1

Spring, 2019

*******Editor’s Note*******

There will not be a Summer, 2019 Edition of the BAR Shot. We will be out of town

and unable to create and transmit the newsletter. There are event notices for all of

our 2019 events in this edition. You will receive periodic email BLASTS from Deputy

Commander Dave Miller with any specific information about events scheduled this

summer. You can expect the next BAR Shot in September, Fall 2019 edition. Please

keep this Spring edition in a convenient location so you can refer to is as needed for

each event.

Commander’s Corner

Well, the 2019 event season is nearly upon us, and I hope you all are preparing for and planning to attend The Ohio Civil War Show, 4-5 May, at the fairgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio. (Please see the event notice elsewhere in this BARSHOT). I also hope that you are thinking of ways to make your presentation better for you and the public. If you are looking for somewhere to start, try the pam-phlet on proper fit of clothing and equipment (also appearing in this BARSHOT) and make sure your kit is up to snuff. You can also look at your unit’s documentation to make sure that you are accurate not only in your appearance, but also in the history of you unit that you relate to the public. Telling an interesting, engaging unit history is a way to not only hold the public’s attention but may also help you garner a recruit or two. Remember, the public came to see you, they want to be informed. Com-ing up with camp life scenarios is also a way for you to enhance your interpretation as well as a mechanism to draw the public to you. (Watching soldiers sit under a shade tree isn’t all that enter-taining for the public). These scenarios can be very simple, and don’t need to involve elaborate set-ups. Mending an article of clothing, cleaning a piece of equipment, playing a game with a mess mate, etc. can all be fine vehicles for interpreting.

Over the Winter several of our distaff members have ask about being more active in interpreting

their roles and activities associated with the military camp. My reply was to relate some activities

that had been done by CCM in the past. One of the most successful was a very common activity, that

of portraying a laundry. Not much is needed, (a wash tub, a bucket, and some soap) and this went

on all day with the same few articles of clothing being washed. This could, of course, be tied to a sol-

diers’ pay scenario. Caring for the sick was another very common

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE BRIGADE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

NORTHWEST DEPARTMENT

B.A.R. SHOT Commander: Bob Cairns (330) 455-9722

B.A.R. SHOT Editor: Karen Kashary (330) 523-0629

2

occupation for camp followers and could be coordinated with the several surgeons that regularly set up

at NW Dept. events. One of our ladies used to vend sewing needs, such as needles, thread, yarns,

buttons, etc. which gave the opportunity to talk about fabrics, clothing, etc. I have also seen this done

at eastern B.A.R. events with simple baked goods, and I suppose you could also vend seasonal vege-

tables and fruit, or nearly anything that a soldier might buy from a peddler. None of these scenarios

need to be approved, or scheduled, and are very effective when spontaneous.

I guess what I hope you will take from this is that the best way to engage the public, is to be engaged yourself, and I hope that you will ALL make a concerted effort to be more engaged.

This brings me to my next topic, which is the passing of a long-time friend, and one of the foundation stones of the NW Department and reenacting in Ohio in general, Ed Schweinfurth. I knew Ed for about 40 years, and many of you knew him for even longer. Ed was a very early member of McCarty’s Company, George Rogers Clark’s Illinois Regiment. He was that unit’s commander for quite some time, and also served on the NW Dept. Board in various capacities, including Member-At-Large, Pay-master, and Inspector. Ed was well-known in the Revolutionary War reenacting community, not just the B.A.R., and his interest in the period of the American Revolution began for him as a young boy. He was a member of the Ohio Archeological Society beginning at age 13. Ed taught History and In-dustrial Arts before turning to a full-time occupation of woodworker/craftsman. He regularly fascinat-ed many of us with a piece he recreated from an original, including a chair with a treadle and wooden fan blade he copied from an 18th c. piece, and his Windsor chairs, which he never seemed to be able to make enough of. Ed was generous with his time and knowledge, and I am sure he had forgotten more than I will ever know about 18th c. material culture. In fact, my two primary sources of reference were Collectors Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, and Ed, and I often learned more from Ed than I did from that fine book. As a result of health problems in recent years he was not as able to participate in as many reenacting activities as he had previously done. I have many favorite stories about Ed, as I know many of you do, and I hope that around our campfires we can take the time to tell them and enjoy remembering our friend. I certainly owed Ed much more than I could ever repay, but I would have liked more time to try. The following obituary appeared in the Marion Star;

LaRue - Edward J. Schweinfurth, 69, of LaRue, died Sunday evening March 17, 2019 at the Marion General Hospital. He was born

in Marion on January 15, 1950, to Edward Harvey Schweinfurth and Kathleen Keller Schweinfurth. Ed grew up on his parents'

farm near New Bloomington. Ed graduated from Elgin High School in 1968. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1974. He

had a brief interruption in college to do basic training for the Army Reserves, and served in the Reserves from 1974 to 1980. Ed

was a history and industrial arts teacher at Kenton City Schools from 1974 until 1987.

