10, October, 1876 (+137)
To: General U. S. Scout
Headquarters Grand Army of the Frontier
Near Washington City
Copies to:
(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 2013 Grand Muster of the Grand Army of the Frontier.
When the Col.’s Lady and I Departed our home station at approximately 14:30 the temperature registered in the 50’s. We allowed our big draft horses a complete fill as the load they were pulling into the wind was expected to deplete their reserves quickly. On our way we stopped at the Department striker’s temporary post to deliver a large supply of commissary stores the Col.’s Lady had acquired for him. By the time we arrived in Lincoln City we were surprised to find that the temperature had increased to 75 degrees. As expected the wind and load combined to quickly rob our horses of their reserve and we were forced to stop in Syracuse and allow the horses to refresh themselves. We arrived at our temporary post in Garnett at approximately 23:30 We found the Garnett Inn to be a first rate facility and we slept soundly and awoke the next morning refreshed and ready to share equally in the rigors that the men faced in the pursuit of the hostiles.
Friday we found the weather chilly and windy but this did not dampen the men’s spirits. They attacked their duties in a way that was quite wonderful. Because of this fighting spirit the men easily completed the tasks of before them and by the end of the day the Expansion Era match and the long range rifle match had both been completed. The Expansion era match utilized the skirmish format and knock-down silhouettes. I am unsure as to the total number of participants (I hope that the match hosts will provide numbers and place ranking). The round count was dependant on the number of shots one needed to knock down all of the targets. The Long Range Rifle match was a paper match with the target placed at about 125.The first five shots were fired standing and the last five were fired from the participants choice of braced positions with no sighters. I have not yet received a copy of the results, though I do remember that Lt. Col. Drydock and Col. Diamond and I all did quite well in spite of a gusty cross wind.
Saturday the first stage of the main match was shot and also set up to use the skirmish format with a twist to take advantage of the geography of the range at the KVC club range. This stage was long enough that it took most of the day for the entire command to make its way through it
Saturday evening the command made its way to the Garnett Senior Center where the banquet was held.
Sunday Morning the last stage of the muster was held and by shortly after noon was complete. Awards were presented and while I cannot remember all of those who placed in each category, I can recall that Col. Rattlesnake Jack was Brigade. Congratulations Col.!
I had earlier spoke with Trap and he had informed me that the KVC was not interested in hosting the Grand muster again next year. I had contacted Colorado and Illinois about the possibility of one of them hosting it. Colorado said that they would prefer to at least see a Grand Muster before hosting one. Illinois said it might be best if someone else hosted it next year, but that they would host in 2015. With this in mind It was agreed that Nebraska would host the Grand Muster in June and Illinois will host in 2015.
Attendance was off slightly, but as always the participant all had a wonderful time.
Here I should thank a number of people: Trap, Books O’Toole and all of the KVC. Thank you all!
Photos and results will follow.
I remain your most humble and Ob’d Servant,
(Bvt.) Col. Jerry M. Davenport