BATTLE IN ASTORIA!

By D. E. Gering

As this reporter last wrote, it is true that the Confederate forces have indeed taken to sail. Word had arrived at Lt. Colonel Scott Eakman's command that there were several attempts have been made by two lightly gunned sailing ships, to enter the Columbia River, but was turned away by the tide or foul weather.

The Commander of the Army of the Willamette believes that the Confederate forces may be trying to navigate the Columbia to strike deep into Oregon. To deter this, he has moved his forces to the Fort at Point Adams (editor note: later to be renamed ,after the death of Washington Territorial Governor, Issac Stevens, to Ft. Stevens). It is hoped that they can prevent this privateering expedition of the Confederates under the command of Colonel Jim Stanovich.

One local fisherman is quoted in saying, "Them Rebs really must really want to rile things up here if they are coming up this way. Who would thunk they come by boat?" This reporter agrees.

ELECTIONS UPDATE

In an effort to keep everyone up to date with what is going on with elections the following is some informational education related to the process of the upcoming election.

A Committee has been formed to run this years election with the following members:

Daniel Gering, Chair
Bob Olin, Confederate Military Rep
John Leaton, Union Military Rep
Andie Goana, Artillery Rep
Karen Lewis, Civilian Rep

The following is the current list of positions and those that have formally nominated (and nominees posted in alphabetical order):

Chairman & Vice Chair: Vacant
Treasurer: Vacant
Secretary: Kris Flynn
Membership Coordinator: Anne Tamerius
Union Battalion Commander: Vacant
Confederate Battalion Commander: Jim Stanovich
Artillery Commander: Joe Cross, John Frenzel
Civilian Advocate: Vacant

Please remember that if you are interested in any of the positions above that you send your nomination to fly08@comcast.net regular mail 12048 NE Fargo Ct., Portland, OR, 97220. This must be done by SEPTEMBER 15TH.

You need to be 21 years of age to run for these offices. You can nominate yourself or someone else.

OREGON STATE FAIR LIVING HISTORY EVENT

We are asking for any and all NCWC members to come join us at the State Fair. We have the opportunity to reach out to thousands of people. We have a prime grassy, shaded area to set up exhibits, tent camps, do skirmishes and march/ride in a short parade. Our day at the fair is Veteran's Appreciation Day Tuesday, August 30th. Parking and entry are free for anyone in uniform/period clothing. The "C" (yellow) gate on Silverton Rd will be open to those who need to set up tents, etc by 6am Tuesday morning. Gates open to the public at 10am. We have small skirmishes set for 2, 3:45 and 5:30. The parade is an annual event that starts at noon in the oak grove across from the front of the fairgrounds on 17th Avenue.

Please come and join us for this opportunity to capture a very large audience to show our living history demonstrations. Please contact Mike Tamerius. His email address is amtamerius@gmail.com and his phone number is 971-563-6351. Thank you and we hope to see you there!

MESSAGE FROM THE CIVILIAN ADVOCATE

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have wrestled with the idea of running for a third term as Civilian Advocate and have finally decided that I will decline a nomination.

The last four years have been very eye-opening as to how much work goes into putting these events together and how hard it is to keep all of the various groups working together for the common good.

I am certainly grateful to all of the board members who have shown great amounts of support for the Civilian Alliance, and our efforts to provide context and support for the military impressions. Sometimes I feel like there is an us vs. them attitude between the military and the civilian Alliance, I hope that all members of the club would understand that not only are both desirable, but that both are needed to give depth to the experience. Who were the soldiers fighting for? Their families and loved ones. What one thing dominated the lives of all Americans? The boys at war. I like to think that in the past four years we have all learned a lot and do a better job of presenting life in the 1860s than we did before. I know for a fact that things have improved greatly in the 15 or so years since I started reenacting. I am confident that the club will continue to grow and mature, and I am happy to be a resource to whomever steps into this role. But it is time for me to step back, pursue my impression as a reporter for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Spend more time with my wife, and enjoy my family. I did not originally set out to become the Civilian Advocate, I was elected as a write-in, because no-one else was running for the position. I have (mostly) enjoyed the challenges that have been set before me, and I am glad I have had the opportunity to serve the club in this capacity. It is my hope that someone, who has a vision for the future, will step up and offer their services as NCWC Civilian Advocate.

