GAF Grand Muster assignments

[US Scout]

Yes, we are going to have a Grand Muster this year.

Thanks to all who have volunteered their services earlier to Bvt Col and Maj Matt Lewis.  Your help is essential in putting on another great Muster, especially without the guiding hand of Bvt Col and Maj Lewis.  the more hands we have working, the less work and lighter load it will be for everyone. 

Kayleen assures me that the range is reserved for us - so mostly all we need to do is get everything ready, set it up, and run it.

According to what I have compiled, the following personnel have volunteered to perform the following duties:

Registration                  Sgt Drydock
Awards                        Lone Gunman
Color Guard                  Sage Brush Burns
Encampment Judge      Dr Bob
Encampment Judge      Frenchie (OIC)
Encampment Judge      Dusty Tagalong
Prizes                         Kayleen
Record Keeping           Dusty Tagalong
Props/Stage setup      The Bristow Kid
Side Match                 Sage Brush Burns
Squad Leader             Dusty Tagalong
Squad Leader             River City John
Squad Leader             Shamrock
Stage writing             Rattlesnake Jack (1)
Stage writing             River City John (3)
Stage writing             US Scout (3)
Uniform Judge            US Scout (OIC)
Uniform Judge           Rattlesnake Jack
Uniform Judge           Sgt Drydock
Uniform Judge           Frenchie
Uniform Judge           Guns Garrett
Uniform Judge           Last Cigar

If you believe this is NOT what you were going to do, let me know.

We can still use some help for the following:
Side matches (designing and running)
Prizes
Stage writing (3-5)
Putting together the shooting packets
Putting together the shooter's book
Banquet coordinator
volunteers for the color guard
Administriative help to set up the squads

I'd like to organize some form of entertainment for the first evening.  Any suggestions or volunteers?

Some of these jobs can be done before the Muster, and others can wait until the Muster, so figure out what fits your talents and schedule best and let us know how you can assist. 

That said, don't stretch yourself too thin - I'd rather have you work on one or two jobs well, then try to do too many and not do any.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[US Scout]

Grand Muster Theme for 2007

As most of you know, we decided to follow a Civil War theme again. 

For our purposes, I would prefer that this means the Civil War in the West - the Trans-Mississippi West to be exact - and the immediate post-war period - say up to 1867. 

Nothing wrong with having a stage based on Gettysburg - but I would prefer that the majority of the stages be based on battles or skirmishes fought WEST of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

This theme would be more in keeping with the GAF mission, and not be a repeat of last year's Muster.

As usual, we can also have a stage or two written for a non-US battle or skirmish.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Mustang Gregg]

US Scout:

I sent you a PM on the 2007 Muster.

Mustang Gregg
Ltc (Bvt) Nebraska Territory

[RattlesnakeJack]

Sir:

I already have my single (St. Albans Raid) stage roughed out, but have held off submitting the draft for your approval, as you seemed quite busy with other matters.  I could do so now, and with your submission would also submit it to Kayleen, for her input on whether it would suit any particular stage location on the range or, indeed, if it requires modification for the facilities available ...

As previously mentioned, it would undoubtedly be inadvisable - if not downright presumptious - for me to offer to write other CW-theme scenarios ... However, your mention of the possibility  of a non-CW-themed stage or two does suggest another possibility to me - not Civil War, to be sure, but of the general timeframe, and actually having some connection with that conflict - which I now offer for your consideration.   As you may be aware, immediately following the Civil War, the US-based Irish "Fenian Brotherhood" had a rather grandiose scheme to invade and capture Canada, and hold it "for ransom" in exchange for the independence of Ireland from the United Kingdom.  They had quite a bit of financial support and large numbers of well-equipped, seasoned troops (the original "Irish Republican Army", in fact) made up largely of Irish-American veterans of the Civil War ... many of whom were unemployed and "looking for something to do".

Several armed incursions into Canada took place (1866-1870) resulting in pitched battles.   I would certainly be willing to do the necessary research and prepapre a proposed stage scenario based on on of the Fenian Raids battles or skirmishes ....    Let me know if this might be of interest ....

