The Long Hunter's Journal
The newsletter of the Utah ALRA
June 2005
Grant Davis, Lieutenant
James Chandler, Sergeant of Arms
Steve Gish, Scribe
Muster Patriots:
Grant Davis (217), Terry Pendley (12), Gregg Hansen (100), John McCann (155), Rex Ward (179), James Chandler (225), Steve Gish (231)
Prospective Members and Guests:
Ole Jensen, Parker Taylor, Kent Klien, Duane Dyer, Earl McCain.
Lieutenant's Message:
I apologize for the tardiness of this journal. The past month has been a very busy one for me. There have been some significant events in the past couple of months that will affect the club. I have been working with the County regarding our use of Fort Buenaventura. Further detail is provided below. I hope that we can work through all these issues and obtain a desirable outcome. Please make special effort to attend our June Uinta Camp. It should be an enjoyable time. It is always nice to get out into the mountains. I look forward to seeing you there.
May Meeting:
Three hardy soles spent Friday night at the Fort . The rain was light and the evening mild under the tarp provided by James. The evening meal was Cornish Game Hens, Wild Rice and Corn on the Cob ! Saturday morning we dined on Ham, Potatoes, Eggs and Cheese. Yum Yum. Soon after the meal, Gregg arrived to begin the salt boil. The surrey was obtained from Sam's Salt Licks. While the salt water continued to reduce, Rex Ward began his demonstrated on finger weaving. We learned why most people buy their sashes from a talented individual like Rex rather than trying to make one.
National Election Results:
Congratulations to Mark Rutledge of California on winning Western Partisan. Roy Katz of New York is the new Factor. William Brown III of NC continues as Eastern Partisan. Grant Davis will replace Ellis DeLahoy on the National Authenticity Committee (theNAC committee is made up of three Patriots who review Bibliography's from prospective members). These changes took place June 1st.
Unita Camp - June 23 - 26:
The next scheduled event will be the Unita Camp. A great shoot has been planned by the Sergeant of Arms, James Chandler. Silhouette targets will depict British and Indian Allies. The shoot will be a woods walk type event. Some attendees will be arriving Thursday night. The camp runs through Sunday, but most have left on Saturday night in the past. ALRA rules apply to this camp, so if you can't document it you are humbly asked to leave it behind (probationary members, don't let this scare you away. Please contact the lieutenant to discuss). A map to the camp is at the end of the journal.
Click Here for a Map to the Camp
Tooele 4th of July Parade:
Most agreed that the Garrison would only participate in the Parade this year if there were adequate interest. A poll of the group showed that many have holiday plans and we won't be able to muster the numbers necessary to make a good show. Therefore, we won't be doing the parade this year.
Calendar of Events:
August Family Camp
Plans for the August Family Camp are on hold until the availability of the fort can be solidified. It looks very likely that we will be able to use the Fort. Please reserve the first weekend in August to join us at the camp. Further details will be forthcoming.
Fort Bridger
A discussion was held regarding activities in the ALRA "Quiet Camp" area. Mark Rutledge has been asked by the Fort Bridger Rendezvous Association (FBRA) to do his medical demo again. Grant queried the group and found that there is interest in joining Mark for his demos. The Fort Bridger Rendezvous Association (FBRA) was happy to hear we will be doing demos. Several members of the committee saw us at Fort Buenaventura and were impressed. The demos will be Saturday only from 10am to 2pm. We will do many of the same demos that we did at Fort Buenaventura. Please help us make a good impression. The Lieutenant has a list of potential demos, so please contact him if you are interested in helping out. We are also on the schedule to do the Flag Ceremony at Fort Bridger at 8am Saturday morning.
Fort Bridger Clothing Contest:
We have been asked to judge the annual Clothing Contest at Fort Bridger this year. AMM members have done this for a lot of years. The FBRA is requesting that we do it this year. Grant Davis and Tim Tanner will put a committee together made up of ALRA and AMM members.
Status of Fort Buenaventura:
Grant attended the Fort Buenaventura Steering Committee Meeting recently. The county commissioners voiced their dedication to the historical aspect of the fort. They reassured the committee that the fort wouldn't become merely a camping/picnic area. They are committed to putting money into improvements at the fort. They will be looking for volunteers to help at the fort in the future in lieu of staff changes. Concern was voiced over the removal of the Park Manager position and the need for a trained individual to run the park. The Commissioners declined to discuss staffing issues at the Fort. The ALRA should be able to continue use of the fort. However, the process will likely be more formal with having to schedule the fort farther in advance and commit to service projects in exchange for the Fort use. The Lieutenant is currently in negotiations with the County for our use of the Fort.
