THE MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION, INC.
Winter 2018
Volume 64 ~ Issue 1
John Blair Gilmer ~ 1922-2018
First National Commander of the North-South Skirmish Association ~ 1956-1958
**ANNOUNCEMENT**
Work Skirmish Saturday, June 16, 2018 Fort Shenandoah, Virginia Last year’s Work Skirmish was very successful with over 50 volunteers from 22 different units participating. The 2018 National Work Skirmish will be held on June 16. We have plenty of work so come on out! Projects are as follows: Paint Bathrooms • Building Maintenance and Repair • General Work on Historical Center • Prune new growth vegetation as needed. • Pistol Range Work/Maintenance • Clean up downed trees. • Fence Building • General maintenance and cleanup. All teams who have members who would like to volunteer please respond to Jeff Hall at jchall23.jh@gmail.com and/or Tim Scanlan at nssapropertymgr@aol.com so we can properly plan the work and obtain the required material. •
Thanks for your help! Jeff Hall, Property Management Committee
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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, Chris Branch ~ skirmishline@n-ssa.net National Photography Officer ~ Ericka Hoffman Contributing Writer ~ Wayne Jordan Visit our website at: http:\www.n-ssa.org The N-SSA Corporate Seal and the magazine title, The Skirmish LineTM, are registered trademarks of the NorthSouth 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 Text and images may not be published separately, in hard copy or electronically, without the expressed written permission of their owner(s).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 make sure that they have the permission and right to publish articles, photos, and illustrations that they did not create. The NorthSouth 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 rights, if any, 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: Neither the author(s) nor the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. can 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.
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Volume 64 ~ Issue 1 Winter 2018 Covering the News & Happenings of the N-SSA through March 31, 2018. Visit Us at www.N-SSA.org
In this Issue Work Skirmish ............................................................................................. 1 National Commander’s Column ................................................................... 4 In Memory of John B. Gilmer ....................................................................... 5 Taps ............................................................................................................. 8 Welcome New Recruits ................................................................................ 9 Meet the Staff Officer: John Holland ......................................................... 11
On the Cover John B. Gilmer First National Commander
Small Arms Committee .............................................................................. 13 Application for Arms Approval .................................................................. 15 2018 Contact List ....................................................................................... 16 137th National Schedule of Events ........................................................... 18
of the N-SSA
Costume Committee ...................................................... 20 SCV & UDC Southern Social Invitation .......................... 21
1956-1958
Do You Know “Old 24 Time” ..................................................................... 21
Remington Revolvers in ‘The Late Unpleasantness’ .................................. 22
Change of Address Requests
2017 N-SSA Society of Color Bearers ......................................................... 24
Please send all address changes to:
On Cook-Offs and Burn Treatment............................................................. 28
Judy Stoneburner N-SSA Executive Secretary PO Box 218 | Crozet, VA 22932-0218
Emergency Medical Information Slip ........................................................ 29
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
Next Issue... Photos & Results from the 137th National Skirmish Skirmish Line
Membership Meeting Minutes................................................................... 30 Memorial Park Brick Request Form ........................................................... 31 Winter Board of Directors Meeting Minutes .............................................. 32
Top Gun - Musket ...................................................................................... 38 50-Year Membership Award Form............................................................. 41 The Unsung Skirmisher: Mike Rouch......................................................... 42 Regional News: Tidewater ...................................................................... 42 Deep South ................................................................... 44
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As we enter into another skirmish season we see many changes going on around us and many of these changes are not good. Our country seems to be more and more divided and extreme points of view seem to rule. It seems that the television reporters and internet reporting groups only want to show negative, sensational stories. The issue of gun control may be the hottest one at the moment (March 2018) and this impacts all of us. I am sure that no one in the N-SSA wants firearms to be used illegally or to commit criminal acts. I think that we all understand that society needs to have laws or rules that help us live together in peace and that these laws need to be enforced. The N-SSA is a 501(c)(3) organization and as such is not able to participate in political activities. Therefore, it is not appropriate to have political discussions on our website’s Bulletin Board or in our magazine. We need to focus on the safe use of our historical firearms, the competitions that we have as we gather to skirmish, and the comradery that we enjoy together. Accordingly, the monitors of our Bulletin Board will delete inappropriate political posts. There are many other platforms for our members to express their political opinions and I hope that everyone feels free to express their thoughts on those platforms. As you probably know, we have changed the carrier for our website. I want to thank Tony Ebersole and Vicky Rowe for generously hosting and monitoring the site for a long time. These two certainly helped the N-SSA with their efforts. As it became clear that we needed to move the site, Chris DeFrancisci and Linwood McMahon took the lead and helped us to find a new company. Linwood has been the one who has moved all of our material to the new site. These skirmishers deserve a hearty “thank you� from all of us. The N-SSA is based on volunteers doing so much of the necessary work. We have employees who do a great job but they cannot do everything and volunteers fill so many needs. Please consider joining the ranks of those who volunteer to help our organization. This need is just as real on every team and every region so there are plenty of opportunities for each and every one of us to help. Every organization needs to make adjustments as it moves through its existence. Over the years we have added a great deal to our national program. At the January Board of Directors meeting I spoke to the Board about this. I feel that it is time to look at our national program and see if we need to make adjustments to it. I have asked Craig Stanley, our current Program Officer, to chair a committee to examine the schedule for a national and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for revisions if necessary. Craig has the names of volunteers for his committee; if you have ideas please send them to me and I will forward them to Craig. Sometimes we get ideas or suggestions or demands that are not practical or wise, but we always want input from our membership. As our membership gets older, many of us have found it difficult to fire multiple firearms and participate in multiple team matches. This may cause the committee to suggest changes as some matches are not as popular as others. Please feel free to e-mail me with your suggestions. I hope that you read this before the Spring National. As we gather at Fort Shenandoah in May it will be a great time to see old friends and to make new ones. It may be a great time to share ideas and make plans that can improve our teams, our competition, and the N-SSA in general. If you did not order individual targets you may be able to purchase practice targets and shoot those on Wednesday and Thursday to get ready for team matches. If you have a new firearm that needs to be inspected, take it to the Small Arms Committee and they will be happy to help you. You may want to buy a new firearm and the sutlers will be more than happy to help you! Visit the sutler area to see what they have and to see many of your friends. Have a safe trip and I look forward to seeing you at the Spring National! 4
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In Memory ….
John B. Gilmer First N-SSA National Commander The story of the beginning of skirmishing in 1950, the arranging of the first match between the Norfolk Greybacks (now the 1st Regiment, Virginia Volunteers) and the Berwyn Bluebellies (now the Washington Blue Rifles), is pretty well known, as is the founding leadership of Jack Rawls and Ernie Peterkin.
Less well known is the story of the incorporation of the N-SSA. The shooting started in 1950, but the birth of the N-SSA as a legal entity was in 1956. John Gilmer and Bob Siegfried (of the RVM) were the guiding lights of the fledgling organization. John was always bothered that Siegfried didn’t get as much recognition and credit for the formal beginning as he, Gilmer, did. Modern skirmishing bears little resemblance to that of the early years. The sport of skirmishing was begun by a rowdy group, mostly veterans of the recently-ended World War II. They enjoyed three hobbies: shooting, refighting the Civil War, and drinking, not necessarily in that order, and not to the exclusion of one another. Skirmishing was an opportunity to do all three simultaneously, literally. There was little respect for authority and rules were taken more as suggestions (except when they were pronounced by Ernie Peterkin; then they were gospel). Skirmishes were organized by units who volunteered to do the work, which included securing a site for each skirmish. Everything was pretty much done informally by consensus and there was no organization above the unit level. It was mildly chaotic. Within the first five years, membership grew to 21 units scattered over Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. It was finally acknowledged that adults should be in charge; there needed to be an organized system for doing the business of the group and; there had to be provisions for regulating local activities. Order was needed. The organizations chose Bob Siegfried as its “Provisional President” and tasked him and John Gilmer with drawing up a proposed constitution and legal articles of incorporation. Both men were highly respected, and had reputations for wisdom and sobriety. The documents they produced were presented to the skirmishing organizations at the 1956 fall skirmish, and were accepted. The North-South Skirmish Association, Incorporated came into existence on October 6, 1956. (As a side note, the notary who witnessed the signing of the original Articles of Incorporation was a young fellow named Robert Hughes. Most of us who knew Mr. Hughes remember him as Doc Hughes of the 9th Virginia Cavalry who served as the N-SSA Medical Officer for many years.) The result of their work was a document which organized the member units into five regions, established governance by a board of directors composed of five national officers and the region commanders, provided for growth, and created a system of national dues. It is a brilliantly-conceived system in which the “members” are the member organizations. It also provided for creation of a set of “Skirmish Rules” under which the game would be played everywhere. Under those bylaws we have purchased and developed Fort Shenandoah, expanded competition from only musket and artillery matches to our present program of matches with nearly every type of Civil War firearm, and added and amended several regions. From two “skirmishes” each year, we have grown to about seventy-five, most of which are held in the regions. John’s (and Bob’s) work product is as viable today as it was in 1956. (Continued on page 6)
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Upon adoption of the N-SSA Bylaws, elections were held and John Gilmer was elected the first National Commander. He always insisted that Siegfried be acknowledged as the association’s first elected leader. He was adamant that Siegfried should be honored before him. John was an archetypical stiff-necked Marine. Around 1970 or ’71, I went to a meeting of the Board of Directors with the Midwest Region Commander, Don Wortman. Don had very recently retired from the Air Force, and as we approached the Lee-Jackson Motel, John stepped out to congratulate Don and thank him for his service. John noted that Don’s sideburns were getting long and he could do with a haircut, and commented that Major Wortman was looking “a bit shaggy.” Don looked at John’s white-sidewall cut and told him that it was time for the longer-retired Colonel Gilmer to let himself “go a little bit.” John bristled up and said, “Majah, we don’t do it that way in the Coah”, then spun about face and walked back into the motel. The greeting was closed. John was the Rules Chairman when I first got to know him. He took a very proprietary approach to the Skirmish Rules because he had been around from almost the beginning of skirmishing, and had written most of what was in the rulebook. He was a purist, believing that one of our prime objectives was to shoot Civil War firearms exactly as the Lord had inspired the War Departments to design and build them, not as they could be modified for competition. He once told the Board of Directors, who were debating square posts and peep sights, that arms should be shot without sight modifications, and when the time came that he could no longer see to shoot with the original sights on his original rifle musket, he would know it was time to quit skirmishing. He lost the argument to the forces of modification. I believe we were losers because of it. During my terms as Commander, I never looked forward to a membership meeting at which a bylaw change was to be presented for a vote because there always would be a little guy in a lawn chair sitting right in front of the podium with a written list of questions about how the proposed amendment would improve his bylaws. Because of his tenacity and his integrity, there was no other skirmisher I respected more. His company was enjoyed, and his counsel was priceless. John was a man with deep Christian faith. Over forty years ago, he was ordained a deacon in his church. The last couple of times he was at Fort Shenandoah, he would only be there on Saturday because he had a Sunday school class to teach. He said he’d used over ninety of the Lord’s days to skirmish, and he was not going to use any more. A year after Commander Spaugy got all the living Past Commanders together, John came to Fort Shenandoah again. When Phil saw John, he told him that I was in the area and probably would like to see him. He told Phil that he didn’t care if I was there or not, but he sure wanted to see Beth. Bold talk for a man in his mid-90s. When you participate in a skirmish, whether at Fort Shenandoah or in Mississippi or Illinois, the very structure of our organization, both national and regional, and the spirit of the rules under which we play the game came from the mind of John Gilmer (yes, and Bob Siegfried, too). We’re all standing on the shoulders of the people who started, evolved, and grew this association, and one of the biggest pairs of shoulders is on a giant of a rather small man who did the most to give shape to the N-SSA. God rest your soul, John Gilmer. I’ll bet your beloved Ruth was there to meet you at the gate, along with Bob Siegfried. John Robey, Union Guards Past Commander, N-SSA
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John Blair Gilmer, 96, passed into the hands of our Lord on March 22, 2018 after a brief period of illness. He was born in Tatapurim, Cochin, India in 1922 to Weir B. Gilmer and Ruth Monroe Gilmer, moving with his family in 1926 to reside at "Woodbourne" in Louisa County, his home for the last five decades. He graduated from Clemson University in June 1942 with a B.S. in Architecture. That year he answered the call of duty by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, and served with the Third Marine Division, 9th Regiment, on Guam and Iwo Jima. He returned to the United States in 1946, remaining in the Marine Reserves until retiring at the rank of Major in 1964. In 1947 he married Ruth Canon Smith, his wife until her passing in 2011. While residing in Richmond, John attended T. C. Williams School of Law of the University of Richmond, graduating in 1965, and practiced in Richmond before returning to his home town of Louisa in 1972. He practiced law there until 2010, including service as Commonwealth's Attorney for Louisa County 1972-1975, and later as Commissioner of Accounts. John Gilmer was always interested in history, building model ships and planes in his youth. Later he developed an interest in the War Between the States and shooting muzzle loaders. He was a founding member of the North-South Skirmish Association, and served as the first National Commander. He was a member of the Thirteenth Confederate Infantry and later the First Richmond Rifles within that organization. Family vacations were most often camping trips to places like Camp Perry, Ohio and other sites where "skirmishes" were held. He also participated in reenactments, including the Centennial reenactment of First Manassas. He was a Revolutionary War reenactor with the First Virginia Regiment. John's interests widened to include his being a founding and charter member of the Louisa Historical Society where he served as president. He was a Life and Distinguished Member of the Meriwether Society. He was a member of the Ruritan Club, National Rifle Association, Sons of the Confederacy, and Sons of the American Revolution. He shared a more recent interest in toy trains with his family. It was a great pleasure for him to go to the TCA York toy train meets, where his camper became a headquarters for attending family and friends. He was a founding member and active participant in the Virginia Train Collectors, and more recently a member of the Train Collectors Society (UK) and Hornby Railway, and a life member of the National Collectors' Association. John was a faithful member of Louisa Baptist Church where he taught a men's Sunday School class for many years. John B. Gilmer was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Smith Gilmer, his parents, his brother Weir B. Gilmer Jr., sister Ruth M. Gilmer, and sister Lynn Gilmer Guilford. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mildred C. Gilmer, of Atlanta, Georgia. Also surviving are his four children, John B. Gilmer Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania; Patsy Gilmer Crawley of Chesterfield, Virginia, Susie Gilmer West and her husband, Larry, of Chesterfield, and Charles Russell Gilmer and his wife, Lilian, also of Chesterfield, Virginia. His grandchildren are Virginia Elizabeth Grey, James Aaron Crawley, Melissa Ruth West, Michael Peterson West, Patrick Gilmer Crawley, Stephen Gilmer West, Mesthy Gochez, and Jayson Gochez. His great-grandchildren are Steven Grey III, Gracie Grey, Keegan Crawley, Emrie Crawley and Zaniah Benson. John also has many beloved nieces and nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the work and ministry of Louisa Baptist Church.
