The Skirmish Line Summer 2022

THE MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION, INC.

Summer 2022 Volume 67 ~ Issue 2 In this issue: General Ulysses S. Grant Revolvers & how you can own them.

HISTORY. COMPETITION. CAMARADERIE.

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 ~ skirmishline@n-ssa.net 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 Text and images may not be published separately, in hard copy or electronically, without the expressed written permission of their owner(s).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.

2 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Stories & Features

On The Cover: General Ulysses S. Grant Revolvers, Photos By Seth Isaacson.

Change of Address Requests Please send all address changes to: Judy Stoneburner N-SSA Executive Secretary PO Box 218 | Crozet, VA 22932-0218 If your household receives multiple copies that you’d prefer not to receive, please email execsecretary@n-ssa.net.

You must include your Zip+4 to receive The Skirmish Line

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The Firing Line............................................5 N-SSA New Recruits...................................6 Taps.............................................................. 7 National Directory..................................... 9 National Commander Message.............. 11 Message To The Troops........................... 12 N-SSA Board of Directors Minutes....... 13 Society of Color Bearers.......................... 26 Tidewater Region..................................... 28 Allegheny Region..................................... 31 Costume Committee............................... 33 General Ulysses S. Grant Revolvers........35 Chuck Wagon.............................................42 API Gun Bag Review.................................44 First Recruit Skirmish...............................46 Small Arms Committee............................48 Special Guest Writer A.M. Beck..............50 145th National Schedule..........................56 Thank you again to all our contributors and sponsors of the N-SSA

Note From the Editor

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.

Upcoming Deadline September 1st 2022

4 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

The Firing Line Another winter has come and gone; I hope the snow has finally melted in your area. For the first time in qyears, I can say that statement as I now live in the mountains of North Carolina and experiencing snow again. With the passing of winter, it means Skirmish Season is upon us again. Our weekends once again are spent shooting and camping with friends. Now that our days are getting longer, we have more time for shooting. I have been enjoying my evening shooting time behind my house on my little range. But like many of you I can’t wait to smell that Shenandoah sunshine at the upcoming nationals.

Last issue I mentioned that we would have a guest article from Seth Isaacson. You can check out his article on the revolvers of General Ulysses S. Grant (that you can potentially own!) on page 35. The Rock Island Auction Company is giving us an exclusive article on this piece. If you want to continue to see more articles from them on potential items coming up to auction, please let me know.

This issue of the Skirmish Line is jam packed with useful shooting tips and stories. I will continue to feature articles from past Skirmish Lines in our upcoming issues but as always, if you have an article, please send it to me. Ask anyone who has sent me an article that started with an idea, we will get you to the point of a real article.

Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who reached out to me after the last issue with John.

He meant a lot to me, and the organization will surely miss him. Thank all our guest writers and returning columnists. Without your contributions this magazine would not be the success it is.

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Welcome to all New Recruits November 2021 - April 2022

North-South Skirmish Association National Commanders

*John Gilmer

1956-1958

Allegheny Region 7

*James Waters

1959-1962

Carolina Region 2

*Albert Hardin

1963-1964

Central Virginia Region

*Carl Jensen

1965-1970

Chesapeake Region 9

Richard Corrigan

1971-1974

Deep South Region

*Frank Schoch

1975-1976

Mid-Atlantic Region 6

*John Sharrett

1977-1982

Midwest Region 1

*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

New England Region

6

1

3

Northeast Region 1 Northwest Region 5 Potomac Region 16 Tidewater Region 7 Western Region 2

Charles Kindle, Jr.

2021 -

Special thanks to Robert Harrison and all the outreach he does for our organization! Rob, is constantly setting up tables at gun shows and trade shows to keep our organization growing.

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TAPS Spring 2022 Robert Red Barbour

1st Regt. Engineers

Jerald Bauduin, Sr.

17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry

Gregory A. Connor

Wythe Rifles

Elwood Cullers

5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry

Joseph M. Fisher

13th Confederate Infantry

Charles A. Gomer

Wythe Rifles

William Thomas Howard 3rd North Carolina, Lenoir Braves Brian K. Kortman

118th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

James Magyar

7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Paul Sonner

1st Valley Rangers

William Howard Thomas 3rd North Carolina, Lenoir Braves George “Buddy” Wyatt, Jr. Mosby’s Rangers “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.”

-Emily Dickinson

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Best Quality Quality for for Traditional Traditional Rifles Rifles Best Schuetzen Black Black Powder Powder Schuetzen and 4-Wing 4-Wing Musket Musket Caps Caps and

Schuetzen Black Powder

Schuetzen Powder Energetics, Inc. 866-809-9704 www.schuetzenpowder.com 8 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

National Officers National Commander Past National Commander National Deputy Commander National Adjutant Inspector General National Paymaster Executive Secretary

Charles L. Kindle, Jr. David T.Booz David Cole Richard H. Clements Michael J. Santarelli Bette Ann Shepherd Judy O. Stoneburner

419-346-6768 717-338-9379 703-362-7836 703-815-3861 215-576-5358 443-375-2115 434-823-4772

clk111@Roadrunner.Com dtbooz@yahoo.com cole84-89@verizon.net nssa_national_adjutant@aol.com 1stpacavalry@gmail.com paymaster@n-ssa.net execsecretary@n-ssa.net

757-508-3007 570-423-1070 410-795-2677 703-407-2445 540-931-4033 937-272-7520 757-868-7844

sixpounder1841@yahoo.com nancyc@stny.rr.com gorsbob@aol.com wvjordan@aol.com gary.crawford18@outlook.com allenm@mtmcase-gard.com slwcarr@yahoo.com

Region Commanders & Inspectors

Allegheny Commander Douglas Walter 717-357-1134 Dwalter47@comcast.net AL IG Craig C.Shedd 570-423-1752 ccsmew@yahoo.com Carolina Commander Rex Cockerham 704-576-1652 racockerham@hotmail.com CR IG Dave Jackson 828-712-1437 gaffergrip65@yahoo.com Central VA Commander Ralph P.Shaw 804-400-9008 ltnup@embarqmail.com CV IG Phillip E. Crabill 540-323-3970 pdcrabil@shentel.net Chesapeake Commander Edwin Thompson 443-532-7841 mdrebel@live.com CH IG Michael L. Linton 301-873-7110 mlinton1966@yahoo.com Deep South Commander Charles I. Bondurant 502-221-0727 smokinpole@aol.com DS IG Eddye H. Lawley 205-789-9139 eddyelawley@gmail.com Mid-Atlantic Commander Roger A. Gray 732-280-8159 ragray1961@gmail.com MA IG Michael J. Santarelli 215-576-5358 1stpacavalry@gmail.com Midwest Commander Eric S. Schuessler 216-990-5903 eschues@aol.com MW IG Ian Egbert 740-357-1415 ian45662@yahoo.com New England Commander Louis Ruggiero 917-453-0171 tammany42@aol.com EN IG Richard M. Intravia 860-833-8856 quahog@sbcglobal.net Northeast Commander Robert D. Kelley 814-484-3415 rkel1858@outlook.com NE IG Benjamin P. Nevlezer 315-576-3108 bnevlezer@yahoo.com Northwest Commander Edward Walters 248-346-1962 ewalt1855@gmail.com NW IG James E.Weber 734-244-6394 shooter575@gmail.com Potomac Commander Davy Crockett, Jr. 570-888-8686 davyc@stny.rr.com PT IG Mark E. Elton 443-742-0041 mark.alaska@verizon.net Tidewater Commander E.R. Mike Davenport 252-453-2726 eddie_davenport@bshsi.org TW IG Michael Stoneburner 434-882-2228 bulletmaker.stoney@gmail.com Western Commander John P. Mark 920-420-1633 jmark48@hotmail.com WR IG John T. Thatcher 815-653-9024 Jt450@Aol.Com Staff Officers & Committee Chairs

Artillery Officer Robert T. West Awards Committee Chair Nancy C. Crockett Bivouac Officer Robert E. Gorsky Charitable Giving Wayne V. Jordan Community Relations Gary J. Crawford Corporate Relations Officer Allen Minneman Costume Committee Chair Sharleen Leigh West 9 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Doc’s Place Retail Sales Richard Intravia 860-833-8856 quahog@sbcglobal.net Ft. Shen. Emerg.Coord.

Chester T. Lauck 540-336-3938 lauckc@yahoo.com Historical Center Officer Gary J. Crawford 540-931-4033 gary.crawford18@outlook.com History Committee John P. Zebelean, III 410-747-4161 rebshooter@aol.com Inter. Muzzleloading Com Errol W. McLean 315-769-6204 captain1@slic.com IT Manager Linwood L. McMahon 757-536-5187 linwood.mcmahon@verizon.net Judge Advocate/Solicitor Lars E. Anderson 703-967-1789 lars.anderson@ofplaw.com Logistics Officer Pending Shawn A. Shaffer Long Range Planning Chair Robert Hannula 304-279-6348 bobbyhannula@juno.com LR Planning Co-Chair Edwin Thompson 443-532-7841 mdrebel@live.com Marketing Committee Chair Chris M.DeFrancisci 540-840-2707 Chris@WashingtonBlueRifles.com National Photography Officer N/A N/A N/A National Safety Officer Douglas K. Walter 717-357-1134 dwalter47@comcast.net NRA Liason Officer Craig Stanley 717-649-9461 cws11@ptd.net Ordnance Officer/Med Liaison John Venskoske, Sr. 540-888-3349 bcgsi@hughes.net Personnel Review Chair Carlton Layne 678-773-1364 cpllayne@aol.com Program Officer Lynn Warner 267-254-1847 lwarnerl15@gmail.com Program /Insurance Officer Jason M. Rexrode 540-414-2127 nssaprogramchair@gmail.com Property Management Officer Jeffrey C. Hall 703-901-3691 jchall23.jh@gmail.com Property Manager Timothy D. Scanlan nssapropertymgr@aol.com Protocol Officer Brandon S. Bowser 419-274-9197 bbowser13@gmail.com Provost Marshall Robert S. Klutas 717-921-8660 stonycrick61@gmail.com Public Information Officer Bruce W. Miller 248-258-9007 spartan70@sbcglobal.net Range Officer Scott B.Harris 540-841-4566 cwshooter575@gmail.com Recruiting Officer Robert M. Harrison 703-599-8865 rharrison6703@yahoo.com Registration Officer John L. Gaskill 586-291-2557 jlg14tenn@aol.com Revolver Range Officer Chris M.DeFrancisci 540-840-2707 webmaster@washingtonbluerifles.com Rules Officer Sharon A. Myers 724-255-5830 nssarulesoffice@gmail.com Sanitation Officer Charles J. Wager 910-326-4833 cwager@ec.rr.com Signal Officer Robert Hannula 304-279-6348 bobbyhannula@juno.com Skirmish Line Editor Eddie Davenport, III 757-439-4553 nssaeditor@gmail.com Small Arms Staff Officer John D.Holland, Jr. 716-824-5542 smallarms01@outlook.com Statistics Officer Jeffrey R. Knauss 412-766-2789 j.knauss@verizon.net Sutler Officer Paul D. Stoneburner 434-242-2533 madforestry6@gmail.com Uniform Committee Mark E. Latham 603-382-7014 balchiss@hotmail.com Unit Membership Com Chair Kenneth L. Stiles 571-208-4826 nssa.org.membership@gmail.com Veteran’s Committee Chair George J. Schell 410-215-7040 gschell516@cs.com Youth Program Coordinator Frederick J. Schell 410-687-4173

10 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

From the office of the

National Commander

Hopefully, everybody is aware that Bobby Hannula has resigned as Deputy Commander, along with all of the other committee positions he held.

The new interim Deputy Commander is David Cole, of the Allegheny Region, who was approved by the board to fill out the rest of Bobby’s term.

I will be running for National Commander again this fall, and Dave will also be running for the position of Deputy Commander.

We hope that you feel that you can give us your vote of confidence to continue working for the N-SSA in these important leadership roles.

The Spring Nationals will soon be upon us. We will once again be running one phase of Musket on Sunday. The membership meeting will also once again be held at Memorial Park, weather permitting.

I would also like to announce the Grand Re-Opening of the renovated Historical Center on the Friday during Spring Nationals, please check the schedule for the official time.

I look forward to once again seeing everybody at the Spring Nationals.

Have a safe journey.

Chuck

11 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

From the Editor’s Desk In the last issue of the “Skirmish Line” I featured an article entitled “Hunting with .58 Civil War Rifled Muskets & Carbines” by Toby Bridges. After the magazine was printed, I was informed by numerous individuals that Mr. Bridges pleaded guilty to 8ight of ten wildlife poaching charges in Montana. Mr. Bridges failed to appear in court so therefore felony warrants were issued for his arrest. We here at the N-SSA do not condone the illegal hunting practices that Mr. Bridges engaged in and in no way support any illegal harvesting of game. Due to Mr. Bridges actions, I will no longer feature further articles from Mr. Bridges in the “Skirmish Line”. - Editor

Message to the Troops

Greetings Members of the N-SSA, Skirmishers and Friends,

can you help with while you are at the fort- take out a few hours and give back to your organization.

As we prepare for the trek to our home range , Fort Shenandoah, to participate in the premier event- the Spring National N-SSA competition I pause to reflect on the changes and challenges we have faced in the past year.

Lastly, as we make plans for “Decoration Day” or as some call it Memorial Day I reflect on how this year it has a much deeper meaning for me. My mentor and friend John Sharrett participated in as many ceremonies and salutes as he could squeeze in during that 3 day weekend. This year I will be carrying on his tradition in his memory. Aas you celebrate that weekend remember the brave Women and Men who defended this country from all foes domestic and foreign and gave the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.

Their blood paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy this day. As you fire salutes and have fun at picnics and BBQ remember those folks and others that gave you those freedoms.

Our organization has weathered a pandemic, loss of key participants and modification in the way in which we interact and enjoy this sport. We now use virtual meetings to conduct business, try and stay a safe distance when in large gatherings but most of all we persevere to continue to promote and enjoy this sport that we all love. There has been a concerted effort to continue to promote and interact with the public at key events to get the N-SSA message and theme out to the public.

For those of you who have worked to support those efforts we owe each of you a huge thank you! Without continued public exposure our sport will die on the vine. The key to our future success is fresh new members, bringing new ideas and enthusiasm to this sport. Male or Female- young or old go out and recruit a new member and guide them to know and love this sport of history, heritage and competition.

When you arrive at the Fort this year, take a few minutes to seek out and thank those who maintain the property. From the property manager to the host teams, their efforts keep our fort and range in a good state of repair. If you can help out with a small project or participate in the Work Day planned for later in June. If you live far away, contact Jeff in the property management committee and ask what small project 12 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

See you at the fort!

Mike Davenport #5494 Dismal Swamp Rangers Tidewater Region EDITOR NOTE~ Regional Commanders: in every issue there is a spot for you to address the organization. Send me an email to nssaeditor@gmail.com. Use this as your time to address your region, the organization or whatever you choose. This is your magazine, feel free to utilize it.

North-South Skirmish Association Board of Director’s Meeting Saturday, January 29, 2022 Virtual The published minutes were approved with corrections by the Board of Director’s March 3, 2022 by electronic vote.

Commander Kindle called the meeting to order at 9:14 a.m.

Note: Due to technical difficulties, the meeting started 14 minutes later than planned.

National Commander, Charles Kindle welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked all attendees for their participation. He thanked the Board members for allowing the virtual meeting, versus the in person meeting. He felt this was the best way to keep everyone safe at this time. He announced that he planned to conduct the August meeting in person. He welcomed John Zebelean from the Chesapeake Region for sitting in for Regional Commander, Ed Thompson.

Commander Kindle led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Past Commander, David Booz offered the invocation.

National Adjutant, Richard Clements conducted the roll call and reported the following. The following Board of Director’s were reported as present: Charles Kindle, Jr., National Commander David Booz, Past National Commander Robert Hannula, National Deputy Commander Richard Clements, National Adjutant Michael Santarelli, National Inspector General Bette Shepherd, National Paymaster Judy Stoneburner, Executive Secretary David Cole, Allegheny Region Commander 13 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Rex Cockerham, Carolina Region Commander Ralph Shaw, Central Virginia Region Commander John Zebelean, III, Chesapeake Region Officer Charlie Bondurant, Deep South Region Commander Roger Gray, Mid-Atlantic Region Commander Eric Schuessler, Midwest Region Commander Lou Ruggerio, New England Region Commander Robert Kelley, Northeast Region Commander Edward Walters, Northwest Region Commander Davy Crockett, Potomac Region Commander Mike Davenport, Tidewater Region Commander John Mark, Western Region Commander National Commander Kindle began the meeting by asking members to keep their responses to a minimum and do not repeat what has already been stated.

