Issue #7

Oct/Dec 2004

Page 3

The Soggy Bottum Boys are Called to Action Again

Your Honorable Governor Covert, sir I beg to relate to you a copy of report from one of our stations. I relate this report to you in exactly the context in which I have received it. So you are of a better understanding of the situation and morale of our men on the frontier. I now relate the said mentioned report for your knowledge.

Capt McGee away to the north called all scouts to action. The alarm went out again. All able bodied scouts were to assemble in the defense of the McCort Blockhouse on the Hock-Hocking. Capt McGee being away to the north on official business sent Blackie in his place. I arrived at the McCort cabin late in the afternoon, Josiah was already there, and imagine this, it was raining. Our gear and provisions were stowed in the cabin and discussions were held as we waited for Blackie to arrive. We were starting to worry about him as dark was fast approaching that he wouldn’t pick up our trail. Josiah put a lantern out for Blackie to find us and he was able to pick up on our trail. We waited until he arrived to have dinner and enjoyed conversation as we feasted on boiled beef and sweet corn. I proceeded to bed around midnight while Josiah and Blackie took the night watch. Saturday morning brought clear skies and cool temps. I stoked up the stove (we had a wood burning cook stove in the cabin, I had a new learning experience). I put the coffee on and as the scouts arose, they were met with a hot cup and a pipe. We enjoyed breakfast and made plans for the day. We set out for a scout of the area and hopes of some fresh meat. I attempted to check my firelock and it wouldn’t fire, so I pulled the ball and discovered my gun had drawn moisture and my powder was soaked. Under Josiah and Blackie’s guard I dried my barrel, reloaded, and we went on our way. We were in the woods a little while when Josiah spotted a squirrel and missed. A little later Blackie spotted one and got it. I did not see anything but high water in a small stream. We proceeded to hunt and scout our way to the river and check it out. We returned to the cabin and Blackie cleaned the squirrel to have with our dinner. That night we dined on squirrel stew with dumplings and baked apples. We were paid a visit by one of the hounds from McCourt’s cabin and he finished the leftovers. We sat on the porch and watched the deer in the meadow while we had a pipe and discussed the day and future scouts in this area of territory. We retired to our bunks and some of us enjoyed a restful night. One of us had a problem with their bunk in the middle of the night and ended up sleeping on the floor. Sunday morn brought even cooler temps and clear skies. Once again I stoked the stove and prepared coffee, enjoying the sunrise with my pipe. We had a meal of pig and flat cakes and leisurely packed for our trips home. A few of us did a bit of shooting and parted for home. With the candle growing dim and the tea getting cold, I will finish my report here and retire for the night.

I remain
YMHOS
Weaser

I have since concluded my business in the Norht in percurring supplies and provisions for the upcoming winter, and have returned to my post here on the Yellow Creek. In receiving and review of the report of the men of McCourt's Blockhouse, I would assume for the present the Indian uprising is calmed for the time with only minor sightings of Native Indians. How ever I would encourage furhter scouting of the area for possible surveys and treks, as from the report the game seems numerous as far as deer and a few squirrel. I stress while the game seems fruitful, that far more area could be scouted and covered if we assisted with a few more men. I encourage you to at your earliest possible convenience to send us more men and provisions of powder and ammunition. I await further instructions.

YMHS,
Capt David McGee

Ohio COHT Mail in Shooting Contest

I have had the request from a few members through my poling of the members earlier in the year to come up with more competitive events with in the Ohio COHT. So with the aid of one of my stronger members. We have come up with the following idea to spark involvement and participation with in the Ohio COHT. This idea consists of a mail in target shoot. The shooters must receive the assigned target, follow the instructions, have the target post marked by the decided date. The winner thus decided and announced. I am hoping this encourage the members of Ohio as well as Indiana, but I feel if employed through out the COHT membership… it thus increases the possibility of success. I have jotted down a few notes of how I thought it should be ran. I can further expand on them if needed. So send in a registration of $5.00 with your name and address and what caliber of weapon you will be using to 18 Eynon Street, irondale, Ohio 43932. You can get together as a group or just you, but lets have some fun and do some shooting. The winner will be announced at the February meeting. Call or email me with any questions, Thank you. I have thought and sugested maybe a national COHT shoot like this to help with things in the COHT, maybe through Ohio's demonstration it will catch on?

YMHS,
Dave McGee
OH-Rep, COHT

1. The target, I have a CD of files of targets for different ranges that could be printed and mailed to the shooter.
A. We could have different categories for different ranges… 25 or 50 yards, etc.
1. We will do two categories for now, a 50 yard off hand and a 25 yard off hand with two seperate registrations for each so please specify your category. B. We could also very this by different categories by further offering divisions of off hand and rested position of each category.

