The Journal of the Ninth
Texas Regiment of Infantry
2013/1863
CONTEST FOR COLONEL OF THE
BATTALION
CONCLUDES AT NOVEMBER MEETING



IN MEMORIAM
Colonel Brad Amend

9th's Favorite Son runs for colonel of the
First Missouri Battalion
Gentlemen of the Battalion
Here is my resume. I am seeking the next term as colonel. I believe I have
demonstrated my competence on the battlefield, and the drill field. Here iswhat
I bring to the position. Your review and consideration will be greatly
appreciated.
History:
I began my career in reenacting in April of 1984. (
click to continue reading)


-
RECENT ACTION NEAR
GETTYSBURG!!
Men of the
9th Texas -
You have
once again
made
history.
Although the
1863
Gettysburg
campaign
ultimately
proved
unsuccessful
against the
federals,
the 9th
Texas
successfully
prevailed
against the
substantial
odds against
us - the
long march
to the
battlefield
both in time
and
distance,
away from
family and
friends, the
challenging
geography at
the site,
the
capriciousness
of Mother
Nature, at
once
throwing
monsoon-like
rain at us,
then
repeatedly
near-unbearable
heat and
humidity.
...
We battled a
tenacious
enemy
handled well
by his
leaders, on
his home
territory,
and gave
them fair
fight in
battles on
three
successive
days.
On the third
day, we
unquestioningly
formed up,
elbow to
elbow, for
what we all
knew would
be an
exposed
march over
open ground
to face shot
and shell
from front
and flank,
and although
losing many
of our
number,
stood to the
task.
The 9th
fielded the
largest
single
company in
the
Battalion
for this
National
event,
proving once
again that,
when the
chips are
down, the
9th is up to
whatever is
asked of us.
Words fail
me in
expressing
how proud I
am of each
and every
one of you
in the
excellent,
unfailing
performance
of your
soldierly
duties. It
has been,
and will
continue to
be an honor
and
privilege to
take the
field with
such
stalwart
warriors.
Never forget
- “There is
none finer”:
9th Texas!
Your
obedient
servant,
Brian Cox,
Captain -
9th Texas
Reg't of
Infantry

