The N-SSA promotes the competitive shooting of Civil War firearms and artillery while encouraging the preservation of battlefields, artifacts, clothing and education of the period.
The Skirmish LineTM is the quarterly publication of The North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. Non-member annual subscriptions are available for $24 per year (U.S. Funds)
Editor & Publisher
Editor, Eddie Davenport ~ nssaeditor@gmail.com
National Photography Officer ~ Lis Cole
Photo Layouts by - Allissa Weber
Contributing Photographers ~ Niki Bethke, Walt ‘JR’ Zdon, Brittany Cole
Visit our website at: www.n-ssa.org
The N-SSA Corporate Seal and the magazine title, The Skirmish LineTM, are registered trademarks of the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. Reproduction in any form or manner without the expressed written consent of the N-SSA Board of Directors is strictly prohibited. All pages are copyrighted by the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. and The Skirmish LineTM magazine. Text and images in this publication are the property of the original owners (Authors). Text and images may not be published separately, in hard copy or electronically, without the expressed written permission of their owner(s). The authors and advertisers are responsible to secure the proper permissions and right to publish articles, photos, and illustrations not created by them. The North-South Skirmish Association, Inc., The Skirmish LineTM, and its staff are not responsible for copyright infringement. Please contact the Editor for questions relating to any matter, including but not limited to permission to copy materials herein.
Disclaimer: The North-South Skirmish Association does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse any product or service advertised in this publication. The publisher also does not guarantee the safety or effectiveness of any product or service illustrated, mentioned, offered, or advertised herein. The publisher does not assume responsibility as to whether or not products or services advertised in this publication comply with all state or local laws which may be applicable in regard to the purchase or usage of such products or services.
Warning: The author(s), The Skirmish LineTM and its staff, and the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. cannot accept any responsibility for accidents or differing results obtained using techniques, products, and combinations thereof that will make results vary. Firearms should be checked before firing and periodically thereafter by a competent gunsmith and all manufacturer’s instructions and warnings must be followed.
Welcome to all New Recruits
December 1, 2022 – March 27, 2023
North-South Skirmish Association National Commanders
*John Gilmer 1956-1958
*James Waters 1959-1962
*Albert Hardin 1963-1964
*Carl Jensen 1965-1970
Richard Corrigan 1971-1974
*Frank Schoch 1975-1976
*John Sharrett 1977-1982
*James McAleer 1983-1984
John Robey 1985-1988
*Royal Inge 1989-1992
Earl Coates 1993-1996
Gary Crawford 1997-2000
Earl Coates 2001-2004
*Charles Smithgall 2005-2008
Linwood McMahon 2009-2012
Phillip Spaugy 2013-2016
David Booz 2017-2020
Charles Kindle, Jr. 2021 -2024
Dave Cole 2025
Nmlra Member Benefits
Muzzle Blasts
Members of the NMLRA receive Muzzle Blasts, our monthly membership publication devoted to all aspects of the muzzleloading sport.
Scholarship Program
The NMLRA sponsors a scholarship program for its members and their dependents.
National Competitions
With your NMLRA membership card, you have the opportunity to attend two national championship matches in centrally located Friendship, Indiana.
Muzzleloading Education
Members of the NMLRA can take advantage of the Association’s Muzzleloading Education Program
Charter Clubs
The NMLRA has over three hundred muzzleloading charter clubs across the country, each with its own schedule of events and range times.
National Range
The Walter Cline National Range in Friendship, Indiana, is open to NMLRA members who wish to shoot–whether it be for a day or a weekend camping facilities are available at the range.
Territorial Competitions
NMLRA-sponsored territorial matches are held throughout the United States, and your NMLRA membership card allows you to participate in these events.
r Sign me up! Annual membership fee of $75.00 ($95.00 in U.S. funds for addresses outside the United States). Send me the monthly membership magazine Muzzle Blasts, and full membership credentials.
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Mail to: NMLRA Membership Dept., PO Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021 OR call 812.432.2670 • Sign up online at: www.nmlra.org E-mail: lbrown@nmlra.org for more information.
NoteFromtheeditor
Send in any photos or articles that you feel may be of interest to other N-SSA members. When sending photos, please include captions and the names of those pictured. Don’t forget to credit yourself as the writer. Submit all articles in text format (ex. Word, not a PDF). All photos must be at least 300 dpi (credit the photographer). Submit via e-mail to nssaeditor@gmail.com. You will receive a return email confirming receipt. Winter 2025 Publication Submission Deadline August 25th
the FiriNg LiNe
The 151st National Skirmish is now in the books, and what a memorable event it was. Unfortunately, it wasn’t memorable for all the right reasons—historic levels of rainfall led to flooding, schedule changes, the cancellation of many individual matches, and significant damage across parts of the range. But in true N-SSA fashion, our community pulled together to keep the skirmish going, adapting with grit and teamwork. To all who showed patience, pitched in, and made the best of a tough situation—thank you.
This issue features the scores and highlights from the 151st Nationals, along with a photo section capturing some of the action and camaraderie that endured despite the conditions. You’ll also find an article by Dan Cabela on the Zarges gun case—a product I came across at the Dallas Safari Club convention and have used throughout the season. I truly believe it’s one of the best options on the market for safely transporting multiple firearms, especially for skirmishers constantly on the move. As editor, I hope to continue featuring gear that’s useful, durable, and relevant to the unique needs of our members.
In that spirit, I also want to shine a light on a couple of small-scale makers within our own ranks who are creating excellent products tailored to the skirmisher’s world. Eric Slaughter offers CNC-machined Smith, Maynard (.36 & .50 cal), and Gallager casings in stainless steel and aluminum—built to last and skirmish-proven. You can reach him at (804) 704-7614 or via email at Eslaughter315@gmail.com.
Additionally, Steven Sheldon of Forth Armoury has developed 3D-printed cartridge tubes that improve on the traditional “capplug” designs many of us use. They’re lightweight, durable, and thoughtfully designed for black powder shooters. Check them out at: www.forth-armoury.com/cartridge-tubes.html
These aren’t big-box store products. These are handcrafted, purpose-built items made by fellow shooters who understand our sport. If you’re a small-time maker producing gear that serves the skirmish community, please reach out. I’d love to continue highlighting unique solutions that help us all shoot better, travel smarter, or simply enjoy this hobby a little more. Until next time keep your powder dry and your shot’s X’s Eddie Davenport
Editor-in-Chief, The Skirmish Line Hannover Greys (11366V)
National Commander
What a Nationals!!!!
