Hosted by:
The Hard Head Mess & the Citizens
Guard
The Hard Head Mess & the Citizens Guard cordially invite you to our
Fox Lake Preservation March & Living History Weekend on
It is important to note that this event will be recreating the actual
actions of the Citizens Guard in most instances exactly where they happened 148
& 147 years ago. Unfortunately some
of the sites will require us to be
The event will begin at
·
Each invited soldier must meet the uniform &
equipage requirements established by the event hosts. We feel this is highly
appropriate for our hometown living history weekend. If you need any assistance, please ask.
·
In addition, we are asking all participants to make at
least a twenty-dollar donation for the event. Your donation will support
the Fox Lake Congregational Church, which is the home of where the Citizens
Guard was formed in
·
Each invited infantryman should sustain first person
portrayals as much as possible during the weekend.
·
Each
invited participant should be in relatively good shape and able to complete the
preservation march. The march is a total of five miles over relatively
flat ground.
Our Impressions
1. Citizens Guard Militia –
Militia Cap or Civilian Hat
Civilian Sackcoat, Frockcoat, Paletot or Militia Frockcoat
Civilian Vest - optional if coat is worn at all time
Civilian Trowsers Overalls or Militia Trowsers
Civilian Shirt
Mexican war clothing items
Suspenders or Billet Belt
Civilian Pattern Drawers
Wool Socks preferred, cotton socks accepted
Civilian Shoes preferred, Bootees accepted
Cravat
Civilian Wool Blanket & Painted Cloth – optional
Weapon – optional
Mess Furniture
Personal Items
2. Companies “G” & “H” of the 6th
Jefferson Bootees preferred, infantry boots accepted
Pattern of 1858 Dress Hat with a numeral, company letter, or with no hat
ornamentation
Fatigue Blouse preferred, Uniform Coat accepted
Sky Blue Kersey Issue Trousers
Issue Shirt preferred, Civilian Shirt accepted
Issue pattern drawers preferred, Civilian patterns accepted
Issue Wool Socks preferred, wool and cotton socks accepted
Pattern of 1856 Waist Belt with leather loop keeper preferred or brass
belt keeper preferred
Pattern of 1858 Smoothside Canteen with cotton sling preferred
Pattern of 1851 Haversack
Mess Furniture
Cartridge Box, Cartridge Box
Belt, & Cap Box
Pattern of 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket preferred, Model of 1861 Springfield Rifle – Musket accepted with
corresponding bayonet
Two rivet “Gaylord” pattern Bayonet Scabbard or seven rivet pattern preferred
Rubber Blanket preferred, rubber poncho accepted
Pattern of 1855 Doublebag Knapsack preferred, Blanket Roll accepted
All civilian attire, uniform,
and equipage must be correct in pattern, materials, and construction as
compared to original articles to meet Hard Head Mess & Citizens Guard
standards, which will be upheld at this event. Detailed standards are available for review on
the Hard Head Mess Webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/hardheadmess/ Please review the Expectations link for detailed standards of what level of accuracy
we expect for all impressions.
An authenticity check will occur prior to the event Saturday morning and again
later on Sunday morning. Anyone failing
to meet the requirements may be asked to adjust their gear to meet those
guidelines or surrender participation.
If you need assistance making these standards, please ask and we
will be more than happy to help
someone out who wants to attend. If you
need a hard copy of these standards, please contact Tom Klas at klastom@charter.net to have these sent to you.
Clothing & Equipage Requirements –
These will be
comprised of the same high standards as our Citizens Guard Requirements. All clothing and equipage must be accurate in terms of
pattern, construction, and materials compared with original articles at all
times.
An informal authenticity check will occur prior
to check in. Anyone failing to meet the
requirements may be asked to adjust their clothing to meet those guidelines or
surrender participation. A photograph of your civilian
kit and description of the materials, patterns, and construction of your
garments and accessories will be required if Mary Warren is not familiar with
any participant. Please be for-warned
that this may take some effort on your part to meet our exacting standards as
compared to original garments of this time period.
