Scout’s Cowboy Action Shooting Travels

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

39 minutes ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

 

I wish you could come to the Massachusetts/Connecticut/Rhode Island Tri-State match.  It's being held in Maine this year.   That would, I suppose, count for 4 states at once!

It's in early June this year.

On a similar light, the "Northeast Regional" is held out in the MidWest in Ohio in early August.  I may try to get to that one this year.

Nope that would not count as 4 states, only Maine and I’ve already shot there.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

2 hours ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Nope that would not count as 4 states, only Maine and I’ve already shot there.

Well, you see, that's the strange part.   It may be being held in Maine, but it's the TriState shoot for Massachusetts/Connecticut and Rhode Island.   There may be some Maine shooters there, maybe even some from New Hampshire or Vermont, but it's "not for them."

Something to consider.

And who knows, the last several years, I'd been officiating at the Cowboy Church service on Sunday.   Haven't been asked to this year though...

But I'm still going.   I think I'll shoot my Bisley's and Lightning in .32-20 this time around

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On 4/3/2025 at 1:39 PM, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

 

Hope that was not too much American History from 1776 but I had to share some of it 250 years later.

 

 

 

Those events were in 1775 actually.    Too bad you didn't swing by Bedford and the Public Library to see the actual flag that was carried into battle by our Minutemen and was "to April's breeze unfurled."

But, Lexington and Concord (pronounced "conquered" not "Concorde) are great places to visit.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

1 hour ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

 

Those events were in 1775 actually.    Too bad you didn't swing by Bedford and the Public Library to see the actual flag that was carried into battle by our Minutemen and was "to April's breeze unfurled."

But, Lexington and Concord (pronounced "conquered" not "Concorde) are great places to visit.

Thanks I fixed the places the year was not correct.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

2 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Well, you see, that's the strange part.   It may be being held in Maine, but it's the TriState shoot for Massachusetts/Connecticut and Rhode Island.   There may be some Maine shooters there, maybe even some from New Hampshire or Vermont, but it's "not for them."

Something to consider.

And who knows, the last several years, I'd been officiating at the Cowboy Church service on Sunday.   Haven't been asked to this year though...

But I'm still going.   I think I'll shoot my Bisley's and Lightning in .32-20 this time around

 

I need to shoot in the actual State not just shoot their State Championship.
 

Just sent in my entry for the North Dakota / South Dakota combined State match that is held in ND. So the weekend before I will shoot a monthly match in SD and the weekend after will shoot a monthly match in Nebraska to get all 3 of those states in one trip. Will do some site seeing between matches.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Well I got back home on Wednesday April 16th and drove 2,726 miles on this trip, traveling though Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.  Two days there, three days at the match, two days visiting Historic sites in SC and then two days back.  Let's start with the SC State Championship held at the Belton Gun Club.

No Bushwhack badge because you supply your own badge from a previous match if you want one.  I used 2005 EOT.

 

 

The main stage with Cowboy Music Playing to set the moode.

 

Thursday morning I shot the 4 stage Black Powder warm up match as a FC Duelist and shot clean with one rifle reload.  Turned out I finished 3rd out of 18 shooters and 4.56 secconds behind Scarlett Darlin who was shooting FCG.  Needless to say I am very happy with that.  Here is the BP posse.

 

Decided to buy this photo of me shooting my 1866 - the smoke coming out of the rounds in the air is too cool 

 

Then in the afternoon I shot the one warm up stage 3 times to get ready for the main match which I shot smokless Classic Cowboy.

 

The club has 5 bays so they had a morning flight and an afternoon flight each main match day.  After the first day they move targets and shoot dfferent senerios on the same bays the next day.

This is the Friday morning shooters briefing by Stew.

And this is the afternoon briefing again by Stew.

 

All shooters got a BBQ sandwich meal served both days and some other vendors served treats.  I partook of the Homemade Ice Cream, the Peach was Very Good.

 

I was on Posse 8 and we shot the afternoon shift on Friday and the morning shift on Saturday.  It rained off and on Friday afternoon and was chilly enough Saturday morning we all started with coats, but it warmed up and the coats came off.  Here is our possee after completing the match on Saturday morning.

 

Went ahead and purchased this photo of me shooing my 1887 with the shot shell in the air.

 

The awards ceremony was in the Big Tent following the afternoon posses finshing and the scores  tabulated.  Scoring was done on tables with timers that synced with the tables and at the end scores were downloaded for the results.  Friday they had costume judges walk around observing everyone and I was awarded Best Dressed Working Cowboy.  Finished with a Clean Match and there were 25 of us out of 121 that completed the match.  Overall I finished 52nd out of 121, won first in Silver Senior Classic Cowboy and after looking at the posted scores later actually finished ahead of the Combined Classic Cowboy Category of 7. 