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TAPS Ben Betterley .................. 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Pete Gary Brown ............ 44th New York Volunteer Infantry Stephen Coffey ............... 20th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Joseph Fraterriso ............ 1st U.S. Artillery Arthur “Sonny” Freda ...... Rowan Artillery Larry C. Gollahon............ 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, CSA Robert J. Hickey, Jr. ........ 5th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Robert P. Hicks ............... 1st Valley Rangers Warren D. Hypes ............ 3rd North Carolina, Lenoir Braves Dennis L. Kendra ............ 1st New Jersey Light Artillery G. L. Mears ..................... 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry Walter Quaid ................... 3rd Maryland Artillery, CSA Chalmers S. Ross ........... Dixie Artillery Samuel K. Rucker ........... 1st Valley Rangers William Wallace .............. 11th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry North-South Skirmish Association National Commanders *John Gilmer *James Waters *Albert Hardin *Carl Jensen Richard Corrigan *Frank Schock John Sharrett *James McAleer John Robey *Royal Inge Earl Coates Gary Crawford Earl Coates Charles Smithgall Linwood McMahon Phillip Spaugy David Booz
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1956-1958 1959-1962 1963-1964 1965-1970 1971-1974 1975-1976 1977-1982 1983-1984 1985-1988 1989-1992 1993-1996 1997-2000 2001-2004 2005-2008 2009-2012 2013-2016 2017-
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Welcome New Recruits Allegheny Region Nicole C. Jordan .................................. White's Co, 35th Virginia Cavalry Carolina Region Ronald W. Bryant................................. Iredell Blues Chesapeake Region Jake G. Fichter .................................... 15th Ind. Bty, Ohio Light Artillery Peter J. Herman .................................. 15th Ind. Bty, Ohio Light Artillery Jane E. Hogg ....................................... McNeill's Rangers Central Virginia Region Austin R. Athex .................................... 5th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Shayla A. Crosby ................................. 5th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Niki L. Holtz ......................................... Dixie Artillery Virginia H. Nowlin ................................ Dixie Artillery Gregory S. Ravenscroft ....................... 1st Valley Rangers James N. Thompson............................ Company D, 33rd Virginia Mid-Atlantic Region Gary J. Bendy ...................................... Delaware Blues Roy E. Garland, II ............................... 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry Samuel Lorenz .................................... 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry William E. Reagan ............................... 118th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Susie P. Rickards................................. Delaware Blues Midwest Region Curt R. Brandt...................................... Harris' Light Cavalry Erin Braxton Rosenberger ................... 19th Indiana Infantry New England Region Heidi M. Brown .................................... 63rd New York State Volunteer Infantry John S. Lawrence ................................ 14th Conn. Volunteer Infantry Northeast Region Christopher David Krecidlo .................. 149th New York Volunteer Infantry Shawn Lamere .................................... 63rd New York State Volunteer Infantry Brent Niggli .......................................... 72nd New York Volunteer Infantry
(Continued on page 10)
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Welcome New Recruits Northwest Region Sean Flower ........................................ 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Alyssa S. Nelson ................................. 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Potomac Region Gary M. Bailey ..................................... 8th Regt Virginia Volunteer Infantry Terry L. Bishop .................................... Dulany Troop, 6th Virginia Cavalry Jonathan Clark .................................... Hampton Horse Artillery George T. Fay...................................... Washington Blue Rifles Paul D. Gorman................................... Hampton Horse Artillery Christina F. Michini ............................. 3rd Maryland Artillery, CSA Cara L. Stewart ................................... Chesapeake Artillery, CSA Tidewater Region Nathan Edwin Askew ........................... 3rd North Carolina Cavalry Kasha A. Winston ................................ Dismal Swamp Rangers
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MEET THE STAFF OFFICER By Wayne Jordan
Meet John Holland, the N-SSA Small Arms Staff Officer. He has been the chairman of the Small Arms Committee (SAC) since 2002 and was a committee member for many years before that. Although John was unsure he needed any more responsibilities at that time and had no desire for the promotion, when a volunteer was needed, he answered the call. “Once I had some time in as Chairman of the SAC, I saw the position in a new light which was that of it being my opportunity to give something back to the N-SSA for a lifetime of enjoyment as a member of this wonderful organization,” says John. In fact, he has been a member of the N-SSA since 1963. John and his wife, Jackie, are both members of the 44th New York Infantry. So, what is the Small Arms Committee all about? There is a surprisingly large amount of work for this committee to stay on top of. Although John has a lot of help from his fellow committee members, there is no shortage of responsibilities that he must address himself or sign off on. He maintains an ever growing database of all the arms approved for use in NSSA matches which can be found on the N-SSA website in multiple forms. There is a list of approved arms by model, and another list by manufacturer. The N-SSA has created criteria over the years for determining whether firearms are proper for our competitions based on such factors as historical accuracy and cosmetic correctness. Policies have been established as to what modifications are allowable to enhance our goals as competitive shooters, such as lighter trigger pulls, enlarged front sights, peep sights, etc. These standards must be held to. There are SAC members in every region who may inspect new arms, fill out an inspection sheet, and submit it to John for approval. At that time John will issue a permanent Small Arms Individual Approval Card which lists the competitor’s name, competitor number, type of arm, and actual dimensions of the arm. When competing, this card must be available in case of a spot inspection. Fortunately, many arms are considered to be “production arms”, which means that they are manufactured in large numbers and were approved for N-SSA use at the beginning of the production run. As long as the specs have not been changed, all subsequent arms produced to those specs by that manufacturer are automatically approved. In fact, this applies to anyone who builds these arms. If the builder gains approval for an arm and then builds more identical ones, they are approved. For anyone who wants to build an arm themselves, the N-SSA database of approved spec sheets is available for their review when designing their new arm. This is a great tool for our members as it not only assures the approval of the arm, but also helps them to design the arm in the first place. John has found that he needs to make himself available throughout the year to help people evaluate and approve designs and weapons. The computer age has made this easier in many ways, but it has also left him answering an average of 900 emails each year from people who have questions about small arms of the 1860s. Many of these emails come from our members, and he also receives them from many non-members from around the world. John has gained quite a reputation as an expert in this field. How did John gain such a level of expertise about these firearms? He has been a lifelong student of the arms of the American Civil War, amassed a substantial reference library, and put countless hours into the study of period firearms. Over the years, he has been able to experience shooting many of them. In fact, he has donated and curates a library of reference books for the N-SSA which is available at National matches during the regularly established SAC office hours. The SAC office is in the Hocker-Hughes Building that is shared with the Executive Secretary’s office at the end of the bridge on the range side of the creek. (Continued on page 12)
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John’s job as Chairman of SAC carries numerous other responsibilities as well. He does a lot of work with the official N-SSA website. Not only does he maintain the lists of approved arms, but also a list of the SAC inspectors by region so that members can always find someone to help them with an arm. On the Bulletin Board, he moderates the small arms section and responds and participates in discussions there. There is a sizable industry of worldwide black powder arms manufacturers, distributors, and importers. Over time John has built up relationships with many of them. In fact, the major manufacturers know to contact him when starting production of a new product to make sure that they will be able to sell to our membership. They will send him a prototype of the new arm and ask him to inspect it and submit it to our Board of Directors for approval as a Production Arm. John will inspect it for cosmetic and dimensional correctness. If he finds it to be acceptable he will then share it with other SAC members so they can weigh in with their questions and opinions. If it is agreed that the arm should be approved, John will write up an official report and recommendation for the Board and submit it for approval. If accepted by the Board, the arm will be put on the Approved Arms List and members can feel free to compete with it without the need for an individual SAC approval card. John and his committee members will also monitor future iterations of this arm for any deviations from the original approved model. If there have been changes in the specs, the approval will be withdrawn. John has worked closely with overseas manufacturers such as Pedersoli, Pietta, and others as a consultant on new arms development in order to make sure that, from the beginning, the arm will be produced to N-SSA specs. It is also expected that John be available to inspect arms or help settle disputes about whether an arm is properly configured for use in our competitions. Questions sometimes arise about whether unapproved modifications have been made to approved weapons. Such things must be quickly sorted out so that competition can continue. Sometimes the questions arise in the stat shack. For instance, questions can arise about whether a certain caliber bullet hole in a target can possibly be from an approved weapon. Another responsibility of the SAC officer is to participate in the inspection and approval process for newly formed teams, along with the Inspector General, Uniform Committee Chairman, and National Commander. What makes all this work worthwhile? According to John, “Seeing the pure enjoyment and delight of a skirmisher who has built his or her own musket when they receive their Small Arms Individual Approval Card as verification of their labors.” On the other hand, the worst part of the job is when he must reject a musket that a skirmisher has spent much time and money building but has done so incorrectly. One of his most interesting moments occurred on the pistol range during the first Single Shot Pistol Match. As John stepped off the line at the conclusion of the match, he was informed that there was someone who wanted to meet him in person. He was then introduced to Pierangelo Pedersoli, the CEO of the Pedersoli company, who was visiting from Italy. Pedersoli wanted to meet the man with whom he’d been consulting with for years, and thank John for his help and for maintaining a great relationship between his company and the N-SSA. John has been active in the N-SSA in many ways over the years including chairing the Traditional Match Committee, serving on the Long Range Planning Committee, the IG Corps, and in positions in the Northeast Region including Artillery Officer and Assistant IG. The N-SSA, while it takes up enormous amounts of John’s time, is not his only hobby. He has a deep interest in the American Revolution and the French and Indian War, and the weapons of those time periods. A sampling of John’s other hobbies include Primitive Rendezvousing with the NMLRA, the Sharps Collectors Association, Kentucky Rifle Association, Society of American Bayonet Collectors, and the Honorable Company of Horners. Meet the Staff Officer or Committee Chairperson is a series that will be published in each edition of the Skirmish Line. The most recent N-SSA directory lists 29 Staff Officers and 17 Committee Chairs. This reflects the wide range of duties that must be performed to keep our organization running. Most of these volunteers are low profile people who work quietly behind the scenes, contributing an enormous number of hours of work to support the N-SSA each year. This series of articles is meant to bring them out of the background and share with our membership who they are and why they are in these jobs.
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“Do I Need a SAC Card for This?” The N-SSA has had some 1,200 to 1,500 new members since I first addressed this topic nearly 10 years ago. Therefore, for the benefit of the newer members I am revisiting “why we have to do some of the things we do!” The title of this article is probably the most common question the Small Arms Committee (SAC) is asked, and on quite a regular basis, too! Frankly, we are glad that you do ask that question because if the particular arm you are asking about does require a Small Arms Individual Approval Card, we are more than happy to assist you with getting your arm approved and a SAC Card issued to you. The consequences of not having a SAC Card, if one is required, are distressing at best and can ruin your day for individuals, or worse yet, may cause your team to be penalized in a team match. At Nationals, the IG’s who work the firing line are given a sealed envelope when they report to work for the day. The envelope contains a document showing the specific relays and positions they are to inspect. Although you may not realize it, not only do they inspect for “Trigger Pull & Half-Cock”, they are also looking at the sights, and determining if the arm has a “Production Approval” or requires a SAC Individual Approval Card. If they believe your arm requires a SAC Card, they may, or may not, ask you to produce the card. You, the competitor, have two options in producing the card. You may carry it with you while on the firing line or you may have it in your shooting box in the ready area. You may not go beyond the ready area to get the card, for example if you left it in your car in the parking lot, back at camp, etc. The penalties are stiff. If it is an individual match, the target you just fired will be disqualified. If it is during a team match, your team will be penalized under the 150% rule.
The following are some of the more common questions we receive regarding SAC Cards: Question: If I just assemble parts do I need a SAC Card? Answer: Yes, if you assembled/built the arm from all repro parts, or if you put it together from a mixture of repro and original parts, or if you restocked an arm. However, if you assembled an arm from all original parts, which are all correct for the model you are assembling, then no, you don’t need a SAC Card. Be careful though, just because some parts will fit together doesn’t mean they belong together. Example: If you have an M-1861 Stock and bands, do not put an M-1863 lock and barrel in it! Yes, you may occasionally see one of these on the line, but they are old and were grandfathered in decades ago. Question: “Do I HAVE to use the rear sight called for on the SAC Sheet? I have another rear sight that sort of looks like the one called for, so can I use the one I have?” Answer: No, you can’t use a sight that “sort of looks like” the one required. Every year we have a number of arms rejected for having the wrong rear sight. Those competitors had to spend a lot of extra money to purchase the correct rear sights for their arms. All of which would have been avoidable if the correct rear sight would have been verified when the arm was being built. The last thing we want to do is reject your newly built arm. Please contact the Small Arms Committee in advance, because as unpleasant as the experience is for you, it is every bit as unpleasant for us, too.
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Question: “Do I HAVE to put the Bayonet Lug on the barrel?” Answer: Yes, if the arm originally had a bayonet lug, then the replica must also have it. The bayonet lug will sometimes define the barrel. Such as, a “Zouave” barrel without a bayonet lug is a Mississippi barrel! And, no you can’t use a Mississippi barrel with really cool long range sights on your “Zouave” just because it fits into the stock! Question: “Do I HAVE to put the sling swivels on?” Answer: Yes. Part of the SAC inspection process is to make sure the arm has all of the correct parts in the correct locations. Question: “Does my Musket, Carbine, etc. HAVE to have the original finish, browned, blued, bright, etc.?” Answer: No, the finish is not a part of the SAC inspection process. Question: “Do I HAVE to get my musket inspected when I replace the barrel with an approved barrel?” Answer: No. The use of replacement barrels is OK, as long as they are on the approved barrel list, BUT, the barrel is all that is approved. When a barrel is approved, it is without sights. When you add sights to the barrel you really should at least consider checking with a SAC inspector to verify that you have the correct sights, and in the correct locations. If you would be more comfortable having a SAC Card for the barrel change, we will do that for you. Question: “Can I alter the sights on my smoothbore?” Answer: No! The sights on any smoothbore, whether it is a musket, carbine, or pistol, when used in a smoothbore match may not be altered in any way, shape, form, or manner, from that in which the arm was issued. Question: “How high can I make the front/rear sight on my musket or carbine?” Answer: At this time I will refer you to Section 19 of the Rules, because the verbiage is quite extensive and detailed. NOTICE: For our new members: You may have arms inspected in your regions by the SAC Inspector assigned to your region, or at Nationals at the SAC Office near the main range bridge. The hours are 9:00 – 11:00 Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of each National. If you would like to see how the Small Arms Committee inspects arms, or if you would like some personal attention to something, you are more than welcome to stop by the Small Arms Office during regular office hours at any of the Nationals. If you wish to reach me personally, you can do it via the N-SSA Bulletin Board, or my contact information can be found in the N-SSA Directory in the Staff Officers listing.