Not exactly how I envisioned my first Nationals as National Commander — but we survived and flourished! Once again, my sincere thanks to the host teams and everyone who stepped up to help ensure we could hold as many events as possible this Nationals.
There were some tough decisions made regarding cancellations and adjustments due to the conditions of both the Pistol Range and the Main Range. That said, the smiles coming off the Pistol Range after the Revolver match spoke volumes — shifting that event to 12.5 yards was clearly a hit. Unfortunately, the 100-yard events had to be canceled due to the poor condition of the 100-yard line on the Main Range. Weather permitting, those events — along with mortar — will return for the 152nd Skirmish this fall.
On June 14th, we held our annual Work Skirmish at Fort Shenandoah. A total of 41 volunteers came out and helped clear debris under the main bridge following the 151st Skirmish. I deeply appreciate everyone who showed up and worked hard all day to accomplish so much on the range. As always, there’s more work to do, and hopefully we’ll have an even better turnout next time to help maintain our grounds.
The summer skirmish season is now in full swing. Please come out and support your local region — and if possible, travel “out of region” to see how other areas run their skirmishes. Stay safe, keep your firearms clean, and shoot well!
Dave Cole National Commander
Deputy National Commander
Greetings to one & all!
Let me begin by commending every member of the host units, along with the many other volunteers, for their tireless efforts in overcoming the challenging conditions that unfolded at the fort during the Spring Nationals — well done!
As demonstrated by these individuals, the N-SSA is very fortunate to have members who recognize the need to step up and pitch in without hesitation, even before being asked.
The need for volunteers to support various activities within the N-SSA remains critical. With our membership fluctuating between 2,500 and 2,700 individuals — all possessing a wide range of skills and expertise — I’d like to take a moment to seek your help.
Have you ever considered volunteering your talents to serve in some capacity at either the regional or national level?
Currently, we are in need of members with experience in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), financial statement preparation, budgeting, and investment policy. Your skills, knowledge, and expertise would be invaluable in assisting the N-SSA Finance Committee. This committee supports the National Paymaster by reviewing and providing oversight on various financial matters, analyzing financial reports, and making recommendations for improvement to the Board through the Committee Chair.
Please consider answering the call. Reach out to your Regional Commander and let them know how you can contribute. The longterm financial growth of the N-SSA will surely benefit from your involvement.
RickRick Clements Deputy National Commander
It’s Not Just A Case, It’s Peace of Mind
By Dan Cabela
Growing up in the outdoor industry and watching my parents found Cabela’s, I was introduced to a wide range of sporting goods. Before I even started doing it myself, seeing my parents traveling the world always fascinated with me. And if adventure took them to some far-away place where they’d be hunting, I’d always see packed gun cases. A staple of the industry for many years was the Cabela’s Aluminum Rod Lock case, and I’d be willing to bet that case took more rifles on adventures around the world than any other during it’s time.
But times change and so do product assortments. It’s amazing to me how many of these old Cabela’s cases I still see in airports and hunting camps around the world. Admittedly, I to have changed it up over the years, thinking the plastic, molded cases were the way. And while they worked, a little piece of me always missed that old aluminum case. Then, I found Zarges.
Buying the right gear the first time, instead of multiple times, is always a practice I have followed. Having gone down that path the wrong way before, I learned a valuable lesson, and ultimately spent more money in the long run. When I started traveling internationally more extensively, I began to understand just how important quality storage for my firearms and valuables was. I cannot tell you the amount of horror stories I have heard from others over the years. Damaged rifles or broken latches resulting in stolen goods are some of the worst things to discover when you meet up with your gear. So when I learned about Zarges and their KOR system, I immediately wanted to learn more, and get my hands on one.
When you travel as much as I do with a firearm, the perceived “cost” of a case is probably the last thing I think of. I knew they were priced at the very top end of the spectrum, but the peace of mind for me was worth it. Last year, I was gone from home filming for our tv series, “Hard Truths of Conservation” over 260 days — that’s a lot of time in airports and on airplanes/vehicles. Documenting conservation stories through the lens of hunting doesn’t come without its fair share of travel woes. Things rarely go to plan, but when they do, we’re thankful. However, through all the headaches that is modern-day air travel, the one thing I am not worried about is the safety of my firearm. Plus, I am really thankful to have one case that can do it all, rather than having multiple versions of the same case, each with it’s own “cut out” of the rifle that goes in it.
We spend all kinds of money on gear, but don’t demand the best when it comes to what to put that gear in. From fine arms to optics, Zarges protects them all, every time. It’s why they’ve become my go-to case anytime I travel with a firearm.
Editors Note : A special thank you to the Zarges team and to Dan Cabela for taking the time to highlight such a well-built and practical product for our community. We appreciate their support in sharing gear that meets the demands of skirmishers and competitive shooters alike.
Union Volunteers from Dixie
By Wayne Mabb, 108th New York Vol. Inf.
While much has been made of Confederate soldiers from Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri—states that remained in the Union—the story of the thousands of Southerners who fought for the Union remains largely unknown. One reason for this is the persistent idea that the Southern people were united in support of secession, the supremacy of states’ rights, resistance to “Yankee oppression,” and the fight of the Confederate States to gain their independence.
Overlooked in this mythology are military desertions, draft evasions, gangs of outlaws, rebellious mobs, armed resistance by Unionists, sabotage, and secret peace societies that plagued the Confederacy during the four years of its existence. From the very beginning of the war, large areas of the South opposed slavery, secession, the Confederacy, and all it stood for. As the war progressed, opposition increased in these areas and spread to other parts of the South.
In the East, opposition centered in the Appalachian highlands— western and southwestern Virginia, East Tennessee, western North and South Carolina, northern Alabama, and northern Georgia. Resistance to the Confederacy also flourished in the Florida Panhandle and the northern river counties of Mississippi. In the trans-Mississippi Confederacy, resistance was found in central Missouri, the Ozarks of Arkansas, and the northern and western Texas area.
Reasons for this resistance were many and varied: loyalty to the Federal Union, opposition to slavery, resentment of the privileges of the well-to-do—particularly slave owners—resentment of favoritism to the wealthy in draft exemptions, hatred of harsh conscription policies, runaway inflation, the tax-in-kind system, and laws allowing army seizure of property all contributed to widespread anti-Confederate sentiment and action. Resistance manifested itself in numerous ways—opposition newspapers, sabotage, denunciation of pacifism, guerrilla warfare, escape, formal armed resistance, and enlistment in the Union Army.