If you have any
specific questions with our civilian impression standards, please feel free to
contact Civilian Event Coordinator Mary Warren at wwarren@new.rr.com
We have the honor to be, your obedient servants,
Tom Klas Scott
Frank Brad
Argue
(920) 885-9313 (920)
296-0254 (414)
313-6066
klastom@charter.net frankdesigns@powerweb.net brad_argue@hotmail.com
Tentative Schedule of Events
event on the night of
Additional Event Rules
Sign In: All participants must
sign in and complete a Participant Release Form. Parents or legal guardians must sign both
forms for minors.
Age Limit: Participants must be at least 16 years
old. In addition, any soldier born after
Parking: Parking will be available to all reenactors
near the Fox Lake Historical Society or
Personal Conduct: Consumption of
alcoholic beverages is prohibited from
Event leadership: Members of the Hard Head Mess & Citizens
Guard will determine if rank will be necessary at the event.
Authenticity & Safety: No modern items
allowed during weekend. This includes,
but is not limited to cigarettes, plastics, modern glasses, beer cans &
bottles, modern canned or packaged food, modern clothing articles, etc. Violations of safety and authenticity rules
may lead to the expulsion of the offending individual from the event. Live ammunition (minie balls) is not
permitted.
Drill Manuals: We will be using Scott’s
Tactics for the Citizens Guard Militia Impression. We will be using Casey’s Tactics for the 6th
Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry Impression.
Ammunition: Cartridges shall be constructed of correct
materials with no more that 65 grains of black powder per round. Cartridges must be bundled correctly (10
rounds per package) with percussion caps.
Registration Form
Name:_______________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Phone:_____________________________________
e-mail:_______________________________________
Home Unit:
________________________________________________________
Allergies or Medical Condition:
Emergency Contact:
Please complete this form,
the participant release form, and send to:
Scott Frank
Beaver
This information can also be
emailed to frankdesigns@powerweb.net
Registration Deadline:
Participant Release Form
I, UNDERSTAND THAT; THE CITY
OF FOX LAKE, THE FOX LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THE UNITED FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH, THE HARD HEAD MESS, AND THE CITIZENS GUARD, COMPANY A SECOND WISCONSIN
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED, IS IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY
INJURY, DISMEMBERMENT, DISABILITY, OR DEATH INCURRED DURING ACTIVITIES THAT I
ATTEND ON MAY 3 & 4, 2008 IN FOX LAKE WISCONSIN. I ALSO AGREE THAT THE CITY OF FOX LAKE, THE
FOX LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THE UNITED FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, THE HARD
HEAD MESS, AND THE CITIZENS GUARD, COMPANY A SECOND WISCONSIN VOLUNTEER
INFANTRY ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED, IS IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PERSONAL
PROPERTY LOST, STOLEN, OR DAMAGED DURING MAY 3 & 4, 2008 IN FOX LAKE
WISCONSIN.
Date:_____________________
Unit:____________________________________________________________
Name (Please
Print):_____________________________________________
Signature:_______________________________________________________
Please complete this form,
the registration form, and send to:
Scott Frank
Beaver
This information can also be
emailed to frankdesigns@powerweb.net
Registration Deadline:
A
Brief History of the Citizens Guard
1860-1865
by Tom Klas
The
Citizens Guard was officially formed on
The Citizens Guard meets twice a week for drill. They are put through the regular course of military tactics by Capt. Stevens, who is well qualified to issue orders. They are preparing for actual service, should Uncle Sam demand their services. Give the boys a chance, and their bayonet would find its way to the seat of many a traitor’s pantaloons. (Flemming, Fox Lake’s Civil War News and Letters 10)
During
the next few weeks, preparations were made to host an invitation only party not
only to celebrate George Washington’s birthday, but also the one-year
anniversary of the Citizens Guard. The
event was the talk of the town, and the Citizens Guard became ever more vigilant
to prepare for the oncoming conflict.
On
At Minnesota Junction we were obliged to lay over
several hours on account of the non connections of the trains. Here we missed our drummer (Mr. Stafford) who
was left behind at the last station, and young Van Buren was therefore called
upon to take his place. During the
course of the morning, however, the “missing man” was seen coming along afoot
on the track, and with loud hurrahs, a deputation of the company rushed forward
to greet him on his safe arrival, and immediately escorted him to the Junction
on their shoulders, amid still louder cheers.