2. The shooter must have a witness to testify to the shooting, and sign the target as well giving oath to such witnessed account.
A. No real significance, as it is mostly on the honor system any ways. But hopefully you'll get someone interested in Black Powder shooting and the COHT, talk about a event or plan something... but together.
B. Gives the member a chance to get a friend involved in black powder shooting and possibly the COHT. I think I said that already, get the point?

3. The shooter must sign his target so we can ensure one entry per member, per category, the witness must sign the target as well, the target must be post marked by a cut off date to be determined and announced publicly and on the target itself… to keep things clear between the participants. This date will be Febuary 1st, 2005.
A. The winner to be determined by the closest shot to mark.
B. Some prize be fitting the number of participants shall be awarded.

4. The rules
A. Send in for participation (small fee of $5.00) per category
B. Follow the rules according to the category and or division
C. Witness must attest to the following of the rules and the number of shots taken.
D. The witness and shooter must sign and date the target and have it post marked by the cut off date (Feb 1st, 2005)

5. The fee, will be applied to cover postage, printing and purchase of the prize, plus a donation to the COHT of any extra funds.
A. The fee covers postage of a good clear target, preferably unfolded or bent and printing.
B. Portion of the fee goes toward buying the prize.
C. Any left over funds will go to the COHT to help offset the cost of publications and printings and what ever the COHT feels.
D. A detailed report of funds taken in and spent doubled with receipts will be filed to the Treasurer of the COHT, as well as left over funds.

6. The benefits of participating
A. The members complain of time available to travel and the costs involved in getting time off to attend such COHT events and be participating… this gives them the chance to participate, compete, aid the COHT, from a local and inexpensive means to them and their own home provided they get it post marked by the cut off date.
B. Encourages participation, communication between members, getting out and using the tools of our time period and trade
C. Gives the members a chance and reason to practice some of the COHT’s goals and ideals and objectives in an event historically accurate to the time and period in which we relive.
D. May help off set some of the COHT’s financial costs which we find ourselves burdened with.

7. Judging, the judging will be done by me on the state level.
A. The judges decision is final, with the keeping of targets for a certain amount of time in case of disputes.
B. If such disputes are claimed, the assistance of outside COHT members in the area of representation (such as Gov, rep, Officer) may be called upon.
1. Final decision by measuring of the target itself in case of questioning.
2. In case of tie… two prizes or final shoot off between those involved following the same guidelines.

8. Weapons must be blackpowder, shooting must be done in period dress (maybe a photo to use on the web to show what Ohio is doing), weapon must be to correct time period, steel fixed open sights only, patched round ball, witness attests to proper shooting technique and distance.

9. Violators and cheaters will be dealt with accordingly and with imagination of members

Ohio COHT Meeting for 2005The Meeting for Ohio COHT is scheduled for February 25 - 27th, 2005. It will be again at the Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village, inconjuction with the Maple Syrup Festival. It is the same weekend as we had it last year. We had a great time last year and ate well, and everyone got a great prize for coming. Everyone enjoyed Ken Ashcraft's entertaining with his music, a very talented man. By the way I have recently spoken to him and about his CD. It turns out that he had a major computer problem and hopes to have it fixed and maybe he will return to the meeting and have some of his CD's available for us to purchase. One can only hope, he is very talented and we appreciated your gift to us last year. We staged a little tactical last year, that being won by Weaser... the sole survivor. I think some will be looking for some retribution this year. What do you think Weaser? Some certificates of recognition were passed out last year and will again this year. If there is someone that you feel is deserving of recognition, please contact me about that. Dave Felter "Hermit" was awarded the Governor's Choice last year... maybe it will be you this year? Its a great time to meet and catch up and discuss thoughts and ideas, so bring your trek or event ideas with you. Please bring a prize for the drawing worth in the neighborhood of $15.00 - $20.00. Last year we did a camp-cook kind of thing, our thanks to Weaser for his time spent over the fire feeding us all. Hopefully the rest of us won't make him do the dishes as well... help out. If you would like to participate in that... please be sure and bring something for each day to throw into the pot. Maybe start a string on the State Message board to arrange the menu and who is bringing what? Although you are welcome to cook on your own if you so choose. Bring some water and maybe some wood, although the woods are near by for you to pick any dead fall material. There will be again a wood stove heated school house for you to stay in if you like. Any furhter questions, please call me or post them to the State Message board. I look forward to seeing you all again there this up coming year, and meeting some of our new members. We will again try and have a few competitions arranged, but if you have a idea... we are willing to hear it. See you at the Village!

Some of our Ohio COHT members and guests at last years meeting

YMHS,
Dave McGee
OH-Rep, COHT

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