Union Volunteers from Dixie
The path these Southerners in blue chose was arduous and fraught with danger. Many had to leave their homes at night and make their way to the nearest Federal lines. Often the route was through mountains and forests, traveling by night and hiding by day, with Confederate cavalry on their trail. Capture meant imprisonment, torture, or death. Some bribed their way into Union service; others, unable to do so, simply crossed enemy lines at great risk.
Even after enrolling in the Federal Army, they faced dangers other soldiers—North and South—did not. Capture in battle could mean death before a Southern firing squad or by hanging.
Members of the First North Carolina captured at New Berne, N.C., in 1864 suffered just such a fate at the hands of George Pickett. In total, 86,164 men from the South served in the Union Army. Of these, 14,606 died; 2,633 were killed or mortally wounded in battle.
Federal units bore the names of 10 of the 11 Confederate states. Only South Carolina was not officially represented, though Unionists from the Palmetto State served in regiments—particularly those from North Carolina.
The number of Union military formations from each state is listed below, along with their estimated troop contributions:
Alabama – 1 regiment of cavalry — 2,573 men
Arkansas – 1 regiment of light artillery, 4 regiments and 1 battalion of infantry — 2,289 men
Florida – 2 regiments of cavalry — 1,290 men
Georgia – 1 battalion of infantry — (number not available)
Louisiana – 2 regiments of cavalry, 4 battalions of infantry — 3,224 men
Mississippi – 1 regiment of mounted rifles — 545 men
North Carolina – 2 regiments of infantry — 1,316 men
South Carolina – 20 regiments, 1 battalion of cavalry, 2 batteries of light artillery, 22 regiments, 1 company of infantry — 31,092 men
Texas – 2 regiments, 2 battalions of cavalry — 1,905 men
Virginia – 7 regiments of cavalry, 8 batteries of light artillery, 20 regiments, 1 battalion, 1 company of infantry — 20,095 men
This breakdown is drawn from A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick Dyer and Regimental Losses in the Civil War by William Fox.
Union men from one Southern state often served in Federal regiments of another. These numbers are rounded and include regiments listed under Virginia, which—aside from Meane’s Loudoun Rangers—were redesignated as West Virginia units when that state was admitted to the Union in 1863. The majority of those men were mustered into service while western Virginia was still part of Virginia. These figures also include men who served in the Eastern, Western, and Trans-Mississippi Armies.
They performed garrison duty, went on campaign, fought in battle, and endured imprisonment in Confederate prisons. They were stationed both at home and in neighboring states, engaged in countless “small” battles and skirmishes now forgotten except on local maps. Yet they also played critical roles in major Federal victories—Vicksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Atlanta, Nashville, and many others.
National Officers
NATIONAL COMMANDER
North-South Skirmish Association Contact List
NATIONAL DEPUTY COMMANDER
NATIONAL ADJUTANT
NATIONAL INSPECTOR GENERAL
PAST NATIONAL COMMANDER
NATIONAL PAYMASTER
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Region Commanders & Inspectors
AL REGION COMMANDER
CH REGION COMMANDER
CR REGION COMMANDER
CV REGION COMMANDER
DS REGION COMMANDER
EN REGION COMMANDER
MA REGION COMMANDER
MW REGION COMMANDER
NE REGION COMMANDER
NW REGION COMMANDER
PT REGION COMMANDER
TW REGION COMMANDER
WR REGION COMMANDER
Staff Officers & Committee Chairs
ARTILLERY OFFICER
ASST SMALL ARMS OFFICER
BIVOUAC OFFICER
CORPORATE RELATIONS OFFICER
DATA MANAGER
HISTORY CENTER OFFICER
INSURANCE OFFICER
IT/DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR
JUDGE ADVOCATE/SOLICITOR
LOGISTICS OFFICER
MEDICAL LIAISON OFFICER
NRA LIAISON OFFICER
ORDNANCE OFFICER
PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICER
PROGRAM OFFICER
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
DAVID COLE
RICHARD H CLEMENTS
ERICK SHAW
JOHN DEFILIPPI
CHARLES L KINDLE JR
BETTE ANN SHEPHERD
SHARON A MYERS
DOUGLAS K WALTER
DAVID T BOOZ
THOMAS E WAREHAM
SCOTT B HARRIS
LANIER A HARRISON JR
LOUIS RUGGIERO
JOSEPH PLAKIS III
ERIC S SCHUESSLER
MARK R KILLEEN
EDWARD WALTERS
WALTER J ZDON JR
E.R. MIKE DAVENPORT
JOHN P MARK
ROBERT T WEST
MICHAEL J SANTARELLI
ROBERT E GORSKY
WALTER M KREITLER
LINWOOD L McMAHON
GARY J CRAWFORD
JASON M REXRODE
RICHARD E WOOD
LARS E ANDERSON
TIMOTHY D SCANLAN
JOHN VENSKOSKE SR
CRAIG STANLEY
JOHN VENSKOSKE SR
LISBETH A COLE
GEORGE F MCDOWELL
MARK A FLEET
703-362-7836 COLE84_89@VERIZON.NET
724-255-5830 EXSECNSSA@GMAIL.COM
PROPERTY MANAGER
PROTOCOL OFFICER
PROVOST MARSHAL
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
RANGE OFFICER
RECRUITING COORDINATOR
REGISTRATION OFFICER
REVOLVER RANGE OFFICER
RULES OFFICER
SAFETY OFFICER
SIGNAL OFFICER
SKIRMISH LINE EDITOR
SMALL ARMS OFFICER
SUTLER OFFICER
Committee Chairpersons
AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR
CHARITABLE GIVING COMMITTEE
TIMOTHY D SCANLAN
BRANDON S BOWSER
BRUCE A ALLEN
BRUCE W MILLER
JEFFREY R COX
CHRISTOPHER DAVID KRECIDLO
JOHN L GASKILL
CHRIS M DEFRANCISCI
SHARON A MYERS
DOUGLAS K WALTER
DAVID COLE
EDDIE DAVENPORT III
JOHN D HOLLAND JR
PAUL D STONEBURNER
NANCY C CROCKETT
WAYNE V JORDAN
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE GARY J CRAWFORD
COSTUME COMMITTEE CHAIR
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
HISTORY & EDUCATION COMMITTEE
INT’L MUZZLELOADING COMMITTEE
LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE
MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR
PERSONNEL REVIEW COMMITTEE
UNIFORM COMMITTEE CHAIR
VETERANS COMMITTEE CHAIR
YOUTH COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
YOUTH COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
MARYANNE FAETH-GREKETIS
MATTHEW A GALLOWAY
JOHN P ZEBELEAN III
EDWARD W SCHNEEMAN
EDWIN THOMPSON
CHRIS M DEFRANCISCI
CARLTON LAYNE
MARK E LATHAM
ROBERT E BETHKE
TRAVIS J KEENER
CASEY C KEENER
Contact information available through the website or by contacting the Executive Secretary.