The Official N-SSA Store National Hours: Thursday - Friday - Saturday 9am - 6pm Tees, Sweats, Polos, Jackets, Kids Apparel, Hats, Membership Card Holders, Mugs, Patches, Stickers, Barware, Key Rings, Hitch Covers, Christmas Ornaments Stop by and mention this ad for a free bumper sticker.
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2018 Contact List National Officers National Commander Past National Commander Deputy Commander Adjutant Inspector General Executive Secretary Paymaster
David T. Booz Phillip L. Spaugy Charles L. Kindle, Jr. Melinda C. Shaw Wayne Shaw Judy O. Stoneburner James G. Baird
dtbooz@yahoo.com pspaugy@aol.com clk111@roadrunner.com annieoak13@gmail.com wdsmas@aol.com execsecretary@n-ssa.net paymaster@n-ssa.net
Region Commanders & Region Inspector Generals Allegheny Commander Allegheny IG
John V. Doyle Craig C. Shedd
trapdoor1888@yahoo.com ccsmew@yahoo.com
Carolina Commander Carolina IG
James H. Rogers, III Dave Jackson
jjjrogers@abts.net gaffergrip@mil.com
Central Virginia Commander Central Virginia IG
Robert Hannula Michael Boley
bobbyhannula@juno.com
Chesapeake Commander Chesapeake IG
Edwin Thompson Michael L. Linton
mdrebel@live.com mlinton1966@yahoo.com
Deep South Commander Deep South IG
Lawrence E. Gibson Eddye H. Lawley
lawrence5650@gmail.com eddyelawley@charter.net
Mid-Atlantic Commander Mid-Atlantic IG
Roger A. Gray Harry H. Gaul, Jr.
ragray1961@njng.com har3rdus@gmail.com
Midwest Commander Midwest IG
Eric S. Schuessler Ian Egbert
eschues@aol.com ian45662@yahoo.com
New England Commander New England IG
Paul R. Morgigno Richard M. Intravia
paul14va@gmail.com quahog@sbcglobal.net
Northeast Commander Northeast IG
Ronald J. Barvian Stanley Wawrzyniak
bbarvian2@rochester.rr.com sw12304@gmail.com
Northwest Commander Northwest IG
Hugh S. Mc Leod Edward Walters
mcleodhu@gmail.com ewalt1855@gmail.com
Potomac Commander Potomac IG
Davy Crockett, Jr. Mark E. Elton
davyc@stny.rr.com mark.alaska@verizon.net
Tidewater Commander Tidewater IG
Mike Davenport Michael S. Stoneburner
eddiedavenport@netzero.com bulletmaker.stoney@gmail.com
Western Commander Western IG
Yancey Von Yeast John T. Thatcher
yvonyeast@yahoo.com jt450@aol.com
Robert T. West Nancy C. Crockett Robert E. Gorsky Wayne V. Jordan Gary J. Crawford Allen Minneman Sharleen Mullins
cannoneer@cox.net nancyc@stny.rr.com gorsbob@aol.com wvjordan@aol.com usimlt@hughes.net allenm@mtmcase-gard.com slwcarr@yahoo.com
Staff Officers & Committee Chairs Artillery Officer Awards Committee Bivouac Officer Charitable Giving Com Community Relations Corporate Relations Officer Costume Committee 16
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2018 Contact List (Continued)
Emergency Coord. Fort Shenandoah Historical Center Staff Officer History Committee Insurance Intnl Muzzleloading Committee Judge Advocate/Solicitor Logistics NRA Liaison Deputy Ordnance Officer & Medical Liaison Oversite - Bulletin Board Admin Personnel Review Photography Officer Program Staff Off/NRA Liaison Off Property Management Staff Officer Property Manager Protocol Officer Provost Marshall Publications Committee Public Information Officer Range Officer Recreation Recruiting Officer Registration Off & Visitor Committee Revolver Range Off & Marketing Comm Rules Officer Safety Officer Sanitation Officer Signal Officer Small Arms Staff Officer Statistics Officer Sutler Officer & IT Manager Uniform Committee Unit Membership Committee Veteran's Committee Youth Program Coordinator
Chester T. Lauck Bruce A. Allen John P. Zebelean, III John W. Richardson Errol W. Mc Lean Lars E. Anderson Todd H. Hess CWO-2 Frederic A. Behrens John Venskoske, Sr. Vicky L. Rowe Carlton Layne Ericka L. Hoffmann Craig Stanley Jeffrey C. Hall Timothy D. Scanlan Brandon S. Bowser Robert S. Klutas Sharon A. Myers Bruce W. Miller S Scott B. Harris Joseph M. Fisher Melinda C. Shaw Michael J. Bodner Chris M. DeFrancisci John S. Robey Brian J. Evans Charles J. Wager David Cole John D. Holland, Jr. Matthew R. Bennett Linwood L. Mc Mahon Mark E. Latham Kenneth L. Stiles George J. Schell Frederick J. Schell
lauckc@yahoo.com southernshooter1@verizon.net rebshooter@aol.com jrichardson@historicfirearms.com captain1@slic.com lars.anderson@ofplaw.com redbaron13@verizon.net bcgsi@hughes.net vickylrowe@gmail.com cpllayne@aol.com ehkayak@gmail.com cws11@ptd.net jchall23.jh@gmail.com nssapropertymgr@aol.com stonycrick61@gmail.com sharon.a.myers@comcast.net spartan70@sbcglobal.net cwshooter575@gmail.com wildpuppy@earthlink.net anieoak13@gmail.com mbodner@comporium.net chris@esotericresearch.com robey1861@aol.com icemo@comcast.net wagerl@soc.mil cole84_89@verizon.net jh44ny@verizon.net mbenne1@msn.com linwood.mcmahon@verizon.net balchiss@hotmail.com nssa.org.membership@gmail.com gschell516@cs.com
The information contained in the 2018 Contact List is maintained by the Executive Secretary of the N-SSA. If you see an error, or if your information has changed, please contact Judy Stoneburner at execsecretary@n-ssa.net.
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Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Friday evenings during Nationals, 6-7pm, lower level of Historic Center This is an open discussion meeting which will meet at each National Competition at Fort Shenandoah. If you have, or think you may have, a problem with drinking, you’re welcome to attend. My name is Larry M., and I am a recovering alcoholic for 21 years. If you have any questions or would just like to talk, please feel free to call me at 765-425-5716. Skirmish Line
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Costume Committee of the N-SSA The Costume Committee welcomes all that wish to compete in the costuming competition or attend the workshop held at each Nationals. Sewing Circle Times begin Fridays at 1:00 pm Sewing Circle - At each National, the Costume Committee members conduct a workshop or sewing circle on the Friday of the Nationals from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event is held in Memorial Park and is free and open to anyone that would like to attend. Don't forget to bring a chair. In case of inclement weather, information regarding the competition will be announced.
The following workshops are planned: Spring 2018 ... Hair Styles: making a fall braided hair piece to almost match your hair Fall 2018 ........ "I didn't know that?" Dressing in the 1860's Spring 2019 ... Competition Dressmaking: “What’s right and what’s wrong?” Fall 2019 ........ Basic Stitch Work Costume Competition Times for All National Events 11:00-12:00...... Registration, Infants, Children, Girls, Boys Civilian, Boys Military
11:00-12:30...... Registration, Young Ladies, Adults, and Revolving Trophy categories 12:00 ................ Children’s Competition begins Competition for Young Ladies, Adults, and Revolving Trophy categories will immediately follow the children’s competition. Special Projects - This award is presented at each National Skirmish. At the preceding National, a single item is selected for competition for this award; i.e. an underpinning, accessory, or specific article of clothing. The item may be for a man, woman, or child. Items are judged on a point system. Announcing the Special Projects
Spring 2018 .... Corset Fall 2018......... Collars, Cuffs, Undersleeves Spring 2019 .... Over Petticoat, fancy or plain Fall 2019......... Caps, Night, Morning, Day, Men’s, Women’s, or Children’s For more information regarding the costuming events, contact Sharleen Carr-Mullins, Committee Chair at slwcarr@yahoo.com or 757-868-7844.You can also visit n-ssa.org/costume/.
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SCV and UDC Southern Social at the 137th National Thursday evening, 6pm at the barn All N-SSA members are invited to the SCV & UDC Southern Social at the 137th National. Just bring a chair or camp stool and your favorite beverage. This is an opportunity to meet fellow N-SSA members who are also members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Sons of Union Veterans, and Daughters of Union Veterans. There is no agenda, just a time to meet fellow Compatriots and Daughters. The N-SSA, UDC, SCV, SUV, and DUV work hand-in-hand participating in parades, memorial services, reenactments, monument dedications, etc. If you have suggestions or comments, email John Sharrett at sharrett1728@gmail.com and indicate NSSA-SCV in the subject line.
Do You Know “Old 24 Time”? By: Linwood McMahon He is known otherwise as Ben Waits. So what’s with the “24 Time”? That’s how many times he has won the National Grand Aggregate title. OK, so what. So, no one else has ever accomplished that and it is unlikely that any one ever will. Well, ok that’s pretty special, but what has he done lately. About two years ago, Ben started having problems with his right eye and finally was unable to see his sights. He was diagnosed with a torn retina and told that surgery could correct the condition. After surgery Ben still could not see his sights and was not so keen on the outlook of his shooting. However if you have the “Love of The Game” as Ben does, you find a way. Ben says, I still have my left eye, so let me see how I can do shooting left handed with my rifles and right handed with my pistols all using my still good left eye. This past fall, the man I called 23 Time, I began calling “24 Time” because he won it again. Yes , shooting left handed. Many times while standing on the 25 yard line during Sunday morning National opening ceremonies, I have heard words spoken about individuals eminently deserving to receive a medal for various things but never for a shooter. Folks, I think we are missing a chance to really honor a man eminently deserving special recognition, and to quote another individual, “I’m Just Saying.” Skirmish Line
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Remington Revolvers in ‘The Late Unpleasantness’ By: Anton M. Beck
New Model Army
Old Model Army
The Remington New Model Army is probably the most popular competition side arm with skirmishers. During the War Between the States, Remington revolvers were second only to Colts in the numbers issued. By 1864, Colts were rapidly being supplanted in front line service with Remingtons. The Remington company was founded in 1816. By 1861 they were one of the oldest and largest arms makers in the country. Their main products were barrels and parts used by local gunsmiths to build rifles. Their line expanded in the 1850s to include a series of pocket pistols.
Before the war, Remington had obtained relatively few government contracts. The first were orders for Jenks breechloading Navy rifles and M-1841 Mississippi rifles, followed by a contract to rifle M-1822 smoothbores and add Maynard locks. With sectional strife increasing, Remington sought to increase their military business. That plan included the introduction of a military size revolver. Their intended market was the many militia units springing up around the country as well as the government. Fordyce Beals was the designer of Remington’s entry into the military revolver market. Beals had been employed by Remington before 1854, but left in that year for Whitneyville, where he designed the Whitney-Beals pocket revolver (aka Walking Beam Revolver) and the Whitney Navy. Both employed a one piece frame that encircled the cylinder. Whitney planned to have competing revolvers ready to market the moment Colt’s patents expired in 1857. He was Old Model Navy and Whitney prepared to make knock-offs of the 1851 Navy, but was well aware of the weaknesses of Colt’s design. That’s where Beals fit in. He designed a revolver that was both improved, and less expensive to manufacture. In October of 1857, Whitney wrote the Navy Bureau of Ordnance, “I am now ready to contract to furnish, if desired, your department with repeating pistols like Colts of the Navy or Belt sizes … I can supply better pistols of my own new model …” With Whitney’s better pistols ready to market, Beals returned to Remington in 1857. His first designs were pocket pistols. Unlike most small revolvers of the era, they were not knockoffs of Colt’s M-1849. The 3rd model Remington Pocket introduced his patented loading lever improvement. Beals’ large frame revolver followed on the heels of the 3rd model pocket and drew on his Whitney frame design, updated to include the improved loading lever. In addition, he simplified the Colt/Whitney mechanism. In response to criticism that competing arms were underpowered, the new Remington featured a lengthened cylinder to hold more powder. This new revolver was considerably less expensive to manufacture than Colt’s arbor frame design. It replaced 4 individually fabricated frame parts with just one, greatly simplified the barrel, and eliminated a lot of alignment problems, not to mention getting rid of a handful of screws. Although collectors today term the military revolver “Model 1858,” the first Beals large frame revolvers did not appear on the civilian market until April or May of 1861, just as Fort Sumter fell to South Carolina state troops. While Colt still dominated the revolver market, the Remingtons were well received. In spite of the arms embargo, a lot of these early revolvers found their way South. While the new revolvers were a success on the civilian market, the US military did not exactly beat a path to Remington’s door. In June, a company representative, probably Samuel Remington, met with Maj. Wm. A. Thornton at Watervliet Arsenal to familiarize him with their new revolver. Thornton was impressed and asked Mr. Remington to meet with the head of army 22
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ordnance, Col. (soon to be General) James Ripley, in Washington. Evidently, Remington did not immediately depart for the capitol. On July 18th, Maj. P.V. Hagner wrote a letter of introduction to Ripley for a ‘Mr. Remington’ to present one of the new revolvers. The company’s representative finally arrived in the capitol on July 29th and presented a Beals Navy to Col. Ripley, who immediately placed an order for 5,000 44-caliber Army revolvers at $15 each. Remington accepted on the same day.
Transitional Navy
This order was not an official contract, and the quantity was much smaller than the company had hoped. Remington had yet to set up tooling to produce an Army caliber revolver, and an order for 5,000 didn’t really justify the expense. This was especially true given that the works was fully occupied with orders for the Navy size. The result was that Ripley’s order languished until it came to the attention of the Holt-Owen Commission on Arms and Arms Contracts in early 1862. In the meantime, the Ordnance Department and state ordnance departments were competing with civilians and local militia units to buy on the open market all the Remington Navys that the company could produce. The job of the Holt-Owen Commission was to sort out the bewildering array of hastily awarded orders, separate the bogus ones from those that might actually be delivered, and regularize the many contracts that were not much more than letters of proposal and acceptance. Although Remington had not delivered on their Army order, they had completed the design and begun limited production. After investigating, on June 13th of 1862 the commission confirmed Remington’s Army revolver order from the previous year, and increased the quantity to 20,000 44-caliber revolvers. The contract for 44s was accompanied by one for 5,000 Navys. This is probably due to the fact that Remington could deliver Navys in quantity while they worked to increase their very limited 44caliber production. Remington’s Ilion, NY armory was operating near full capacity, and employed practically every skilled workman in the area. They were not just making revolvers. They also had an order from the state of NY to refurbish several thousand Mississippi rifles, a federal contract for what became the Zouave rifle, a contract for M-1861 muskets, and they were producing barrels as subcontractors for other musket and carbine manufacturers. To support all this work, they began construction of a second armory in Utica, NY.