It makes a long day on the computer. Commander Kindle announced that Todd Hess, Logistics Staff Officer had resigned. He thanked Todd for the many years of great service he provided the organization.

Todd Hess whole heartily recommended Sean Shaffer for the position. Davy Crockett moved to approve Sean Shaffer of the 2nd Maryland (044-PT) as the National Logistics Officer. Motion was approved.

Commander Kindle announced that Ericka Hoffmann-Curly, National Photographer resigned last week. He thanked Ericka for the great work she did as the National Photographer. He stated that we are in the process of looking for a new National Photographer and this morning he had appointed Bobby Hannula, National Deputy Commander to take

charge of finding a replacement for Ericka. All recommendations for this position are to be sent to Bobby.

Commander Kindle announced that this is an election year for national officers. He recommended Douglas Walter, of the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles (Bucktails), Allegheny Region as the Elections Committee Chairperson. David Cole moved to approve the recommendation to appoint Douglas Walter as the 2022 Elections Chair. Recommendation was approved.

Commander Kindle stated that he felt that the fall nationals went very well. The organization is doing well at this time and everyone seemed to like the membership meeting in Memorial Park. I think we should continue to conduct the meeting in Memorial Park when weather permits. There was discussion regarding the logistics of having the meeting outside and the items regarding audio, lighting and signage were addressed. These issues have been or are being resolved for the upcoming nationals. Bobby Hannula moved to hold the membership meeting in Memorial Park. The motion was approved.

Deputy Commander, Robert Hannula reported that he would like everyone to take a moment to appreciate and thank all the N-SSA employees, Officers, Staff Officers, Committee Chairs and members who donate countless hours to the N-SSA. We are an organization that survives on volunteers, without whom we would not be able to continue. If you have the time, or skill sets, please consider helping or joining these committees. Please also remember that when you say “the N-SSA needs to do….” that you are the N-SSA. National Inspector General, Michael Santarelli stated that the cooperation from the competitors during the fall nationals with the IG’s was excellent. I am pleased to say that the IG Staff did an excellent job during this past national match. Of the thirteen regional IG’s, nine Regional Inspectors were present along with the Middle Atlantic Region’s assistant IG. The IG and staff logged sixty hours on the range conducting inspections.

Results of the inspections done during the shooting from Wednesday through Friday in 14 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

the individual matches are as follows.

• Forty-two long arms were inspected. All arms passed both half-cock and trigger pull tests.

• Two revolvers were inspected. One revolver failed the trigger pull test and the competitors’ target was disqualified.

Results done during team matches • Breech-Loader - Twelve firearms were inspected and passed.

• Single Shot – Sixteen firearms were inspected and passed.

• Smoothbore – Thirty-two firearms were inspected and all passed. All competitors with sighted smoothbores had their SAC cards in their possession while on the line. • Carbine – Forty carbines were inspected and all passed.

• Musket – Sixteen muskets were inspected and all passed.

The total number of firearms inspected from Wednesday through Sunday was 160. Commander Kindle stated that it was a job well done.

National Adjutant, Richard Clements stated he had nothing to report at this time. Past Commander, Dave Booz stated that he had nothing to report at this time.

Executive Secretary, Judy Stoneburner referenced the report in the board packet. We fully expect that team participation reporting will be back in practice for 2022. This means unit organizations must participate in a minimum of three skirmishes, either by participation as a team or in a hosting capacity. She recommended that Region Commanders check with their team’s mid-season to see where they stand in participation. If it becomes an issue, it can be discussed during the August Board meeting. She then discussed the memorial bricks and the taps listing, explaining that the numbers appear to be high, but memorials come in from members that were active many years

ago, and the numbers are not just for the current year.

She reported that we did very well with our membership numbers in 2021. The final membership numbers for 2021 was 2,682. This was an increase of nine members from the final number in 2020. With the closing of skirmishing for all of 2020 and part of 2021, we ended well as far as membership numbers go. | Going forward, 2022 will be a rebuilding year for membership with the goal of reaching the 2019 ending membership of 2824. At this time, it is the first time in eight years that we exceeded a previous year’s membership and our current member deficit is the lowest it has been in eight years as well. As for new members, the numbers are very positive considering the short skirmish season. We gained 110 new members in 2021. The average age of new male members was 39 and new female members were 34 with an overall age average of 36.5. The average age of all members with 77% of birth years reported is 57 years of age. With the current membership numbers and renewals/returns/late and new members she reported that our membership is healthy.

She reported team totals breakdown for 2022 to date: 5 to 10 members, 44 teams (26%), 11 to 19 members, 91 teams (52%), 20 to 25 members, 27 teams (16%), 26 to 47 members 11 teams (6%).

Chesapeake Region. The Chesapeake region has endorsed the transfer. Should this transfer be approved the Iredell Blues unit/region would become 262-CH. Roger Gray moved to approve the transfer. Transfer approved.

The 1 Maryland Potomac Home Brigade has made application as a new unit in the N-SSA. All the paperwork and fees have been submitted and the appropriate staff officers have reviewed the paperwork. Should the 1 MD PHB be approved on a probationary status their probationary number would be 982-PT. They have applied with (6) members. Davy Crockett moved to approve the 1 Maryland Potomac Home Brigade. Motion approved. st

st

st

This new probationary unit will stand for inspection at 10:00 a.m. on Friday of the spring nationals in Memorial Park.

Judy reminded everyone that the Release & Affirmation for Non-Member participation form must be completed before a non-member could shoot on the line per 16.2.2 Non-Member Firing Rule at Regional Skirmishes rule.

The following teams have notified the secretary that they would be folding in 2022. 268CV Company D, 33 Virginia and 133PT and CSS Alabama.

Deputy Commander Hannula moved to approve the 2022 skirmish dates with changes presented. Motion approved.

Letters will be sent regarding removing campers from these sites. The National Adjutant will prepare the letters to the teams.

David Cole moved to approve

rd

152PT Hart’s Battery had letters sent prior to Covid and this administration regarding their below required membership numbers. Davy Crockett moved that Hart’s Battery be placed on inactive status. Motion approved.

After action: The motion was made to rescind the vote to inactivate Hart’s Battery 152-PT. The unit had met the membership requirement on March 1, 2022. Motion to rescind inactive status was approved March 3, 2022.

The Iredell Blues (262CR) of the Carolina Region has submitted paperwork to transfer to the 15 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

the 145 National patch. Motion th

approved. Lou Ruggerio moved to approve the 146 National th

patch. Motion approved.

National Paymaster, Bette Shepherd reported a review of the budget shows the association ended the year in a positive position. We met our budgeted income forecast; however, most of the favorable variance is due to the extremely high level of donations, memorial donations and miscellaneous income from the Federal PPP Loan that was forgiven. We also underspent on expenses for the year with most of the savings in the O&M budget. The fund balances show a

healthy set-aside for needed projects.

We received $18,135.00 in memorial donations that were not designated for a specific project. These donations are being shown in the restricted funds balances to allow the Board to consider projects that might be accomplished in the memory of these past skirmishers. Overall, the Association is in decent shape financially. We have nine months of unrestricted cash for operations along with a healthy fund balance for projects to improve the property and support recruitment and retention.

The proposed budget uses a conservative approach in forecasting income. Most of the income budgets are based on two or 3-year averages along with the assumption some of the restricted project funds will be used. The expense budgets are based on requests by committee chairs and averages of past actuals.

The budget does show a small loss ($4,307.00) at the end of the year. Bobby Hannula moved to authorize Tim Scanlan to purchase the batwing mower with donations for that purpose and replacement funds and that any future donations that come in for the batwing go to replenish the Replacement Contingency Reserve fund. Motion was approved.

Old Business • Golf Cart Proposal has been postponed until August 2022.

• Northeast Region Commander, Bob Kelley

reported that the Northeast Region trophy remains missing from the Historical Building.

A written report has been sent to the Virginia State Police and the trophy is considered as stolen or a missing item.

Eddie Davenport, Skirmish Line Editor report that he had spoken with the printers regarding expedited shipping and the amount would be $2,500 to $3,000.00. This is significantly higher. As far as another issue (statistics issues), it could be put in the budget and would cost about the same as a regular issue with the mentioned shipping amount. He recommended that to put the statistics in a regular issue to avoid the extra shipping. Regarding general items in the four issues, he would like to limit each region to two pagers per issue. He reported that we have eight businesses that advertise and at the moment three individuals in the classified section. He is in negotiations with a few other 16 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

businesses to advertise with us as well. These advertisements are important for the organization as they help offset the cost of the magazine as well as earn the association additional income.

He has continued the tradition of allowing all committees to include sections and worked with the heads of committees to make sure the section is to their liking. The committees that have had items printed and hopefully continue to print are the Charitable Giving Committee, Small Arms Committee and the Costume Committee.

History Center Officer – Gary Crawford was unavailable. David Cole reported that Gary Crawford has taken the position of the History Center Staff Officer and he (David) along with Bill Jordan, Ken Winklepleck and Donna Crawford had gotten the center open and running for the fall nationals. We are currently working on the spring nationals. One item of discussion was having the propane tanks placed so that we can get some heat in the building. Property Management verified that this is in the plans for 2022 if their budget request is approved. We are planning to have a grand re-opening during the spring nationals. We have a couple of things that we are looking at. For the fall opening, we had over 200 people come through during the fall nationals. The request was made for Region Commanders ask what would be interesting in the history center on a temporary basis from their units. Example, rotating displays/items. We appreciate this and can incorporate this each nationals. We are working with the Property Management Committee to add an adjacent system of stairs from the upper parking lot level down to the fire-escape stair and on the entrance to the Veteran’s Building. Gary Crawford recommended a name change to the building. The name Historical Center (current) is usually reserved for some place or thing famous in history. This museum is not a historical site but is a place for members to view items and stories telling about the history of their organization, the N SSA. Charlie Bondurant moved to change the name of the center from the N-SSA Historical Center & A. C. Baird Research Center to the N-SSA History Center & A. C. Baird Research Center. 16 in favor, One opposed, the motion passed.

Program Officer’s, Jason Rexrode and Lynn Warner reviewed the selection for the 145 nationals under the 80% rule. The idea is to stretch out the time between hosting. We are still going to have the minim of 150 on the host staff. Going forward if we do not get the numbers that we are supposed to from host teams, the skirmish director has to be the one to report to the th

Board that the particular team did not provide the number required. The 150 national skirmish is coming up. If the board would like to commemorate this event, we would suggest that the ideas be s ubmitted to the long-range planning committee so that they have time to work things out and get in the schedule. Commander Kindle stated that Charlie Bondurant, Skirmish Director for the 150 was working on this. th

th

The Program Chairs recommend that host staff officers read all the materials in the Skirmish Director’s manual. There is a pre-nationals checklist that goes out to the Skirmish Director’s with specific items that are supposed to be provided to National staff prior to the nationals and this is not being done.

Life will be much easier if Skirmish Directors plan ahead and inform their host staff of their duties prior to them arriving to the nationals. Commander Kindle agreed and stated it was the responsibility of the Skirmish Director to inform their staff of everything that they need to know and communication is key to a successful skirmish.

Roger Gray moved to accept the 145 National Program as a working document. Bobby Hannula moved to amend the motion that the National Program will always be a working document.

Amended motion approved. th

John Mark moved to change the nationals board meeting to an earlier time. Motion failed.

Property Management Committee reported that all normal routine maintenance has been performed.

There is funding for bathroom updates in the range area. The bathroom at the Pistol Range is complete and we anticipate completion of the bathroom at the Stat house prior to the Snowball Skirmish. We plan to conduct the 2022 work skirmish Saturday, 17 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

June 18, 2022; projects include but are not limited to the following: Paint as needed, outside stairway along left side to emergency stairway continuing to back of building, handrail on front porch. Maintenance of Cardiac Hill stairway, trim brush, playground maintenance and replace treads on main bridge.

Many roads have been done; the area from the end of the barn to the house has been tarred and chipped.

An asphalt swell has been put in. An asphalt transition at the bathhouse near sutlers has been put in. The stat house bathroom has been retiled. Tim Scanlan reported that there are not any more landlines on the property. Jeff Hall has performed a general inspection of the property and finds it to be in good condition. Bobby Hannula moved to approve the Property Management budget. Motion approved.

Provost Marshall, Robert Klutas spoke about the Mission Statement and Provost Rules. He reported that the National Skirmish went well in the eyes of the Provost. There was a problem with the batteries and radios and the problem was resolved.

He thanked the Provost Deputies and Guards who went above and beyond in serving the Board and the membership at-large helping make the 144 a safe and an enjoyable skirmish. Copies of citations issued were given to the Executive secretary without recommendations. th

PIO Bruce Miller stated that his report stands as presented in the board packet. He commented on the terrific job that Ericka Hoffmann-Curly has done as our Photographic Officer. Ericka and her staff have been an immense assistance to him. I know we will get someone that will approach the same professionalism that Ericka practiced.

Recruiting Officer, Robert Harrison, stated that he would not be able to do the recruiting item in his written report at the nationals. I think it is a good idea to hold the event; however, I am just not sure when this could happen. He discussed the idea of a recruiting skirmish. I have handled the incoming inquiries from the N-SSA website with alacrity on each inquiry. We maintain a high standard of follow-up and thus far, none have gone unanswered. Activities include shows and course evangelizing recruiting to the general membership as

well as Social Media driven activities to generate interest. We are putting a lot of focus on the regions for recruiting trying to help them acquire the tools necessary for effective recruiting and thus far, our efforts are bearing some fruit in the endeavor. We will continue to expand our efforts in the coming year with more shows and more outreach in the regions.

Commander Kindle thanked Rob for the good work.

Chris De Francisci, Revolver Officer observed the operation of the revolver range during individual and team competition and thought the team did a commendable job. Larry Chiarizia did an excellent job in the tower and in running the individual and team matches. He reported that the safeties were not always aware of National Rules. It should be a requirement for safeties to review the National Rules prior to their duties at a nationals. Safeties should also be reminded that a respectful approach to issues works better than a heavy-handed approach. In regards to the Smoothbore Pistol Match, his observation was that the loading stands substantially reduced the chance of a safety violation and eliminated the chance of some safety issues previously noted. Other observers and safety officers shared this observation. Commander Kindle thanked him for a job well done.

Rules Officer, Sharon Myers presented the following.

Changes to Section 36 – Youth Competition 36.2.c and 36.2.d Both currently read: “If a competitor’s 15 birthday…” th

Since the Bylaws were changed to permit those 14 and older to compete in N-SSA live fire competition, both of these rules need to change from ‘15 birthday’ to ‘14 birthday’ in order to bring the rules into line with the By-laws th

th

36.2.a

classifications: Juniors – ages 4 years through 10 years Seniors – ages 11 years through 14 years Proposed amendments: “All dependents and guests of N-SSA members who are under the age of 14 years and who are not members of the N-SSA are eligible to participate in Youth Competition in two age classifications: Juniors – ages 4 years through 9 years Seniors – ages 10 years through 13 years Davy Crockett moved to approve 36.2.c and 36.2.d, 36.2.a, 36.8.b as presented. Bobby Hannula amended the motion to table 36.2.c, 36.2.d and 36.2a until August 2022. The amended motion was approved.

36.8.b Rule currently reads: “Individual Youth Competition awards shall be presented as follows: Juniors: Six places BB gun.

Juniors may compete in the Senior pellet rifle competition.

Seniors: Three places pellet rifle; six places BB gun.”

Proposed amendments: “Individual Youth Competition awards shall be presented as follows: 1. Juniors – Six places BB gun.

2. Seniors – Six places BB gun.

Rule currently reads: “All dependents and guests of N-SSA members who are under the age of 15 years and who are not members of the N-SSA are eligible to participate in Youth Competition in two age 18 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

3. Unclassified pellet rifle – Three places.

Davy Crockett moved to approve 36.8.b.

Motion approved.

Changes to Section 29 – Challenges and Protests Combining 29.4 and 29.5 Rule 29.4 currently reads: “Challenges and protests in company matches may be made for the same reasons as in individual matches as set forth in rules 29.1 and 29.2 above, except that no fee shall be required.”

Rule 29.5 currently reads: “Challenges and protests in Artillery Matches must be made by the gunner in the same manner as a protest made in the company matches.”