2024 Report Society of Color Bearers and Advance Guard
Proud Donors to the N- SSA
By Wayne Jordan, Charitable Giving Committee
The year 2024 was a good year for N-SSA fundraising. There were 178 donations totaling $63,081. This was up significantly over the 2023 total. Of this, $24,829 was contributed to the N -SSA Advance Guard Endowment Fund by twenty-one of our members. The Endowment has well over $100,000 in it now which is invested in bank CDs In addition, numerous donors gave a total of $3,230 toward various specific projects or in memory of skirmishers who have passed. The largest number of our donors were in the Corporal category which includes donations between $100 – $249.99.
The investment markets are a major source of funds for individuals who wish to give donations to their favorite nonprofit organizations. The year 2024 was a good year for those markets and that helped make funds available for our members to donate.
We know that everyone’s personal financial situation is different, and that it changes from time to time. But, for those skirmishers for whom making donations to nonprofits is appropriate, we hope that you’ll include the N -SSA along with your church , school and other charities that you like to support with donations. The N -SSA is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization which can accept tax deductible donations. This is especially significant if you are over 70 ½ and have an IRA account that you’d like to avoid paying taxes on (and associated Medicare IRMAA penalties that can greatly increase your Medicare premiums ). You can donate directly from your IRA account to the N -SSA and avoid all taxes on that sum, and apply that amount to any Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) that you may need to satisfy. This year you can donate up to a total of $108,000 to qualified nonprofits. Such donations must go directly to the nonprofit and are called Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD). Each year more of our members are utilizing QCD donations to avoid taxes and support the N -SSA. If your retirement money is tied up in a 401k, 403b or certain other retirement accounts, there are often simple ways to move that money into a Rollover IRA and then use it for charitable donations.
We also are accepting shares of appreciated stocks, mutual funds, etc., which also allows you to avoid paying all taxes on those gains. And don’t forget to see if your employer will match your donations to charities. Some of our retired members have even had their former employer match their donations, or make grants to the N -SSA.
We have already received numerous donations from our members for 2025. Our General Fund always can use new funds. There are plenty of maintenance and capital projects that need more funding, which will be highlighted in upcoming editions of the Skirmish Line. And the Advance Guard Endowment Fund has continued to grow and now is earning interest as well. This endowment was created in 2023 to be a long term source of support for the NSSA, as a permanent fund whose principal will be allowed to g row in perpetuity.
ANY AMOUNT IS APPRECIATED! All donors are automatically made members of the Society of Color Bearers. Donors to the Endowment Fund are also made members of the Advance Guard.
I have started to build an email database of our members and am occasionally sending out emails about our fundraising needs and creative ways to make donations while reducing taxes or providing other benefits. Just send me an email if you aren’t alre ady on the email list.
DONATE DIGITALLY BY USING OUR QR CODE
We now have another way to make donations. The QR code can be scanned with your cellphone and it will take you to the official N -SSA website Donations page where you can quickly and easily make a donation by credit card or Paypal. After it takes you to the page, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the donate button. Be sure to include your mailing address so we can send you a receipt for your tax deductible donation.
Or send in a check using the form below. Maybe you still have a return envelope from a recent mailing.
Will you donate now? Just print and send this form with your donation to: N -SSA , c/o Wayne Jordan, Charitable Donations Committee, 8606 Eagle Glen Terrace, Fairfax Station, Va 22039
Name _______________________________
Amount of donation__________
Address _______________________________ City ____________ State ______ Zip_______
All Checks should be made out to the N -SSA. All donors will receive a letter of receipt by mail. The N -SSA is a 501 c 3 organization and donations are eligible for tax deductions.
2024 N-SSA DONOR LIST
Below is a list of the 2024 donors, by category. There is also a supplementary list of donors who have Joined the Advance Guard Endowment, or answered the call for specific projects that needed funding, or donated for other specific purposes or dedications.
Sergeant Major ($5000+)
29th Wisconsin
Jordan, Wayne & Joy
Zebelean III, John
First Sergeant ($1000 -$2499)
5th Virginia Infantry
Best, Alice
Bondurant, Charlie
Booz, Dave & Barb
Burgess, Jim
Cahoon, Thomas
DeFrancisci, Chris
Hacker, Johannes Holland, John
Mandy, David & Josh ua
Miller, Bruce & Terri
Terrey, Lee
Thomas, John
Washington Blue Rifles
Wells, John & MaryLou
White, Thomas
Wood, James
Sergeant ($500-$999)
44th New York Volunteers
Caire, Rapheal
Chaveas, Lucille
Dennis, Mark
Doc Chambers Golf Group
Druen, Ray
Estok, John
Gaede, Fred
Krug, Matthew Miller, Mark
Potts, Heston & Corinne
Shepherd, John
Taylor, Howard
Taylor, Nick
Warren, Debby & Grant
Corporal ($250-$499)
149th New York
Babits, L. E.
