110th OVI Dominates the N-SSA 146th Nationals

By Bruce Miller · Originally published December 2022 · pp. 5–8

Members of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, one of 119 competing carbine teams, skillfully fire at 16 hanging four-inch tiles placed at 50 yards. (Ericka Curley)

The North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) held its 146th National Competition October 5 through 9, 2022. Member units competed in livefire matches with original or authentic reproduction Civil War period muskets, carbines, breechloading rifles, revolvers, mortars, and cannon. It is the largest Civil War event of its kind in the country and attracts spectators, Civil War enthusiasts, historical researchers, and shooting sports media. The 2022 Fall National welcomed a crew from the NRA’s television program “American Rifleman TV” seen on The Outdoor Channel. Evan Brune, Executive Editor, American Rifleman Publications, conducted interviews with N-SSA experts regarding specific firearms types: Chris DeFrancisci on revolvers; Mike Santarelli on carbines; Phil Spaugy on smoothbore muskets, and Kevin Oyarzo on mortars. The NRA crew also covered the many individual and team matches held over the weekend. Brune was personally treated to the thrill of firing both a bronze Coehorn mortar and a James rifled cannon, both courtesy of Tim Scanlan and the 1st Maryland Cavalry. The final edits are expected to generate several feature segments for programs that will air during the new season starting in February 2023. After two days of individual matches, seven team matches were held over the three-day weekend; the 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) won an amazing five of them. The Shenandoah Valley’s weather was beautiful, however, a cold front moved through and Sunday’s Rifle-Musket Team match, the N-SSA signature event, commenced at a very frosty 31 degrees; despite the chill factor, a total of 151 eightmember teams participated in this classic competition. The incredible 110th OVI dominated the musket match again turning in an excellent time of 400.9 seconds for the five-event program, outshooting their closest competition by almost two minutes. This win marks an amazing 28 rifle-musket championships since 2000 and they would go on to win four more of the seven small arms matches this fall. Two team members, Mike Rouch and Jerry Smith, have shot in all 28 triumphs. The 110th also won Saturday’s Carbine Team match with a time of 451.8 seconds beating the 9th Virginia Cavalry by 21 seconds. One hundred nineteen teams participated in this match where speed and accuracy are made possible by breechloading Smith and Sharps carbines, many of them valuable originals. Some skirmishers often use Burnsides, Maynards, and Gallaghers on the firing line. The 110th OVI also won the gold in the Smoothbore Musket Team match, this time defeating 126 other four-shooter teams by breaking their targets in only 200.2 seconds. This match is a great test of skill as many muskets do not have rear sights. Competitors use a variety of firearms, including the U.S. Model 1842, Confederate Macon arsenal conversions of the Model 1842, and the Hewes & Philips conversion of the U.S. Model 1816 featuring a rear sight. The match consisted of four events, including the extra challenging silhouettes of tiny clay pots at 25 yards and 6 inch x 6 inch ceramic tiles at 50 yards. Fifty-nine four-member teams squared off in the four event Revolver Team match: 12 clay pigeons on a cardboard backer, eight hanging 6 inch x 6 inch ceramic tiles; eight hanging clay pigeons, and eight hanging 4 inch x 4 inch ceramic tiles. Harris’ Light Cavalry finished first for the second consecutive National, claiming the gold medals with a great time of 139.4 seconds. Remington and Rogers & Spencer revolvers are the hand gun of choice, but the classic Colt 1860 Army is also used. Three additional shoulder arm team matches were held. In the Single-Shot Rifle Team match, the 110th OVI A Team finished first and their B Team took second! In the Breech-Loading Rifle Team match, the 110th

1st Maine Heavy Artillery’s 3-inch ordnance rifle erupts in flame after the number four position crewman set off the cannon fuse with slow-match on a linstock. (Niki Bethke)

Even a 12-pounder mortar, relatively small among artillery pieces, can produce an impressive muzzle blast. Staff in the main tower of the N-SSA, in the background, monitor all activity on the main range. (Niki Bethke)

This skirmisher prepares to fire his single shot .54 caliber U.S. Model 1842 pistol in the Smoothbore Pistol Demonstration Match. (Lis Cole) (Ericka Curley) (Ericka Curley)

1st Maine Heavy Artillery’s 3-inch ordnance rifle erupts in flame after the number four position crewman set off the cannon fuse with slow-match on a linstock. (Niki

Here they are having a bit of fun, but the Costume Committee competitors work for months to make every bit of their authentic dresses and projects, including the petticoats (which are often as intricate as the dresses) and headwear. Pictured left to right are: Marylou Wells, Sharleen West, Peggy Edwards-Shaw, Mary Deneau, Nelda Platz, and Maryanne Greketis. (Marylou Wells)

A member of the 15th Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry aim their Maynard Carbines, which are highly sought-after by skirmishers; and many used in this sport are original guns. Sharps, Smith, and Burnside carbines are also favorites among carbine shooters.

