116th PVI Newsletter


ENLISTING IRISH AND GERMAN EMIGRANTS ON THE BATTERY AT NEW YORK, THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, SEPTEMBER 17, 1864
CAPTAIN'S DESK St. Patrick's Day Celebrations March 12-14! Gentlemen, The only solace on these cold winter days is the knowledge that soon spring will be here ushering in the new campaign season. This year the calendar looks promising with a major event coming in early May, Wilderness-Spotsylvania. From what I know of the event it seems like it will be worth every effort to go. Trenches will be in place, emphasis will be on field campaigning, and any profits from the affair will go directly to battlefield preservation. You will receive information as the event approaches. The other promising event looks like Crampton’s Gap (Burkettsville, Md.) on Sept. 10-12. It’s a small event, but it’s held on the original site, attended by many of the more authentic regiments. They have, or will have a website, www.burkittsville1862.org to look at. As always we will have our annual meeting/festivities for St. Patrick’s Day in Pittsburgh. The date this year is Saturday, March 13. You are all encouraged and invited to stay at my studio which will be available on Friday to move into. It is suggested that you contribute something other than your lovely persons, in the form of food or libation. We always have a good time and plenty to eat and drink. Please call beforehand with what you can bring to eat, or a suggestion from me as to what we need. Hopefully the weather will be pleasant and we can also make the important pilgrimage to the grave of Capt. Samuel Taggart in Allegheny Cemetery. If you have ANY issues concerning the Company, the meeting is where to bring it up before the membership. I would ask that any nominations or concerns that effect the officers and NCOs of the company be brought to my attention BEFORE the meeting. I ask for that courtesy to be able to discuss any proposal with the other officers and NCOs who are responsible for the operation of the company. If you have the inclination, another great event worth considering is the National Regiment Officer and NCO school on Feb. 28, 29 in Gettysburg. You don’t have to be an NCO or officer to attend. The weekend focuses on the various duties preformed in a Civil War regiment, along with sidebar classes in uniform and equipment issues. It’s one of the most valuable events you can attend sponsored by the NR.

Due to events which transpired at the Cedar Creek event, I have been asked that in the future when passing out information to all of you, to include more specifics about camping situations or other military structure information that will help us all be on the same page when we arrive. I’ll do my best to initialize that procedure. In general, when you arrive at a reenactment, always look for where the National Regiment is, from there you will find our campsite. If you ask for the “Irish Brigade” you will not find the 116th Pa., but a conglomeration of family camp-type units who have usurped the name “Irish Brigade.” ALWAYS check to see where our official military camp street is within the National Regiment. Since we are a military unit, with a military command structure, and since you wear the military uniform of a United States soldier, your obligation is to be available to the company for its military functions. I have always been tolerant, and enjoy, our “periphery” camps, and find them to be useful in many cases to give us cover for more discrete scenarios for which we are famous. My hope is that anyone who pitches a tent away from the assigned military camp, and suffers, shall we say, from the effects of too much “skull pop,” will still able to fall in with your friends and brothers for military duties during the event. I do not think it fair to come to the ranks to fall in after the rest of the company has been counted off, spent time on the drill field, and has been inspected. Not only for the reason that we want everyone in ranks for the camaraderie –there is a safety issue when not everyone has had time to practice evolutions together, or had their weapons inspected.

On a personal note, I hope some of you have seen the movie “Cold Mountain” on which I helped to consult in Romania during the summer of ’02. Please tell me what you thought. Our own Davey Kincaid will be on tour in Europe during the month of February with his Irish Civil War music. We truly are fortunate to call him one of our own. Also be sure to check Pug’s updated website @ www.oreillygalleries.com for a look at some excellent period photos from his collection. All the Best, I remain your Comrade, M.G. Kraus, Captain 116th Reg’t. P.V.V.

Genltelmen, Always accompanying the festive season of St. Patrick, our beloved patron saint of the “old sod,” is the unsavory business of collecting Annual Company Dues. These funds are, of course, for the express purpose of publishing this newsletter, maintaining our web site, keeping the membership roster updated and the unit informed as to events, schedules, etc. The dues remain at the rate of $13.00 per man, and as has been customary these many years, you will all be expected to tender this amount either during the weekend of the St. Pat’s festivities, or via check made payable and sent to myself before that weekend (March 12-14). Please send your checks to the address below: 2d Lt. David Kincaid 3147 Broadway Apt. 19 New York, NY 10027 Those who do not take care of this on or before that time will be removed from the roster, and will not receive either the printed newsletter nor the email updates. You’ll still be welcome to fall in at events, just not considered to be a full member entitled to the above mentioned privileges. You lads have been great about making this sorded task much easier to bear in recent years, and the same will be most appreciated now. I'll look forward to hearing from you all, and to everyone's continued service in this distinguished unit. Your obed't serv't, D. Kincaid, 2d Lt. 116th Reg't P.V.V.