Clowdis, K Blair
Corrigan, Richard & Mary
Difatta, Connie
Dorner, Steve
Easterling, Frank
Fraley, Courtney
Gaskill Family
Heiser, Doug
Heizer, William
Hottle, Ron & Karol
Jordan, J Joan
Newman, Dan & Mary Anne
Newman, Daniel
Sours, Donnie & Joyce
Stedman, Daniel Walsh, Wayne
Zahner, Peter
Bugler ($100-$249)
11th New Jersey
72nd NY Vol Inf
Acton, Michael
Addoms, Malcom
Alden Central High, Class of 73
Barker, Chuck
Bendy, Jr, Marvin Bertram, Eldon
Bohrer, David
Bologna, John
Bondurant, Charles Childs, Terry Cole, Dave
Collins, David
Conner, Duff Connor, Duff
Conway, John
Coumes, Jim & Dale
Dismal Swamp Rangers
Fox, Earl & Daryl
Fuderer, George
Garman III, Walter
Gravatt, Glenn Hammond, Steve
Harris Light Cavalry
Hayes, Yvonne
Holland, Lyle & Brenda
Hoover, Larry
Hottle, Chris
Knapp, Louis Knopf, Ed
Lease, Jeffrey Legacy.com Martin, Mona
McDowell, Jeffrey
Northeast Region
Patton, David
Pilkerton, Timothy
Plec, Shirley
Pond, Steve Rambo, F William
Ramsey, Henry Rea, Thomas
Riordan, Michael
Rowe, L R
Ruggiero, Louis Ryan, James Shepherd, Bette
Smith, Jerry & Brandon
Sorensen, Peter Spaugy, Phil
Venskoske, John
Ward, John Whitacre, Daniel
Private (Up to $99)
14th Virginia Cavalry
Bakley, Carlton
Boley, Michael
Campbell, Gordon Cutright, Tom
Doc's Place Collections
Fiebig, Doug
Gibson, Daniel & Karen
Gorsky, Bob
Graff, Dan
Hahn, Charlie
Hobbs, Ann
Howey, Christopher Jarnutowski, Michael
Keener, Bryan
Keller, Paul Lee, William Logan, Andrew Moreland, James
Nolte, Paul
Penney, Thomas Penney, Tom
Phillips, Lee
Rohrbach, Bruce & Jennifer
Ruggiero -Smyers, Mary
Sheets, John
Sis, Richard
Snaider, Richard
Snyder, Linda
Stedman, Dan Ward, James
Watson, Sam
Weber, Paul Zdon, Walter
DEDICATED DONATIONS
150th Committee
29th Wisconsin
150th Nationals expenses
Bondurant, Charlie
Drunk as a Skunk Club
Stedman, Daniel
Endowment Fund
149th New York
5th Virginia Infantry
Best, Alice
Burgess, Jim
Cahoon, Thomas
DeFrancisci, Chris
Gibson, Daniel & Karen
Hacker, Johannes
Jordan, Wayne & Joy
Keller, Paul
Krug, Matthew
Miller, Bruce & Terri
Moreland, James
Penney, Thomas
Riordan, Michael
Taylor, Howard
Terrey, Lee
Thomas, John
Venskoske, John
Zahner, Peter
Zebelean III, John
Historical Center
Babits, L. E.
In Memory: Arthur Best
Best, Alice
Jackie Holland Sink Fund
149th New York
14th Virginia Cavalry
44th New York Volunteers
In Memory: Ben Harris, Memorial Park
Dismal Swamp Rangers
In Memory: Bob Kelley
149th New York
Alden Central High School, Class of 1973
In Memory: Dan Hayes
Harris Light Cavalry
Hayes, Yvonne
In Memory: David C. Difatta
Difatta, Connie
In Memory: Edwin Thomas Hobbs
Hobbs, Ann
In Memory: Errol McLean
Harris Light Cavalry
In Memory: Gustav Ruggiero
Legacy.com
Snyder, Linda
In Memory: Mike Laney
Phillips, Lee
Pilkerton, Timothy
In Memory: Ray Hess, Jr
11th New Jersey
72nd NY Vol Inf
Campbell, Gordon
Chaveas, Lucille
Conway, John
Holland, John
Logan, Andrew
Martin, Mona
Northeast Region
Plec, Shirley
Ruggiero, Louis
Stedman, Dan
Latrines Update
Dennis, Mark
Parking Signage at Nationals
Taylor, Nick
Property Mgmt/Painting Sutlers
Washington Blue Rifles
Range Improvements
Caire, Rapheal
Road Repairs
Lease, Jeffrey
Young Skirmisher Award
Jordan, Wayne & Joy
151st Nationals Team Results
North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. 150th National Skirmish, Oct 2-6,
151st Nationals Team Results
North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. 150th National Skirmish, Oct 2-6, 2024 Revolver Company Match Results - Final
151st Nationals Team Results
Spencer - 1 Place Paid
151st Nationals Team Results
151st Nationals Team Results
151st Nationals Team Results
151st Nationals Team Results
WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
The Percussion Cap
By Dana A. Bachman Skirmish Line Staff Writer
By the beginning of the 19th century, flintlock muskets and rifles had been in use throughout the world for well over a hundred years. But as times change, so do the weapons and tactics of war. Until then, battles were almost entirely dependant upon weather conditions. If the weather was rainy and damp, the priming powder on the muskets would not ignite and the shock value of a well aimed volley was reduced to fizzles and pops. Besides, the flintlock system itself was clumsy to operate and often unreliable, even in good weather. Various ways were experimented with to eliminate this problem, but none were as effective as the copper percussion cap.
In the year 1807, in England, a Scottish clergyman named Alexander Forsyth received the first patent for making a fulminating substance to be used as an ignition source for weapons. Reverend Forsyth was an avid fowler, but he was not very good at it. He claimed that the birds could see the flash of his flintlock, and thus dodge the shot. This led him to his invention, the “Forsyth Gun”, which had a round plug with a cavity in it that led to the breech, and upon the plug was a magazine that pivoted. The magazine held the primer on one end, and a striking rod on the other which was held loosely by a spring. One rotated the magazine until the primer section stopped against the plug and discharged the primer into the cavity. Then one rotated the magazine back so the striking rod could detonate the primer. It was ingenious, yet not quite efficient enough for military applications.
Applying fulminate to a device to render it feasible to be safely and efficiently used to ignite the powder charge in military weapons was another problem. No one is really sure who actually invented the copper percussion cap. In Europe, in 1812, Johannes Samuel Pauly and Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse both came up with systems that were similar to the caps used in modern cartridge weapons, but were not “true” percussion caps. In 1814, an English immigrant to the U.S. named Joshua Shaw applied for a patent involving a small iron cup which held a minute quantity of fulminate. Mr. Shaw was a forerunner of today’s recycling movement, because he hoped that the iron cups would be re-primed and used again. This did not go over very well, and in 1815 he switched to pewter, turning his back on recycling and embracing the infant “disposable” movement. Pewter, unfortunately, did not satisfy his desires. It was too hard, and it was rather expensive to use. Copper, however, seemed to work well. It was soft, cheap, and readily abundant, so Mr. Shaw switched to that in 1816. Durs Egg, Colonel Peter Hawker, and Joe Manton also claim to have invented the copper percussion cap.
