18, Sept. 1876(+131)
To: (Bvt.) General U.S. Scout, Commander
Grand Army of the Frontier Headquarters
Copies to (Bvt.) Col. Major Matt Lewis, Sgt. Drydock, and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the GAF at large.
Sir I have the honor to report:
After an intial delay of nearly 1 and 1/2 hrs delay for an unscheduled meeting with coaching staff at his Academy, my striker and I departed Ft. Kearney Nebr. at 15:00. Stopped for supplies at Cabela's Merchantile near Ft. Omaha. Arrived at camp in Iowa Falls 22:30. Had hoped to reconnoiter the site of the next days action but this proved to be impracticle due to the late hour.
Arrived early at range and checked in with Shalako, who introduced me to the Bristow Kid. Informed same of your orders that I make myself available to act in your stead. The Kid is a steady and dependable man and informed me that he had everything in order and that I need only enjoy myself. In deed he did! The Muster went off without a hitch and I enjoyed myself very much.
Shot 6 stages (I believe) Sat. and 3 Sun. All stages were historical, unique, and challenging.
The integration of the battle rifle concept appeared to me to be quite seamless. One target was damaged by fire from my .50-70 Remington Rolling Block. This target failure, I believe, was due to (at least in part) a faulty weld. I do not believe that too much should be made of this target failure as two targets were damaged from pistol calibre projectiles. During the battle for Burnside's Bridge 2 man teams were to assult the confederate positions. My striker and I served together, he using a model 1873 Winchester and I my M-1871 Remington. In accordance with orders he loaded and fired cartridges one at a time. When loaded this way the lever guns cannot keep up with the rate of fire from a single shot. However, as we know these weapons were not designed to be used in this manner and will not be most of the time. One thing that may be considered in the future is that if there are very many more competetors shooting the repeaters than are using the single shots, we may want to put the single shots in one smaller squad and the repeaters in the other larger squad as is sometimes done with cap and ball shooters. This way those with repeaters won't think the single shots are slowing them down. During the Naval Battle those of us shooting single shots were order to fire 6 times while those with repeaters were to fire 8 times. I found this handicap unneccesary (at least on this stage) as it was for a bonus only and our longer ranged single shots would be in range for a greatter period of time. I fired the full eight times and my 2 extra shots both found their mark.
The lever gun competetors seemed quite fascinated with the battle rifles and I anticipate that these categories will be larger next year. Unless I receive orders to the contrary, I will offer these categories at next years Muster as well.
I assigned Bvt Col. Rattlesnake Jack Robinson and Sgt. Guns Garret to judge the Uniform competion and Meagun O'Ruckus to judge the civilian clothes competion. She had Kayleen assist her. I did not interject my opinion except that when Mrs. O'Ruckus realized that they had not chosen a Male civilian winner she asked my opinion and then concured.
The Beaver Creek ladies provided outstanding repast at each mealtime and especially at the banquet Saturday evening. At said banquet a few speeches were made and door prizes awrded.
Following the cessation of hostilities Cpl. (now Lt. Col.) Dusty Tagalon presented me with the list of winners which I read to the troops and explained that the winners would receive their medals in the post. I ordered Col. Tagalon to forward the results to you as I knew he would have access to a telegraphic machine sooner than I. I did not keep a copy of said results.
Departed site 14:00 hrs. Internal compass failed at Des Moines and took wrong trail. Returned home post 23:00 Sunday 16 September.
In Recognition for outstanding service to the Grand Army of the Frontier I am reccomending Bristow Kid, Dusty Tagalon, Kayleen, Mayor Steve, River City John, Rattlesnake Jack Robinson, Shalako Al and the rest of the stage writers for the SoM for their part in making the 2007 Grand Army of the Frontier Grand Muster a huge success.
I remain,
Your Ob'd Servant,
(Bvt.) Col. Jerry M. Davenport
Commander, Department of the Missouri
Grand Army of the Frontier
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