DOMM 2012

[Delmonico]

Well, coal oil certainly smells better than I did at that point.  

Looks like someone could use a diet and maybe a little more sun...and I don't mean Robert Duvall.

Well I try to keep everyone well fed.

I know, a 1000 more years of KP.

[Delmonico]

The one picture I got of River City John isn't a lot better:



I should have had the camera ready on Saturday morning when I built up the fire and he rolled over as far away as he could, like a bug coming out of a piece of firewood tossed in the fire.   

[Stu Kettle]

I'm beginning to think the Apple Pie & the Gunshoot Thingy Cocktails may have contributed to what may become known as the "Great Cup Shuffle of 2012." I got home short one plain tin cup, and up one blue enameled cup. Since then I visited the Ft. Sedgwick Museum and purchased a couple white enameled cups at a nearby antique shop.

[Pitspitr]

Apple Pie....Mmmm, M, Mmm, Mmm, Mmmm. I'm afraid if given the chance that stuff could really sneek up behind you and whack you in the back of the head. I think I should probably take the approach that Col. Jackson takes toward tobacco in Gods and Generals, "I never touch the stuff. I find I like it too much." However; given the chance, I will probably try to just apply it "judiciously" 

[River City John]

The one picture I got of River City John isn't a lot better:



I should have had the camera ready on Saturday morning when I built up the fire and he rolled over as far away as he could, like a bug coming out of a piece of firewood tossed in the fire.   

I look like they're getting ready to put the last stitch through the nose before sending me to Davy Jones.

[pony express]

All the uniforms looked pretty impressive! But it appears it must be quite a bit hotter in NE than Alberta...I think that's the most "informal" I've ever seen Rattlesnake Jack look! Also noticed.....it appears that Stu Kettle has "run off" all the other scouts!

[Drydock]

I look like they're getting ready to put the last stitch through the nose before sending me to Davy Jones.

I'd like to see the ship setting THAT canvas . . . .

[Stu Kettle]

...it appears that Stu Kettle has "run off" all the other scouts!

That was not my intent - I even bathed a couple time

[Pitspitr]

23, July 1876 (+136)

To: General U. S. Scout
Headquarters Grand Army of the Frontier
Near Washington City

Copies to: (Bvt.) Col. Major Matt Lewis Chief of Staff,
(Bvt.) Col. Drydock Chief of Ordnance,
(Bvt. ) Col. Bull Schmidt Adjutant ,
and The ladies and gentlemen of the GAF at large

Sir:

I have the honor to submit my report following the 2012 Department of the Missouri Headquarters Muster of the Grand Army of the Frontier. This written report supersedes the brief oral statements I presented the General Commanding at the late Gettysburg battle sight Saturday last.

My preparations continued Wednesday, July 11 when the Commissary Department Chief Delmonico and Major Bowview Haymaker arrived. With their help the camp improvements, including the new shower facility, were completed. Thursday preparations continued with the erection of the Tipi for the homeless among us, the camp shade fly and the tents of those present. That evening a thunderstorm arrived in the area with rain and wind that flattened the shade fly. This forced a retreat to the tipi to wait out the storm.

Friday morning operations commenced with the Expansion Era Match side match. A previously unused canyon had been prepared this year to allow a new look for this match. Another first this year was the use of the Staff Officer class in the EEM. I used this class to conserve my Krag ammunition for the main match. I found this class to be quite challenging as given the heat and adrenaline, holding steady on the target was nearly impossible.  It always amazes me how much the stress of the match affects the physical condition and comfort of the participant. Even though the stages are not physically demanding, they DO feel as though they are by the of the stage. Participants find themselves breathing hard and shaking at the end of their walk through the canyon.

Following lunch the group commenced the long range rifle match. The 300 yard long range rifle match was found to be quite challenging. This long range match was a paper match. The participants were allowed the afternoon to sight in their rifles.  After the weather cooled a bit the command shot the match. This was to be the first time the long range match was included in scoring for the Department Champion computations.

The Main match used the same skirmish format as the Expansion Era Match did. The stalking course in the canyons of the Camp Pitspitr area could be physically dangerous given the heat. As a precaution against this participants were required to rehydrate frequently. Before a shooter was allowed to begin his assault of the stage he was required to spend some time resting in the shade and drinking water. This way we managed to avoid any heat casualties. We also learned that the physical requirements of the stages coupled with the heat necessitates limiting the number of rifle targets to between 15 and 22. This could be increased in cooler weather. This does not sound like much shooting but we found it to be enough to be satisfying. Three stages of around 20 rifle targets will require nearly 100 rifle rounds to be expended by most shooters. This is a match that, as one participant said, truly needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

I totaled the scores early Sunday morning and the certificates were awarded to the men. At this point we broke camp and the men returned to their home quarters while I finished my preparations for my departure for my inspection tour of the Atlantic Department the next morning.