Until the development of the Model 1833 Hall-North Breechloading Percussion Carbine, no U.S. martial small arm used the percussion cap as its ignition system. This was the icebreaker, for soon afterwards, all U.S. martial small arms would use the percussion cap. As for where the Ordnance Department obtained them, records show that Mr. Shaw sold the patent for his copper percussion cap to the U.S. Government in June of 1844. The precise amount he received for it was not decided upon until after three years of letter-tag had been played between Mr. Shaw and the Ordnance office and War Department. His eventual compensation was for $18,000, paid to him on February 20th, 1847. Mr. Shaw’s machine made the flanged or “winged” percussion cap that was commonly used by both the North and the South in the Civil War. Until 1845, the U.S. had been importing its percussion caps, but with Mr. Shaw’s patent, his ingenious fellow named Bouton, by 1848 we were self-sufficient in producing percussion caps until the outbreak of the Civil War. Mr. Bouton, employed at the Watervliet Arsenal, devised a machine that produced the flanged copper percussion cap in greater quantities, safer, and at less expense, than any other system in use in the world at that time. Using one man to operate two of his machines, 60,000 caps could be fabricated in ten hours. It would take seven men and seven machines to accomplish 50,000 caps using the French method.
Few items essential to the war effort were produced in such copious quantities as the percussion cap. From January 1st, 1861 to June 30th, 1866, 1,220,555,435 percussion caps were either made or procured by the U.S. Government. Accurate numbers are difficult to obtain for Confederate quantities, but millions certainly were made/procured by Richmond for the armies of the Confederacy.
This article was found in a letter mailed to one of the Skirmish Line editors in the 90’s. I wanted to share it with the organization. - Eddie Davenport
Listen to the Wind
By: Mark E. Dennis
1st Maine Heavy Artillery
Written for the 92nd National
Skirmish
Distant fife and drum
Grows closer and closer with each skirmish. We sit here tonight in moonlight, bright... And “Listen to the Wind”, The din of anguished souls.
For a moment, a soldiers’ camp, Tomorrow a battlefield, a skirmish line. Night clouds sail by in ghostly parade. (Inviting me, perhaps they sail for me.) I wake to distant guns... And the sound of fife and drum.
The first crack of gunfire echoes down the valley As sunrise golden glow signals the command. Both armies, line after line across green meadows, Engage causes “written in the stars.”
The skirmish begins, but now, it is for us to remember... Sacrifice and honor. We skirmish into the mid-afternoon, And soon the guns of summer cease.
We will return again in Spring, After winter’s cold, to recall and pay homage once again... To those who went before us... Flags will unfurl, with color on the meadows...
As distant fife and drum
Grows closer and closer with each skirmish. We sit here tonight in moonlight, bright...
And “Listen to the Wind”, The din of anguished souls.
The Second New Jersey Cavalry at Brice’s Crossroads
By William C. Goble
Originally published June 1997.
In mid-1863, New Jersey had only one cavalry regiment in the field. Joseph Karge, who at one point had commanded that regiment, was home in Newark. The wound that had caused him to resign his commission had healed, and the old soldier was anxious to get into the fight again. He petitioned Governor Parker for permission to recruit and train a new mounted regiment. The request, with support from Karge’s former commanders, several politicians, and former Governor Olden, was sent to Washington, where it was personally endorsed by President Lincoln on June 12, 1863.
The recruits of 1863 differed from those early in the war, however. Many men had discovered that they could enlist, take the bounty, and then desert to join another regiment for another bounty. The clever and lucky could amass a small fortune with little risk. These bounty jumpers gave Karge fits. By the end of August, one hundred and eight men and two officers were carried on the Second’s books as deserters. The open camp was also beset by whiskey peddlers, assorted hustlers, and people selling civilian clothes to potential deserters. An exasperated Karge wrote the Assistant Provost Marshal L. Jones, asking for help and complaining, "I am beset with deserters and bounty jumpers... My best men are worn out with guard duty." In frustration, Karge cleared his camp of unwanted civilians.
After a short tour with the Army of the Potomac, Karge and his Jerseymen were sent to Tennessee to join the Yankees trying to corner Nathan Bedford Forrest. Upon arrival, Karge was placed under the command of an infantry officer, which frustrated him greatly, but did not stop him from getting the most out of his men and inspiring his junior officers to do their job.
That night, fifty to sixty Jerseymen were cut off and captured when they missed a turn in the road. The retreat continued for another day and night until the column met a relief force at Collierville. The victorious Rebels pressed hard to totally destroy Sturgis' command and came close. The Second New Jersey’s performance as rear guard did much to prevent a total rout.
It was a great victory for General Forrest. He captured 1,618 men, 16 guns, 200 wagons, 1,500 stands of arms, and a page-long list of other equipment at a cost of about 500 casualties. Sturgis was ruined. His total casualties numbered 2,240, and the survivors would be worthless for weeks. The Second lost six men killed, nine wounded, and sixty-five missing. Among the dead was Captain Charles C. Reiley, hit on the first day. Reiley was a former first sergeant in the Eleventh New Jersey Infantry. Color Sergeant Jesse L. Harrison was also killed, hit in the head by a bullet that smashed the color staff. In spite of the defeat, Karge and the Second enhanced their reputations. Sturgis wrote, "I cannot refrain from expressing my high appreciation of the valuable services rendered by that excellent and dashing officer, Col. Joseph Karge, of the Second New Jersey Volunteers."
After the battle, Sturgis was sent to military limbo by Grant, and Karge went on to lead the Second to the end of the war, eventually being commissioned a Brevet Brigadier General.
Ellie wrote about the fate of a captured Rebel Lieutenant: "If he had been one of the incarnate devils who were engaged in the Fort Pillow Massacre he would not have fared so well at our hands—for we have made no prisoners of any who have fallen into our hands whom it was known took part in that transaction."
The Jersey horsemen ran up against Forrest at Bolivar and caused him to retreat through the town and across the Hatchie River, allowing Karge to join a very exclusive club for Yankee soldiers: those who had defeated Nathan Bedford Forrest.
Word filtered to General Washburn that Forrest was gathering a large force at Tupelo, Mississippi. With Sherman's supply line getting longer as he moved toward Atlanta, it was critical that Forrest be attacked before he could disrupt Northern communications. On June 1, a Union force led by General Samuel Sturgis left Memphis leading an expedition of 3,300 cavalry, 5,000 infantry, 16 guns, and 200 wagons. Four days later, Karge, with 200 men from the Second and 200 more from the Seventh Illinois and Tenth Missouri, was sent on a scouting mission to determine Rebel strength around Corinth. It was a dangerous mission, deep into Rebel-controlled territory.
As Karge led his command from Ripley to Rienzi, Forrest got wind of the move and sent a brigade out to cut off the Jerseymen. The Yankee horsemen surprised the Rebel guard at the Rienzi Depot and the Rebels took to their heels. Karge put his men to work tearing up the railroad while a telegrapher eavesdropped on the Southern message traffic. The raiders moved fast, destroying Confederate property as they marched.