About
So
for many of the men from the Citizens Guard, they left for Madison hungry but
happy to see all the ladies in route to Camp Randall waving handkerchiefs at
the boys which were of course followed by loud cheers. The funny part is that not only did the
Citizens Guard boys get snubbed a prepaid meal by the innkeeper at Minnesota
Junction, but a similar occurrence happened almost just the same for the Fox
Lake Volunteer Rifles, Company “D” 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
on their way to Camp Randall. (Hopefully
we will cover that in another article soon).
One
of the early heart wrenching decisions for most men of the Citizens Guard was
to enlist for a new required term of three years instead of the 90 days they
had expected. Due to this change, George
Stevens, Henry B. Converse, Albert T. Morgan, and James Patch were dispatched
from
The “Family Paper” called the Wisconsin
was a little too fast when it claimed for the “La Crosse Light Guards” as being
the best drilled company in the 2nd Regiment, and that said company
would be Company “A” in the regiment.
The
With
such patriotic fervor brimming in both Fox Lake & La Crosse, the proud
citizenry of these two excellent companies got a little too caught up in the
moment. However the article was correct
in stating that the Citizens Guard was given the honor of being placed as
Company “A” of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Now they just had to live up to such high
expectations. On
The
Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment led an honored and heroic battle
history in such major conflicts as First Bull Run, Gainesville, Second Bull
Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh’s Crossing,
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court
House and a full host of small engagements and actions from 1861-1864. In fact, the fierce combat that the brave
men from
HEADQUARTERS, FOURTH DIVISION
FIFTH
ARMY CORPS,
The Second Wisconsin Volunteers,
having served their full term of three years in this army, and being about to
leave for their homes, the General Commanding deems it proper for himself, and
in behalf of those of their comrades whom remain behind, to address the
officers and men of that command a few parting words. Three years ago you entered the service, more
than a thousand strong. You know leave
with one hundred and thirty-three, all told.
Where are they? O’Connor,
Stevens, Colwell, Randolph and many others—both officers and men—are mustered
with the hosts on high. Others are
disabled for life. Others still are in
rebel prisons. Among all these things
you have always been true to your flag and your country. You have a right to be proud of your
record. The State has reason to be proud
of you. You leave with the best wishes
of all your comrades, and to that I wish to add my most cordial desire for your
future honor, prosperity, collectively and individually. (Otis The Second
A
day after this proclamation by General Cutler, the Second Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry Regiment had completed their three year enlistment term to preserve
the Union. Under the command of Major
George H. Otis, the Second Wisconsin started for their journey home marching to
Washington, taking a train to Baltimore, and then on their way home by train to
Madison, Wisconsin. Members of the
Citizens Guard whom were coming back home included: Sergeant George Hills,
Sergeant Henry M. Hunting, Corporal Jesse Wing, Corporal Richard J. Leiser,
Privates Henry Bennett, Milo C. Bennett, Charles Brooks, Rufus W. Clark, Orin
G. Chapman, William Dutcher, John Foley, William J. Francisco, James H. Lewis,
Frederick L. Phillips, Luther M. Preston, and Cady S. Pomeroy.
On
Many
members of the Citizens Guard and their fellow 2d Wisconsin brethren
re-enlisted, to be known as the Independent Battalion – Wisconsin Volunteers
companies “A” & “B” under the command of Captain Dennis B. Dailey. The Citizens Guard’s own Albert T. Morgan
led Company “B” of the Independent Battalion and was promoted on
On
November 30th of 1864, the soldiers of the Independent Battalion –
Wisconsin Volunteers were transferred to become companies “G” & “H” of the
Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment falling in with their old
comrades from the Iron Brigade. Albert
T. Morgan once again served as Captain, this time leading Company “H” of the
Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Some veterans of the Citizens Guard served
under Captain Morgan in Company “H” of the 6th
Here
the veterans from the Citizens Guard fought in the battles of Second Weldon
Railroad, Second Hatcher’s Run, Gravelly Run,
The brave men from the Citizens Guard have