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The Liberty Pole

Shooters!
Center up!
Welcome Shooter, to the April edition of The Liberty Pole, Project Appleseed’s newsletter.  We have a great issue lined up for you this month. As always, "Shooters! Your Preparation Period Begins Now!"
“The Cottontail Conquerors of Cornwallis or A Short History on the Rebel Rabbits of the Revolutionary War”
The following story is an account by an observer at the Appleseed Home Range in Ramseur, North Carolina.

“This past weekend, I learned about the Great Smoky Mountain Jackalope.  It is slightly smaller but far more dangerous than its cousin, the Giant Texas Jackalope.  (Master Instructor Ghostring of Texas teaches that jackalopes there grow to 36” across! Wow!)

Some historians have noted that the only people in history to domesticate the Great Smoky Mountain Jackalope were the Overmountain Men in the early 1770s.  Once these predators were trained, they were loyal guardians of their remote settlements in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  They would guard the Overmountain Men as they slept with their ferocious teeth, pointy antlers, and powerful back feet.  Plus, they were cuddly and warm when the men were trying to sleep.  Who but a true Rifleman, forged in Liberty and consecrated in righteous conflict, could earn the trust of such a beast?

Further, it's believed that the Great Smoky Mountain Jackalope likely contributed to the Patriot victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780!  Many Jackalopes faithfully traveled alongside their masters during the trek through the wilderness from Sycamore Shoals (Tennessee) to South Carolina.  They were ferocious in battle, particularly on hilly terrain like that surrounding Kings Mountain.  The British fired high and the Jackalopes tunneled low and used the slope effect to spring at the enemy.  It’s been said that a Jackalope, with his powerful back legs and pointy antlers, knocked the enemy’s commanding officer Major Patrick Ferguson from the saddle – signaling the end of the battle.

Astute historians theorize that all written accounts of the relentless Great Smoky Mountain Jackalope were purged at the order of George Washington, who insisted on keeping this a secret to preserve the element of surprise against Cornwallis.  Few have heard of the Cottontail Cornwallis Conquerors.  But that is a story for another day....

Though hunted to near extinction for their prized pelt and antlers, it's been said that if you go to the Appleseed Home Range in Ramseur, you might be able to see one.  On a moonless night, you must go alone to the firing line at the 500y range.  At the stroke of midnight, you must crinkle an empty Wendy's bag and wait.

If you possess the true spirit of a Rifleman, one of the few remaining Great Smoky Mountain Jackalopes in North Carolina will appear briefly to you!  Stay still for they are wild.  But if ye be a Rifleman and Liberty dwells in your heart, then do not fear them.  Even to this day, they only bite Redcoats.

It's amazing the things you can learn at the Appleseed Home Range!!”


This is a truly inspiring tale of forgotten lore that shows just how incredible the American War for Independence was, and how incredible the on-going American Revolution still is.  An artist conception of the Great Smoky Mountain Jackalope is included below. Alas, they are too fast to catch on camera. And their powerful ears hear the shutter from a mile away.
HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S!!!
And Now Back To Your Regularly Scheduled Program!
Words from the Founding Fathers
 "The establishment of Civil and Religious Liberty was the Motive which induced me to the Field – the object is attained – and it now remains to be my earnest wish and prayer, that the Citizens of the United States could make a wise and virtuous use of the blessings placed before them."

George Washington,
Letter to the Reformed German Congregation of New York City,
November 27, 1783
April's Event Highlight
In each issue of our newsletter, we highlight one of our events. In this issue, we want to showcase a recent Rifle Clinic in San Angelo, Texas on March 4 & 5, 2023. 

Some words from the Shoot Boss (GenX Minuteman)

“We had a great time with everyone!  It was an amazing event, one which I will not forget for a very long time.  Especially when I heard probably the most honest and heart felt reply come from a 10 year old Boy Scout when I asked - "What would you do if you were asked to pick up a drum as your item of defense and face off against the greatest military force in the world."  Without hesitation, a very serious looking J.J. answered "I would do whatever necessary to defend my family and my country!"  WOW, just WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was absolutely floored!  This is what we love to see!!!  Thank you J.J. for your honesty!"

