The Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers of the 75th OVI Re-enactors

 

Colonel (Vice-President) Dwight Dovel              Please enjoy The Boy's of Ames Brigade by: Dwight Dovel

        In 1991, I began doing living history events displaying artifacts, and displaying my interpretation of a basic camp set up. In 1992, my impression much improved, I still remained more of a living history guy, than a reenactor.

           1993 was the first year for the newly formed 75th O.V.I. Our company consisted of George Meyers, Bill Billinglsy, David Meyers and myself. We consistently fielded 6 to 8 men at every event. I believe 5 were members and 3 or 4 walk-ons would always join us.

            Since it’s humble beginnings, the 75th has grown into one of Florida’s premier reenacting groups. This year (2003) we celebrate our 10th anniversary, and our longevity is attributed to the quality of men and women who faithfully serve our rank and file. At last count, the 75th roster contains over 70 names. We are the very best, because we have the very best people.

            Our agenda is not limited to “on the field” activity. Over the years, we have established contact with many 75th descendents, and after many, many hours of research, created burial files for hundreds of the soldiers. A collection of original 75th O.V.I. material, and related original Civil War items are displayed in local museums. With this and other displays, we can, in a small way, pay tribute to the men we honor by carrying on the name of the 75th O.V.I. 

            The future of the 75th is brighter than ever. We will continue to grow, and continue our pursuit of historical information and artifacts. We will also continue to be the best unit in the field.

Please click here to see more of our gallant Commander

 

Major Rick Eckert Regimental Surgeon

 

Major ( Historian/Asst Curator) Thomas Criscuolo

            I joined the 75th in November 1997 at The Battle of Horse Landing in Palatka, Florida. Over the years I have held each and every Company grade rank from private to Captain (of which Private is the rank I do miss the most!). I have seen the progression of this unit and unfortunately as is common in this hobby, many members have come and many have gone away. There are but few of us left who have served with the 75th for nearly ten years (or more), but these and many of our current members have been there through thick and thin and serve as the backbone of this organization."

 

Captain (President) Barry King    

            How can I put 10 years of  Civil War impressions in a few lines. It all started with a college course  on history while stationed in Virginia, Then I Joined a Civil War Round Table,  Bought some period clothing and Attended the  Lee and Jackson Ball at the Chamberlain Hotel, Confederates only! Met our first Reenactors and they were great people. Bought A musket, Joined the army of Tennessee at the Battle of the Wilderness as a walk-on. The Navy transferred me to Florida, Found  the Ocklawaha river Raid in the paper. Met Dwight Dovel that night, who invited me to join his group in the the next morning .Some how he failed to mention he was Union. Bought a Blue Kepi and here I am!

  The 75th is by far the best family oriented Unit in Florida. Through the years we've grown from a group to a family of friends. I’ve gone from private to Lt and back again and as with Tom Private is the way to go!

Most memorable event; 135th Gettysburg, Oh the stories I can tell!

 

1st Lieutenant Assistant Surgeon Trasey Pfluger

 

 

First Sergeant Evan Phillips

        Aside from Dwight Dovel, I have been with the company the longest. About 10 years ago when the 75th still only had 6 guys, Dwight convinced my parents to let me go to an event with him. That was the beginning of the end! I was only 13 years old at the time, and had never even been out on the field before. The first event I ever attended was Hunsader Farms. I wasn't even allowed to fire black powder out of the rifle...I was only allowed to pop percussion caps!!! But of course that didn’t stop some of the guys from giving me a few cartridges here and there!

        After a short time with the company, almost a year, Dwight made me a Corporal. I enjoyed that position for about another year until Dwight made me a Sergeant. By this time I was about 16, and completely full of my self! Over the next year I performed the duties of Sergeant, until I realized my age wasn’t caught up with my responsibilities. I resigned from Sergeant, and resumed a position as Corporal.

        By this time the company had grown from just a few guys to a horde of  friends and family. We were now fielding a decent sized group of men who would eventually be the best in the state. Over the next couple of years the company grew and shrunk with people joining us and leaving us for misc. reasons. When I was just turning 19 in 2002, the new commanding officer of the company, Tom Criscuolo, offered me the position of Sergeant again. I was not sure if I was able to perform the duties necessary for that position, but Tom assured me I was the most qualified, so with a little hesitancy I accepted.

        Over the next 2 years the 75th fielded the largest group of well trained soldiers in the state. I was just turning 21 in 2004 and the group had grown so large we need 2 officers to function properly. So the 1st Sergeant, Barry King, was promoted to Lieutenant and I was promoted to 1st Sergeant. I was now in charge of the company. It was now my duty and responsibility to organize everything the company did on and off the field, which includes training the soldiers, leading the soldiers, making sure they did the duties they needed to do, and to make sure they did everything in a safe manner.

        I have been the 1st Sergeant now for about two and a half years, and I ove my job. I love the friends and families I’ve met over the years, and couldn’t have wished for a better company to have joined all those years ago. The 75th is still going strong, and couldn't look better for future members.

 

Sergeant Bob Buckey

        After a 30 career as an Air Force Fighter Pilot including a combat tour flying F-4 Phantoms over N. Vietnam, I retired in 1989

as an Air Force Colonel Joining the 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry trading Air Force blue for Union blue becoming a private and taking a tremendous cut in pay. I moved up the ranks from private to corporal and after 32 years in uniform finally made NCO as First Sergeant of the 97th and later as lieutenant. In 1998 I saw the light and joined the finest Union Regiment in reenacting,

the 75th OVI, coming on board as a lieutenant and later as Captain of Company B. Following a bout with throat cancer, extensive surgery and radiation I had to take a leave of absence to recover. Six months later I returned to the 75th as a Private and now Corporal.

 

Corporal John Waters

 

 

Corporal Tom Garrett

 

Principal Musician (Curator) Robert Pfluger

            I joined the 75th as company bugler in 2000 at the Battle of Townsends Plantation in Mt. Dora Fla. After that first event I was told "I looked like a kid in a candy store" I had an outstanding first try. During my first season I found there was quite a bit of research on bugling and field music in general that needed to be done. The field music community as well as some members of the 75th were very generous with their time and information.  The 75th members are always willing to assist you in improving your impression as well as being willing to improve the overall impression of the company. Over the years I have improved my impression at every opportunity and now work with younger field musicians to help them in their journey to become a more authentic field musician.