Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

[Dutchman Dick]

I live in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. For those of you unfamiliar with this place, it's in the northeastern Upper Peninsula, right across the Saint Mary's River from Sault Sainte Marie, Canada (the two cities were once one, when this part of Michigan was under first French, then British, control). It's also the second oldest city in the U.S., after St. Augustine, Florida.

Anyway, I am trying to find a unit to join in my area. As I mentioned in another post, I know somebody who used to be part of an artillery unit, but the unit dissolved several years ago (too much liability, or something like that), and they don't do any re-enacting any more. I could do plenty of F&I or Rev. War re-enacting up here, but I want to get into Civil War re-enacting. After all, my g-g-grandfather was a Union soldier (75th NYVI)!

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

It may have been helpful to do what Mr. Corbin said.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...play.php?f=100

[AlanR357]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

Dear DD If you get down to Mackinac Island, stop in the Fort and talk to Joe Frost, Joe is the lead military interpretor. He can direct you to some quality units in the upper mid-west. Good Luck. If your willing to travel to the lower Part of Michigan we have a gaggle of units down here.

[TKlas]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

Hi Richard,

You may want to get in contact with Jeremie Moore. Jeremie is a member of the Citizens Guard and ONV and lives in Hancock, MI.

You can e-mail Jeremie at jmoore1771@yahoo.com for more information regarding his mess called the Superior Rifles based out of the UP.

Good luck with your search,

Tom

[Motown]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

I'd recommend the Supierior Rifles as well. If I'm correct, they are the only UP based reenactment unit.

Or you can do what I do and drive five plus hours to get a rendevous site, then drive however many hours it is to the event.

I'm only in the Soo from September to April, but if you'd like, you can PM me and we can discuss it more

-Andre Le'donovin
French Pronuncitation is Cooler Mess

EDIT- Oh, and Le Sault de Sainte Marie is the Third oldest city in North America, after St. Augustine and Santa Fe, New Mexico. I learned that at a rest stop on I-75

[Garrett Silliman]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

EDIT- Oh, and Le Sault de Sainte Marie is the Third oldest city in North America, after St. Augustine and Santa Fe, New Mexico. I learned that at a rest stop on I-75

Since you brought it up - would it even be in the top ten?
Considering Santa Fe, Jamestown, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Boston etc. I know, secondary to the gents original idea, but...

[Motown]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

Very true.

I've heard it claimed several different ways; Oldest city, oldest founded city, oldest continuously occupied city, etc. Of which none can really be agreed solidly upon. 1668 is usually considered the date of the original founding of Sault Ste. Marie, when Jacques Marquette built a small mission along the banks of the St. Mary's. It's a great historical area.

But I digress. Back to the original point, there have been several leads to continue your search. Once again, I don't really reenact too much up there, and I don't believe there is much going on, but if you'd like, contact me and we can talk about it some more

[paulcalloway]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

Somebody needs to put together a living history at Fort Mackinaw. I know I'd be interested - it'd probably have to be an early war event, if I remember my history correctly after the war started most of the troops were moved out of there and only a solitary guard was left to manage the fort for the majority of the war.

Sault Sainte Marie - drove all the way there (6+ hours) for an appointment once and got stood up (Lake State).

[KCLoewe]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

I do know that there is an event at Ft. Wilkins either every year or every other year. The fort is in Copper Harbor which is the northern most point in the Kewanaw (sp?) Penninsula, or 5+ hours from Mackinaw. It's a prewar fort that also had a small garrison during the war. Mackinaw would be quite fun too. A bunch of my friends filmed the School of the Soldier videos there.

[Dutchman Dick]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

I haven't been to Ft. Mackinaw since before I was in high school (Class of '89!). Haven't had the opportunity to go since, but I'm hoping to take my kids when they're old enough to appreciate it (I loved it from the time I was in Kindergarten! :) ). I have never been to Ft. Wilkins, but that's also on my to-do list, along with a lot of other places I've either never been before, or haven't seen since I was a kid and want to see at my own pace (rather than my parents'). I used to do RevWar re-enacting in Philadelphia, at Olde Ft. Mifflin (3rd R.I. Train of Artillery). The things you get to see, and the places you get to go, when you're a Navy brat...:D

[AlanR357]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan




Next year the 4th Texas Co. E will return to Fort Mackinac and garrison it as the Stanton Guard. The Stanton Guard was mustered for the express use of guarding 3 political prisoners from Nashville TN. Two Generals and a Judge. Judge Jo Conn Guild was a long time friend of Gov. Andrew Johnson. Guild refused to sign the oath, and was put in prison for it. The three were moved to Detroit, (Fort Wayne), but the commander there had been paroled in Texas in an exchange and refuse to keep them. They stayed only briefly in Detroit, but where there, they were invited to parties and escorted around town as celebrities. Word got back to Stanton and he ordered them to be sent someplace that no one would see them. Mackinac Island's fort was in disrepair, and needed much work before it could be used, and a Guard Mustered. The three were housed in the local Hotel and given much respect. Not at all what Johnson wanted.

By the end of May 1862 they were moved to the Fort and under the watch of Captain Wormer and the Stanton Guard. They stayed on the Island until Guild and Barrows signed the oath of allegiance to the US, General Harding was moved to Johnson's Island Oh. The Fort was again closed until after the war.

The reenacting staff that works at the Fort portrays a Garrison squad from the 1890's, but when we come up to play, they can't help but put on the 1860's Blues. Joe Frost is my Adjutant and the lead historical interpretor at the Fort. His photo and our last event at the Fort are included above for your enjoyment.

[grumpy]

Re: Looking for a unit to join in/near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

Dutchman Dick,

I'm the guy who formed that artillery unit (5th Wisconsin Battery) and organized the event at the River of History Museum.

The 5th Wisconsin Battery has not taken the field since 2002. Liability had nothing to do with it. We had six members join the military and serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. Three members were injured(myself included in non reenactment related injuries. That left just two members ready to take the field and one of those very rarely showed up:tounge_sm

One of guns was sold to unit near New Orleans, La and the other one is on loan to the Albert & James Lyon Camp #266, SUVCW.

I myself, am looking for an infantry unit or I could possibly be interested in helping to get one going in our area. I live twenty miles west of the Soo.

I know there enough units out there already, but a lot of guys live within a few minutes of several units and don't realize how remote we are up here.
At most events you usually fall in together with several other units anyway.

Events are not the issue when talking about distance. Everyone has to drive to get to an event.
The nearest unit to us is based in Traverse City which is 140 miles from the Soo.
That sucks when you have to drive 140 miles one way for a monthly unit meeting or drill.

PM me and I'll give you my number.

Thanks,
grumpy (Steve Charles)