Remington’s future looked bright, but there were bumps in the road ahead. When the ‘official’ revolver contracts were awarded, the company was in the process of changing the loading lever design to incorporate Elliot’s patent, allowing the cylinder pin to be withdrawn without lowering the loading lever. The government contract stipulated that all revolvers be “… in all respects identical with the pattern …” and that pattern was the Beals model. In order to deliver both Beals and Elliot’s revolvers, as many as 4 patterns were deposited with the Ordnance Department, and all revolvers delivered were more or less identical to one or the other patterns, Beals’ or Elliot’s. By the time the official contracts were awarded, the company had already delivered over 8,000 revolvers to the Ordnance Department through direct sales. Of those, only 850 were Armys. In addition, the government had purchased another 4,586 Navys through various arms brokers. The now official government contracts brought some vexing problems. Open market sales required minimal inspection at best. Gauging and parts interchangeability were not high priorities. Government contracts on the other hand, meant that all parts had to meet exacting specifications. Although Remington was well established by 1862, their government work had always been secondary. Commercial products hadn’t required high precision manufacture. In addition, there were now forfeiture clauses. Failure to make timely delivery brought with it severe penalties. Remington deliveries fell behind almost immediately. They had hoped that the want of pistols would allow for relaxation of the inspection requirements. This was not to be the case. Remington’s own foreman of the pistol works, R. Bennett, reported a (Continued on page 26)
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2017 N-SSA SOCIETY OF COLOR BEARERS
This is our annual listing of those people or organizations who have made cash donations to the North-South Skirmish Association, by category. This year, 163 donations were made totaling $20,152.72, which is double the number of people who made donations in 2016. Most of these donors were N-SSA members, but some were employers or other nonmembers. Many of the donations were dedicated to the memory of another skirmisher or earmarked for a specific purpose like the land fund or work skirmish expenses. These donors make up 5.5% of our membership, yet their contributions are equivalent to $7.00 per N-SSA member. Given that our annual dues are $80/member, without these donors it could be necessary to raise the dues by nearly 10% to make our budget balance. On behalf of the N-SSA, I would like to thank all of these generous donors. I am hoping that in 2018 many more of our members will join the N-SSA Society of Color Bearers by making a donation. Remember, no donation is too small. - Wayne Jordan, Charitable Giving Committee PRIVATE (up to $99.99) Henry Elem. School, in memory of Dr. James Rucker 19th Michigan Inf., in memory of Wade Huffman John Venskoske, Sr., in memory of Wade Huffman Richard S. Miller, in memory of Wade Huffman Janice & Thomas Crone, in memory of Wade Huffman 23rd NC, in memory of Wade Huffman Washington Blue Rifles, in memory of Wade Huffman Ann S. Hobbs, in memory of Edwin T. Hobbs Samuel P. Watson, in memory of Alex Evangelista William Jordan II Doc Chambers Golf Thomas H. Penney Mosby’s Rangers Thomas Cutright Richard Cameau Walter E. Garman III Donald Zelonis Karen Landers Larry Hoover John & Nancy Vervan John H. Layne Dennis Brill 24
Carlton Bakley, Jr. Robert Chance Dennis Angermaier Walter E, Garmann III Charles Riley Carter Gill David Wright John Shepherd Jr. Frederick J. Schell Theodore Occhi John Sachleben James G. Ward Robert Lintner Terry A. Mills Brannen Sanders John A. Peterson, Jr. Gustav Ruggiero Lester Rickards, Jr. Michael L. Dougherty John P. Ward Paul A. Brooks Sharon & Robert Myers Edwin Fetzer Winter 2018
Edward R. Ham Gerald Zablocky Dmytro Lakota Jon Prasek Lawrence & Gayle Gibson Gordon Harrower, Jr Paul C. Weber Curtis Elswick Edward J. Kanuhasr Paul E. Sonner Edward J. Boyd John F. Swierczewski Hugh S. McLeod David J. Collins James Burgess, Jr. Tim Lyne Gil Tercenio Charles Bondurant William Hunnicutt, Jr. Charles S. Early William J. Hodge Joseph Sirc Ronald Cox Skirmish Line
BUGLER ($100.00 - $249.99) Bruce R. Zumstein15th NJ Vols., in memory of Homer McCall Larry & Donna McCarty, in memory of Dr. James Rucker, Jr. Gerald W. Nelson, in memory of Art Preston Dulany Troop, in memory of Wade Huffman 1st Md Cav, in memory of Wade Huffman Louise Kitts, in memory of Joe Leisch Charlotte S. Hypes, in memory of Warren Hypes Edward P. Forestiere Kenneth J. Spence, Sr. Harry Liniger Back Creek Gun Shop Larry Kershner John Thomas George M. Malone John C. Willsey 44th NY Inf Steve Light Doug Heiser Edwin Thompson Norman G. Home Duff J. Connor Thomas & Patricia Rea Nicholas Taylor William Goyne Anne & Edward Elko John W. Kuhl Michael Rouch Jack Conway Raymond S. Smith John H. Thomas Gordon Teetor Steven P. Pond Daniel J. Stedman Ronald Goodrich James Wood Michael Koprowski Guy M. Mazzarella Gary A. Swanson Michael Roberts Robert E. Rider Kevin Marenberg Bruce W. Miller 15th New Jersey Vols Glenn R. Gravatt Walter E. Short Alan J. King Louis J. Ruggiero Bruce R. Zumstein L. Roger Rowe John Doyle Martha Szelog Skirmish Line
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William Folk Frank Hale Edward P. Wright Norman Schaefer Don Rollette, Sr. CORPORAL ($250 - $499.99) Gainesboro Ruritan, in memory of Wade Huffman Donald W. Sours Ralph & Dorothy Wainwright William Helzer Steve P. Dorner Amazon Smile Alan Lindstrom Lars Anderson John F. Brown, Jr. David & Barbara Booz Phillip L. Spaugy Richard D. Dodd Wayne Walsh SERGEANT ($500.00 - $999.99) 5th VA Vol Inf, in memory of Wade Huffman 12th US Inf, in memory of Wade Huffman Chris DeFrancisci, in memory of Wade Huffman Wayne & Joy Jordan Tidewater Region Larry D. Funk Richard & Nancy Hill Mark E. Dennis John E. Estok FIRST SERGEANT ($1000.00 - $2599.99) John Zebelean III ORDNANCE SERGEANT ($2500.00 - $4999.99) SERGEANT MAJOR ($5,000.00 and up)
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number of deficiencies. Parts were not fully interchangeable, many barrels were made too short and parts were finished incorrectly. A problem very familiar to skirmishers today proved particularly difficult to solve, cylinder chambers sometimes did not line up with the barrel when the cylinder locked. In addition to these difficulties, the engine at the works broke down, resulting in a week-long delay. Old Model Navy and New Model Navy The first contract Navys were made to the same standard as civilian arms while the Army line was being set up. The rejection rate was alarmingly high. By mid-July, the production of revolvers that could pass inspection was so low that Major Thornton relieved all but three government inspectors. Remington was in danger of defaulting. The company petitioned for an extension on their September delivery date to give them some time to get the quality issues under control. A sympathetic War Department pushed the end date out to December.
As with other contractors, arms that would not pass government inspection were diverted to the commercial market, and there was no shortage of them at that point.
Beals Navy
About this time, Capt. John Dahlgren, of the US Navy, asked Remington for a revolver to evaluate. The company forwarded a Beals Navy with a letter explaining that they had about 1,000 on hand (and neglecting to mention that those guns had just been rejected by the Army). The Navy took them. It seems that the sea service was flexible when it came to inspections.
The last delivery of Navy revolvers on the June 18th contract was made on December 22nd. After that, production was cut to 500 a month, just enough to satisfy US Navy orders. As the end of 1862 drew near, the 44 contract was desperately behind schedule. While most of the Army revolver machinery was new and set up from the start to meet the government’s quality standards, the workers were also new and still learning their trade. Remington petitioned once again for an extension. In a most unusual move, the War Department simply lifted the time limit. The last Army revolver ordered on the June ’62 contract was delivered in June of 1863. Revolvers were issued as fast as they were delivered. Complaints from the field soon followed. Cones shattered, hammers stuck fast in the frames, springs broke, cylinders would not lock in position, and they had no safety notches. Powder fouling built up quickly at the back of the barrel, causing the cylinder to bind. Front sights fell off. On the Elliot models, the cylinder pins backed out when the guns were fired, locking up the action. One particular complaint probably had more to do with poor ammunition. All revolvers in the army were loaded with ammunition made for Colts, which held much less powder than Remingtons. Add to that, many ammunition contractors shorted the powder charge to such an extent that the Remington rammer would not fully seat a cartridge. These complaints resulted in a series of design updates. One of the first was to add relief cuts in the frame around the barrel breech to reduce fouling accumulation. The problem with cylinder pins backing out was quickly addressed by installing a stop screw in the loading lever. The Ordnance Department asked Remington to go back to the Beals loading lever. Remington proposed to retain the Elliot lever, but eliminate the cylinder pin slot in it. Safety notches were an easy addition to the cylinder. On Army models the dovetailed German Silver cone front sight was replaced with a blade screwed into the barrel.
Ordnance approved the changes, but they were not all incorporated at once. Remington had built up a large supply of parts. Rather than scrap them, they used as many old parts as possible before changing over to improved designs. Obsolete parts were reworked to function like their replacements. This resulted in a large number of “transitional” revolvers, with features of both the old and new model. These are seen in Navy serial numbers between 20-23,000 and in Armys between 10-20,000. Most of these revolvers are not marked “NEW MODEL” on the barrel. Early transitional revolvers still display Elliot’s 1861 patent date, but have modified Elliot’s loading levers with the New Model frame and cylinder pin. As the first contract for Army revolvers neared its end, Remington’s quality issues were finally coming under control, and the arms were being receive favorably by troops in the field. A second contract was soon awarded and production increased. 26
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In the fall of 1863 the Ordnance Department began informally surveying officers in the field about the quality of arms that were being issued. After complaining about the failings of Colts, ordnance officer Jno. Dudley reported that Remingtons gave very few problems, concluding, “In my judgement, Pistols made on the Remington plan, with Lockframe, Topstrap, and Backstrap in one piece, are better calculated to stand the wear of service …” His view was widely held among ordnance officers. By late 1863, the Ordnance Department was growing increasingly unhappy with Colt. That November, Colt refused to match Remington’s price of $12. This was nearly the last straw. Colt’s revolvers required a lot of maintenance, and Colt was charging premium prices for parts as well as guns. When Remington offered a contract for 75,000 revolvers with rapid delivery, the government decided it was time to drop Colt. Remington pushed production to 500 a day and even increased that rate through the rest of the war. Rejections in inspection steadily decreased, leading the Ordnance Department to conclude that relaxing the inspection standards would not appreciably increase deliveries.
By April of 1865, Remington had delivered 116,766 Armys and 12,251 Navys to the Army Ordnance Department, plus another 6,360 Navys to the Navy Bureau of Ordnance, as well as large numbers to the commercial trade. While Remington’s revolver was virtually unknown at the start of the war, by 1864, it had become the predominant side arm of the Cavalry Corps. New Model Army parts production ceased with the end of the war, but enough parts were on hand that Army models continued to be assembled and sold commercially until about 1875. The Navy model soldiered on to 1878. Cartridge conversions of both were made by Remington well into the 1880s. The US Navy had Remington convert 1,020 of their percussion revolvers to shoot 38 centerfire ammunition in the mid-1870s and those revolvers continued to serve through the late 1880s. While few people shoot original revolvers today, a Remington in good condition can be an excellent shooter. They fit the hand well and hold easily. I have handled several, and every one has a great trigger, unless it’s been messed with over the years, although there is a lot of over-travel. The only problem I have experienced in 30+ years of shooting Remingtons is two shattered cones. This was an issue during the war, probably due to insufficient clearance between the hammer and cylinder. If you are going to shoot your Remington, save the original steel nipples and install Ampcos. Remingtons seem to handle a wide variety of loads well, although some ammo definitely shoots better. Targets break reliably whether firing conical bullets or round balls with light or heavy charges. Like all Civil War revolvers, Remingtons shoot extremely high. If you aim at the bottom pigeon on the board, you’ll hit the one above it. It can take a while, and a lot of practice, to get use to the hold under. While I have had good luck shooting original Remingtons, keep in mind that there are a lot of civilian guns out there that would not pass government inspection, particularly among the early Beals and Elliot’s Navys. Also, much of the postwar production is suspect since the company used a lot of condemned parts. Undoubtedly, some of them are dogs. However, even if they won’t shoot they look good in a showcase of Civil War Revolvers. For some reason, Remington revolvers have attracted more than their share of misinformation, particularly on the internet. The late Don Ware’s book corrects this and is a must read for students of these revolvers. Dan Williams’ book on Whitney’s Navy revolvers provides useful background on Fordyce Beals work at both Remington and Whitney, and helps to give a more complete picture of the development of Remington’s revolvers. References: • Remington Army and Navy Revolvers 1861-1888, by Donald L. Ware, University of New Mexico Press, 2007, ISBN 978-0-8263-4280-5 • The Whitney Navy Revolver, by Daniel Williams, Schiffer Military History, 2012, ISBN 978-0-7643-4249-3 Photo Credits: • Remington Beals Navy, Old Army, and New Army photos provided by: Tim Prince, College Hill Arsenal Civil War Antiques PO Box 178204, Nashville, TN37217 615-972-2418, collegehillarsenal.com Via
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Cliff Sophia, CSArms 9150 John S. Mosby Hwy, Upperville, VA20185 540-592-7273, csarms.com • Other photos by the author. • Remington New Model Navy provided by: Carolina Rod & Gun 1319 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC29407 843-571-7972, carolinarodandgun.net • The Old Model Navy in the photos was acquired many years ago from an elderly widow in Berryville, VA. She commented that her late husband always claimed it was carried by one of Mosby’s men, then quickly added, “But he lied about other things, too.” It is government inspected. •
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On Cook-Offs and Burn Treatment By: Stephen L. Short, M.D. On February 10, 2018, while shooting in a smoothbore match at my local black powder range in Texas, I experienced my first cook-off in 20+ years of skirmishing. It was around 60 degrees, overcast, humid, with no wind. We had finished the pigeon board and, after cleaning our muskets, were shooting hanging tiles. I had shot twice and stared to reload. The match was under the auspices of the Texas Skirmish Association, which uses all N-SSA safety protocols. As is my usual practice, I grounded the butt of my musket on my left foot and reloaded at arm's length with the muzzle pointing away from me. The spent cap from the previous shot was left on the nipple. My musket is an Armisport '42; the smoothbore charge was 50 grains of Goex FFFg. I am right handed, and thus load with that hand. The instant the powder went down the barrel, a narrow inverted cone of yellow powder flash erupted from the muzzle, burning my fingers, which were to the side of the muzzle. The thenar (thumb side) aspect of my ring and middle finger was burned and heavily tattooed with powder grains. The ulnar (little finger side) aspect of my index finger was very slightly burned and had a few specks of powder. The ulnar aspect of my palm was slightly red, and the hair on the underside of my forearm was scorched. I felt powder grains hitting my face (I was wearing wraparound polycarbonate safety glasses). The skirmisher standing to my left was not aware anything had happened. He stated he turned and saw me staring at my hand. I handed my musket to the safety officer and exited the line, heading for the closest faucet, where I immediately put my hand under running tap water. After irrigating the wound for several minutes, a friend brought me an ice pack which I applied until the ice melted. I then applied some outdated burn ointment (it had lumps in it) from the range first aid box to the fingers and applied band aids. There was no pain at the time (the wound felt numb) and no bleeding. Of note, when I cleaned my musket, there were unburnt particles of powder still in the breech. That evening at home, I washed the wound again, applied antibiotic ointment, and replaced the band aids. At that time, it began to hurt. The next morning I decided to go to the local urgent care. I should have gone the previous day when I got into town, but doctors make notoriously poor patients.
