1st Regiment Illinois Light Artillery

De Gress’ Battery

March 2008

 

Next Meeting

Whitehall Court, Buffalo Grove, Ill

 

“All work and no play makes Old Abe a boring President.”

Feb 16 was the annual Battery H Lincoln Birthday Party. Thanks to all who showed up and brought food. Those that were unable to go missed out on some good food and conversation and “fill in the blank story.” A special thanks goes out to Bob Brown for the use of his home.

Top shooter awards went out to John M for musket and carbine, John T for Smoothbore, Bob for Revolver and overall best shooter Wayne. Congratulations all.

 

114th Illinois Warm Up Practice – Springfield Illinois.

Wayne was the only one who was planning on going but due to predicted cold temperatures he did not venture down there. The 114th have a reputation for fun shoots and this one most likely fell into the same mold as the others. Maybe next time we will be able to send some members to participate.

 

2008 Planned Schedule of Events

April 11th                     Membership Meeting

April 13th                     Kane County Gun show

April 19th                     Relic Show – Wheaton

April 26th – 27th          Sandy ford Skirmish sponsored by the 46th Illinois

May 9th                        Membership Meeting

May 16 –19th              Spring National Shooting competition Winchester VA

May 31st                      LaGrange Pet parade

June 6th                        Membership meeting

June 21-22                   Sandy ford Skirmish sponsored by Battery H

This year the Battery will be teaming up with the 2nd US Sharpshooters to host one of the best skirmishes in the Western Region. It will be held at the Sandy Ford Sportsman Club just north of Streator Illinois. In town there will be authentic encampments and other displays. At the range the Battery will be running team events as well as gatling gun demonstrations, Guests can also try out some of the small arms for a small fee.

July 4th                         Two Parades Location Pending

July 26 –27th              Long-Range Artillery Match, Grayling MI

Aug 8th                        Membership Meeting

Aug 9-10th                   NWT Shoot MI

Aug 16-17th                Springfield Skirmish sponsored by 114 h Illinois

Sept 5th                       Membership meeting

Sept 20 - 21                 Bristol Skirmish sponsored by 1st USSS

A combination N-SSA and ACWSA shoot held just over the boarder of Wisc at the Kenosha County Conservation Club.

Oct 2 –5th                   Fall National Shooting competition Winchester VA

Nov 7th                                    Membership Meeting

 

 

Sandy Ford Skirmish 1

The first official skirmish of 2008 will be held at the Sandy Ford Sportsman Club just north of Streator Illinois. The Battery has not yet received an official invite for this shoot and it has not been posted on the Western Region web page so no official details are available at this time. It is safe to assume that it will follow the usual pattern of events. Individual matches on Saturday morning will be followed by Carbine team, and Smoothbore team. There may be a breechloader team event also. Then on Sunday they will have the Musket team event.

 

If you are planning on going please let the commander know. Also let him know if you are going to shoot in any team events. We may be able to field 2 Carbine and 2 Smoothbore teams and a full Musket team. Hotels are available and car-pooling may be wise if possible.

 

April Kane County Gun show

The commander is looking for two or three people to work a display at the April 13th Kane County Gun Show. Like last time the doors open at 7:30 and you need to be there and set up by that time. The show runs until 1 PM. You are expected to be in uniform. Your job is to talk to people and see if you can find someone who might be interested in joining our unit or trying some of the weapons out. This show is two weeks before the Sandy Ford 1 shoot. They are of course invited to visit and see what it is we do. If you can work the table, please contact the commander.

 

April Relic Show in Wheaton

The semi-annual Zurko relic show is being held on April 19 at the county fairgrounds in Wheaton. The Battery offered to bring out our mortar and Richard’s Gatling Gun for free admission and free chance to try to recruit new members. They called and offered to pay for the gas and tolls if we brought our cannon down instead. This sounds like a good deal but we are very limited to people who own a vehicle that is able to pull the cannon. If you have any suggestions or feel you can pull the cannon down to the show please let the commander know. This show in normally well attended and we have snared a few new members there. Please mark that Saturday on your calendars and make plans to attend. More information to follow as it develops.

 

Sandy Ford 2

Dan Davis and our commander have been working on the details of the 5th Annual Matuszek Memorial Skirmish. This year the skirmish is going to be held in junction with a “Civil War Days” in the town of Streator. As of this time, Dan has secured $300 to help pay for the Range fee, cost of medals and targeting. The Battery will be running the shoot as in the past. And thus we will be getting the majority of the profits from the skirmish. There are some new changes and a cheap dinner available. The commander will keep you informed of the details as he gets them. In the mean time, please save clear 2-liter soda bottles. These will be needed for the Gatling Gun demonstrations. Also if you drink coke products in 24 oz bottles please save those also. Caps will also be needed.

 

Spring Nationals  - May

Six members have said that they will be going to Fort Shenandoah this May. The Battery will be registering a revolver team, a smoothbore team, a carbine team, a musket team, and 2 mortar teams. If you are going and have not signed up for individuals and want to, please contact the commander or Dick K with your selections by March 20. John, Stan and John, are making plans to visit Arlington National Cemetery one day. Stan and John M may also do some more fancy home cooking over the fire. Remember the weather can be slightly unpredictable so make sure you pack your shorts and your long underwear.

  

Parades Invites

The Battery has received invites from three cities to participate in parades. The first is the LaGrange Pet parade. This is a good event with a lot of people. It is being held on May 31 this year. The Battery may team up with the 2nd USSS again but will ask for more money. This is one parade that they look at how many people you have so please mark this down and try to attend.

 

The Brookfield Recreational Department has sent an invite again to join them in their July 4th Parade. Normally we end up participating in the Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect Parades due to their being more centered for the membership and willingness to pay the Battery more money.

 

Algonquin Founder’s Day Parade Committee has also sent the Battery an invite to participate in their parade. Unfortunately this parade normally falls on the same weekend as the long range shoot in Michigan. Dates will need to be checked and confirmed.

 

FOID Cards

Please check your Illinois Firearms Identification Card. It has been reported that the Illinois State Police are behind in notifying card holders of the need to renew their cards. It would be a shame to get into hot water because of someone else’s error. So check your cards expiration date.

 

For an updated Schedule of Events please check out our Web site.

http://users.adelphia.net/~spjezior/