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Dear visitor,
Welcome to the home page of Company A, 7th Regiment of United States Infantry Living History Association, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation. We are glad you found us!
As you travel through our site we hope to make you better acquainted with the early history of our country and the role-played in its development by the 7th Regiment of United States Infantry.
The 7th is nicknamed "The Cottonbaler Regiment." This sobriquet stems from the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. There are two small falsehoods about these last two statements. For generations Americans have been taught that the Battle of New Orleans, which actually occurred at Chalmette, almost eight miles from the heart of the city, was fought behind bales of cotton. This is not true.
Jackson's line stretched almost a mile in length and was constructed of mud, earth, and logs. Some cottonbales were used around the embrasures of the artillery pieces. It was found these tended to ignite from the fire of the artillery creating choking and blinding smoke. The bales were eventually covered with mud. Some were also used as the foundations for gun platforms.
The battle for New Orleans actually commenced on December 23, 1814 when the American Army staged a daring night attack against advanced elements of the British force several miles below Chalmette. Leading the way in this engagement was the 7th Regiment. During a critical moment in the battle the 7th crossed bayonets with British soldiers and by their aggressive action saved the American battery from capture. According to Regimental tradition "The Girl I Left Behind Me" became the Regiment's march during this engagement. It is the music you hear as the background to our page. On the main action of January 8th the Regiment, along with a detachment of Marines, and Beal's Rifles, counterattacked the British light column, which had successfully captured the American forward redoubt preventing exploitation of this breach. From these engagements the esprit d' corps and elan which mark today's active duty regiment and our living history organization was born.
Our organization prides itself not only on attention to historic authenticity but to developing and maintaining that esprit d' corps among its members. Company A is a family. Each member dedicates him or herself to looking out for the other.
The active duty Regiment is the most decorated unit in American Military history. From the War of 1812 through Desert Storm 88 campaign streamers, Presidential unit citations and various foreign awards for valor and merit adorn its Regimental Colors.
On Saturday January 4, 1997 our unit was accorded the highest honor ever received by a living history organization. On the field at Chalmette the active duty 7th Infantry bestowed the privilege of carrying on our Colors the same streamers attached to theirs. We are the only living history organization in this country which has ever been accorded so high an honor and responsibility! On special occasions these streamers are placed on our Standards and proudly exhibited for all to see. They serve to remind us of the unparalleled history of the active duty Regiment, and the ultimate sacrifice paid by many Cottonbalers to help maintain and further our Nation. We maintain close ties with the active duty regiment and The 7th Infantry Regiment Association.
Aside from our beautifully reproduced Regimental and National Standards Company A is also proud owner and creator of what is believed to be the largest hand sewn Garrison Flag currently in use in the United States. Copied from an original it measures 13' on the hoist and 21' on the fly.
Company A 7th Regiment of U.S. Infantry Living History Association was founded in 1988 in Ft. Worth, TX by Steve Abolt, John Gattis and Bruce Winders. Originally known as "The Jacksonian Society" it officially took on the designation of Company A, 7th Regiment of United States Infantry in 1989. It has grown from three members to now, ten years later, over 100. We have members in more than 15 different states. Within our ranks are Ph.D.'s, historians, attorney's, curators, psychologists, educators, accountants, counselors, park rangers, law enforcement personnel, housewives, students etc. All are dedicated to preserving and recreating the history of this proud regiment during the years spanning 1810-1850. This is accomplished through what is known as the medium of "living history."
The living history phenomenon has been growing by leaps and bounds within this country. For those who are unfamiliar with this term or its by product "living historian" some explanations might be in order. Living historians are those who through the use of material culture, such as authentically reproduced garments, accoutrements, tools, etc. attempt to recreate eras now past by actually living and acting as individuals from a by gone era. Equally essential to the material items is the ability to research and use that research in fully rounded portrayals. By bridging the gap of years from then and now living historians try to recreate the past in an effort to educate not only themselves but the general public in which they come in contact. Simply put living history is education through action
By our very name you can see that we are a military living history organization. We focus on the years of 1810-50. This is the time prior to the War of 1812 to the close of the Mexican War. This forty-year time span was a burgeoning period for our Nation. Vast territories were opened. The Jacksonian era was born helping to create the idea of the common man. Indian removal was effected leading to the First and Second Seminole Wars, the Creek War and the Black Hawk War.
The old southwest saw rapid development and Texas went from a colony of Spain to a Mexican State, to an independent Republic to finally the 28th State in the American Union. One of the Regiments which featured so prominently in this development was the 7th Regiment.
