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The 10th Massachusetts Battery, N-SSA |
Many of the founders of the 10th were originally in the 9th Mass Btty. The Unit was 9th Mass Battery, but the name was changed on 13 Jan 64 to 10th Mass Battery. Unit was probationary until February 29th 1964. Originally on Artillery Row at Ft Shenandoah, (there were Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry areas when the Fort first opened) they were moved a few years later. They pitched a temporary camp in the Cavalry area near the 34th Bn Virginia Cavalry but were to take a new spot "under the barn near the 11th Indiana Inf". This spot never was inhabited by the 10th. When the Fort was resurveyed and new roads laid out, they took permanent possession of a campsite in what is now Area 4, across the street from where that temporary camp was. Currently, there is a very comfortable pavillion we call home.
The Battery's mission is competitive shooting to honor those who fought in the Civil War. In doing so, we will field the best team on the firing line for that purpose.
The uniform of the Battery consists of: [Politically Correct Version]
On the firing line, we usually shoot in shirts and vests. N-SSA rules state that you must be in uniform (including hat) to participate in Company (team) events, but the team commander has discretion on waht that is. For Individual events you may be in "civilian" clothing.
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The officers of the Battery are the Commander and Adjutant, elected every two years. The Adjutant controls the financial affairs and correspondence. The Commander is responsible for juggling the details to insure smooth operation of the Battery. The Commander assigns responsibilities and may appoint from the Battery to fill roles. The Commander is responsible for making resources available to the members, especially new recruits. A newsletter is sent out at regular intervals with information on upcoming skirmishes, reports on past skirmishes, news of the Battery and general topics. If you have an email address, let us know so you can be notified quickly if need be.
The "home range" of the 10th is Hopkinton Sportsmen's Association, Lumber St, Hopkinton, MA. The Battery hosts New England Region skirmishes there, and during the off season practices once a month (usually the 3rd Sunday of the month). For practices we meet at The Golden Spoon, West Main and Lumber Streets, Hopkinton, at 8 am, and go to the range about 9 ~ 9:30 am.
We also travel twice a year to Winchester, Virginia for the National Skirmishes. The preferred route is on the Regional pages, and there are maps of the Winchester area (see "Campaigning in the Confederate States" below for more information).
Members vote on issues concerning the Battery, the officers take care of the operation of the Battery. All members should receive a copy of the By-Laws of the Battery. To be a member of the N-SSA, you must be a member in good standing of a unit which is a member in good standing. If you travel to other parts of the country, and there is a Skirmish, you are welcome to attend and shoot.
Renewal is due in time to send the Roster to N-SSA headquarters; any adjustment to a unit's roster is subject to a fee. Paperwork is sent out by the Adjutant, and must be returned by the date specified or be subject to a late fee. Your dues go to the N-SSA, the New England Region and to defray expenses of skirmishing (entering teams at skirmishes, upkeep of the pavillion and expenses related to Battery business). The Battery usually runs a skirmish each season, and may attend other functions (eg. parades) to raise funds.
There are 16 teams in the Region, three of them Confederate (including the other two predominantly from Mass). The Regional Commander is Ed Moore. Each team has a vote at all Regional meetings. The Annual meeting, for elections, setting next season's schedule and all other business is usually two weeks following the last skirmish. (In addition, a meeting may be called at any Region skirmish.) The Commander or Adjutant is the official representative of the team to the Regional Board of Directors, but on their absence, a Battery member attending will do. Meetings are open to all members of the Region. Each team pays dues to the Region (based on the number of members) and the Region also runs skirmishes to raise money.
The Regional Commander is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association and is your voice at those meetings. Any concern you have should be passed on to the Commander and the Commander will voice it to the Regional Commander. You may also speak freely with the Regional Commander.
[At National Skirmishes, there is a membership meeting which must be attended by every team. At this meeting, issues (like National Elections or to spend money for a special reason) are voted on. Any issue which concerns the Battery is voted on by the Battery and the Commander will voice the decision of the Battery.]
Our skirmishes are run under the Rules of the Association. Members are given the handbook of Skirmish information, but some of the information contained may not be up to date. There is a posting on the web on Rules, Firearms and other topics in the Skirmisher Information pages, however these are not necessarily the final authority. If you have any queston about conduct on the line, the running of the matches, which firearms/modifications are legal or any other topic the Battery officers will find the information to clear it up.
The Battery enters New England Region events as well as National Skirmishes. Many times we field more than one team. The Commander assigns the personnel to teams. As we must decide how many teams to enter at any Regional event, You should call to let the Commander or Adjutant know if you plan to attend, but be there before 2pm on Saturday, and before 7:30am on Sunday so we know how many skirmishers we have. We make every effort to fill our own teams, but we can't order teams based on who may be there.