Proposed combined rule 29.4: “Challenges and protests in all company matches, including mortar and artillery, may be made for the same reasons as in individual matches as set forth in rules 29.1 and 29.2 above, except that no fee shall be required.”

The current rule 29.5 would be deleted and everything in 29.6 would then become the new 29.4.

29.6.1 Protest Times for National Skirmishes

b. Protests for all completed company matches, including mortar, shall close Saturday at 3:00 pm. c. Protests for artillery matches shall close Sunday at 10:00 am. d. Protests for musket company matches shall close Sunday, 30 minutes after the final results are posted.

Dave Cole moved to approve combining 29.4 and 29.5 and proposed 29.6.1 change. Motion approved Clarification of Rules Guiding How the National Statistics Office Applies Penalties/Disqualifaions There are a number of rules in various chapters of the rulebook that serve to guide the Statistics Office in the matters of applying penalties and or disqualifications during the various matches. We are requesting the board approve the clarifications as listed below in order to make things simpler for the volunteers in the data entry corps.

18.11.1.b

Currently reads:

Currently reads: “The failure of an individual on a company to pass inspection shall cause that company to be disqualified from the previous event and penalized under rule 18.10.”

a. Protests for all competed company matches, including mortar, will close Saturday at 3:00 pm. b. Protests for musket company

Proposed amendment: “The failure of an individual or their firearm on a company to pass inspection shall cause that company to be penalized under rule 18.10.”

matches will close Sunday 1/2 hour after the final results are posted.

Proposed a. Protests for individual matches shall be Saturday morning with times posted in the National Skirmish Schedule. The reconcile period shall end forty-five minutes after the protest period ends.

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18.11.3 Currently reads: “Any company in which a competitor or a competitor’s firearm is found not to comply with these skirmish rules shall be disqualified for the event immediately preceding the discovery of the violation, and penalized according to rule 18.10.”

Proposed to delete 18.11.3 as clause is covered in Rule 18.11.1.b.

21.7.c Currently reads: “An individual disqualified because of failure to pass inspection may be penalized according to appropriate parts of rule 18.11 and its

18.12 Currently reads: “If a firearm has been disabled and cleared three times in one skirmish, it shall be declared unfit for competition, and may not be used again in that skirmish.”

Proposed amendment: “If a firearm has been disabled and cleared three times in one skirmish, it shall be declared unfit for competition, and shall not be used again in that skirmish.”

19.8.2.c Currently reads: “Use of a non-production firearm for which proof is required, but which cannot be shown, shall cause the individual (and his company, if in a company match) to be disqualified under rules 18.11.1 or 18.11.2 as appropriate.”

Proposed amendment: “Use of a non-production firearm for which proof is required, but which cannot be shown, shall cause the individual (and his company, if during a company match) to be penalized under rules 18.11.1 or 18.11.2 as appropriate.”

subsections.”

Proposed amendment: “An individual disqualified due to failure to pass inspection shall be penalized in accordance with rules 18.10 and 18.11.”

21.7.d Currently reads: “A company disqualified because of failure to pass inspection shall be penalized according to rule 18.11.1.”

Proposed amendment: “A company with members who fail to pass inspection shall be penalized in accordance with rule 18.11.1.b.”

25.1.1.c Currently reads: “The penalty for violation shall be disqualification under rules 18.10 and 18.11. This penalty may be assessed by the line judge or range staff, but only after the competitor has been warned and has failed to correct his/her stance.”

Proposed amendment: “The penalty for violation shall be applied under rules 18.10 and 18.11.”

Approved 16 in favor and 1 opposed Changes to Section 30.6 – Skirmish Finances This section often conflates insurance c ertificates with host skirmish applications.

What we would like to do is clarify to teams

20 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

who host regionals what is required and when. This will ease the burden on both the Executive Secretary and Insurance Officer in providing the necessary documentation to regional ranges that require it.

Current rules: 30.6 REGIONAL SKIRMISH INSURANCE a. The N-SSA shall provide liability insurance for Regional Skirmishes and the Veterans Skirmish. b. The host organization of a Regional Skirmish shall apply for this coverage through its Region Commander. c. The Region Commander shall forward the application only after he has determined that the proposed skirmish program conforms to the Skirmish Rules. d. Official skirmishes, as defined in ARTICLE VIII, Sections 1 and 3, regional specialty skirmishes, drawn-team regional skirmishes, and the Veterans Skirmish shall be covered by the liability insurance of the N-SSA. Proposed rules: 30.6 REGIONAL SKIRMISHES a. The N-SSA shall provide liability insurance for official skirmishes as defined in Article VIII, Sections 1 and 3, regional skirmishes, regional specialty skirmishes, drawn team regional skirmishes, and the Veterans Skirmish. b. The host organization of a regional skirmish shall apply for this coverage through its Region Commander via the Application to Host a Regional Skirmish. c.

The Region Commander shall forward the Application to Host only after he/she has determined that the proposed skirmish program conforms to the Skirmish Rules. Completed Applications to Host must be received by the Executive Secretary no later than 21 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled skirmish date. d. Region Commanders with venues requiring proof of insurance shall apply for those insurance certificates no later than February 15 of the skirmish year. Roger Gray moved to approve rule 30.6. and rescind Policy 1991.1. Motion approved. th

Change to Rule 3.1.2.5 – Smoothbore Company Match Targeting at Nationals When the Board voted in 2018 to go back to 4 person teams from 5, the “quantity of targeting was never changed in the rules.

What is being proposed is to change the number of targets per shooter to accurately reflect how we’re currently doing business. Since it is a separate rules change, it requires a Board vote.

3.1.2.5.1 15 12 clay pigeons on a

backer, 25 yards

3.1.2.5.2 10 8 hanging 4” tiles, 25

yards

3.1.2.5.3 10 8 hanging pot silhouettes, 25 yards 3.1.2.5.4 7 6 hanging 6” tiles, 50

yards

Bobby Hannula moved to approve targeting change to 3.1.2.5. Motion approved. Clarification of Rule 3.1.2.4.1 – Single Shot Breechloading Rifle Targeting at Nationals A determination from the Board has been requested on the correct number of targets for Single Shot Breechloaders to shoot at 100 yards is needed. When SS was broken out of the BL/Carbine II class and made its own entity, it was voted to use half the standard number of targets for SS that are shot by cartridge BL firearms. While this formula works for all targeting at 50 yards, it brings up an issue for 6” tiles at 100 yards. In all other firearms disciplines, the number of tiles shot at 100 yards is one per competitor plus two hospital targets as spelled out in Rules 5.4.2.b.1, 6.4.2.b.1, and 9.4.2.2.a. This brings us in to a conflict with Rule 3.1.2.4.1 that states SS Teams shall shoot at 5 6” tiles at 100 yards.

We are requesting that the Board make a decision on whether to use the practice of ‘1 per plus two’ as is done in all other team matches or if SSBL Team competition will continue to use 5 6” tiles at 100 yards for national competition. Bobby Hannula made the motion to use the practice of “1 per plus two” for Single Shot at 100 yards during National Competition. Motion approved. The penalty table will be presented at August meeting.

Single Shot Pistol Company Matches Dave Cole moved to approve the Single Shot Pistol Company Matches beginning spring of 2023 become a permanent part of the national Schedule. The Single Shot Pistol Company match will be a demonstration match during 2022. Motion approved. 16 in favor and 1 opposed.

Rules chapter for Single Shot Pistol Company Match will be presented at the August Board meeting.

National Safety Officer, Doug Walters reported that things went well during the fall nationals. He conducted a safety briefing Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. for all Safety Officers, Line Judges and Ordnance personnel as required using the “Procedures for Safety Officers” handbook as a guideline for the briefing. Several safety officers stated that they referenced these booklets several times during the individual matches and that they were able to resolve issues quickly by doing so. He recommended that handing out the “Procedures for Safety Officers” handbook continue in future events. This handbook is posted online. Commander Kindle thanked Doug for a job well done.

Signal Officer, Bobby Hannula reported the main range revolver range PA systems were assessed prior to the fall nationals. Prior to the national, a separate PA system was purchased by the Youth Committee and installed at sub tower three for their use during the children’s BB gun match. The awards ceremony at the fall national afforded the first opportunity to use the portable PA system that was purchased through a donation by the 110 Ohio Volunteers. This system was a dramatic improvement over our previous one th

22 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

and would like to thank the 110 for their donation.

The podium has been refinished as well as replacing the microphone stand. Plans for 2022 are to maintain the systems we have and to investigate making the PA system in the barn more intelligible for the membership meeting and whatever other uses deemed necessary for. th

Small Arms Staff Officer, John Holland reported 44 arms inspected and issued permanent Small Arms Individual Approval cards. This is a total of 76 SAC cards issued in 2021. Two arms presented and given approval in October 2021 were the Remington Model 1863 Rifle, aka “Zouave”, in .58” caliber and the Henry Model 1860 Lever Action Rifle, Iron Frame.

The Small Arms Committee was authorized at the August 2021 meeting to be given a computer for official business use. The computer has been purchased through the IT Department and set up. Commander Kindle thanked John for all of his hard work.

Statistics Officer, Jeff Knauss reported that the fall nationals went well. He reported that he is fully staffed and thanked the host staff that ran the stat house during the nationals. In addition, he stated that the plan is to close down the stat house between 5:00 and 5:30 each day of the nationals.

The request when re-ordering the N-SSA 1 and N-SSA 2 individual targets is to have the following done. To line up the centerline of 3-bull target with the line between 8 & 7 in the scoring box, and the same on the 100-yard 2 bull target as well. The revolver targets are in line. Tim Scanlan stated this can happened, however, not until the fall nationals, as there is already inventory for the spring.

Items for end of protest decision to be added to the program To be added to the National Program schedule: Saturday Individual targets protest period ends at 11:00 a.m. Add a new line the reconcile period will end at 11:45a.m.

The National Statistics Office request the permission of the N-SSA Board of Directors to use their own

golf cart for Official Statistic Office business at the National Skirmishes. The golf cart has been offered to the Association to be used exclusively at Nationals.

The cart will be clearly identified by signage STAT House Only. Arrangements have been made to store cart off Fort Shenandoah property between nationals.

Davy Crockett moved to allow use of golf cart.

Approved.

The Board of Director’s assembled in Executive Session.

Upon returning to the General Session, Davy Crockett moved to approve the actions taken in executive session. Motion approved.

Charitable Giving Committee Chair, Wayne Jordan was unavailable. Bette Shepherd presented his report as written. The committee has collected over $55,000.00 in donations. He expected a significant additional amount to come in by the end of the year.

On November 30, 2021, a request from a skirmisher was made to donate shares of stock for the first time.

Wayne is coordinating with Bette Shepherd to handle this transfer. The fund raising campaign included two articles in the Skirmish Line and a listing of 2020 donors. There were two direct mail solicitations. At the fall nationals, a postcard type flyer was given to everyone who passed through registration. Wayne has coordinated with the N-SSA Retail store managers to also accept donations. Presently there have been 200 donations from approximately 180 different donors. Once money is raised, we need to put it to work. Besides the project planned by the Property Management Committee, this money was intended for skirmishers or teams to use to improve facilities (bathrooms) near their campsites as a few teams have already done. He encouraged Regional Commanders in making sure their members are aware of this opportunity. The dual strategies of looking for both immediate donations and the strategy of playing the long game by planting the seeds for bigger donations from more people in the future is on track. I am hearing more talk about the IRA accounts for donations. I am hoping that the big tax advantages of using the IRA’s will lead to very significant donations in the coming years, and now the idea of donors using appreciated stock is also coming into fruition. A $5,000.00 budget request was 23 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

made. Deputy Commander, Bobby Hannula moved to approve the $5,000.00 request. Request approved.

History & Education Committee Chair, John Zebelean stated that the chief contributor, John Sharrett has passed away. John has been one of the stalwart backbones of the whole history and education program in terms of the number of reports that he submitted.

Even before the reopening of skirmishing at Fort Shenandoah home range this fall, we saw a resurgence of N-SSA participation in community historical events that help tell the story of the nation’s most crucial event. At the History & Education Speaker Series held on Friday evening in conjunction with the Fall National Skirmish, Kernstown Battlefield Association President Gary Sheppard and the N-SSA member gave a report on the battle of Kernstown. Regional Commanders encourage their teams and individuals to report participation in school visits, ceremonies, commemorations and parades. Documentation forms are available on the N-SSA website. The reports substantiate our IRS tax-exempt status as an educational organization.

Long Range Committee Chairs, Ed Thompson and Bobby Hannula had nothing to report. They would like to make the request to the membership to please submit ideas or suggestions for the committee to pursue. The basis of this committee is to flush out ideas that could be things to implement 1-5 years down the road and we need the membership to help with what they would like to see.

Marketing Committee Chair, Chris De Francisci stated that we continue to see a backlash against all things Confederate in 2021. On the positive side our print media efforts, spearheaded by Bruce Miller continue to reach a substantial number of people interested in the Civil War and who are likely spending more time reading the publications in which we advertise due to being at home as a result of the Wuhan COVID-19 virus. The VMI summer camp coordinator is quite interested in educating and promoting awareness of the Civil War. We will continue conversations with them and try to arrange a program for 2022. The

committee is working with the Skirmish Line Editor to review content and promote N-SSA authors to submit articles. Reciprocal ads with the Single Shot Exchange and with the NMLRA Muzzle Blasts continue. We are looking for venues to increase our visibility in positive ways.

We also participated in the recent inaugural N-SSA Firearms Seminar that was held on the main range across from the stat house prior to the Fall National.

We also engaged with Wayne Jordan, Charitable Giving to see about assisting with ideas for charitable donations. Bruce Miller stated that our advertising campaign is designed to create awareness of and positive image of the N SSA. In the enthusiastic community in which we are currently advertising, they know re enactors, but skirmishers are a mystery.

We are presenting what skirmishing is all about and the ads are designed to drive traffic to the website and have interested people to click on the recruiting link.

We have formed relationships with these publications.

We are reaching two target audiences, Civil War enthusiast and firearm enthusiast. Davy Crockett moved to approve the budget request of $11,885.00.

Motion approved The following written reports were acknowledged: Artillery Officer, Bivouac Officer, IT Manager, Youth Program Coordinator, Costume Committee Chair, Registration Officer and Retail Sales Managers.

National Paymaster, Bette Shepherd returned with the updates to the 2022 budget. Based on some items from executive session to balance the proposals and with a few minor adjustments she reported the revenue as $343,732.00. This is a considered a balanced budget. David Booz moved to approve the 2022 budget. Budget approved.

Final Board member comments: Dave Booz: I have nothing to add, thank you Chuck for leading the meeting Rick Clements: Good meeting John Zebelean: Thank you for allowing me to sit in on this meeting. This is the first time I have participated.

Charlie Bondurant: Here is to an in person meeting in 24 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

August.

David Cole: Nothing to add.

John Mark: Another successful meeting .

Rex Cockerham: Repeat what has been said and appreciate the input.

Bob Kelley: Stay safe and healthy.

Eric Schuessler: Don’t like computers or cell phones Roger Gray: Looking forward to seeing everyone and new leadership in Virginia. Mike Davenport: Looking forward to 2022, we did loose John Sharrett this year from COVID, be vigilant and safe.

Bette Shepperd: Nothing to add.

Mike Santarelli: Good meeting Bobby Hannula: Good meeting, thanks Ralph Shaw: Great meeting for our last virtual meeting Ed Walter: Glad I didn’t have to drive to the meeting, good meeting.

Lou Ruggerio: Nothing to add Davy Crockett: Good meeting Judy: Thanks for everything that you do for the association, it is most appreciated. Chuck: Thanks to Lars and Sherry for their hard work. Thanks to everyone that took the time to attend today.

At 2:58 p.m., Davy Crockett moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion to adjourn was approved.

Respectfully submitted, Judy O. Stoneburner Executive Secretary February 15, 2022

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2022 Society of Color Bearers Proud donors to the N-SSA

By Wayne Jordan, Charitable Giving Committee

Welcome back Fellow Skirmishers to the warm spring weather and a normalized year of skirmishing. It is great to be back to Ft Shenandoah and the other various ranges shooting black powder with our friends. As much as we enjoy the sport and lifestyle of a skirmisher, the N-SSA is a going concern and its financial needs must always be taken care of.

