7th Texas Field Battery (Moseley's Co., Light Artillery)

We are a Civil War reenacting group who portray the 7th Texas Field Battery also known as Moseley's company, Light Artillery. We have also portrayed Swett's Battery from Mississippi. Both units fought for the Confederacy. Our Union impression is the 1st Michigan Company B Light Artillery. Our main purpose as reenactors is to perform Living History events to educate the general public. Our secondary purpose is to educate ourselves and have fun.

Our Battery is comprised of two guns (cannons): a mountain rifle and a mountain howitzer. And one coehorn mortar. Due to the large expense of black powder, Friction primers and supplies to fire the guns, all members have monthly dues of $5. We normally fire each gun about 30 times each reenactment.

We are a family oriented group and welcome new recruits 18 yr and up. We are based out of Bryan, TX and try to attend one reenactment a month. Our members live in the Bryan, Austin, and Dallas areas, if interested please contact us.

Contacts: Bryan area: Dennis Sweatt, elmiragegarage@aol.com

Contacts: Dallas area: Michael Sweatt, mikesweatt@gmail.com

Contacts: Austin area: Norman Thormahlen, norm_69thor@yahoo.com

Tenative Yearly Schedule   (Unit will definitely attend events in red)

Jan: Winter Camp - Kurten, TX   5th-7th, 2007

Feb:  Madisonville, TX  9th-11th, 2007

Mar: Beaumont Ranch - Grandview, TX  9th-11th, 2007

Apr: Mexia, TX  20th-22nd, 2007

        Battle of Pleasant Hill - Pleasant Hill, LA

May: Battle of Hodge Oaks Plantation - Chatfield, TX  (usually 1st weekend)

        Jefferson, TX 4th-6th, 2007 

        Bellmead, TX   (even years) usually 3rd weekend

Jun: Tribbey, OK  (usually 2nd weekend)

July: TBA

Aug: Battle of Perryville - McAlester, OK

         (usually 4th weekend)

Sep: Training Camp - Plantersville, TX   Sept. 25th-27th, 2009

        Middle Boggy - Durant, OK Sept. 25th-27th, 2009

        Sabine Pass, TX 

        Battle of Honey Springs - Checotah, OK  

Oct:  Tyler, TX - Raid on Camp Ford, 23rd - 25th, 2009

        Ogletree Gap - Copperas Cove, TX

        Bentonville, AR

Nov:  Myer's Landing - McKinney, TX   November  6th-8th, 2009

         Liendo Plantation - Hempstead, TX,  November 20th-23rd, 2009

        Old Washington, AR

Dec: Dickens on the Strand - Galveston, TX (usually 1st weekend)

        Barren Fork Creek, OK

        Talehquah, OK

Equipment needed

This list outlines the basic equipment needed to reenact. We have loaner equipment for new recruits. The loaner equipment is not the best, but will get you by for the first or second reenactment. We would like new recruits to have their own equipment before their third reenactment (usually a three month window). At the reenactments there are vendors (Sutlers) who sell all the equipment you would need and don't need. Also, you can visit some of the links on this page. Before you buy anything for reenacting, you may want to contact us to ensure it is authentic and it fits our unit's requirements.

Uniform:  Shell Jacket, wool

               Pants w/ suspenders, wool

               Shirt, pull over 3-4 button up, long sleeved

               Hat, Kepi or slouch hat

               Shoes, Brogans, or artillery boots

               Belt, Black or brown leather between 1.5"-2" wide

               with oval CSA or Texas, Brass, LEAD filled buckle

Bedding:  Keep in mind we have to look authentic.

               I usually use a camping mat and modern sleeping bag,

               but cover it with a wool blanket or a gum blanket. The

               bare minimum would be a wool blanket or gum blanket.

Personal

 Gear:    Haver sack: This holds your mess gear.

              Mess Gear: Plate, utensils, knife, matches, food, tin cup

              Canteen: Wood or tin

              Camp stool: Must be authentic to the time.

              No modern folding camp chair.

Bags:     Basically what your gear will travel in. If you are going

              to use a suitcase or modern piece of luggage

              it will have to be hidden well to retain authenticity.

              In fact, anything that isn't authentic must be hidden.

              I personally use an old wooden crate, cotton poke bag or wooden

              chest. This way I can keep it in camp and it also doubles as a chair.

Food:     This is usally a personal choice. We usually bring what we can

             and then share for the whole weekend. There is such a thing as

             authentic food as well, but it really depends what time of year

             and where the reenactment is taking place.

             Your best bet is to bring:

             Coffee

             Jerky

             Corn bread, or corn meal

             Dried fruit

             Potatos, carrots, onions (for stew)

             Some groups get pretty fancy in their meals but we like keep it simple.

             Try to stay away from very reconizable convience foods like

             Pop-Tarts, potato chips, etc. We have pots and pans, etc.

             to cook with.

Tent:    We sometimes  have enough tent space to sleep everyone.

             You may want your own tent. We would like you to have a:

             Canvas "A" tent or

             a Pup tent

             The "A" tent is 6' tall, 7' wide and 7' long. It can sleep 3-4 men.

             The Pup tent is only about 3' tall and 4' wide. It sleeps 1-2 men.