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At the UC they washed the wound and dressed it after applying silver sulfadiazine cream, the standard topical burn antibiotic. It is useful because It penetrates well into skin through the eschar (scab) of a burn, and I was instructed to change the cream and dressing daily. I was also given a tetanus booster; burn wounds can be tetanus prone. I was also started on an oral antibiotic, which may or may not have been needed. The nurse practitioner who saw me advised that I follow up with a surgeon for debridement, but was uncertain who I should see. Burns of the hands (and face) are considered uniquely complex because of the need to have the best functional outcome. It is important that the ultimate assessment and care be done by a burn specialist, and that usually means a plastic surgeon. Their area of specialty includes burn care and hand surgery. I was fortunate to find a very good plastic surgeon in San Antonio (I live about an hour away from the medical center). On the third day after the accident, he examined the wound and determined that sensation was intact, ruling out a third degree (full thickness) burn which would have eventually required skin grafting. I was to continue using the daily dressing changes after gentle washing (using yellow Dial soap- I think it has an antimicrobial in it) and silver sulfadiazine application. I was also instructed to gently flex the fingers to prevent them stiffening. Aside from the first night and day post burn, I had no pain. At most the wound itched. On the ninth day, just before my second surgical appointment, I noticed that the top layer of skin, markedly tattooed with powder, was beginning to separate from the layer below. The next day my surgeon pulled off that upper layer of skin with tweezers, revealing intact, healing skin underneath. I have described the accident and subsequent treatment at some length in order to report to the membership my experience of a cook-off, the conditions present, safety considerations, proper first aid and subsequent care in order to effect the best outcome. Points to consider: 1. In a couple of decades of skirmishing, I've only witnessed two cook-offs, besides my own. The first, in a two-band rifle, occurred so slowly the skirmisher apparently saw the smoke and pushed the muzzle away, missing the
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flash. I was later told that that rifle seemed prone to cook-offs. The second occurred at a smoothbore match. Given that mine also happened in a smoothbore, I can't help but wonder if the larger caliber longarms are more prone to cook-offs. I don't know if the Association keeps statistics on this. 2. I have heard that cook-offs occur in humid weather, and that was the case here, but an experienced skirmishing friend has observed that he has seen most occur in dry weather. Cook-offs apparently can occur in any weather conditions. 3. I would have said, and still think, that I hold the quick-loader tube like anyone else, off to the side near the tube opening, but clear of the muzzle. It obviously was not enough to prevent getting thermal damage and particles. It's interesting that it appears the entire charge did not burn. The igniting ember was apparently near the muzzle, given the almost instantaneous flash. I think in the future I may be holding the tube at the base, as far away as possible. Ideally, one's finger should not break the plane of the muzzle, but I don't see how that is geometrically possible to do and still get the powder to go into the barrel. 4. Thank the Lord for eye protection! A hot particle in the eye would have REALLY ruined my day. Use the most complete wraparound safety glasses you can find. 5. I was taught in med school that the best first aid for burns is getting cool, clean water on it ASAP. Hand off your musket and head for a faucet or ice chest. If you're at the Fort, EMS may be there to help you. 6. Go to an urgent care or ER that same day! Hands are important. Tetanus immunization can be lifesaving. Use of silver sulfadiazine dressing is a standard of care. 7. Follow-up care should be with a burn specialist, probably a plastic surgeon in a larger city. Again, hands are important.
8. Make sure the first aid kit supplies at your range are not outdated. Make sure you HAVE a first aid kit, either at the range or in your vehicle. Finally, if you see something, say something. Early in my skirmishing career, a safety officer wisely noted I was rolling my hand too far over the muzzle when reloading, causing me to correct my procedure, which saved me from having a worse injury. Prevention is paramount, and we need to look out for one another. Respectfully submitted, Stephen L. Short, M.D. N-SSA #10905 Terry's Texas Rangers
Complete the Emergency Medical Information slip below and carry it with your N-SSA Competitor ID Card in case of emergency.
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North-South Skirmish Association Membership Meeting Friday, October 6, 2017 Approved by the N-SSA Board of Directors, Saturday, January 27, 2018 Commander Booz called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. National Adjutant, Melinda Shaw called roll and the following teams were reported as absent. 183-AL 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 257-CR 24th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, 189-DS 4th Louisiana Infantry, Delta Rifles, 182-DS 4th Tennessee Infantry, Harris Guards, 076-EN 1st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, 188-MW First Rockbridge Artillery, 041-NE 108th New York Volunteer Infantry, 094-NW 5th Btty. Michigan Light Artillery Commander Booz welcomed everyone to the meeting. He announced that there were a number of items to be covered. The following were given the floor. James Baird, National Paymaster. Jim reminded all teams to check their packets for outstanding bills. In addition, he announced that the 2018 membership cards for team with outstanding bills would be held until the bills were paid. Michael Davenport of the Tidewater Region addressed the membership. He spoke about the skirmish that the Tidewater region holds each year to raise funds for the Cure for Cancer. The skirmish will be held at the range in Capron, Virginia and invitations are available on the website. The Tidewater region has raised $42,000.00. Our goal this year is to raise $50,000.00. We welcome any donations. I am sure that everyone here has dealt with this issue and the region is going to beat this one mini ball at a time. Fred Schell addressed the membership. Fred runs the Youth BB events. Fred announced that he is looking for volunteers to help with the youth events and he would appreciate any help. He announced that starting in the spring of 2018 the youth targets would be included with the team targets distributed at the registration building. Commander Booz commented that a number of skirmishers came through the BB program, and it is a vital aspect of the N-SSA. Bob Klutas, Provost Marshall stated that the vehicle cards you are given when you arrive are important. He requested that everyone fill out the cards that are displayed. He almost reminded everyone to maintain the appropriate speed limits while on the fort’s property. You receive a schedule of events that provides a map indicating where there are one-way roads. Please abide by the signs and the one-way routes. It may be an inconvenience, but we have run into problems with people going the wrong way, which has interfered with the emergency vehicles in the past. He thanked the team commanders for helping keep order. Commander Booz thanked Tim Scanlan for all of the work he puts into Fort Shenandoah. Jeff Hall, Property Management Officer thanked everyone that showed up for the work skirmish in June. We had 50 members from 22 units that showed up to work. The property management committee will conduct the semi-annual inspection of campsites in November. We check on the general appearance of the campsites and the campers to see if the competitor’s number and name are displayed near the door. Please do this before you leave this weekend and keep it up to date. A $50.00 penalty can be applied to each camper on a site without this information. Sherry Myers, Skirmish Director stated the staff is working hard and everything is going well. There is going to be traffic stop tomorrow after carbine so that we can get four artillery pieces across the bridge. This will not take long. Keep up the good work. Commander Booz thanked the host teams, provost and sutlers. The sutlers have agreed to stay open until nine o’clock tonight and tomorrow night. The board of director has asked them to stay open, they agreed, and he encouraged members to visit Sutler’s row.
We are living in a time that is not probably the greatest time for Civil War enthusiast, those that like guns and people that appreciate history. I find it horrible of the lack of knowledge that people have about history. Our society has such little respect for history and we know that if we ignore history, we are condemned to repeat it or something like it. Over the last year, some monuments have been taken down. Some skirmishers have contacted me saying we should bring them to Fort Shenandoah. I said, no. I checked into this and monuments cost around $100,000 to move. If a move did take place, what would we do with it, we would have to build a pedestal for it, next if we were to do such a thing, whom are we opening the gates for? We are not in the business for looking for monuments. Next week there is a re-enactment at Cedar Creek, which is very close to here. They have already had some concerns about possible trouble. Earlier last month, I asked law enforcement agencies if we should expect any problems this weekend. There is no hard intelligence that any trouble is expected during the nationals, however, we are on the alert. We would be negligent if we were not. I have to say to you that if any disruption occurs, back off. Do not get into a hassle with people trying to disrupt. If that occurs, we will call the sheriffs department. We must be prepared. If we keep putting our heads in the sand, we are going to get our butts kicked pretty ferocious. If we enjoy this sport, we bring more people in. We bring in spectators and new recruits but we have to bring them in, in such a way as not to bring in trouble. I have been here 42 years and it is such a big part of my life. I believe this is true for many of us. We want and need our association to continue. Please use your heads if something develops. I think this is a clear message. After this meeting, you can escape, at 8:30 there will be a reception for Wade Huffman. If you have not seen it, down in Memorial Park we have a new way to honor our members that have passed on. The opportunity to have bricks memorializing members will be laid in Memorial park. Commander Booz thanked the people that worked on this project. Commander Booz asked if there were any questions from the floor. With no questions, he thanked everyone for attending. The host teams for the 137th, 138th, 139th and 140th please meet with your skirmish directors. Meeting recessed at 7:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judy O. Stoneburner, Executive Secretary
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North-South Skirmish Association Board of Director’s Meeting
Saturday, January 27, 2018 Minutes approved electronically March 1, 2018 The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. Commander Booz welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that this is a business meeting of the Board of Director’s of the North-South Skirmish Association Corporation and business will be conducted in a professional manner. Many of us have reached a point in life where it may be a little difficult to hear, and I politely ask that attendees not be talking when someone else is speaking. Our business will be facilitated smoothly if we can all hear. Deputy Commander, Charles Kindle, Jr. led the pledge of allegiance and Commander Booz offered the invocation. National Adjutant called the roll and the following was reported. Commander David Booz, present, Past Commander, Phillip Spaugy, absent Deputy Commander, Charles Kindle, Jr., present Adjutant, Melinda Shaw, present, Paymaster, James G. Baird, present Inspector General, Wayne Shaw, present, Executive Secretary, Judy Stoneburner, present, Allegheny Region Commander, John Doyle, present Carolina Region Commander, James Rogers, III, present, Central Virginia Region Commander, Robert Hannula, present Chesapeake Region Commander, Edwin Thompson, present Deep South Region Commander, Lawrence Gibson, present Mid-Atlantic Region Commander, Roger Gray, present Midwest Region Commander, Eric Schuessler, present, New England Region Commander, Paul Morgigno, present Northeast Region Commander, Ronald Barvian, present Northwest Region Deputy Commander, John Gaskill, present Potomac Region Commander, Davy Crockett, present Tidewater Region Commander, Mike Davenport, present Western Region Commander, Yancey Von Yeast, present Commander Booz welcomed the newest board member, Mike Davenport, Tidewater Region Commander. He stated that Mike has been an outstanding skirmisher for many years, is highly respected and he knows he will be a positive addition to the board. He introduced John Gaskill, Deputy Commander of the Northwest region sitting in for Hugh McLeod. John has been a commander and deputy for many years and represented his region well. Commander Booz then thanked Carol White, Becky Lauck and Judy Stoneburner for the all the work they did on getting the hospitality room ready for this meeting. The room was open last night and will be open the entire day and this evening. Upon motion by Charles Kindle, the minutes of the membership meeting of Friday, October 6, 2017 as presented were approved. Commander Booz commented that he believes that we are firmly here to do what is best for the N-SSA. As board members, we are the leaders, the directors of the corporation. We are obligated by being board members to lead and do what is best for the N-SSA. We must realize the need to protect the organization and know the need to help protect each and every team and member of the organization. I have heard it said that as a board member we should not worry about individuals. I will tell you that is wrong. As a board, we are morally and ethically obligated to concern ourselves with the welfare of this organization and to ignore individuals would be to ignore perhaps the most important part of our organization. Each and every one of us needs to look, understand and see the big picture. I am a big picture man and a detail man. The board must also see the big picture and handle the details. Today we will be addressing items that will affect the N-SSA for a long time and we are honor bound to do our best. One of the things that I would like to do today is to spend time on the concept of leadership. Merely being elected to a position does not make one a leader; it is the actions of the individual that makes the leader. A form has been distributed to you, titled, the future of the North-South Skirmish Association. The form consists of five questions Where do you see the N-SSA in five years? Where do you see yourself in five years? How important is recruiting and the use of different forms of media in the future of the N-SSA? What have you done as a board of director member to encourage growth in the N-SSA? How do you communicate with the N-SSA membership? Commander Booz requested that everyone complete the form and return it to him. The answers will be compiled and shared. Commander Booz announced that an elections chairperson needed to be appointed for the fall 2018 national officer elections. Commander Booz recommended Bobby Hannula, Central Virginia Region Commander to hold the position. Upon motion by Charles Kindle, the appointment was approved. Adjutant, Melinda Shaw announced that she leads the Youth Fund Foundation and the fund currently has approximately $40,000.00 in it. Regions can take advantage of this to use for the youths in their region. Each region can request up to $100.00 a year from the fund to use for their region’s youth program for BB/Air rifles, targeting, education, etc. The Youth Foundation pays a year’s membership for the first place winners of the Young Skirmisher Award. If any team would like to sponsor the second place Young Skirmisher Award, contact Melinda Shaw. A region, team or individual can donate towards this award or the Youth Foundation. Inspector General, Wayne Shaw announced that it had been a very good year. He reported that the IG corps had less than twelve failures during the team matches at the fall nationals. He complimented everyone on a job well done. He also encouraged everyone to check their firearms over the winter and if they needed any assistance to contact him. the regional IG for the past sixteen years.