After teaching, Ed turned his talents to a full-time business as an artist/craftsman and designed and made beautiful furniture,

Windsor chairs, historical reproductions, and various artistic pieces. He was a member of Ohio Designer Craftsmen Guild, and

was an annual exhibitor and frequent jurist in their Art Shows.

Ed became interested in archaeology as a young teen, becoming a member of the Ohio Archaeology Society at 13. He later

led many young people to this interest. Ed was involved in the dig of Ft. Morrow, in southern Marion County, in 1974, under the

direction of Ohio State University. Recently, Ed was able to participate in the rededication of the historical site, held by the Mari-

on County Historical Society.

Ed was a member of two living history educational groups, demonstrating the American colonial times, the Brigade of the

American Revolution and the Northwest Territorial Alliance. As an artisan, Ed made many reproductions to use in demonstra-

tions.

Ed also used his creative talents for cooking and had a large collection of all types of cookbooks. Many were historical, which

connected to his interest in horticulture and gardening. He became a member of Seed Savers, which collects and perpetuates

heritage seeds and plants. Ed enjoyed experimenting with vegetables, flowers and trees. He also worked to preserve local indige-

nous plants and prairie plants.

Ed's hobbies and interests were wide and varied. He enjoyed " hunting" for fossils and artifacts. He moved a log house built by

his ancestors from Pleasant township to his LaRue farm, and researched the methods used in order to reconstruct it, with the

help of family and friends. He enjoyed identifying plants and wildlife and retained a lifelong curiosity about almost everything.

He was a voracious reader of history, biographies, the arts and non- fiction. He always supported the libraries and literacy.

3

Ed met his wife, Dianna L. Weller, at O.S.U. And they married on December 28, 1973, in Columbus. They have one daughter,

Elizabeth Mae (Timothy) O' Jack of Saline, MI. And, two grandsons, Theodore and Connor.

Ed has one sister, Jeanna Kay (Joe) Walker of Richland, MI. Ed always enjoyed spending a week with Jeanna and having her

homemade pies every day.

Ed has many cousins, nephews and nieces and an amazing number of friends far and wide.

Per Ed's wishes, there will be a private family funeral. Because Ed loved books and reading, memorial gifts may be made to

the Elgin Schools Library, 1150 Keener Rd. Marion, Ohio 43302

The Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in LaRue is assisting the family

Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at http://www.stofcheck-ballinger.com/ Published in the Marion Star on Mar. 19, 2019

Ed wearing his 1812 Brush’s company apparel.

Ed at Battle Road, 2000. He is portraying a

farmer set to resist the British.

4

After Action Report

2019 School of the 18th Century Culture

The North West Department held its school of the 18th Century Culture on March 2nd and 3rd at Cam-

pus Martius Museum in Marietta, Ohio. The school was attended by members of 5 different units in

the NWD. All the presenters did an outstanding job in their presentations. Topics covered on Satur-

day included: A “Behind the scenes look” at a new book on the founding of Marietta and the people

who did it being written by the famed author David McCullough, by Bill Reynolds: A history of gam-

bling and its place in our 18th century activities by Tom Morris: The work of the Department of the

Geographer during the Revolution by Tony Holbrook: How religion helped shaped the attitudes of the

people towards independence and freedom from England by Diane Miller: 18th Century Tinware, ma-

terials and construction by Rob Gorrel.

After dinner, rousing games of Whist were played by several of us using the information presented by

Tom Morris. I think we will be seeing more of this in the future at our events.

After breakfast on Sunday morning Bill Reynolds lead a very special tour of the Museum and the orig-

inal Campus Martius buildings. Bill shared many antidotes about the artifacts with time for questions

and answers.

It was a great weekend and certainly a good way to kick-off the 2019 NWD season.

