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58-543: The Revolutionary War Veterans Association and Project Appleseed are a Civilian Marksmanship Program affiliated organization, enabling Appleseed participants to buy rifles and ammunition through the CMP. Project Appleseed started from a series of ads appearing in Shotgun News , a monthly gun trade newspaper publication. These ads were written under a pseudonym "Fred." "Fred," the founder of Project Appleseed, whose real name

116-528: A Loyalist camp at Musgrove's Mill, which controlled the local grain supply and guarded a ford of the Enoree River . The Battle of Musgrove Mill , 19 August 1780 occurred near a ford of the Enoree River , near the present-day border between Spartanburg , Laurens and Union Counties in South Carolina . The Patriots anticipated surprising a garrison of about an equal number of Loyalists, but

174-410: A firearm may purchase a military surplus rifle from the CMP, provided they are a member of a CMP-affiliated club. The CMP operates through a network of affiliated private organizations, shooting clubs, and state associations across every state in the U.S. which variously offer firearms safety training and marksmanship courses as well as continued practice and competition events. Since its inception,

232-553: A challenge to the Patriot leaders to lay down their arms or he would "lay waste to their country with fire and sword." North Carolina Patriot militia leaders Isaac Shelby and John Sevier , from the Washington District (now northeast Tennessee), met and agreed to lead their militiamen against him. When Major Ferguson reportedly threatened to invade the mountains beyond the legal limit on westward settlement unless

290-500: A furious argument with the American Lieutenant Colonel Carl Von Bose, that a detachment of Count Pułaski's troops, under Von Bose's command, was located nearby. Ferguson marched his troops to the site of Bose's infantry outpost, which comprised fifty men and was a short distance from Pulaski's main encampment. At first light on 15 October 1778, Ferguson ordered his men to use bayonets to attack

348-428: A lady (the boy's ill mother) and compassion to a family in need by giving up his personal firearm, asking only that the boy keep it always, and never use it against the king. (p7) In NCIS episode 18 Season 10 “ Scoped” referenced by Ducky during autopsy as he explained to his assistant Jimmy about early snipers. In Steve Ressel 's novel State of One (2010), Ferguson is the main antagonist featured against James Pariah,

406-601: A local farmer informed them that the Tories had recently been reinforced by about a hundred Loyalist militia and two hundred provincial regulars on their way to join British Major Patrick Ferguson. The whole battle took perhaps an hour and within that period, sixty-three Tories were killed, an unknown number wounded, and seventy were taken prisoner. The Patriots lost only about four dead and twelve wounded. Some Whig leaders briefly considered attacking

464-533: A majority of young men in the thickly settled parts of the country had never fired a gun, and civilians experienced with popular contemporary lever-action rifles were unfamiliar with modern bolt action rifles like the M1903. Secretary of War Elihu Root recommended teaching civilians how to shoot immediately rather than waiting until hostilities were declared. A National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice

522-743: A soldier formerly under Ferguson's command during the Battle of the Brandywine in 1777. Ferguson had been resurrected as a golem by the Leeds Witch with hopes of raising a golem army of similar soldiers, all armed with Ferguson rifles , to destroy the ratification of the US Constitution in September 1787. James Pariah cleaves to his old Ferguson rifle, sometimes referring to it as his wife, having modified it with special actions such as

580-429: A spring-loaded knife in the stock. In Sharyn McCrumb 's novel Kings Mountain: A Ballad Novel (2014), Ferguson is the central antagonist. Events leading to and the battle itself are covered from multiple viewpoints on both sides. In the 2014 episode "Patriots Rising" of the television program The American Revolution , Ferguson is portrayed as having George Washington in his gunsight, but choosing not to shoot. In

638-479: Is Jack Dailey, wrote a long running column—actually a portion of ad space for Fred's M14 Stocks—starting in 1999. A common theme in these columns was "Are you a cook or a rifleman?", a "cook" being Fred's term for an unqualified shooter. The name of the project was in deference to Johnny Appleseed , an American pioneer nurseryman and grass roots missionary who traveled the American frontier planting apple trees across

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696-464: Is a list of marksmanship competition badges authorized for wear on U.S. military service uniforms based on points earned at CMP competitions: The CMP originated as part of the U.S. Congress 2 March 1903 War Department Appropriations Act for the purpose of providing civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills, should they later be called on to serve in the U.S. military . The Secretary of War considered nothing more important in