He praised Phillip Crabill from the Central Virginia Region for being
Executive Secretary, Judy Stoneburner presented her reports. She reviewed the pre-sale practice targets and reported that total income from
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practice targets came to $1,282.00 for 2017. She covered the lost and found items and the disposal of the items after four nationals. The following teams were reported as not meeting the participation requirements for 2017. 034-MW 2nd OVI, 051-MW 7th OVI, 152-PT Harts Battery, CSA and 045-PT Division of the Marines. Official notification that the following teams have disbanded had been received. 075-MA Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 015-MW 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, CSA, 080-CH 27th Virginia Volunteers. The skirmish dates for 2018 were presented with corrections. Upon motion by Davy Crockett to accept the corrected 2018 skirmish schedule, the corrected dates were approved. The membership statistics were reviewed from 2017. It was reported that during 2017 there were forty-nine non-shooter members. To date there are one hundred and fifty six. The membership Gain/Loss report was reviewed. Last year at this time (January 2017), we had a deficit of 286 members from the previous season. She was pleased to announce that at this time (January 2018) we have a much smaller deficit at one hundred and seventy members. Most of our late skirmishers and new members come in from February to November. This is a positive beginning for membership numbers for the year. Judy Stoneburner reported to the board regarding the Memorial Brick Project in Memorial Park. She reported that it is up and running and announced that any bricks that are to be placed by the spring nationals, orders need to be in by March 15th. She asked for input from the board regarding engraving larger bricks for the deceased past national commanders. An area has been designated for the larger bricks; however, there are no funds engrave them at this time. Mike Davenport, Tidewater Region announced that the Tidewater Region would donate $100.00 towards the engraving and challenged the other regions to match the donation. The Mid-Atlantic Region, Central Virginia Region, Allegheny Region and Carolina Region met the challenge. Judy thanked Chester and Joshua Lauck for the work that they had done on the project. Enormous appreciation is expressed to the regions and private donors for the generous contributions to have the stones for past commanders engraved. Judy reported on the NRA Black Powder Match held during the fall nationals. It was reported that participation had dropped. The 137th Spring Nationals Program was reviewed and corrected/updated. This is a working document until it goes to print. Roger Gray moved to approve the 137th patch with the addition of N-SSA and add the Northeast Region to the patch. The motion to approve with corrections was approved. The design for the 138th national patch was explained. The design is taken from the 75th anniversary reunion commemorating the Battle of Gettysburg that was held in 1938. The program emphasized the common heritage of the Union and Confederate soldiers. Approximately 1,800 veterans, most of them in their 90’s and some confined to wheelchairs, attended the last great reunion. At the event, more than 250,000 spectators heard President Franklin D. Roosevelt deliver an address at the dedication of a peace memorial, unveiled by representatives of the G.A.R. and U.C.V. Mike Davenport moved to approve the 138th patch with the addition of N-SSA to be added to the patch. Motion was approved. Paymaster, James Baird distributed the Paymaster’s report and the Errata Sheet. The report included the Statement of Income for the period January 1 thru December 31, 2017, Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017, Statement of Restricted Funds as of December 31, 2017, Statement of Cash Balances as of December 31, 2017, Budget vs. Actual for the period January 1 thru December 31, 2017 and the Proposed Budget for 2018. From the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet, you can see that we did all right for the year and are still in a strong fiscal position. However, a review of the Budget vs. Actual you can see that we didn’t do too well as we did not take in the amount of income as expected but we also did not spend the amounts as proposed. Our dues, advertising and web revenue were down more than expected, among other items. Range rent was also down but that is directly attributed to lower participation. Jim made some proposed adjustments to the 2017 budget to zero out the differences in the expenditures. The Proposed budget for 2018 taking into effect the reduced income in 2017 and again taking a conservative approach was discussed. As presented in the paymaster’s report there is a deficit of $35,560.00. A comparison of the 2017 budget with the proposed 2018 budget was provided showing the areas of difference. The propose approval of the 2018 budget will be delayed to later in the day. Jim explained that in the proposed budget, under ITM budget, funds are included to replace the PC that he now uses. The current one has the Vista operating system, which is no longer supported, and is not powerful enough to update to a more recent operating system. Without the support, I (Jim) am leery of something nasty getting into it. I (Jim) have anti-virus software installed but we know how that can falter. Also included is update of software used. The current PC works fine and is reliable so far. It could be passed on to be used in a less critical position. Commander Booz introduced Phillip Schreier of the NRA to speak. Mr. Schreier stated that it has been a pleasure to work with the N-SSA with our joint programs that we have and our meetings. Mr. Scheier recognized Fred Behrens for his work at the NRA shows. He discussed the championship match that was held in October. He explained that his predecessor did not leave him much information to work with. Judy helped to reconstruct what had happened. He discussed the large amount of medals that was required for the event. Currently, we give away 32 medals total. He proposed that in addition to giving out the NRA/ N-SSA medal for the overall champion, that the number of medals be reduced to 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the grand aggregate carbine, musket and revolver. It was asked by Mike Davenport if the smoothbore 25-yard, 50- yard and aggregate smoothbore could be added to the competition. Mr. Schreier agreed. The total medal count would then be thirteen medals. Mr. Scheier said that the medals were hand engraved. The change in medals awarded and requirements for competition will be in the fall nationals registration packet. Commander Booz thanked Mr. Scheier and the NRA and expressed his appreciation for the efforts he puts into this match for the association.
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The NRA meeting dates were announced The NRA annual meeting is the May 3, 2018 in Dallas, Texas Indianapolis, Indiana – April 26, 2019, Nashville, Tennessee - April 17, 2020, Houston, Texas May 14, 2021 Bobby Hannula, 137th National Skirmish Director was recognized. Bobby presented to the board the proposal to allow practice targets to be shot on the revolver range at the 137th nationals. Lars Anderson suggested clarifying what can be shot on the revolver range. The motion was amended to say to allow revolver and single shot pistol practice targets to be shot on the revolver range at the 137th nationals. The amended motion was approved. Practice targets for the revolver and single shot pistols will be available for sale on the revolver range during this nationals only. The revolver range skirmish officer will coordinate with the executive secretary on the sales and participation. The outcome of the sales will be reported at the August board meeting. Under old business, Bob Gorsky, Bivouac Officer stated that we are still unable to find a campsite large enough for Durrell’s Independent Battery. They are on two separate sites. John Gaskill made the motion to allow Durrell’s to continue to use the two sites for the year 2018. Motion approved.
Bob Gorsky presented the following new business The 110th Ohio Volunteers (082-MW) have made the request that the temporary site assigned to the team (Site 50, Area 4) be changed to the permanent site. Upon motion by Eric Schuessler, to change the site to permanent, the motion was approved. The 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry (001-TW) have made the request of adding Site 4, Area 2 to their present Site 6, Area 2. The 27th Virginia Volunteers folded and the members joined the 1st Virginia. Upon motion by Charles Kindle to approve the request, the motion was approved. The 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry (158-EN) made the request to expand into site 22, area 5. After discussion Bobby Hannula made the motion to permanently assigned the 34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry to Area 5, site 50. Motion passed. Property Management Chair, Jeff Hall presented his report. He reported that all normal routine maintenance has been performed. The fall inspection of campsites was done and that the vast majority of campsites are in very good to excellent condition. Last year at this time, there were 89 teams with at least one camper that did not have the competitor number and name present on them. Now we are at 56 teams. We are making improvements. The results of our inspection were included in the board packet. He stated that we need to do a better job of informing the units of this requirement, which is detailed in, rule 37.7c. Commander Booz requested that Mr. Hall notify team commanders by letter with the derelict campers on their site and send a copy to the regional commanders. Commander Booz thanked Jeff Hall, and the property management committee for all that they have done and Tim Scanlan particularly for all the work that is done at Fort Shenandoah. We always have maintenance. I (Dave) have been extremely impressed with Jeff Hall’s work. Jeff Hall spoke about the damage to the Historic Center. It was reported that during the summer a water leak from the air conditioning unit in the attic caused some water damage. Bruce Allen recommended shutting the building down for one year. After discussion, it was determined that the center would not shut down and that the repairs would be done between the two nationals, some of which will occur during the workday in June. Davy Crockett moved to approve the list of names presented to receive the respective pioneer patches. Motion approved. The Property Management Committee funding request will be reviewed in the budget process. Commander Booz encouraged members to attend the workday at Fort Shenandoah in June. Historic Officer, Bruce Allen reported that the visitation to the A.C. Baird Historic Center was successful in 2017. It was reported that 189 people visited in the spring and 211 people visited the center in the fall. George Schell of the Veteran’s committee has allotted funds for the repairs to the Historic Center caused by the water damage. Commander Booz presented program Chair, Craig Stanley’s report. Bobby Hannula made the motion to accept the nominations for the 141st and 142nd National Skirmish Directors. Motion approve. 141st – Chester Lauck, Hazelwood Volunteers 142nd – Eric Schuessler – General Sherman’s Bodyguard The program report discusses the Spencer Match and it is the Chair’s recommendation to drop the event. After discussion the Spencer match will remain. It was determined that the need to do a serious examination of the National schedule is overdue. A committee will be formed to assess the national schedule and make recommendations. Commander Booz appointed Craig Stanley as the chair of this committee and six to eight volunteers are needed to work on this committee. The assessment is to be presented to the board at the August 2018 meeting. Skirmish Line Editor, Chris Branch presented her report. She reported that we had four issues in 2017. She reviewed the skirmish line changes regarding the magazine and editor position. She stated that the editor is now responsible for invoicing, tracking and advertising. We have more articles coming from the regions and individuals. The challenges regarding the position are the amount of time it takes to do the job each year. Mrs. Branch recommended to the board to hire a full time editor so that the magazine can not only begin supporting itself, but also become a source of income through advertising and increased circulation. She recommended increasing the magazine to four regular quarterly issues with standing articles and two special national issues. She requested an increase in payment to the editor to $2,000 for all six issues. In addition, to purchase an Adobe Creative Suite subscription. Jim Baird reported that it cost $8,500.00 per issue plus postage, which is under $1,000.00. Commander Booz issued a directive that Mrs. Branch was to get quotes from other publishing companies. Charitable Giving Committee Chair, Wayne Jordan reported that this year was successful for fund raising with $20,152 in cash donations. His goal is create a culture of giving to the N-SSA. There are two categories of giving, one being the annual donations and second is estate planning. There are a number of things the board can help with such as the Young Skirmisher Award. Over time, possible larger fund raising projects. He did point out that the donate button on the web page does not work properly. This item was addressed and will be fixed. He requested that he be able to 34
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coordinate with Doc’s store so that members could donate there through credit cards. After discussion, it was determined to be impractical. He noted that the leaders in the room should be donating to set the pace. Commander Booz thanked Wayne for his efforts and the work that has been put into this. Lars Anderson covered some of the new tax laws that cover tax deductions and for many the donations will not be deductible under the new laws. Wayne requested a budget of $4,000.00 for 2018. This will be considered during the budgetary items. Jim Rogers moved to approve the charitable giving budget with necessary changes to balance the budget. Motion approved. National Statistics Officer, Matthew Bennett spoke on the staffing for the nationals. He reported that the office is running fine but more people are needed in the stat house to work the nationals. He is asking the regions for volunteers to work yearly in the data input area. Workers are getting out at a regular time and not having to do the work at night. Commander Booz stated that the statistics office is doing a very good job. Starting in the spring of 2017, the BB (youth individuals) targets will be included in the roll of individual targets at registration. Marketing Committee, Chris DeFrancisci discussed the two different operating systems that we have for the website. We have the website itself and the bulletin board. They are hosted in two different places and are two different operations. Unfortunately, the person that has volunteered for the website, has resigned. The bulletin board is hosted on equipment that the N-SSA has no jurisdiction over. RFP’s were sent out and we have had no responses to them. He did the research and found two companies that could do the work. We would need to move the bulletin board system that we have control over like the website. It should be a seamless move. Chris reviewed each company and he recommends Mackmedia Website Solutions. Commander Booz thanked Chris for all the work he has done on this project. Davy Crockett moved to accept Mackmedia Website Solutions for our website with a budget of $2,040.00. Davy Crockett amended the motion to accept Mackmedia Website Solutions with a budget of $2,500.00. Motion approved. Charles Kindle presented the proposed new national award for the highest 50-yard musket score trophy sponsored by the Northwest region in memory of Ben Betterley. Wayne Shaw moved to approve the Ben Betterley Award. The motion was approved. This award will be presented starting at the spring 2017 nationals. Paul Morgigno presented the report from Doc’s Place Store. He covered the staffing this past nationals which was extremely low. Doc’s Place has over 4,000 inventoried items with a retail value of over $27,000.00. We average $7,000.00 to $8,000 of sales every National. The store generates thousands of dollars to benefit the organization every National Skirmish. The optimum sales staff is four. The store personnel currently consist of skirmishers and other volunteers and sutler’s do not staff the store. The store raises funds and provides goods to the membership. Please see how we as an organization can rally to take ownership of this store and support each other by volunteering to work in the store. One hour or more would be a tremendous help. The board acknowledged the following reports as being received: Public Information Officer, Small Arms, Sutler, Costume Committee, History and Education and Youth Coordinator. Northeast Region Commander, Ron Barvian questioned the decision by the board members, to allow a team to shoot even though they did not sign in at the membership meeting. He raised the question, that if we are going to allow this, should we take it out of the rules. Commander Booz commented that after reviewing the sign-in sheets, that someone on the team had actually signed in at the membership meeting and if this rule needs to be reevaluated, it would need to be submitted for the August 2018 meeting for discussion. Marketing Committee Chair Melinda Shaw and Chris DeFrancisci presented their report regarding Marketing and Recruiting. They reported that 2017 was not a great year for anyone that was/is interested in the Civil War and we took a hit. We have slowed the attrition down based on the statistical reports. We are getting more press and visibility in the Civil War community. Melinda explained the pay per click to the website. From August 1st through November 1st, 270,520 people viewed the Google Advertising add and 1,990 actually clicked on the add. The highest percentage of clicks comes from people that are already searching for the N-SSA. The challenge is how we attract those searching for other factors. The N-SSA page is our business page is and is open to the public. We need information to be submitted as well. This page targets prospective members and/or visitors. We need volunteers to submit pictures and videos from around all regions. It will be vital to have the Skirmish Line on the website for people to view which will promote the association. We also send out a quarterly newsletter with over 350 subscribers. Chris reported that the webpage had been reformatted with some page consolidation improving our visitor’s experience. There was an increased focus placed on essential pages. The menu format was improved. Our print media has been our most successful venue. We have found that when the publications go with our ads, we get more hits on the website. We are featuring articles in Civil War News, Civil War Times, The Artilleryman, Civil War Monitor, Confederate Veteran and The Banner. Through our ads, we have reached over 100,800 people. These key Civil War publications reach potential skirmishers who already have a strong interest in the Civil War. Marketing and Recruiting in 2018 Melinda discussed establishing regional Social Media Ambassadors and the need for more volunteers and regional participation. Kernstown Battlefield has offered us space for a display. We need to consider making this arrangement at other battlefields as well. Upcoming recruiting shows Great American Outdoor Show – Feb 3-11, 2018 Baltimore Gun Show – Baltimore, MD March 17 & 18, 2018 NRA Show – Dallas, Texas May 4-6, 2018 Gettysburg Reenactment July 5-8, 2018 Virginia Outdoor Show – Richmond, Va. August 10-12, 2018 Chris stated that with the financial situation, the marketing committee would be happy to request the same budget as last year ($12,445) instead of the submitted 2018 budget request of $15,010.00. Paul Morgigno moved to approve the marketing/recruiting committee to give away up to five free individual memberships per show. Mike Davenport amended the motion to read to approve the marketing/recruiting committee to give away up to Skirmish Line
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five free individual memberships per show at the discretion of the coordinator. Amended motion approved. Bobby Hannula moved to approve the marketing budget as presented. Bobby Hannula moved to amend the motion to approve the marketing/recruiting budget as presented with necessary adjustments to balance the budget. Amended motion approved. The Board of Directors took the following actions during executive session: Central Virginia Region Commander, Bobby Hannula will make an effort to arrange a meeting between competitor 09761V, competitor 12746 and other persons involved. Mr. Hannula will monitor the meeting should it take place and both parties will have to reach a satisfactory conclusion. Mr. Hannula will report to the Board at the May meeting. Non-Violent felons who are covered by the Virginia law and have legal documentation from the court system allowing them to possess antique firearms may apply for admittance to a team. They must provide a copy of the legal documentation to be kept on file with the N-SSA. The DSA Awards were approved as presented. The Certificates of Appreciations and the 50-year awards were approved as presented Personnel Review Committee – Recommendations were approved. The motion was passed that the association will continue with four issues per year of the Skirmish Line and the Editor’s salary will remain the same. Bobby Hannula made the motion to allow the 5th Virginia to use the N-SSA logo as presented in the sample for use on team apparel. Melinda Shaw amended the motion by adding following trademark policy. Amended motion passed. *Per Policy: 2012.3 Permission for businesses and other organizations to use the N-SSA’s corporate and sesquicentennial logos may be granted only by the Board of Directors or its appointed designee. Rules & By-Law proposals submitted by John Robey, Rules Officer. Mike Davenport moved to amend rule 12.1 (13 and 14) to make Smoothbore Pistol individual matches from 25 and 50 yards to 12.5 and 25 yards. Motion passed.
