the press release here - North

NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION, INC.
Bruce Miller, Public Information Officer • P. O. Box 361, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0361
Telephone (248) 258-9007
Contact: Bruce Miller
Home Phone: 248.258.9007
E-mail: [email protected]
February 26, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Special Matches Highlight finale of the Civil War Sesquicentennial
The North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) will hold its 131st National Competition on
May 14-17, 2015, at Fort Shenandoah, near Winchester, Virginia. Member units compete in
live-fire matches with original or authentic reproduction Civil War period muskets, carbines,
rifles, revolvers, mortars and cannons. It is the largest Civil War event of its kind in the country.
Founded in 1950, the N-SSA has over 3,200 individuals that make up its 200 member teams.
Each team represents a Civil War regiment or unit and wears the uniform they wore over 150
years ago.
As we observe the end of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, this N-SSA National will feature two
special matches. The first is a unique intercollegiate artillery match between several schools
including Virginia Tech and Slippery Rock University. Cannon crews from each school will
compete with guns from, and under the supervision of, N-SSA artillery units who will conduct a
“School of the Piece” prior to the match. The second special match will be the inaugural
“Traditional Musket Match.” The purpose of the match is to encourage competition with
unaltered firearms of the Civil War and using the paper cartridge ammunition of the period.
Uniforms must be authentic in textiles and patterns, including period footwear.
N-SSA members come from all over the country to Fort Shenandoah each spring for this national
competition that traditionally opens the year’s activities. Competitions, called “skirmishes”, will
be held throughout the summer on a regional basis. At a skirmish, participating teams shoot at
breakable targets in several timed events. The teams with the lowest cumulative times win
medals or other awards.
Women participate along with the men in all events. There are also competitions for authenticity
of Civil War period military and civilian dress, period music and lectures on topics of historical
interest. Spectators are welcome and admission is free. There is a large sutler area and food
service is available. For more information, visit the N-SSA web site at: www.n-ssa.org.
-more-
NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION, INC.
Bruce Miller, Public Information Officer • P. O. Box 361, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0361
Telephone (248) 258-9007
N-SSA Photo by Todd Harrington
White’s Company, 35th Virginia Cavalry competes during the smoothbore musket match held at
the N-SSA 130th National Competition last fall. The man in the foreground fires an original
U. S. Model 1835 Hewes & Philips percussion conversion; one of the few smoothbores to
include a rear sight. The 131st National is scheduled for May 14-17, 2015 at the Association’s
home range, Fort Shenandoah, near Winchester, Virginia. For more information, visit
www.n-ssa.org.
NOTE:
If your editorial policy is to identify those who appear in photos, they are (left to right): Ricky
Hessong, Alan Lacey, Mike Hocker and Lon Lacey.
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