754-415: Is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U.S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and airguns through gun safety training, marksmanship training, and competitions. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places a priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills. The federal law creating

812-600: Is best known for his service in the 1780 military campaign of Charles Cornwallis during the American Revolutionary War in the Carolinas, in which he played a great effort in recruiting American Loyalists to serve in his militia against the Patriots. Ultimately, his activities and military actions led to a Patriot militia force mustered to put an end to his force of Loyalists, and he was killed in

870-517: Is en route to the climactic scene in which he is killed in the Battle of Kings Mountain. In Louis L'Amour's book The Ferguson Rifle (1973), Ferguson stops by a poor family home on his way to the Battle of King's Mountain and kindly gives his personal copy of the Ferguson rifle to a boy who later carries it West. Ferguson is shown to be a gentleman who displays all the appropriate social graces to

928-537: Is presented in three sections, referred to as the "Three Strikes of the Match." The Three Strikes are the three key events along Battle Road on April 19, 1775, that triggered the Revolutionary War. The volunteers of Project Appleseed also participate in history-only presentations (no shooting involved) called "Libertyseeds." These events usually feature content on the "Three Strikes" that were needed to start

986-594: The 71st Foot on 25 October 1779. In 1780, the British Army sent General Lord Cornwallis to invade South Carolina and North Carolina . His mission was to defeat all American forces in the Carolinas and keep the two colonies within the British Empire. A key part of Cornwallis's plan was to recruit soldiers from local Loyalists . To achieve this goal, General Clinton appointed Major Ferguson as Inspector of Militia in South Carolina . Ferguson's mission

1044-542: The Battle of Brandywine , Second Battle of Saratoga , and the Battle of Kings Mountain . All Appleseed instructors are unpaid volunteers. Prospective instructors must first qualify to Expert Rifleman standards before starting a rigorous professional development process requiring mastery of the instructional material. This process takes a minimum of 80 hours of hands-on training plus some self-directed study. Instructors in Training wear orange hats while as they progress to

1102-512: The Battle of Kings Mountain , at the border between the colonies of North Carolina and South Carolina . Leading a group of Loyalists whom he had recruited, he was the only regular army officer participating on either side of the conflict. The victorious Patriot forces desecrated his body in the aftermath of the battle. Patrick Ferguson was born at Pitfour in Aberdeenshire, Scotland , on 25 May ( Old Style )/4 June ( New Style ) 1744,

1160-496: The Battle of Kings Mountain . The battle went badly for the Loyalists positioned high on the mountain ridge, and during the fighting, Ferguson was shot from his horse. With his foot still in the stirrup, he was dragged to the Patriot side. According to Patriot accounts, when a Patriot approached the major for his surrender, Ferguson drew his pistol and shot him as a last act of defiance. Other soldiers retaliated, and Ferguson's body

1218-596: The Ferguson rifle , a breech-loading flintlock weapon based on Chaumette's earlier system. In 1777, Ferguson went to the colonies to serve in the American War of Independence ; commanding an experimental rifle corps equipped with his new rifle. However, after initial success, he was shot through the right elbow joint at the Battle of Brandywine on 11 September 1777 in Pennsylvania. Shortly before, he had had

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1276-684: The Seven Years' War , until a leg ailment – probably tuberculosis in the knee – forced him to return home. After recovering, now in peace-time, he served with his regiment on garrison duty. In 1768, he purchased a command of a company in 70th Regiment of Foot , under the Colonelcy of his cousin Alexander Johnstone, and served with them in the West Indies until his lame leg again began to trouble him. In 1770, Ferguson purchased

1334-730: The "Appleseed Oversight Committee" (AOC), assumed responsibility for the program. The current Chairman of the AOC is Tom Kehoe of Palm Bay, FL. The day-to-day operations of the program are managed by a National Coordinator, currently Jesse Espe of Virginia Beach, VA. In 2006, Appleseed instructors began a national tour to attract instructors who could maintain and develop local programs. As of 2018, more than 120,000 individuals from all 50 states had attended an Appleseed. An independent, sister program called Mapleseed has been developed in Canada. As of 2022, over 900 volunteers serve at Appleseed clinics across

