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28th New York Infantry Regiment

Niagara Rifles; Scott Life Guard

Review of 2008 Veterans Home Visit - March 15th Civil War Seminar - April 4th-6th Spring Drill, Fort Ontario - April 18th-20th Newtown Battlefield, Elmira - May 2nd-4th Fire On The Genesee, Letchworth - May 16th-18th Memorial Day Activities - May 25th-31st Newark Rose Parade, Newark - June 14th Independance Day, Palmyra - July 4th 145th Battle of Gettysburg - July 3rd-6th Marilla, NY - July 12th-13th Veterans Home Visit - March 15th As realistic as we try to keep the experiences of participation in Civil War Living History and Battle events, sometimes a reality check needs to take place. The civilians and children of the 28th New York spent much of the Winter months, both at home and also at the monthly civilian meetings, crocheting, sewing and stitching blankets and teddy bears. The plan was then that we would pass them along to veterans at a hospital visit early this year. The blankets and bears were all Red, White and Blue. The civilian and military personnel of the 28th assisted and participated in a bingo session during which the winners of the games were presented blankets. Following the bingo, the children of the 28th New York passed the bears around the people who had been playing the games. The occupants of the Veterans Home were men and women who had served this country during the wars of the last century. While we spend weekends (during the warmer months) drilling, encamped and eating similar to the style of 145 years ago, these people actually served in the Army, Navy, Airforce and Marine Corps. The girls at Batavia Veterans Home In a tour of the facilities, the rooms all had the eras in which each of the residents had served and we were informed that the last of the residents who had served in the First World War had recently passed away. It was a very humbling experience. Civil War Seminar - April 5th-6th In an addition to the early part of the reenacting year, we participated in a new Civil War Seminar which took place at Allegany State Park in New York's Southern Tier. This was the first year in which this event had taken place. The accomodation was at Camp Allegany in the State Park and all food was provided during the course of the weekend. As well as the people from the 28th New York Infantry, reenactors present were from the 136th New York Infantry, Cushings Artillery Battery A, 5th/43rd Virginia Cavalry, 13th Va Cavalry (from Albany) and 4th South Carolina Infantry. The program opened on Saturday with the civilians discussing the appropriate attire for civilians of the era as well as the correct material to be used depending on whether the person was from the Northern or Southern states. On The military side, we extensively discussed the different backgrounds of the regiments of the war, especially how the different structures used by each side swayed the early war to the favor of the Confederacy only to be balanced by the numerical advantage after 1863. After that the military discussed the ways in which the branches of service were, historically, used on the field and how the branches could be used better during events to represent their historical role. Saturday Afternoon Session at the Seminar A drill session was carried out in the afternoon followed by an introduction to Civil War era etiquette at dances and in public. The following morning a joint discussion was held to talk about first person impressions and options which are open to people regarding places to gather information. All in all, it was a very interesting and informative weekend. The opportunity to spend some time getting to know reenactors who you normally would not interact with was invaluable. I believe that the plan is to carry this out again next year with the inclusion of artillery drill sessions. Spring Drill, Fort Ontario - April 18th-20th With the first battle events only a few short weeks away, we had our annual drill weekend. This year it took place at the, Civil War Era, Fort Ontario overlooking the port in Oswego, NY. We were joined at the Fort by members of the 12th US Regulars and the 5th Virginia. As well as the drill, the weekend was an opportunity to update one another regarding the months in which we are unable to reenact in Up-State New York. It was an opportunity for people new to the hobby to gain a step up in preparation for the start of the coming year and an opportunity for the veteran reenactors to shake off the cob webs which develop during the Winter. Aerial view of Fort Ontario We carried out a number of drill sessions during the course of Saturday and Sunday morning including firing and drill demonstrations for the members of the public who visited the fort during the weekend. Our thanks go out to Karl and Megan Rosensweig who spent much of the weekend carrying out food preparation for the people who were staying at the fort that weekend. Ben Newton Memorial Weekend, Newtown Battlefield, Elmira - May 2nd-4th The Civil War reenacting season is upon us with the first battle reenactment of the year at Newtown Battlefield in Elmira. In spite of the poor weather forcast expected for the Elmira weekend (what's new?) we had a good turnout and, when combined with the 136th New York and 149th Pa, we fielded the largest Union infantry company. Throughout Friday an education day took place where over 1300 local school children walked around the camps. On Saturday morning the reenactors present carried out a memorial service for Ben Newton, a young reenactor who died in a road traffic accident in 2001, and we then carried out company drill. The 1pm battles allowed us little time for lunch and before long we were formed up and marched off to the battle. It was here that the smaller number of reenactars actually became a bonus. In previous years, the narrow width of the battlefield has reduced the options open to the field commanders, however, the lower numbers meant that the companies were able to operate with more flexibility and allowed space in line for a number of mountain howitsers between the companies. Infantry Company and Artillery in line The battle on saturday was effectively fought to a draw with the heavy defensive positions occupied by the Confederates countering the slight numerical superiority of the Union forces. With the draw expected, the Union forces withdrew to a better defensive position. It was only after the battle when it was found that the Confederates were completely out of ammunition and down to less than half a company. The candlelight tour on saturday evening was punctuated with stations manned by reenactors portraying scenes from the Civiil War. However, the deteriorating weather conditions reduced the number of people who came around the tour and many