New England Region
You can expect the Battery
to enter most all Regional Skirmishes. The schedule is arranged in the fall,
at the end of the skirmish season, for the next skirmish season. The schedule
is always subject to change. so if you have been away for awhile, check to see
if there is a change before travelling far. Which skirmishes you attend is up
to you, but we ask that you make the time to work the skirmish we host.
At Regional events, Individuals are usually 5 shot targets, with unlimited re-entry.
The time limit is 10 minutes - if you do not complete the target (in Revolver
for example), there should be no problem in finishing the target on the next
relay (some teams try and "run a tight ship", but most Regional skirmishes
are relaxed and enjoyable). You should be able to pick a spot, shoot all your
50 or 100 yard targets and then move on. (If you are taking a break, please
don't leave a spotting scope or other equipment on the line, be considerate
of other shooters.) There may also be a specialty event. If you encounter any
problem at a skirmish, talk it over with the Battery officers.
For Team matches we are sure to enter Musket and Carbine, probably (a) Revolver team(s) if there is an event, and sometimes Mortar. We ask that members give the officers some notification of the matches they are attending before the date, so that we may order teams (we can usually enter additional teams at the match, but we need to have an idea how many will attend). When the shooting has ended, we help the host team clean up because we appreciate the help we get when we run our own skirmish.
On Saturday when the day's events have ended, we gather for "munchies" and then have a cookout. Bring your own entree, drink and something to share, and something to sit on. Sunday after the Skirmish has ended, we may gather locally for lunch (or skirmish with the leftovers from the night before), or if on the march, gather on the road for something to eat before starting the trip home. Regional Skirmishes not hosted by a specific team are run by all the teams of the Region. Therefore everyone is expected to work running it; 25 minutes from everyone will take care of the skirmish, and we all chip in to clean up. Directions to Regional skirmishes.
Campaigning in the Confederate States
Before the Nationals, we send out a form to all members to see who will be attending and what they would like to shoot, and enter teams accordingly. We have entered every event at one time or another, depending on our turnout and the preferences of the members. Lately we have been shooting Musket, Carbine, Revolver, Cannon and Mortar, and the Smoothbore match. We have competed in the Henry match in the past. The Adjutant will send out a form listing the Individual events and Team (Company) matches; you fill in the Individual events you plan to shoot, and the Team matches you would like to shoot. All entries must be made well in advance of the Nationals, so it is imperative we know who is planning to attend. When the registration is made, you will be informed what Team matches the Battery is signed up for. (NOTE- if you do not sign up you can still attend the Nationals and shoot team matches, but we have to order teams based on who is expected to be there)
Currently we have a Section of "captured" Confederate Mountain Rifles, a 24-Pounder Coehorn and a 12-Pounder Confederate Coehorn mortar that we shoot at the Nationals. The traditional activities include dinner at Cork St Tavern on Thursday evening, and a Dinner and Team Meeting on Saturday evening.
Be sure to have your membership card with you when you get to the Fort as you must show it to get in (so don't forget and have it buried in the shooting box underneath everything in the vehicle), and display it at all times. It is suggested you make a "shopping list" of acoutrements you may need, as this is the largest collection of sutlers (formerly called "Robber's Row", now just referred to as "The Strip Mall") assembled with the things we require to skirmish. Many times we will get together and buy an item (eg. caps) in bulk to lower the cost, so it would be in your best interest to ask around before buying items. Also, the same item will be different prices at different sutlers (and at different times at the same sutler).
Individual targets at the Nationals are no re-entry, 10 shot targets, plan your ammo accordingly. The time for each relay (10 shots and sighters) is 20 minutes (longarms); 30 minutes for Revolver. When you hang a target, you must shoot it on the following relay (if you have a problem and can't shoot the relay, talk to the host staff, they may be able to accomodate you, but if you hang a target, you must shoot it then). It is first come, first served to hang targets to get a position - if someone gets downrange and posts their target, they are entitled to shoot at that position. You may not touch any target except to post your own target. Do not take down a target which has been posted, or shot, and do not remove your own - even if it is taking forever for the host staff to accomplish this you may not help them.If you are shooting Smoothbore individuals, you must use the positions indicated for Smoothbore directly in front of the tower.
Individual classifications are based on scores shot during the Individual matches at National Skirmishes. When we get to Ft Shenandoah, the time and position we shoot on for Team matches (and who is on what team) will be posted in the pavilion.
Headquarters
The battery has a pavilion on our campsite
in Area 5, near the intersection of Wm Black and Zollicoffer Roads (just down
the hill from the first guard shack). As a member, you may travel to Ft Shenandoah
at any time and use the facilities (including up to two weeks of vacation).[At
times other than the National Skirmish, you need to sign in at the Caretaker's
House.] Our neighbors include the 5th CVI and 34th Bn Va Cav. It has been a
comfortable home for us for over 20 years. See the map of Ft Shenandoah on the
Regional site, it has the location of our campsite as well as the other units
of the Region.
