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What is Civil War Skirmishing? Skirmishing is.....
What is Civil War Skirmishing? The N-SSA web site says it best in describing a National competition: "In the early morning sun you can see the dew on the grass. There is a chill in the air, but little breeze. The flags hang limp. You can hear the sounds of measured activity as men check their weapons and fill cap pouches and cartridge boxes. Anticipation hangs in the air. You take your place in the skirmish line that extends over a quarter of a mile. At last, the order is given, "Load and come to the ready." 400 ramrods glint in the sun as 400 Minie balls are rammed home. 400 hammers click back to full-cock. And then the silence. You can cut the tension with a knife.." .If you attend an N-SSA skirmish, you'll be in the only place where you can hear what the Civil War really sounded like. There is no where else where you can hear hundreds of black-powder weapons all firing at once. The sound of mortars tears the air asunder as 12-24 pound balls describe a graceful arc across 100 yards, sailing high into the sun before thumping down to land near, and sometimes even *on* a slender stick thrust into the ground. The roar of cannon, fired up to 16 at a time during National competitions at Fort Shenendoah makes the ground shake, and fills the air with acrid smoke. You can almost see the generals' horses wheeling, and hear the bugles blowing a charge. The teams bend closely over their great iron charges, cleaning, loading and firing their weapons as though they were actually being fired upon for real. The air of 'family' that pervades our competitions is strong and true. We may only see them twice a month at our local shoots, or even just twice a year at nationals, but the food and the fellowship flows freely when skirmishers get together. Men and women join the teams, and there are junior competitions with air rifles and bb-guns for the young shooters. At 15, a family member can join their team. Skirmishing is truly a family sport. You'll see babies, children, grandparents, dogs and visitors at shoots, and all enjoy the day and the competition.
Falling asleep in your tent or RV to the haunting strains of an old civil war tune wafting on the sweet air of a southern spring is mighty fine! Skirmishing is a team sport, even if you aren't on the team. The cheering for the various teams is as avid as any you'll hear at a Tarheels game, or a high school football playoff. Competition is fierce, but friendly, and always with the safety rules in mind. So, come, join a sport that challenges you to learn to hit a 4-inch clay target at 50 yards with a little lead ball, lets you fling cannonballs 200 yards downrange to punch great gaping holes in drywall, or loft a 12 pound ball of zinc into a 100-yard long, high pop-up that plows nearly a foot into the ground (or bounces if the ground is hard!) in an attempt to hit a tiny stick. Contact us to learn more! |
The North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) was formed in 1950 to commemorate the heroism of the men, of both sides, who fought in the American Civil War, 1861-1865. The N-SSA promotes the shooting of Civil War firearms and artillery and encourages the preservation and display of Civil War materials. The N-SSA works to accomplish these goals by conducting skirmishes; competitive, live firing of these Civil War firearms and artillery.
Many spend the entire weekend at the shooting range to enjoy the 3 days of various events that range from individual shooting of muskets, carbines, pistols and breechloaders, to team events in all those, plus mortar and cannon (if the range can handle the space for cannon). In the evenings, people gather 'round their fires and swap stories...if only I could have loaded a little bit faster, I would have had that last clay!...to catch up on family life and times, to play music, both modern and old-timey. Some wander from camp to camp, visiting and chatting, catching up with old friends, and making new ones.| < Prev |
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