April 19-21, 2013, saw the annual reprise of Civil War days at Cowtown, Wichita
KS, the first real event of the 2013 season (the Spring Muster being a bit of a
bust due to unseasonable weather). Boys, if you didn’t make this one, you missed
out on a truly special experience. I am told that we set a new single day
attendance record. And this event can only get better in future years.
By any gauge, the 9th had a great turnout. Those in attendance:
Pvt./Col. Brad Amend
Pvt./Color Sgt. Shawn Bell
Pvt. Kevin Belt
Pvt. Carl Bishop
Pvt. Nathan Edwards
Courier Atticus Gianelloni
Pvt. VJ Gianelloni
Pvt. Justin Hill
Pvt. Dawson Manning
Pvt. Jamie RalphPvt. Justin Ralph
Pvt. Aaron Staab
Pvt. David Stickelman
Pvt. Braxton Thomas
Pvt. Chris Visser
Pvt. Sam Warner
Pvt. Jordan Waters
1st Sgt. Randy Downey
1st Cpl. Bob Albert
2nd Cpl. Herb Shemwell
3d Cpl. Mark Gianelloni
And your humble correspondent as Captain.
We welcomed new/old man Kevin Belt back into the ranks - Kevin was a company ‘C’
man back in the day.
We also welcomed new men Carl Bishop, a friend of Nathan Edwards, from company
‘G’ and Sam Warner, friend of Justin Ralph, son of Jamie Ralph, now of Company
‘A.’ Both men have now “seen the elephant.”
And as evidence of the fortuity of recruiting, we picked up new man at the
event, Justin Hill of Wichita. I spoke to Justin on Saturday about the 9th and
Civil War reenacting and promised to put him into the fight on Sunday if he came
back. Sure enough, he did, we found uniform parts to fit him reasonably well,
drilled him, and got him into the fight on Sunday afternoon, where he also “saw
the elephant.” (At the risk of repeating, Civil War buffs who might like to try
the hobby are all over the place, and sometimes it takes no more than starting
up a conversation or handing them a business card, to secure a new recruit.
Please remember - recruiting is the job of every man in the 9th. Cowtown is
evidence of potential success if every man makes the effort!)
Also present for the fight were our friends from the 4th Arkansas, tough and
ready fighting men all, after a lengthy drive down from Nebraska. Many thanks to
Capt. Jim Arbaugh, and soldiers Ben Ream, Brandon Keller, Cody Williams.
Special thanks also to Capt. Greg Traxson’s 2nd Kansas (Verdigris Militia),
Captain Don Seba’s McLain’s Battery, Captain Bob Green’s Elliott’s Scouts, and
of course, the brave federals of Capt. Jon Goering’s 8th Kansas, without whom
this event would not have been possible. And Capt. Chris Shuster of the 3d
Missouri made the trip down on Saturday and fell in with us for the battles on
Sunday.
And last, but certainly not least, kudos to Greg Hunt and the City of Wichita
for letting us come out to play the whole weekend, relatively unhindered by red
tape and without cost to us other than the time of a weekend and a tank of gas.
Ken Spurgeon of the 8th also had some film crews out during the sundry battles,
to catch some footage for Wide Awake films. I hope we didn’t have too many
bloopers. More filming to take place in May/June in the Wichita area.
We missed our own Abe Lincoln, Tom Lahey, but there was a Lincoln impersonator
in attendance. Mr. Lahey, we miss you.
And I was finally able to get “Rev.” Staab out to give a brief but eloquent
benediction before one of the battles.
Amenities at the event - there was plenty of wood, plenty of water close at
hand, clean porcelain, and plenty of props. Mother Nature largely cooperated
although it was slightly cool on Friday night, but otherwise clear and dry.
We moved our camping location from past years, this year moving to the open area
across from the school house where the 8th had been. This is a prime location,
big enough to accommodate our larger numbers this year, and yet still a draw for
the civilian foot traffic. As captain, your humble correspondent had pretty
comfy digs in the cabin located at the spot, complete with a rope bed, and
electricity.
Four (4) battles over two days leaves little time to sit around and stare into
the campfire. The schedule included a furious tactical on Sunday morning,
scripted only as to its start, i.e. at the toll of the schoolhouse bell at 9 am.
At that time, all groups (9th, 8th, Verdigri, Elliott’s, McLains) were tasked
with heading out and hopefully meeting and overcoming the adversary. Boys, there
is no more fun than an unscripted battle through a town such as we had here. We
also had trench warfare and an assault on the farm house twice during the other
battles.
Campfires were not the wildest we have had but some attention was given to
smelting, as usual.
Col. Amend gave a cartridge rolling seminar in the saloon on Saturday afternoon.
Men, if you are going to do it, you might as well do it right.
Per usual, we played some cards on Saturday night after the dance. I understand
that Cpl. Albert was not as lucky as usual. Fearing past pastings, however, I
stayed out of the contest. We also had some liquid refreshment, including some
“cherries” which may become a 9th tradition.
Over the course of the weekend, we distributed some much needed powder to the
troops. I will make a powder purchase to hopefully fill our needs for the rest
of the year.
Chili and cornbread were catered in on Saturday night. Watch out for those
“chives.” Many thanks to Cowtown for making that happen. Permit me to tender my
vote for pork steaks at future events.
Some old 9th alum came out to visit, among them former First Sgt’s Wayne Turner,
and Brian Shively, and former 2nd Sgt. Mike Haberkorn. Boys, these alum are
giants in the history of the 9th Texas and worthy of our respect for helping
mold the 9th into the unit it is today.
We had a truncated annual meeting at which company business, such as it was, was
addressed. Col. Amend gave a measured stump speech to kick off the campaign for
colonel of the Battalion. In the Missouri tradition, and although I don’t think
that Brad will need it, I plan to vote for Brad several times. That vote will
take place at the November Battalion meeting. The captains of the various
companies will be the electorate. I assume that there will be other qualified
candidates, however, I see no reason at present to depart from voting for Brad
when that date rolls around.
Thanks to all who paid their dues.
Homie was awarded to Pvt. Stickleman for his rather too fastidious handling of
bacon at the morning fire. Sgt. Downey knows better!
A mysterious goat made its appearance at the event and made several friends,
however, its precise role in the 9th is not fully known at present.
As in past year’s, the event was advertised a Saturday event only. I am torn
over whether the event should be advertised as a Saturday to Sunday event.
Clearly, we would benefit from more foot traffic on a Sunday, but without too
