By 1st Sgt. Koepp

      CO. D SKIRMISHES BY THE BUGLE!  That's right, folks, we finally did it!  With the Captain on the bugle, we managed to hold off the secesh for the first 15 minutes of our last battle with only bugle commands.  It's so fulfilling to finally have this important element of Sharpshooter history an increasingly regular part of our routine.
     In other news, the weather was hot but not as terrible as was originally predicted so our health and spirits were with us.  After the hot day's battles, several of us went to the nearby river for a quick cool down and some fun.  This weekend's drill focused mostly on tactics and battlefield training.  As always, we spent a lot of time scouting the battlefield prior to battles which allowed us to direct battalion on good routes for better battle scenarios.  The battles were alright but most notable was acting Corporal Soderling's excellent performance filling in for Cpl. Hardway.  Cpl. Spiekerman brought along a new recruit who we hope will join us regularly next year.  He was a quick study, hard worker, and great fit for Co. D.  Cpl. Spiekerman had his work cut out for him since it seemed that in every battle his flank was pushed the hardest.
     Camp life was good with Quartermaster Severson doing an excellent job issuing and caring for equipment.  He also proposed using company funds to invest in some needed items like trousers from Milk Creek at $75 each and some more shirts.  The skipper and I bought the loaner kit a shirt, cap pouch, belt buckle, and some other odds and ends.  With more of us interested in campaign impressions, Severson also recommended a knapsack or two for loaner gear.  We'll keep you posted  as we get shopping in this off season.
     As usual, no one seemed to want to be the battalion color guard which made battalion drill and parade a bit interesting.  So, of course, we volunteered.  What's better than having battalion form on our Nationals and Regimentals?  
     This was a weekend with lots of Berdans involved in the film-making process.  A small crew from Seattle's Cherry Street Films joined us to film a short scene with us in camp.  Acting Corporal Soderling had a fun time teaching them how to play Euchre.  Shooting and extra time for b-roll ran us right up to battle time, so those of us involved had to sprint right into battle and start shooting.  A very special thanks to Logan from the 3rd Michigan for connecting us. This event also included another viewing of the film "Vivandiere" which includes cameos of Cpt. Whitehall, Severson, and yours truly.  A painter looking to do some Berdan Shapshooter pieces wanted some poses from Cpt. Whitehall, so our company photographer, Private Ternan spent some time taking some nice portraits to send the artist.  
     This weekend also included an early birthday celebration for our Captain organized by his amazing grandparents.  Along with delicious cupcakes, the Captain received the gift of the last Trionni Berdan painting to complete his collection.
     I also had the pleasure of delivering our battalion Sgt. Major his new field desk which is featured in our latest YouTube video.  
     With our season ending sooner than usual this year, everyone is really committed to spending more time together in the off season.  We were considering rushing a bivouac for next week but we might be looking ahead to Labor Day weekend, so if you're interested be sure to let the skipper know.  We'll also have to come to some consensus about where to meet.  Either in the wilderness near the captain or the central Cascades.  I'm also sure people will be interested in a Christmas party, so keep in touch.  The Captain and I can't push everything along and still maintain sanity.
     Next year, if you use ANY of the company cleaning kit you must bring funds to reimburse our master of arms, Private Ternan.  She has graciously contributed out of pocket this year.  If you don't bring money for events next year, you will be left with a dirty rifle and ineligible to take to the field.  You will also not be issued a loaner rifle unless your small fee is submitted.  
​      Thank you to everyone in our company who worked hard to make this another amazing year.

By 1st Sgt. Koepp

     Our Ft. Stevens living history was another wonderful time full of demonstrations, training, and squad on squad tacticals.  Pvt. Hanks and his friend joined us this weekend to try out our unit, share some laughs, and get trained in using multiple firearms.  In all, we had a good turn out and we were all very to happy to see Cpl. Spiekerman again.
     The height of fun for everyone were the tactical competitions that were carefully planned and ref'd by our amazing corporals.  Privates Severson and Cook were squad leaders and the battles that ensued around the fort were entertaining for the public, too.  Fighting across the grounds of a historic fort really gave a tantalizing glimpse of how exciting reenacting can be when not stuck on "football field" battlefields.  We even got in some hand to hand combat and bayonet charges.  If you listen quietly, you can almost hear a mainstreamer yell, "safety violation!"  Many event organizers like small, boring fields because "it's better for the public."  Well, in our experience this weekend, families would pull over on the side of the park road and walk over to watch us shoot around buildings and the deuce and half tour truck routinely passed by full of visitors.  It is possible to have mixed terrain, buildings, and even trees to provide an even more engaging viewing experience. The squad leaders did a good job and each one won a battle.  The skipper and I fell in with each squad as either a person to guard or as a wild-card private.  We had fun keeping everyone on their toes.
     Camp life was quite relaxed with Severson working hard to get a jump on his new role as company quartermaster.  Since the 4th of July fell mid-week this year, fort attendance was down but we still worked with some good sized crowds.  During the lulls, we shot some more YouTube videos and I worked on figuring out our new audio recording gear.  Private Cook and the Skipper enjoyed loading the target rifles as if they were light artillery.  It certainly drew in the crowds.
     The Battle of Chehalis is coming up soon so be sure to watch the weather forecasts and prepare yourself accordingly.  Pvt. Soderling will be filling in for Cpl. Hardway, so we'll be doing extra drill to get the company ready for lots of movement.  You still have plenty of time to stock up on rounds and caps on your own.  The company ordnance stores are running low so feel free to visit a sporting good store and at least purchase some caps.
     Lastly, let's all be sure to keep in touch for a bivouac/live fire camp out.  The more everyone is curious and willing to help coordinate, the more likely it will happen.  I've ordered sixty more rounds and will be selling them if we have the event.