Despite Rain and Flooding, Civil War Heritage Lives On at 151st National Skirmish

Even heavy rain and flooded grounds couldn’t stop the spirit of Civil War history from marching forward at Fort Shenandoah, where the North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) hosted its 151st National Competition from May 16–18, 2025.

Located just north of Winchester, Virginia, Fort Shenandoah is home to the nation’s largest live-fire Civil War shooting sports event. Over the course of the weekend, hundreds of participants in historically accurate uniforms took part in competitive matches using original or reproduction 19th-century firearms—including muskets, carbines, revolvers, mortars, and cannons.

Members of the 9th Virginia Infantry load fast and fire accurately during the musket match at the N-SSA 151st National Competition. Their skill paid off with a first-place finish over 129 other competing units. The 152nd National Competition is scheduled for October 3-5, 2025, at Fort Shenandoah, just north of Winchester, Virginia. For more information about the N-SSA, visit the website at www.n-ssa.org.

The N-SSA, with a membership of about 3,000 people across 200 units, is the oldest organization in the U.S. dedicated to preserving Civil War heritage through marksmanship and reenactment. Each participating group represents a specific unit or regiment from the era, honoring both historical accuracy and competitive spirit.

Severe weather created a rocky start for this year’s event. Due to steady rain and flooding, all individual matches scheduled for Wednesday through Friday had to be canceled. Some Friday team and mortar competitions also fell victim to the downpours. However, the skies cleared on Saturday and Sunday, allowing the main team matches to proceed on a still-soggy field.

Despite the setbacks, Virginia teams made a powerful showing. The 9th Virginia Cavalry clinched victory in the musket team match—N-SSA’s signature five-event competition—finishing in just 423 seconds against 128 other teams. In the carbine team match, the 8th Virginia Infantry came out on top, while the 21st Virginia Infantry scored wins in both the smoothbore musket and revolver team matches. Their revolver match win came by a razor-thin 3.7-second margin over 58 other teams.

Maryland also made its mark. The 2nd Maryland Artillery won the breech-loading rifle match decisively, and the 1st Maryland Cavalry dominated the artillery scene with wins in both the smoothbore and rifled howitzer classes. McGregor’s 2nd Battery and Hardaway’s Alabama Battery also picked up wins in their respective artillery categories, showcasing precision even in tough range conditions.

Other notable victories included the 1st Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery in the Spencer rifle match, and the Nansemond Guards, who outshot 30 other teams in the growing single-shot pistol competition.

While the weather may have dampened some activities, it did little to lessen the enthusiasm of the participants. The competition not only celebrated skill and teamwork but also served as a vibrant reminder of the importance of preserving Civil War history through active engagement.

The next national event—the 152nd National Skirmish—is scheduled for October 3–5, 2025, again at Fort Shenandoah. For those interested in learning more about the N-SSA or becoming involved, information is available at www.n-ssa.org, or by contacting Public Information Officer Bruce Miller at (248) 258-9007 or via email at spartan70@sbcglobal.net.