 

Here is a photo of 5 of the 7 Classic Cowboys who shot the match.  Two left before the awards were over which is when this photo was taken.  They did however have their photo taken together during the awards ceremony so if I can get a copy of that photo will come back and add it below this photo so you can see all 7 who shot Classic.  Well photos are now available so I added Awards photo of the two Silver Senior Classic Cowboys and I also added the two Classics who got away before our group photo after the awards.

 

South Carolina is the 29th different State for me to shoot Cowboy Action!  Alabama is next in line.  I love history so when traveling I look for other places to visit.  So that is what I did Sunday and Monday after the match which ended Saturday.  Sunday I went to visit Kings Mountain and the Cowpens (both Revolutionary War sites) and then drove to the coast.  Monday I toured Fort Sumter and USS Yorktown at Patriots Point.  I will add separate posts about those trips next.

Edited May 6, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L
Added two more photos of me shooting

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Checking historic sites in South Caroina it turned out that Kings Mountain National Military Park was just a little over an hour from where I was staying for the state match and Cowpens National Battlefield was about 40 minuets from Kings Mountain.  Then the drive to the coast was about 3-1/2 hours to Mt Pleasant right next the Charleston.

 

Kings Mountain October 7, 1780

Kings Mountain National Military Park - Wikipedia  (link if you want more info on the battle)

 

 

Patriot Militia from many different colonies combined for the battle.

 

British Troops including Torres were camped in the cleared area on top.

 

I took the walking tour led by one of the Park Rangers.  The cleared area on top of the hill (Kings Mouintain) was a stopping point for travelers along the only road in those parts.

 

The loop trail around the hill (Kings Mountain).  At the time of the battle the trees were old growth and several feet in diameter with upper canopies blocking most of the sunlight.  The area on top was cleared for travelors to stop.

 

Monument on upper part of top of the cleared area.

 

Monument on lower part of top of the cleared area.

 

Looking from the lower part to the upper part of where the clearing was.

 

Site where the British commander Ferguson was killed.

 

He is the only one who was buried on the site.

  

 

 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Next was Cowpens January 19, 1781

Cowpens National Battlefield - Wikipedia (link if you want more info on the battle)

The main battle at the end of the movie "Patriots" is based on this battle.

 

The two main commanders, Daniel Morgan and Banastre Traleton

 

 

The King's Dragoons.

 

I walked the loop trail around the battlefield.

 

The only monument on the battlefield

 

Cowpens Battle Map

Southern Campaign Map

Edited April 19, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Fort Sumter is in Charleston Harbor on a man made island and you reach it by ferry.

 

Private group runs the ferry tours to Fort Sumter which is run by the National Park Service.  You can access it from Charleston or from Patriots Point in Mt Pleasant.  I went from Patriots Point because that is also were The USS Yorktown in located and took the morning tour.

 

Approacing the fort

At the fort

 

Fort Sumter - Wikipedia (link if you want more info on the Fort's History)

Ranger group presentation

 

First Shots of the American Civil War started at 4am on April 12, 1861. 

The shelling lasted 34 hours until the Commander of the Union forces agreed to depart the fort and turn it over to the SC forces.

 

Current remains of fort inside photo from on top of Battery Hugar built in the center of the fort in 1899.

Various artillery pieces within fort.

 

In 1863 Federal Forces layed seige to the fort and managed to demolish the brick fort to what remains today.  The Confederates did not give up the fort until February 1865 when they abandoned Charleston.

 

The back side of Federal shells imbedded in the fort walls fired from the other side of the fort.

 

Originally the fort looked like this in 1861.

 

The red line of the flag pole marks the top of the original fort before it was demolished during the seige.

 

Battery Huger was built inside the fort in 1899 for coastal defense and by 1945 was obsolete and was deactivated in 1947.  Fort Sumter was transferred to the National Park Service in 1948.

 

Need to stop and eat dinner so will come back later and finish with the USS Yorktown.

 

 

Edited April 20, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

OK last is the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier.

USS Yorktown (CV-10) - Wikipedia (link if you want more info in it.

 

Harbor side from the ferry

From the land/dock side

 

On the main deck inside

 

Main deck with aircraft on display

 

After walking the main deck I watched the movie in the main theater then walked the self guided tours 1, 2, 3 & 4

 

Flight Deck with aircraft on display

 

From the dock

 

The USS Laffey from the carrier and the dock.  I did not go aboard as I was tired and had not eaten lunch.

 

I did visit the gift shop and added this mug to my collection

 

Then went through the Vietnam Experience but will forgo posting all the photos I took there.

 

In 1-1/2 weeks I head the Alabama State and will tour Vicksburg Military Park on the way home.

Edited April 20, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L]

I think the best part of this travel blog is that you are building a travel plan for Holli and I when she finally retires!