Click HERE to view the full After Action Report.  
April's History Article by AH1Tom
"The Muhlenberg Brothers" By: AH1Tom

On April 1, 1789, Frederick Muhlenberg was elected the first Speaker of the House of Representatives by the First Congress meeting in New York City. After the Constitution was ratified, the federal government of the United States made its first home in New York City. On April 1, 1789, the House of Representatives had enough members present to begin and elected its first officers. Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg, a Lutheran minister, businessman and politician from Pennsylvania, was chosen as the first Speaker of the House. Just a few years earlier, he was opposed to his brother’s decision to get involved. 

In the 1770s, Frederick’s brother, the Rev. John Peter Muhlenberg pastored two churches in Woodstock, VA. He was also a member of the Virginia legislature. In January 1776, he was attending the legislative session in Williamsburg, and war with Great Britain was looming on the horizon: Boston had been blockaded, Charlestown burned, Lexington and Concord attacked, and the Battle of Bunker Hill fought.

John Peter Muhlenberg returned home and on January 21, 1776, delivered what was to be his farewell sermon. He recounted the crisis then facing America and concluded with these words:

In the language of the Holy Writ, there was a time for all things [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8], a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away, 

Then in a loud voice, he pointed to verse 8, declaring:

There is a time to fight – and that time has now come!

He then bowed his head and offered a dismissal prayer, but instead of following his usual custom of going off the vestry room, he began to disrobe. When he had shed his clerical robes, he stood before the congregation in full military uniform. He descended the pulpit, weapons in hand, and marched to the back of the church, reminding his parishioners that if they did not get involved and protect their liberties, they would have no liberties left to protect. Outside the church, Pastor Muhlenberg ordered drummers to beat for recruits. Some 300 men from his two congregations joined him that day, becoming the Eighth Virginia Regiment.
His brother Frederick wrote to Peter, telling him:

You would have acted for the best if you had kept out of this business from the beginning…I now give you my thoughts in brief: I think you are wrong in trying to be both soldier and preacher together.

However, Peter replied with some strong thoughts of his own: 

I am a clergyman it is true, but I am a member of society as well as the poorest layman, and my liberty is as dear to me as to any man. Shall I then sit still?...Heaven forbid it!...I am called by my country in its defense – the cause is just and noble…and so far I am from thinking that I act wrong, I am convinced it is my duty so to do – and duty I owe to God and my Country. 

In 1777, the British arrived in New York City. Of the nineteen churches in the city, they burned ten to the ground; they also drove Frederick from his own church and desecrated the building. Frederick thus found himself rethinking his position, and, like his brother, he, too, decided to get involved. After his election as Speaker of the House, he was instrumental in framing the Bill of Rights. In fact, his signature is one of only two that appears on that document. A large painting of him hangs in the Speakers’ Lobby of the U.S. House in honor of his role as America’s first Speaker. 
April's Marksmanship Tip
"Circles to Mils - clearing up the confusion" - Thread Discussion
A couple of our Master Instructor's breakdown Milliradians and their relationship with MOA, as well as clear up some common misconceptions. If you are struggling to understand any of that then this thread is for you. It also contains one of my favorite quotes by our National Coordinator and Appleseed Master Instructor, Maximum Ordinate.

"Your Leupold scope manual is wrong.  It's not the first (or probably last) scope manual that contains inaccuracies."

The above quote showcases why it is important to practice with your own equipment and get your own data. You can't just blindly trust what your manual or ballistic calculator say. You need to do it yourself and verify what is true and what isn't.