Directions to Winchester, Virginia.(more detailed explanation w/ Pit Stops): CT -Rt 84; Rest Area, just past exit 70, Willington; another at Mile 55, after Exit 17 (before Taconic Parkway); NY -Rt 84; To get to 287 South from 84 - after you go over the Newberg Bridge, take Exit 7S, follow signs to Rt 287 South (short distance to right exit); Rt 287; it's about 10 minutes to Toll Booth, 20 minutes to Rest Area at Ramapo,at Mile 34, take Exit 15 (Mile 31) for 287 South (stay right at exit as there is a left exit almost immediately, and that's not the way you want to go); NJ - Rt 287; Exit 21B (Mile 21) for Rt 78West; Rt 78; Exit 15 (Mile 15), gas and Cracker Barrel (when you are going South, follow W173 to get back on 78West - it's about 15 miles to PA); PA -Rt 78; as you enter PA (bridge over Delaware River) there is a toll booth and a rest area, (to go to the rest area, go thru the right hand toll booth - it's about 78 miles to RT 81 and100 miles to Harrisburg); Rt 78West goes into Rt 81 South (just before Harrisburg); rest area after Exit 28 (Harrisburg to MD about 60 miles); MD -Rt 81; only about 12 miles long (there is a rest area North bound just after you enter MD from WVA); WVA - Rt 81; about 25 miles to VA; rest area North just past Exit 323; VA - Rt 81; rest area just over line; to go to Fort take Exit 317 (11 -> 37, 522, 50) will take you to the Food Lion and gas station at the exit - follow 522 North to the Fort; Exit 310 (11, 37, 642 Kernstown) will take you up to Royal Inn (Bonds) - take the exit, then first right (Rt 11N), motel will be on right. Ed has a map of Winchester if you want one.
Socially, Thursday evening is Cork Street Tavern night, Friday is Spaghetti and Saturday is the cookout followed by a meeting. The Battery history passed through Winchester, Virginia, as four men captured by Mosby"s Rangers passed a night in a warehouse there while being marched to Richmond.
For more information on what's happening in the Winchester/ Frederick County area check out this web page; there was much Civil War activity in the Winchester area, because it was the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, and many battles were fought there. Kernstown is just south of Winchester, and two major battles were fought there.
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Many times a trip to the Nationals will include a side trip to Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry, Antietam or some other site which has historical significance.
Gettysburg
The most famous Civil War battlefield. Located on Hancock Avenue is Wrought
Iron Rifle #533, made by the Phoenix Iron Works in 1862. The cannon was issued
to the 10th Mass Battery in December, 1862, and used by the Battery until they
were overrun at Ream's Station. It is located just to the right of the 1st RI
Battery monument, to the right of the High Water Mark.
Petersburg
This battle lasted about 9 months and is the was one of the largest battlefields
in the War. The 10th fired some of the first rounds into the city in June, 1864.
As part of the Second Corps under Gen Winfield S.Hancock, they kept moving to
the left as the Union army stretched the Confederates' front. At the battle
of Ream's Station the commander, Capt. J. Henry Sleeper, was wounded and the
Battery was overrun, with the Confederates capturing their 4 guns. On October
27, 1864 at Hatcher's Run, the two officers of the Battery, Senior Lt. H.H.
Granger (who originally raised the Battery) and Lt Asa Smith were both mortally
wounded. (For more on Battery history, see the link below to the Tenth Mass
Battery Association)
Current info on the Petersburg Battlefield: petersburgbattlefield.com
The complete history of the Tenth Battery is also available on the web. A condensed version of the history, the complete Roster and the Service Record of the Battery are presented.
Need to look up an ancestor? http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.htm (thanks to MikeJ)
Some suggested reading:
Although not a reenactment organization, the 10th Mass Battery has turned out for parades and special events, such as the Marlborough, MA Labor Day Parade, and for dedications of a Civil War nature. Some members attend Civil War roundtables, or reenactments. When the group gets together and retires to a spot for dinner, many times the talk will drift to history. Others also participate in non-N-SSA cannon and mortar matches held around New England.
| 10th Mass Btty History | links | New England Region, N-SSA | Back to 10th Mass Btty |
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Stonewall
Jackson suffered his first defeat at the First Battle of Kernstown in
March, 1862, but a month later drove Union forces out of the Valley. General
Jubal Early defeated General George Cook at the Second Battle of Kernstown
in July, 1964, inflicting about 1200 casualties, but it was the last Confederate
victory in the Valley. Afterward, President Lincoln put the Valley under
the command of General Philip Sheridan, and it would be under Union control
from then on. The Kernstown Battlefield Association is raising money to
buy the ground where these two battles were fought. The 342 acre tract
is known as the Grim Farm. The Kernstown Battlefield Association is at
104 N.Braddock Street, Winchester, VA 22601. Visit their