Ron Barvian moved to amend target quantities for official events in rule 8.4.2 from the present numbers to three per competitor for pigeon boards, two per competitor for 50-yard hanging events, and one per competitor plus two more at 100 yards. The motion was tabled until August of 2018 for rewrite and clarification. Mike Davenport moved to add a rule 12.2(l) to create a Seven-Gun Aggregate, which would be the aggregate of matches 1 through 14 (See Section 12.1). The motion was amended to accept and to implement in the spring of 2019. Amended motion approved. Paul Morgigno moved to amend Article II, Section 5 of the N-SSA Bylaws to read as follows: All members in good standing of member or probationary member organizations in good standing shall be deemed to be members of the Association. These individuals must be fourteen years of age or older, and must not be members of any organization having as its sole purpose or one of its purposes the overthrow by force or violence the government of the United States or any of its political subdivisions. No member of a member organization can have been convicted of any crime prohibiting his/her possession of antique firearms or be subject to any other legal disability prohibiting the same. Motion approved. *The by-laws proposed change will be voted on by the membership during the Spring Nationals 2018 membership meeting. Ed Thompson moved to amend rule 37.20.1 to create a time window for lead picking after each skirmish at Fort Shenandoah. Motion approved Note: Changes in italics 37.20.1 LEAD PICKING a. Upon being fired, all firearm projectiles, excluding cannon and mortar, become the property of the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. The Board of Directors will establish rules and/or policies to govern lead removal. [Changed to include both Ranges] b. Members are permitted to pick lead for their own personal use or for distribution directly to members. Family members and guests may assist member pickers. [Unchanged] c. Lead cannot be removed for distribution outside of the N-SSA EXCEPT by the N-SSA or its assignees. [This is a change only to place in a more logical order. This was formerly (d). No change in wording.] d. The use of the range for skirmishes and practice shall take precedence over lead picking at all times, except as set forth in (f). [Change-part came from (c) ] e. Lead pickers must raise a yellow flag from the Range flagpole to indicate they are down range. When down range, pickers should frequently scan the firing line to determine if shooters have arrived for practice. When the bell rings signaling that shooters are going to use the range, pickers must immediately leave the impact area and return to the area behind the firing line. [Change in wording for better clarification] f. Immediately following the completion of a skirmish at Fort Shenandoah, lead pickers will have priority to dig for lead for a two-hour period. An announcement from the main tower will open the range to pickers and start this time period. Pickers must raise a yellow 36
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flag from the range flagpole to indicate they are down range. At the conclusion of the two-hour period, the range will re-open for shooting. When the bell rings signaling that shooters are going to use the range, pickers must immediately leave the impact area and return to the area behind the firing line. [Change-formerly (c); Rule Change] MOTION to amend rule 26.4.1(c) to add the option of metric units to the process of breaking ties in individual matches. Motion died for a lack of a motion or second. Note: 28.4 Ties, 28.4.1 a, b, c Individual matches, hand and shoulder arms are mute with lack of motion for 26.4.1(c). Jim Baird returned to the proposed 2018 budget. After a review by the Board of the budgetary requests, possible expenditures, possible income and with adjustments, Davy Crockett moved to approve the 2018 budget with adjustments. The 2018-balanced budget was approved with adjustments. Lars Anderson announced that the necessary paperwork would be started through the Department of Motor Vehicles to have the abandoned recreational vehicle in area two removed.
Final comments by board members: Rogers Gray updated the Board on the water coolers for the range. Water coolers are now available for the range. Mike Davenport thanked the Board for allowing him to speak. Judy Stoneburner stated that it was a good meeting. Jim Baird stated that he would be working with Wayne Jordan on the finance collecting and letters of receipt for donations for the Charitable Giving program. In addition, we will be looking at the Friday night dinner for the August board meeting. Paul Morgigno donated several books to Doc’s Place to sell. Yancey Von Yeast thanked Carol White and Becky Lauck for the work they did in the hospitality center and that it was most appreciated. John Gaskill thanked the members for allowing him to be a part of the meeting. Dave Booz thanked everyone for their efforts, patience and decision-making. As leaders of the N-SSA, it is on all of our shoulders to care, to think, question and lead. I appreciate all of you. Upon motion by Davy Crockett, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judy O. Stoneburner, Executive Secretary
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TOP GUN – MUSKET By: Wayne Jordan At the 136th Nationals in Fall of 2017, Eddie Schneeman of the 8th Regiment Virginia Infantry placed first among all skirmishers in the individual musket competition with an Aggregate score of 189 3x, comprised of 94 2x at 50 yards, and 95 1x at 100 yards. Eddie is a second generation skirmisher with a long record of excellent shooting. He has won the Individual Musket events at past Nationals, and has competed with the US International Muzzleloading Team. He won first place in both 2006 (held in Bordeaux, France) and 2016 (held in Sarlospuszta, Hungary) in the 100 meter offhand musket matches. He shoots a wide variety of weapons, and also won the Grand Aggregate in the 135th Nationals last spring. The entire Schneeman family skirmishes including wife Deana, daughters Jessica and Samantha, and son Cody. They live in Boyce, VA not too far from Fort Shenandoah, and near the spot where Col. John S. Mosby made an aborted attempt to surrender his command at the end of the War of Northern Aggression. Eddie is a professional ceramic tile installer and has many other hobbies including building and flying RC airplanes, and making knives. I interviewed Eddie to learn how he has become such a strong competitor, and to share this information with other skirmishers to use as they see fit. WJ – Eddie, can you tell us how you got started in the shooting sports and became so proficient with a musket? EDDIE - I joined the N-SSA in 1978 at the age of 15.My father, Lenny Schneeman, had already been shooting for several years. Since I joined, I’ve been a member of the 49th Virginia and the 7th Virginia before helping to start the 8th Virginia about 20 years ago. I started shooting a .22 in the NRA Junior League with the Izaak Walton Rangers when I was eight years old and in second grade. I was fortunate to have a very good coach who got me started with good habits. My sister, Debbie, and I competed together in monthly matches at the NRA building in Washington, DC when we were kids and I earned a Distinguished Expert designation in small bore at age 12.I continued shooting as an Expert in the Boy Scouts. As a student at Wakefield High in Arlington, VA, I continued shooting .22 at the Washington and Lee High school range and other ranges. WJ – Tell us about the musket and ammunition that you use and why you like it. EDDIE – I am shooting an original Remington Zouave 2 band musket with a .577 Whitacre barrel and peep sights. I like a two band because I can load it faster. On a windy day it will also be easier to hold steady. I prefer the peep sights because it greatly reduces the need to think about the rear sight. I find that I will naturally tend to put the front sight in the center of the rear peep, and that allows me to focus more on the front sight and target. Especially as my eyes age I find that this is the easiest way to focus on the things that matter. The peep sight is not right for everyone, and it can be hard to see through on darker days, but It works for me. I’ve used this gun for about 25 years. I load it with 45 grains of Goex 3f powder. I am using an Austrian style .575 caliber Wilkinson compression bullet made by Greag Eddington, lubed with 2 parts Crisco and 1 part beeswax. I dip this bullet in past the start of the ogive in hot lube, but do not let it fill the 38
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compression ring. Unlike a Minie ball, this bullet has no cavity at the bottom. Its profile reminds me of a Christmas tree in shape. The bullet will expand when fired and grab the rifling. I discovered this bullet by accident when Jim Brake offered me some of his bullets to try out years ago and I’ve stuck with them ever since. This load works well in my rifle, but not necessarily in others. I also have a Jaeger musket that I have used in many matches and I like very much. The Jaeger is the shortest barreled musket allowed in N-SSA matches as it is only slightly longer than a carbine barrel. My kids, on the other hand, use a 310 grain Rapine Minie ball with the same 45 grain powder load. It is a light bullet that is highly accurate, although it is more susceptible to drift on a windy day at 100 yards.
WJ – When you’re on the firing line, describe how you shoot and what you’re thinking? EDDIE – First, when I get to the line I find my shooting stance by closing my eyes with my rifle at my shoulder, and then I swing right and swing left until I find the spot where I feel comfortable and then open my eyes. I then adjust my feet so that I am aligned with the target. Breath control is also important. Before each shot I take a deep breath, let it all out, then a normal breath, let out half, and hold for the shot. I like to raise my musket sights up to the target. As I raise it I can see the target at the same time and adjust the left to right as I need to. As the front sight nears the target I slow my motion. Meanwhile, I am slowly adding pressure to my trigger and just as I am centering the front sight on the target the pressure reaches the point of firing. My best shots happen when I am surprised by the release. I slowly press the trigger as I’m centering on the target, but release pressure if I stray off target. Don't hold on a target for too long. You’ll know if you need to take the gun down, relax and start over. A good follow through also helps. Too many people are rushing to shoot and raise their head as they are pulling the trigger, or start to lower the gun to reload as the bullet is still coming out of the barrel. The extra second of proper follow through is worth the time it takes. As for holding the rifle, I only use my right hand to pull it tight to my shoulder. I shoot with my left arm fully extended and use it to point the front sight at the target. This stance does not work for everyone, but I got comfortable shooting this way many years ago and it works for me. And I try to stay as relaxed as possible. I’ve also tried using a Merit eye piece and it helps me a lot with revolver shooting, but it can slow me down in a team match. For musket shooting I use a very low powered reading lens which is just right for my eyes to focus on the front sight. Mental discipline is a must. Don't think of medals or anything else. Don't start scoring your target or thinking about winning when your first shots are good. Clear everything out of your mind except the basics of shooting – sight alignment, breath control, and trigger control. WJ – Do you practice much? EDDIE – Besides shooting at 15 or more skirmishes in a typical year, I sometimes utilize the Fort Shenandoah range to practice. I practice as often as possible. But you don’t need to have access to a firing range to get in some good practice. I'll go into my backyard with an air rifle which I find I can get excellent practice with handling the trigger pull. A good heavy air rifle with sights as similar to those on your musket as you can find makes for a great practice gun. I also find that shooting a .22 is good for practice. The principles that good shooters follow and try to master are the same for all long guns.
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WJ – Do you have any final advice for other skirmishers? EDDIE – Use discretion when listening to people who want to tell you how to shoot. The best advice I got was to listen to the people who are actually winning. Steve Light of the Washington Blue Rifles has put together a book on shooting that is an excellent resource. I can tell you what has worked for me, but each shooter will find that there are certain aspects of shooting that he/she must tailor to fit their own needs and style. Many of the principles that I use should hold true for all other shooters, though. Make sure you’ve got good equipment, good lead, and then practice, practice, practice. Your musket does not have to be expensive, but it needs to be properly tuned up for shooting. I've seen too many people go to the line with a trigger pull that has slowly increased over time and may be at 7 or 8 pounds. I've seen people with loose sights sliding from side to side. The nipple needs to be screwed in tight and replaced when it burns out. Nipples don’t last forever. The musket needs to be properly cleaned if it is going to stay in good and consistent shooting condition. And be careful of your lead purity. A number of years ago I had a problem with my shots flying wide and eventually figured out that my lead was not as soft as I thought it was. Now I am very careful about where I get it from. TOP GUN is a new series beginning with this issue of The Skirmish Line. After each National skirmish, I will interview the highest scoring musket shooter in an effort to share information with our readers about how this person became such a great shooter. The hope is that these top shooters will offer some advice that members can factor in as they strive to be better shooters themselves.