[Yul Lose]

Great travel documentary, Scout. Keep them coming. Places I’d like to visit someday but likely never will.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Got back home from my Alabama trip Tuesday May 6th and drove 1,928 miles through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama plus diving through the Vicksburg National Military Park.  Two days there, three days at the match, two days home and one day on the way home touring the Military Park.  The Albama State championship "Shootout at Cavern Cove" was put on by The North Alabama Regulators at their range in Woodville AL.  This was my 30th different State to shoot Cowboy Action.

 

10 stage fronts plus long range area.

 

Large pavillion for gatherings, a kitchen and some lodgeing rooms behind doors 1-5, and a two bathrooms.

 

I shot the 4 stage Black Powder warmup match on Thursday morning in the rain and then shot the 4 stage warm up in the afternoon where it rained some.  Due to the rain I did not get a posse photo of BP posse.  Finished 1st Duelist and 3rd overall in the BP match.  Was pretty tired on Thursday after shooting 8 stages in one day.

 

Main Match started Friday with the safety meeting in the pavillion.

 

I was on Posse 6 and this photo is before we got started on Saturday morning.  Since we were on posse 6 we got to shoot stages 6-10 on Friday and then 1-5 on Saturday.  We had some intermittent rain on Saturday.

 

I had a GREAT TIME and shot a Clean match!  There were a bunch that shot clean and we all got this towel as an award.

 

Finshed 57th out of 112 that completed the match, won my category of Elder Statesman Classic Cowboy (but was the only one in it) and finished 3rd amongst the six Classics that finshed the match.

 

Here are the six Classics that completed the match.  A 7th started the match but was unable to shoot on Saturday due to illness.

 

Going to stop now for lunch and then come back and do a seperate post for the Vicksburg portion on the way home.

Edited May 9, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Vail Vigilante]

That is a really cool collection and life adventure!

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

The match ended on Saturday with awards that evening.  Sunday I drove to Vicksburg MS with the intention of spending all day Monday touring the National Military Park.  I got there in time Sunday to go check out the Visitor Center and am glad I did as was told by the ranger at the entry point that the visitor center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  OOPS somehow I had missed that!

 

The visitor center has theater where they show a short movie on the Seige of Vicksburg and events leading up to it and in another room with some displays they also have several short on demand videos that will show more detailed info on those same events.  They also have a gift shop where you can purchase books and souvenirs.  I had time to see both the movie and the multiple videos as well as purchase a mug for my collection.

 

This is a map showing the campaign movements and timeline leading up to the Seige of Vicksburg.

 

These items are next to the visitor center parking lot.

 

I did the driving tour of the park using the US Park Service App on  my iPhone and the two maps provided.  This one inside the brochure they give you.

 

And this one they give you that shows the roads that are closed.  So I was not able to see Grants HQ, Monuments for PA, MA, RI, NH & NY, #6 Thayer's Approach or #7 Battery Selfridge and the Navy Monument.

 

This is the Entry Gate that everyone dirves through to start the tour.

 

There are monuments and markers all throught the park and some of them are where you can park and look at them and others you would be blocking the road if you stopped to look at them or read them or take photos.

 

There are metal sign markers throughout the park that are Blue for Union and Red for Confederate.  Then there are also laminated signs with photos and descriptions of events that took place there.  There are also various artillery peices throughout the park.  I will just post a few photos of the many I took.  Stop #1 on tour Battery De Golyer.

 

This is the only extant building structure within the park, although it has been refurbished.  Stop #2 on tour Shirly House.

 

View from the house.

 

Stop #3 on tour Third Louisiana Redan

 

 

Over at connection of Graveyard Road and Confederate Avenue near stop #10 Stockade Redan

 

On the Confederate line somewhere between stop #10 and stop #9.

 

USS Cairo and Museum between stop #7 and #8.  (with #7 not accessible due to road closure)

 

Inside the Museum there are lots of artifacts that were in the Cairo when it was recovered.  They also have a video that gives the history of its discovery and recovery with actual photos of the recovery.  There is also a gift shop.

 

Across from the USS Cairo is stop #8 the Vicksburg National Cemetery

 

The Cemetery is only accessible by walking and was very humbling.  As noted below of the nearly 17,000 Federal Soldiers burined here, about 13,000 are unknown.  The graves of the unknown are marked with a plan square marker.

 

Stop #9 Fort Hill overlooking what was the Mississippi River during the time of the Seige, the river has shifted since then.

 

View from Bluff.

 

The meeting site of Grant and Pemberton to discuss surrender of Vicksburg.

 

Stop #13 Railroad Redoubt.

 

Reunion of over 8,000 Veterans from both sides attended in 1917.

 

As mentioned earlier there are statues and markers througout the park both Union and Confederate and here are some.

 

The Federal Law that created Vicksburg National Military Park autorized each state that had troops at Vicksburg to build a memorial.  Monuments started being constructed in 1903.  Here are some photos of ones I was able to access.

Mississippi

Illinois

Missouri

Louisiana

Alabama

Kentucky

Indiana

Georgia

Iowa

Texas

 

Note there are several places outside of what is now the main park including several state monuments.

Access to Navy Circle was closed.

 

After leaving the Military Park I went to the Old Court House Museum on Cherry Street.  Items donated by the resident of Vicksburg and is not just Civil War but also history of Vicksburg.  Lots of artifacts and photos.  Old Court Room upstairs.

 

Then I went to a Museum at the corner of Washington and China Streets.  It is a gentleman's private museum of his collection of mostly Civil War items.  But also has a large selection of period firearms.  Nice historical collection!

 

OK that completes my stop in Vicksburg.  Hope I did not bore you with history. 

 

My next trip leaving Tuesday is to Georgia State followed by Pennsylvania State the following weekend.  With stops between at two Civil War sites in Georiga and one in Virginia.

 

Edited May 9, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Diamond Jake]

Great pics Cowtown.  Glad I met you and got to shoot with you in the BP match in Alabama.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

50 minutes ago, Diamond Jake said:

Great pics Cowtown.  Glad I met you and got to shoot with you in the BP match in Alabama.

It was nice to meet and shoot with you also.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Dang, Scout, it must cost you a fortune getting all those pics developed.  

[J-BAR #18287]

Great posts and pix, CS!

 

Well done, Sir.

[Hunt Mountain Drifter]

It will be a great meeting you at our shoot in July.  I hope to make it 7 states by the end of the year. 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

4 minutes ago, Hunt Mountain Drifter said:

It will be a great meeting you at our shoot in July.  I hope to make it 7 states by the end of the year. 

It will be great to meet you and all your fellow cowboys at Virtue Flat Shootist Society in Baker City Oregon.

[T-Square]

Great shooting with you and spending time together at the Georgia State Match.  Thanks for sharing your adventures with the entire SASS family.  Safe travels, and we'll see you on down the trail ! Here are a few photos of the Georgia Match (Iron Chief - Steampunk) and me (T-square - Frontiersman). And also a picture of the covered wagon stage - that I almost lite on fire with my real Goex !!  LOL

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

OK time to update this travel thread. Have some patience as this will take a while and I may not get through it before taking a break.

 

Got back home from my Georgia and Pennsylvania trip Wednesday May 28th and drove 3,637.6 miles through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Arkansas plus toured The Chickamauga & Chatanooga Nation Military Park in GA, Lookout Mountain Mountain Point Park in TN and New Market Battlefield in VA.  Two days to GA, three days at the match, four days to PA with stops at afore mentioned battlefields, one day of rest in PA, 3 days at PA match and 3 days to get back home. 

 

The Georgia State championship "Stampede At South River" was put on by The South River Shootists and held at the South River Gun Club in Conyers GA.  This was my 31st different State to shoot Cowboy Action.

 

Club Layout.

 

When you first enter the club you see the shotgun fields with lots of green grass.  Trap fields at top.

 

Skeet fields below.

 

Main clubhouse where lunch meals were served.

 

Lots of room for campers and RVs.

 

Road to shoooting bays below.

 

Big Tent for awards set up on bullseye pistol range.

 

Most of main roads to bays are paved asphalt.

 

Pavillion

 

Vendors Area

 

Facilities with Water

 

Warmup Bays

 

Main Match Bays

 

I shot the Black Powder 5 stage State Match, there were two posses and this was the one I shot with.

 

Finished 2nd Duelist out of 5 and 13th overall out of 24 who shot the match.  We all got this pin for shooting the match.

 

Safety Meeting before the match on Friday.  Stew did the announcing with Fast Eddie standing behind him.

 

I shot with Posse 1 so we got to shoot stages 1-5 day one and 6-10 day two.  This is Posse 1 the morning of day two.

 

After lunch on Day two they had a shootoff open to all shooters who wanted to shoot, particpants drew for shooting order and who to shoot against.  This is the setup with photo taken the warmup day on Thursday.

 

The center targets were moved closer right before the start of the shootoff.  Here are some photos from the shootoff Saturday.  Everything was knock down targets and all firearms were staged. Order - Pistol, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun.

 

Awards were at the big tent area set up on the bullseye pistol range.  Entertainment prior to awards was a great bullwhip demonstration.

 

The line for getting drinks from the bar before the awards.

 

Stew was the MC for the awards but to start if off all the Posse Marshals came forward to anounce the recipents of the 

Spirit of the Game for their possee. 

 

I finished 3rd Classic Cowboy out of 6 and 91st overall out of 156 who finished the match.

 

This is a photo of the Classics who shot the match.

 

Well that completes the Georgia State Match writeup.  Now on to Chickamauga Battlefield the next day.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Eyesa Horg]

Great photo diary Scout. You're having lots of fun, I can tell.😊

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

The Chickamauga Battlefield was a 2-1/2 hour drive from the motel I stayed at for the Georgia match.  This is the main offices for the Chickamauga and Chatanooga National Military Park in Georgia.