Our mess consisted of 13 shooting participants excluding camp followers. While this number was reduced by a number of unforeseen situations including heat concerns, it was still a new record for participation. I can foresee these numbers continuing to grow in each of the coming years. Each day we entertained guests and explained for them the GAF as well as our contests.

Here I should thank a number of people: The Sargent Lions Club for sponsoring the insurance; Lt. Col. Dusty Tagalon for printing the winners certificates; Lt. Col. Ned Neiderlander, for building the traveling trophies and his efforts building camp equipage, the targets and props and finally Capt. Delmonico. For those of you who missed this match, the food alone was reason enough to come to this Muster. It is simply amazing what Delmonico can make in dutch ovens. Thanks Glen!

Final results will follow.

[pony express]

That was not my intent - I even bathed a couple time

I was just thinking...maybe they don't want to just compete for 2nd place, so they changed categoories.

[Pitspitr]

RESULTS:

Department Champion: Cowtown Scout – 2nd Marksman, 2nd Long Range Marksman, 1st Field Uniform


Main Match:

Marksman
1st D. Chuck Luetkemeyer ( Col. Drydock)
2nd Cowtown Scout
3rd Donnie Luetkemeyer (Cpl. Chauffeur)

Rifleman
1st Jerry Davenport (Pitspitr)
2nd Grant Rombaugh (Rattlesnake Jack)
3rd Dale Beethe (Lt. Col. Ned Neiderlander)

Militia
1st Skip Fricke (Scruffy Skippy)

Scout
1st Steve Summers (Stu Kettle)

Long Range Rifle

Marksman
1st Chuck Luetkemeyer
2nd Cowtown Scout
3rd John Covert (River City John)

Rifleman
1st Dale Beethe
2nd Jerry Davenport
3rd Doug Strong

Field Uniform
1st Cowtown Scout
2nd Doug Strong
3rd Kendall Haug (Kit Peak Kid)

Camp Award
1st D. Doug Strong (Hopalong Strong)


Expansion Era Match

Department EEM Champion: Cowtown Scout – 3rd EEM, 1st EEM Long Range, 1st EEM Uniform

Regular Military
1st Dale Beethe
2nd Donnie Luetkemeyer
3rd Cowtown Scout

Staff Officer
1st Jerry Davenport

Civilian
1st Steve Summers (Stu Kettle)


Expansion Era Uniform
1st Cowtown Scout
2nd Grant Rombaugh
3rd Doug Strong

EEM Long Range Rifle
1st Cowtown Scout

[Pitspitr]

I ended up a cup short (tin CW era army issue cup w/bail) and a M-1874 tin spoon short.

Got home from the eastern tour late yesterday afternoon. Will file AAR ASAP. Eastern Tour was 3800 miles and 15 states in 7 days.

OOPS It wasn't my cup. I found it. I am; however, still short my tin spoon. You'll recognize it if you picked it up by accident; it's made from stamped tin only slightly heavier than tin foil. 

[G.W. Strong]

I couldn't help but notice the uniforms in the last of RSJ's photos. The sweat stains and mud grime on my blue shirt doesn't show as much as it did in real life. Hopalong Strong is striking a very strategic pose 

It seems to me that most reenactors look too clean and not worn enough. Not many of us had those issues by the end of the weekend. All of us had "authentic" sweat stains and a few even had "authentic" patches. 

The strategic pose is because the patch I had sewn into my crotch had given way! I have now patched them properly and they will be fine for next year.

[Delmonico]

I was sorting some gear tonight and found said spoon, how it got in my gear I have no idea.

[Bow View Haymaker]

http://www.facebook.com/groups/308112292558615/#!/media/set/?set=oa.423335227702987&type=1

The few pictures I took are here on The GAF group page of facebook.
Enjoy

[Pitspitr]

I was sorting some gear tonight and found said spoon, how it got in my gear I have no idea.

Good! I was worried about it.
Just hang on to it and I'll pick it up sometime when I'm in Liincoln.

[Delmonico]

Good! I was worried about it.
Just hang on to it and I'll pick it up sometime when I'm in Liincoln.

OK, I'll remember to take it to work and that way if I'm not there you can still get it.

[Texas Lawdog]

I know everyone had a good time at the Muster, even though it was hot. Jerry has made numerous improvments to the camping area. Congrats to the winners in each class. I know everyone enjoyed Delimonco's meals as well.

[Pitspitr]

We missed you. Wish you could have made it.

[Pitspitr]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4EjUYh8mxc&feature=youtube_gdata