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February 12 2012, the 22nd MVI and the USSC - Boston joined with our comrades in the Salem Guard to commemorate President Lincoln's birthday in Milton Massachusetts. The USSC set up their massive display inside the front parlor to entertain and educate the plentiful attendees about the works of the original Boston Branch of the relief organization, whilst the 22nd MVI and Salem Guard drilled and chatted with spectators outside about the contributions to the war effort by the troops at home.

The 22nd MVI was led admirably by Brevet Lieutenant Mike Welch and First Sergeant Brad Kendall. Privates Mike Reimer, John Duprey, James and Jeff Lawrence, and two new recruits filled out the ranks; while Quartermaster Rob O'Bryan, Ordnance specialist Greg Lynes, musicians Ted Andrade and Keigan DeOliveira completed the military element. Civilians Deb DiFranco, Carolyn Dimeo, Vanessa Dautruche and Jennifer Cotie- DeOliveira staffed the USSC Boston Branch display.

(My apologies to those who names the webmaster does not recall or missed.)

A few images from the event are posted in our 2012 Photo Gallery courtesy of 22nd MVI photo-historian Michelle Genereux Duprey.

Milton Patriot Ledger Coverage (link)

The 22nd Massachusetts will next take the field for the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade. Look for us!

On Saturday the 4th of February, the 22nd Massachusetts participated in the annual celebration of Revolutionary War town hero Benjamin Lincoln and his descendant Abraham Lincoln. The 22nd MVI took part in a parade to the statue of President Lincoln at the town common and a commemoration at historic Old Ship Church. Following the ceremony, the 22nd MVI marched through the burial ground behind the church to the grave site of Governor John Albion Andrew where they fired a salute to the man responsible for seeing to Massachusetts' readiness for the coming unpleasantness of 1861.

The 22nd MVI was represented by Captain Patrick Browne, First Sergeant Brad Kendall, Quartermaster Sergeant Rob O'Bryan, Corporals Bill Collins and David Peck, Privates Doug Lyons, Dan Blakie, Mike Reimer, John Patten, and Peter Lee; and Musicians Matt Patten, Keigan DeOliveira and Teddy Andrade. Civilians in attendance included Deb DiFranco and Jennifer Cotie-DeOliveira.

(Apologies to any the author may have missed.)

A few images from the event are posted in our 2012 Photo Gallery.

Hingham Patch Coverage (link)
Patriot Ledger Coverage (link)

At the 22nd Massachusetts Annual Meeting yesterday, January 29th, the 22nd MVI membership approved our slate of official events for the 2012 campaign season. The list is noted below; information will be added as it is compiled and available.

February 4 - Lincoln Day, Hingham MA
Our annual commemoration in honor of Benjamin and Abraham Lincoln at the Old Ship Church in Hingham MA.

February 12 - Lincoln Birthday Living History, Forbes House, Milton MA
A long-standing annual event, the Forbes House is a living history on the same grounds as a replica of President Lincoln's cabin, music and speechifying.

March 18- Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade, Boston MA
The annual, massive march through Southie; the Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade is our highest visibility parade of the year.

March 31- Civil War Trust Day Cleanup, Fort Trumbull, Trumbull CT
In support of the Civil War Trust and our friends in the 14th Connecticut, Co. F; this program is part of a nation-wide push to help the Park Service renovate and restore our national parks on a volunteer basis.

April 28- Emily Dickinson Museum Living History, Amherst MA
This living history will be on the grounds of the Emily Dickinson Homestead and Museum in Amherst MA; and will commemorate the involvement of the subjects some of Captain Browne's personal research-- Frazer Stearns and William Smith Clark-- in the Late Unplesantness.

May 4-6 - Framingham Living History, Framingham MA
Information TBA.

May 18-20 - Templeton Reenactment, Templeton MA (NEB)
Information TBA

May 28- Memorial Day Parades, Hanson & Pembroke MA
Another 22nd MVI tradition-- the back-to-back parades in Hanson and Pembroke in the morning and afternoon of Decoration Day, in honor of the fallen Civil War soldiers of the Commonwealth.

June 15-17 - Lee Takes Command / Seven Days, Elizabethtown PA (Mifflin Guard)
Our first national event of the year, Lee Takes Command will commemorate the Seven Days' Battles in the Peninsular Campaign. Scenarios will include the 22nd MVI's trial by fire at Gaines Mill.

July 4- Independence Day Parade, Duxbury MA
July 4 - Memorial Service, Braintree MA
An early-morning service at Braintree will be followed by the annual march through Duxbury in commemoration of our nation's birth.

July 6-8- Gettysburg Living History, Gettysburg PA (Mifflin Guard)
With our parent organization the Mifflin Guard, and in conjunction with the National Park Service, the 22nd MVI will encamp in a living history near the Pennsylvania Monument on the Gettysburg battlefield itself. A gem of a living history on the 149th anniversary of the crucial struggle.

September 8-9 - Maryland, My Maryland, Boonsboro, Maryland (Mifflin Guard)
The second major national event of the year, "Maryland, My Maryland" commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. The 22nd MVI will participate with our parent organization, the Mifflin Guard.

