The Official Quarterly Newsletter of the 28th New York Volunteer Infantry

The Official

Quarterly

Newsletter of the

28th New York

Volunteer

Infantry

Company E

Volume 1, Issue 1The Official Newsletter of

The Niagara Bugle

Inside this issue:

From the

President’s

Desk

2

Reflections of a

Reenactor 2

From the

Captain’s Slate

Etiquette Notes

3

Biography of

Dudley Donnelly 4

Upcoming

Events

4

The 28th NYVI Co. E marches off to

battle..

of the Unit 150 years ago. The col-

ors were presented by Marilyn

Dirk, Kathy Darrow, and Christine

Ruddell. Captain Taylor adminis-

tered the oath to the military,

swearing them into service. After

the solemn ceremony, the Unit pa-

raded back to camp.

The image of the

flag, of the 12th

Corps, of which

the 28th NY was a

member. This was

used as part of

their letterhead.

Captain Taylor administers the oath to the soldiers during the mustering in ceremony Sunday morning, May 22., 2011.

3

Remembering those who

served...

Fire on the Genesee

On Saturday, May 21, 2011, the

28th NY gathered with many

friends to commemorate the

150th anniversary of the muster-

ing in of the 28th NY VI. The

men of the 28th mustered into

service on May 22, 1861, in

Albany, New York.

Saturday brought us blue skies and many in blue uniforms. It was wonderful to be back

in camp with so many of our Unit. We

drilled in the morning and shook out the

cobwebs that formed over the long winter.

That afternoon, the reenactors battled on

the field for the spectators present.

Sunday morning, the reenactors of the 28th

NY, along with others in blue uniforms,

formed up to recreate the mustering in of

Issue 2, Summer 2011

Page 2

Dear Friends...

Here we are, with only a handful of events left to the 2011 reenacting season. But

they are very important and fun events. Angelica is the only event we have in a

working, living town. Most importantly, it‘s hosted by Terry Parker‘s 136th NY,

with whom we enjoy very close ties. Canaltown Days is a prime recruiting opportu-

nity and promises to be just plain great fun. Beth Hoad may be joining us to help

with the advertising and planning for the 2013 E. Palmyra Cemetery candlelight tours

and marker dedication.

The 28th NY has grown nicely since the beginning of the year. We welcome nearly a

dozen members who bring wonderful enthusiasm to learn from our veteran members.

The polished reputation of our Unit speaks for itself when we learn new members

have specifically sought out the 28th NY to join. Our hard work and discipline have

brought our Unit pride. But we must constantly remember what got us to this point–

our welcoming attitude and willingness to work with all other units and individuals,

regardless of their impression and level of authenticity. With a nod to the fact that

there has to be some minimum level of authenticity, we cannot fall into the trap of

becoming snobs, stitch Nazis, exclusionists, etc. I‘ve seen no evidence of this yet,

thankfully, and will allow absolutely none of it to infect us. The disease would surely

destroy our Unit as it has many others. As was mentioned, people have deliberately

sought us out, and that speaks volumes. Let's continue on as we have been: to become

better at what we do, and to help those around us do the same if they wish.

While the 2011 season is nearly into autumn, we have some exciting projects that

will keep us busy and in touch long after our gear is packed away for the season.

Much work happens during the off-season, and members are encouraged to get in-

volved.

~Darin

F rom the President’s Desk

Reflections of a Re-enactor This is the second part of Connie Payne’s editorial as submitted by Kathy Darrow.

The first portion was included in the first issue of this newsletter.

Over the course of a few short years I graduated from being a quasi-farb who

loved to reenact to someone who felt compelled to rehabilitate the quasi-farbs that

surrounded me. What a daunting task. I‘ve said before that there will always be divisions in this hobby. Quite hon-

estly, I‘ve never seen a hobby that is so rife with division. But when it comes down

to brass tacks, who is actually enjoying this hobby? Is anyone out there having fun

anymore? Personally, I‘m having fun again because I do the best I can and allow oth-

ers to do the same. I encourage all of you to remember back to when you first started

in this hobby, and remember what it was that you loved about it. Go back to when

you weren‘t quite as concerned about who was doing what…. And who was doing

what wrong. It doesn‘t matter what ―category‖ we put ourselves in, or how much we

know and how much we have learned. If we have forgotten how to have fun, we

have learned absolutely nothing. Use what you know to personally challenge yourself and to teach when possi-

ble, but do not use it to turn your hobby into a job. The more time we spend annoyed

with the wrongs of the hobby, the less time we will allow ourselves to enjoy the

rights.

“...we must con-

stantly remember

what got us to this

point– our welcom-

ing attitude and

willingness to work

with all other units

and individuals,

regardless of their

impression and

level of authentic-

ity…”

“Use what you

know to

personally

challenge

yourself and

to teach when

possible...”

Page 3

Visit us on the web

at

www.28thnycoe.com

where you’ll

find

a complete

schedule of events

for the 2011

reenacting

season.