1392-691: The American Revolutionary War. The history presented offers special emphasis on the heroism and sacrifices of individuals such as Paul Revere , Dr. Samuel Prescott , and William Dawes ; Captains John Parker (Lexington), Isaac Davis (Acton), and Hezekiah Wyman; Elizabeth Zane ; and octogenarian Samuel Whittemore , the oldest known colonial combatant in the American Revolutionary War. Stories of Daniel Morgan and his Morgan's Riflemen are also told. Known Distance Appleseeds often add stories featuring Patrick Ferguson and Timothy Murphy , who were riflemen that played major roles at

1450-632: The CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega , Alabama . The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) provides surplus U.S. Army rifles for sale, including the M1 Garand, M1903 and M1903A3 Springfield, M1917 Enfield, M1 Carbine, .22 caliber (surplus and commercial target), and commercial target air rifles to members of affiliated organizations. Additionally, the CMP's online store offers ammunition and other accessories, with

1508-543: The Castara slave plantation in Tobago . After Ferguson's death, the plantation was inherited by his younger brother George , who had managed it since the early 1770s and developed it into a successful enterprise. Exports of rum, sugar, and molasses were sent back to Europe from it. After returning home in 1772, he took part in light infantry training, coming to the attention of General Howe . During this time, he developed

1566-625: The Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety, Inc. (CPRPFS, the formal legal name of the CMP) specifically states: In carrying out the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the corporation shall give priority to activities that benefit firearms safety, training, and competition for youth and that reach as many youth participants as possible. Any U.S. citizen not otherwise legally prohibited from owning

1624-572: The M1911 pistol being included in the inventory since 2018. The CMP facilitates training programs focused on promoting safety, responsibility, leadership, and competitive excellence in shooting sports. The organization actively supports, sponsors, and hosts various rifle and pistol competitions nationwide, such as the National Matches at Camp Perry. Previously, the CMP hosted the U.S. Olympics Trials for 10-meter air rifle, and it currently hosts

1682-637: The NBPRP. The CPRPFS is a tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation chartered by the U.S. Congress, but is not an agency of the U.S. government (Title 36, United States Code, Section 40701 et seq. ). Apart from a donation of surplus .22 and .30 caliber rifles in the Army's inventory to the CMP, the CMP receives no federal funding. The CMP maintains three main offices: CMP North at Camp Perry near Port Clinton , Ohio , CMP South in Anniston , Alabama and

1740-554: The National Trophy matches, the CMP now uses Competition Tracker as the official results bulletin of every CMP competition. In March 2006, during the JROTC National Championships, the CMP used Competition Tracker, in conjunction with Sius Ascor electronic targets , to provide real-time results on the web. On average, it was 45 seconds from the time a shooter fired a shot to when his or her shot value

1798-725: The South Carolina backcountry could not be held by the Tories. Shelby and his Overmountain Men crossed back over the Appalachian Mountains and fled back into the territory of the Watauga Association at Sycamore Shoals in present day Elizabethton, Tennessee , and by the next month on 25 September 1780, Colonels Shelby, John Sevier , and Charles McDowell and their 600 Overmountain Men had combined forces with Col. William Campbell and his 400 Virginia men at

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1856-624: The Sycamore Shoals muster in advance of the 7 October 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain near present day Blacksburg, South Carolina . On 2 September, Ferguson and the militia he had already recruited marched west in pursuit of Shelby toward the Appalachian Mountain hill country on what is now the Tennessee /North Carolina border. By 10 September, Ferguson had established a base camp at Gilbert Town, North Carolina and issued

1914-482: The Tory stronghold at Ninety Six , South Carolina; but they hurriedly dispersed after learning that a large Patriot army had been defeated at Camden three days previous. Shelby's forces covered sixty miles with Ferguson in hot pursuit before making good their escape. In the wake of General Horatio Gates ’ blundering defeat at Camden, the victory at Musgrove Mill heartened the Patriots and served as further evidence that

1972-481: The aide in hussar dress might indicate the senior officer was Count Casimir Pulaski . For some months after being wounded, Ferguson was at risk for amputation of his arm. During this time, he received news of his father's death. Ferguson eventually recovered, although his right arm was permanently crippled. Ferguson resumed his military duties in May 1778, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton . In October 1778, Ferguson

2030-442: The annual Junior Olympic 3-position air rifle matches along with several national junior championships. Throughout the year, the CMP conducts camps and clinics, including a summer camp program featuring activities in standing air rifle, 3-position air rifle, and, more recently, 3-position smallbore. In July 2003, the CMP launched Competition Tracker, an online results system for the shooting sports. Originally designed specifically for

