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Posted by Ken Hall
on 8/14/2005, 10:46 am
24.164.111.121
Gentlemen,
Below is the information on the School of the Soldier/Trooper at Darrow's Bison Ranch, Schellsburg, PA. Sept. 23-25, 2005.
1). DIRECTIONS- If you are coming via the PA turnpike, take the Bedford exit. Turn right off the exit and go towards OBV on US 220. Pass the Village and continue on into Bedford. At the US 30 junction turn right (west) and go approximately 5 mi. to Schellsburg. Continue through the village on US 30. About 2 mi. out of town look for signage "BN School" on your left. Take a left turn into the drive after the sign, a large cattle farm. This is part of the Bison ranch. Drive past the barns and buildings and look for the signs to the campsite. It is assessable by vehicle and trailers. If you miss the turn, go to the Ranch store down the hill and turn around there.
If you are coming from the west on US 30 watch for signs for Schellsburg. 2 mi. west of town is the Ranch store on your right. (I believe that there are signs for the store also before you come to it). The cattle farm drive is immediately after the store on your right. It will be signed "BN School"
Anyone one with questions can contact me at 330-360-8640.
2). WHAT TO BRING- Remember we are doing this in a campaign type setting, so keep gear minimal.
TENTAGE- you can bring tents or you can sleep out on campaign . As a location for teaching activities, I will set up my marquee (the one that was at the back of the tavern at the Grand) and if weather turns bad people can use it at night.
FOOD- Again, keep simple. We will need to forage for wood and will build mess fires, so plan meals that take little preparation and refrigeration, though we will have ice on site as a safety measure. Potable water is not available at the campsite, so bring containers with cooking and drinking water that can be refilled. (The water source is about 1/2 mi. from the site). Horses will be watered at the lake on site. Both cavalry and infantry should be able to have one meal minimum out of the haversack (no cooking).
GEAR- We are trying to live out of the pack and the valise. Change of clothes, fatigues, blankets (remember PA mountains in late Sept-prepare for the possibility of cool weather), necessaries, weapons and accoutrements. Just as if you were on the march. Each unit should have 1-2 good axes and cooking pots. We will bring several large coffee pots to the event, so coffee will be available as at the Grand.
INFANTRY- Bring a least 40 rounds, we will be firing to achieve 3 rounds a min. in line and also in light infantry drill. Bring several (5 at least) extra flints that fit your lock, leather or lead pads (which ever you use) to work on lock tuning. Footwear should be capable of standing up to a 3 mi. march. If you do not have a pack, you gear can go in a bedroll.
CAVALRY- You will need all your horse gear plus grooming kit. We will put up the picket line as at the Grand, expecting 14-16 horses. Bring ammo for both carbine and pistol if you have them and also 4-5 properly sized extra flints for each and leather/lead pads as per the infantry so we can tune locks. If you do not have a valise, use a bedroll.
ADDITIONALLY- for the cavalry, horses will be on the line with little graze, so bring hay and grain for feed.
FIRST AIDE- the Brigade purchased a very complete first aide kit through Larry Long's company. It is in my possession and will be in the marquee at the School.
3).SET UP- Anytime on Friday. We will try to have all vehicles out of camp and parked (about 1/2 mi. away) by Friday evening. If you need to arrive late that is no problem. Bring your gear in with your vehicle, we will help you set up, or if very late just put your bedroll up in the marquee and set up in the morning.
4). PROGRAM- This event will not be as structured as was the School at Old Bedford last September. The following programs will occur on Saturday and Sunday as time/personal are available.
INFANTRY- a. Tuning the lock. This will be a combined program with the cavalry.
b. Firing in ranks to achieve 3 rounds per min. for a 3 min. time period.
c. Light infantry drill in the woods and in open ground.
d. 3 mi. route march. (approxmately)
e. Equipment repair in the field.
f. Packing the pack/bedroll
CAVALRY- a. Picket line protocol. This will be held Friday evening once all troopers are in. We need to do this so we can set up rotation for guard duty for all riders for
both days
b. Tacking the light and heavy cavalry horse
c. Mounted patrolling
d. Saber course
e. Equipment repair in the field
f. Packing the valise/bedroll
SATURDAY EVENING PROGRAM- A collective discussion on authenticity and your impression.
ADDITIONALLY- Some Brigade business may be conducted at the event if we have items to discuss and a quorum. Notification will be sent to all Brigade unit commanders if this becomes a possibility.
5). EVENT CONCLUSION- The School will end after lunch on Sunday.
6). REGISTRATION- You need to register for the School by Friday, Sept. 16th. The Cavalry of the Reserve will register through Nick Serafino. All other units or individuals should register through me via email by the above date. My address is khall1207@neo.rr.com.
Time and effort has gone into this program for you, so get registrations in so we can have a good turn out and a successful weekend.
Ken Hall, President Brigade Napoleon.
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