Joe Forte, Geographers, Inspector, NWD

Event Coordinator

5

After Action Report

Geographer School of Instruction

At this time the Department of the Geographers would like to express our deepest gratitude to the presenters at our 2019, 12th annual School of Instruction! We applaud your dedication to presenting us with a quality and informative weekend.

So, thank you Dr. Erica Nuckles, Paul Brennan, Brandyn Charlton, Lorna Hainesworth, Andrew War-ren, Kass Kassebaum, Eric Pyle and David Ingram. Many thanks to the 52 attendees and to the staff at Fort Ligonier for making it a memorable weekend. If you`d like to join us next year please follow our FaceBook page or at www.armygeographer.org. Next year our School of Instruction will be held at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown in March 2020. Dates to be announced.

Tony Holbrook, Geographer

Event Coordinator

All photos by Dave Loberger

6

Event Notice

The Ohio Civil War Show

4-5 May 2019

You can read scores of illustrated books and visit dozens of museums, and you still will not get to see a fraction of the militaria on display at this NWD event, The Ohio Civil War Show, at the Richland County Fairgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio, 4-5 May 2019. Collectors and dealers from all over the United States, North America and even Europe fill seven large exhibit halls with items for display and sale. Although the major focus is on items from the American Civil War, there is still plenty to see from the Revolutionary War period. The last few years the show has been expanded to include the period of the two World Wars. Additionally, there will be reenactors from a number of periods germane to the show demonstrating and teaching about their special areas of interest. Unlike museums, the artifacts are not behind glass, and in most cases are actually for sale. Most of the exhibitors will gladly ex-plain, discuss and in many cases allow you to handle items on their tables. This show is one of the five largest of its type in the nation, and you get in free!!

All you need to do is show up at the Richland County Fairgrounds in your Revolutionary War kit and participate in several half hour-long public demonstrations of drill/firing/music/clothing, and a closing each day. You will have ample time to visit all the show’s display areas, and you will be supporting the NWD. This is one of those rare times in reenacting where we not only are entertaining and in-forming the public but get to be entertained and informed.

The sponsor has asked if we can do some camp life scenarios this year. In the past we have not had a good place to set up a camp that is convenient and visible to the public. I ask that this year you bring a tent and have some sort of blanket display/talk/demo for the public. I also ask that units bring their colors and we can have these flying to attract attention.

Accommodations

As always, straw, firewood and potable water are provided, and modern restrooms and showers are available. Indoor sleeping is also available, and there is space for modern camping and campers. (There is a nominal fee for electric, water, and dumping hook-ups).

No meals are provided. There are several cafeterias and snack areas for breakfast and lunches, as well as food vending trailers. There are also many sit-down and fast-food restaurants within a few minutes of the fairgrounds. If you would like to cook 18th c., it is very welcomed.

7

For those of you driving some distance, please note that the show closes at 3:00 PM Sunday, allowing you to get a good start toward home before supper time. We would like you to try and be ready to go each day at 8:45 AM, so we can participate in the flag raisings.

I hope you will consider this show for your calendars. Even if you have attended in the past, the show is very different each year. In the past, I’ve gotten to handle an original 1803 Harpers Ferry rifle, ex-amine, measure and trace original Revolutionary War hunting bags, watch a Civil War horse artillery battery move, unlimber, fire, limber and dash off the field behind six-horse teams, and was offered a chance to examine a Revolutionary War-era British bearskin cap.

Please support the NWD at the event with your attendance. For questions contact me, the event co-ordinator, at; Bob Cairns

1919 Yale Ave. NW

Canton, Ohio 44709

(330) 455-9722

robtcairns@cs.com

Location The Richland County Fairgrounds adjoins Ohio State Route 30, in Mansfield, Ohio. See the map on the reverse. Go to the Ohio Civil War Show website for more information on the show. If you live within a 90-minute drive, PLEASE support the NWD’s first event of 2019, even if you can only come for one day.

Visit the show website at ohiocivilwarshow.com.

Bob Cairns, 8th Pa. Reg’t., Ft. Laurens Det.

