News From Battalion

December 5, 2007

Gentlemen,

Col. Ward has asked me to inform you all, that since we did not received any
notice of major scheduling conflicts from you after our message proposing the
5th of January as the date of our annual battalion meeting, that this will be
the date of the meeting. Only Capt. Stich had a minor issue with that date but,
said that he will be able to make the meeting just possibly being a little late.
In order to accommodate Capt. Stich and all those others who have great
distances to travel we will be starting the meeting at 10:00AM central time
rather than 9:00AM. By doing so we will be allowing those who have much longer
distances to come a little more time. As normal, dress is casual but period
attire is welcome if you so choose. We ask that all company commanders be in
attendance if at all possible, and if not that they should appoint a subordinate
as the company's representative. We strongly encourage all NCOs to attend as
SGM. Gladden has a class of instruction for them. Also, please ask
all company musicians to attend if at all possible so that Sgt. Miles Ward can have some
time for Drum and Fife Corps instruction. We are requesting that "every" company
commander have at least one proposal for an event that he feels may interest the
battalion for the year 2008, of course that would be in addition to the major
event of the year, Gettysburg. Please forward to the Colonel or me your
suggestion for a battalion event for 2008 by December 31st. We would like to
have those suggestons prior to the meeting so that we may have as many details
as possible for the meeting. Gentlemen, below you will find Col. Wards'
directions to the meeting site in Princeton, KY.. Please disseminate these
directions to all who are planning on attending.

I remain your
humble servant,
Lt. Col. Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding
 

November 13, 2007

September 12, 2007

All Members of the Tenn. Valley Battalion,
As you are all aware, the opportunity to participate in the "Best Drilled Company" competition ended at Richmond, KY. We had two companies that competed
for this years title, those two companies were the KY. Company and the 46th Tenn.. Both are very well drilled units and hold a very special position in our
battalion. One typically serves as the 1st company in the battalion and the other serves as the last company of the battalion, both are very vital positions
in the battalion. The KY. Co. has had the distinction of holding the title of Best Driiled Unit every since we began the competition and should be commended
for such an incredible performance and record year after year. Since there will be no further events this year at which both the competeing units will be present, Col. Ward has directed me to send out this communique' to inform you all of the winner of this years competition. The competition was extremely close and both units
demonstrated incredible drill exercises and therefore deserve great respect for their efforts.

The winner of the Best Drilled Company Competition for 2007 is the 46th Tenn. commanded by Capt. David Belcher. The congratulations of the entire battalion, the battalion officers and staff go out the 46th Tenn.. We thank both the participating units for their efforts and willingness to constantly challenge themselves and to better themselves, by doing so both are winners. Unfortunately, only one can walk away with the title of Best Drilled Company and this year that unit is the 46th
Tennessee. Again, thank both the KY. Co. and the 46th Tenn. for your efforts and your continued excellent performance on and off the field.

I remain you humble servant,
Lt. Col. Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding
 

March 8, 2007

Per Lt. Colonel Brent Dukes Request:

January 24, 2007

Gentlemen,
At the request of our beloved Gen. Flowers I am regretfully forwarding the
letter below to you all. Gen. Flowers made an attempt to communicate this
message to you all but, due to changes in email addresses he had several to
return. Therefore, I am resending this message on his behalf. As stated in his
letter below, he has asked his Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Kirk McCollum, to take
his command effective immediately. Let us all now give Gen. McCollum the same
dedication and devotion which we have always given Gen. Flowers. I know that I
speak for us all when I say that Gen. Flowers will be sorely missed in our
ranks. He has always been the consummate example of the Southern Gentleman and
Leader. His presence is unequaled both on and off the field. He has been a
faithful and dedicated member of our Band of Brothers for more years than many
of us c an remember. I wish to say on a personal level that he has been to me
both a mentor, a very dear friend and a brother. We all wish him well and hope
for the day when he can once again return to our ranks and to us, his boys.

I remain your
humble servant,
Lt. Col. Brent Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding

November 25, 2006

Gentlemen of the TVB,

It is time again for our annual Battalion Meeting.