- To those who would like to see me continue in this position; Please do not vote for me in the coming election. As Sherman said: "if nominated I will not run, and if elected I will not serve."

- To those who have volunteered to help set-up the camps, organize teas, plan balls, stand guard and generally lend a hand; I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I literally would not have been able to do this job without you.
Respectfully,

Oscar B. Hult
NCWC, Civilian Advocate
2008 - 2011

DID YOU KNOW...

This month we wanted to start with some good news/reports from our Education Committee. First, Jonathan Leaton of the
116th Pennsylvania reported to the Board about his experiences at the National Field Music School in Petersburg, Virginia this past June. This was a workshop that gives young fifers, drummers and buglers a chance to run elbows with some of the best Civil War field musicians in the United States. Jonathan was voted Best Overall Fifer and made us all very proud. He brings this knowledge back to us to improve our program but also retains valuable connections with his teachers back east.

Keeping the same theme of Education. Our Treasurer Mr. Jim Little gave the Board a report on the Justin Little Memorial
Scholarship Foundation which is supported by the NCWC. This program awards history students at the high school and 8th grade levels. The NCWC presents those winners with a one year membership in our organization to encourage them to continue their involvement and study. A great program and beneficial for both us and them. Keep up the excellent work !! Part of the funds for this comes from the Knights of Columbus Food Booth at the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest. If you could donate a few hours to this worthy cause please contact Mr. Little.

McIVER UPDATE

September is an exciting month of activities and it just got a bit more exciting. The Event Coordinator for the McIver event, Mike Tamerius, has been busily getting ready for the final battle of the season. In doing so, since school will have already started, it came to his attention that some of the local schools would be interested in doing a school day that Friday of the event. The details are in the works, so if you are interested in being involved contact Mike Tamerius at amtamerius@gmail.com.

SANCTION ARBITRATION

Perhaps you have been hearing some things regarding a member of the Artillery battalion being sanctioned/disciplined by
expulsion from that battalion. That is true. We have had several examples of sanctions since the Willamette Mission event but this was the only instance where there was an appeal of the discipline.

Sanctions are difficult but they are covered under our Rules. In this case the Board of Directors had two options ... deny the appeal leaving the person expelled from the artillery battalion OR forming a special Arbitration Committee using non-Board members (one from each battalion including civilians) to evaluate the case. The Board representatives voted unanimously to form the Arbitration Committee knowing that its decision is binding and cannot be changed by either the Chair or the Board.

It is the promise of Steve Betchart to all of you that this will be done BY THE BOOK/RULES and that fair and impartial judgement will be given both sides in this dispute. Do NOT be discouraged by this or think everything is falling apart. The process is working as it should and we are going to be just fine.

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT ABOUT RULES

Your Board of Directors, with the support of Executive Officers and committees, works very hard to construct operational
rules dealing with many subjects from safety to educational programs. Since I do not plan to run for Chair again I can afford to be really honest with you. There appear to be a number of people in the NCWC who either do not know the Rules (e.g., By Laws, Administrative Rules, Safety Rules, Code of Conduct and Policies) by which we are supposed to legally operate as a non-profit corporation OR they just do not care. They want to do what makes sense to them or what benefits them or people close to them. To be ignorant of the Rules can be cured. Even if some of the most current rules are not on our web site you can still go up the chain of command and get an answer from people like Donny Cameron. To make a mistake and violate the Rules happens ... admit it, learn from it and do NOT do it again. If you dislike the rules or disagree with them then, by all means, CHANGE THEM through the legal processes we now have at our disposal. BUT, do not just ignore or break them deliberately. That destroys the credibility of the entire organization and discourages/demoralizes those who are trying to make things work using those rules. If you are having a problem with somebody then DEAL DIRECTLY ... go to them and talk it out. They will think more of you even though you might not get what you want. Do Not go around to everybody with your problems except the person you really need to deal with. My Friends ... THIS IS A HOBBY ... IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN !! Listen to and try to respect the opinions of others and maybe we can get back to having some more of that FUN.

Respectfully, Steve Betschart
Chair -Northwest Civil War Council