Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

Why not get a crewe together and TAKE it? Muahahahaha! (Pyrate) Bo

Unbelievable. I did my last Civil War event weekend before last. We had a Union gun crew on a Mountain Howitzer light-off a charge in our faces at less than 100 feet. There was nearly a real battle between them and us right then and there. We reformed and stopped the reenactment and marched off the field leaving the event organizers and spectators wondering WTF??? Stupid seems to be taking over the whole damn world. I feel bad for the kids, this should never have happened. Bo

OK, back on theme for GOOD event: Organized, friendly event personnel #1. Good ground for camp, access to restrooms or hooters, pot-luck Saturday night, and people I know and love to share it with. And rum, don't forget the rum! Bo

No apology necessary at all. Still have stuff in the shed that should be getting used instead of wasting away and collecting dust. I did attempt a couple of shooting bags recently that actually turned out OK. Maybe not all of my abilities are gone after all. I will be glad to help out this year if needed. Bo

National Geographic has documentaries on the Whydah, and (drawing a blank/brainfart) another ship of renown. Queda Merchant or something like that? I hate it when something slips off the brain at the moment you are trying to relate it dangitt! Now I'll be driving home and it'll hit me when I'm unable to post it here. Bo Post Script: Yes, I just remembered to check the Shipyard section of this forum. The Queda Merchant was Captain Kidd's ship. Nat'l. Geo. made a good documentary on it.

Not playing dress-up anymore. I am going full circle back to what I started doing at 17; shooting black powder muzzleloaders. I enjoy shooting and hunting more than anything and my path has been wandering too far from this in pursuing the material culture of historical reenacting and living history. I love to shoot live ammo and there just isn't much of that in the reenacting/living history community. I can have more fun in my bib-overalls, combat boots and ball cap than decked out in linen and wool, in shoes that hurt my feet. It was a good run and I learned a lot, but firearms are what "trips my trigger." I will continue to check in on things, maybe offer some knowledge or experience if it helps the cause, but mostly I am done with participating in the hobby. Burning powder, flinging lead, and taking meat is where I belong. Bo

I finally did it. After screwing up a piece of cherry, then walnut, I have commissioned Mr. Jeff Miller of flintlock forge in Maine to build it for me. It will look something like this one when finished: http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/WestPointMilitaryMuseum/Muzzleloaders/images/10GermanWheellockMoorishShnaphaunceKurdishMiqueletEnglishFlintlockMusketoonSwissFlintlock.jpg The top one with the Dutch club butt. I was going to go for carbine, but I decided that since I am no longer doing living history/reenacting I want something I can hunt with. It will be .58 smooth, iron mounted cherry. Hopefully by this time next year I will be turkey hunting with it. I'll try and post photos of it when it gets done. Bo

That would make a clever scenario indeed! One thing about the Whydah fork though, (I have the catalogue and saw it twice on exhibit) it is a bit larger in overall dimensions than a more modern (19th,20th cent.) standard flatware piece, slightly longer, wider and thicker. I have seen serving forks with flatware sets that are closer to this specimen though. Make sure you carry one in a leather or wooden holder in your gear though, as they tend to poke holes in things you'd rather not have poked otherwise. Bo

Wish you'd have let me know you were short. I still have a shed full of shi... er, um, stuff to deal with someday. My contact info hasn't changed. Bo

After watching the Girl With the Pearl Earring a bazillion times, found a copy of the book in a pile of free stuff. Excellent. Taking a few minutes to catch up on my rare day-off from the nursing home maint. Bo

Howdy. Some relevant question to ask are; how often there was enough meat available to lower classes, including seamen, to warrant owning/using forks? As far as I have been able to find, most often the little meat available/affordable was stewed with other fodder to make it go farther, and eaten with wooden spoons. Also, how often do you think a pyrat would keep a piece of silverware vs. sell/pawn it for coin. Just "food for thought" if you'll pardon the pun. Bo

Just 'cause you don't get caught don't make ya any less guilty mate! How's things on the east side of Mizzourah? Congrats on the halfway to centurion mark. Two over the mark meself now.(FWIW, it don't get any easier to get up in the mornin' just because you have more practice at it.) Bo

Lance Cpl. Bradshaw has been stationed in Hawaii, on the Island of Oahu, Kaneohe Bay about 45 min. from Pearl Harbor since October. They have been to the "big island" for joint artillery/infantry training exercises, going back again through March for some more in preparation for deployment to Okinawa sometime in April through Jan. 2015. Just thought I'd update the pub on his status. So proud of my "little guy" and also concerned for his safe return. Best wishes all... Bo.

