From the officer's mess

 Late April, May 2006

            Men of the Minnesota second,

                Spring has sprung and having a busy late winter things are slowing down for me and now I am getting my dusty uniform clean, polishing my brass and cleaning my rifle. I recommend that everyone do the same in the near future. It is also a good time to upgrade uniforms and purchase something from the supply clerk. In stock items are on the web site.

                To start this year I am asking all members of the RVR to start looking for new recruits. At our last meeting the biggest concern with members is low attendance in the company. This is happening every were in the hobby. Why? I do not know. We all need to make an effort to get new recruits. We need our members to show up for local events. These are good events to get local people to join.

The fact is gentlemen we cannot support a company at any event as of right now but yet we still have five officers in the company with thirteen private. We are top heavy and this need to be change. I have asked the board to re organize the officer’s position for 2007 to a private friendly second Minnesota. My suggestion would be go to a one sergeant and one corporal company and then have an officer pool for those times we need an officer or another NCOs. Any ideas? Share them with the board.

                The event schedule for 2006 is up on the web site. Please look at it and see what events you can attend. The big on this year is Perryville KY October 7^th – 8^th.

Ft. Sisseton:

The spring muster was successes that happen on March 25 – 26. I want to thank the members of the second Minnesota who attended the muster this year. I could not attend the muster because of work but I hope that we can do this in the future with the 1^st Minnesota and the 13^th U.S. Total attendance was 48. Men from the 1^st, 2^nd, 5^th Minnesota, 13^th U.S. and 7^th/30^th Missouri form the battalion. Commanded by Major Bill Hoskins of the 13^th U.S.

Western Brigade Meeting:

I attended the Western Brigade congress on Saturday April 8^th in Springfield, Illinois at the Lincoln center. Here is my report.

                The meeting open at 10:00 am by Executive agent Charles Lemons of the 7^th Kentucky. Member units that were present were First and Second Minnesota, 42nd Indiana, 49th New York, and Logan’s Brigade. A confirmation of commitment to the WB was also delivered (2nd hand) from the 111th Pennsylvania and Holmes Brigade. We also had visitors from the 2nd Wisconsin (Black Hats) and the 64th Illinois, both of which may be interested in joining.

                The first part of the meeting was talk about the Western Brigade corporate structure. Finding out how much money the WB had and the web site status. We all agreed that things have to be organizing to make the WB organization exist. All units in the WB need to step up and work to make the WB the best battalion in the field. Here are the units in good standing order in the WB.

1^st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry

2^nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry

7^th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry

42^nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry

49^th New York Volunteer Infantry

111^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

Holme’s Brigade

Logan’s Brigade

Stone’s Kentucky Battery

                Because their was no meeting in the last two years so we all decided that all units that were paid up to 2004 were exempt for 2005. The dues were set at $40 for 2006.

                Chuck Warnick was named Assistant Treasurer for this year to help out the existing treasurer. Each unit will be receiving their due notice soon.

EVENTS

                It was talk that the WB should start attending two events a year. One being a drill only event the other will be the max effort event most likely a national event.

                Before each event each unit will receive information on history of the battle, uniform requirements, command structure (battalion and company) and schedule. This will be put together by selected individual or volunteers. Most likely the battalion staff.

                This year’s max effort event is Perryville, Kentucky the dates are October 6^th – 8^th. This was voted in by the congress. Other events were discussed but nothing was decided. Mike Lavis will be promoted to brigade command he has appointed Chris Ableson to be the battalion commander of the WB. Other field commands are Lieutenant Colonel Jim Moffet and Major Bill Hoskins. Bill Hoskins has not accepted major at this time so this position could change.

                The congress voted to make Mill Springs, KY the max effort event for 2007. The congress also voted to portray the 2^nd Minnesota at the event. The date has not been set, they are looking to have it in the last weekend of September or the first weekend of October.

                Mike Lavis talk about Gettysburg that is in the works for 2008. Mike is on the planning committee so he is promising a good event. With not to much info on this event we decided that we will wait for the 1^st federal division to take a look at this event.

Election

                Mike Lavis was re elected to a two year term as colonel of the Western Brigade.

Future Meeting

                The congress schedule the next WB meeting on November 11^th 2006 in Springfield, Illinois.

Events coming up:

Houlton, WI, May 11^th and 12^th

Come out and drill the local 5^th graders from the Hudson school district. We will be singing songs telling stories to the kids Thursday night. Friday we will be conducting two stations and we will be drilling the kids. This is a paid event so we need everyone there. Contact the board for more details.

Drill, May 20^th, FT. Snelling

                All members are asked to attend this drill. We will be drilling with the first Minnesota. This is attentive and might change. Time will be set at 12:00 pm and we will drill for about 4 hours.

Memorial Day. Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, May 29^th

                We will be honoring men from the first Minnesota and the second Minnesota on Memorial Day. Ceremony starts at 10:30 am, afterwards we will be conducting tours around to certain grave sites where certain individuals will be talking to the public about that individuals.

One person who is important to us in the second Minnesota is Heratio Van Cleve who is buried at Lakewood. If you do not know who he is he was the first colonel of the second Minnesota who was later promoted to Brig. General after the battle of Mill Springs.

Perryville, Kentucky, October 6^th – 8^th

                Plans are in the works to form a company for Perryville. The plan is to take a bus along with the first Minnesota down to the event. I need to know by the end of May if you are planning to go.

Uniforms:

                Good time of the year to up grade your uniforms for 2006. Contact Ben Quie if you are interested. Since we have been attending early war events and with Mill Springs around the corner I would like to suggest that you look at purchasing an enlisted frock coat. Perfect for the second Minnesota in the early war. Contact Ben for information on ordering.

Meetings:

                The second Minnesota meets on the first Tuesday of the month at FT. Snelling at 7 pm. We drill at every meeting along with the first Minnesota. Come on out and join us.

                See you in the field

                Your humble servant,

                Captain J. Beedle

                Co. A, Minnesota second Inf.

Summer 2006

Perryville, Kentucky

October 6^th – 8^th 2006

          The Minnesota second will be raising a company for Perryville KY. Make arrangements now to attend this year’s biggest event and fight on the actual battlefield.

        We will be taking a bus along with the first Minnesota and some other units. The cost will be around $130 for round trip. This includes rations and registration fee.

        Contact Joe Beedle no later than May 31^st 2006 to get on the list. No payment is required now.

Joe Beedle

651-308-2101

JEBminnesota@att.net