An Cosantóir

30 | ÉIRINN GO BRÁCH (IRELAND FOREVER) BY 1ST SGT WESLEY BOURKE PHOTOGRAPHS BY BILLY GALLIGAN "Come on boys up and over let's get out of here, they're pressing us," these pessimistic words went through the ranks like a domino. One by one the men broke and ran. Captain Keith Jacknan was not impressed. For days he'd been drilling his men for this very moment. Now at the first sight of the grey southerners his lads have turned yellow. No point of the sword or cries from the NCOs to "Stand boys. We can hold them," could get them to stand firm. The enemy was only a small Confederate patrol. Capt Jackman wondered how the men would react under hail of cannon balls and confronted by tens of thousands of southern troops. T his July 4 weekend in the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh the American Civil War was brought to life. Irelands own Minstrel Boys ranks were filled with visiting members of the German Mess, The American Eagle Society (UK), and the 5th Virginia (Historische DarstellungsGruppe München). Before the first major engage- ment at Manassas junction on July 21 1861, both the Union and Confederacy had to raise armies. Militia units were called up and new volunteers trained in. For the publics amusement we did just that. With 30 men some of whom were 'fresh fish,' while others had 'never seen the elephant' (two 19th century expressions to describe 'new recruits' and 'soldiers who had never seen battle before') the task ahead was not easy. 2nd Sgt Andy Braeunling and myself as 1st Sgt were instructed to put the company through their paces. With Baxter's Manual for Volunteers in one hand we did all we could to get the men ready for their first big fight. Armies haven't changed all that much in 150 years. All a soldier has to know is his left and right and be able to count one and two, this is the easy bit. In a battleline the men are in two ranks, one in front and one to the rear. When marching in column they are in files of four. Easier said than done, we haven't even thrown in a musket yet. Like the militia of the day, these re-enactors only drill every so often. However much to the disgust of Lt Gareth Harding they barely knew their left from right. As it is the way in the army the Lt gives out to the 1st Sgt, the 1st Sgt gives out to the Cpl, and the Cpl gives out to the Pte. The public of course lap up the roaring and shouting. "Get your dressing", "that's your right foot that's your left". Little did the public know we weren't acting. The arms drill was designed to make it easy for the men on the march and of course loading and firing as quickly as possible at the enemy. There were two principle formations; the battleline and the skirmish ling. In the battleline men An Cosantóir December 2011

• Cover