Huntington District

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Burnsville Lake will host a reenactment of the Civil War Battle of Bulltown at the Bulltown Historical Area on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at 2 p.m.

   The event is sponsored by the Stonewall Jackson Reenactment Unit and the Corps of Engineers.

   On Saturday, Oct. 8, members of the reenactment unit will be performing soldier programs, cannon demonstrations and conducting guided tours of the Civil War Battlefield. The event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

   The original Battle of Bulltown occurred on Oct. 13, 1863, near a bridge where the Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike crosses the Little Kanawha River. Both Union and Confederate forces wanted to prevent their opponent from crossing the bridge to cut off supplies. The Union fortifications were occupied by 400 troops under the direction of Capt. William Mattingly. Col. William L. Jackson (first cousin of Stonewall Jackson) led the Confederate forces. They attacked the Union forces at 4:30 a.m. The Union forces repelled the attack on their fortifications and refused to surrender. They sent for help to Clarksburg and Weston. The battle ended about 4:30 p.m. The Confederates camped for the night at the Salt Lick Bridge. Union reinforcements arrived the next day from Clarksburg and forced the Confederates to retreat.

   For more information, contact the Burnsville Lake Office at 304-853-2371 or the Public Affairs office at 304-399-5353.

     The Wills Creek Dam Project Office operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was the site of a break-in and larceny Sept. 20, 2011, which resulted in the theft of power tools, chain saws, a 9.9 horsepower boat motor and other government equipment. 

     All items were marked with bar tags or engravings identifying them as government equipment.  If you have any information on this incident, please call the toll free number: 1-866-413-7970.

     To help fight crime and reduce operations and maintenance costs, the Corps of Engineers has received Congressional authority to offer cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals causing damage to Corps property. 

     Individuals who witness or suspect that a crime has been committed against Corps property are encouraged to call 1-866-413-7970 (the line is operated 24 hours a day) to report information about theft, vandalism, or any other threats or suspicious activity against Corps property. Callers can remain anonymous. This program does not replace the 911 emergency notification system.

Erin Bradley, a contract specialist with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, has been selected to participate in the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP). This prestigious 9-month program is designed to develop the next generation of innovative leaders with the technical competence to meet future Department of Defense (DOD) leadership needs.

More than 100 DOD civilian employees were selected, and Bradley is one of two Corps of Engineers employees participating in the program. The program kicked off this week in Massachusetts with orientation and curriculum overview.

Bradley began her career with Corps’ Nashville District in 2009 before transferring to the Huntington District in June 2011.

A native of Huntington, W.Va., Bradley received a B.B.A. in Marketing from Marshall University in May 2004. She earned a M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication from Eastern Michigan University in July 2009.

Bradley is honored to represent the Corps of Engineers in this leadership program. “I’m greatly looking forward to this program, both for professional personal development,” Bradley said. “I think the benefits of the program will help me better serve my employer and make me a better leader, which is relevant now and in the future.”

   Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

   Labor Day is also a time for friends, food and fun. But while you’re having a good time, don’t forget that safety is always important.

   Here are few safety tips to help you have a safe holiday:

   Boaters!

Before Getting Underway: Know your boat and know the rules of the road.

Take a safe boating course.

Check your boat for all required safety equipment.

Consider the size of your boat, the number of passengers and the amount of extra equipment that will be on-board. Don’t overload the boat!

If you will be in a power boat, check your electrical system and fuel system for gas fumes.

Follow the manufacturer’s suggested procedures BEFORE starting up the engine.

Wear your life jacket – don’t just carry one on board.

Leave alcohol behind to increase your safety and decrease your risk.

Check the weather forecast.

File a float plan with a member of your family or friend.

Swimmers!

Since most drowning victims had no intention of being in water and since most people drown within 10-30 feet of safety, it is important that you and your family learn to swim well.

Please remember: Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat.

Don’t take chances, by overestimating your swimming skills.

Swim only in designated swimming areas.

Never swim alone.

According to the Center for Disease Control, each year over 3,400 people drown in the United States.

Drowning is the SECOND leading cause of accidental deaths for persons 1-14 years of age and the sixth leading cause for all ages.

Divers!

Never dive into lakes and rivers…the results can be tragic. Every year, diving accidents result in thousands of people suffering paralyzing spinal cord injuries and many of them die before they reach the hospital.

Hidden dangers can lurk beneath the surface of the water, even in shallow water, including current, rocks, and debris.

Watch Small Children! Center for Disease Control statistics show an average of over 800 children under the age of 15 drown each year.

Avoid Alcohol!

It’s a fact; alcohol and water do not mix! More than half of all the people who are injured in a boating accident had consumed alcohol prior to their accident and 20% of them don’t live to tell about it.

Being intoxicated is not necessary for alcohol to be a threat to your safety. Just one beer will impair your balance, vision, judgment and reaction time, thus making you a potential danger to yourself and others.

Research shows that four hours of boating, exposure to noise, vibration, sun, glare and wind produces fatigue that makes you act as if you were legally intoxicated.

If you combine alcohol consumption with this boating fatigue condition, it intensifies the effects and increases your accident risk.

So remember, don’t include alcohol in your outing, if you’re planning to have fun in, on, or near the water.

Have a safe Labor Day Holiday!