Time-Line History Event:
Kent Klien invited ALRA Patriots to attend a "time-line" history event that will be held in the Midvale Park in September. Period re-enactors from Mountain Men, Scottish Highlanders, Civil War buffs, etc. will participate. Kent will be participating in a Colonial setting. Anyone wishing to demonstrate a Colonial skill is invited. Camping and Public Restrooms is available. Here is the information Kent sent along: American Heritage Festival, Sept. 15-18 @ Midavale City Park. 445 W. 7800 S. behind (north) the Elementry school in the Park. 30$ camp fee. Contact: Linda Allen @ 801-261-1756 or tgs1231@comcast.net
Letter to Lt. Davis from National Hqs:
Sir, Thank you for your efforts and accomplishments with regards to the photo gallery. The photo gallery gives each of us the opportunity to share the memories of events attended and those missed on a more personal basis versus reading about them in a narrative. Additionally, new comers can see what we are all about which should enable them to make an informed decision regarding joining our group.
Please convey my gratitude to all the ALRA-UT members for their dedication and support rendered the Utah chapter and the ALRA as a whole. Through the efforts put forth during your many activities our early history is presented in a manner void of new-era revisionist history and unencumbered by political correctness.
Until, Gentlemen and Ladies, I have the pleasure of your company I remain, in this regard, your most humble and obliged servant ...
Mick Askew, Cpt'n
Historical Notes:
From Henry's Journal: The story of Mrs. Jemima Warner told, was extremely affecting, and may b e worth remembering, as it is sometimes like a sample of the whole of our distresses and intolerable disasters.
The husband was a great eater. His stores of provisions, after the partition, at the head Chaudiere, were in a little time consumed. The consummate wife ran back from the marsh, and found her beloved husband sitting at the foot of a tree, where he said he was determined to die.
The tenderhearted woman, attended her ill-fated husband several days, urging his march forward; he again sat down. Finding all her solicitations could not induce him to rise, she left him, having placed all the bread in her possession between his legs with a canteen of water. She bore his arms and ammunition to Quebec, where she recounted the story.
The nephews of Natanis, afterwards at Quebec, confirmed the relations of this good woman. For when going up, and returning down the river with our inestimable friend M'Cleand, she urged them, suffused in tears to take her husband on board. They were necessarily deaf to her entreaties. Thus perished this unfortunate man, at a period in his age, when the bodily powers, are generally in their full perfection. Pennsylvania Archives, Series 2 Volume XV, Page 10.
Rations, 1783 Fourthly, As an encourage to such Recruits immediately to enlist you are authorized on part of the State the following rations, one pound of flour, one pound of beef, or three quarters of a pound of pork, and one gill of whiskey per man per Day, one quart of Salt & two quarts of Vinegar to every hundred rations, Eight pounds of Soap & three pounds of Candles to ever seven hundred rations, one suit of Regimental Cloaths, one woolen Vest, one pair of woolen Overalls, one blanket, two Shirt, two pair of Shoes, two pair of Socks, one Hat, and ten Watch Coats to each Company and the following Monthly pay to wit.
Sergeant Mayor & Quarter Master Sergeant , each, eight dollars per month. Sergeant, . . . seven dollars, do Corporals, . . . six dollars, do Drums and Fifes and Privates, . . .four dollars, do Pennsylvania Archives, Series 1, Volume X, Page 127
From Henry's Journal Among the trees of this country, there are two which deserve particular notice, because of their remarkable qualities. These are the balsam fir (Canada Balsam, Balm of Gilead fir, or balsamum Canadense pinus balsomea: which produces the purest turpentine,) and the yellow birch. The first, as its vulgar name imports, yields a balsamic liquid, which has been, and perhaps now is, much esteemed by the medical profession. The bark is smooth, except that there are a vast number of white and lucid protuberance upon it, of the size of a finger or thumb nail, bulging from the surface of the bark. The tree grows to a size of 15 to 20 inches in diameter. From the essays made, it seemed to me that a vial containing a gill, might be filled in the space of one hour. Getchel, our guide, taught me its uses. In the morning when we arose placing the edge of a broad knife at the under side of a blister, and my lips at the opposite part, on the back of the knife, which was declined, the liquor flowed into my mouth freely. It was heating and cordial to my stomach, attended by an agreeable pungency. This practice, which we adopted, in all likelihood, contributed to the preservation of our health. For through much wet weather ensued, and we laid often on low and damp ground, and had very many successions of cold atmosphere, it does not now occur to me, that any one of us was assailed by sickness, during this arduous excursion. Pennsylvania Archives, Series 2 ,Volume XV, Pages 74-75.
Flying Camps When the British evacuated Boston in Mar. '76, the Americans were faced with the need for defending widely scattered areas where the enemy might strike next. Part of their solutions was the establishment of a "flying camp," the term being a literal translation of camp volant, and in the military doctrine of the day meaning a mobile, strategic reserve. Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, page 371.
