Aug. 5, 2009
Pards,
I wanted to bring you up to date on developments. You may have read the “press release” about the new Federal Alliance, but there are more exciting things happening.

On July 11th I, along with Bill Boerth and Jon Sirlin from my staff, met with representatives of the following organizations:

Mifflin Guard, National Regiment, and Vincent's Brigade. Tom Downes from the NR was kind enough to do the preparatory work in getting the meeting together.

The meeting went very well, and we have formed what we call the Federal Alliance. We have agreed to communicate, plan, work, recruit and brigade together starting at Remembrance Day this year, and through the 150th cycle.

Our ultimate goal, is to have the 150th cycle be as rewarding as possible to all of our members, and to improve safety, and foster a working relationship between Federal organizations as well as with our Confederate counterparts.

Coincidentally, unbeknownst to us, Confederate representatives were working on the same goals during the same weekend:

The ANV, PACS, Longstreet's and Cleburne's have formed a similar alliance.

We will be meeting this fall to discuss our common goals and how best to proceed. I have spoken to Gen. Jennette of the Confederate Alliance, and we are all "on board" to charge into the 150th! The main focus of these efforts is to maximize the experience for the troops.

We are presently working on a Saylor's Creek/Appomattox event, Manassas, and so on. Probably, if this Alliance had been in place before this year, the Spotsylvania event would never have been cancelled. In order to avoid any confusion, I want to assure you of the following;

No organization has lost its identity. Nothing has changed with any of the organizations. We remain independent organizations which are voluntarily working together for our common interests.

We have decided to Brigade together, but have not elected, appointed, or in anyway selected a commander of the Federal Alliance combined Brigade.

Tom Downes is the Chairman of the Alliance, I am the Vice Chairman.

If, at some events, I am still fortunate enough to be the Commander of the USV, and am asked to be overall commander, you will be in more than capable hands, with either Col. Dussinger, Col. Buffington or Col. Childs in temporary Command.

Now, as Commander of the United States Volunteers, I challenge every Captain, every Sergeant, every Corporal and every Private to:

Be better than the Guard in drill, better than Vincent's in the field, and more authentic than the Nationals in camp.

Are you up for it Boys??!!

Be ready to start showing your stuff, at Cedar Creek this fall.! See you then.

Brevet Brig Gen
Lucifer T Daniels
Cmdr USV