One possibility might be a scenario based on the Battle of Ridgeway - part of the first such incursion (an earlier raid into New Brunswick in April was not officially authorized.)  Fenain forces numbering approximately 1500 men crossed the Niagara River into Canada in the early morning hours of June 1, 1866, and seized the town of Fort Erie.  The battle took place the following day when the advancing Fenain force was blocked outside of Ridgeway by a force of about 400 British Regulars and 2100 Canadian Militia.  The Fenians actually won the field, but were forced to retire when even more defensive forces were moved into the area and they also learned that the other two planned incursions of a three-pronged attack strategy had failed to materialize. 

This was the battle during which an incident that I have previously posted about took place.  The commander of a British column was startled when several mounted Fenain officers or scouts crested a rise ahead, and ordered his force to "Prepare for Cavalry", upon which they obediently formed square in the center of the road.  The Fenian forces were actually infantry and, upon cresting the rise, deployed in line to take advantage of the sitting ducks, pouring a withering fire into the square and causing a rather disorderly retreat by the Canadians.  Total casualties of the Battle of Ridgeway were -
- Canadian/British: 16 killed, 2 dying later of wounds, 2 dead by heat stroke, 74 wounded, 6 captured.
- Fenians: 5 killed, 2 dying later of wounds, and 17 wounded.

To add some "visual effect" to this post, here is a photograph taken following the Battle of Eccles Hill (south of Montreal, May 1870) showing two officers and a corporal of Canadian Militia, with a Fenian fatality -



Interesting CW-related side-notes
- immediately following the Fort Erie incursion in 1866, both Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Gen. George Meade were dispatched to Buffalo, New York, to investigate the situation.
- President Johnson's administration did a lot of "looking the other way" with respect to the Fenian situation at first, until some progress was made on Civil War reparations claims against Great Britain, and only then became more active in enforcing the Neutrality Act  ....

[US Scout]

Mustang Gregg -

I saw your PM and saw earlier that you're not going to be able to attend the Grand Muster.  Perhaps the next time around.


Rattlesnake Jack,

I've only had time to skim your posting but a stage built around the Fenian Uprising would be great and is exactly the kind of scenario I had in mind when I mentioned non-US actions during or immediately after the CW.  Since there were a number of former CW soldiers in the Fenians, this would be an ideal scenario to base a stage on.

I'm heading out of town for a week (business trip to Europe).  Will report in on additional feedback upon my return.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding 

[Grapeshot]

As Usual, I'm out of the loop more often than not.  Where is the Grand Muster to take Place and When?

Your Humble and Obediant Servant

Grapeshot

[RattlesnakeJack]

Where is the Grand Muster to take Place and When?

Grand Army of the Frontier Muster

September 14, 15 & 16, 2007

Ackley, Iowa:



HUZZAH ! ! !

[Bull Schmitt]

Sirs:

As more details become available please keep me informed so I can update the "Dispatches" page on the GAF web site.

Bvt Col Bull Schmitt
Commander Department of the Atlantic
GAF Webmaster

[Kayleen]

Never fear, the Social Club is here. Beaver Creek Social Club will be taking care of the banquet and all of the trimmings.
Plans are to keep it at the range.
Menu is tenative but will more than likely have 3 meats, 4 veggies, potatoe, 5-6 salads and deserts of many.
The girls are getting together to discuss and plan this out and they are also thinking of ways to raise money for a band.
  As for the shooters packets, those can be put together at the court house on the range before the shoot on Thursday. I also have access to lots and lots of information to put in them. I will help in what ever way I can.
Later,
Kayleen

[River City John]

As far as music, I obtained a business card for, and spoke briefly with, the Roundhouse Band that played during the daytime at the recent NCOWS Convention, and at the banquet that Saturday night.
They do an all military impression with appropriate music playing close to period instruments. Nice thing is I think the boys are shooters, too.
I know there were many GAF members in attendance that had the opportunity to see them perform, and who are involved with working on the 2007 Muster.