	2004 EVENTS February 28, 29 -Annual Officer’s-NCO school, Gettysburg, PA March 13 -St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA May 7-9 -140th Anniversary of Spottsylvania, Spottsylvania Co., VA May 29-30 -C&O Canal NHP, Georgetown, Washington DC September 10-12 -Crampton’s Gap, Burkittsville, MD September 18-19 -Ferry Hill, Sharpsburg, MD November 19-21 -Remembrance Day Parade and Annual Meeting, Gettysburg, PA

	Directions to Kraus Studio, accomodations for St. Paddy’s Day: From the EAST: Take the Pa turnpike (I-76) to exit 4, (Rt. 8, Pittsburgh, Butler). Go South on Rt. 8 towards Pittsburgh. Approx 1 1/2 miles look for the intersection of WILDWOOD RD. This is also known as the YELLOW BELT, and is marked as such. Turn RIGHT onto Wildwood Rd. Follow the yellow belt signs and Wildwood Rd about 5 miles. You will go through NORTH PARK. The speed limit of 25 MPH is enforced here. Go through the park continuing on the yellow belt. You will cross Rt. 19. About 1 mile past that intersection is a 7 /11 mini mart and the Ingomar beer distrubutor. This is HARMONY RD. Turn RIGHT onto Harmony. The place is about 1/2 mile down the road. The road goes from pavement to rough gravel. Studio ia a yellow concrete bldg. From the NORTH: I-79 South to EXIT 22 WEXFORD 910. Turn left at the end of ramp. At the bottom of hill there are two lights. The first is easy to see, the second, which is only 75 ft after might trip you up. Turn RIGHT at 2nd light on Brandt School Rd. There is a blue sign pointing to SOERGELS ORCHARDS, that is the turn. Follow road about 3 miles. Look for a modern looking church called INGOMAR METHODIST. After the church the road will start downhill curving to the left. At the bottom of the hill is a 4 way intersection (you are the only traffic that doesn't stop) with a YELLOW BELT sign. TURN LEFT here onto the yellow belt. This is Ingomar Rd. Continue about 1/2 mile till you see the 7 / 11. Turn LEFT onto Harmony Rd. continue about 1/4 mile to yellow block bldg. From Pittsburgh: Take 279 N to CAMP HORNE RD. Go RIGHT off the ramp. At the first light turn LEFT onto Lowries Run RD. Follow about 1 mile to REIS RUN RD, which will be a Right turn. This road is also the yellow belt. Follow the belt thru 3 intersections. About 1/2 mile past the 3rd stop you will see the 7 / 11 on your left. Turn LEFT here onto HARMONY RD., follow abot 1/4 mile to yellow block bldg. From WEST: Take the Pa. turnpike to exit 3. Go SOUTH on RT 19 about 1 mile until you can hook up with the ramp for I-79. Get on I-79 SOUTH, take first exit # 22 WEXFORD. refer to the directions given from north at this point. Directions from Civic Arena to Allegheny Cemetery: Go out arena parking lot going to the right. At GRANT AVE, turn right. Go to the light and turn right on to LIBERTY AVE. Follow Liberty, look for a BP station on the right and turn left there onto 40th Street. You will through another light, go down a hill (see Arsenal on left), at bottom of hill is a light, turn right onto BUTLER STREET. Follow Butler Street through an area of town called Lawrenceville (about 1 mile). Look for Allegheny Cemetery gate house-a stone building with turrets on it-turn right into the cemetery and pass through the Gate House. Take the FIRST RIGHT; at the JB FORD Mausoleum take another hard RIGHT. Go left at SECTION 49 Sign. At the next right (look for sign saying Veteran's section) go up 100 yards and park along side of road. Capt. Taggart is up the hill on the left. Instructions from Allegheny Cemetery to Camp: Go through the Gate House again; turn left on BUTLER. Follow Butler through Lawrenceville to the light at 40th street, go right onto 40th Street Bridge and cross the river. Turn left at end of bridge onto SOUTH 28 (towards downtown Pgh). Be in the right lane and follow the 1279 SIGNS. Go right on 1279 at East Ohio Street. The ramp will put you onto 279 north. Go about 6 miles. Look for exit 21 CAMP HORN ROAD––go right at light off of Camp Horn. At the first light go left on to LOWERIES RUN/MT. NEBO RD. Follow about 2 miles, go night on to ARNDT RD (If you go under the overpass you went about 1/4 mile too far). At top of hill turn left onto REISS RUN RD. Follow winding road for several miles. Go through 2 stop signs. Go 4 blocks, look for 7-11 and Ingomar Beer––go left there onto HARMONY RD. Follow Harmony Road straight down hill (it turns into a dirt road). Follow road to the studio.