 

The Chickamaga Battlefield Visitor Center is attached to the rear of the main office building.

 

The Military Park actually has multiple locations as shown on these two signs.  These photos are from the Chickamauga Battlefield location.  I also visited the Lookout Mountain location later this same day will be separate writeup and photos.

 

Started with the Ranger Program of a driving tour to six locations where he gave us some detailed descriptions and history of portions of the battle which occured September 18, 19 & 20 in 1863.  Then I came back to the visitor center to see their movie about the battle and view their displays about the battle and events leading up to it.  Also got to see the Outstanding Military Arms Collection donated for display by Claud Fuller which was unveiled on July 4th 1954.  When he and his wife chose to donate it in 1949 their stipulation was that it remain on permanent display for the general public.  She passed before the display was completed and he passed in 1957.

 

I then went on the self guided driving tour of the battlefield.

 

Some photos from that driving tour.

Wilder's Tower

 

 

That concludes the Chickamauga Battlefield.  Now on to Lookout Mountain Point Park in Tennesse.   Just a 30 minute drive north.  Separate writeup and photos next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Now to Lookout Mountain Point Park Tennesse up a LONG WINDING ROAD to the top.  This battle took place on November 24th 1863.

 

The Visitor Center.

 

There were some short videos about the battle and a few displays but one whole wall had this massive painting on it.

 

Park Entry

 

Sequence and Timeline for multiple battles

 

The Park

 

New York Peace Monument - #3

 

Overlook - #2 with Chatanooga below

 

Artillery - #4

 

Artillery - #5

 

Sign to OCHS Museum and observation point - Museum had a lot of old period photos after the Union occupation

 

Some views from OCHS observation point - way down the path with many stairs

 

 

Many hiking trails in the park

 

Umbrella Rock next to OCHS Museum and observation point

 

There was supposed to be a Park Ranger led tour and program at 4:00 but at 4:20 I gave up waiting for it and left the park for my motel.

 

Lookout Mountain from my motel parking lot on the other side from the road up the mountain to Point Park.

 

 

That concludes my day on Sunday May 18th.  On to New Market Virginia on Monday the 19th, whole day of travel.

Edited June 4, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[T-Square]

AWESOME !  Thanks Scout for sharing !!  I'm headed that way (toward Lookout Mountain) on the way to WarTrace tomorrow.  I look forward to seeing you down the trail one day soon !

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Spent all day Tuesday May 20th touring the New Market Museum and Battlefield which is part of the VMI (Virginia Military Institute) and the adjacent private museum just outside the main gate.

 

Sign at main entry road

 

Visitor Center and Museum

 

Statue of General "Stonewall" Jackson who was an instructor at VMI before joining the Confederate Army.

 

Inside the Museum

 

 

Top level - displays about the Civil War in general

 

Lower Level is about the New Market Battle and a Collection of Civil War Firearms.

His rifled musket with the bent barrel

His Uniform

The Bullet Hole in his collar

The bullet that almost took his life, mounted as a keep sake.

 

From the movie made about the battle.

 

I purchased this movie on DVD in the gift shop of the vistor center, they had it playing on a video screen and it looked intersting.

 

The Kaminsky Gallery of Civil War Firearms

 

Rifled Musket recovered from battlefield

 

 

Opposite the Stained Glass Window

 

 

Up the ramp past the artwork is the theater where they show a short film telling about the battle.  This is a PBS film and not the full movie by the same name.

 

After going through the museum and visitor center I ate lunch at a picnic table in the shade of some trees.  Then did the walking tour of the battlefield which includes the Bushhong  Farm.

Note that Interstate 81 runs through the battlefield.  There is a tunnel under I-81 that gets to the battlefield on the west side up to highway 11.  Photos of that later in this writeup.

Bushong Farm in the distance

 

 

Inside House

 

To the left is the farm to the right is where the plowed field was that the VMI Cadets charged through loosing shoes to the mud.

 

This where the plowed field was looking toward the Federal line.

 

Where the artillery line was that the VMI Cadets charged towards and actually captured one of the pieces.

Looking back at the field and the farm.

 

Marker at the end of the road to this end of the battlefield.

 

Access tunnel under I-81 adjacent to the farm.

 

Views from the west side of the battlefield between I-81 and Highway 11

 

Signs on Highway 11.

 

Fence along Highway 11 - Looking South

 

Looking North

 

Looking East towards I-81 - gravel walking path to statue

 

This is a private museum just outside the gateway to the VMI Museum and Visitor Center.  Think it may have been the vistor center before the other one was constructed.

 

Inside the Museum

 

There is sensory overload when going through this museum and I did not have the time to stop and read all the information but it was full of great artifacts and LOTS period photos many that the people had been identidfied by name and rank.  It was set up with small displays along a winding pathway through the museum and here are some photos to show that.