Hundreds of our fellow skirmishers have stepped up in recent years to donate money to the N-SSA. This has made a big difference in our budget and brought about improvements to bathrooms, the Historical Center, the shooting range, and many other projects. But there are many more projects remaining that will benefit our members and need funding. Remember, no donation is too small or too large. Here is a list of some of our top priorities right now: 1. Batwing hedgehog/lawnmower – This was purchased for $15,000 recently. Donations have covered over half of that cost, but it has put a dent in the budget. The equipment was needed in order to properly 2. Maintain our home range, but we still need to raise money to pay for it. Pictured is the new Batwing attached to the tractor ready to go to work.

3. Bathroom Facilities – We’ve used up just about all the money raised for the upgrading and renovation of the bathroom 4. Facilities by the Pistol Range and the Stat Shack. Tim Scanlan, Property Manager, says he’d like to move on to other 5. Bathrooms if money is made available for the work. Also, it is still hoped that more teams will adopt a bathroom facility and spruce it up (inside and/or out), as a few teams have done in Areas 3 and 4. We will do our best to make funds available for any team that steps up. We need several thousand dollars now to replenish the fund.

6. Executive Secretary Office/Small Arms Office – Also known as the Hocker-Hughes Building at the end of the bridge leading to the Main Range, it is shared by both of those offices. This building carries large amounts of foot traffic each National, and many skirmishers come to these offices to visit the Executive Secretary or the Small Arms Committee to deal with a multitude of issues. The building needs an ADA compliant ramp to be built to take people up to the entrances (which are high to avoid flooding). To meet ADA specifications the ramp much be much longer than you’d imagine, and that will cost thousands of dollars for lumber and other materials.

7. Road Repairs – There are a couple miles of roads in Ft Shenandoah plus parking lots. It takes tens of thousands of dollars per year just to keep up with minimal maintenance, repairs, and repaving. A section of the parking lot by the Barn was recently paved and we can all see what difference it makes. Tim Scanlan says that he’d love to give you better roads to drive on to the degree that he can gain funding to do so.

8. General Fund – As important as it is to address the projects listed above, the General Fund is the most important of all. Unrestricted funds can be allocated as the Board sees appropriate to address the greatest needs at any given time.

At this time we ask all skirmishers to evaluate their financial position and, if practical, please consider contributing to any of the aforementioned projects to strengthen the N-SSA. We know that for many skirmishers it may not be practical to allocate more money to skirmishing, but for those who are at that point in life where they have the resources to share with their favorite nonprofit organizations, I hope you’ll make the N-SSA one of your top 26 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

priorities. In the last couple of years over 10% of our fellow members have donated, and that number is growing each year.

Also, be sure to sign up for Amazon Smile and a little bit of your online purchase will come back to us. Check with your employer about matching grants. Use your IRA distributions (if you are over 70 ½) and get significant tax breaks for your donations. Recently people have donated shares of stock or mutual funds. Other skirmishers are remembering the N-SSA in their wills, or through their trusts. You can set up a regular monthly donation if that works well for you. There are lots of ways to donate to the N-SSA. Keep in mind that this is a 501 c 3 nonprofit and donations are eligible to be deducted on your tax returns.

For more information about charitable giving and tax benefits there are nonprofit organizations that exist for purposes of helping people evaluate charitable organizations and explain various giving strategies and tax benefits.

You can find one of the prominent organizations on the internet at charitynavigator.com. Go to their page and click on Tips for Donors to review useful information about charitable giving, tax benefits, etc.

For your convenience, a return envelope is included in the centerfold of this edition of the Skirmish Line. Or donations can be sent to N-SSA, c/o Wayne Jordan, 8606 Eagle Glen Terrace, Fairfax Station, Va 22039. I can be reached at wvjordan@aol.com, or by phone at 703-407-2445 to further discuss any of the issues addressed above.

Thank you all for your support, and Happy Skirmishing!

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27 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

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Regional News Tidewater Region The Tidewater Region is excited to be back to a full skirmishing season. Although the first skirmish of the year hosted by the Dismal Swamp Rangers was more like a four season skirmish. It started with nice warm weather, and then rained, sleeted, snowed and gusty winds cancelling the events on Saturday. Frigid temperatures freezing everything by Sunday morning but the smoothbore match began early Sunday morning with a balmy temperature of 19 degrees. No matter what Mother Nature threw at us, we were all just very glad to be there and share time together.

Our second shoot of the year hosted by Southampton Greys, was a bit warmer and all events on schedule. Though the temperatures were a bit warmer, the parking lot was more like attending a mud-bogging event. A few stuck campers and vehicles, some towing straps may have been involved but overall a happy crowd of skirmishers.

The third shoot hosted by Tucker’s Naval Brigade, brought a good crowd. Tomlin’s famous BBQ dinner was a delight for everyone. No matter where you were that day, the smells from the BBQ pit had you anticipating a great dinner. Good shooting, a silent auction, raffle, and lots of friendly competition. What more could you ask for in skirmishing?

Musket Company Match Results - Final

Nansemond Guards Co. A Hanover Grays Co. A Norfolk Light Infantry Co. A Nansemond Guards Co. B Hanover Grays Co. B 3rd No.Carolina, Lenoir Braves Co. B

732.2 861.6 900.5 1099.1 1706.3 1982.0

Dismal Swamp Rangers Skirmish

Smoothbore Company Match Results - Final

Nansemond Guards Co. A

York Rangers, 32nd Va. Inf. Co. A Hanover Grays Co. A Nansemond Guards Co. B

50 YD Musket 1 K. O’Bryant 95 2 E. Miles 91-1X 3 G. Brockmiller 88-1X

100YD Musket 1. G. Brockmiller 86 2. E. Miles 85-1X 3. K. O’Bryant 85

50 YD Carbine 1. K. O’Bryant 92-1X 2. E. Miles 88 3. R. Propst 86

100YD Carbine 1. E. Miles 92 2. K. O’Bryant 88-1X 3. R. Propst 83

Carbine Aggregate 1. K. O’Bryant 180-2X 2. E. Miles 180 3. R. Propst 169

25YD Revolver 1. G. Bowling 91-3X 2. R. Cameron 89-1X 3. E.Miles 78-1X

50YD Revolver 1. G. Bowling 82-1X 2. R. Cameron 71-1X 3. E. Miles 68

Revolver Aggregate 1. G. Bowling 173-4 2. R. Cameron 160-2X 3. E. Miles 146-1X

322.3 328.8 610.2 379.0

Musket Aggregate 1. K. O’Bryant 180 2. E. Miles 176-2X 3. G. Bowling 174-1X

12.5YD Single Shot Pistol 25YD Single Shot Pistole Single Shot Pistol Aggregate 1. G. Brockmiller 97-4X 1. G. Bowling 91-1X 1. G. Bowling 2. G. Bowling 95-3X 2. G. Brockmiller 84 2. G. Brockmiller 3. R. Cameron 93 3. R. Cameron 80 3. R. Cameron

186-4X 181-4X 173

50YD Breechloader 1. G. Brockmiller 81

100YD Breechloader 1. G. Brockmiller 64

Breechload er– Aggregate 1. G. Brockmiller 145

25YD Smoothbore 1. G. Bowling 92-1X 2. G. Brockmiller 91-2X 3. E. Miles 91

50YD Smoothbore 1. G. Brockmiller 92-3X 2. G. Bowling 91 3. R. Propst 88

Smoothbore Aggregate 1. G. Brockmiller 183-5X 2. G. Bowling 183-1X 3. E. Miles 173

28 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Grand Aggregate Five Gun Aggregate 1. E. Miles 502-3X 1. G. Brockmiller 805-1X

Southampton Greys Skirmish

Revolver Company Match Carbine Company Match Tuckers Naval Brigade A 245.9 Nansemond Guards A York Rangers A 266.6 Dismal Swamp Rangers A Nansemond Guards A 273.1 Hanover Grays Co A Nansemond Guards B 275.2 Nansemond Guards B Nansemond Guards C 349.3 3rd NC Cavalry Co B Norfolk Light Infantry Co B

592.5 662.3 779.4 708.9 1298.5 1464.0

Smoothbore Company Match Musket Company Match Nansemond Guards A 197.9 Nansemond Guards A 637.2 Hanover Grays Co A 280.8 Dismal Swamp Rangers A 771.5 Dismal Swamp Rangers A 310.5 York Rangers A 832.2 Nansemond Guards B 313.0 Nansemond Guards B 785.9 Dismal Swamp Rangers B 670.1 Hanover Grays B 1176.8 Nansemond Guards C 338.8 3rd NC Cavalry Co B 1584.9 Dismal Swamp C 2170.0 Mortar Match

Norfolk Light 1 51’ 3.5 “ Manleys Battery 60’ 0.75”

50YD Musket 100YD Musket Musket Aggregate 1. R. Cameron 91 1. G. Bowling 91-1X 1. R. Cameron 182 2. G. Brockmiller 89-1X 2. R. Cameron 91 2. G. Bowling 176-2X 3. C. Chapman 88-1X 3. G. Brockmiller 75-1X 3. G. Brockmiller 164-2X 50YD Carbine 100YD Carbine Carbine Aggregate 1. E. Davenport 89-4X 1. E. Miles 91 1. G. Bowling 177-2X 2. G. Bowling 89-2X 2. R. Cameron 88-2X 2. G, Brockmiller 170-2X 3. G. Brockmiller 88-1X 3. G. Bowling 88 3. E. Miles 168 25YD Revolver 50YD Revolver Revolver Aggregate 1. E. Miles 94-2X 1. G. Bowling 83-1X 1. G. Bowling 173-3X 2. G. Brockmiller 90-2X 2. E. Miles 67 2. E. Miles 161-2X 3. S. Brockmiller 79-1X 3. S. Brockmiller 63 3. S. Brockmiller 142.1X 50YD Breechloader 1. S. Brockmiller 91 2. G. Brockmiller 88 3. A. Chapman 85

100YD Breechloader 1. S. Brockmiller 91 2. R, Cameron 75 3. G. Brockmiller 68

Breechloader Aggregate 1. S. Brockmiller 182 2. R. Cameron 157-3X 3. G. Brockmiller 156

25YD Smoothbore 1. E. Miles 94 2. G. Bowling 91 3. G. Brockmiller 91

50YD Smoothbore 1. S. Brockmiller 94-3X 2. G. Bowling 91 3. G. Brockmiller 90-3X

Smoothbore Aggregate 1. S. Brockmiller 183-3X 2. G. Bowling 182 3. G. Brockmiller 181-3X

Grand Aggregate Five Gun Aggregate 1. G. Bowling 526-7X 1. S. Brockmiller 807-7X 2. E. Miles 481-3X 2. G. Brockmiller 671-7X 3. S. Brockmiller 442-4X 3. R. Cameron 502-5X

29 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Judy O. Stoneburner Tidewater, PIO

51st Veteran’s Skirmish Dedicated to Dickie Dodd THIS IS A FUN SHOOT and a WEEKEND FULL OF FUN ACTIVITIES! Individual matches will be held on Friday and Saturday with special events. Friday night’s fiesta is at the 14th Virginia Cavalry campsite, please bring a side dish and/or dessert to share, the pulled pork and drinks will be provided. Don’t miss the Veteran’s meeting, name drawing for the teams and of course Jeremiah Walsh’s table of prizes.

Saturday’s creek party, the Ruritan dinner, and the Famous 3rd Maryland Artillery Punch Party. We will wrap this weekend up with Sunday’s Musket match, Brigade shoot, and the presentation of Medals.

Requirements to shoot: 10th year or longer as regular member, 5th year or longer for U.S. military Veteran, 5th year or longer member with parent who is an N-SSA Veteran.

Schedule of Events Friday, July 15, 2022

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Sunday, July 17, 2022

1100: Range opens

0900: Range Opens

0830: Team Captains Meeting

1600: Range Closes

1200: Range Closes

0900: Opening Ceremonies & Musket team match

1800: Welcome Picnic

1300: Veterans Meeting

Brigade shoot immediately following Musket Awards Ceremony

1400: Creek Party 1800: Ruritan Dinner 2000: Punch Party at 3rd Maryland Artillery Campsite

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Registration Form Competitor’s Name: ____________________________________________ Competitor’s Number: _____________ N-SSA team # ________ Shooting Buddies Name: ___________________________________ Buddies Competitor Number: _____________ N-SSA team # ________ Registration Fee $30.00ea.

Total_________ Fee includes 1 Ruritan Dinner

Picnic-free for you and one guest.

51st Veterans T-Shirts $15.00ea.

Extra Picnic Guest $4.00ea.

Extra Ruritan Dinner $7.50ea Total_________

Total_________ Size(s) (S-3XL) ___________

Donations to the Veterans Association Total_________ Grand Total_________________

Please complete the form and make you check payable to:

N-SSA Veterans’ Association

Mail the check and form to: Colin Scanlan 480 Chalybeate Springs Rd Winchester, VA 22603

30 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Total_________

Regional News The Allegheny Region 31st Early Bird Skirmish hosted by the Chartiers Valley Guards and Graham’s Battery was held March 25 through the 27th, 2022 at Fort Shenandoah. Thirty-five musket teams, twenty-six carbine teams, twenty-six smoothbore teams, and six revolver teams participated in the skirmish. The weather was cold on Friday, windy on Saturday, and very cold on Sunday. We had snow squalls and strong winds that blew not only targets but also some of the cardboard with targets off the backers. This did not deter the shooters. They were a hardy group.

A big thank you to Tim Scanlan for his help, guidance, and direction. Tim made the setup, takedown, and clean-up go quickly and efficiently. We got to meet Tim’s new dog, Rusty. He is about eleven weeks old and is the perfect puppy.

Our thanks to the teams that participated. They are the heart of the skirmish and made it an event to look back upon with joy.

Team Event Results Smoothbore 1

Carbine

Musket

Revolver

1 Maryland Cavalry, CSA CO. A

9 Virginia Cavalry, CSA CO. A

2 Maryland Artillery, CSA CO. A

Iredell Blues, CO. A

2nd

1st Florida Cavalry, CO. A

2nd Maryland Artillery, CSA CO. A

9th Virginia Cavalry.

CSA CO. A

1st Stuart Horse Arty.

CO. A

3rd

9th Virginia Cavalry, CSA CO. C

8th Regt Virginia Vol. Inf. CO. A

1st Maryland Cavalry, CSA CO. A

Washington Blue Rifles, CO. A

st

st

Individual Event Results Revolver

th

25 Yard

nd

EXPERT

50 Yard

Aggregate

1st

Lytton T

49-3X

Svensson S

40

Lytton T

85-3X

2

nd

Svensson S

42

DeFrancisci C

36

Svensson S

82

3

rd

DeFrancisci C

37

Lytton T

36

DeFrancisci C

73

Smoothbore

25 Yard

50 Yard

Aggregate

1st

Shaw E

47

Keppler A

45

Keppler A

89

2

nd

Decourcy C

45

Shaw E

42

Shaw E

89

3

rd

Keppler A

44

Decourcy C

41

Decourcy C

86

Carbine

50 Yard

100 Yard

Aggregate

1

st

DeFrancisci C

44

DeFrancisci C

44-2X

DeFrancisci C

88-2X

2

nd

Harris S

44

Batlle T

42

Decourcy C

83

3

rd

Patton M

43

Decourcy C

42

Batlle T

83

Musket

50 Yard

100 Yard

Aggregate

1

st

Ostner G

47-1X

Hughes M

46

Hughes M

92-1X

2

nd

Hughes M

46-1X

Bethke D

45

Bethke D

88-1X

3

rd

Schell G

45

McBride M

44

Decourcy C

87-1X

Smoothbore

25 Yard

SHARPSHOOTER 50 Yard

Aggregate

1

st

McBride M

47

Wetzel J

45

McBride M

91

2

nd

Wetzel J

46

McBride M

44

Wetzel J

91

3

rd

Atterbury H

45

Hughes M

42

Bethke D

77

Carbine 1

st

50 Yard Schell G

31 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

100 Yard 43

Wetzel J

Aggregate 42

Schell G

85

2nd Musket

Wetzel J

43

Schell G

50 Yard

42

Wetzel J

100 Yard

85

Aggregate

1

st

DeFrancisci C

47-2X

DeFrancisci C

45

DeFrancisci C

92-2X

2

nd

Wainwright J

41

Wainwright J

40

Wainwright J

81

Revolver 1

st

MARKSMAN

25 Yard Shuck R

Smoothbore

50 Yard 45-1X

Shuck R

25 Yard

Aggregate 32

Shuck R

50 Yard

77-1X

Aggregate

1

st

Schell G

43

Druen R

43

Druen R

84-1X

2

nd

Druen R

41-1X

Widrig J

39

Schell G

82

3

rd

Widrig J

40-1X

Schell G

39

Widrig J

79-1X

Carbine

50 Yard

100 Yard

Aggregate

1

st

Ostner G

44-1X

Ostner G

43

Ostner G

87-1X

2

nd

Wainwright J

44

Dennis M

42

Dennis M

80

3

rd

Keppler A

39

Wallace R

35

Wainwright J

74

Musket

50 Yard

100 Yard

Aggregate

1

st

Ostner B

46-2X

Dennis M

34

Bethke R

77

2

nd

Bethke R

45

Bethke R

32

Wallace R

73

3

rd

Wallace R

41

Wallace R

32

Dennis M

66

Revolver 1

st

25 Yard Nolte, Jr. P

Smoothbore

STRIKER

50 Yard

Aggregate

16-1X

Nolte, Jr. P

25 Yard

50 Yard

16-1X

Aggregate

1

st

Nolte,Jr. P

41

Bethke R

46-1X

Bethke R

86-1X

2

nd

Wetzel R

40-1X

Patton M

44

Nolte, Jr. P

80

3

rd

Bethke R

40

Nolte, Jr. P

39

Carbine

50 Yard

100 Yard

1

st

Wingenbach D

30

2

nd

Coleman, Jr. W

24

3

rd

Nolte, Jr. P

23

Musket

50 Yard

Nolte, Jr. P

Aggregate 31

100 Yard

1

st

Elton M

40

2

nd

Nolte, Jr. P

24

Nolte, Jr. P

Nolte, Jr. P

54

Aggregate 28

Nolte, Jr. P

52

Elton M

40

The Skirmish Line is happy to feature your regional shooting news. When submitting your reports please keep the length to less than two pages. As always high quality pictures are required if you wish to send any. Submit your report to nssaeditor@gmail.com - Editor.