F rom the Captain’s Slate

With the 2011 reenacting season well and truly under way, we have al-

ready attended the first of the large 150th anniversary events, with First Manassas

in July. The Unit was represented with about 18 at that event, and a good sized

group will be going down to the 150th anniversary of Ball's Bluff in late October.

However, the reenacting year is not just about the 150th anniversary events; we

have a lot of the local events on our schedule which are being well attended. We

had eighteen military at "Fire On The Genesee," we averaged ten military at each

of the four Memorial Day Parades which we had on the schedule, had eight mili-

tary at Canisteo and we were able to put eight military into a last minute parade at

Sulphur Springs Festival in Clifton Springs, which was very well received. All in

all, I think that is a great representation of the 28th NY.

In addition we have picked up a number of new members in the last few months,

whom I look forward to seeing in line at events.There have been a number of in-

vitations to additional events in the last few months, as follows:

The Wayland Potatofest, Wayland, NY - Aug 26-28 - Living history camp

hosted by members of the 22nd Va. Please let me know if you are available

to attend this event;

Palmyra Canaltown Days, Palmyra, NY –Sept. 16-18—Living history camp

in a prime location for recruiting and fundraising..

Thanks and I'll see you all at an event soon.

Simon Taylor

Military Coordinator

L essons in Etiquette

On general society:

Punctuality is one of the characteristics of politeness. He who does not keep

his appointments promptly is unfit for the society of a gentleman, and will

soon find himself shut out from it;

In private, watch your thoughts; in your family, watch your temper; in soci-

ety, watch your tongue;

Avoid restlessness in company, lest you make the whole party as fidgety as

yourself. ―Do not beat the ‗Devil‘s tattoo‘ by drumming with your fingers on

the table; it cannot fail to annoy every one within hearing,, and is the index of

a vacant mind. Neither read the newspaper in an audible whisper, as it dis-

turbs the attention of those near you. Both these bad habits are particularly

offensive where most common, that is, in a counting or a news-room. Re-

member , that a carelessness as to what mat incommode others is the sure sign

of a coarse and ordinary mind; indeed, the essential part of good breeding is

more in the avoidance of whatever may be disagreeable to others, than even

an accurate observance of the customs of good society.‖

~(taken from Martine’s Handbook and Vulgarisms in Conversation,

permission to reprint granted)

Upcoming

Events:

Who Was Dudley Donnelly?

D udley Donnelly was born on December 18, 1824 in Catskill, Greene

County, NY. He was the eldest son of Augustus Donnelly and Eliza

Dudley. After the death of his father, the family moved to Homer, Cortland

County, before relocating to Lockport,

NY where Dudley Donnelly saw em-

ployment as a lumberman before

working as Lockport town Magistrate.

He also had several years experience

as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 66th

Regiment, New York State Militia.

He married Cecilia Baright of

Lockport, in 1852, and they had a

daughter, Julia Eliza, the following

year.

With the outbreak of war,

Dudley Donnelly volunteered and was

commissioned as Colonel of the 28th

New York Volunteer Infantry. Based

on several accounts, he had a talent

for this position and, helped by the

feeble physical condition of Brigadier General Samuel W. Crawford, he found

himself in command of the brigade from March 20, 1862 to June 15, 1862 and

also from July 31, 1862 to August 9, 1862.

These dates, taken together, put Colonel Dudley Donnelly in Brigade command

during Bank's Retreat up the Shenandoah, the Battle of Winchester and the Battle

of Cedar Mountain.

It was at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, on August 9, 1862, that Colonel

Donnelly commanded his brigade in the main push of the Union offensive which

was able to break three brigades under the command of General Thomas

"Stonewall" Jackson. However, a Confederate counter-attack caused heavy losses

to Colonel Donnelly's Brigade and resulted in him being mortally wounded before

the brigade broke, having suffered nearly 60% casualties.

Based on one report, prior to being wounded, Colonel Donnelly was ex-

pecting to be promoted to Brigadier General. However, he died on August 15,

1862 at Culpeper Court House, Culpeper County, Virginia.

His body was given a military escort to the railroad station, where it was

returned to Lockport, NY and buried with military honors at Cold Springs Ceme-

28TH NY VI CO. E

2011 UNIT

OFFICERS

President:

Darin Everdyke

Vice-President:

Terry Darrow

Secretary:

Christine Barnes

Treasurer:

Chanon Miller

Military Coordinator:

Simon Taylor

Captain:

Simon Taylor

First Sergeant:

Darin Everdyke

First Corporal:

Kenny Spencer

Second Corporal:

Leland Miller

August

26-28 Wayland, NY: Wayland Potatofest Living History Encampment

September

2-5: Sylvan Beach, NY: Civil War Weekend, encampment and battle

9-11: Erie Canal Village, Rome, NY: Living History/Battle Event

16-18 Palmyra, NY: Canaltown Days Living History and Parade

23-25: Angelica, NY: Encampment with street and field battles