2088-649: The battle and was buried with the officer. In the 1920s, the U.S. government erected a marker at Ferguson's gravesite, which today is a part of the Kings Mountain National Military Park , administered by the National Park Service . Ferguson's personal correspondence reveals a man of intelligence, humour and charm. He also wrote several articles, satirical in tone, for publication in Rivington's Royal Gazette , under

2146-533: The board appointed Colonel S.W. Miller as the first Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) on 9 December 1916. He established the office of the DCM on 13 December 1916 to act as an executive agent of the board. Patrick Ferguson Patrick Ferguson (1744 – 7 October 1780) was a Scottish officer in the British Army , an early advocate of light infantry and the designer of the Ferguson rifle . He

2204-497: The chance to shoot a prominent American officer, accompanied by another in distinctive hussar dress, but decided not to do so, as the man had his back to him and was unaware of Ferguson's presence. A surgeon told Ferguson in the hospital that some American casualties had said that General Washington had been in the area at the time. Ferguson wrote that, even if the officer were the general, he did not regret his decision. The officer's identity remains uncertain; historians suggest that

2262-483: The colonists there abandoned the cause of American independence (Ferguson was actually in pursuit of Issac Shelby following the Battle of Musgrove's Mill), the Overmountain Men first mustered at Sycamore Shoals organised a militia to eventually fight Ferguson and his British Loyalists at King's Pinnacle , an isolated ridge on the border between the Carolinas. On 7 October 1780, the two armies clashed during

2320-619: The country. In 2019, the program rolled out the Appleseed Pistol Clinic, a which focuses on the fundamentals of pistol marksmanship to prepare students to take a defensive pistol class. The American history presented at Project Appleseed clinics include the events leading up to the American Revolution , specifically the Battles of Lexington and Concord , and the subsequent British retreat to Boston . The story

2378-576: The country. These volunteers are both marksmanship instructors and storytellers, sharing history of the opening day of the American Revolutionary War. Although the program initially focused on the use of the M14/M1A and M-1 Garand rifles, students at marksmanship clinics today mostly use semiauto rimfire rifles chambered for the inexpensive .22 Long Rifle cartridge. Targets are placed at 25 meters, and appropriately scaled to simulate shooting at distances out to 400 yards. The use of .22 caliber rifles increased

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2436-731: The emphasis of the program has shifted towards specifically youth training. From 1916 until 1996 the CMP was administered by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP), an advisory board to the Secretary of the Army (SA). Title XVI of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (Public Law 104-106, 10 February 1996) created the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice & Firearms Safety (CPRPFS) to replace

2494-581: The land with the goal of spreading the number of apple trees in America. Fred's goal was to accomplish the same with civic-minded Riflemen in America. Project Appleseed itself began in April 2006 in Ramseur, North Carolina . These long-running ads ceased in 2017, upon Jack Dailey retiring and selling his business. After Mr. Dailey retired from active leadership in the program in 2015, a board of directors, termed

2552-545: The nickname of "Bulldog" among his militiamen. After winning several victories over American forces, Cornwallis occupied Charlotte, in the summer of 1780. He divided his army and gave command of one section to Ferguson. Ferguson's wing consisted of Loyalists he had recruited to fight for the British cause. On the evening of 18 August 1780 two hundred mounted Patriot partisans under joint command of Colonels Isaac Shelby , James Williams , and Elijah Clarke prepared to raid

2610-476: The outdoor drama Horn in the West , Ferguson is portrayed harassing Daniel Boone's Patriot friends ultimately leading to the Battle of Kings Mountain whereby his final defiant moments are carried out by shooting a Patriot with his pistol. In Stephen Hunter 's 2022 novel "Targeted", Ferguson is given a short biographical treatment focusing on his prowess with firearms and is linked, genetically to Bob Lee Swagger ,

2668-569: The pseudonyms Egg-Shell , Memento Mori and John Bull . He was survived by his mother, his brothers James and George , and sisters Annie, Elizabeth (Betty) (Mrs Scrymgeour-Wedderburn of Birkhill), and Jean. In the novel Horse-Shoe Robinson (1835) by John Pendleton Kennedy , an historical romance set against the background of the Southern campaigns in the American War of Independence, fictional characters interact with Ferguson as he

