Ladies and Gentlemen of the 61st,

Our annual event at the Carroll County Farm Museum is coming up this weekend, and I’d like to pass along some information about it. Since we’ve been attending this event for the past several years and most of us have been there at least once, I won’t belabor the obvious. My apologies for the somewhat scattershot nature of this missive, but time is short for me this week.

Schedule:

There will be two field battles as usual on Saturday and Sunday respectively. I do not have the times at hand for those though I would expect both to take place in the early afternoon. Ordinarily there is a tactical as well on Saturday morning; however, I have been informed that some changes and improvements have been made to the program for the battles and the tactical but have received no details. In past years, there has also been a barn dance in the evening on Saturday for those so inclined. I have heard word of a dress parade of some sort for all Union forces, and I intend to hold company drill at some point during the weekend.
The site should be open to set up by Friday afternoon. Some of our membership have indicated they will arrive around 2 PM Friday; I intend to arrive around 6 or 6:30 PM.

Logistics:

As far as I know, we will be camped in our usual spot by the grape arbor at the top of the yard. We will be establishing a full camp with company fly and kitchen tent as space permits. All soldiers should bring equipment to take to the field in light marching order: uniform, leathers, canteen, rifle and bayonet. Bring plenty of cartridges and caps as these battles tend to be real powder-burners. Also, don’t forget your weapons-cleaning kit to scrub out those barrels between engagements. As you may already be aware, Michelle Julg is planning a company feed on Saturday night: pulled pork, red beet eggs, and broccoli salad. Cost is $3/person. Please let her or Karen Baker know as soon as possible if you are planning to participate.

Command and Control:

Although the Farm Museum event this year is a 1st Regiment, FVB event, overall field command will be exercised by our own Lt. Col. Wingert. Many if not most of our sister companies in the regiment should be in attendance at some level. I expect to have enough soldiers to stand on our own. In fact, we may be asked to incorporate some extra troops. I will rely on the non-commissioned officers to help me in that regard.

Please be advised that this is our company-sponsored event. If you’ve already registered, please make every effort to attend. That’s about all I have to offer. Please contact me by email or phone (717-337-9592) if you have any questions.

By order of
Christopher Monzi
Captain, Co. A.,
61st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry