Special Interests - Groups & Societies > Spencer Shooting Society
** PHOTOS ADDED ** Spencer Company at 150th Anniversary Battle of Selma
nactorman:
Hi All,
It is not too late to join us for what is sure to be a fun and unique way to wind up the 150th anniversary cycle of Civil War reenactment events. Put that Spencer to good use!
For those already planning to attend, here is the latest information...
Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company
April Update
I hope this message finds everyone well and knee deep in ammo. It’s time again for another update on plans for the Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company and the 150th Anniversary Battle of Selma.
Folks who have received previous updates will notice some of the below info is repeated from previous messages, but I’ve included it here again for some of our recent additions.
Registrations:
Since my last update, we have added several new participants - both shooters and civilians. As it stands now, we should field an impressive company - the largest group of repeater equipped soldiers to enter Selma in 150 years! (And certainly the largest group in the history of the reenactment event.) Of course, if you know someone who might wish to participate, there is still time to sign up and make preparations. There is no registration fee and no deadline for registration. (Federal walk-ons are allowed.) Simply forward the name and e-mail of the person to me at: nactorman@yahoo.com so that I can add them to our company roster and submit their registration as an addition.
Members of our company have been registered under the designation: Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company. This is the unit designation you should use at the registration shack located at the park entrance.
Car Pooling:
I have one request for a shared ride from NY. Rather than publish that party’s contact info here, if you are coming from ‘Up North’ and wouldn’t mind car pooling, just send me a message and I’ll pass it along .
Event Website:
The event Website is:
http://battleofselma.com
The event website has been updated recently and contains some interesting information about some new historical markers that have been erected, just in time for the 150th anniversary. Also available on the site are several first person accounts of the battle from participants, an audio synopsis of the campaign, and other interesting information.
Schedule of Events:
Thursday:
All Day - Arrivals and Camp Set-up.
Morning-Early Afternoon - Living History Presentations for School Groups
5:30 PM - Civil War Writer’s Forum at the Armory Arsenal downtown.
Friday:
All Day - School Tours and arrivals
Afternoon - Wilson’s Raiders members meet, set up camps, etc.
7:00 PM - Wilson’s Raiders Company Meet & Greet Supper at The
Golden Ranch BBQ & Grill
(See below for more info)
7:30 PM - Artillery Night Firing
8:00 PM - Camp Dance at Pavilion
Saturday:
9:00 AM - Park opens to visitors
Morning - Wilson’s Raiders drill and safety briefing. Issue of ammo to participants.
2:00 PM - Battle of Selma Reenactment
7:00-11:00 PM - Grand Military Ball at Sturdivant Hall
(See below for more info)
Sunday:
9:00 AM - Church Services
10:30 AM - March to Live Oak Cemetery for Memorial Service
2:00 PM - 150th Battle of Selma Reenactment
Afternoon - Break Camp
Wilson’s Raiders Company Meet & Greet Supper at The Golden Ranch:
For those who are interested, there will be a company meet & greet supper on Friday evening at The Golden Ranch BBQ & Grill at 7:00 PM. This will be a nice opportunity to cool down after setting up the camp, catch up with old friends, and make new ones. I expect there may be a few surprises for attendees also. I would like to get an idea of about how many may be planning on coming. If so, please drop me a line at: nactorman@yahoo.com to let me know. The Golden Ranch is located four miles from the event site at 2003 W Highland Ave. Use the following link for directions:
https://goo.gl/maps/JXHia
Getting There:
Registration is at the main gate for Riverside Park. The address is:
122 Riverview Ave, Selma, AL 36701
Below is a google maps link to the site of the registration shack at the main gate. Yes, you really do have to drive through the cemetery to reach the park!
https://goo.gl/maps/dtZli
Finding Us:
Once you have registered at the shack at the main gate, you may proceed to the Union camps near the river. I will have a couple of signs up on Thursday and Friday to help company members find where they are going. Once near the river, look for the wall tent with the Cav Corps MDM Flag (Red flag with yellow crossed sabers).
Camping:
Our company will be composed of folks who may choose among various camping/motel options. (Again, we are a ‘come one, come all’ unit for the weekend.) The main campsite for our company will be in the Federal Authentic Camp near the river. Period civilians are welcome to camp with us.
Modern:
There is modern camping across the bridge near the spectator parking area. This is a large baseball complex. I do no know what facilities may be available other than port-a-johns.
Motel:
There are several motels/hotels in Selma that are relatively near the reenactment site. Please remember that this is Selma (ah, hem...well, you know) and you will want to choose one of the better establishments for your stay.
As of this writing, there is only some limited availability left at the Hampton Inn, but there are still some vacancies at the Holiday Inn. I do not know about what might be left at the others.
