially called the 3rd) saw the elephant at Wildcat Mountain. Both of those dates hold a special place in the history of the 7th to be sure. I would wager, however, that August 20th 1862 is the day the real fun started.

August Newsletter is here!

Back on July 7 we posted this article on a proposed rule by OSHA that would significantly impact businesses wishing to sell blackpowder among other firearm ammunition.

It seems that our comments along with millions of other Americans have encouraged some members of the US House of Representatives to force OSHA to reconsider the rule. They have since pulled the offending piece of drivel from their website. OSHA has said they will re-draft the rule such that it doesn't create such an undue burden on merchants wishing to sell blackpowder and other ammunition.

For now, this is a win. We will continue to keep you updated on how this thing pans out.

There is something else I need emphasize here. We are a Non-Profit Educational Corporation in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. That means that we cannot entertain political activities of any nature. I do not believe this is a political endeavor so much as an attempt to preserve and protect our ability to continue our mission. Without the legal availability of blackpowder Civil War Reenacting comes to a very abrupt halt.

For the 7th Kentucky Incorporated, this issue has nothing at all to do with any political party, agenda, or campaign. We simply wish to continue our mission of providing an interactive educational experience for those interested in the American Civil War.

On the weekend of July 21 & 22, the 5th Battery of Indiana Light Artillery participated in the annual Stones River Artillery Weekend. The weather co-operated, with temperatures under 90 degrees and humidity less than 99.9 percent, helping make for a very pleasant experience.

For the spectators, park ranger Jim Lewis and his volunteers gave a very interesting presentation on the psychological effects of artillery on the battlefield, along with various in camp demonstrations. Our own demonstration, knapsack inspection, went quite well. Items of contraband were hidden with great ingenuity, requiring the ranks to become more and more obvious in their attempts at concealment. (In my own defense, I was quite busy recording all the missing great coats. I do hope everyone remembers to bring them next July.) We were complimented by Jim Lewis, who said the crowd was quite entertained.