Any TVB member is welcome to attend. Dress for the meeting will be casual.  Inform your NCO's to bring their notebooks as they will have a separate session with the Sgt. Maj. (unless they are their Units only representative).  Also ask all musicians to attend as there will be a separate practice session for all battalion musicians under the direction of Sgt. Miles Ward.

For those who haven't been here before or who are like myself and tend to delete important info from their minds and computers. I will attempt to give some directions to the Lodge.

 >From the North + East (Louisville, Henderson, Ect.)

Take Wendel H. Ford (Western KY) Parkway

get off at Exit 13 (this is 293-a.k.a.-North Jefferson St.) turn left
(toward Princeton) follow to the first Stop sign approx. 1.8 mi (you will be
facing the Courthouse) turn right then immediately bear left and going
almost halfway around Courthouse Square to stop sign. Turn left you will be
on Main St. (a.k.a.-Hwy 91south )  ASAP get into the right-hand lane go 2
blocks then you will need to veer right Look for TVB signs (still on 91
south) it is now Hopkinsville St. Proceed to Masonic Drive approx. 1 mi. (
6th street on your left) the Lodge is behind Jerry's Market.

 

>From the  South ( Nashville, Clarksville, Ect.)

 

Come into Kentucky on I-24 get off at Exit # 56 (Cadiz-Princeton a.k.a. Hwy
139 ) turn right follow into Princeton approx. 12 miles Look for TVB sign (a
field howitzer and the American Legion will be on your left) turn right onto
Cadiz St. follow to Hopkinsville St.(hwy 19 south) approx 1/2 (one half) mi
  turn right proceed to Masonic Drive (5th street on your left) approx.1 mi.
the Lodge is behind Jerry's Market.

 

>From the West (Memphis, TN- Paducah, KY-- Ect)

>From I-24 take exit # 42 onto Wendel H. Ford (Western KY) Parkway get off at
Exit # 13 (this is 293 a.k.a. North Jefferson St.) turn right follow to the
First stop sign approx.1.8 mi. (you will be facing the Courthouse)--from
here the directions are the same as coming in from the North.

 

The following are some Telephone Numbers in case you have problems.

Clinton Masonic Lodge (270) 365-2200   I should be there 1 hour before the
meeting


If any additional info is needed please feel free to contact me. Also, if
you see I have left someone out please forward this to them and let me know
ASAP.

I remain your humble servant,
Lt. Col. Brent Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding

November 14, 2006

Gen. Huston,
Please allow me sir to thank you for your excellent performance on the field and in camp. You and your staff made every effort to treat all fairly and with respect. I have heard nothing but praise from the Tenn. Valley Battalion toward you and Gen. Huckabee and his brigade. We all look most forward to the opportunity to once again take to the field with you all and to continue our mutually beneficial relationship. It is wonderful to be able to take to the field with other like minded men and to
enjoy the camaraderie of those who have respect for all the men in our ranks.  Please express our gratitude to all the men in your brigade. 

I remain your humble servant,
Lt. Col. Brent Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding
 

November 14, 2006

Members of the 2nd Division,
I had the very great pleasure to command all the unattached Confederate military forces this weekend and found you all gracious, helpful, and carried out my orders and your duties with alacrity and intelligence.  It was such an honor to ride at the head of Huckabee's and Flowers' brigades, and I was gratified with the cooperation I received from the artillery and cavalry in attendance.  I wish to thank general Moore and his staff for their kindness and forbearance with me, as well.

We couldn't have had better weather and the Park did an excellent job taking care of us all.

Thanks for your loyalty and hard work.

All for Kentucky!

Warner Todd Huston
Acting General. 2nd Division, Perryville
Unattached
 

November 10, 2006

Dear Company Commanders,
I have been directed by our commanding officer, Col. Ward, to contact you with his proposed date for our Annual Battalion Planning Meeting. As you all are aware, the meeting is typically held in mid Jan. of each year. Col. Ward, is suggesting that the meeting be held on the 6th of Jan. beginning at 9:00 A.M. at its usual location at the Masonic Lodge in Princeton, KY.. We are asking that you all respond promptly to alert us if this date is an impossibility for you. We do need as many of the battalion's officers, staff, company commanders, company NCOs and company musicians to be in attendance as possible. There will a separate meeting for the NCOs and the musicians. Please do all within your power to set this date aside or to relate to us if there is a problem with this date. We need to hear from everyone receiving this communique' by no later than Wednesday evening, Nov. 15th, concerning the feasibility of this date. We anxiously await your replies.

