Skirmishing - What is It?
North South Skirmish Association Founded in 1950
In 1949, a muzzle loading match was held at Berwyn Road and Gun Club in Maryland. Interested in what was going on the Norfolk Long Rifles wrote a letter and asked if a friendly match could be arranged. The match was agreed upon and it was decided to be held in the Spring of 1950. On a drizzly Sunday in May, the Berwyn Bluebellies and the Norfolk Gray Backs gathered with a group of 100 spectators. The two teams dressed in uniforms of the period and marched onto the field. There on the field in front of them, were two groups of balloons, 15 each, set up on the 25-yard line. The second event of the day was made up of standard targets set up at 50 yards. Once the match was completed, a drill was performed with a manual of arms demonstration, followed by an awards presentation. This planted the seeds for the North-South Skirmish Association as we know it today.
Twice a year, dedicated black powder shooters travel to Winchester, Virginia to a place called Fort Shenandoah for our Spring & Fall Nationals. In addition to our two Nationals, there are regional skirmishes held at Fort Shenandoah as well as at local ranges within each region.
Fort Shenandoah is a place where, for the past 50 plus years, all types of shooters and their families have come together to see how good their marksmanship competition can be. Authenticity is prevalent in uniforms. Most skirmishes are family affairs with a wide variety of individuals participating, from retirees to factory workers to doctors and lawyers. But once in competition...everyone is the same...trying to see who has the best shooting capabilities. "Sutlers" provide much needed supplies for the skirmishers including muskets, carbines, pistols, parts, buckles, hats, and the list goes one. You can just about find anything you need on Sutler's Row at a National skirmish.
Some trial and error facts learned about skirmishing after the 1949 match was that minie balls cannot be made of just any lead. It has to be pure lead. It has been proven that tire weight lead creates interesting flight patterns when used. Lube has to be soft! Someone told the Berwyn team before their match to make lube out of melted dictaphone records and that didn't work out very well! Another lesson learned.
The loading procedure is to pull the bullet from the tube, pour the powder down the barrel, hold the bullet between the forefinger and thumb and place it in the muzzle, using the rammer to seat the bullet in the breach, careful to keep your fingers, hands and face from over the barrel in the event of a "cook-off", place a cap on the nipple, aim and fire! A good shooter can load, get off an accurate shot, and be ready to load again in twenty seconds or less.
Because of the nature of this type of sport, all skirmishers are extremely safety conscious and strict safety measures are followed by the North-South Skirmish Association and its members. No cartridges may be assembled on the range. Guns cannot be pre-loaded. Shooters have to "snap caps" ahead of each match to make sure their weapons are empty prior to loading and then "snap caps" again after the match to make sure the weapons are empty before retiring from the line. Normally a regular match would start with individual competitions on Friday afternoon, continuing until Saturday at noon. The individual matches also allow a skirmisher to verify his weapon is sighted in prior to the upcoming team competitions. Mid-day on Saturday usually begins the team competition for regional skirmishes which include revolver, carbine, smoothbore, repeaters, mortar and cannon. Sunday usually begins with formation on the line by all teams for Opening Ceremonies. After that has completed, teams go back to their perspective ready areas and prepare for the musket match to begin. The event usually ends with award presentation ceremonies.
Skirmishers, for the most part, are made up of individuals that enjoy competition, have a knowledge and appreciation for our history, love of country and are committed to honoring our ancestors who sacrificed and suffered in the American conflict known as the Civil War. Once you decide to become a skirmisher, it will become apparent that you are now part of something larger - an extended family with common interests and shared experiences that will stay with you for many years to come. The North South Skirmish Association is blessed to have skirmishers with 30, 40, 50 years and more experience and they are glad to assist newcomers joining our association.
Competitive shooting is a large portion of what we do - but it is by no means everything. We share campfires in the evenings with our extended families - catching up on parents, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We eat together, practice together, celebrate together and grive with the passing of fellow skirmishers. The Nationals represent the best of both worlds - competitive shooting and an extended family reunion. We always welcome new members and their families.
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