 

Outside the Museum

 

This link has information about the battle and the role of the VMI Cadets in the battle. 

"Put the Boys In" The VMI Cadets at New Market — Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District

 

Excepts from that writeup about the cadets:

[Throughout the morning, the two battle lines exchanged musket and cannon fire across the Bushongs’ sodden wheat fields.  Twice Sigel ordered charges that fell apart from lack of coordination, causing the general to lapse ineffectually into his native German.  Despite the lack of progress, the Union fire savaged the Confederate regiments sufficiently to open a gap in the center of their line north of the Bushongs’ orchard.  With no other reserves available, Breckinridge reluctantly ordered the VMI cadets into line, saying, “Put the boys in, and may God forgive me for the order.”

 

The four companies of cadets divided around the Bushong house and regrouped along a fence at the edge of the field some 200 yards from the Union line.  When a cavalry assault ordered by Sigel was repulsed, Breckinridge sensed the moment had come for the climactic charge, and ordered his entire line forward. As the cadets moved through the muddy, ruined wheat, many had the shoes sucked from their feet, giving the ground the legendary name the “Field of Lost Shoes.”

 

The Confederate charge drove Sigel’s army back across Smith Creek and captured several cannon that could not be removed in time.  One of the guns was taken by the cadets, giving them the ultimate infantryman’s prize in their baptism of fire.]

 

There were 257 Cadets that fought in the battle.  Their average age was 18, the youngest was 15 and the oldest was 22.  Five were killed during the battle, about 50 were wounded and five of those died shortly afterwards from their wounds.  Six of those who died are buried at VMI and there are markers for all 10 who died at VMI.  This link tells of those graves and markers. VMI Cadet Cenotaphs - Va Museum of the Civil War - Virginia Military Institute

 

This concludes the writeup of my visit to New Market Battlefield.  The next day Wednesday May 21st I traveled to Williamsport PA.  Thursday May 22nd I relaxed and did Nothing but take lots of naps.  I am stopping for the night and will pick up with the the writeup on the PA State tomorrow.

 

 

Edited June 4, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Dapper Dave]

Thank you very much for the incredible photographs, sir. Feels like I'm there. 

[Dr. Zook]

Very Very well put together!!! --- The Civil war was something I studied and tried to get to the major battlefields during summer vacation trips ---- hopefully after I retire, i'll be able to get to them again...  I worked with a FF Bushong here in Phx, I'll have to reach out to him after seeing his surname on the New Market farm & see if he                 even knows about it or is related somehow along the way to the family...

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

OK The Pennsylvania State Championship put on by El Posse Grande at their cowboy range locaed at the North Mountain Sportsman Club in Muncy Vally PA was Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 23, 24 & 25.  Titled North Mountain Shoot Out XXVI (this is their 26th year to host the match)

 

Cowboy Clubhouse

 

Pavillian directly behind the clubhouse

 

Vendors Row

 

Boot Hill memorial

 

 

Got to have one, right?

 

Path to stages along both sides

 

Stage bays - 1 at the top by the pavillion and 10 at the bottom of the hill. Taken warmup and wild bunch day. 

Appears my photos of stages 7 and 9 got over written by other photos. :-(

 

Friday night was a pot luck dinner served up in the main clubhouse on top the hill where the shotgun ranges are and where the campers and RVs were parked.  They had a shuttle trailer pulled by a tractor to get folks up and down the BIG hill and winding road that connects this area to the cowboy range below.

 

Inside clubhouse

 

Opening ceremony Saturday morning at the cowboy clubhouse and pavillian - color guard

 

National Anthem by Tom Payne on his harmonica

 

Blackhills Barb making announcments

 

Barbeque Brisket and Chicken with all the fixins served Saturday evening at the Pavillion from catering truck.

Sorry no photo.

 

I shot on Posse 5 so we shot stages 5-10 on day one and 1-4 on day two.  Six stages Saturday and four stages Sunday.  We only had to climb back up the hill the first day after shooting our 6 stages.  No real climb day two as they are all near the top.  Each posse had a member from the local youth shooting club (that uses the shotgun ranges for practice) to pick up brass both days.  We took donations at the end to give to the young lady who was with our posse, she got a nice payday!  Posse photo taken by her on day two before starting that morning.

 

I shot two warmup stages twice on Friday and then also shot the speed shotgun stage with my 1887 and actually won the lever action category.  (Might have been the only one shooting a lever shotgun) Medallion on black and white ribbon shown in first photo with the book and name badge.

 

Finshed 2nd Classic Cowboy out of 8 shooting the match and finished 49th out of 120 who finished the match. 

Very hard to photograph an award with a mirror finish.

 

Top Classic Cowboys - 1st in center, 3rd and PA State Champ on left.  We actually got to shoot on the same posse - Great Guys!!!

