From the Desk of the Captain:
Hello one and all and welcome to our humble website. Thank you for taking the time to visit with us. The Fifth Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry was reactivated as a Living History/Reenactment unit in early 2003. As we begin our fourth season together as an organized unit, I look back at our beginnings. This adventure was the brainchild of Catie, our Secretary and a gentleman by the name of Randy Higgenbothum of Mason City, Iowa.
We are all deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of our friend, Randy Higginbothum on February 1, 2007. He was one of the most kind-hearted souls I have ever had the honor of knowing in my life. His dedication to his wife, Kaye, reminds me of what is truly important in our lives. His love of America and its history was infectious. He was a most honorable man and I shall miss him deeply.
The Fifth Minnesota is a Civil War unit, true, but it is so much more than that. We are a family, albeit a somewhat odd family, but a family nonetheless. Because of our commitment to First Person interpretation as well as Company C’s involvement in the early battles of the Dakota War, our campsite is rather unique in that our civilians are an integral part of our presentation. On the occasions that we designate an event a “campaign” event, the after public hours are some of our best memories.
I shall always remember with fondness, the morning after the 26-degree Minnesota night we apparently survived rolled up in one wool blanket. Huddled around our meager campfire, we all anticipated the cup of hot coffee that would warm our bellies. I recall watching in horror as the mucket slowly slide into the fire pit, spilling its precious brown liquid and extinguished our sad little fire. The smell of burning coffee only slightly covered the pungent odor of Bull roasting the soles of his brogans.
Then there was the night our lovely ladies made their supper of steak, fried onions and popcorn directly upwind from our dog tents. I do not know how they managed to get the wind to waft those delicious smells in the direction of our campfire but it became a bit more difficult to choke down our hardtack and salt pork. The ladies blushed and giggled bashfully all the while maintaining that it was not anything that THEY would plan!!!
One of the things I recall with pride is how our civilians came to the soldiers aid after a grueling tactical maneuver two summers ago. As we struggled back to our camp in the oppressive 100-degree heat, some of us were approaching a potentially dangerous health situation. They striped us, got wet rags on our necks and dill pickles into our systems. I know their quick actions saved several of us from heat stroke that day. Once again I would like to thank you all on behalf of the soldiers of Company C. HURRAH!!
This is what makes the Fifth Minnesota such an important part of my life. It is our members and their passionate dedication to presenting Minnesota and US history in such a unique format. I invite you to visit our website from time to time and even better yet, visit our campsite at one of the many events we will be attending this summer. History lives on with the Fifth Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry.
I remain, respectfully,
Harley aka:
Timothy J Sheehan, Captain
5th Minnesota Regt.Vol. Infy., Company C
Hello one and all and welcome to our humble website. Thank you for taking the time to visit with us. The Fifth Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry was reactivated as a Living History/Reenactment unit in early 2003. As we begin our fourth season together as an organized unit, I look back at our beginnings. This adventure was the brainchild of Catie, our Secretary and a gentleman by the name of Randy Higgenbothum of Mason City, Iowa.
We are all deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of our friend, Randy Higginbothum on February 1, 2007. He was one of the most kind-hearted souls I have ever had the honor of knowing in my life. His dedication to his wife, Kaye, reminds me of what is truly important in our lives. His love of America and its history was infectious. He was a most honorable man and I shall miss him deeply.
The Fifth Minnesota is a Civil War unit, true, but it is so much more than that. We are a family, albeit a somewhat odd family, but a family nonetheless. Because of our commitment to First Person interpretation as well as Company C’s involvement in the early battles of the Dakota War, our campsite is rather unique in that our civilians are an integral part of our presentation. On the occasions that we designate an event a “campaign” event, the after public hours are some of our best memories.
I shall always remember with fondness, the morning after the 26-degree Minnesota night we apparently survived rolled up in one wool blanket. Huddled around our meager campfire, we all anticipated the cup of hot coffee that would warm our bellies. I recall watching in horror as the mucket slowly slide into the fire pit, spilling its precious brown liquid and extinguished our sad little fire. The smell of burning coffee only slightly covered the pungent odor of Bull roasting the soles of his brogans.
Then there was the night our lovely ladies made their supper of steak, fried onions and popcorn directly upwind from our dog tents. I do not know how they managed to get the wind to waft those delicious smells in the direction of our campfire but it became a bit more difficult to choke down our hardtack and salt pork. The ladies blushed and giggled bashfully all the while maintaining that it was not anything that THEY would plan!!!
One of the things I recall with pride is how our civilians came to the soldiers aid after a grueling tactical maneuver two summers ago. As we struggled back to our camp in the oppressive 100-degree heat, some of us were approaching a potentially dangerous health situation. They striped us, got wet rags on our necks and dill pickles into our systems. I know their quick actions saved several of us from heat stroke that day. Once again I would like to thank you all on behalf of the soldiers of Company C. HURRAH!!
This is what makes the Fifth Minnesota such an important part of my life. It is our members and their passionate dedication to presenting Minnesota and US history in such a unique format. I invite you to visit our website from time to time and even better yet, visit our campsite at one of the many events we will be attending this summer. History lives on with the Fifth Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry.
I remain, respectfully,
Harley aka:
Timothy J Sheehan, Captain
5th Minnesota Regt.Vol. Infy., Company C
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