32 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

SO YOU WANT TO DRESS IN PERIOD CLOTHING (My story of how I started my passion for dressing in Period Clothing and Competition.)

By: Sharleen Leigh West Costume Chair N-SSA Costume Competition Hi! everyone, I am Sharleen Leigh West, and I am the N-SSA Costume Chair, I have been the Chair of this Committee for numerous years. The costume competition has been a source of love and sometimes trying at times for me. It is hard to generate a passion in others for this N-SSA competition. The main reason is that the interest in home sewing had dropped before the Covid era of our time. For some people during the time of Covid they found themselves wanting to learn a new skill to fill the lack of time that was previously used to go to the gym or other public group setting that they had previously enjoyed, but was abruptly ended due to Covid. To fulfill that time some learned to cook, bake, garden, knit or crochet and some learned to sew. So if you learned any of the last three skills that were mentioned. Then I have a new hobby for you. PERIOD COSTUMING. Now, the new competitor has it easier than I ever had in the sewing of period clothing. You have a wide variety of patterns that can be purchased which are period correct and some have the proper techniques in construction of the garments in the instructions. I only wish I had in my experience of making and wearing mid Victorian attire.

On with my story of getting into the hobby of N-SSA Costume Competition.

It all happened 55 years ago, when I was a mere 6 years old.

My grandfather Lenford Eastep was a member with the N-SSA almost at its conception of the organization. A short time later my dad, James’s “Micky” West joined. My Grandfather was on the land acquisition committee to scout and find a national range.

When they came across the present-day property, the committee was deciding on a name for the property. Well, my grandfather was an avid whistler and at one meeting when the committee was deciding on a name for the fort. He was whistling the song “Shenandoah”. He was asked the tune he whistled, he said the tune was “Shenandoah”, it was decided that was the perfect name for our property, “Fort Shenandoah”. My Grandfather had a shop on Sutler’s Row and sold guns, and gun parts, at one time he sold covered hoops for ladies to use under their hoop skirts, (as he called them), he also sold black powder orders there. He and Elmer Venoski started Back Creek Black Powder Co. My Grandfather already had his FFL license and was selling black 33 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

powder, here at home under the name of Poquoson Gun Shop. He also sold powder to Colonial Williamsburg and the National Park Service around our area, also to the general public.

When I was a teenager, I remember sitting in the shop on Sutler’s Row with one of my girlfriends for fun, and to sell the black powder for him. He would pay us $20.00 each to do so.

Of course, he would embarrass us by trying to enlist young gentlemen for a date to the Saturday night dance. Which was so, embarrassing, at that time being a teenager and all. I wouldn’t give those memories away for a million dollars.

Now, how I started in costuming, I was about 10 years old, and I asked my mom and grandmother to make me a dress to wear at Winchester. I remember it so well. It was a Simplicity pattern.

Which by the way is still available today? It is the one where there are four different styles of dresses on the front cover depicting a colonial, frontier, civil war and a sacque gown. The fabric was cotton calico, yellow background and darker gold yellow undertones. It buttoned up the back with wooden buttons and had polyester lace at the neckline and on the cuffs of long sleeves and a matching sash tied in a bow in the back. Mom bought me a bridal covered hoop to wear under the dress. I thought I was so pretty in that dress. I signed up that fall National and was given a numbers paddle to carry to participate in the Saturday afternoon competition. Then the competition was judged by three chosen bystanders, all the children walked around in a circle and was judged. Sadly, I didn’t win that day, but I had fun anyway. I want you to know, I wore that dress at every national event on the Saturday and Sunday until I couldn’t get it buttoned up in the back and it was almost up to my knees in length.

At that time my grandfather and dad belonged to the Old Dominion Dragoons. There was a lady by the name of Barbara Whitlow, she participated in the dress competition where she made her and her daughter’s dresses. I would wait until they came out of their camper all dressed to go to the competition on Sunday morning. I thought about how beautiful they looked and that someday, somehow, I wanted to do that too. Mind you, I was only 11-12 years old at the time. As time went on, I married, and he joined the team. I finally decided It was time to take the plunge and try my hand at making a dress for me to wear and if it turned out, I’ll enter in the dress competition. I wanted a ball gown.

So, I had no idea as to how to go about making one since there

weren’t patterns for the period to purchase. I started attending all the dress competition meetings held at the caretaker’s front porch. I learned a lot. I couldn’t find patterns to purchase and had not sewn anything since high school home economics class. This was going to be a real challenge. So, I was so up for this, I wasn’t going to let not having a preprinted pattern with instruction to use going to deter me in making a first attempt in period dress. I shopped over at sutler’s row and found a copy of the book “Civil War Clothing “book #1, it was paperback and had a yellow cover.

Within its cover was a diagram of ball gown pieces all drawn all over each other. I then had to figure out how to take this diagram at the size of a half of an 8 by 11 piece of paper to fit me. So, I went to the fabric store and bought a flip out cardboard cutting board that was gridded in one inch squared blocks and drew on the cutting board each piece of the ball gown bodice on it. Then traced the board with tissue paper to make the pattern to pin to the fabric to cut it out. I then followed the instructions, (if you should call them instructions) listed in the book to complete the dress.

I remember it. oh! So well, the ball gown was made of white cotton fabric, which was all that I could afford at the time. I bought rolls of store made white crochet lace and burgundy satin ribbon, along with polyester burgundy satin to make fabric roses and dark green satin to make leaves. This is what I accented the skirt and the bodice with. It buttoned up the back with sewing machine-made buttonholes and glass buttons. Under the gown I wore a strapless longline bra, I had no idea how to make a corset, a pair of drawers which went almost to my ankles, black cotton stockings and black flat slip-on shoes, also a covered bridal hoop and an over petticoat. I wore my hair in finger curls, and I decorated a plastic hair comb with burgundy fabric roses and green leaves.

I thought I looked pretty good on that Sunday Morning. I then nervously entered the competition ring in Memorial Park, to face the dreaded judges. As I approached the judging area, I cannot remember ever being so nervous in my life. When the judging began, they asked me questions and I answered the best that I could, nervously squeaked out the answers. Whew!! Glad that was over, I didn’t place that day, but I was approached by two of the ladies who competed that day and two of the judges, they graciously offered their expertise in costuming and gave me their contact information and at that time I got bit by the costuming bug.

Since then, I shoot muskets, cannons and mortars when needed for the team. I have held numerous jobs on the Committee and now hold the position as chair.

Now, I look upon the way I began costuming, how I bettered my education on period dress. How I struggle in that first dress. I 34 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

learned so much more with all that the Costume Committee has done in lectures on competition day and the hands-on Sewing Circle, which is held on Friday of the Nationals at 11:00 am to 2-3 pm depending on the item being taught. Where can you go and enjoy a wonderful, relaxing afternoon in the company of welleducated ladies and men in the art of period historic living, the construction of clothing, and to be able to leave in your hand a completed or almost completed and with the knowledge to finish an item to wear free of cost to you.

This is your chance to fulfill your dream of wearing your dream period clothing.

So come on by the Sewing Circle and the Costume Committee’s Costume Armoire in Sutler’s Row and

GET BIT BY THE COSTUME BUG!!!!!!

General Ulysses S. Grant’s Historic Cased Presentation Remington New Model Army Revolvers

By Seth Isaacson Lead Historian at Rock Island Auction Company For the North South Skirmish Association’s Skirmish Line Photos Courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company

General Ulysses S. Grant’s historic presentation New Model Army Revolvers will be sold at Rock Island Auction Company as part of the May 13-15 Premier Firearms Auction.

Ulysses S. Grant ranks among the most famous Americans of all time and certainly of the Civil War. “Unconditional Surrender Grant’s” legacy was cemented by his important victories during the American Civil War starting with one of the first significant Union victories of the war, the capture of Fort Donelson, and ending with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox.

His historic role as President Abraham Lincoln’s hand-picked commanding general of the U.S. Armies and as the savior of the Union during the “War Between the States” established him as a national hero. He was not everyone’s pick to lead due to accusations of drunkenness and the cost in blood of his tactics, but Lincoln liked Grant as a commander because he was aggressive. The president felt other Union commanders were too cautious and thus failed to secure victories and destroy the Confederate armies. When other Union generals called for Grant’s removal as commander of the Union Army of the Tennessee, Lincoln is famously reported to have remarked, “I can’t spare this man; he fights.”

After the war, Grant was rewarded by becoming the first “General of the Army,” and his immense popularity propelled him to the White House as the 18th President of the United States of America from 1869 to 1877. As president, Grant worked to bring the country back together while also struggling to protect the rights of freedmen and women in the South, including using federal military force to try to protect the rule of law. While many may look back and say that Grant could have and should have done more to protect African-Americans, he should be given credit for the fact that he did more than most of his contemporaries.

His autobiography, Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, was completed in 1885 just before his death and was published in two volumes by his friend Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, through his new publishing firm Charles L. Webster & Company.

35 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

The company also published Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the same year. The proceeds of the book benefitted the Grant family, and the publication’s success also helped solidify Grant’s enduring legacy as the hero who led the Union to victory. The work is an American classic certainly worth the attention of any student of Civil War history. He wrote that the Confederate cause was “one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse,” but Grant added that he believed the Confederates truly believed in their cause and recognized their bravery and suffering in the long fight for it.

His compassion for his rebellious countrymen can be seen in his terms for the surrender of Robert E. Lee that are credited as potentially saving Lee from execution for treason.

Given his incredible significance as a military leader and later as president, items owned by Grant are naturally among the most desirable 19th century American artifacts, particularly those from the Civil War. They are tangible

connections to one of the United States’ most iconic military leaders and to the Union cause. Ulysses S. Grant’s historic presentation engraved Remington New Model Army revolvers available for sale in Rock Island Auction Company’s May 13-15, 2022, Premier Auction are arguably the most historically significant and valuable Remington firearms of all time and certainly must be considered a “Holy Grail” for Civil War collectors. They were presented to Grant in the latter half of 1863 or early 1864 and were hidden from public view for over a century and a half until they surfaced only a few years ago when they were put on display at the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show in January 2018. The set and their history were discussed in detail in the article “General Grant’s Magnificent Set of Lost Remingtons” by the late firearms author S.P. Fjestad published in the National Rifle Association’s American Rifleman. Fjestad wrote, “Without a doubt, these cased Remingtons constitute the most elaborate and historically significant set of currently known revolvers manufactured during the Civil War.”

Remington Supplies the Union

A Remington advertisement in 1863. Similar advertisements appeared in many newspapers during the Civil War. As the latest and greatest in martial sidearms, the choice of Remington’s New Model Army revolvers is fitting, especially given Union soldiers in the western theater under Grant would have actually been among the first to be issued Remington revolvers during the war. Aside from the incredible embellishment, these revolvers are the same New Model Army revolvers used by Grant’s men.

They were initially secured through Remington dealers and agents in the East and were then purchased under ever growing contracts through the end of the war. By the time Grant led the Union to victory, the Remington factory had supplied 116,765 Army revolvers (.44 caliber) and 16,736 Navy revolvers (.36 caliber) making Remington’s revolvers second in use only to Samuel Colt’s revolvers during the war. The revolvers made for Grant are serial numbers “1” and “2.” Whether these are the first two Remington New Model Army revolvers off of the production line is not known. These would be special custom order numbers given this model’s serial number range began around serial number 15000 continuing from the “Model 1861 Army” range.

Remington’s three different “Army” revolvers used by the Union armies during the Civil War differed primarily in the way their cylinder pins were secured and removed. They also saw other subtle refinements as time went on such as a switch from dovetailed “cone” shaped front sights to threaded “pinched” blade front sights. The revolvers at the beginning of the war used Fordyce Beal’s September 14, 1858, patented cylinder pin and loading lever system and have been nicknamed “Beals Army” revolvers. In this design, the rear of the loading lever arm acts as a stop for the 36 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

cylinder pin preventing it from being moved unless the lever is partially lowered. In 1862, Remington shifted to supplying what collectors call the “Model 1861 Army” revolvers based on William Elliot’s patent from December 17, 1861.

Elliot’s design allowed the cylinder pin to slide forward to remove the cylinder without lowering the loading lever. This proved to be less suitable for combat than Beals’ more secure system, so Remington transitioned to producing the “New Model” revolvers returning to Beals’ 1858 patented design in 1863. Ever since, many have erroneously referred to the New Model Army and New Model Navy revolvers as “Model 1858” revolvers. To this day, the Remington New Model Army revolvers remain popular with black powder shooters, and they are regularly seen at Civil War historical events. Multiple manufacturers produce versions of these revolvers, so shooters today can enjoy shooting revolvers that are essentially the same in form and function as these beautiful presentation revolvers made for General Grant.

Grant’s Beautiful L.D. Nimschke Engraved Remington Revolvers

Grant’s revolvers received an incredible amount of embellishment, including beautifully carved grips with busts of Grant and patriot bald eagle and shield motifs in raised relief.

The revolvers Grant received are true works of art on “steel canvases.” While no signature has been found on this pair of revolvers, the author is confident in the identity of the engraver: iconic 19th century Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke of New York.

Aside from being in Nimschke’s style, he is confirmed as the engraver based on comparison to another pair of historic Remington revolvers recently sold at Rock Island Auction Company in the May 2021 Premier Firearms Auction: the pair identified as made for presentation following the visit of the Russian fleets to the United States in 1864. That pair was signed by Nimschke (“N”) and is recorded in his famous pull-book in detail. The patterns on both Grant’s revolvers and the Russian presentation pair are very similar overall aside from the naval motifs and arrows present on the Russian pair. The barrel engraving on Grant’s revolvers also matches other designs from Nimschke’s pull-book.

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The bulk of the engraving on the revolvers consists of Nimschke’s exceptionally well-executed scroll engraving patterns with punched backgrounds and floral accents. The top straps have twisted or entwining rope patterns along the sides of the sighting grooves.

Columbia’s shield is located behind the hammers followed by “FROM YOUR FRIENDS/O.N. CUTLER. W.C. WAGLEY.” down the back straps. The left grip of the first revolver and right of the second revolver features an excellent raised relief carved eagle, flags, and Columbian shield patriotic motif that was also used on the grips of the Russian presentation revolvers. The right panel of the first and the left panel of the second feature the significant and beautifully executed raised relief carved busts of General Ulysses S. Grant. This historic set comes in a deluxe rosewood presentation case with a suite of accessories.

These Remington New Model Army revolvers identified as manufactured for presentation following the Russian fleets’ visits to the U.S. in 1864 sold at Rock Island last year provided confirmation that Grant’s revolvers were also engraved by renowned engraver L.D. Nimschke.

