NETE, Annual Meeting Minutes, 2012

The below notes were taken at the meeting and constitute the Meeting Minutes:

Margaret and I arrived at the Ledyard Library at 9:00 and unlocked the building.  We were met there by the Websters and James Duarte who assisted in getting the meeting room ready for the meeting.  The Germain's and John Proctor arrived shortly after that before 10:00 A.M.  We  waited an extra 20 minutes in the hope that Mike Grossman would be able to make it.  He had mentioned that there was a possibility that he and his son might be able to attend.

--1. The meeting began at 10:20 A. M.

--2. Attendance, Insurance Fees and Annual Dues:

Attendees were :

>>Jim Mathews;

>>Margaret Mathews;

>>Greg Webster;

>>Heidi Webster;

>>James Duarte;

>>Ray Germain;

>>Maryanne Germain;

>>John Proctor.

As previously indicated all meeting attendees will have their annual dues / insurance fees paid out of the Treasury.  Those members not in attendance will have a dues payment of $25.00 per family, plus $4.00 per person.  It is recommended that if there are youngsters in the family, that they should be included on the roster.  I should like to forward a unit roster to the NMLHA as soon as possible.  The event list is all ready to go.

--3. Discussion an d Determination of this years (2012) Topographical Engineer Reenactment Campaign:

a. Reenactments:-

>>April 27-29, NEB-COI (Camp of Instruction), Lincoln RI Chase Farm (Grant???);

>>June 22-24, Blackstone, MA,;

>>July 13-15, Ft. Adams Civil War Reenactment, Fort Adams, Newport, R.I.;

>>August 11-12,  Battle of Seven Pines, Look Park, Florence, Ma.;

>>August 31, Sept. 2, Museum Village, Monroe , NY (Grant???);>>Sept. 14-16, Roseland Cottage (Bassos) -- (Grant???) ?????????? undecided;

>>Sept. 28-30, Wickham Park, Manchester, CT;

>>Oct 12-14, Greenhill Park, Wooster, MA;

>>>>The Topogs have been invited to attend a Rev War event at the Nathan Hale Farmstead in Coventry, CT.  27-29 July.  Anyone who is interested please contact me.  James Duarte and I plan to attend;

>>>>There has been some talk of an event in New Haven at the Eastern Bank Park, but no information has been released at this time.

b. Work Parties -- Fort Trumbull:--

>>May 14 or 15 (further information needed);

>>June 18;

>>July 9;Arrangeents

>>Aug 27;

>>Sept. 10 or 11 (further info needed).

Park is open from May 21 to Oct. 8 (Wed. to Sun.)

Just a reminder, the above list of activities will be sent to the NMLHA, however, if you attend any other activities or events you must notify me and I the NMLHA two weeks prior to the event.

--4. Discussion and Determination of this year's volunteering at Fort Trumbull:

>>Cannon Carriage, Finish furnishing the Dining Room, Finish the containers in the Magazine, Build wooden bunks and benches for the jail, and complete one more casemate set display, finish the engineering display room models and model shelves, finish JR Officer's Room displays and display shelves.

>>Have not been able to contact either the Ranger or the President of the Friends of Fort Trumbull, First Meeting of the year is coming up.

--5.  Discussion  of brigade Activities, Departments, and Arrangements;

Discussed the two departments in the NEB:

>>Reenactment Dept.;
>>Living History Dept.

The Topogs have been placed in the Living History Dept. and the Dept. Head is Gen. Grant.  The Topogs act as a staff for Gen, Grant when he is in attendance, and a special assigned activity to the NEB when he is not.

--6. Honors:

>>Brigadier General (BB) Mathews received his permanent commission for the rank of Lt. Colonel;

>>Major James Duarte received his permanent commission for  the rank of Major;

>>Captain Ray Germain was promoted to Major (by brevet);

>>2nd Lt. Greg Webster was promoted to 1st Lt. and received his commission for that rank;

>>First Sergeant John Proctor was promoted to 2nd Lt. (by brevet);

>>Jack Salisbury was appointed Detachment Sgt. Major .

--7. Review of Maps and Plans:

>> Packets of maps and plans were handed out, reviewed and discussed.  Lt. Webster submitted thirty-seven pages of maps , plans and map data that he had completed over the winter months.

>> Discussion of the maps and plans before us and what further plans that we have for these elements.

--8. Presentations:

>>Lt. Greg Webster gave an excellent presentation on corduroy roads, with a very nice set of handouts,  and a working model of a corduroy road.  He also gave a short presentation on infernal devices and built a model of a barrel torpedo, coal torpedo, teapot torpedo, and a wood chunk torpedo.  He also produced a coal torpedo and tin pot torpedo for the Fort Trumbull Model Display.

>>James Duarte gave a presentation with handouts on the manufacture of "Gabions" for seige work and for fortifications.  He also constructed a model to show how the gabion was constructed.  This presentation ignited a discussion about table demonstrations in camp building several items for the spectators.

>>Jim Mathews gave a short lecture on the gathering of map data for a road map, together with a list of items for the engineer to be looking for.  Copies of the presentation paper was handed out.

--9. Display Table;

The display table was full again this year with the models of the "Infernal devices", gabion constructions, colored maps, and various pouches and belt boxes for carrying drawing materials.

--10.  Discussions, Ideas, Comments, Complaints,  and Corrections to the Unit Structure, Activities , or Methodology:

>>No complaints or Corrections were voiced.  Several ideas were put forth about the construction of miniature elements of engineering in camp such as gabions, Facines, Bridges, frazee, etc.

--11. Meeting Adjourned, at about 2:00 P. M.

>>Meeting Room Cleanup;

>>Late Lunch for those who chose to attend.

Respectfully Submitted;

Jim Mathews
CDR. NETE