By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
PELICAN LAKE – The American Civil War Shooting Association (ACWSA), a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving the history of the American Civil War through the sport of skirmishing, recently held one of its final skirmishes of the year.
The ACWSA was created in 1999 from teams located in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Individuals in the ACWSA join teams, which represent specific Union and Confederate units. The units compete in marksmanship competitions, called skirmishes, while wearing replica uniforms and using only American Civil War period firearms.
The Vacant Chair Memorial Skirmish was held east of Tomahawk and south of Rhinelander, near Pelican Lake, from Friday, Sept. 2 to Sunday, Sept. 4.
Tomahawk resident Connor Ahrens is a member of the 8th Wisconsin. He noted that the skirmishes usually have numerous Union units, along with one or two Confederate units. However, this year’s Vacant Chair Memorial Skirmish turned out to be a dual skirmish, with the 2nd Wisconsin and 15th Wisconsin being the only full units. They were joined by members of the 8th Wisconsin, 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, 66th North Carolina and 56th Virginia, who were divided amongst the 2nd and 15th for sake of competition, Ahrens said.
The 2nd and 15th took part in four competitions. The 2nd Wisconsin took first place in the Breechloader Team, Carbine Team and Smoothborne Team competitions, while the 15th Wisconsin won the Musket Team competition.
Brennen Buck of the 2nd Wisconsin said it was a “great weekend, one to remember.”
“I love shooting in a few events, but primarily come for the camaraderie and being around this great group of people,” Buck stated. “Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth time skirmishing, everyone is willing to help you out. At the end of the day we’re all talking around a campfire about the day’s skirmish and American history, something I look forward to every skirmish season.”
Ahrens said he joined the ACWSA to be a part of a group that’s interested in living American Civil War history.
“To an extent we do just that, dressing in representational uniforms for our units and competitively shooting American Civil War period firearms, from carbines to muskets,” he explained. “We occasionally even get to compete with cannons and mortars. Such was the case with the later artillery mentioned at this skirmish.”
Ahrens said there’s nothing he enjoys more than being on the line with fellow skirmishers, firing his 1861 Springfield musket.
“Being outside in the late summer heat, black smoke, and the sound of the Minie balls whizzing through the air truly gives you the closest feeling of what it must have been like in 1861,” he stated.
For more information on the ACWSA, visit www.acwsa.org/.
