March / April 2009

Next Meeting

To be Announced

Up Coming Events

With the warmer weather slowly improving it is time to start practicing and improving yourself. The 114^th Ill is offering the members of the Western Region a chance to do just that and have fun at the same time. They will be holding a warm-up skirmish on March 28 just outside of Springfield at the Lefthander’s Club. This is the same site as last year’s and this year’s skirmish. Individuals will register and be placed on a team. It is a good way to get to know your fellow skirmisher. At night will be a Chili Cook-off. For those on a tight budget, sleeping space is available in the club house but you have to act soon. Check out the Western Region Web site for more information. It is under the side bar heading “information” or “info”. As of now, Commander John is heading down and he will try to convince JT to go with him. Can you think of a better way to shake the winter off than by throwing lead down range?

Civil War Relic Show

The Battery has been ask again to bring their cannon and artillery display to the Wheaton Civil War Relic Show on April 18^th. Zerko, the people promoting this show, has offered anyone who shows up from the Battery free admission and money to help cover the cost of the gas in bringing the cannon. This will also be a good chance for some recruiting. So mark your calendars and let the Commander know if you will be able to make it. If you can, please plan on being there early to help unload the cannon and staying until the end to help put the cannon back on the trailer. Of course you are free to look and as always, if you can afford it, buy stuff. As normal, more information will follow as it is received.

First Official Western Region Skirmish

The 46^th Illinois will be hosting the first official Western Regional Skirmish of the 2009 season at Sandy Ford on April 25-26. So start making bullets and loading rounds. Team events should include Smoothbore, Carbine, and Musket. This year there is a new Individual Regional Championship. You obtain points by being the top 5 scores in musket, carbine and smoothbore. All the details about the shoot as in times and events have not been submitted but as soon as they are, you will be informed. Keep your eye on the Western Region Web site for details and updates.

119th Spring Nationals

Not normally one of the more popular shoots due to the tendency for it to rain (Editors note – what’s the problem with a little liquid sunshine?!?), this is the first of the two National competitions held near Winchester Virginia. This year they were asking for registration earlier than normal. This year only three Battery members have registered to participate in the individual competitions and will be representing the Battery in Revolver, Smoothbore and Mortar team competitions. Of course they will have to find volunteers or extra shooters to fill those teams but it should not be a major concern.

This is also the first major chance to purchase those little things one needs to start off the season. If you do need supplies, please contact JT or John M. Let them know what you are looking for. You can be sure that they would be willing to spend your money for you.

Lincoln’s 200th Birthday Party!

This year the Battery was able to hold this year’s Lincoln party at the home of Bob Brown. Thanks to all who were able to show up and bring a plate to share. There was ham, baked beans, chicken, and other good food items. It was more a laid back party and members discussed some the up-coming events and topics of interest. The Commander handed out the Golden Rubber Glove to Dick Koch for his working in keeping the Latrines of the 118th National clean and flowing. He was one of the 5 Battery members who were out there. They did have help from 4 other individuals, all to receive the coveted Golden Rubber Glove in the near future.

Western Regional Meeting. Feb 15, 2009

The Western Region held its Winter meeting at the Wheaton VFW Post 2164 Hall in Wheaton. They discussed the results of the National Board meeting and how they would affect the Western Region. They confirmed the dates of the official skirmishes and added one more to the schedule. A motion was made and passed to upgrade our website with Dave Altman of the 6th now volunteering as our Regional Web Master. It is hoped that the new Website will be the source for all the Western Region members to obtain information. The minutes of the WR Meeting are now posted on the web site. Also if you have any pictures or videos to share with the Region, you can now submit them for posting.

National Board Meeting.

Being that the Commander of the Battery is also the Commander of the Region gives us an insight or advanced knowledge of the happenings of the National organization. This year’s January Board Meeting was held in Reston, VA, not too far from Stan’s house. The meeting went from 8 AM to 5 PM with one hour for lunch. There were lengthy discussions on many topics. Some may be beneficial to the Battery while others will not. Some will have no bearing at all. Here are some of the highlights:

Musket Matches may go to only two relays on Sunday morning

Carbine Matches will now be 3 relays – one phase on Saturday

Breechloader Matches will be moved from Friday to Saturday before Carbine

Smoothbore will be fired in two Relays. More time for Mortar Team

Increase of both team and individual metals

New penalties for not wearing your Membership Badge on the firing line

Changes to the Saturday Night Barn Dance

These and other topics will be discussed in more details at the Regional meeting.

2009 Tentative Dates

It appears that most of the shoots have found a place on the 2009 calendar. These dates are subject to possible changes but most likely will not. Rumor has it that there may be one more Skirmish that may be added but it may be doubtful.

April 25-26 Sandy Ford Range - Streator, Illinois, hosted by 46th Illinois;

May 15 – 17 Spring Nationals, Winchester Virginia

June 27-28 Sandy Ford Range - Streator, Illinois, hosted by Battery H 1st Illinois Artillery and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters;

July 18 - 19 Bristol Range – 56th Virginia

August 15-16 Lefthanders Gun Club - Loami, Illinois, hosted by 114th Illinois

September 19-20 Bristol range - Bristol, Wisconsin, hosted by 1st U.S. Sharpshooters.

October 2-3 Fall Nationals, Winchester Virginia

Reminder:

In the past the battery paid the registration fee for all the team small arms matches. It was decided that this practice be postponed until further notice. This means that it will cost you more to participate in team matches. The more you shoot the more you pay. This hopefully will relieve some of the pressures to participate in parades through out the year. This will not eliminate the need for a parade. The income from parades will be used for artillery supplies, artillery registration fees, and the transportation to and from artillery events.

The Battery will again be co-sponsoring a Regional Skirmish with the 2nd USSS. This will be a much scaled back event than last year. Actually it should be just a normal skirmish. No displays, or gattling gun firing. This does not mean that the Battery cannot use some of its unique targeting.

Frank V Matuszek Memorial Skirmish

The 2nd US Sharpshooters have offered to help the battery run the 6th Annual FVM-MS at Sandy Ford. Combining our two teams will allow many of our own members to compete in the team matches. As mentioned before, this skirmish will be the basic skirmish and will include individual matches, the last Shooter Standing Match, Carbine and Smoothbore team match and then on Sunday the Musket team matches. The will be no displays or special shooting demonstrations. The 2nd USSS have offered breakfast at the club house. They are still looking for someone to run a lunch concession stand. The targeting will be basically the same and are looking for a volunteer to buy and drill 640 clay birds. A small work party will be scheduled to prepare the other targeting. Also plan on participating as skirmishers if you wish.

It happened in 1863

March 9th John Mosby enters Fairfax, VA with 27 men and capture Brig. Gen. Stoughton and 32 other soldiers.

March 29th Balloon reconnaissance reveal that the Confederates, instead of retreating from Fredericksburg, have improved their strength by bring in additional troops from Richmond.

April 7th Nine Federal Ironclads failed in an attack on Fort Sumpter

April 14th The USS “Queen of the West” which was captured earlier by the Confederates was sunk by the side-wheeler USS Calhoon.

April 16th Eleven transports and gunboats get past the Vicksburg Batteries to join General Grant at Hard Times, LA. A twelfth vessel was sunk without loss of life.

April 17th Col. Grierson starts for Memphis on a 600-mile 16 day raid described as “one of the most brilliant cavalry exploits of the war.”