Pardon the previous letter attached to the above date. The following should make much better sense(we hope).

Possums and Pouchlings,

I appreciate those that took the time to vote for the future of the 14th Tennessee. Whether it was myself or Kermit who ended up commanding, both of us had the same desire in regards to seeing that the 14th will continue to have a future. The lessons I have learned over the years in various command positions have taught me to pick a few goals each year and make them happen instead of too many... applying the resources available to one or two specific goals. My major goal is to get all of you interested in supporting your unit through attendance and second, to recruit. The reason recruiting is not first: why recruit when there are so many members in the unit already, who have all the gear, don't have to be outfitted, and already now how to reenact. You can’t recruit into a unit if there is no unit at the reenactment to recruit into. So, the first step is going to be whether you fellows want the unit to survive and the only way its going to do so is with your participation. Once we can show potential recruits that there is a unit to join, others and myself will see that the loaner gear and enlistment forms are ready to go.

So…how do I get you interested in participating more? Well, lets start with the agenda for next year. A live shoot in February, participating with the ACWA at Knights Ferry and showing them an example of how to do a campaign impression (we impressed the hell out of them and had a lot of fun this year and there is the possibility to pull a few recruits at this event), a Possum initiation in April at the Mariposa event (myself, the new colonel and a few others), a tactical in around Santa Maria, and helping out the RACW at Nevada City in September. All this is in addition to the regular NCWA schedule. Are you expected to do all this? That’s up to you, these are just a few more things to do as a unit and participate in the camaraderie that comes with it. I certainly understand family and work commitments as I do have both. All your company asks is that you give what you can to keep it going.

You all can expect a few minor changes in the day-to-day operation of the company, as my style of commanding will be different. I will not ask more out of any one of you than I am prepared to give myself. The one place you will find me very demanding and expecting everyone to do their job will be on the battlefield. As for changes to the unit, I do not expect anything on a grand scale nor will any be made without the guidance and input of your seasoned NCOs.

Speaking of NCOs, due to the rank ratio allotments and lack of attendance there will only be two until further notice. They will be Dave Lund at First Sergeant and Jim Thompson at Corporal. As rank ratio and attendance improves we will add a Second Sergeant and another Corporal. These latter two ranks will be offered to individuals in the company based on attendance and willingness to get the job done. If the numbers are there, we will incorporate these two positions at the first rank ratio event.

One more item and then we’ll call it enough for now. As the Commanding Officer of the 14^th Tennessee, if there are not enough of you boys to field a company during the engagements, I will ask another company to take you in and I will volunteer my services to Headquarters. I would rather be Provost or some other staff yeller dog position than play second officer to someone else while they allowed the remnants of the 14^th to fill out their ranks and fight with them.

At one time, and fairly recently at that, the 14^th Tennessee Co. B "Palmyra Possums" was the premier campaign unit on the west coast. Ready to be there again?

Regards,

Lt. A.S. Fuzie, Commanding

14^th Tennessee, Co. B

Lenhardt’s Legion, ANV

Boys, Bobby Lloyd has offered to coordinate a live fire in the San Juan Batista area. The date has been set for February 12, 2000. This is the Saturday of Presidents Day weekend(Monday is Valentines Day). We are looking to start things off at 11am that morning and finish off around 4pm. All efforts will be made to bring a unique and fun experience for all. Uniforms are the order of the day. It is required that all members of the 14^th who plan to attend must reply to the Unit CO by email or telephone by the last Saturday of this month, January 29^th. If there is not enough interest in making this happen from the members at large Bobby has been given orders not to proceed with the live shoot. The directions and exact location will be sent in a mailing the first week in February.

Lt. Fuzie has bought a new computer and has been railroaded by " a rebate " from Prodigy used to purchase the computer which has caused him to change his email address. Tony Fuzie’s new email address is FOOTCAV@prodigy.net. It is expected that he will be notifying everyone with a request for a return email from a broadcast he will be making in the near future. To reach him by telephone call (707)446-9869 before 830PM daily.

Its time to crack the check books open again and send in your NCWA membership forms and most importantly, your dues. Each membership form that reaches the NCWA before March 1^st brings in $5 to the company’s war chest and every little bit helps.

The first half of this year for official as well as unofficial events are as follows(dates given are as of January 17, 2000).

February 12, 2000 - Live Fire, San Juan Batista area. RSVP by January 29, 2000

March 11-12, Camp Parks Winter Quarters, School of the Soldier. This event has been made a NCWA Rank Ratio Event

March 25-26, Knights Ferry, ACWA

April 1-2, Gibsons Ranch, NCWA Rank Ratio Event

April 7,8 & 9, Oakley Tactical, Santa Maria

April 29-30, Mariposa, NCWA Rank Ratio Event(Possum Initiation Event)

May 27-29 Ardenwood, NCWA Rank Ratio Event

All members of the 14^th Tennessee who are due for initiation must submit their names to the First Sergeant by the end of the April 1-2 event at Gibsons Ranch.

The point of contact for this event will be Mike Lenhardt, the NCWA Confederate Commander. Acting Capt. Lenhardt will be commanding the 14^th Tennessee at the request of Lt. Fuzie who will not be able to make it to this event. Contact Capt. Lenhardt at Longstreet@aol.com or call him at (209)599-6659.