 

Here are the Classics who shot the match except for one Classic Cowboy who got away before the photo.

 

That concludes my writeup on the PA State match.  Monday (Memorial Day) I headed home and stopped the first night in Grove City OH and the second night in Jackson TN then back home on Wednesday May 28th. This was my 32nd different State to shoot Cowboy Action and completes my Spring planned trips (Green). 

 

I

 

I leave Friday this week June 6th to start my Summer planned trips (Orange) and I am headed to shoot in North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.  Here is my updated list of Cowboy Clubs I have shot at in their respective states:

 

States & Clubs I have Shot Cowboy Action - Cowtown Scout

06/02/2025

Club Name – underlined and Italic indicates no longer a club at that location

 

Alabama

The North Alabama Regulators (Woodville) Shootout at Cavern Cove/AL State, 2025

 

Arkansas

Mountain Valley Vigilantes (Hot Springs) Annual/Shooting in the Shade, 2007, 2008 & 2009

Judge Parkers Marshals (Fort Smith) Hell on the Border/Arkansas State, 2021

 

Arizona

Tombstone Ghost Riders (Tombstone) Dammit Gang Dooley Gang Showdown, 2008

Los Vaqueros (Tombstone) Monthly on way to Winter Range, Multiple Years

Arizona Territory Company of Rough Riders (Ben Avery/Peoria) National Championship/Winter Range, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Arizona Territory Company of Rough Riders (Ben Avery/Peoria) World Championship/End of Trail, 2022

 

California

Cajon Cowboys (San Bernardino) Monthly 2014

The Cowboys (Norco) Monthly 2014

 

Colorado

Windy Gap Regulators (Cortez) Annual/Revenge, 2017, 2018

 

Florida

Okeechobee Marshals (Sebastian) Monthly, 2014

Weewahootee Vigilance Committee (Orlando) Monthly, 2014

 

Georgia

South River Shootists (Covington) Stampede at South River/GA State, 2025

 

Illinois

Illowa Irregulars (Milan) Monthly on way to EOT in Indiana, 2021

 

Indiana

Paradise Pass Regulators (Etna Green) World Championship/End of Trail, 2021

 

Iowa

Fort Des Moines Rangers (Indianola) Iowa State/Classic Cowboy Showdown, 2021

 

Kansas

Free State Rangers (Parker) Annual/Classic Cowboy Showdown, 2020

Butterfield Gulch Gang (Chapman) Annual/Classic Cowboy Showdown, 2019, 2022 (Kansas State), 2024

 

Kentucky

Ponderosa Pines Posse (Manchester) Annual/Black Gold, 2016

 

Louisiana

Cypress Creek Cowboys (Calhoun) Louisiana State, 2005, 2006

 

Maine

The Maine Marshals (Berwick) Great Maine Gun Fight/Maine State, 2024

 

Maryland

Thurmont Rangers (Manchester) Monthly, 2023

 

Michigan

The Wolverine Rangers (Kimball) Range War/Michigan State, 2024

 

Minnesota

Cedar Valley Vigilantes (Morristown) Gunsmoke/Minnesota State, 2010

 

Mississippi

Mississippi River Rangers (Byhalia) Smokin’ Guns at Rabbit Ridge/Mississippi State, 2024

 

Missouri

Butterfield Trail Cowboys (Walnut Shade) The Branson Classic/Missouri State, 2024

 

Montana

Montana Territory Peacemakers (Billings) Monthly, 2023

 

New Mexico

Lincoln County Regulators (Ruidoso) on way to EOT NM, Once

Lost River Cowboys (Roswell) on way to EOT NM, Once

Seven River Regulators (Carlsbad) on way to EOT NM, Once

SASS Founders Ranch (Edgewood) World Championship/End of Trail, 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 2018

SASS Founders Ranch (Edgewood) 4 Corners Regional, 2007

 

New York

Circle K Regulators (Ballston Spa) Heluva Rukus/New York State, 2024

  

Nevada

Eldorado Cowboys (Bolder City) Eldorado/Nevada State, 2009

 

North Carolina

Gunpowder Creek Regulators (Lenoir) Monthly, 2010

Old North State Posse (Salisbury) Monthly, 2009

 

Oklahoma

Indian Territory (Sand Springs) Oklahoma State, 2007

Shortgrass Rangers (Grandfield) New Year’s Day Shoot, Twice

Oklahoma Territory Marshals (Arcadia) Land Run, several times pre-2015

Oklahoma Territory Marshals (Arcadia) Southwest Regional/Red Dirt Rampage, 2015, 2016, 2017 

Oklahoma Territory Marshals (Arcadia) National Championship/Land Run, 2022, 2024

Red River Valley Cowpokes (Albany) New Year’s Day Shoot, Once

 

Pennsylvania

El Posse Grande (Muncy Valley) North Mountain Shoot Out XXVI/PA State, 2025

 

