Old Business:

-Opening Prayer

-Review results of 2006-2007 Palmetto Battalion Elections

-Treasurer’s Report: $1,473.98

-Secretary’s Report: Reviewed highlights of previous meeting’s minutes

-The Butler Guards’ 2006 Christmas party is still set to be on December 15th, 2006 at the Vaughn’s house.  Butlers should start arriving at 6:30 PM and eating will begin at 7 PM.  There will be a Christmas Exchange Game, commonly known as the “White Elf.”  Butlers are urged to bring either a serious or gag gift to participate in the festivities.

New Business:

-Chase Heatherly began the new business by addressing the Butler Guards’ 4 “Max Effort” events for 2006-2007, in regards to the Palmetto Battalion.  It had been decided that these events would be Secessionville, Rivers Bridge, Fairview Church, and Sharpsburg, VA.

-Chase presented Chuck Yeager (president of the Guards) with an award from the Battle of the Blue Ridge Mountains (Marion, NC) for the “best camp of the event.”  This award was given by the organizers of the event to the Palmetto Battalion, who went to this event as the “Palmetto Company.”  Claude Sinclair thought it best if the Butler Guards were given this award, as their showing in the company for the event was larger than any other unit in the battalion.

-The Butler Guards will be fighting Federal at the Battle of Blue Springs, TN this next weekend (Oct. 13-15, 2006).  Approximately 16 members of the BG, both military and civilian, plan to attend.

-Mike Barnes brought up the Battle of Sharpsburg, VA 2007.  He spoke of the march everyone seems to be looking forward to, as it is going to reenact the actual march by the Confederates before the actual battle.  Many of the Butlers seemed interested in going to this event next September.

-It was brought up at a previous meeting by the Ladies’ Association about possibly looking into to keeping up with a shower tent for the reenactors.  Chuck Yeager and others brought up the possible rules and regulations for a shower tent at events.  It seems to be a good deal of work involved in the business of a shower tent.  We will discuss this at further meetings.

-Mike Barnes mentioned possibly beginning a provost or some field of reenacting other than directly fighting the battle. He thought this would be a good idea and would bring recruiting of those who are not in a health condition well enough to fight in a battle and such. John Vaughn also mentioned how this would save on the cost new recruits would have to spend, as buying a rifle to fight with would not be as great of a priority.  The Butler Guards seem to like this idea and it will be looked into further in the future.

-There will be a Fall Festival at the Williamston, SC Mineral Spring Park and the cemetery behind.  The town of Williamston has asked if the Butler Guards would like to station themselves in the cemetery and portray some of the 50 Confederate soldiers buried there, and tell stories of the lives of soldiers, for the tours of little children that will come by.

-Zach Morris mentioned possible improvements on the Battle of Fairview 2007, such as a 2-day battle.  This seems crucial to get more support from reenactors all over SC and beyond.  It would be difficult to fit a Sunday battle in the schedule with church activites and the yearly memorial service. It seems like it must be accomplished. Mike Barnes mentioned having the memorial service and marching straight from it to the battle, assuring both become a reality.  The Fountain Inn SCV group meets October 16th at 7 PM; the Butlers are going to request a 2-day battle for next year’s event.  Zach would also like to see the Butler Guards begin work-days for next year’s event in the winter, and continuously work on the site between reenactments.

-Mike Barnes mentioned the possible Battle of Williamston in the future.  It would be a great opportunity for recruitment and publicity.  This will be discussed at future meetings.

-On the topic of recruiting, it was mentioned that the Butler Guards should possibly begin attending the Gun Shows at the Palmetto Expo Center in the Greenville area.  The next one is in the winter. It seems that the Guards will attend.

-Discussion was made on ways to get to Blue Springs and when we were planning on leaving for the event.  It seems most Butlers are leaving Friday afternoon to evening.

Meeting adjourned.
8:20 PM