Commander, NWD BAR

Note from the Inspector

In early 2017 we were asked by the Brigade Inspector, Henry Cooke, and our Commander, Bob Cairns to re-inspect every member of the North West Department. This was requested to help insure that the high standards of authenticity held by the Brigade of the American Revolution are being maintained. Most of us were inspected by the commander or NCOs of our unit when we joined the BAR. At that time we were told what was acceptable and what needed attention. While the great ma-jority of BAR members have maintained that level of authenticity and even improved on it with addi-tional research, some have not. They have allowed non-period items to slip into their kit. The most noticeable of these are modern eyewear, and modern shoes. There may be other questionable items but these are two that stand out to me. I am asking that each one of us approach either our unit commander and / or unit NCOs and request an inspection. This is not being done to find fault with anyone, it is being done so that the high standards of au-thenticity that are the Hallmark of the BAR are maintained. Joe Forte, Geographer Inspector, NWD, BAR

8

Adjutant’s Freshest Advices

Spring April 2019 is well her way!!! Our Northwest Dept. Elections are “in process” with ballots mailed

to 2018 Unit Commanders. Remember, your 2019 Unit/Membership dues MUST be paid to the B.A.R.

and your 2019 ballot must be postmarked on or before May 20, 2019 to be counted by the Election

Committee in these 2019 NWD Elections.

This May 2019, I have taken a Leave of Absence from the NWD Board and the Brigade for approxi-mately 3 months length of time. Any questions, inquiries or address/information changes should be addressed to: David Miller NWD Deputy Commander/ BAR Membership Clerk at: David.Miller2@Cox.net, postal address and phone contacts can be found on Page #2 of any issue of The Brigade COURIER. Current Inspector, Joe Forte has agreed to step in and take over the final 2019 Election process including receiving and tabulating ballots with the Election Committee. Joe Forte may be contacted at: jjforte@frontier.com or his mailing and phone is posted on Page #2 of the Brigade COURIER. Thank you, Dave Miller and Joe Forte for stepping up in my absence. Bob Kashary, 5th Va. Reg’t.

NWD Adjutant

Event Notice

August 25/26 2019 Fort Meigs Perrysburg, Ohio

This will be the Joint NorthWest Dept NWTA Event for 2019!!! NWTA Commander Dave Phipps and I have been planning since last Winter with the Fort Staff on how to improve our presentation and public interactions for this event. We still have time to incorporate new ideas or vignettes to our Event. Do you have an idea that you would like to make into a focal point or presentation? Each year, this event has gotten better and better with support from our members near and far, both NWTA, Brigade and Fort Meigs Volunteers. There has been wonderful support from quality sutlers such as Smoke & Fire, Flying Canoe, Samson Historical, and Wm. Booth, Draper.

Fort Meigs is the largest re-constructed earthen stockade fort in the United States and has a wonderful museum. There is easy to access to Fort Meigs via major interstate highways from every direction. Located in Perrysburg, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo, there are plenty of things to do if you wish to extend your visit to see the Port of Toledo or an hour East is Cedar Point, known as the Best Coaster Park in the World.

I would like to ask our membership for a Co-coordinator for this Fort Meigs Event. I will bring you up to speed but need someone to answer emails while I am out of computer contact for the months of June, July and early August. If you want to learn how an event is put together, or have an idea of a future event, this is the opportunity to participate first hand at an established event. Besides, Dave Phipps of the NWTA is fun to work with!!!

More information to follow as the 2019 Fort Meigs Joint Event gets closer! Mark your calendar and re-serve August 24 (Friday set-up) August 25 and 26 2019.

Bob Kashary, 5th Va. Reg’t.

Fort Meigs Coordinator

9

Event Notice:

Heritage Park Westerville, Ohio, September 21st and 22nd

On September 21st and 22nd the North West Department will be holding an event at Heritage Park in

Westerville, Ohio. Heritage Park will provide an excellent setting for the weekend. The area that we

will be using is bordered on 3 sides by woods, with very little encroachment by the 21st Century.

During the event members of the NWD will be portraying life of the soldiers in a camp setting. We

will be doing some of our standard demonstrations, (Rifle/Musket, Artillery, Linear Tactics), including

a Tactical Weapons Demonstration each day. We would like for the ladies of the department to take

an active, documentable role in the weekend. Possible activities include: laundry demonstrations

with payment from the soldiers: Selling of period seasonal vegetables to supplement the soldier’s

issued rations and collecting of rags for bandages, just to name a few of the possible demonstra-

tions. The NWD units will be issued their rations for the weekend, so units should be ready to pre-

pare their meals as they were during the time period we portray.

Westerville is located on the North side of Columbus just off the outer belt, Route 270. Heritage park

is on Cleveland Avenue, Exit 27 from Route 270. Go North on Cleveland Avenue. Heritage Park will

be on your right approximately 2 miles North of Route 270. When you get to Heritage Park turn

right on Hanawalt Road. Signs inside the park will direct you to the parking area. If you prefer,

there will be space for modern camping RV’s.

