Fellow Sharpshooters;

I was wondering if anybody among the USSS reenactor units has considered creating/hosting a 150th Anniversary of the USSS Camp of Instruction? Beginning in August, 1861 the Michigan (C) and New York (A) of the 1st USSS were raised and mustered into Federal service. They were instructed to assemble at Weehawken, NJ. It was there that they elected their officers and NCO's; and began basic training.

This is something totally off the top of my head; but here goes:

-The event to be held sometime in August to Sept.
-Event site to be able to accommodate 20-50 participants
-Within driving distance to attract midwest to east coast participants--(California Joe's would have to hop a train of fly).
-Possibly located close to historical USSS sites for day trips

The Goals of the event:
-Identify 150th Anny events where USSS will participate (local, regional National events)
-Look to combine groups to create a larger 'presence' at events.
-Identify potential USSS leaders/leadership positions for local, regional, National events
-Links to umbrella organizations to give USSS reenactors a greater 'voice' in event scenarios.

The Drill
Skirmish (by bugle)-basic and advanced evolutions
Company and battalion evolutions
Advanced small unit tactics for tacticals
Unit on unit practice tacticals
Safe firearms use

The Impressions
Basic uniform and kit guidelines for events
How to improve your kit workshops
Rifle care & repair
Field craft--how to camp like the original guys
Making cartridges

The Social
Meet with like minded comrades
Share experiences, knowledge
Begin to work/function as a section, squad, company, battalion

The Silly
Hiram Berdan and Caspar Trepp look-a-like contest?
Recreating humorous episodes from USSS history

What do you think??

Bill Skillman

A remarkably expanisve and promising idea. Be interesting to see it it gathers momentum.

_________________
Pvt. Jeremiah Boring
Company B, 1st USSS Regt.

Bill, we've been tossing around the idea here, we have one of the original testing locations nearby that we're hoping to get permission from the town/village to allow us to hold an event at. Once we get something hammered out, we'll post it up here, of course anyone on the east coast is more then welcome to join us.

Bill,

We could look into doing it at Old Bedford Village in Bedford, PA. We are currently using the site for our Co "C" Camp of Instruction every year.

_________________
David Rider
(Private/Webmaster)
U.S.S.S. Forum Owner
Company “C” 2nd Regt. U.S. Sharpshooters
http://www.berdansharpshooters.com

Would be interested. Always looking for way to improve the impression!

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Michael Larson
Minnesota