2726-447: The reach of the program by reducing the total cost to attend, and drawing in less-experienced shooters. Students may bring rifles in calibers up to 8mm, if a firing a rifle cartridge, or .45 caliber or less, if shooting a pistol-caliber cartridge. Project Appleseed also offers longer-distance classes such as Rimfire Known Distance clinics (out to 200 yards) and centerfire Known Distance clinics (out to 400 yards) in select locations across

2784-462: The role of full Instructor. Full instructors wear red hats. Marksmanship clinic leaders (known as Shoot Bosses) don green hats when they are serving in that role. A small percentage of instructors rise to the role of Senior and Master Instructor. Entrusted with maintaining teaching standards and quality control, Senior and Master Instructors optionally wear grey hats. Civilian Marksmanship Program The Civilian Marksmanship Program ( CMP )

2842-629: The second son and fourth child of advocate James Ferguson of Pitfour (who was raised to the judges' bench as a Senator of the College of Justice , so known as Lord Pitfour after 1764) and his wife Anne Murray, a sister of the literary patron Patrick Murray, 5th Lord Elibank . Through his parents, he knew a number of major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment , including philosopher and historian David Hume , on whose recommendation he read Samuel Richardson 's novel Clarissa when he

2900-612: The sleeping men of the American force. Pulaski reported that Ferguson's Tories killed, wounded or took prisoner about 30 of his men in what the Americans called the Little Egg Harbor massacre . Ferguson's own account (under the pen-name Egg-Shell ) expresses his dismay at Pułaski's lack of preparations and failure to post look-outs. He said in his official report that little quarter could be given, and his men took only five prisoners. Ferguson reported that he did not destroy

2958-408: The three houses which sheltered the Americans because they were the dwellings of inoffensive Quakers , who were innocent civilians. Pułaski eventually led his mounted troops ( Pułaski's Legion ) forward, causing Ferguson to retreat to his boats, minus a few men who had been captured. Ferguson reported his losses as two killed, three wounded, and one missing. Ferguson was commissioned as a Major in

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3016-473: The way of preparation for war than teaching the young men of the country to shoot straight. The formation was precipitated by the adoption of the M1903 Springfield rifle as the national service rifle with greatly increased range allowing combatants to fire at greater distances from each other, making practice more necessary for good marksmanship. Decline in the use of firearms among civilians meant

3074-553: Was assigned to lead a raid in southern New Jersey to suppress privateers who had been seizing British ships. They were based around the Little Egg Harbor River , which empties into the Great Bay. Ferguson attacked their base in what is known as the Battle of Chestnut Neck . About a week later, Ferguson was notified by a Hessian defector, Lieutenant Carl Wilhelm Juliat, who had returned to the British side after

3132-536: Was fifteen, and the dramatist John Home . He had numerous first cousins through his mother's family: these included Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet , Commodore George Johnstone , and Sir James Murray (later Murray-Pulteney) . Ferguson began his military career in his teens, encouraged by his maternal uncle James Murray . He served briefly in the Holy Roman Empire with the Scots Greys during

3190-625: Was formed to oversee this training of civilians. Board members were the United States Assistant Secretary of War , two United States Army officers , a United States Navy officer, a United States Marine Corps officer, eight trustees of the National Rifle Association of America , and eight civilians selected from various parts of the country. Following the outbreak of World War I in Europe,

3248-461: Was found with eight musket holes in it. Patriot accounts said their militia stripped his body of clothing and urinated on him before burial. They buried him in an oxhide near the site of his fall. Col. Benjamin Cleveland of North Carolina claimed Ferguson's white stallion as a "war prize” and rode it home to his estate of Roundabout. One of Ferguson's mistresses, "Virginia Sal", was also killed in

3306-479: Was seen on the Internet. The CMP is currently researching Visual Image Scoring technology that will allow competitors to score traditional paper targets electronically. The U.S. armed forces are authorized to wear marksmanship competition badges , by each service's regulations. These badges are awarded based on points earned at CMP-sponsored competitions or high placement at special CMP competitions. The following

3364-549: Was to recruit Loyalist militia in the Carolinas and Georgia and to intimidate any colonists who favoured American independence. Major Patrick Ferguson was appointed Inspector of Militia Corps on 22 May 1780. His task was to march to the old Tryon County area, raise and organize Loyalist units from the Tory population of the Carolina Backcountry , and protect the left flank of Cornwallis' main body at Charlotte, North Carolina . By this time, Ferguson had acquired

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