South Carolina

Belton Bushwhakers (Belton) The Bushwhack/SC State, 2025

 

Tennessee

Memphis Gunslingers (Lakeland) Monthly, 2016

 

Virginia

Bend of Trail (Hardy) Monthly, 2025

 

West Virginia

Cowboy Action Shooting Sports (Great Cacapon) Appalachian Showdown XXXII/ West Virginia State, 2023 

 

Wisconsin

Rock River Regulators (Beloit) Reckoning on The Rock/Wisconsin State, 2024

 

Texas

Alamo Area Moderators (San Antonio) Monthly, Once

Badlands Bar 3 (English) Monthly, Southwest Regional, Annual/Comin At Cha, 2003 - 2014

Butterfield Trail Regulators (Abilene) Monthly, Annual 2003 - 2007

Buck Creek Bandoleros (Nemo) Monthly, 2007

Canadian River Regulators (Clarendon) Monthly, on way to EOT NM, Twice

Comanche Valley Vigilantes (Nemo/Glen Rose) Monthly, Southwest Regional, 2003 - 2006

Comanche Valley Vigilantes (Cleburne) Monthly, Southwest Regional, Texas State, 2007 - 2023

Cottonwood Creek Cowboys (Snyder) Monthly on way to EOT NM, Once

El Vaqueros (Breckenridge) Monthly 2003 - 2005

Gruesome Gulch Gang (Plainview) Monthly on way to EOT NM, Once

High Plains Highwaymen (Pampa) Annual/Battle of Adobe Walls - Classic Cowboy Showdown, 2023

Lone Star Frontier Shooting Club (Cleburne) Monthly, Annual/Round Up, BP & Texas State, 2003 - 2025

Oakwood Outlaws (Oakwood) Monthly, Annual/Jail Break, Texas State, TSRA State, 2003 - 2014

Old Fort Parker Patriots (Groesbeck) Monthly, Annual/Defend the Fort, TSRA & BP State, 2007 - 2025

Plumb Creek Carriage & Shooting Society (Lockhart) Annual, 2010

Plumb Creek Shooting Society (Lockhart) Texas State, 2013, 2015

San Antonio Rough Riders (San Antonio) TSRA State, 2005

Tejas Caballeros (Austin) Monthly, Once

Tejas Caballeros (Blanco) Annual/Whoopin, 2021

Tejas Pistoleros (Eagle Lake) Monthly, Once

Texican Rangers (Fredericksburg) Annual/Comancheria Days, Texas State, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2018

Texas Historical Shootist Society (Columbus) TSRA State, Once

Texas Peacemaker (Tyler) Monthly, Once

Texas Riviera Pistoleros (George West) Annual/Gunfight at Gamble Gulch, 2024

Texas Troublemakers (Brownsboro) Monthly, Twice

Texas Ten Horns (Greenville) Monthly, Three Times

Texas Ten Horns (Leonard) Monthly, Annual/The Great Spaghetti Western, 2016 – 2024

Thunder River Renegades (Plantersville) Monthly, Once

Tin Star Texans (Fredericksburg) Annual/Resurrection, 2007

 

 

Edited June 4, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Black Hills Barb]

Let me know if you want pics of stages 7 & 9.  I'll see if I can find them.  If not, I can just take a pic of each without the targets.
Thank you for the nice coverage of our match.  It was great to see you again and spend a little more time with you.  BTW, you were on a terrific posse.  Tom, Travis, Pike & Mike are among the best there is in my book.  I hope we cross paths on the trail again sometime. 
Did you use the QR code to see match pics?  There must be over a thousand of them by now.  

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

15 minutes ago, Black Hills Barb said:

Let me know if you want pics of stages 7 & 9.  I'll see if I can find them.  If not, I can just take a pic of each without the targets.
Thank you for the nice coverage of our match.  It was great to see you again and spend a little more time with you.  BTW, you were on a terrific posse.  Tom, Travis, Pike & Mike are among the best there is in my book.  I hope we cross paths on the trail again sometime. 
Did you use the QR code to see match pics?  There must be over a thousand of them by now.  

It was good to see and visit with you a little also.  If you want to add photos of stages 7 and 9 to this thread, go ahead but don't go out of your way to do that.  I  don't do QR codes, is there another way to get to the photos?

Edited June 5, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Dapper Dave]

Love the permanent cowboy ranges - we have few props and have to put them up/break them down for every match.  

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

9 hours ago, Dapper Dave said:

Love the permanent cowboy ranges - we have few props and have to put them up/break them down for every match.  

Some ranges are dedicated Cowboy ranges and can have permanent props or storefronts but even then if the range is not restricted access they still store the steel targets between matches.  Others that are secure can leave the targets out all the time.  Ranges that are shared between multiple disaplines must set up and take down for all their matches. 

Edited June 5, 2025 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L