Alexander’s Battalion Meeting Minutes

                                                                            January 6 & 7 2021

The meeting was called to order at 8pm   Location: In the comfort of our own home

Artillery Staff in Attendance was: Battalion Commander, Gen. John Douglass, Chief-of-Staff/Safety Officer, Lt. Col. Alex Swain, Battalion Adjutant, Lt. Col. Tim Fogarty, Battalion Chaplin, Major Steve Peddycord, Battalion, Battalion Webmaster, Bob Henry, Battalion Engineer, Lt. Dawn McCall, Battalion Sgt Major Kevin Menzel and our Color Bearer Bob Lohr otherwise known as POPEYE.

Special Guests: General Terry Shelton & Corps COS Col. Will Perkinson

Staff Absent: Provost Major Roland Meiers

Batterys in attendance were: Stribling’s Battery, 4^th MD, Bedford Light, Cunningham’s, Hart’s Battery, Penick’s Battery, Reilly’s 1^st NC Battery, Peninsula Artillery, 1^st Co. Washington Artillery

Batterys Absent: Botetourt Artillery

·         Major Steve Peddycord began the meeting with prayers and blessing on all in attendance.

·         Battalion Commander Gen. John Douglass, made his opening remarks, reintroduced our newest batterys, welcomed everyone and appreciated the effort all made to attend. He reviewed general goals and training goals that we can achieve for 2021, all of course, providing COVID is brought under control, at best, possibly a return to the field in the second half of the year. Probationary units will be “Fast Tracked” into the battalion as full members. He also discussed the importance of maintain  “Good Relations” with all our brother organizations since we will fall under their command at times, and they under ours.

General Douglass went around the conference and had each battery commander express any thoughts and ideas for the coming year.

·         Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Alex Swain, stated our battalion treasury balance is $290.68, no outstanding bills, battalion website was renewed for one year due to the uncertainty of COVID and its lingering effects on the hobby, a motion was made to suspend dues for 2021, due to the unknown of when we could return to the field.

·         Battalion Adjutant Lt. Col. Tim Fogarty, He emphasized the different forms to be found either on the Corps or battalion website, Asked the battery commanders to review the calendar of events sent to them, and if not already done, to send a copy of your updated battery roster.

·         Send to this adjutant their copy of any proposed events they may possibly attend and a copy of current insurance rider, also a battery roster of names must be submitted to Jill Russell (Corps Treasurer) by March 1st

·         Chaplain Steve Peddycord, Anyone who wishes to have a prayer request for whatever reason, please contact him at speddycord@triad.rr.com   He was also glad to see everyone in the battalion and its new members.

·         Battalion Webmaster, Capt. Bob Henry, Spoke to all batterys as to what the website can do for them, if they wish to do so. The website is paid up thru 2021 bvhenry@rochester.rr.com

·         Battalion Engineer, Lt. Dawn McCall, Discussed the importance of getting their numbers into the adjutant early and he to her so there will be ample room and an organized camp for all to enjoy the weekend. She ask for units that are willing to come a day early to help with camp layout, would be appreciated. She normally is on site as soon as Gen. Douglass is to begin camp layout.

·         Sgt. Major Kevin Menzel, Battalion Sgt. Major Thanked the staff for the opportunity for his position and will learn well from Lt. Col. Swain the functions of the battalion Sgt. Major

·         The Sgt. Major also polled our new batterys as to what they would like to see from our battalion. 

·         Color Bearer, Bob Lohr (POPEYE) discussed the possibility of we reenactors having to get vaccinated to attend any events, as horses need to have coggins. Gave his own remedy to thwart the COVID

·         General Shelton praised up the battalion for who we are and what we do when in the field, he’s proud that we are part of the Corps. He also stated there would be no Corps dues for 2021.

·          The Annual Corps meeting was postponed until Saturday, January 16^th at 9am ZOOM invite and log on will be forthcoming in the next few days.

·         Due to our limit of time on ZOOM, the meeting adjourned at approx.9:15pm

·         Chaplain Peddycord gave a parting prayer to end the meeting.

Due to the time constraints of our meeting, this is an abbreviated synopsis of minutes/discussions of our meeting.

Respectfully Submitted By

Lt. Col. Tim Fogarty

Battalion Adjutant

Alexander’s Battalion

Longstreet’s Corps