I remain you
humble servant,
Lt. Col. B. Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding

October 10, 2006

Battalion Officers and Staff,
On behalf of the Colonel and myself, I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your wonderful performance and attention to duty at Perryville. We had
to make adjustments due to the need for substitutions and some serving for the first time in various roles, but you all stepped up and executed your duties admirably. The Colonel as always placed this battalion above his own self and comfort and sacrificed for every man in the ranks. Capt. Mercke served most effectively in dual roles as the Adjutant and the Major. SGM. Gladden did an exemplary job for the first time as the Sgt. Major. Capt. James was there to provide for the medical needs of the battalion. Capt. Green and Lt. Burnett rendered excellent security as the Provost and Asst. Provost. Sgt. Walsh with his bugling was instrumental in the battalion's movement on the field. Sgt. Miles Ward and the Drum and Fife Corp gave inspiration through music to the men. Cpl. Little and all of the other couriers under his command very effectively conveyed orders from one command to another. Chaplain Powers gave the men spiritual guidance. Lt. Bill Rissel of the KY. Co. served faithfully as the On Field Adjutant. Oderly Sgt. Persich gave the battalion staff assistance in whatever manner needed. And finally Pvt. Ernie Steff of the 5th KY. served wonderfully as a battalion general guide. Please forgive me if I have left someone out for it is not intentional. It goes without saying that we gravely missed all of our battalion officers and staff who were not able to attend for various reasons. Some were ill or had illness in their families and one was getting married. We do want them all to know that they were missed and that it is our hope that they will soon be able to join us again. A great battalion demands a great deal from us all and you all have given this battalion your best. I consider it an honor to serve with you all.
 

I remain
your humble servant,
Lt. Col. Brent Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding

October  10,2006

August 4, 2006

July 26, 2006

Shepardsville, KY

Any one in the area that would like to come out for the day or stay the night is welcome. We are trying to grow the event a little. The event is held on August 5th.  Contact me for any info.

Thanks,

Captain John Stitch

Commanding 5th Kentucky

June 15, 2006

Company Commanders,
As you are all aware, the battalion recently began a search for a new Sgt. Major after the resignation of SGM. Chuck Lindsey. After careful consideration, the Colonel has appointed Brian Gladden of the 46th Tenn. as the new Sgt. Major of the Tenn. Valley Battalion. SGM. Gladden came with high recommendations from Capt. Belcher and 1st Sgt. Don Lewis and has had a great deal of experience as a company NCO. Both the Colonel and I interviewed all those interested in the position and were very impressed by the applicants for this post. SGM. Gladden will be taking this commission immediately and will be the acting Sgt. Major at our maximum effort event at Perryville, KY. in Oct. We would like to thank SGM. Gladden, Capt. Belcher, the 46th Tenn. and all applicants for their willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the battalion. Another applicant for the post, Pvt. Ernie Steff of the 5th KY., will be in training as a replacement for SGM. Gladden in the event that SGM. Gladden is not able to attend a battalion event. We are most grateful for the interest that was shown in the Sgt. Major's position and are very appreciative of those who have stepped forward and have been willing to serve for the betterment of our great battalion.

I remain
your humble servant,
Lt. Col. B. Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding
 