people returned to their camp considerably earlier than they had anticipated. Sunday was the day which the weather forecast had suggested would be rainy. However, the main bulk of the rain had blown over during the course of the previous night and, with the exception of an early sheet of mist which rolled over through the camp early on Sunday morning, the day was dry. Misty Sunday Morning with Damp Firewood Once the mist had cleared the sun had a chance to begin drying the damp tent canvas. Following breakfast and the church service, we did a mid-morning drill which brought us back into camp later than anticipated leaving people ten minutes to get ready for the Sunday battle (This NCO needs to get a pocket watch). Despite the rushing around, we took the field on time and had been told that the Confederates were "showing the black flag" (No quarter asked and none given). Basically, if we were to win that day, we would need to drive them from the defenses which we had left them holding the previous day. Once again, the 28th New York was positioned on the right of the Union line and we pushed our way up a narrow track through the wooded area to the Confederate lines. Similar numbers to the previous days battle were on display and the Union light artillery moved forward in support of the infantry presenting a number of excellent battery and battalion volleys. The 1st Company (28th NY, 136th NY and 149th PA) was the first Union company to cross the Confederate defenses and after a short fight took a number of prisoners. Shortly afterwards, the rest of the Union line swept over the Confederate defenses to pushed the remaining enemy back. Victory was ours! Dismissing the Company after the battle on Sunday Fire On The Genesee, Letchworth State Park, NY - May 16th-18th The first of the events at Letchworth State Park this year is, as always, the Fire On The Genesee event. This event is a 28th New York sponsored event and one which we always push for a good attendance. In addition to the 28th New York, the Union Infantry was a mix of a number of different regiments which we have had the honor of fighting next to on a number of occasions: 136th New York, 149th Pennsylvania, 49th New York, 94th New York and 42nd Pennsylvania (1st Bucktails) The weather forecast for the weekend was not good (and that's being generous). However, anyone who has ever been to the Fire On The Genesee event will know that the weekend is not complete without a flash flood or tornado. Armed with the weather forecast, ponchos and wide brimmed hats, we arrived at Letchworth on Friday for the education day. Over 400 school students were walked and talked around a dozen scenarios and stations designed to give them an idea of life during the American Civil War, both in the line with the military and also with the civilians at home. Saturday arrived and the companies drilled in the morning. As the day wore on people began to watch the skies and certain less than authentic devices and the rain appeared to have missed us. The battle was fought at the Highbanks Recreation Area and despite the scripted "tactical draw", the Union forces found themselves outflanked and the Confederates were hardly going to let that opportunity go. The rebel infantry drove around our flank and captured the breastworks in the center of the field. With that, the line collapsed and the Union forces retreated. Rebel Charge During Saturdays Battle Following the battle on Saturday a community dinner was held followed by a Civil War Era dance. Saturday had stayed dry! However, with the arrival of Sunday, the opportunity to get rained on and pack up wet canvas tents once again reared it's head. The rain started shortly after 9am and continued in a steady stream through the morning and into the early afternoon. But, with the first orders to march into the battle, the rain stopped and the damp air kept the gunpowder smoke hovering over the battlefield. The Fog of War. First Company Firing Through the Fog Of War Following the reversal of fortunes during the battle the previous day, the Union decided to attack on Sunday. We occupied the battlefield breastworks and, despite the best efforts of the Confederates, we never looked like losing them. We made a number of full frontal advances and gradually drove the Confederates from the field of battle. In spite of the weather, it was a very good weekend. The wet canvas is a small price to pay to participate in events like Fire On The Genesee and I have no doubt that we'll be back next year. Memorial Day Activities - May 25th-31st Memorial Day started off for the 28th with a parade and memorial service in Newark, NY on Sunday, May 25th. We paraded along Main Street behind the VFW members to the War Memorial and participated in the honor guard for the soldiers, sailers and airmen who have served and died for this country. The following day, Memorial Day, we had members involved in the Sons of Union Veterans service at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester and later a parade a memorial service in Marion, NY. As something of a novelty, during the Memorial Service, we were requested to fire to the music during the national anthem ("...rockets red flare, bombs bursting in air..."). After a week, we were invited to participate in the combined Nunda Fundays, town bicentenary activities which was preceeded by a Memorial Day service in the town. While at the cemetery, we found the burial place of member of the 28th New York. Burial Place of William H Brady, 28th NY, Company F Newark Rose Parade - June 13th-14th The Rose Parade in Newark is a new event to our schedule and the 28th arranged an encampment at the Historical Society in Newark. We had a good turn out by both military and civilian personnel and had space for a good sized camp. Despite poor weather expected the parade went ahead on schedule. There were over 90 fire engines from across the surrounding counties present at the parade and the 28th marched as part of the Historical Society section of the parade. 28th NY in the Rose Parade, Newark NY Independance Day Parade, Palmyra, NY - July 4th In another new addition to the schedule, Palmyra, NY, introduced an Independance Day parade and invited the 28th to participate in the parade. We made further arrangements to setup an encampment in the village park as park of the activities for the day and camped over from Thursday through to Saturday. Following the parade, small drill and firing demonstrations were carried out and the camp was open to the public to visit. The afternoon was taken up by activities in the park and the reenactors carried out all that was asked of them. Our thanks to the Town of Palmyra for allowing us to setup a camp in the village park for this event. We also are looking forward to this event again next year.