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Grant’s uniform on the carved grips displays the insignia of a two-star general (major general). Grant attained this rank in the volunteers in 1862 after he captured Fort Donelson and then became a major general in the regular army in the fall of 1863 after he secured Vicksburg. Grant was again promoted on March 2, 1864, and became the country’s second three-star general (lieutenant general) in history, after only General George Washington. These ranks and dates, plus the introduction of this model in 1863, suggest the revolvers were presented to Grant in the latter half of 1863 or early 1864 after he captured Vicksburg on the Fourth of July in 1863 and thus secured the length of the Mississippi River for the Union. The exact date, location, and circumstances of the presentation of the set remains unknown; however, the inscriptions on the back straps match the inscriptions on a pair of Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers (11756 and 11757) also manufactured in 1863 and presented to General James B. McPherson. Together, these inscriptions provided clues about the revolvers’ history.

The Southern Cotton Connection

The inscription on the revolvers’ backstraps connect Grant to businessmen involved in the trade in southern cotton during the Civil War. The pair was presented by Otis Nelson Cutler and William C. Wagley, both veterans of the Mexican-American War. Wagley was a 2nd lieutenant in the 3rd Dragoons, and Cutler enlisted as an orderly sergeant in the 1st Massachusetts Volunteers in 1846 under General Taylor and was later promoted to captain.

Cutler formed a company of men to explore for gold in California where he found success and then built a home on the family farm in Lewiston, Maine. He was later contracted for the building of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad in Missouri and moved to Hannibal and became the superintendent of the railroad. Cutler was assigned as a special treasury agent stationed at New Orleans at the end of the Civil War. Wagley remained active in the river trade in Louisiana after the war and is recorded as commanding steamboats running to Mobile and Montgomery in at least 1865 and 1866.

Fjestad concluded this incredible cased pair was “a ‘thank you’ for a wartime cotton-smuggling scheme” and that Cutler and Wagley most likely ordered these revolvers through Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York City, the largest dealers in the 39 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

country at the time. L.D. Nimschke, also of New York City, was contracted to execute the incredible embellishment on the pair.

Period sources, including newspapers, Senate records, and Grant’s own papers, link Grant and McPherson to Cutler and Wagley via the cotton trade in 1863. However, Grant’s participation is likely not as nefarious as Fjestad’s comments imply. Although these beautiful presentation engraved, carved, and inscribed revolvers certainly smack of a bribe, like the claims of corruption that dogged Grant as president, the truth is more complicated and unlikely as dark as his detractors suggest.

By 1863, Grant was already a Union hero following his famous victory at Fort Donelson in February of 1862 along with the triumph of the Army of the Tennessee over the Confederacy at the bloody Battle of Shiloh in April of 1862. His victories gave the Union control of the northern stretch of the Mississippi River, and the capture of New Orleans on May 1, 1862, gave the Union control of the mouth respectively. However, the Confederacy still retained control of Vicksburg in between disrupting use of the river. The fortified city on a bend in the Mississippi became the

main target for Grant, and its capture had the potential to end the war.

The river was the crucial mode of transportation for the region, including for the lucrative trade in cotton. While cotton was a leading cash crop in the South, it was also a vital raw material for northeastern industry. Grant established programs putting runaway slaves to work in camps picking cotton that could be shipped up river and sold to fund the Union war effort and to produce needed supplies. This plan, approved by President Lincoln, for moving the cotton out of the South under Union contract was also designed to help prevent the South’s most valuable cash crop from being used to fund the Confederate war effort. The runaways were compensated for their work, and some of the proceeds were also used to provide them with food, clothing, and shelter.

The legal trade provided cover for illegal trade, and there were widespread reports of bribes and corruption. Cotton in Union controlled territory was regulated by Union officers and agents of the U.S. Treasury. Grant and his officers were in charge of granting licenses for his district. The Secretary of War was told, “Every colonel, captain or quartermaster is in a secret partnership with some operator in cotton; every soldier dreams of adding a bale of cotton to his monthly pay.” Though many Union officers were corrupt and profited through involvement in both legal and illegal trade in cotton during the war, evidence shows that Grant found the whole business to be an annoying distraction from his primary military objective: capturing Vicksburg.

Grant’s own father actually came down river with two businessmen intent on getting a contract for cotton and splitting profits. Had Grant been inclined to corruption and self-dealing, he certainly could have played along. Instead, he was furious and sent the men back north as soon as he learned of their plans. In response to all of the corruption surrounding cotton in his district, Grant also gave his most controversial order in late 1862: General Order No. 11. Under this order, Jewish residents were expelled from Grant’s district because he blamed them in part for the illicit cotton trade. The two men that had travelled with his father happened to be Jewish. Lincoln eventually reversed the order after outcry, but not before many Jewish residents had been expelled. Frustrated with dealing with the cotton trade, Grant moved to significantly curtail it all together.

News reports from the period provide important evidence for both Grant’s efforts to limit the cotton trade and his connection to the men who presented the revolvers. The Daily Missouri Republican on February 18, 1863, noted: “It is unfortunately too true that many of our officers have been unable to resist the wonderful temptation of the cotton trade. The demoralization has been well nigh checked below by the orders of Gen. Grant, which will not allow any cotton to be shipped North, nor even bought, until Vicksburg is taken.” Coincidentally, this article appears next to one of the advertisements for “Remington’s Army & Navy Revolvers.” The Nashville Daily Union on April 25, 1863, in an article from “Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette. Young’s Point, LA., April 7.” about “King Cotton” directly references both Grant and one of the men who presented these revolvers. The article notes that Grant had announced he would not allow cotton to go upriver until Vicksburg was taken 40 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

but that some cotton was being shipped nonetheless. “ A Breckenridge Democrat, whose loyalty is like that of the Enquirer, has had a contract for picking and bailing cotton in the vicinity of Lake Providence, - This gentleman, Wagley by name, who hails from Warsaw, Ill. Has most emphatically ‘struck ile.’

How much cotton he has sent North, I do not know, but I do know that five hundred bales are now awaiting shipment at Lake Providence and Berry’s Landing. It is a matter of comment that his cotton has been gathered already baled, from the plantations in the vicinity, and that not one-tenth of it is really picked and ginned under his superintendence. Another individual of the same stripe had nearly succeeded in getting a similar contract for the region in the vicinity of Gen. McClernand, but his plan was overthrown by that officer himself. He is now endeavoring to obtain an order from Gen. Grant over Gen. McClernand’s head, and it is feared that he will succeed.”

Grant’s own papers provide more details of direct cooperation with McPherson and Wagley: “On April 1, [Grant] wrote to Capt. Ashley R. Eddy. ‘The cotton detained by you one half of which was for Government and the other for Mr. Wagley is a part of some cotton abandoned in the field and picked by Mr. Wagly [sic] under an arrangement made with him by Genl McPherson. The one half can be released to Mr. Wagley.’…When William C. Wagley wrote that Col. William S. Hillyer, provost marshal at Memphis, threatened to seize his cotton, Rawlins endorsed the letter. ‘This contract was made by with Mr. Wagely [sic] in the utmost good faith and must be respected. You will therefore not interfere with shipment of cotton by seizures or otherwise, unless you pass satisfactory evidence of a violation of the contract on Mr Wagely’s [sic] part, mere suspicions will not suffice.’”

This clearly provides a link between Grant and McPherson and Wagley’s role in the cotton trade, but what about Cutler? Senate documents include an additional important report for the context of this cased set that ties all of the men together: “The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the claim of O.N. Cutler, have examined the same and submit the following as their report:” It states that William C. Wagley later identified as a citizen of Illinois had a March 5, 1863, contract signed by Assistant Quartermaster John G. Klinck “for picking, ginning, and bailing of cotton then growing on the lands about Lake Providence, in the State of Louisiana, which had been abandoned by the rebel owners and occupants, and then lately brought within permanent Union lines by the advance and occupancy of the federal forces. This contract was approved by Major General McPherson, commanding that district.” The report notes that half of the cotton was to be government property and the other half Wagley’s and that Wagley would be allowed to have his cotton shipped by the government to Memphis. On April 3, Wagley assigned his interest over to O.N. Cutler of Hannibal, Missouri.

Cutler then delivered “a large amount of cotton” at Lake Providence and took his assigned half. General Grant had his quartermaster seize Cutler’s cotton to use it to protect the machinery on the steamer Tigress for a run of the Confederate blockade at Vicksburg. Captain Benjamin F. Reno recorded this amounted to 268 bales. Cutler claimed they weighed 113,900 pounds in total and had a total value of $62,645. The report concludes with a recommendation that $50,000 be appropriated

by Congress to pay for this seized cotton in 1868.

This evidence clearly demonstrates that Grant and McPherson were involved in at least one valuable contract for southern cotton that served to net Wagley and Cutler considerable profits. It also shows that Grant actually seized at least one shipment of cotton as part of his efforts to capture Vicksburg. Grant’s revolvers may have been specifically presented in response to his capture of Vicksburg which gave the Union essentially full command of the Mississippi River and would have opened the river up to more trade and reduced the risks for men like Wagley and Cutler shipping cotton and other goods up and down the river. While no documentation has been found detailing when and where Grant and McPherson were presented their sets of revolvers, the information at hand certainly suggests that Wagley and Cutler presented the Union generals their respective pairs as a thank you for their assistance in the cotton trade.

On the Fourth of July, 1863, Grant’s forces captured Vicksburg and General John C. Pemberton’s approximately 30,000 strong army. The day prior, Pickett’s charge had been repulsed at Gettysburg, and Robert E. Lee’s army limped back to Virginia.

Together, the Union victories in the East and West marked the ascent of the Union’s fortunes and the decline of the Confederate cause. Grant was promoted by President Lincoln to major general in the regular army and given command of the new Division of the Mississippi on October 16, 1863. His decisive victory in the Chattanooga Campaign in November opened the South up for attack. On March 2, 1864, Grant was promoted to lieutenant general and given command of all of the Union armies. Grant was formally commissioned by Lincoln on March 8 in a Cabinet meeting and worked more closely with the president for the remainder of the war. With Grant in charge, Lincoln expected Union forces to relentlessly pursue and defeat the Confederacy and finally bring the bloody war to a close.

Grant directed the Union armies in pursuit of Robert E. Lee into Virginia and worked towards capturing the Confederate capital at Richmond and Petersburg to the South. He kept his men in near continual contact with the Confederate lines and slowly wore them down at a great cost in blood on both sides. Petersburg and Richmond finally fell into Union hands on April 3, 1865. Lee retreated with part of his army to fight another day, but Union victory in the war was close at hand, and Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House less than a week later on April 9. Grant’s terms of surrender were rather lenient for Lee and his men, including parole and a guarantee that the men were “not to be disturbed by U.S. authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside.” Grant saw this as the end of the war. As such, the former Confederates were now their countrymen again not the enemy. He even allowed the Confederates to keep their sidearms and horses and helped provide Lee’s bedraggled men with much needed provisions.

Most of the remaining Confederate resistance ceased by the end of the month with Joseph E. Johnston’s surrender on April 26, 1865. The final surrenders were completed a month later. By securing victory for the Union, Ulysses S. Grant provided the basis for national reunification and established himself as a national hero. He remained commander of the armies as the country began reconstruction. Grant was further honored on July 41 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

25, 1866, when Congress promoted him to the newly created rank of General of the Army of the United States. Grant broke with President Andrew Johnson over the latter’s “Presidential Reconstruction” policies that were soft on former Confederates and did not protect the rights of African Americans and Republicans in the South, but Congress stepped in and guaranteed Grant’s control of the U.S. Army by passing the Command of the Army Act. After Secretary of War Edwin Stanton was illegally fired by Johnson, Grant was briefly appointed as interim Secretary of War but stepped aside when Congress reinstated Stanton, and Johnson was soon impeached in relation to the whole affair and narrowly escaped conviction.

In 1868, Grant was unanimously nominated by the Republican National Convention as the party’s candidate for president and won the election. As president, he oversaw “Congressional Reconstruction” and the ongoing Indian Wars in the West. He sought to protect southern Republicans and African-Americans through additional legal protections and by deploying the cavalry back into the South to counteract the Ku Klux Klan and other lawless groups. Though he succeeded in winning a second term in office, claims of corruption and other scandals diminished Grant’s power in the South. Renewed conflict with Native Americans following their mistreatment also undermined his earlier peace efforts in the West. He initially declined to run for a third term and instead returned to civilian life in 1877 for the first time since the outbreak of the Civil War, but he made an unsuccessful run for the Republican nomination in 1880.

Provenance After the presidency, failed business ventures destroyed Grant’s finances, and he sold many of his valuable Civil War relics in the 1880s to pay his debts. However, these incredible Remington New Model Army revolvers remained with the Grant family for decades. Grant may have already given the pair to one of his sons. They are believed to have been brought to California in the late 19th century by either Ulysses Grant Jr. or Jesse Grant II. The two brothers ran the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego together in the early 20th century. Jesse Grant II was the last surviving child of General Grant and died in 1934. His second wife, Lillian Grant, saved many of the Ulysses S. Grant artifacts and passed them on to Ulysses Simpson Grant V, likely including the cased pair.

The cased set left the family’s possession when it was reported to have been given as payment by U.S. Grant V to a handyman who worked on the Jesse Grant II home (also known as the Julia Grant home since his mother also lived there). The handyman kept the revolvers for many years. His family was eventually convinced to sell the revolvers in 1976 after many years of pursuit by a collector. Documentation from the sale of the revolvers by the Reynolds family to Frank L. Hatch are included with the revolvers, and an affidavit from Richard Hatch, the former’s son who was present for the sale, is also included stating that the revolvers had been received as payment by Bill and Mel Reynold’s father for work on the “Grant House” in San Diego. He identified the house as the Grant house at 6th and Quince. This historic home was sadly demolished in 2000.

At the time of the sale in 1976, no one appears to have known the revolvers had been originally presented to General Grant during the Civil War. The elder Hatch began researching his carefully guarded treasures, and found some evidence of the cotton traders’ connections to Grant. When he died in 1987, the revolvers remained with his wife. Richard Hatch inherited the pair upon his mother’s death in 2013, and the pair remained hidden for several more years until they were put on display in Las Vegas in 2018. Now, for the very first and possibly last time, this pair of incredible Civil War presentation Remington revolvers with beautiful engraving by L.D. Nimschke and grips carved with busts of General Ulysses S. Grant are publicly available at auction at Rock Island Auction Company’s May 13-15 Premier Firearms Auction where they are estimated to sell for $1-3 million.

H.W. Brands, The Man Who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace (New York: Anchor Books, 2013), 188.

Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant Volume 2 (New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1886), 488-489.

S.P. Fjestad, “General Grant’s Magnificent Set of Lost Remingtons” https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/general-grant-s-magnificent-set-of-lost-remingtons/ Howard Michael Madaus and Simeon Stoddard, The Guns of Remington: Historic Firearms Spanning Two Centuries (Dayton, KY: Biplane Productions, 1997). 46.

Madaus and Stoddard, The Guns of Remington, 43-46.

Rock Island Auction Company, Rock Island Auction May Premier Auction Volume II (Rock Island: Rock Island Auction Company, 2021), 122-127.

R.L. Wilson, L.D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver (Rochester, NY: Rowe Publications, 1992), 19 and 25.

Nahum S. Cutler, A Cutler Memorial and Genealogical History… (Greenfield: E.A. Hall & Co., 1889),461-462.

Fjestad, “General Grant’s Magnificent Set of Lost Remingtons.”

Letter from Charles A. Dana to Edwin Stanton on January 21, 1863, printed in The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume LII, Part I – Reports, Union Correspondence, Etc. (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1898), 331.

Grant’s controversial order and his reaction to his father’s plans have been discussed at length in many articles and books, including Jonathan D. Sarna’s New York Times “Opinionator” piece “General Grant’s Infamous Order” from December 19, 2012.

Ulysses S. Grant, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant Vol. 7: December 9, 1862-March 31, 1863, ed. John Y. Simon (Carbondale and Edwardsville: University of Illinois Press, 1979), 328-329.

F. & J. Rives and George A. Bailey, The Congressional Globe: Containing the Debates and Proceedings of the Third Session Fortieth Congress…(Washington, D.C.: Office of the Congressional Globe, 1869), 1592-1593.

Buffalo Deviled Eggs One of my all-time favorite cook out foods is the Buffalo Deviled Eggs. It combines all the goodness of the classic deviled egg but spices it up some (literally).

Ingredients - Eggs: Hard boil, cool, and slice them in half.

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Mayonnaise- Got to go with the Dukes.

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Dry mustard: Gives it the classic bite in your traditional deviled egg recipe.

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Hot sauce: For the extra buffalo spice, though you can adjust the heat level by using a little less, then adding apple cider vinegar to make up the full amount of liquid. I use Frank’s Red Hot.

