Newsletter of the 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry

A reminder of up coming events

 1. June 25 & 26. Infirmary Mound State Park

Granville. Registration is $7 If you plan to attend let Mark know by June 13th. The Camp opens Friday afternoon. Directions

2. June 30th. Marion Co. Fair Day.  At the log cabin. The display is going to be completely OUTSIDE this year. This will be a good practice for the time line in October.

We are going to set up a Wedge tent for early war, a dog tent for mid-war and lay a ground cloth out for late war. We'll set up between 9 & 10 in the morning and probably tear down at 6:00.

Again, let Mark know if you can be there so we can get you a pass.

3. July 16 - 17. Portland, Ohio. The Battle of Buffington Island,  The only actual Civil War Battlefield in Ohio! This has always been a fun event. Again we need to know if you plan to attend. Directions

4. August 13 - 14, Arcadia Encampment

5. September 3rd. Lincoln Park, Marion

Family Day in the Park. Marion Co. Historical Society.

6. September 11th, Delaware all Horse Parade.

7. October 8th,  Ohio State University Marion Campus. Timeline Marion Co. Historical Society

Registration Fees. It has always been the custom of the unit to pay the pre-registration fees of its members who say they are going to attend an event or events. Sometimes it's only two or three bucks and sometimes in the case of a National Re-enactment it can be as much as fifteen. When you start multiplying that number it adds up fast. The point is, if you tell us you're going, we ADVANCE that sum for you whether you go or not. So whether you go or not, you owe the 121st for the registration fee. When we are doing a considerable number of school programs that wasn't such a big deal. But those activities are getting fewer and fewer. We almost made enough this year on schools to cover the cost of cannon powder. So please, if you tell us you're attending, make sure you pay back what you owe.

 We did three big ones this year at Highland Middle School, Big Walnut and Liberty Benton. ( and a morning program at Elgin) They were extremely well received AND VERY WELL DONE. Many thanks to Capt. Haudenschield , 1SG Craig, Cpl's Reagh and Rose, Sgt's Fields and Walker, Pvt's Stienmetz, Szabo & Citizen Melroy.

Memorial Day at Delaware. If we can't do anything else, we certainly do an excellent job of showing tribute to our veterans. Thanks to Jim Titus for his contacts with the "powers-that-be" and to all who participated in the activities. Especially Mic and Stephen, who provided the only music in the parade.

Field Cleaning a Musket

 Simply cap off the cone, (nipple to you civilians) Pour some water down the barrel, churn it with the rammer if you like and pour it out. Repeat this motion until the water is clear. Make sure the vent and cone are clear and hang the musket upside down to dry out.

AT Home

Go to Meijers or Walmart and purchase a .410 shotgun cleaning kit. Cap off the cone with an unspent percussion cap, use a wire brush to brush out most of the burnt powder. Use a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to boil out the barrel ( about 20minutes). Flush with clear water, run clean patches up and down the barrel until the patches coming out are clean. Remove the cone from the vent and clean any carbon from around the breech of the weapon.

If you've been to a major event or at least once a year, remove the lockplate and clean the firing mechanism with oil and a toothbrush (preferably an old one) The barrel should be removed periodically and cleaned beneath. Keep everything oiled with WD-40 or a good grade gun oil. Inside and out.