Recreate

       Preserve

           Protect
B.S.P.A

Reenactors and B.S.P.A. members at the beginning of the rededication ceremony.  Thanks to the efforts of many this project is complete!

EVENT IS A SUCCESS!
By BSPA Vice-President Art Culp

 On Friday Morning, April 27^th, my son Don and I left for Gettysburg.  We were to be involved with tours for Friends of the National Park Services, Gettysburg members.

       Early Saturday morning we met with Mike Eastman, Co. C 2^nd Regt. and Doug Wicklund, staff member of NRA National Firearms Museum.  Our tour, one of 10, was “What is a Berdan Sharpshooter?”  Don was in overall control and spoke on history, formation of units, uniform and accoutrements.  Mike did the Sharps rifle, I the Colt Revolving rifle, and Doug gave an outstanding history on the Enfield Whitworth sniper rifle.

       We then left via bus, Mike giving an account of actions on Berdan’s movement to Pitzer’s Woods.  After this we traveled to Little Round Top, Mike again accounting actions there.  Thus ended the morning tour.

      The afternoon tour was a repeat of the morning; however, at Pitzer’s Woods, members of Co. C 2^nd Regt. gave a skirmish line firing demo.  An additional feature was added, a Confederate unit was doing a “living history” event at the same time.  They gave us a look at the formation used by the 33^rd Va. “Shenandoah Sharpshooters” in a firing demo.

       Much thanks is to be given to Doug Wicklund, Mike Eastman, Don Culp, and members of Co. C 2^nd Regt.  Although not a Berdan member, Doug’s knowledge of firearms was greatly enjoyed and appreciated.

 The BSPA received a nice check from FNPG for our presentation.

Below are copies of the April 2001 letter from Friends and Thom’s response:

 Dear Tom,

 On behalf of the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg I want to thank you and your fellow reenactors for a great job. I thank you for all the time and energy you put on your presentation at our annual meeting. Thanks for your support of the National Parks at Gettysburg.

Sincerely,
Barbara Vossler
Chair events committee

  From all of us within the BSPA, I would like to return the thanks to the Friends for their continued support of our cause. We are all working for the same goal, to preserve our history. We certainly appreciate all your efforts!
Sincerely,
Thom