| News of the 31st Alabama & 17th Iowa |
| Welcome to the news page of the 31st Alabama & 17th Iowa. Here you will find news that we feel is important to share with you. |
| We would like to take the time & say Thank You for coming to look at our website. We are a newly formed family unit that is currently seeking more members. You do not have to be military to join this unit. We are looking for all impressions (garrison, hardcore, family military, civilian, medical, special impressions, etc.). The founding members of this unit have been with other units before. Our primary goal is to portray one of the greatest periods in history, while at the same time having fun and fellowship. |
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| The Spring season of Civil War reenacting is about to begin. We are very excited to see the beginning of this year. There are going to be several good events this year and we can't wait. We hope to see you there. Come Join Us! |
| Our 1st event as a new unit has come and gone, and it was a BLAST! We had lots of great food and great company. Everyone enjoyed themselves and can't wait to get back out there at the next event. We have a few pictures to share from this event. Please take a look. |
| Our second event was just as good as the first one, despite the monsoon of rain we had over the weekend. We were again fed on Saturday night. It was close event, distance wise and we all enjoyed it. The field of battle was a nice size and in a position for everyone to see all the action. Check out a few of the photos from the event. |
| Our third event was an out-of-state event in Kennesaw, Georgia. Although we did not get fed at this event as we did at the previous two events, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It rained on us after we set up on Friday night, but it was clear and sunshiney the rest of the weekend. The reenactment was held on actual battlegrounds. The lay of the land was conducive for all to see. The camping areas were nice and easy to get to. There were about 800 to 1000 reenactors on hand for this event. On Saturday, there were 2000 spectators on the grounds with about 100 lining the street. On Sunday, there were 1500 spectators on the grounds with about 100 lining the street. A good crowd was on hand. All in all, this was a great event. We hope to return next year. Take a look at some of the photos from this wonderful event. |
| We have finished our Spring season of reenacting by having a blast at Tannehill on Memorial Day weekend. And a literally mean a blast. On Saturday of the event, the men of the 31st AL went on the field as infantry. On Sunday, they took a different route of destruction. They worked on the cannons. One was the gun commander and the other one worked as a powder monkey delivering the rounds to the gun crew. Definitely a sight to watch. They had the best time of all that day. Check out a few of the pictures from that day. |
| We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to General Ken Sumner on the death of his wife, Shelia on Monday, July 17th. You are in our thoughts and prayers. |
| Our fall half of the reenacting season got off to a great start. We attended the Battle of Tunnel Hill reenactment in Tunnel Hill, GA. On Saturday, the members in attendance played as Federal infantry and lost. On Sunday, the guys traded in their muskets and walking by playing Confederate artillery. Again, they lost...but that doesn't matter to them. They loved playing. I, myself, was allowed behind the fort to take some fantastic pictures. The fort was captured by the Federal army. All in all, it was a great event. Pictures are available. |
| At the event of Tunnel Hill, GA, we the 31st Alabama Infantry, Co. G donated $100 dollars to the Tunnel Hill Historical Society in Shelia Sumner's name and memory. Her husband was greatly honored by the gesture. The Historical Society said that they appreciated the gesture as well and it would be recognized in her name. Ken Sumner has done so much for the site at Tunnel Hill. We greatly appreciate all that he has done. |
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| Congratulations to Eric and Jamie Cleveland on the birth of their daughter Anya Brynn Cleveland. She was born on October 11, 2006. She is the first child for Eric and Jamie. |
| Congratulations are also in order for a couple of friends of the 31st AL. Barry Rich and Gina Knight were united in marriage on November 4th in a private Civil War ceremony at Missionary Ridge. Congratulations guys. We wish you a long and happy marriage. |
| We are sending our get well wishes to a member of our reenacting family. Henry Howard has had several medical problems here recently. We wish him well. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. |
| We would like to thank Robert from Selden's Battery for allowing the men of the 31st AL to join them on the cannons at several of the events that we have attended. Thank You, Robert. |
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| The second event of our fall season was Old Baker Farm located in Harpersville, AL, several miles from the Coosa River. This was just a small skirmish as the Confederates tried to protect the earthworks nearby from the Federals who moved in during the night. The Confederate troops were able to force the Federals to turn and leave the town. |
| The third event of the fall season was just a short day trip for us. We went for the day as two of our friends were getting married in a Civil War period wedding. The event was Missionary Ridge in the northeastern corner of AL. The men of the unit decided that since there was only four of them that they wanted to play artillery with Selden's Battery. The fun part of this event was that the artillery pieces were on the ridge overlooking the valley. Of course, I was able to make the climb up the ridge with the boys and get some absolutely fabulous pictures. You will need to check them out. |
| The last event of the fall season was the Battle for the Armory in Tallasee, AL. As always, it was a wonderful event. It was a chilly weekend, but everyone seemed to have fun. On Sunday, the boys played artillery as they have been doing at several events when there is just a few of them. Again, I was able to get behind the artillery line with them to take some pictures. |
| This has been a great year for us. We have made several new additions to our group. We have added several new soldier members as well as the birth of Anya Cleveland. I believe that we have a least doubled in size since we began a year ago, January 14, 2006. Our Christmas party held on December 2, 2006 was wonderful. It was held at the Cohen's house in Goodwater, AL, which still seems to be the central point for all of the members of the 31st AL, Co. G. Most everyone was able to attend and their was plenty of food available to all. |
| We, as in the 31st AL, Co. G would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Robert Beams of Selden's Battery on the unexpected death of the brother Buster Beams. Robert, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. |
| Again, we must send our regards to Ken Sumner. Only a few short months after losing his wife, Ken was forced to have to put his horse Ginger to sleep. She suffered internal injuries from a fall at his ranch that would not heal. We will all miss Ginger as she was a good horse. |
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