150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

[Archie R. Lib]

Gents:

Is there any interest to form up a State's Rights flintlock company for the 150th Manassas event? I know Company K, 33rd VA was issued flintlocks just prior to the fight (as were, obviously, a number of Confederate units), and it appears there will be no issues with using them by the event organizers.

As a rock lock toter and fan, I thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone else may want to play. It would be something to see an authentic company out there throwing sparks.

VR, & YOS.

[Daniel]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Hello Rich,

I would be very interested in joining a company of Confederates using flintlocks at the 150th Manassas. If this takes place it will probably be the first time a Confederate unit will grace the field using flintlocks since the war.

Dan Stewart

[Silas]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Not to rain on the parade, but further discussion involving this mainstream mega event needs to conform to the carpe eventum guidelines found here : http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...Adjunct-Events

[elcid01]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Silas- This can be a seperate folder and NOT the 2ns MISSISSIPPI effort Matt and myself are shaping. Just so your post doesn't get confused. As our thread is NOT emcompasing all 1st Manassas efforts. There are 2 company slots avaliable but no need for a Flintlock company as the 2nd maintained conversaion smoothbores during the campaign.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Moved thread to The Sinks to avoid confusion with other adjunct events.

[elcid01]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Thanks Wick!

[Mike_Schramm]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Not to rain either.

Under Weapons Section [emphasis mine]

1. 3 band muskets preferred; correct 2 banders and flint locks allowed only by prior written approval from
the Army commanding General [for CSA, ANV's Jake Jennette] subject to supporting historical documentation and must be restricted to
use in the front rank only.
2. Flintlocks must have a flash guard shield.

I hope you can get permissions and are able to pull this off.

Mike

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Thanks Mike.

I have an e-mail out to Jake Jennette to see if my documentation is sufficient and if they will allow the unit. I will post when I hear back!

Thanks.

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Gents:

General Jennette's brief reply was basically a reiteration of the information on the website. Flints in the front rank only, flash guards required. Also, he mentioned that anyone wishing to register had to do so under an "umbrella" organization that will be at the battle. With that, I guess it is fair to assume that, if flints are only allowed in the front rank, there can be no company of flints unless it is a single rank organization.

Therefore, it appears as though the idea of a company of flints, though surely one of the most accurate impressions to be found for this battle, is out of the question. Lawyers don't like them.

VR & YOS.

[Daniel]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Rich: Thank you for your efforts to form a flintlock company. Yes a flintlock company would be very authentic. But it seem like the flintlocks do not get much respect from not only this event but, it seems, for the hobby in general.

Dan Stewart

[joey12thga]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Why not see what is going on at the Manassas Battlefield Park and and if you can raise a History heavy Flintlock company for that? Sure it's not the enactment festival but not all activities have to based around the festivals do they?

[Darrell Cochran]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

Rich: Thank you for your efforts to form a flintlock company. Yes a flintlock company would be very authentic. But it seem like the flintlocks do not get much respect from not only this event but, it seems, for the hobby in general.

Dan Stewart

Just like 1841s and other (short-barrel) rifles.

[tmdreb]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

I think there are a ton of people who would be absolutely shocked to learn that there are other people who reenact all kinds of other time periods, and have done so very safely for decades without bizarre and unnecessary "safety" restrictions.

This brings to mind an incident a couple years back when a vendor for earlier time periods introduced a repro of the British 60-round cartridge box, for use by Napoleonic and 1812 reenactors. There was serious consideration amongst the 1812'ers to forming a committee to evaluate the possible safety considerations of using a box that used a tin insert rather than a wooden block.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

My Recommendation for folks wanting a company o' rock-locks:
Find a well-written set of regs for weapons and weapon safety from somewhere in the US, whether Rev War, War of 1812, or whatever. Tweak as necessary for ACW use. Then contact the event organizers/CS commander and make the pitch for a flintlock company.

They will never have the chance to say "Yes" to a flintlock company if no one asks.

...and "'Tis better to ask for forgiveness than for permission" is not a good plan when safety regulations, insurance companies, and lawyers are involved.

[lukegilly13]

Re: 150th Manassas Flintlock Company?

I would recomend these Infantry Tactics by Winfield Scott http://drillnet.net/SCOTTSTACTICS/ScottsSotS.htm#P2
We use those from time to time a the National Park where I work. We also have a different set for pre-revolutationary war period. I've got the manual in my hand...it's very detailed with modern color pictures (the NPS version). It came however, from an infantry tactic drill book for militia...I just can't remember which one so i'm looking for it. I 'll post it when I find it.