Their website is www.roundhousebluegrass.com.

Although it may represent an expenditure in the $300.00 to $400.00 range plus perhaps complimentary entry fees into the Muster for the four of them, we would have them for the weekend. They do love to share their music, and I'm thinking not only for a 'formal' concert one night, but very informal sessions around the evening campfires.

That is a treat that I would be willing to chip in a little extra to secure.
If it seems a good idea and we could see a way to cover the expense, I would also volunteer to contact them and see if arrangements could be worked out.

RCJ   

[Dusty Tagalon]

I will see if I can get off work at noon on Friday. putting me on site at 3:00PM. Being the score keeper, it would be nice to build a list of attendees whether registered or not. Having most people on my scoesheet will make it easier. Those vloenteers listed above need not reply. Also as time get closer I will need a list of the side matches. If I know what side matches are going to be shot, I can have score sheets made up & leave with Kayleen.

Hand & hand with score keeping, I will have the score shhets printed out, along with socresheets for the shooters packets.

I will be hauling both my b&w laser, & color laser. I will take posse photos & print out a copy for each attendee.

If necessary I can also form the squad assignments.

Dusty

[River City John]

I've always enjoyed more non-traditional stage scenarios.
There is greater diversity of armament used at a GAF Muster which makes them far more interesting to me than your typical Cowboy shoot. But for that reason I feel that empasis on the timer is not a true refection of skill, so I've tried to level the playing field a bit.

So, for all of you who may feel that it just isn't worth traveling to an event unless you get to shoot your weight in ammunition each stage, just consider my poor little three stages as a "lull in the battle" or maybe, comic relief.
(Bristow Kid, I will supply any props needed for my three stages.)



That being said, I will need contact info for whomever the scenarios need to be sent to.

RCJ   



           

[Bristow Kid]

An advance copy of the stage scenerios and what props are need will be very helpful to me.  The sooner you can get it to me the better. 

Bristow Kid

[Gripmaker]

Sir:  As related during the last Grand Muster, I shall be happy to again sponsor the banquet, be a part of the Color Guard and help out with any on-site work that needs to be done. I am expecting to be at the range on Thursday but don't know exactly when.

   Good to see you SO MANY times in this month's Chronicle and to have enjoyed your company at NCOWS Convention. As usual, "A grand time was had by all!" and wiil be again at GAF Muster 2007.

God Bless and shoot safe, all Y'all.
Gripmaker/Capt. Montgomery Little

[US Scout]

Captain Little,

Thank you for your offer to sponsor the Banquet at the 2007 Grand Muster.  I'm sure it will be a splendid affair.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Kayleen]

I have recieved lots of questions about Muster 2007. Perhaps bringing this back to the top will answer some of them.
If you are writing stages to be shot during the Muster, please send them or what props you need to Bristow Kid.
Thanks and we look forward to seeing everyone at Muster.
Kayleen

[Sagebrush Burns]

Regretfully, I will be unable to attend this year.  You will need to find someone to honcho the color guard.  I will be glad to send the flag slings to be used if that will help and can write up a side match if I get requirements.  My apologies.

[RattlesnakeJack]

I am pleased to report that, barring some unforseen disaster, I definitely will be attending Muster this year ....   

Matter of fact,  my Form6NIA import permit was granted by ATF a week or so ago. so I'm good to go on that score ....    (Kayleen: My apologies for neglecting to thank you before now for providing the necessary "engraved invitation" for inclusion with my application.    )

I previously forwarded my St. Albans Raid scenario to General Scout (and possibly also Kayleen) but will also provide the material directly to Bristow Kid for his review ...

[Shamrock]

I plan on arriving on Wednesday evening and will be available on Thursday for set up and other duties as assigned.

Regards,
Pat "Shamrock" Gannon

[Kayleen]

 Shamrock,
You are bringing Sarah aren't you? Us gals need to spoil her some more this year.
Kayleen