After Action Reports

April 5, 2009

Friends,

I wanted to pass on a note about the Perryville Civil War Preservation Trust cleanup that we participated in on this past Saturday, April the 4th. Members of the 6th Ohio can be very proud of all that we have accomplished on this battlefield in the past ten years. There are many portions of the field that are now accessible and marked with interpretive plaques thanks to our efforts.

On our most recent visit we worked on removing a non-period barn from the area across Doctor’s Creek from the Bottom House near the location of the old Sleet Town settlement. Steve Spohn, Tom Schenk, Mel Glover, Jim May and I, along with four State employees, got the roof and walls down; and dismantled in around 6 hours. Materials were stacked by type and some of the timbers may be used to rebuild the old Widow Gibson Cabin on the battlefield.

We had a beautiful day weather-wise to spend dodging rusty nails and falling debris. It was hard work at times and dirty, and it got a little too warm occasionally, but when we finished the area was 85 to 90 percent dismantled. Only the State workers having to leave at 3:30pm with most of the necessary tools kept us from completing the task. Of the 10 folks signed in to work that day, 8 were Sixth Ohio people. Evan Cornett helped with landscaping work around the museum while Ken Cornett and Terry Winders were working at the museum helping to build new display areas.

All in all it was a very satisfying and rewarding day. The spot we were working in looks directly down at Doctor’s Creek where, a few years back, we cleaned the creek bank of just about every type of debris under the sun; making it accessible to the public. We talked about all of the modern fencing that we have removed, 900 yards on one Saturday, fence posts, debris from modern buildings, and various other tasks. All in all we have made a lot of progress.

It is an accomplishment we can be proud of as an organization. I have asked Steve Spohn to set up a Perryville Preservation page on our web where we can document this work and provide photos of the areas we have had a direct impact on as a group. Future generations will be able to enjoy portions of this still pristine gem of a site thanks to our efforts. I applaud all of you who went out, sweated, got dirty and made a difference: both this past Saturday and in past years. I encourage any members who have not done a cleanup day to give it a go next time. You will find hands on historical preservation one of the most rewarding things that you can do. Once again, well done.

Captain Davis

07/28/09

Greetings Fellow Soldiers,

The Woodstock event was just about killed by rain. It came all day Saturday in waves- a true 6th Ohio event. We had very few visitors and most of those where connected with the organizers and the fellow that cooked the beans. Just a few locals that walked over from their homes to see "the campers in the park."

We had music and "Abe" in the church. There was a blacksmith, the bean cook and us.

In attendance:

Surgeon Phil Judy

Sgt. Steve Spohn

Sgt. Dan Girton

Cpl. Al Lewis

Pvt. John Buker

Pvt. Tim Pieper

Pvt. Mike Hernandez

Pvt. Mark Howley From the 4th Ohio

Pvt. John-Mark Howley From the 4th Ohio

Civilians:

Brennan Boatright

Leah Judy

Sheila Rebertus

Friday night was a laughing good time as we 'soldiers' sat under the canvas fly and 'chewed the fat'.

The event was in a village park and baseball field. Not much room to drill and we didn't. Sgt. Spohn led a march to the cemetery to honor the Civil War dead buried there. 'Ole Abe' spoke a few words, three salutes were fired and then the rain started up again. We had a bean lunch on Saturday and they brought us pies that afternoon and breakfast on Sunday morning.

We had three soldiers (Phil , Al, Dan) and the two ladies (Leah, Sheila ) stay over until Sunday mid-day. They had a bake sale in town and we got fat. The five of us had 4 pies, 2 plates of cookies, a small cake and a loaf of zucchini bread.

Our host from the Lions Club, Charles Cushman, was very enthusiastic about us coming next year and making it a bigger event- we made no promises.

Your Obedient Servant,

Sgt. Dan Girton