Also, keep in mind that the last several years the reenactment has fallen on the same weekend as homecoming/prom in Selma. This means that the hotels/motels are pretty busy on Friday night. I recommend reserving a room ahead of time. Here is a link to a website with all of the info on accommodations in Selma:
http://selmaalabama.com/plan-your-stay/lodging.html
Below is info for a few of the places that we have stayed in the past. Please do your own research or send me a message if you have any specific questions:
Hampton Inn Selma
2200 W Highland Ave
Selma, AL 36701
334-876-9995
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
2000 Lincoln Way
Selma, AL 36701
334-874-1000
Comfort Inn
1812 Alabama 14
Selma, AL
334-875-5700
Quality Inn
2420 N Broad St
Selma, AL 36701
334-874-8600
Unit Command:
Our company commander for the weekend will be Zack Ray. Other officers and NCO’s will be chosen on site according to our needs, to assist with the management of the company. We will be operating under the command of overall US commander Ken Sumner.
For those who have been with us in the past at Selma, you know that we sometimes act somewhat independent of the regular battalion structure as ours is a special impression. We do know that Ken is working with the CS commander and the event hosts to make sure that our group plays a special part in the action.
Free Cartridges:
Veteran Arms LLC is sponsoring the Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company, and will be issuing each soldier equipped with a repeater a free package of 100 blank cartridges. These will be distributed probably on Saturday afternoon. Cartridges are available in the following calibers: 45 LC / 44 WCF / 56-50 Spencer. These are the only cartridge sizes that are available or that will be distributed. These cartridges come unloaded, so you will need to have pre-loaded ones with you. For more info on how the blanks work, see the following link:
Ammo:
In years past, our company has done some heavy and prolonged shooting at this event. We expect this year’s reenactment to be no different. Don’t get caught with an empty cartridge box!
Breechloaders / Non-Repeaters:
Although most of the folks up to this point who have registered with the company have indicated that they will be using repeating rifles, folks with breechloaders and even muzzleloaders are encouraged to participate also. We will tailor our activities so as to include everyone. With that said, we want to try to look as much like late-war, western cavalry troopers (fighting on foot) as possible, so if one possesses a breechloader, carbine, dbl shotgun, or other short weapon other than a standard musket, they are encouraged to use those. Of course, muskets will be acceptable also, if that is all one has to use.
Revolvers:
Enlisted men, especially those without repeaters, are encouraged to bring/use their revolvers if they have one.
Tools:
Although individuals are encouraged to bring whatever tools/equipment they need to participate, our company will also be providing a few tools to a designated NCO should tools be needed to make a quick adjustment or repair in the field during a scenario.
Grand Military Ball:
The Grand Military Ball at Sturdivant Hall is always one of the highlights of this event. It is held at a magnificent mansion in downtown Selma. See:
http://battleofselma.com/?page_id=1280
Participants at the ball may tour the home and grounds, take refreshments on the porch, and dance the night away to the sounds of two (yes, 2!) alternating period bands in the garden. This is a dress-up affair. The mansion is located off-site at: 713 Mabry St. Participants are welcome to take their own vehicles (on street parking) by using the following directions:
https://goo.gl/maps/z4UtR
Or, there is a free shuttle service from the Riverside Park entrance to Sturdivant Hall that runs about every five minutes. (Recommended for those camping on-site.)
Reading:
For those interested in learning more about Wilson’s Raid and the Battle of Selma, the following books may be of interest:
“Yankee Blitzkrieg” - James Pickett Jones
“Wilson’s Cavlary Corps” - Jerry Keenan
“Columbus, Georgia 1865” - Charles Misulia
“From Union Stars to Top Hat” - Edward Longacre
Spread the Word:
Please continue to spread the word about the Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company to your reenacting friends and acquaintances. While we already have a great group registered, the saying is true - the more the merrier. If you need a copy of our informational flyer to pass along, please e-mail me and I will send copies via e-mail in PDF or JPG formats.
That’s it for now. I will be sending out a final e-mail on the Monday prior to the event. In the meantime, if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me at: Nactorman@yahoo.com . I look forward to seeing everyone in at the Battle of Selma.
Charles Misulia
nactorman:
Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company
FINAL UPDATE:
Greetings All. It is now time for our last Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company Update!
WEATHER:
Thankfully, it looks like we are going to get some welcome relief from the spring monsoons. Anticipated highs are in the low 80s, with 60s at night. Remember, there is always the chance of a pop-up storm this time of year so plan accordingly.
REGISTRATIONS:
Since my last update, we have had quite a few additions to our rolls. As it stands, we should field an impressive full scale company. Of course, if you know someone who wishes to participate, they may still do so. Federal walk-ons are welcomed by the event.