OVI edged out the 2nd Maryland Artillery to capture more gold medals. The 46th Illinois Infantry won the Spencer Team match. Thirty-eight units participated in the Mortar Team match. The mortar teams fire seven shots at a stake 100 yards down range. Officials then carefully measure the distance from the stake to the nearest five balls to generate a total distance for a team’s score. The 1st Maryland Cavalry won with a terrific five shot aggregate of 29 feet, 11 inches. The low muzzle velocity of the mortars allows spectators to watch the flight of the projectiles, making this match a crowd pleaser. The Artillery Team matches are a spectator favorite and 45 guns participated this year. The range is reconfigured for longer distances by having the cannon fire perpendicular to the small arms firing line. The guns are classified by type: smoothbore, rifled, howitzer, and rifled howitzer. Target frames with paper targets mounted on drywall backers are set out at 200 yards for rifled and smoothbore guns and 100 yards for howitzers. Rifled cannon and smoothbore guns fire 12 solid projectiles, with a maximum of seven shots at either of the two targets: a bull’s eye and a silhouette of a cannon facing them representing counter battery fire. The best five shots on each target count for a maximum of 25 points per target, with a perfect score being 50-5V. Howitzers each fire a maximum of 12 projectiles at a single bullseye target, with the 10 best shots counted; a perfect score is 50-10V. In the Smoothbore class, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (Kurdt’s gun) was the winner with 48-2V. In the Rifled class, the 1st Valley Rangers won with a perfect score of 50-5V. The Rowan Artillery won the Howitzer class, shooting an impressive 49-1V. The 3rd U. S. Infantry took the Rifled Howitzer class, scoring a terrific 50-2V. The accuracy of these Civil War cannon is truly amazing and NSSA gun crews work hard to get the best accuracy possible with their guns. The N-SSA is the country’s oldest and largest Civil War shooting sports organization with 3,000 individuals formed into some 200 member units, each representing a particular unit or regiment and proudly wearing the uniform the original soldiers wore over 150 years ago. At the 146th National, five more members were recognized for 50 years and six for sixty years of membership in the Association; quite an accomplishment. The National Rifle Association award for the top Young Skirmisher

The seamstresses of the N-SSA Costume Committee exhibit their talent in a variety of Civil War era attire. Here, (L to R) Peggy Edwards-Shaw, Maryanne Greketis, Mary Deneau, and Sharleen West pose with the N-SSA Deputy National Commander David Cole. (Lis Cole)

Members of the 2nd Maryland Baltimore Light Artillery (CSA) proceed to break clay pigeons in the bright morning sun. The shooter without a red kepi is a guest from another team to fill out their eight-person company for the match. (Ericka Curley)

The 9th Virginia Cavalry are serious competitors but still enjoy the sport as they load, aim, and fire their Maynard carbines. (Ericka Curley)

The N-SSA Costume Committee judges review Marylou Wells’ skating attire project for authenticity, accuracy, and craftsmanship. The Costume Committee holds several events and competitions and conducts workshops teaching proper construction of mid-nineteenth century clothing. (Brittany Cole)

1st Stuart Horse Artillery starts to clear their targets in the first event of the Rifle Musket Match. Skirmishers come from all ages and backgrounds to work together as a team to hit all of their targets in the least amount of time. (Ericka Curley)

The 6th Alabama “Raccoon Roughs” have a distinctive look, with several of the team members wearing coonskin hats. N-SSA units are named after and adopt the uniform of actual Civil War units. (Ericka Curley)

Right: 63rd New York State Volunteer Infantry teammates load and fire at hanging clay pigeons. At a National Skirmish, eight-person musket teams fill 65 line positions; the largest continuous firing line in the country controlled by a single main tower. (Ericka Curley)

The 15th Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry.

(under 19 years of age) went to Spencer Ostner, 9th Virginia Cavalry, with an aggregate musket and carbine score of 150-0X; the Senior Skirmisher (over 65) award went to Michael Arnette, Nansemond Guards with a 177-2X. The 147th National Competition is scheduled for May 19-21, 2023 at Fort Shenandoah, just north of Winchester, Virginia. For more information about the N-SSA visit the web site at www.n-ssa.org.

Many generations of skirmishers have grown up in this sport. In this photo, three members of the Rogers family of the Iredell Blues take aim and fire. (Ericka Curley)

Evan Brune, Executive Editor of American Rifleman Publications, was invited to fire the 1st Maryland Cavalry’s 24-pounder mortar. The 1st Maryland proceeded to win first place in the mortar match. (Ericka Curley)

Aiming through the black powder smoke, Adam Bumford of the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry sights his Maynard carbine. (Ericka Curley)

Left: Members of the 15th Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry take aim at breakable targets. The N-SSA brings together members of all ages, genders, ideologies, professions, and walks of life through a common love of history and this unique shooting sport. (Ericka Curley)

The 29th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry—who traveled a long way from their home state to Fort Shenandoah in Virginia—loads, aims, and fires during a signature musket match event, 32 clay pigeons on a cardboard backer. (Ericka Curley)