Other amenities include firewood, straw and flush toilets in a nearby shelter house.

There are many hotels in the area.

Event Coordinator: Joe Forte E-mail: jjforte@frontier.com Phone: (740) 474 - 6183

Event Notice

FALLFEST 2019

The NWD is again a featured part of the Metroparks fall celebration. This one- day event is always attended by a large and interested crowd. This is the place for any displays, interpretations or recruiting you have wanted to do. If you have a person-al or unit scenario it’s a great opportunity to try it out. Any special needs, requests or info contact me.

Date: Sunday, September 29, 2019

Place: Brecksville Reservation, Meadows Picnic Area, Cleveland Metroparks.

Park entrance is located off SR 82, near the intersection of SR 21, in Brecksville, Ohio.

Mapquest address: 9305 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141

Time: 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Provided: Lunch, firewood, straw.

The lunch is legendary and more than you can eat!

Arrival: Camping is permitted Saturday night but inform Bill or MaryJo so Metroparks security will be aware of you. You can arrive anytime Saturday afternoon. Sunday cars will be admitted to the display area up to 10:00 A.M., but must be out of camp by 10:00.

Parking: Park in the general parking area with the public: the earlier you arrive the closer you park!

Event coordinators: Bill and MaryJo Lucas

blmj@sbcglobal.net

440-461-2196

SEE YOU AT THE PARK! Bill Lucas, Event Coordinator

10

SPECIAL EVENT NOTICE

Fort Randolph Garrison Weekend

November 2nd & 3rd, 2019

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

The NWD will be returning to Fort Randolph in 2019.

While it’s true that the NWD has garrisoned Fort Randolph in the past, this is the first time this sce-nario has been used anywhere.

NEW SCENARIO: During this weekend Fort Randolph will be a British Fort. The Crown forces of the NWD will be in command of the fort. All NWD Congressional forces will be portraying local civilians, loyal to the crown, joining the British Army. During the weekend the Congressional Forces will be in-structed and trained as regular British soldiers. In addition to the drill, and manual of arms they will carry out the duties of a soldier stationed at a frontier post of the Crown.

Anyone portraying a civilian enlistee is to wear civilian clothing. You may use the firelock that you al-ways use or civilian firelock if you have one. The same applies to cartridge boxes. If you don’t have a civilian outer coat a “pullover” wagoner’s shirt is acceptable. Caped hunting shirts are not acceptable as are regimental coats, for obvious reasons. More details regarding equipment will be provided as the scenario is worked out.

Food will be provided for the soldiers to prepare.

Fort Randolph is a reconstructed frontier fort. Its earliest buildings were built during the bi-centennial. Since then, several additional structures have been erected. These include: 2 corner blockhouses, a two-story tavern, several cabins and barracks, a fully equipped blacksmith shop and a wood shop.

The fort has platform style beds available for about 15 persons in the blockhouses, tavern and cabins. There is ample floor space for another 30 people. Sleeping space will be filled on a first come, first served basis. There is ample space outside the fort for those wishing to use tents.

The fort has hot and cold running water, showers, and flush toilets.

Fort Randolph is located in Krodel Park just east of Point Pleasant, WV. The fort will be open for Fri-day arrivals.

If you haven’t been to Fort Randolph come and check it out.

Contact information:

Event Coordinator: Joe Forte. E-mail: jjforte@frontier.com

Phone: (740) – 474 – 6183

11

12

13

14

The NWD B.A.R. SHOT is the newsletter of the North West Department, Brigade of the Ameri-

can Revolution (NWD-BAR) and has been in publication since 1977. It is sent to subscribers and

member families throughout the U.S. Subscription rates are $10 per year for non-members of

the NWD-BAR. Visit our website at nwdbarshot.com. Cutoff dates for submissions:

Winter Issue—Jan. 15 Spring Issue—April 15 Summer Issue—July 15 Fall Issue—Oct. 15

Contact the editor for advertising rates ($7-$40, depending on size and placement). The Brigade

of the American Revolution was established in 1962 as a not-for-profit association dedicated to

recreating the life and times of the common soldier of the War for Independence, 1775-83. The

NWD was established in 1973. Extracted passages are scholarly comment only.

The NWD B.A.R. SHOT

Editor: Karen Kashary

9390 Brecksville Road

Brecksville, OH 44141