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Crumbled blue cheese: Some gets mixed into the filling, then you can sprinkle more on top.

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Salt and pepper: Season to taste.

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Fresh parsley or dill: If you want to garnish them.

How to Make Buffalo Deviled Eggs Hard boil the eggs: Place your eggs in a pot, fill with water to cover eggs. Bring to a boil, cover remove heat for 10 minutes. To cool place eggs in a bowl of water with ice and then run water over it.

Make the filling: Pop the yolks out of the halved eggs into a small bowl. Add the mayonnaises, dry mustard, hot sauce (and vinegar, if using), and blue cheese, and mash together with a fork, stirring until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Fill and garnish: Spoon or pipe the filling into the cooked egg whites. Garnish with more hot sauce, a sprinkle of blue cheese, or some dill or parsley, if desired.

42 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

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API Gun Bag Review

By Eddie Davenport Skirmish Line Editor A few months back I was approached by Arms Preservation Inc. to review their API Gun Bags.

How A.P.I. VCI Gun Bags work: Arms Preservation Gun Bags utilize a combination of Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) chemistry and carefully selected barrier packaging materials to completely prevent the corrosion of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition during storage. The materials that Arms Preservation Gun Bags are manufactured with are a carefully selected combination of materials that conjointly yield anti-corrosion properties that are supported by a transparent flexible barrier layer.

This combination of anti-corrosion & barrier materials is puncture-resistant, tear-resistant, non-abrasive, non-toxic, and will not harm any non-metal surfaces. However, the most important corrosion preventative features of the A.P.I. Gun Bags are its VCI impregnated internal layer and its exterior barrier layer.

To test the API Gun Bags, I decided to put one of my revolvers in their bag and store it in my workshop. This shop is not heated and experiences temperature fluctuations ranging from 10 degrees to 70 degrees. I stored the pistol in the barn over the winter months and into the spring.

I could not be happier with the results. After three months of storage the pistol looks the same as the day, I put it in there. If you are planning on long term storage of a firearm or other metal items then API Gun Bags are there for you.

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N-SSA History Center GRAND REOPENING CEREMONY Friday, May 20, 2022 Ribbon Cutting – 54 PM pm Commander Chuck Kindle will conduct the ceremonial reopening, welcoming one and all.

Stop by to browse the new displays.

Learn about your N-SSA’s past and its inspiring people.

DOOR PRIZES The History Center will be open until 7pm on Friday and from 11am until 7pm on Saturday

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By Rob Harrison Recruiting Officer North-South Skirmish Association 48thVA@gmail.com

The First Recruit Skirmish

For those that do not know a Recruit Skirmish was held at Fort Shenandoah on February 26th. There were 21 attendees. Of those 21 I am almost certain that at this point or by the time this edition of the Skirmish Line comes out that at least 10 of those have joined our organization. That’s a roughly 50% success rate.

Here is the history of the Recruit Skirmish. The recruit skirmish is the brainchild of myself and several other members of the 48th Virginia Infantry. The concept is to give special attention to potential new skirmishers and to let them get a taste of the competition without fully committing. This we felt would be better served by presenting it as a “Class” to learn how skirmishing works. Also, we felt this would help with the safety aspects in that it was a line that could be monitored. This we feel eliminates the intimidation factor of having to get their first taste of skirmishing at an actual skirmish. In this we knew the way to keep the intimidation factor low was to not have them compete with veteran skirmishers but to have them compete against other new folks. That’s why existing skirmishers do not shoot at this skirmish; they are to act as mentors for the new folks. This served another purpose in that the veteran skirmishers could be there to give them a level of comfort knowing a veteran skirmisher was right there by their side with their attention focused on keeping them safe and teaching them.

How did we get so many folks out to try you ask? At the Nations Gun Show in Chantilly, VA and the Great American Outdoorsman Shows we began putting out the date and having them fill out contact forms if they were interested in attending.

Then 2 weeks before the Recruit Skirmish we reached out via email and let them know where and when and what to bring (ear and eye pro). Then one week before we asked them for confirmation that they were attending. Many of them asked if they could bring others and our response was “Of Course”.

The initial briefing (administrivia and history of the N-SSA) began at 10 AM in the stat house because it was a bit chilly that morning and it provided a good place for hearing all that was said. There were very few questions asked by the attendees because I think they really did not know what to expect so we used that time to help put them at ease and assure them they weren’t being asked to climb Mount Everest but mostly to learn and to enjoy themselves.

Then we had them gear up. We provided Leathers and had them choose a weapon. This took a little time with fitting these guys out, but it went as smooth as something like that can be expected to go. Once they were geared up, we began the safety briefing. In the briefing we covered basic range safety, loading procedures and safety, what the duties of the line safeties are and what commands they would hear on the firing line. We then gave each attendee 5 rounds and caps and had them pair off with a mentor and begin 46 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

shooting at targets at 25 yards just to familiarize themselves with the weapons and how they operate and for them to get a feel for how the weapons shoot. During this you could see the wonder and excitement of the attendees building and that was very evident in the smiles and looks on their faces. We went through 3 relays of 5 rounds each for them. We even got some smaller kids to fire the musketoons just to give them a taste of it.

Then we broke for lunch which we provided for them (thank you Andrew Laurent for being the grill master) after which Tim Scanlan put on an artillery demonstration and even let some of the attendees fire the Mountain Rifle. You could REALLY see the excitement at this point.

Then we had all the attendees line up and had them call A - B C and whichever letter they called out was the team they were assigned to. We gave each of them 10-15 rounds and had them step up to the firing line to fire at 20 pigeons on a backer at 25 yards (all shooting was at 25 yards). We explained how the competition works and each command they were going to hear and what was expected of them after each command. They were given one minute to snap caps. Then they heard those words that most of us can hear in our sleep....”LOAD AND COME TO THE READY! THIS WILL BE A 5 MINUTE TIMED EVENT! ALL FIRING WILL STOP AND START ON THE SOUND OF THE HORN!”. The horn was then blown and their journey in skirmishing fully began. Keep in mind that all this time they had a mentor right there by their side keeping them safe and cheering them on. You could hear them yelling back and forth at the urging of the mentors standing beside them. None of the 3 teams cleared the board but you could see joy on their faces after the ending horn was blown. These folks were seriously enjoying themselves and so were we. Next, they got to experience what shooting in a unit/team was really about when they shot a stake event. You could hear them communicating back and forth about where they were hitting and all that. It was as much of a joy for us to watch as it was for them to shoot.Afterwards we gave out joining packages and answered questions and just got to know the guys and we realized “We’re really on to something here.”. Now this begs the question: Is this a model we can take out to the regions?

I want to take a moment to thank all the following who attended and acted as mentors to our recruits: Greg Brondos of the 48th VA Inf Bruce Lecrone of the 48th VA Inf David N Maria Price of the 48th VA Inf Andy MacPherson of the 48th VA Inf Andrew Laurent of the 48th VA Inf Lynn Warner of the 6th PA Cav Jason M Rexrode of the Jeff Davis Legion Scott Harris of the 1st FL Cav Nick Taylor of the 21st VA Inf MD Guard Dave Bohrer of the 12th US

Jeff Hall of the Washington Blue Rifles Doug Walter of the 1st PA Bucktails Trenton Lewis of the 5th VA Cav Dave Cole of the 12th PA Rev Ken Winklepleck of the Dulany Troop R Gary Sheppard of 2nd USSS Co C Ray D. of the 1st Stuart Horse Artillery Tim Scanlan of the 1st MD Cav All of you made this a success.

The Next recruiting skirmish is tentatively scheduled for September 17th. We will let you know when the date is solidified.

Come on out and help us grow our sport.

Announcement from the National Command & N-SSA Board of Directors April 18, 2022

Bobby Hannula resigned as National Deputy Commander, Signal Officer and Long Range Planning Chair. Bobby resigned due to increased work responsibilities that consume the majority of his time and he felt that he did not have the ability to perform his elected and appointed positions to the extent that they deserve. On April 10, 2022, Commander Kindle accepted Bobby Hannula’s resignation.

Per the N-SSA By-Laws, Article III: Officers, Section 4 “Vacancies created by resignation, recall or death of a national officer shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term of office by the Board of Directors, either from its ranks or from membership.”

With this resignation the Board of Directors, on April 15, 2022 appointed David Cole, 12th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteers and Allegheny Region Commander to the position of National Deputy Commander for the remainder of this term.

In addition, David Cole will resume temporary duties as the National Signal Officer until the May 19, 2022 Board meeting, at which time the Board of Directors will vote on this staff officer position.

Ed Thompson will assume the Committee Chair position, as he was the cochair of this committee appointed by the National Commander.

Judy Stoneburner Executive Secretary N-SSA

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Fayetteville Rifle, Type 5 Spring 2022 John Holland Small Arms Staff Officer Chairman, Small Arms Committee The Confederate Fayetteville Arsenal produced series of arms are an interesting study in and of themselves.

The Fayetteville Arsenal was built and opened in 1838 to be used as a repository for arms owned by the State of North Carolina. In the ensuing years prior to the Civil War the Arsenal was much like all of the other Arsenals in the country. Like these other Arsenals, the Fayetteville Arsenal began converting flint lock muskets to percussion by the “Cone-in-Barrel” method in the 1850’s. However, when the Civil War broke out it became one of the most important locations in the newly formed Confederate States of America. The reason for this is because when the Confederacy raided the U.S. Armory in Harper’s Ferry in 1861, all of the machinery to make the U.S. Harper’s Ferry Model 1855 Rifle went to the Fayetteville Arsenal. Fayetteville now became a manufacturing center for a rifle that had its foundations in the Harper’s Ferry M-1855 Rifle. Getting started in production of this new rifle was difficult due to the lack of material. The Richmond Armory sent everything they had received from the raid on Harper’s Ferry to build the new rifle, except for the tooling and machinery to fabricate the locks!

This was because there was only one set of tooling at Harper’s Ferry to make the locks which were used in both the Rifles and the Rifle Muskets. Since Richmond was making the Rifle Muskets they simply kept the tooling for the locks! Richmond sent a few dozen incomplete and unfinished locks to Fayetteville, with the intention of supplying them with more completed locks later on. This simply did not work well at all, which caused Fayetteville to design and fabricate their own lock, which was based upon the U.S. Model 1861 Springfield lock.

This lock is what you know today as the “Fayetteville S-Hammer Lock”.

There are five types of Fayetteville Rifles recognized by the N-SSA for use in their competitive matches. The N-SSA, with the assistance of Paul Davies, was the first entity to create specific designations for the Fayetteville Rifles some 25 years ahead of anyone else. This important because today conflicting designations have been created by others, which in turn has created some confusion when discussing these rifles. This same problem exists with a number of other Civil War arms, but again, only because the N-SSA was years ahead of the others!

The N-SSA Fayetteville Rifle, Type 5, is the easiest of all the types to build because it does not require a bayonet lug, and uses a Rifle Musket “block & blade” front sight which originally doubled as a mount for a socket bayonet.

John Holland Small Arms Staff Officer Small Arms Committee, Chairman

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Rev. 04-02-07

S.A.C. # APPLICATION FOR ARMS APPROVAL NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION

NAME:_________________________

DATE OF REVIEW______________

ADDRESS:______________________

N-SSA ID NUMBER_____________

CITY:__________________________

UNIT#_________ REGION________

STATE:_________________________

SINGLE____ PRODUCTION______

ZIP CODE_______________________

DATE CARD ISSUED____________

TYPE OF ARM: C.S. Rifle_______ MODEL: Fayetteville Type V

(Ref. Paul Davies’ Guide 5/24/84) O R I G

R E P R

I R O N

B R A S

Dimensions

Original

Repro

Tol+/-

Overall Length

49.0

1.0”

Barrel – Made by – Breech - Made by – If sleeved – By who______________ No bayonet lug, made for socket bayonet Lock – Standard Fayetteville 1863-5, with “S” hammer Stock – 1855 Rifle

Barrel Length

33.0

.5

Rear Sight Loc

2.875

.375

Front Sight Loc

31.55

.250

Trigger Guard Ass’y – 1855 Rifle, Brass

Overall Stock Length Front Band

44.1

.5

23.8

.375

Butt Plate – Brass, marked C.S.A. above tang screw Bands – 1855 Rifle, Flat Brass, no shoulders Nose Cap - 1855 Rifle, Short Brass (.875”)

Middle Band

N/A

Bottom Band

9.5

.375

Drop in Stock

2.5

.5

Rear Sight – 1855 Rifle 3 leaf (1.185” OAL flat to flat) Front Sight – Rifle Musket type block/ blade for socket bayonet

Trig to Butt Plate

13.6

.5

Patchbox – None

Sling Swivel Caliber

COMMITTEE USE ONLY: APPROVED_____ DISAPPROVED_____ Remarks if any on back top of form INSPECTOR’S SIGNATURE: ____________________ INSPECTOR’S COMP. # _____________

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N/A

Bow & U. Band .58

3 Number of Grooves BOARD ACTION: APPROVED___ DISAPPROVED_____ NOTES ON BACK: YES_____NO______

.375

.375 .010

Why Won’t My Burnside Shoot?

A.M. Beck, Palmetto Guards Burnside’s carbines are second only to Sharps in the number of single shot carbines issued during the war.

Chances are fairly good that if you had an ancestor in the federal cavalry, at some point they carried a Burnside.

So, why don’t we see more of them on the line at skirmishes?

The main reason is that Burnsides are challenging to get on target. Except for that minor issue, they have a lot of appeal as skirmish carbines. The action works well, they don’t leak, cartridges rarely stick in the chamber and they load quickly on the line. Another advantage is that Burnsides are easy to find in skirmishable and collectable condition. That’s not just due to the large numbers delivered during the war, but also the fact that they require oddball, expensive ammunition. After 1865 they were mostly put aside and forgotten, which saved lots of them from the abuse that tended to be heaped upon other Civil War carbines.

But… they have that well-deserved reputation for being picky about ammunition, especially bullet weight and design. A quick search of the N-SSA bulletin board will turn up many, many posts on the subject. The problem is usually ascribed to this carbine’s gain twist rifling. That is one of the reasons, but there is more to the story.

As a freshly minted West Point graduate during the Mexican War, 2nd Lieutenant Ambrose Burnside was assigned to garrison duty and as a dispatch rider. This gave him plenty of time to ponder the shortcomings of Hall’s breechloaders. Those ruminations led him to devise his “improved” breechloader. The addition of a brass cartridge case to Hall’s pivoting chamber was a great idea. The changes Burnside made to the breech mechanism definitely were not. If the General’s carbine was ever to appear in a mechanical engineering text, it would probably be under the heading of “How Not To Do It”. Accuracy problems are built into the breech system.

For any firearm to shoot accurately, firing forces must have a direct path from the chamber to the marksman’s shoulder, with rigid joints in between, and the lowest possible number of them. For instance, Hall’s chamber is supported at the front by two large lugs that would make any modern magnum rifle proud, and the action is solidly bedded in the stock. Burnside eliminated those locking lugs and added several joints. His chamber is supported by….not much.

Firing forces in the Burnside action have two paths to the buttstock. One is through the link under the breechblock, forward to a lug at the bottom front of the receiver and eventually back to the joint between the receiver and buttstock. The other path is across a joint between the breechblock and the trigger guard assembly, then through the J bolt latch, into the receiver and finally the stock. The first path crosses four mechanical joints, the second crosses five. Most of those joints are not designed to lock together and form a solid connection.

Several are held by screws that have a tendency to work loose with repeated firing. Each of these joints is a potential source of accuracy problems.

The good news is that these shortcomings can be addressed, and once they are, a Burnside will break plenty of targets. The bad news is that anyone who makes Distinguished Skirmisher shooting a Burnside is probably in league with the Devil. The action just isn’t up to that level of accuracy.

------------Several of the steps below will make subtle changes to your carbine and are NOT recommended for a collectable grade gun. The Burnside shown here is a parts gun that happens to have a really good bore, but the collector value is about nil.

Assuming that your carbine is in overall good shape, the first step in getting a Burnside to put rounds in the black is to check the barrel crown. The muzzle must be symmetrical with no nicks or dings. If that’s a problem the smiths on sutler’s row can fix it easily.

The second step is to make sure all the screws are tight. This includes the two screws that secure the upper receiver tang and trigger plate to the stock, the screw that secures the upper tang to the receiver, the J bolt that secures the trigger plate to the receiver, the two screws that secure the breechblock to the guard/lever latch assembly, the latch screw in the trigger guard and the breechblock link lug at the bottom front of the receiver.

