Deep Creek, WA

     The first major event of the year was shockingly hot but a good event over all.  We had some new people join us for this event and they each did a wonderful job.  Everyone worked hard, gave it there all, and had a fun time.
     We shot five new YouTube videos that will be coming out over the coming weeks, the Skipper gave two talks at the pavilion about Sharpshooter history, Pvt. Severson and the Skipper participated in the Memorial Day ceremony, and we had some great tintypes made.  The company cleaning kit made its first appearance and seemed to really help everyone and keep the rifles in top shape.  We have so many bayonets now, that we're still trying to catch up at getting stacking arms perfect.
     I'll be watching the weather forecast carefully leading up to Union Gap.  If it's as hot or hotter than it was at Spokane I'll be encouraging everyone to bring extra socks and comfortable modern clothes to change into after hours.  Health and safety supersede historical immersion.  I'll also plan on bringing a treat for company bath time that everyone should enjoy.  Melissa and I will continue to have Zip Fizz rations for everyone.  If the heat looks to be really bad, I'll consider bringing an extra cooler just filled with ice for everyone to cool off with over the weekend.
     The battles were alright.  There was a lot less time running up and down the hill as in past years which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.  Camp layout was bungled again but I think that's just becoming the thing with Spokane.  Get there early or have your company stacked up like cord wood.
       Union Gap is fast approaching, so I hope everyone continues to take good care of themselves, work on their physical fitness, and come ready for some fun.  Speaking of fun, this will be our company's first time marching with our flag in the parade!  It'll make that long march so much more worth it.  Thank you again to everyone who could make it and for enduring the heat. 

     Company D has permission to go prone during battle!  After much persistence, our hard work at drill, our commitment to safety, and good reputation helped us secure the privilege to go prone whenever the opportunity presents itself.  With the help of Colonel Longbeard and Captain Whitehall, we even have the blessing of the Confederate battalion staff.
     In other equally exciting news, Colonel Longbeard came up to the Captain and myself to ask if we'd be interested in practicing skirmish by the bugle!  Of course, we said, "yes."  Separate from battalion drill, the Colonel brought his bugle and met us and the 20th Maine to begin our instruction in bugle deployments.  This included...wait for it....bugle calls for lay down and stand up!  The Colonel hopes to have a battle scenario where a field piece gets taken, turned, and fired.  To accommodate this, the artillery was offering cannon training so naturally, we all ran over to practice on the mountain howitzer.  So, start booking your time off for this season because you don't want to miss the event where Company D captures a cannon and fires it.  
     The rest of the weekend was fun and low key.  We filmed some more videos, got in lots of drill, Severson had a blast playing town ball, and the Captain enjoyed displaying his hardcore officer's tent set up.  We also had the strange experience of learning how to stack arms.  Word on the street is Company D has more Sharps bayonets than any other Sharpshooter unit anywhere.  Let alone with the future potential of having two stacks of Sharps.
     With so many more possibilities available to us this year, we really hope you can all make it to Spokane Memorial Day weekend.  Platoon leaders should expect to take charge of their platoons, since the Captain and I are going to be spending more effort in drilling for tactical deployments and leaving more school of the soldier training to platoon leaders.  
     Make sure you schedule your time off now if you haven't already and make your transportation arrangements.  If you need to use the company cleaning kit, the price is a dollar a day. We'll see you at Deep Creek!