June 8, 2006

Company Commanders,
I have been instructed by Col. Ward to alert you all to a change in the battalion staff. Regrettably, our present Sergeant Major, Chuck Lindsey, due to outside demands is finding it necessary to resign from his post. SGM. Lindsey, has done an outstanding job as our Sergeant Major and will be sorely missed in that position by us all. He will be returning to duty in his home company, the 48th Tennessee. It is for this reason that we are requesting that you, the company commanders, notify this office if you have anyone in your unit who is interested in  serving in the position of the battalion's sergeant major. The applicant needs to have at least two years of reenacting experience, be affiliated and in good standing with a unit of the Tenn. Valley Battalion and be willing to quickly learn the duties of this office so that he will be competent in those duties by this year's maximum effort event at Perryville, KY.. We are asking that you send us no more that one applicant from each company. We will be accepting names for the next two weeks until June the 6th. Upon receipt of the names of those applying the battalion staff will review them and interview those applicants to determine what man is best qualified and who best meets the needs of the battalion. This position is obviously a very important position on the battalion staff and only those willing to commit wholeheartedly should apply for this post. Please send this office the name, address, email address and phone number of those applying. Please include any remarks concerning their particular qualifications and your reasons for recommending them to this post. Once again please allow me, on behalf of the battalion officers, staff and the entire battalion to express our sincere appreciation to SGM. Chuck Lindsey for a job well done and for his sacrifice in his service to this battalion.

I remain your
humble servant,
Lt. Col. B. Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding
 

June 8, 2006

All members of the Tenn. Valley Battalion,
The message below was sent to all company commanders approximately two weeks ago asking for nominees for the position of the Sergeant Major of the Tenn. Valley Battalion. We have had some recommendations for this post from various company commanders. As you can see in the message below, today is the last date for recieving applications for this very important position. If anymore of you have an interest in this position but have not yet relayed your interest to your company commander please do so by the end of this evening. I am sending out this one last notice so that each and every man eligible has the opportunity to be considered for this post. We, the battalion officers, will begin our deliberations and discussions on all prospects tomorrow to fill this post since it is very necessary that the post be filled promptly in order to give that person time to prepare for his new role in the battalion before our maximum effort event at Perryville, KY.. We are hopeful that we will be able to name a replacement person to this post by the end of the week. Once that person is determined, his name will be forwarded to all company commanders and be posted on the battalion website.

I Remain
Your Humble Servant,
Lt. Col. B. Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding

May 30, 2006

Lt. Col. Dukes,
I am honored to be offered a position with the battalion staff and I graciously accept. Thank you for considering me and offering me the position. I shall serve honorably and respectfully.
Your obedient servant,
Pvt. Shane Persich 

Orderly Sgt. Persich,
We are most pleased that you have decided to accept the post of Orderly Sgt. on the battalion staff. We are looking forward to serving with you for the betterment of this great battalion.

Your obedient servant,
Lt. Col. B. Dukes
Tenn. Valley Battalion
Col. Robert L. Ward, Commanding
 

May 23, 2006

In camp near Sacramento, KY

Company Commanders,

 I have to honor to report to everyone the following summary of how our fair battalion did on the field on battle over the weekend. 

The day weather was great and the men enjoyed a fine Battalion drill on the early mourning grass.  Once drill was finished, the battalion was broken into companies and the men were able to receive there pay.  There were quite a few deductions from the men for all kinds of infractions.  The men were glad to have money in their pockets to pay off debts, and the rest went to the sutlers.

Our battalion marched onto the field Saturday with a grand total of 158 soldiers, 140 of them carrying a rifle.  We engaged the enemy that afternoon, breaking into separate wings to try and flank them.  The Yankee’s deployed artillery on our right flank, and the Kentucky Company succeed in driving them from their position.  They eventually reformed and destroyed Captain Bolin’s brave company.  The rest of the right wing sustained heavy damage from cannon fire and Yankee infantry.  The left wing was able to advance on the enemy and the battle ended in a draw.  The evening hours passed with a fine meal put on by the loyal Southern People of this fine town, and we all gathered to watch a fine minstrel show at the Kentucky Company’s Camp.

The battle was also well attended with the TVB able to field 120 rifles.  We were once again broken in to wings when we attacked the enemy.  The right wing took the heavies casualties being the first one to engage, but Col Ward was able to maneuver the left wing to out flank the Yank’s.  We were able to reform the battalion into one battle line and drive the enemy from the field with a grand charge. 

I want to thank all company commanders for their effort on the field and look forward to the next time we are together.

I remain your most obedient servant,

Captain Brian Mercke

Adjutant TVB
Col Robert Ward Commanding

Captain Rick Hoover

Commanding, 1st Tennessee Infantry Company D

Date:  February 27, 2006

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