Many of these screws tend to loosen during skirmishes, particularly the tang screws and the lever to breechblock screws. If any of these refuse to stay tight through a skirmish, apply low strength Loctite 222MS to the threads.

222MS allows removal with normal tools.

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Lots of screws and pivot points to check for looseness For Burnsides without parts replaced. This will usually get you on target with the gun’s favorite load. However, it’s still a good idea to check for the problems described below.

While Burnside’s products are nominally parts interchangeable, that’s not entirely the case. Replaced breechblocks in particular can be very hard on cartridge cases, and replaced latch parts can lead to a loose lockup. That brings up the question, how do you know if your Burnside has had parts replaced?

Luckily for us, Burnside put assembly numbers on all the major parts.

The number at the top front of the breechblock should match the serial number on the receiver. The floating block at the back of the chamber will have a number on the bottom surface, which will be different from the serial number. That should match the number at the back of the breech block. Most other parts will have the last 3 or 4 digits of the serial number stamped somewhere on them. If any of the breech parts have been replaced check very closely for loose lockup issues.

Typical assembly numbers found on most parts 51 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

With the chamber empty it is normal for the breechblock to rattle around in the receiver. However, with a case in the chamber there should be minimal slop in the breech.

When the latch/trigger guard is pushed front to back, the breech will move forward and backward along the axis of the barrel. This is Burnside’s equivalent to headspace in a modern firearm. It can’t really be eliminated, but it can be minimized. Check for wear in the hinge pin under the front of the receiver and the pivot bolt that connects the pivoting link to the breechblock. Usually replacing worn pivot points is all that’s required. A remote possibility is that the lever pivot lug at the bottom front of the receiver is loose where it screws into the frame.

Amazingly, this lug is not an integral component of the receiver, it is a separate part that screws in. I have never seen one of these loose. If yours is, you will need to install a very thin steel shim in the joint to tighten it up.

The most likely place to find looseness is in the J bolt and trigger guard latch lever. This area is subject to several different problems. First, the J bolt secures the trigger plate to the receiver and that joint needs to be tight.

Second, the bolt has to index properly for the latch to lock. Third, the latch has to lock closed with no up and down looseness in the breech. All these have to happen at the same time.

It is common for the J bolt to turn past alignment when it’s screwed down tight. A shim can be added under the flange to take up slack. You will need to make it from brass or steel shim stock. This bolt must lock the trigger plate down securely and align with the trigger guard latch when tightened. It should come up snug with four or five pounds push on the wrench. You don’t have to go overboard tightening.

J Bolt to Trigger Plate Shim Once the J Bolt is tight in the receiver, with a case in the chamber check for up and down play in the trigger guard/latch assembly. If it is loose, either the lever latch or the J bolt mating surface needs to be shimmed.

Stresses are relatively high here, so the shim has to be steel and soldered in. A glued shim will not last even one skirmish. Shims can be soldered to either the locking face of the curved latching lever inside the trigger guard or the J bolt itself. Expect to do some fitting with jeweler’s files. It’s much easier to file a shim in the J bolt than the lever latch. Once the fit is close, apply JB’s Bore Lapping Compound or automotive fine valve lapping compound to the mating face of the latch. Work the latch back and forth to lap the joint. Once lapped, the breech should snap shut easily and have minimal play.

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Tread lightly when working on the latch. Reproduction latch parts are intermittently available. If you can find a spare part to modify, it is a good idea to fix that and save the original.

Shimmed J Bolt Latch Next, check buttstock bedding. After 150 years, stocks crack, shrink and warp. The stock must be tight at the front face where it bears against the receiver. Remove the lock and look through the wood to metal joint with a light on the far side. If you see light coming through, it needs to be bedded. This is another area to tread lightly. If your stock still has cartouches and assembly numbers (usually under the buttplate), get a reproduction stock and bed that. Save the original!

Bedding the stock Check the upper tang plate and trigger plate for good fit while you have the stock off. The metal parts need to fit tightly into the wood, but should not be under stress. If the tang screws bottom on the metal and you can still tighten them two or three more turns, these also require bedding. It’s best to do this in three steps, first the stock to receiver joint, then the upper tang and finally the trigger plate. It is possible to bed the trigger plate without disassembling the trigger, but you must have all the metal parts well coated with mold release and use a minimum amount of bedding compound near the trigger assembly. It is a good idea to take everything apart while the epoxy is still a little soft, just in case bedding compound got someplace it shouldn’t have.

Check the lock plate fit when reinstalling the lock. The lock is an important part of the receiver to buttstock joint.

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A poor fit here can allow the joint to flex when the carbine is fired. If the plate sinks deeper and deeper into the stock as you tighten the back screw, the lock needs to be bedded. Bedding is only required around the perimeter of the lock inletting. Be sure that the lock and the metal areas of the receiver inletting are well coated with mold release. Remove the mainspring and sear before bedding.

Where to bed the lock plate Finally, while not strictly necessary, you may want to tune the lock while you have it out. Dave France’s excellent article on this procedure is posted on the Northwest Territories website at; http://nwtskirmisher.com/usefullocks.shtml Finally, before putting your Burnside into service, check the chamber for rust, nicks and dents. Nylon cartridge cases are pretty tolerant of roughness, but brass cases really need a clean chamber for the action to close and cases to extract. If it is a little rough, the surface can be restored with a couple passes of lightly oiled 400 grit sandpaper wrapped around a dowel.

Now that your carbine’s mechanical issues have been addressed, you will most likely have to work up a new “favorite load”. There is no substitute for range time in this process. Load development is beyond the scope of this article, but here are some comments to get you started.

I have skirmished with three Burnsides, and worked on others. Each of them had a different favorite load. They all seem to like heavy bullets and light charges. The first one shot very well with 23 grains of GOEX 3F and the old Dixie hair curler mold (modified to add a sprue cutter). My current carbine likes 30 or 32 grains of Swiss (but not 29 or 31 grains) and Accurate Molds 56-390a, which casts at 400 grains in pure lead. Many skirmishers have had good luck shooting 0.560” round balls. One bullet that has never produced skirmishable accuracy for me is the 360 grain Rapine and its clones.

The brass Burnside cases won’t take bullets much bigger than 0.560”. Unfortunately, some carbines have larger groove diameters. If yours is oversize, cast 0.560” bullets from pure lead and they will usually bump up enough to shoot well.

Burnsides like lots of lube, but many “Burnside Bullet” molds don’t have sufficient grease grooves. Original ammo included a lube disk between the bullet and powder. Adding a thin disk of beeswax under the bullet can improve accuracy, especially for those shots late in a relay.

Take notes! The Burnside page of my load development spreadsheet has twice as many entries as other carbines.

Most of those loads didn’t work, but now I know what not to try again.

Burnsides are definitely more of a challenging than other breechloaders to get shooting well, but with a little preparation these carbines will break their share of targets.

54 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Memorial Park – N-SSA Engraved Brick Memorial Request Form NAME

UNIT: Year Deceased or memorial notation (ex. From loving family)

Description of memorial bricks Bricks are 4” x 8” in size Laser Engraved

All bricks will be of the same font and color

Directions:  Please print clearly on the form.  Only deceased N-SSA members may have a brick placed in Memorial Park.  Duplicate bricks may be ordered at the same price (Ex. One brick for Memorial Park, one brick for family, team, etc.). Please indicate this on the form. Duplicate brick(s) ordered can be picked up at the secretary’s office during each nationals. Duplicate bricks will not be shipped.

Number of bricks ordered__________ @ $30.00 each Total Amount submitted $___________ Make Checks Payable to: North-South Skirmish Association Submitted by: Name: _____________________________________________ Unit Name:_______________________________________ Unit Number and Region ________ Contact number or email address___________________________________________________ Mail to: Executive Secretary Judy Stoneburner P.O. Box 218 Crozet, VA 22932-0218 ****************************************************************************** Office Use Only: Date Received: ____________________________ Check #________

Amount $___________

Brick Placement________

55 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

Deposit Date_____/_______/_____

Extra Brick:

NO

YES

____________________

145th National Skirmish

May 18 - 22, 2022 Fort Shenandoah The Host Teams welcome you to the 145th Nationals Union Valley Vols. 009MA * Hampton Legion, CSA 014MA * 1st Md. Inf., CSA 025PT * 9th Va. Cav., CSA 043PT * 2nd Md. Arty., CSA 044PT * 17th Va. Inf., CSA 047PT * 15th Regt. NJ Vol. Inf. 064MA * 56th Pa. Vol. Inf. 069MA * 3rd Md. Arty., CSA 072PT * 21st Mich. Vol. Inf. 123NW * 1st US Artillery 157NE * Co. C, 2nd US Sharpshooters 266CH *

Skirmish Director: David T. Booz, Company C, 2nd US Sharpshooters Small Arms Committee (SAC) Inspections – Hocker-Hughes Building – IG Office, Wed.-Fri. mornings only – 9:00-11:00AM Executive Secretary Office Hours – Wed: 1:00-3:30PM Thurs-Sat: 8:30-2:30 Sunday: Closed SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – Check for new times and locations in bold Tuesday, May 17 – Sunday May 22, 2022 Registration/Target Pickup: Noon Tuesday – Noon Sunday All Members attending the Nationals are required to sign in at Registration.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022 8:00 Required Training: All Range Personnel – Stat House; Stat Personnel inside Stat House 8:15 Required Training: Line Judge at Stat House/Ordnance at Main Tower/Tower Staff behind Main Tower 8:30-9:00 Set up ranges for Individual Matches 9-5:00 Main & revolver ranges open for Individual Matches Thursday, May 19, 2022 7:30-8:00 Set up ranges for Individual Matches 8-5:00 Main & revolver ranges open for Individual Matches 4-6:00 Artillery Inspections – 1st Va. campsite 5:30 Smoothbore Pistol Demonstration Match Non-Shooting Events - Thursday 1:00 PM “Doc” Chambers Memorial Golf Outing 5-6:00 PM SCV & UDC Social – lower-level History Center 7:30 PM Board of Director’s Meeting – lower-level History Center Friday, May 20, 2022 7:30-8:00 Set up main range for Individual Matches and set up revolver range for Revolver Company Matches 8:00-10:00 Artillery Inspections – 1st Va. campsite 8:00-11:45 Main range open for Individual Matches 8:00-9:15 Phase I Revolver Company Match 9:15-10:30 Phase II Revolver Company Match 10:30-1:30 Resume Revolver Individual Matches 11:00 Artillery meeting - all cannon/mortar crews – Barn 11:45-12:15 Set up main range for Smoothbore Match 12:15-1:45 Smoothbore Co. Match – 2 relays, 2 teams/position 1:45-2:15 Set up main range for Breechloader/Spencer Match 2:15-3:15 Breechloader/Spencer Match – 1 relay, double hang 3:00-5:00 Tenderfoot Ind. Matches – revolver range (targets, air rifles & safety glasses issued).

3:15-3:45 Set up main range for Single Shot Match 3:45-4:30 Single Shot Match – 1 relay, triple hang 4:30-5:00 Set up main range for Mortar Match 5:00-6:00 Mortar Match Non-Shooting Events – Friday 10:00AM Inspection of Probationary Teams – IG Office 11-1:00 Sewing Circle – Memorial Park (open to all) 6-7:00PM AA meeting – lower-level History Center 7:30PM Membership Meeting at Memorial Park. All units must be represented.

8-9:00 PM History Committee Speaker Series – lower-level History Center

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8:30 PM Irish Jam – Ruritan Pavilion – New musicians welcome Saturday, May 21, 2022 7:30-10:00 Tenderfoot Ind. Matches – revolver range (targets, air rifles & safety glasses issued). Last relay 10:00AM. 7:30-11:00 Stat Office open for Individual Match protests; the reconcile period will end at 11:45 am.

8-11:00 Artillery Inspections – 1st Va. campsite 8-8:30 Set up main range for Carbine Company Match 8:30-12:00 Carbine Company Match 11-11:45 Tenderfoot Ind. Match protests – SAC/IG Office 12:30-1:00 Set up main range for Artillery Matches 12:45 Tenderfoot Team Match Check-in – main range, Position 55+ (Match begins at 1:30PM) 1-5:00 Artillery Matches 3:00 Protest period closed for completed Company Matches 3:30-5:00 Individual awards available for pickup – Stat House 5:30-6:00 Tenderfoot Awards Ceremony – Memorial Park 6:00 Awards Ceremony (no Artillery or Musket) – Memorial Park Non-Shooting Events – Saturday 4-7:00 PM Gainesboro Fire Hall – Roast Beef & Ham Dinner 7:00 PM Protestant Worship – lower-level History Center 8:00 PM Catholic Worship – lower-level History Center 9-11:30 PM Barn Dance Costume Committee Events – Saturday, May 21, 2022 11-12:00 Registration: Infants, Children, Girls, Boys Civilian & Boys Military 11-12:45 Registration: Young Ladies, Adults & Revolving Trophy 12 Noon Children’s Competition; Young Ladies, Adults & Revolving Trophy category competitions to follow 4:00 Robert L. Miller Award – Memorial Park Costuming events are held in Memorial Park. In case of inclement weather, competition will be held in lower level of Veteran’s Bldg.

Sunday, May 22, 2022 7:30-8:00 Set up main range for Musket Co. Match – 3 relays 7:30-10:00 Stat Office open for Artillery Match protests 8:00 Opening Ceremonies; Match immediately follows 12:00 Registration closes ca. 1:30 Musket Match Protests close ½ hour after final results are posted 2:00PM Final cleanup of ranges Awards Ceremony in Memorial Park ASAP following Musket Match – Musket and Artillery awards will be presented at this time.

Company Match Events Smoothbore Pistol Demonstration Match 1. (12.5 yards) 9 clay pigeons on a backer 2. (12.5 yards) 6 hanging 6"x6" ceramic tiles 3. (12.5 yards) 6 hanging clay pigeons 4. (12.5 yards) 6 hanging 4"x4" ceramic tiles

Breechloader (4 competitors/company) 1. (50 yards) 32 clay pigeons on a backer 2. (50 yards) 16 hanging 4”x4” ceramic tiles 3. (50 yards) 16 hanging clay pot silhouettes 4. (100 yards) 10 hanging 6”x6” ceramic tiles

Revolver (4 competitors/company) 1. (25 yards) 12 clay pigeons on a backer 2. (25 yards) 6 hanging 6”x6” ceramic tiles 3. (25 yards) 8 hanging clay pigeons 4. (25 yards) 8 hanging 4"x4” ceramic tiles

Spencer (4 competitors/company) 1. (50 yards) 32 clay pigeons on backer 2. (50 yards) 16 hanging 4”x4” ceramic tiles 3. (50 yards) 16 hanging clay pot silhouettes 4. (100 yards) 10 hanging 6”x6” ceramic tiles

Smoothbore (4 competitors/company) 1. (25 yards) 12 clay pigeons on a backer 2. (25 yards) 8 hanging 4”x4” ceramic tiles 3. (25 yards) 8 hanging clay pot silhouettes 4. (50 yards) 6 hanging 6”x6” ceramic tiles

Single Shot BLR (4 competitors/company) 1. (100 yards) 6 hanging 6"x6" ceramic tiles 2. (50 yards) 16 clay pigeons on a backer 3. (50 yards) 8 hanging 4"x4" ceramic tiles 4. (50 yards) 8 hanging clay pot silhouettes

Carbine (8 competitors/company) 1. (50 yards) 32 clay pigeons on a backer 2. (50 yards) 16 hanging 4”x4” ceramic tiles 3. (50 yards) 16 hanging clay pigeons 4. (50 yards) 16 hanging clay pot silhouettes 5. (100 yards) 10 hanging 6”x6” ceramic tiles Musket (8 competitors/company) 1. (50 yards) 32 clay pigeons on a backer 2. (50 yards) 16 4x4 hanging ceramic tiles 3. (50 yards) 16 hanging clay pigeons 4. (50 yards) 16 hanging clay pot silhouettes 5. (100 yards)10 hanging 6”x6” ceramic tiles

Fort Shenandoah Winchester, Virginia Arrows on the map below indicate one-way traffic on Fort Shenandoah roads unless otherwise posted during the event. Failure to obey these restrictions will result in a citation and disciplinary action by the N-SSA Board of Directors. If you experience any problems while at Fort Shenandoah, please dial 911. Emergency evacuation routes are posted on all bulletin boards and available at the Executive Secretary’s office.

57 Skirmish Line Summer 2022

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4675 York Rd Number 1, Lineboro, MD 21102

4675 York Rd Number 1, Lineboro, MD 21102

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