June - July 2001 Edition

Cannons in Memorial Park By Jim Hile The corporal held the lanyard loosely and waited.  Several paces behind him, the major carefully surveyed the area.  The crowd was at a safe distance, and all was clear downfield. “Fire!” he commanded and the air immediately filled with smoke, flame, and the thunder that only a 12-pound field howitzer can make.

Cheers and applause greeted Jackson’s Virginia Flying Artillery as the group demonstrated firing procedures used by an artillery unit during the American Civil War. The event, held March 31 at Memorial Park, is part of run-up festivities for the Fair Lawn Civil War Weekend set for Sept. 21-23 also in the park. (Residents can watch highlights of the artillery demonstration on Fair Lawn Cablevision Channel 66.)

Frank Boertlein of Valley Stream, New York, founded Jackson’s about three years ago and holds the rank of major. “We have three guns in the group. This howitzer, a smaller mountain howitzer, and a parrot gun,” he said. “Our group does Confederate and Federal impressions and attends reenactments from Virginia to New England. We look forward to coming here this fall." The original Jackson’s Virginia Flying Artillery was organized in Richmond, Va., during February and March 1862 and was attached to the Army of Northern Virginia. Most of its members came from Richmond. Jackson’s saw extensive action from  the Seven Days Battles and Antietam to Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Appomattox.   Boertlein explains that it generally takes six cannoneers to service an artillery piece. “We do things by the numbers—each person is assigned one and knows what to do,”  he says. “For example, the No. 2 cannoneer knows that he or she is always responsible for worming and wet sponging the bore, while the No. 4 person actually fires the gun when I give the command.”   As the crowd watched, the gun crew—Neal Provenz, Alex and Elaine Leslie, J.D. Justinger, and Jim Hile, Sr.—took up their positions around the gun and smartly demonstrated several firing techniques. As the smoke cleared following the final round, Boertlein ordered the howitzer “secured” and walked over to answer questions including why they did not fire cannonballs, safety, and how much it costs to buy and operate a cannon.   “We don’t fire cannonballs or other projectiles. It’s not safe. We’re here to reenact, not hurt anyone. Besides, I don’t think the police would appreciate it too much,” Boertlein smiled. “When I got into this hobby I took extensive training on the handling and safe operation of artillery. Safety is our paramount concern and all of my people are thoroughly drilled on these procedures.”   How much does the cannon cost? “The howitzer we have here today costs $23,000, and that does not include the caisson and other equipment,” he said. “The money comes out of pocket, but we enjoy doing it and do recoup some expenses when events compensate us for our appearances.”   Boertlein noted that Jackson’s is actively seeking members from the Fair Lawn area. “If you love history, the outdoors,  and like a family atmosphere, we’d be more than happy to have you,” he says. For more information call Frank Boertlein at (516) 872-9749.   The Fair Lawn Civil War Weekend will feature re-enactors representing the North and South who will bring “history to life” by recreating the sights and sounds on an era that existed 140 years ago. Working camps will be set up around Memorial Pool and the wooded picnic area, with a military field hospital planned for DeJong Field. The affair is set for Sept. 21-23 and will be open to the public, free of charge.   See related article in previous edition