August - September 2001 Edition

Fair Lawn's School of the Soldier by Jim Hile, Sr.    Police were summoned to Memorial Park recently to investigate reports of  “strange men wearing odd clothes and carrying guns” behind Schmidt Field. Responding officers quickly learned that there was no cause for alarm. Those “strange men” were Civil War reenactors who were there for Fair Lawn’s School of the Soldier, a scheduled training exercise promoting the upcoming Fair Lawn Civil War Weekend.   “It was a case of miscommunication on our part,” explained borough resident Jim Hile, Sr., a Civil War reenactor and an instructor at the school. “The police knew we would be at the park, but our group moved from where they were supposed to be. We joked about the episode later.”    Seven local residents participated in the school held on July 7. Hawthorne resident Ken LeSoine from the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers, a Federal unit, and New Yorker Dave Goliger of Lee’s Light Horse, a Confederate unit, supervised the instruction that included how to dress for the period, drilling, and the safe use of weapons.   Participants were issued uniforms, canteens, cap and cartridge boxes, gun belts, three-band Enfield rifled muskets, and hats called “kepis”. “The men looked quite impressive,” observed George Bateman of Newburgh, NY, who instructed the group in drill and weapons’ safety. “They were fast learners too.”   Recruits also sampled Civil War cuisine. “Lunch was hardtack, cured beef, apples, pears and water,” said Goliger. “Hardtack is a large, thick cracker that would keep for years and get harder with age. Soldiers on both sides ate them, often it was all that they had to eat.”   “The hardtack was very hard and didn’t have that much taste. It was edible,” opined Ken Iacobacci, Sr. of Henderson Boulevard.  “The school was a great experience for my son and I. It gave us a greater appreciation of what the soldiers back then went through.”   Marching in formation was a new experience for many. “It got a bit confusing at times but we did do better as the day went on,” said Tim Murphy of Parmelee Avenue. “Wearing a wool uniform in the summer is a concept that will take some getting used to though.”   A highlight of the day was musket firing. The crackle of a dozen three-band Enfields drew curious onlookers. “I liked learning how to load and fire the musket,” said Iacobacci. “We took the training very seriously and I personally look forward to my first real event.”   The School of the Soldier is part of festivities leading up to the Fair Lawn Civil War Weekend on Sept. 21-23. The event, which is free and open to the public, will bring as many as 150 reenactors from throughout the Northeast to Memorial Park. Working Civil War-era camps will be set up for public viewing Saturday and Sunday. Scheduled activities include morning drill, afternoon tactical and artillery demonstrations, an army field hospital display, candlelight camp tours, and a military ball Saturday night featuring the 77th New York Balladeers, a Civil War-era performing ensemble.   The three-day affair begins on Sept. 21, with a special presentation for students from Memorial Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Hile is coordinating efforts with Tom Metzler the Borough’s Office of Emergency Management Director, as well as with Peter Arts of the Fair Lawn Public Schools.    Three reenacting groups will serve as co-hosts for the event: the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers, USA; Lee’s Light Horse, CSA; and Jackson’s Flying Artillery, CSA.  Sponsors include the Borough, Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce,  Rotary, and Fair Lawn Public Schools.   For more information contact: Tom Metzler, Fair Lawn Office of Emergency Management Director at 201-794-5390 or Jim Hile, Sr at 201-797-2475.   Photo:  Troopers Tim Murphy (left) and High Private Jim Hile, Jr. take a break between drills.