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Email: nancyc@stny.rr.com Mailing address: Nancy Crockett, 918 W. Lockhart St., Sayre, Pa. 18840
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The Unsung Skirmisher By: Wayne Jordan “Mike is simply one of the most helpful and supportive skirmishers I have ever known”, says former National Commander, Phil Spaugy, about Mike Rouch. A long time skirmisher with the 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Mike is known for being ready and willing to share his knowledge all of things related to skirmishing and to help out any skirmisher in need. Within the Northwest Region, Mike is often referred to as the “Regional Armorer” in recognition of his expertise in fixing guns and his willingness to do so at the drop of a hat. “They really don’t make many like Mike - some have a lot of compassion, some have a lot of generosity, some have a lot of drive, some have a lot of skill, but very, very few have all those qualities in the same measure as Mike Rouch”, says teammate Jim Barber. He quickly followed that with, “Mike will probably raise hell with us for saying these nice things about him.”
Unsung Skirmisher, Mike Rouch
Mike Rouch started skirmishing 27 years ago. The following year he brought his son, Joe, to the N-SSA and by 2006, he had his grandson, Michael, also shooting on the team. But Mike doesn’t only recruit for his team. He has been involved in many efforts to introduce people to the N-SSA, from sitting at a recruiting table at various events to keeping an eye out for prospects wherever he goes. According to his wife, Brenda, “If someone is interested, he will help get them to a team that is close to them or a team that is in need of members and do whatever he can to help them get started.” Mike’s most valuable skill seems to be his ability to work on guns. "Mike is a very talented machinist, has an excellent background on Civil War arms, and was one of the ‘quickest studies’ I’ve dealt with.” says John Holland of the Small Arms Committee. "Mike has a machinist background which causes him to think in precise terms. "John has also found that Mike keeps his team’s firearms “up to the finest standards of competitive readiness. "But you don’t need to be on his team to receive his help. Grandson Michael says that his Grandpa is answering calls day and night from shooters needing guidance or repairs. "These shooters are often from other teams, states, or regions.” Michael says. "At any skirmish you’ll find his truck loaded by Sunday afternoon with multiple guns to take home and make adjustments to locks, sights, etc. for other skirmishers. He gives any shooter in need, regardless of experience level, the help they need to enjoy this sport, and I think the N-SSA is a better place because of it. He has never met a stranger. "Teammate Jim Cox adds that Mike’s advice is always being sought, and that Mike always stands ready to help a skirmisher in need. Mike puts a lot of time into working with people and their guns. What makes it worthwhile? Eric Schuessler, regional commander, says, “I just think he likes to get involved with a sport he really enjoys. He gets satisfaction out of helping other shooters with anything from repairs to bullets, cleaning and lube issues. "Brenda adds, “Mike has helped many shooters to shoot better and not lose interest. He'll help them figure out what problem they are having or bad habit they have fallen into and how to fix it. Then he’ll invite them to our house to shoot and see how else he can help them. He draws great pleasure from seeing someone’s shooting improve, seeing them look forward to shooting again, and knowing he was a part of that.” Apparently, Mike knows what he’s doing with the guns. He has been on numerous National Champion A-1 teams including Musket (21 times), Carbine (5 times), Smoothbore (5 times), and Breechloader (2 times). His workshop is running out of space to display the Skirmish Line covers from all those musket team wins. He's also won the Senior Skirmisher Award a couple of times. He personally shoots a Mississippi Rifle, Smith Carbine, H & P Smoothbore, Ballard Rifle, and Remington Revolver. Mike is a valued member of the Small Arms Committee, a small arms inspector, and First Sergeant and Stats officer for his team. He has been a Regional Skirmish Director and National Match Officer, and volunteers his help for a wide variety of duties as needed. 42
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What else does Mike Rouch do for fun? According to grandson Michael, that includes making any sort of gun parts that he has trouble getting from other channels. He also points out that Mike assisted Brenda in running her sutler shop at Nationals for many years. He is a member in various other black powder shooting organizations that keep him involved year round. Others tell me that Mike likes camping, woodworking, and even playing guitar (used to be in a band), and was once a committed softball player. He is also a proud Navy veteran who served on a destroyer. Phil Spaugy sums things up by saying, “Mike is an all around good man. I am happy to call him my friend. "And I get the impression that there are many skirmishers who agree with Phil on that. This is a regular feature for the Skirmish Line. I will need the help of the membership to make it work. In each edition of the Skirmish Line I would like to highlight at least one of our members who has done something special for the rest of us. This could encompass a wide variety of actions, but the common thread will be that this person (or persons) has made a special effort to do something above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of the N-SSA and its members. It can be large or small. I need our members to be on the lookout for such an individual and his/her good deeds and send me the information about the person and what he/she did. If possible send me a photograph as well. It could even be a pair of people or a group of people. And it will be published here. Now, who can nominate someone else for our next issue? Do you know someone who has given selflessly of their time for the benefit of others? Contact me at wvjordan@aol.com, or call me at 703-407-2445.
REGIONAL NEWS - Tidewater Tidewater Region
Cure for Cancer Skirmish October 19-21, 2018 Capron, VA The Tidewater Region cancer fundraising project once again exceeded expectations for the year. This fundraising project began in 2009 and since that time, $55,000 has been donated towards cancer research. In 2017, the Tidewater Region raised over $11,500 through the One-Shot for Cancer event held at each of the region’s skirmishes, the generous donations of individuals and teams, and the annual cancer skirmish. The funds raised in 2017 will be distributed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Sloan Kettering Cancer Research, Huntsman Institute, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research. All of the donations will be made in loving memory of James E. Steger of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry (10-TW). The 2018 Cancer Skirmish is scheduled for October 19-21, 2018 in Capron, Virginia. The Tidewater Region welcomes any N-SSA team or N-SSA member to participate. For more information on how you or your team can support or participate in this worthwhile project, contact Judy Stoneburner at execsecretary@n-ssa.net. Judy O. Stoneburner Region, PIO Skirmish Line
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REGIONAL NEWS - Deep South
Deep South Region Deep South February 16-18, 2018 Skirmish Results After lunch began the team competitions. First up was the Carbine match. There were 5 teams on the line, including the Forrest Escort, 20th Georgia, 44th Georgia, 3rd Georgia, and the 14th Mississippi. After 5 courses of fire, the 3rd Georgia took top honors with first place, followed by the Forrest Escort in second, and finally the 20th Georgia in 3rd.
By: Steve Sheldon
The weather beat the forecast for the first skirmish of the year for the Deep South Region. While rain had been predicted for most of the weekend, when it came down to brass tacks the rain completely dodged all of the skirmish activities the entire weekend! Temperatures were mild, ranging from the 40s to the high 60s.Spring is probably Next up was the Smoothbore competition. Again there were close at hand! Coats were seen Sunday morning, and that is 5 teams competing, and when the smoke cleared for the day once again the 3rd Georgia emerged victorious with 1st probably the last we will see of them for the year. place, with the Forrest Escort taking second, and the 14th The 4th Louisiana Delta Rifles were hosting this year with Mississippi taking 3rd. their new commander, Steve Sheldon, at the helm. Their previous commander, Bob Kelley, had held the post since 1985, closing 32 years of service to the N-SSA as team captain. The skirmish was held at the usual Deep South haunt, Brierfield Ironworks State Park. Things got started Friday just after lunch with 7 eager folks getting started on their individual targets. Saturday morning was supposed to start off with another rendition of the “Can't Miss 'Em� revolver match, with all targets shot at only 15 yards, but sadly only two teams were mustered at 7:30 in the morning. After consulting with the teams, it was decided to abandon the match and move straight to individuals. Throughout the day the running joke from either team was that the other team chickened out!
Saturday night the Delta Rifles hosted their traditional evening feast. Bob Kelley's 20-hour smoked Boston butts were a hit as usual, and there were countless other dishes on hand so that everyone was stuffed to the gills! A presentation was made of a plaque commemorating Bob Kelley's 32 years as commander of the Delta Rifles.
Sunday morning began with the opening ceremonies, and then the silence was broken with the thunder of the Deep South's muskets as the Musket competition began. When it was all said and done, the 3rd Georgia made a clean sweep Our hard-working kitchen crew, comprised of Tara Sheldon of the team competitions by earning another first place, and Tracy Stevens, kept the concession stand going all day followed by the Forrest Escort in second, and finally the 44th Saturday and Sunday morning. There were sausage biscuits Georgia taking third. and sausage and egg and cheese croissants for breakfast, All of the teams pitched in to get the field cleaned up quickly, and hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch, with all the fixings. and then the awards ceremony was held to hand out the And of course you could wet your whistle with a nice cold medals to the victorious individual and team shooters. Everyone managed to scurry out of the park before the rains drink! came in.
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REGIONAL NEWS - Deep South Team Event Results Smoothbore st 1 3rd Georgia 2nd Forrest Escort rd 3 14th Mississippi
Carbine 3rd Georgia Forrest Escort 20th Georgia
Individual Event Results Revolver 25 Yard 1st Charlie Bondurant nd 2
Musket 3rd Georgia Forrest Escort 44th Georgia
50 Yard Charlie Bondurant
40
Aggregate Charlie Bondurant
35
75
3rd Smoothbore 1st 2nd 3rd
25 Yard Charlie Bondurant Tom Penney Larry Kershner
Carbine 1st 2nd 3rd
50 Yard Charlie Bondurant John Hamilton Hoot Gibson
47 43 42
Musket 1st 2nd 3rd
50 Yard Charlie Bondurant Chuck Kindle Larry Kershner
43 42 41
48XXX 48XX 45X
50 Yard Charlie Bondurant Jim Koch Larry Kershner
100 Yard Charlie Bondurant Tom Penney
47XX 43
100 Yard Charlie Bondurant Eddie Lawley Jim Koch
45 41 41
46X 44XX 42
Aggregate Charlie Bondurant Tom Penney Larry Kershner
Aggregate Charlie Bondurant Tom Penney Kathy Kindle
94XX 82 41
Aggregate Charlie Bondurant Jim Koch Eddie Lawley
88 82 81
94XXX 90XX 87X
Musket /Carbine Agg 1st
Charlie Bondurant
182XX
2nd
Chuck Kindle
82X
3rd
Kathy Kindle
82
Breechloader 1st 2nd 3rd
50 Yard Tom Penney Charlie Bondurant Eddie Lawley
44 43X
100 Yard Tom Penney Eddie Lawley
40
Charlie Bondurant
43 42
Aggregate Tom Penney Charlie Bondurant
87 85
42
Eddie Lawley
82
Grand Agg
Skirmish Line
1st
Charlie Bondurant
258XX
2nd
Jim Koch
82
3rd
Larry Kershner
79 Winter 2018
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REGIONAL NEWS - Deep South
Deep South Region Deep South March 16-18, 2018 Skirmish Results By: Steve Sheldon
The 20th Georgia Volunteer Infantry hosted March's skirmish at the usual Deep South skirmish site, Brierfield Ironworks State Park. While the weather Friday morning was bright and clear, by the time shooting got underway after lunch the clouds had rolled in and a light rain fell on the early-birds who came out for shooting Individuals. Shooting continued in spite of the rain until everyone had their fill for the day. Saturday morning started off with a special Revolver match held at 15 yards. Four 3-man teams hammered away with their wheel guns. At the end of it all the Forrest Escort took first, the 3rd Georgia took second, and the 44th Georgia took third. After the revolver match was finished, individual shooting resumed and continued under a misty rainfall until lunch time. The 20th Georgia cooks were busy at work with bratwurst and other goodies available at the concession stand. The rain tapered off, but mostly cloudy skies prevailed for the rest of the day as team competitions got underway. First off was the Smoothbore match. Six teams took the field, with Forrest Escort fielding both an A and a B team, and the 4th Louisiana, 3rd Georgia, 14th Mississippi, and the 44th Georgia also fielding a team. In the end the Forrest Escort took first, the 44th Georgia took second, and the 14th Mississippi took 3rd. The Smoothbore action was followed by the Carbine match. Five teams took the field, and when the smoke cleared the Forrest Escort again came out on top, followed by the 3rd Georgia, and the 4th Louisiana taking 3rd. Sunday morning started off still and overcast with Opening Ceremonies, and then the Musket match began. Six teams again took the field, with the Forrest Escort again fielding an A and B team, followed by the rest of the usual suspects. The skirmish came to an end with Forrest Escort again on top, followed by the 3rd Georgia, and finally with the 4th Louisiana taking 3rd.
The next Deep South Region skirmish will be held at Brierfield Ironworks State Park, April 27th through the 29th, hosted by the 14th Mississippi Infantry Regiment.
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Winter 2018
Skirmish Line
REGIONAL NEWS - Deep South Team Event Results Smoothbore
Carbine
Musket
1st
Forrest Escort
Forrest Escort
Forrest Escort
2nd
44th Georgia
3rd Georgia
3rd Georgia
3rd
14th Mississippi
4th Louisiana
4th Louisiana
Individual Event Results Revolver
25 Yard
Aggregate
1st
Lannie Harrison
45X
Charlie Bondurant
35
Charlie Bondurant
76
2nd
Charlie Bondurant
41
Lannie Harrison
30
Lannie Harrison
75X
3rd
Josh Sasser
39
Josh Sasser
20
Josh Sasser
59
Smoothbore 1st 2nd 3rd
25 Yard Charlie Bondurant P.A. Laake Lannie Harrison
Carbine
50 Yard
47X 47 46X
50 Yard P.A. Laake Rod Harbin Larry Kershner
46X 45 44
100 Yard
Aggregate P.A. Laake Charlie Bondurant Lannie Harrison
93X 89XX 87X
Aggregate
1st
Jim Koch
47
Steve Sheldon
45
Steve Sheldon
90X
2nd
Steve Sheldon
45X
Lannie Harrison
42X
P.A. Laake
85X
3rd
John Hamilton
44
Charlie Bondurant
42
Lannie Harrison
84X
Musket
50 Yard
100 Yard
Aggregate
1st
Steve Sheldon
47XX
P.A. Laake
46X
P.A. Laake
91XXX
2nd
Lannie Harrison
47X
Lannie Harrison
44X
Lannie Harrison
91XX
3rd
P.A. Laake
45
Charlie Bondurant
43X
Steve Sheldon
90XX
Musket /Carbine Agg 1st Steve Sheldon nd 2 P.A. Laake rd 3 Lannie Harrison
Grand Agg 1st 2nd 3rd
Skirmish Line
50 Yard
180XXX 176XXXX 175XXX
Lannie Harrison
337XXXXX
Steve Sheldon Charlie Bondurant
264XXXXX 259XXX
Winter 2018
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Winter 2018
Skirmish Line
THE MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION, INC.