Members of our company have been registered under the designation: Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company. This is the unit designation you should use at the registration shack located at the park entrance.
EVENT WEBSITE:
The event Website is:
http://battleofselma.com
MEET & GREET DINNER:
Right now, we are expecting from 40-50 “raiders” and family at the company meet & greet supper on Friday evening at The Golden Ranch BBQ & Grill at 7:00 PM. The Golden Ranch is located four miles from the event site at 2003 W Highland Ave. Use the following link for directions:
https://goo.gl/maps/JXHia
DIRECTIONS:
Registration is at the main gate for Riverside Park. The address is:
122 Riverview Ave, Selma, AL 36701
Below is a google maps link to the site of the registration shack at the main gate. Yes, you really do have to drive through the cemetery to reach the park!
https://goo.gl/maps/dtZli
CAMP SITE:
Once you have registered at the shack at the main gate, you may proceed to the Union camps near the river. I will have a couple of signs up on Thursday and Friday to help company members find where they are going. Once near the river, look for the wall tent with the Cav Corps MDM Flag (Red flag with yellow crossed sabers).
AMMO:
In years past, our company has done some heavy and prolonged shooting at this event. We expect this year’s reenactment to be no different. Don’t get caught with an empty cartridge box!
REVOLVERS:
Enlisted men, especially those without repeaters, are encouraged to bring/use their revolvers if they have one.
SEE YOU IN SELMA:
Boots and Saddles! It is time to march for Selma. I will be on site on Thursday in the early afternoon. If you need to contact me, please send me an e-mail at: Nactorman@yahoo.com, or you may contact me via cell phone: 706-577-3475. See you in Selma!
Charles Misulia
nactorman:
Boots and Saddles!
See you in Selma.
Advertising:
Cowtown Scout:
--- Quote from: nactorman on April 21, 2015, 07:39:30 PM ---Boots and Saddles!
See you in Selma.
--- End quote ---
Our Unit the 4th U.S. Cavalry had a great time at The 150th Selma and fell in with Wilson's Raiders. We did not all have repeaters but we did have 2 Spencers and 3 Henrys, all the rest had Smith carbines. When we went up the earth fortification and topped the berm we all went to revolvers and let em have it. ;D Then when the revolvers were empty we started back with the long guns from on top the berm. I went as a trooper instead of an officer so I could use my Henry. Hopefully nactorman will post the group photo of Wilson's Raiders. If he does our unit is knealing in the front row.
Scout
nactorman:
150th Battle of Selma
Thank You
I hope this message finds everyone well, having dried out and recuperated from last weekend’s hard fighting.
I wanted to follow up with everyone and thank you all for making the effort to come out and participate with the Wilson’s Raiders Repeater Company at the 150th Anniversary Battle of Selma. I know that for many of you, it was a long drive and quite an effort. I hope that you had a good time in spite of the weather and the somewhat chaotic command/battle situation. I know that I certainly enjoyed visiting with old friends and making new ones.
The Meet & Greet Dinner at the Golden Ranch on Friday evening was, for me, one of the highlights of the weekend. In total, we had 37 Raiders and family in attendance, and much fun was had in relaying the latest dispatches from HQ.
In total, on Saturday, we had 41 soldiers and 3 officers among the “Raiders.” This total does not include several additional orphaned infantrymen who were incorporated into our company for the battles. We fielded an impressive number of repeaters and breechloading weapons. Our company (not including the infantry add-ons) were armed with:
13 Spencers
14 Henrys
9 Smiths
5 Muzzleloading Rifles
1 Dbl Shotgun
On Sunday, we lost a few folks who had to leave early in order to get home, but also picked up a few who had not been able to make it out on Saturday, including a bugler.
I will be working on a more complete after action write-up over the next few days that I will make available along with photos and videos from the event. If you have any pics/vids you would like to share, please forward those to me ASAP so that I can make them available for everyone to view.
Also, I have had several folks inquire about how to purchase one of the Wilson’s Raiders T-shirts that the host unit were wearing. I have created a custom checkout on our webstore for them. To order, simply click the following link, fill out the shipping and payment info, and I’ll get a shirt off to you as soon as possible. I’m going to make these available through the 16th of May, so please submit your order prior to that time. The price listed in the checkout is my cost - I’m not making anything on these - and includes priority shipping ($17.75 shirt + $6 shipping).
http://veteranarms.biz/wirat.html
That’s it for now. Once again, thank you all for coming out and supporting our effort to raise a repeater/breechloader equipped company for the 150th Battle of Selma and making the final battle of the sesquicentennial one to remember.
God Bless.
Charles Misulia
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