Second Lieutenant Alexander A. Yard wrote his brother on his happiness of being detached under Lieutenant Colonel Kitchen: "He don’t have an officers' call every morning for the sake of saying, 'Gentlemen you are not worth a damn,' as Colonel Karge has done repeatedly... it would make your blood run cold to see the way white men are treated by 'K'. I would not accept promotion under him for anything in the world... to be under the man I am is almost as bad as Hades." Apparently, the Colonel was hard to please. Other men, veterans of the eastern war, found the commissary wanting. They complained that they received twice the amount of food in the East than they were issued here.
Eventually, the Second was assigned to Major General Cadwallader Washburn’s command. Washburn then planned a three-pronged attack to catch the "Devil Forrest." But the wily rebel gave Washburn the slip and the blow landed in the air.
The "Devil" had a schedule of his own. On April 12, Forrest attacked Fort Pillow and overwhelmed the garrison. In the confusion of the surrender, some African American troops were killed after the white flag was raised. The Confederates claimed that the men killed took up arms after surrendering, but there were Northern claims of cold-blooded murder. The story grew to become the "Fort Pillow Massacre," which precipitated a congressional investigation and became the Civil War’s greatest horror story.
Union troops were incensed by the Fort Pillow story, and it made for a harder war.
Thank You to the Staff and Volunteers of the 151st N-SSA Nationals
Now that some time has passed since the 151st National Skirmish, we want to take a moment to extend a sincere thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped make the event possible.
The 151st was far from ordinary. With unexpected weather and logistical hurdles, it took an extra level of effort and flexibility to keep things moving. From range crews and registration teams to target changers, scorers, and those who stayed late to help with cleanup—it was the commitment of volunteers that made the difference.
Many members stepped up without being asked, filling in gaps, solving problems on the fly, and doing the kind of behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed. Your efforts ensured that, even with the challenges, the skirmish remained a success and upheld the spirit of friendly competition and historical appreciation that defines the N-SSA.
Thank you for your time, energy, and dedication. Your contributions left a lasting impact—and didn’t go unnoticed.
Eddie Davenport - Skirmish Line Editor.
Tom Rea, Nansemond Guards - DSCA Single Shot PistolBronze
Eddie Schneeman, 8th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, CSADSCA Musket - Gold
Rick Cameron Jr, Nansemond Guards - DSCA Single Shot Pistol - Bronze
Kent Snyder, 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry - DSCA 5-GunBronze
George Schell, 9th Virginia Cavalry, CSA - DSCA 5-GunBronze
Scott Harris, 1st Florida Cavalry, CSA - DSSA - Bronze
Steve Brockmiller, York Rangers - 50 Year Membership Award 11th Indiana Zouaves (left to right): Jay Fulton; Accepting 50 Year Membership Awards: Jay Harrold (accepting on behalf of his father Mike Harrold); Randy Norris, Kenny Craig; Mike Wilson. Also accepting a 50 Year Membership Award (far right) is Chuck Fulton, Union Guards.
Owen Friendenthal, accepting on behalf of his father, Neal Friendenthal - 15th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry - 60 Year Membership Award (posthumous)
Jocelyn and Joey Plakis IV, accepting on behalf of their grandfather, Joe Plakis Jr, Hamption Legion, CSA - 60 Year Membership Award
5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Co C - with the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Trophy for 1st Place C Musket Team
8th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Co A - with the Jack Rawls Place Memorial Trophy for 1st Place Musket-Carbine Team Aggregate and the Hibler-Ninness Memorial Trophy for 4th Place A-1 Team
9th Virginia Cavalry, CSA, Co A - with the William Frances Keys Trophy for 1st Place A Musket Team; and the Walt Taylor Memorial Trophy for 2nd Place Musket-Carbine Team Aggregate
Nansemond Guards, Co B - with the Franklin O Hayes Memorial Trophy for 1st Place B-1 Musket Team
1st Valley Rangers, Co A - with the Army of the Tennessee Memorial Trophy for 1st Place A-3 Musket Team
Washington Blue Rifles, Co B - 1st Place B-1 Carbine Team
5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Co B - 1st Place B-2 Carbine Team
8th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry - with the Alan Bilby Memorial Trophy for 1st Place A Carbine Team
1st Valley Rangers, Co A - 1st Place A-3 Carbine Team
McGregor’s 2nd Battery, Co A - 1st Place A-2 Carbine Team
Nansemond Guards, Co B - 1st Place, Class B Revolver Team
21st Virginia Infantry, Maryland Guard, Co A - with the 1st Place Class A-1 Revolver Team Trophy
Cockade Rifles, Co A - 1st Place, Class A-3 Revolver Team
Forrest’s Escort Company, Co A - 1st Place, Class A-2 Revolver Team
Lily Jenkins, Aidan Ruchty, Joseph Becker, Alexander Weaver - 1st Place Junior BB Gun Team
Terrence Donohue, Henry Shaw, Nadia Shaw, Richary Abbey - 1st Place Junior BB Gun Team
Gavin Price, 48th Virginia Infantry - 1st Place Senior Pellet Rifle Individuals
Lily Jenkins, Mosby’s Rangers (L) and Hattie Bethke, 3rd Maryland Artillery (R) with the Clarence Holloway Jr Tenderfoot Trophy for 1st Place Junior and Senior Youths.
2nd Maryland Artillery, CSA, Co A - with the Private’s Trophy for 1st Place Repeater Team
Tammany Regiment, Co A - 1st Place, Class A-3 Breechloader Team
Cockade Rifles, Co A - 1st Place, Class A-2 Breechloader Team
2nd New Jersey Cavalry, Co B - 1st Place, Class B Breechloader Team
1st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Light Artillery, Co A - 1st Place Spencer Team
Nansemond Guards, Co A - 1st Place, Class A Single-Shot Pistol Team
Most of Nansemond Guards A, B, C teams - who were 1st Place in those three respective classes - for Single-Shot Pistol Team
Nansemond Guards, Co B - 1st Place, Class B Single-Shot Pistol Team
1st Maryland Cavalry, CSA No 1 (Smoothbore) - with the Ben T Cooke, Sr. Memorial Trophy for highest scoring Smoothbore Crew
McGregor’s 2nd Battery (Rifle) - with the Russell L Yeagy Memorial Trophy for highest scoring Rifled Crew
1st Maryland Cavalry, CSA No 2 (Rifled Howitzer) - 1st Place, Class D (Rifled Howitzer) Artillery
Nansemond Guards, Co B - 1st Place, Class B Smoothbore Team
Nansemond Guards, Co C - 1st Place, Class C Smoothbore Team
21st Virginia Infantry, Maryland Guard, Co A - with the Men of the West Trophy for 1st Place A-1 Smoothbore Team
McGregor’s 2nd Battery, Co A - 1st Place, Class A-3 Smoothbore Team
2nd New Jersey Cavalry, Co A - 1st Place, Class A-2 Smoothbore Team
21 Gun Salute at Opening Ceremonies Spring Nationals, May 2025
Dave Cole, National Commander - presents Chuck Kindle with the Past National Commander Patch.