September 21-23 - Lawrence Living History, Lawrence Common, Lawrence MA
September 21-23- Abington Arch Re-dedication, Abington MA
A packed weekend for the 22nd MVI; we will split into two wings. One detachment will support the re-dedication of the Abington Civil War Memorial Arch with a ceremony and living history; the other will attend an annual living history on Lawrence Common in support of our friends in the Lawrence Civil War Memorial Guard.

November 11- Tri-Town Veterans' Day Parade, Abington MA
The Tri-Town Parade on Veterans' Day will be in Abington in 2012. Another 22nd MVI tradition.

November 17- America's Hometown Parade, Plymouth MA (NEB)
The second biggest parade on our schedule, America's Hometown Parade in Plymouth is in support of our local affiliation, the New England Brigade.

As the first year of the sesquicentennial wraps up at the tail end of 2011, the eyes of the membership of the recreated 22nd Massachusetts begin to turn to 2012 and the 150th anniversary of the events of 1862. This year saw Grant nearly driven into the water at Pittsburgh Landing at the Battle of Shiloh. McClellan's ill-fated invasion of the Virginia Peninsula, begun with such promise and driving to the gates of Richmond ended with him getting a case of "the slows" and being driven back by "The King of Spades", Robert E. Lee at the Seven Days and the cataclysmic Battle of Gaines Mill which so ravaged the 22nd MVI. Back at the old Manassas battleground, Pope was victimized by his own arrogance and the ill-will of McClellan at the Battle of Second Manassas, and Lee drove north into Maryland only to be narrowly defeated at Antietam.

The 22nd MVI's official 2012 event schedule will be decided at our January Annual Meeting by majority vote of the membership. Event requests are already coming in fast and furious for appearances by the 22nd MVI as an individual unit, for major reenactments by our national umbrella organization the Mifflin Guard, and our regional affiliation the New England Brigade.

If you're interested in hosting an event featuring the 22nd Massachusetts, the time to start planning is now.
The 22nd MVI highly recommends reviewing our "Request an Appearance" page on this website for particulars and questions to ponder.

If you have questions or would like to discuss an appearance by the 22nd MVI, please feel free to reach out to us directly at request@22ndmass.org .

Current events proposed include (but are not limited to):

Possible 2012 Events:
January XX - Annual Meeting
February 4 - Lincoln Day, Hingham MA
February 12 - Lincoln Birthday Living History, Forbes House, Milton MA
March XX - Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade, Boston MA
March 31- Civil War Trust Day Cleanup, Fort Trumbull, Trumbull CT
April 27-29- Neshaminy Reenactment, Neshaminy PA
April 28- Emily Dickinson Museum Living History, Amherst MA
April XX - Calvin Harlow Day, East Bridgewater MA
April XX - Battle of Shiloh Reenactment, Shiloh TN (Mifflin Guard)
May 4-6 - Framingham Living History, Framingham MA
May 18-20 - Templeton Reenactment, Templeton MA (NEB)
May XX - Memorial Day Parades, Hanson & Pembroke MA
June XX - Oak Ridge School Living History, Sandwich MA
June 15-17 - Lee Takes Command / Seven Days (Anders)
July XX - Gettysburg Living History, Gettysburg PA (Mifflin Guard)
July 13-15 -Fort Adams, Newport RI (NEB)
July XX - Independence Day Parade, Duxbury MA
August 3-5 - Battle of Second Manassas, Cedar Creek, VA
August 24-26 - Muster of the 20th Maine, Fairfield ME (NEB)
September 8-9 - Maryland, My Maryland, Boonsboro, Maryland (Anders)
September 14-16- 150th Antietam, XX Maryland
September 21-23 - Lawrence Living History, Lawrence Common, Lawrence MA
September 21-23- Abington Arch Re-dedication, Abington MA
November 11- Tri-Town Veteran's Day Parade, Abington MA
November 11- Plymouth Veteran's Day Parade, Plymouth MA
November XX - America's Hometown Parade, Plymouth MA (NEB)

Captain Patrick Browne of the 22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry received word on June 1 2011 that he's been appointed by Senator Murray to the Massachusetts Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to organize sesquicentennial tributes to the Civil War and Massachusetts’ role therein. This is a role that Captain Browne is quite well suited for, with his background in history, the Civil War and presentation to the public. With his guidance, the sesquicentennial events will doubtless be greatly enhanced, and a tremendous boon to the Commonwealth.

Huzzah for Captain Browne!

(link to Boston Globe article about the Commission; though his interview was prior to his appointment.)

As of Sunday, February 7; the newly revamped 22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry website has gone live. Most of the old material has been ported over to the new site at this time, with the balance to come in the coming weeks.

All informational items are available for viewing to all viewers. Message board posting on the forums is available only to registered, logged-in members of the website. Anyone may register an account on the website.

One important item of note: certain items are available only to actual members of the 22nd Mass. In order to access these items, you will have to register on this website, or they will remain invisible to you. All registrations will be approved by the webmaster based on the membership lists he has received in hand.

If you have any questions about the bells and whistles, operation or other new items on the webpage, please contact the webmaster directly at webmaster@22ndmass.org