Thanks again. I won't be doing anymore hunting in period garb, or anything else in period garb for that matter. I will be finishing out the 150th ACW events through 2015, (maybe), then I am calling it all quits. Just lost all ambition to continue and nothing I've tried seems to kindle any sparks of interest. The forge is sold, got rid of most of my gear and garb, moved the remainder of stuff to the back of the shed unlikely to be seen again until my death when the family will have to deal with all the crap leftover. It's been a good run and I have plenty of "glory days" to remember. Riding my Honda Shadow (weather permitting) and my horse Chocolat is about all the recreation I have time for. Best wishes and smooth sailing. Bo

Still alive and cruising through yet another trip around the sun. Stopped off here at the library on one of my rare days off. Best to all the Pyrat realm, and thanks for remembering. Going to pick up a bottle of Pyrat on the way home and I'll be sure to raise a glass to the Pub when I've settled in for the evening. Bo

Bo will have to start trekking again before that can happen. Still not sure I am going to continue. Too busy with the new job and catching up on home repairs, etc. Possible but not likely to happen. Attended a couple of local events recently as a day-tripper but still don't have the "magic" it used to have. Did my last demo gig as colonial deer-hide market hunter a couple of weeks ago. Just wasn't the same, I couldn't enjoy myself and was counting minutes for the event to end so I could get home. I fear I am really done this time. Bo

I am still cursed with a shed full of "cool stuff" that needs some new homes as I am no longer participating in the hobby. If you can contact me by land-line & snail-mail I'll be able to participate again this year but still no home computer to keep up with this. Working a lot of long hours with little time off. Let me know and I'll be happy to send out some swag. Bo

PFC Bradshaw is graduating from Field Radio Op. school in 29 Palms Nov. 6th. Next duty station... HAWAII!!! He will be just 30 minutes drive from the Pearl Harbor memorial on Oahu. We are very relieved that he is not going directly into the hotbed of mid-eastern debacles. Bo

Nope, horseflies are not edible... not even in bacon grease. Trust me on this kids, don't try this at home(See the Honey Badger, he's disgusting! He'll eat anything, he don't give a sh!#.) Peg-leg, I do mainstream infantry and work an M1842 6 pounder also. I did a short stint as MO/KS border war ruffian/bushwhacker but my spine won't take the hard riding anymore. Did a couple of local events this year as infantry private. It's not piratey or as much fun as trekking the woods in colonial gear, but I enjoy it just the same. See ya'll around when I can... Bo

Any recipes for horseflies??? We have tons of these critters this year. Wonder if fried horseflies in bacon grease would be palatable? Oh, tangents, um, yeah, I forgot. I got a real job last week!!! Asst. Supervisor of Environmental services at a local Nursing home. I had almost given up hope. Well, Maybe I'll get to play again someday.... who knows. this is my day-off and I have to work some weekends, but at leats I'll have the means with which to replace some gear as time goes by. now, about those horseflies... Bo

Sorry mates, no more home computer keeps me limited to what I can do. Unemployed and sold most of my gear, civil war took front spot til recent economic events have nixed that for me as well. Don't see me participating much in the future at all Bo

Heard from my Marine last night, he just completed the 2-week Marine Combat Training portion, (14days with no showers, living in the field, sleeping under the stars, shooting weapons, learning maneuvers, etc.). He's adapted well to his new lifestyle and is looking forward to getting out to "the Fleet" as they say. He will be going to 29 Palms for 0621 Field Radio Operator school once he completes MCT at Camp Pendleton. Bo

Here's some shots I took out there, but first one from Fort Osage three or four years ago: We just arrived in time for Liberty Call on Family day: and his Platoon on-line Graduation Day Ceremony: We are very proud of our Marine! Bo

We got him graduated 12 July 2013 as a PFC. Made it out to the Family Day and Grad ceremony with the family, and thanks to my Sis (who works for Disney) we spent the 13th at the Disney parks. He flew home for 10 days leave, we drove back, broke down at Vail Peak, spent $3500 on transmission repairs, and.... Bo

Been awhile since I dropped by. My son enlisted back in March and was supposed to be on Delayed entry until Sept. 25th. He told his recruiter that if something opened up sooner let him know. He left for boot camp April 15th, and is now well on his way to becoming a full-fledged Marine. Got our first "real" letter from him last week and he seems to have his ass & head wired together about the way things are. He'll make a damn fine marine. As for me, I'm slowly deteriorating in the spine, nothing I can do about it, just live day-by-day as long as it lasts. Still trying to get out and do ACW events locally. Gotta go. Bo