Craig Stanley, Cockade Rifles - is presented with the Skirmish Director’s Star for the 151st Fall National.
George McDowell, 12 Pennsylvania Infantry - and 151st National Skirmish Director addresses the troops.
Teams march with drum and fife to the line Sunday Morning.
The N-SSA band plays the National Anthem and Dixie Sunday morning.
A History of the Veterans’ Skirmish
By Bob Siegfried (Former editor of “The Skirmish Line”)
Editors Note: With the upcoming Veterans Skirmish I thought it would be fun to explore the history of the event. This article was originally published in 1989.
In the winter of 1966-67 plans were first made by Happy Taylor (RVM), Bob Siegfried (RVM), and Jerry Stone (2nd Va Cav.) to hold a general muzzleloading rifle match for round ball muzzle loading rifles, muskets and revolvers to be open to the general public and the skirmish association members. This match was termed a rendezvous (though not in the same sense of dress once applied today) to draw shooters from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, portions of Ohio, New York and other near-by states. The idea was to broaden our activities and increase the income to be used for range and property improvement and Fort Shenandoah.
The first rendezvous was held in July 1967. There were 104 shooters who fired 568 matches. These rendezvous type matches continued until 1969. At that time the consensus was that we needed to make a change in the format of the matches. The opinion had been expressed many times that some of the skirmishers would like to see a match restricted to the older shooters, with 10 years or more in skirmishing.
The Board of Directors was approached by Happy Taylor with a request that a committee be appointed to study this proposal. Commander Carl Jensen gave whole-hearted support to the idea and appointed Happy Taylor as chairman of a 6-man committee to investigate the interest and need for such an activity. The committee reported back to the Board with an affirmative finding indicating an enthusiastic response from the members and presented its plans for conduct of the then styled Veterans’ Skirmish.
The purpose of the Veterans’ Committee would be to conduct a series of special Skirmish type matches restricted to skirmishers who have been members of a member organization for a minimum of 10 years. “Teams” of ten men would be chosen by lot, each name having been placed in a hat (box) and drawn until all had been assigned to a shooting team. In this way there could be no hand picked teams to win each year and each skirmisher would have an opportunity to meet with and shoot with other men not connected with their parent organization. The entire idea was to have fun and shoot with men who were dedicated to skirmishing.
Funds in excess of $5,000 were to be placed in an escrow account to make special improvements on the range property. Examples of these are the Memorial Park, the Provost Building (and now the Veterans’ Building).
Plans to build a museum were mentioned early on and an escrow account was established by the committee for this purpose. The museum building was planned to provide a site for veterans with approval of the Board of Directors of N-SSA. Plans called for a two-story structure with museum on the top floor and housing some of the bottom floor for small groups such as our Board of Directors or the Skirmish Staff to hold their deliberations away from the general public. The building will be in keeping with the theme of our activity as governed by our building code.
It is the hope of the Veterans’ Committee that skirmishers will donate material for our museum. It will not contain any weapons or other material which might entice looters but rather will consist of old pictures and newspaper articles, Skirmish Lines of yesteryear, etc. Past chairs of The Skirmish Line are especially asked to search their files for unpublished pictures, articles and other material.
McCuin - 1st Place Boys Best Visual: Jackson is dressed to go fishing with Dad, one of his favorite things to do. He is wearing a cotton plaid shirt, green linen trousers and suspenders of a fabric called ticking. Accessories are a wool Newsboy cap, and a tin bucket with bait.
Platz
Magno - 1st Place Girls Informal Regular Competition: Amelia’s dress is a cinnamon pink cotton check, a boat neckline, capped sleeves, fine English net undersleeves, trimmed in a brown wool braid. Amelia’s accessories are a straw bonnet with plaid ribbons, a ribbon belt and Bible.
Melissa Bowen - 2nd Place Ladies Best Visual: Her costume is two separate items: bodice and skirt, made in different colors, which became popular during the Civil War Era. The bodice is a gold cotton, and the skirt is a plaid cotton, with a wide fabric belt.
Stoneburner - 1st Place Ladies Best Visual: Judy’s dress is a cotton plaid. The bodice is made with an “arundal” vest, which is a velvet half vest front sewn under a bolero style jacket. It is trimmed in decorative metal buttons and white cotton under-sleeves.
Elizabeth Hines - The Susan Brisban Award for an over-petticoat Special Project: Beth’s project is an over-petticoat trimmed in three groups of tucks. The first and third group of tucks, nine each, are horizontal, sandwiching the center group of nine tucks, which are diagonal.
Judy
Jackson
Amelia
Nelda
- 1st Place Ladies Informal Regular Competition, and The Becky Wood Award: Nelda’s dress is a deep blue, round shaped bodice (no darts), center opening, hook and eye closure and decorative buttons. The sleeves are a “coat sleeve” shape, with a button at the wrist.
Fashion Through the Ages!
The Costume Committee of the N-SSA entertained the troops with a timeline fashion show, exhibiting fashions that occured from 1776 to 1940, spanning and touching upon each of our American Wars.
Sewing Workshops! A perennial favorite!
Peggy Edward-Shaw conducted our workshop, teaching Penny Rugs, a fun project used for decorating a home in the 19th century. A display of antique collars and cuffs, from the mid-nineteenth century was also on display.
TAPS
Spring 2025
John (Buddy) Carver Mosby’s Rangers/skirmish Line Photographer
Paul Dingler Forrest’s Escort
Ronald Fredericksen Richmond Volunteer Militia
Don Kolehmainan 1st MI Volunteer Infantry
Mitchell (Crash) Landin 1st Regiment VA Volunteers
Steve Light Washington Blue Rifles
Steve Loughman 1st TN Volunteer Infantry
Tom Neill 1st PA Artillery
Robert Preston, Sr. 1st MI Engineers & Mechanics
Tom Schick 13th NJ Volunteers
Jim Stowers 15th Independent Btty
JB Hodgdon Harlan’s Light Cavalry/Owner, Hodgdon Powder Company
“Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.” - Emily Dickinson
The Magazine of the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc.