Raised originally in Kentucky the 7th was a "Regular" regiment. In other words they were professional soldiers in the service of the Federal Government. It was the Regular soldier who was generally the first into new territories expanding American ideals and law, at the same time being shunned by his fellow countryman, and constantly having his belt tightened by a penny pinching congress.
Discipline in Regular regiments was harsh. As modern Americans it sometimes seems incomprehensible to understand the gulf between officers and enlisted men, laundresses and ladies. Members of Company A maintain a high discipline while at events. They pride themselves on their esprit d' corps, ability to drill, maneuver, maintain their equipment, and to wear the complete proscribed uniform. This includes the infamous leather stock, referred to by their 19th century counterparts as "dog collars."
Each new recruit who joins is assigned a number, names are rarely used while on duty, and placed under the care of an experienced soldier. He is taught how to properly wear his uniform, salute his officers and maintain his equipment. No member of this unit is considered a soldier until he has stood his first active guard duty.
For the time period covered three American drill manuals are used. For the War of 1812 we use Smyth's. For the 1820's we use Scott's. For the 1830's and 40's we used the revised issue of Scott's published in 1835. All soldiers are expected to be proficient in these manuals.
Rank is appointed from the commanding officer and one of the co-founders of the group, Steve Abolt. There are no elections. All recruits should be aware of the fact this unit is run like a regular army company. Its guidelines, aside from good common sense, are the Army Regulations in effect during the particular time period portrayed. While all are treated like family, and outside of events individual opinions are solicited and encouraged, all decisions regarding the operation of the unit rest with the commanding officer or his appointed delegates. All members have the ability to rise through the ranks providing they show leadership abilities, are skilled in the manuals, and duties in camp and garrison. All leaders must also look out for their charges and avoid the bane of all in authority, the abuse of power. Though we are portraying a Regular regiment all of our members are volunteers. They are here because they want to be. Without them this unit would not exist. To name them all would take up to much space but suffice it to say each is unique and each is a proud upholder of the sobriquet: "Cottonbalers By God!"
While we are a military unit, women play a very important role in our programming. Although their roles are limited to 19th century functions, the massive contributions women made to early American development are highlighted at each event. In order to preserve historical accuracy, we do not allow our female members to portray typically male roles.
Our company prides itself on our laundresses, also known as washerwomen. By regulation four women could be employed by each company for the purpose of washing and mending for the soldiers. They received not only pay, but government rations. "Suds Row" is a popular stop for our visitors. Our laundresses wash clothes the old fashioned way, by boiling them! One of their greatest prizes is a hand hammered copper wash basin from Mexico. The head laundress keeps accounts and also makes sure her fellow laundresses are present for roll calls and any government issues of food or clothing.
Several of our ladies excel at cooking. In the 19th century most cooking in the army was done by men. However as the commanding officer is a stickler for drill he has managed to convince some of the enlisted men's wives to take on this duty. They are always more than happy to share a recipe with visitors, and a sample of food for some hungry soldier. The Major's cook takes care of the officers and few ladies present. The enlisted men are always happy when she is about as the Major is well fed and tends not to take out his frustrations on the poor soldiers!
Not all is duty and discipline. Located on the fringe of every garrison we inhabit is O'Doole's Emporium. A lively and authentic recreation of a 19th century grog-shop it is always filled with off duty soldiers and the sounds of period music. The Emporium is the brainchild of it's proprietor Thomas O'Doole. Thomas O'Doole is a discharged Irish soldier of the 7th Regiment. Never good at soldiering O'Doole can run a saloon like no one before or since! The Emporium made its first debut at our Grand Victory Ball in November of 1994. It has become a permanent fixture ever since. There are several company members who are employed at this establishment. There is always a deck of cards or checkerboard available as well as plenty of peanuts and gingersnaps. Within the conviviality of O'Doole's it becomes easy to take a magical step backwards in time!
Our organization also maintains close ties with several other superlative living history organizations. At large events we tend to join our collective forces. Our sister units include, Company A Second Artillery, Clemson's Co. 1st U.S.I. and the Missouri Rangers, B troop 1st Dragoons, the 25th U.S.I. and the Upper Mississippi Brigade
Our organization publishes a newsletter known as "The Cottonbale." It is published six times a year. Each issue is approximately 20 pages long in magazine format and contains on average 30 articles. Some are source documents, some are humorous stories about events and the members of Company A 7th U.S.I. Living History Association. Subscription to the newsletter is $20.00 per year.
We hope you enjoy your tour through our site. If you would like a new recruit packet you can e-mail the commanding officer at. SACBG7@lynchburg.net. Thank you for your interest.
- written by Steve Abolt, Major Commanding
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