much public in, we essentially had the run of the place on Sunday to fight one
of these battles known as BRFR. In any event, I have been in touch with the City
administrator for Cowtown and he advised that the present manner of advertising
the event has best served its needs.
And then there was the “Guy on a Buffalo” (check your YouTube).
That’s all for now.
I remain, your obedient servant.
Brian Cox
Captain, commanding,
9th Texas Reg’t of Infantry
1st Missouri Battalion
Epilogue - and now, on to Gettysburg!
CIVIL WAR BUFF?
Join us!
There are lots of Civil War reenacting groups in the Midwest, and the 1st
Missouri Battalion has some of the finest. And there are some excellent federal
units as well, the 8th Kansas among them. Anyone interested in entering into the
big, wide, exciting world of Civil War reenacting would not go wrong with any
group in our Battalion. If you are reading this, you must be interested.
That said, let me make my pitch for the 9th Texas, a Confederate unit with men
mostly from Kansas and Nebraska, and the second oldest unit in the area. They
say, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Well, I say, there are no new
tricks to teach to my old dogs. As to non-coms and high privates, there are none
more experienced, bar none:
First Sgt. Randy Downey has been been reenacting since 1998.
First Cpl. Bob Albert has been in it since 1992.
Second Cpl. Herb Shemwell has been in it since 1997
Third Cpl. Mark Gianelloni has been in it since 1983.
Our own “high private” Chris Visser, who also occasionally steps up to colonel
to command whole armies, has been in it since 1990.
Among five (5) reenactors, that’s a century of reenacting experience.
Yes, “Been there, done that.”
If you are looking to join a Civil War reenacting unit, I guarantee that you
will find no other more experienced (and fun-loving) unit than the Ninth Texas.
Give us a try (see our contact page on this webpage for persons to contact for
more details).
Your obedient servant,
Brian Cox
Captain commanding,
9th Texas Reg’t of Infantry
First Missouri Battalion
P.S. As captain of the 9th, I have been in it since 1993.
AFTER ACTION REPORT - SPRING MUSTER
MARCH 22 - 23, 2013 - SNOW!!
The 9th participated with the 1st Missouri Battalion to kick off the third year
of the sesquicentennial reenacting campaign. Certainly, a less than auspicious
beginning - threats of poor weather kept attendance relatively low at a ballpark
of 250 soldiers, and ultimately the event was called after the 2:30 battle for
all to take their chances on the road home.
That said, we had two good battles on Saturday including some hand-to-hand on
Saturday morning. Those faithful from the 9th in attendance were:
Pvt. Nathan Edwards
Pvt. Braxton Thomas
Pvt. Jamie Ralph
Pvt./Sgt. Major Gary Sutton
Pvt. David Stickleman
Brevet 1st Sgt. Bob Albert
Brevet 1st Cpl. Mark Gianelloni
And your humble correspondent.
Present for Battalion Staff:
Col. Brad Amend
Lt. Col. Sam Looney
Pvt./Sgt. Major Gary Sutton
Other companies in attendance in addition to the 9th Texas were as follows:
Capt. Ron Ulrich’s 2nd Mo.;
Capt. Tim Ritter’s 3rd Mo. Dism.;
Capt. Chris Shuster’s 3rd Mo.;
Captain Daniel Keith’s 4th Mo.
The trip down to the site of the 1862 federal victory over the Rebs was
approximately 5 hours out of Topeka, and my traveling mates and I made good time
down to the border where Arkansas’ twisty roads took hold. But we arrived in
good spirits to a huge roaring fire compliments of Brevet 1st Sgt. Bob Albert.
The rest of the Battalion arrived in spits and spats over the course of the
evening. Inexplicably, registration was closed when we arrived around 9:30 pm.
As to amenities - there were clean porta-potties quite close to our camp, plenty
of wood although it was a little of a hike to get to it and it was mostly very
large, moist pieces, and plenty of water. But wholly insufficient straw. There
is no excuse for that, especially when a charge for attendance of the relatively
hefty $20 per head is charged.
Although much drill was promised, we got virtually none in, but there was good
reason for that, as I will detail.
On a good note, we had two battles on Saturday, one at 10 am and the other at
2:30 pm. Due to poor attendance by the Yanks, we had to send over a company, and
Captain Keith’s 4th Mo. bit the bullet and galvanized both days. And those boys
do look good in Blue, especially their captain and lieutenant!
Unexpectedly, Col. Amend told us after we have formed up for the morning battle
that the 9th would engage the galvanized 4th Mo. in hand-to-hand on the final
charge. I registered a protest for the short notice as there is always the
chance for someone getting hurt, even when the matter is rehearsed ahead of
time. But it came off smoothly, and it was a good battle.
Col. Amend had the good sense to cancel our participation after the afternoon
battle due to reports of worsening weather conditions, mostly north of the site.
And some bugged out prior to the afternoon battle.
Temperatures were mostly tolerable in the 40’s, I would guess, although it began
to mist as Saturday wore on.
The afternoon battle seemed more of the same absent hand-to-hand. Their
artillery had the upper hand on us as we had none to offer in response. And it
finally took its toll on the 9th as we took a canister hit and all went down.
Those who could still draw a breath saw the Yanks chase the rest of the
Battalion from the field. I was torn apart by the blast, but still breathing
when I saw Lt. George stride over, comment that I had previously bayoneted his
brother and then dashed out my brains with his pistol.
We fell in for the battles with the fighting men of Captain Ritter’s 3rd Mo.
Dismounted, and Captain Arbaugh’s 4th Arkansas. Good comrades! I noticed a
couple of gals dressed in infantryman’s kit in the unit to our right - 16th
Mississippi, I think. They were taking their final exam in a history class by
participating in the reenactment! What a way to learn.
After resurrection, we all returned to and broke camp, and faced the uncertain
trip home. The men from Wichita and environs apparently met little
precipitation, but my boys and I met capricious Mother Nature the closer we got
to KC and by the time we made the turn west onto I-70, the storm was in full
force and driving was near-dangerous.
That said, I think all are glad we went and survived to tell the tale. And now,
On to Cowtown!!
Your obedient servant,
Captain Brian Cox
Commanding 9th Texas Reg’t of Infantry
1st Mo. Battalion

Journal 2012
For all the
information and pictures and after actions report

Captain's Corner, a new link above for the Captain to keep us
informed
From the desk of Captain Brian
Cox, 9th Texas regiment of Infantry
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