Read the full thread HERE. And please, I urge you to take part in the discussion yourself and share your own experiences.
Appleseed Store
This month we'd like to showcase our A.O.K. Or "Appleseed Optics Kits" for both Centerfire and Rimfire rifles. Frustrated with scope solutions that are too far back while you're in
position? Tired of getting cramps in your neck from holding your head in a strange position? Maybe you have a new rifle and are ready for a new scope and mounting hardware. We've got just what you need
!
For Centerfire rifles the following Vortex scope packages are now available! We've assembled scope packages with a variety of features at a range of price points for every shooter! Every scope we offer is capable of centerfire marksmanship excellence at 25m events and Known Distance clinics out to 500 yards!!!
 

Each package includes a mount ideal for field shooting, so a shooter doesn't have to
pick between comfortable shooting position and excellent eye relief. Of course, all products are backed by Vortex's lifetime warranty.
 
The Rimfire Appleseed Optics Kit (AOK) includes the parts a shooter will need to mount a scope effectively on their rimfire rifles and shoot at 25m or Rimfire KD:
 
  • Vortex Crossfire II BDC 2-7x32 scope with lifetime warranty  
  • EGW cantilevered rail (+20 minutes) for your rifle  
  • FREE refurbished scope rings  
  • FREE SHIPPING 

The price, you ask?  $165 per kit.

We currently offer packages for the following rifles: 
  • 10/22 & 10/22 Takedown  
  • Ruger American Rimfire  
  • Savage 93 & Modern Savage Mark II  
  • Vintage Savage Mark II  
  • Dedicated .22 ARs

Just go visit the Appleseed store and pop one in your cart! 
Special Edition: 
Patriots' Day Shirts & Patches
We all know April is near and dear to the hearts of all Appleseeders.  In celebration, we're pleased to announce a new series of designs of Patriots' Day shirts and patches! Each year in the five year series will showcase a different figure from that fateful spring day in 1775 that changed the world forever.

This year, we honor the legendary John Parker, Captain of the Lexington militia. Parker, in failing health, turned out that chilly Spring morning, leading his men to meet the advance of British Regulars.

Learn more about the heroic John Parker, and the other men and women who risked their lives that day, at an Appleseed event near you.  


These patches and shirts are EXCLUSIVE to our Patriots' Day events throughout April - when they're gone, they're gone!

See ya on the firing line! 
Upcoming Events
We have TONS of upcoming events lined up all across the country. Below are just a few of the special interest events that we want to mention. Reserve your spot today!  

Below is just a sample list of some of our upcoming events! This month we are showcasing our 25m Rifle, Known Distance and Pistol Clinics for the month of April to celebrate Patriots' Day.

And of course, don't forget about our Rifleman's Boot Camps! A comprehensive, week-long program that builds on the skills acquired at previous Appleseeds and Known-Distance Appleseeds. The Rifleman’s Boot Camp (RBC) puts you on the fast track to becoming a Rifleman – or an Appleseed instructor. 

Click HERE to find a 25m event near you!
Rimfire Known Distance Clinic
Known Distance Clinic
Instructor Boot Camp
Rifleman Boot Camp
Half Day Clinic
Pistol Clinic
Libertyseed
Ladyseed
Want to Support Project Appleseed?
If you'd like to support Project Appleseed, there are plenty of ways to do so.. You can buy tickets, buy store items, or make a 100% tax deductible donation. We accept and are appreciative of all donations. Of course, the thing valued above all is time. Volunteers; those that can give up their time and help us out, in whatever capacity it may be, are what this program runs on. 
Thank you! Let's stay in touch!
I hope you enjoyed this issue of Project Appleseed's, "The Liberty Pole". Please follow us on the social media links below and keep an eye on our schedule for future events to stay up to date about Project Appleseed. Lastly, if you would like to reach out to the editor, please send an email to newsletter@projectappleseed.net.  Thank you again for taking the time to read this newsletter and especially for being a part of Project Appleseed.

In Liberty,

Roswell "Ross" Crutchfield
Project Appleseed - a 501(c)3 Organization
Lead Newsletter Editor
Designated Shoot Boss 
Copyright 2023 © by The Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA®). All rights reserved.