> The Buffalo Barracks - http://army.barracks.buffalonet.org > > Dear Buffalo Barracks List Members, > > The following is a letter that I just recieved > from Mark Lozo and I would like to share it > with all of you: > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site > 641 Delaware Avenue > Buffalo, NY 14202 11/6/99 > > Dear Cliff, > > Exciting developments! A woman from East Aurora, NY > has offered to donate to us the mid-19th century uniform > of her ancestor, Brigadier General Aaron Riley. While > she states that Riley served with the NY State militia > (and not the regular U.S. Army) we are evaluating its > suitability for possible use in a barracks display. It does > seem to conform closely to U.S. Army regulations for > the barracks period and is in excellant condition for its > age (pre-civil war, c.1855). > > It is our hope that it could be used as the centerpiece for > a barracks exhibit. We have wanted one for years but > didnt really have artifacts of the period to use. (1836-1846) > This may be the dramatic item which an exhibit could be > built around. Even so, designing the exhibit, writing > accompanying text, raising grant money and fabricating > exhibit cases may take a year or two. With some luck, > I hope that something could be up by 2001. The anniversary > of T. Roosevelts inauguration is likely to bring in > larger than normal crowds. Wish us luck. > > Incidently, A. Riley (not related to Bennet Riley, as far as > we know) served with the Buffalo City Guards. While he > wouldnt have served at the barracks, he must certainly > have visited them. > > Sincerely, > Mark Lozo - Site Interpreter > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Mark chose the right word to describe this new development: > Exciting! > > Just think, two years ago there existed only Bennet Rileys > chapeau and a small historical marker giving reference to > the Buffalo Barracks at this site. Now, there is a set of > London Illustrated Times originally sent to PVT. W. Crowley, > while stationed there; a portrait of the first colonel of the post, > James M. Bankhead; a master roster of the enlisted soldiers who > served there; an online historical web site; and now, > if logical minds prevail, a uniform. > > (Complete, with frock coat, trousers, dress chapeau, buff silk sash, > large gold epaulettes,small epaulettes, spurs and a ceremonial dagger.) > > I will keep you posted. Best wishes, > Col. C.R. Williams >