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original Company I, (McLean County Rifles) was mustered into service
on May 30th 1861 and was commanded by Captain William T Blanchard.
They numbered some 127 men in all. The Company history follows the
regimental history with the exception that in May 1862, Company I
together with companies C,G & H, split from the main body to join
Brigadier General George D. Bayard, to fight against Major General
Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, in the Shenandoah Valley.
They reunited with the rest of the regiment in September 1862. They
mustered out with the rest of the Bucktails on May 31st 1864 at Bethesda
Church. They had suffered 60 casualties, 21 killed, 38 wounded and
1 missing. |
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The
re-enactment group was founded in 1985 by Brian (Beau) Garoghan,
who commanded the unit until 1997 when he stepped back into the
ranks, and command of the unit was passed on to Lt. Clive Hooker.
In 2002 Clive went off to join the provost and command passed to
Beau's son Lee (Laa Laa) Garoghan.
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very young Beau. |
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There
are at present some 25 (23 fighting) Bucktails in the unit, most living
in the SE, but some from as far as Bristol and Northampton. The unit
has a strong friendship bond and we regularly meet up for social occasions
as well as at battles. The command structure currently consists of
a lieutenant, first sergeant, ordnance sergeant and two corporals.
More ... |
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Most
members of the unit have a strong interest in the history
of the period, and will be more than pleased to help any member
of the public at our events, to a better understanding of
the ACW and its European links.
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As
a reenactment group we strive to achieve as an accurate historical
portrayal of the original Bucktails as possible. Both on the
battle field and around the camp. On the field, like the original
Bucktails, we prefer to fight as skimershers out in front of
the main force and in the thick of the fighting. Around camp,
like the original Bucktails, we like to party! |
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The
original Bucks. |
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very young Lee |
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The
group are members of the Southern Skirmish Association ( SOSKAN
) and regularly take part in both SOSKAN and ACWS events throughout
the year. At events, the regiment will take part in the camp
activities, guard duties and of course, the battles. We all
strive along with our colleagues to bring the American Civil
War to life and, hopefully , not only entertain the public,
but educate them at the same time. The best way to learn anything
is to take part, so come along to one of our events, travel
back in time, and enjoy learning about our and our American
cousins history. |
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A
common question is "Why is the American Civil War being
re-enacted in the UK?" |
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America
in the 1860's was a young nation, being made up for the most
part of recent immigrants from all over Europe, and consequently
thousands of Europeans took part in the war on both sides. Many
people in Europe can trace back to relatives who took part.
Indeed, Britain had very strong links with the Southerners,
and very nearly took a more active part in the war.
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