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First at the Fort
Contact: Daniel Limb
Sponsoring Group: THEM! In cooperation with the Friends of Old Fort Stevens
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Location: Fort Stevens, Oregon Historical Area August 8-9, 2014
Time frame: August 1865
Impression: Company B, 8th California Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Camp Type: Garrison, Regulation Army Camp – Historical records indicate that the US Army Engineers that constructed Fort Stevens had also built several structures for use by the garrison, but none are currently in existence. Therefore, the camp will be set up like a regulation army camp. Soldiers will be quartered in common tents. We are working with the fort to secure a nice shady spot immediately adjacent to the reconstructed earthworks.
Food: Food will be prepared using a regulation company kitchen with implements that would have been available and issued to an infantry company in garrison. Soldiers garrisoned in Oregon at this time had access not only to the Army Commissary system, but could rely on local victuals from the fertile bounty of the Willamette Valley. Expect more than army beans and hardtack!
Activities
Living History – Fort Stevens is one of the most visited parks in the state system. July will offer us the perfect time to interact with crowds visiting the park from all corners. We will have the run of the place as the only living history venue present that weekend, so this will be an excellent chance for us to truly educate the public with the best information possible.
Heavy Artillery Drill – The fort has a replica 200-lb Parrott rifle in barbette, which we will utilize for heavy artillery gun drill. Though we will most likely get a chance to fire it, this is an excellent chance to do some cross-training in an area outside of typical infantry drill, and is precisely the duty that Company B performed while garrisoned at Stevens in 1865
Guard Duty – As is required in garrison, soldiers will perform sentinel duty. This will be conducted atop the reconstructed Civil War era earthworks, with commanding views and lovely breezes.
Drill – Breaks up the monotony of camp life. We will be conducting company drill maneuvers throughout the weekend in order to break free of the restraints of reenactorisms and return to the simple sanity of the manual.
Road March – Saturday evening we will accouter ourselves in heavy marching order and set out on a road march to the sea. Those not participating in the living history presentation at the Park campground will continue on to the wreck of the Peter Iredale on the beach near the park.
Skirmish Drill – We will conduct skirmish drill on the ample training grounds, and fire blank cartridges using ramrods and period correct loading and firing procedures. Later, we will be pushing a skirmish line through widely varied terrain across the park. There are many “accidents of terrain” for us to utilize in a realistic setting.
Bayonet Drill – A great time waster and a crowd favorite!
Manual of Arms – all attendees will receive instruction in the manual of Arms as found in Casey’s. Whether you are an old hand or a raw recruit, you will leave the event proficient in the manual of arms for the rifle musket.
Uniform and Equipment Guidelines
1865 California Volunteers in Federal Service – Company B was raised as an infantry company, and then trained in heavy artillery. While at Fort Stevens they acted in a garrison capacity. Uniform of the Day will reflect the “Fatigue” layout and reflective of the realities of garrison life.
Hat:
• Forage Cap (preferred)
• Regulation Hat (Hardee)
Shirt:
• US Issue Shirt
• Civilian pattern shirt
Trousers
• US Issue trousers in Sky Blue Kersey (preferred) – JT Martin or Schuylkill Pattern
• US Issue trousers in Dark Blue
Coat:
• US Issue 4-button fatigue blouse with proper materials and construction.
• Regulation Issue Coat (Frock)
Footwear:
• US Issue Jefferson Pattern Bootees
• Documented Civilian pattern
Accoutrements:
• 1861 Pattern cartridge box with proper Federal brass buckles and plates.
• 1855 or 1861 pattern cap pouch
• 2 or 7 rivet Springfield bayonet scabbard.
• Waist belt, waxed flesh with sewn loop or brass keeper. US Oval plate only.
• NY or PHL pattern canteen with proper sling and stopper
• Federal painted cloth haversack (optional for garrison)
• 1858 pattern US Issue blanket
• Painted cloth or rubber blanket
Mess Items
• Tin drinking cup
• Tin Plate
• Period pattern utensils
Camp Equippage/Baggage
In garrison, soldiers will be allowed some leeway in baggage. However, we will allow only a minimum of impedimenta in order to present a realistic view of army life on a frontier posting.
• Simple wood and canvas folding stool
• Garrison issue mattress tick
• Simple floor cloth
• Simple candle holder with beeswax candle
Contact: Daniel Limb
Sponsoring Group: THEM! In cooperation with the Friends of Old Fort Stevens
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Location: Fort Stevens, Oregon Historical Area August 8-9, 2014
Time frame: August 1865
Impression: Company B, 8th California Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Camp Type: Garrison, Regulation Army Camp – Historical records indicate that the US Army Engineers that constructed Fort Stevens had also built several structures for use by the garrison, but none are currently in existence. Therefore, the camp will be set up like a regulation army camp. Soldiers will be quartered in common tents. We are working with the fort to secure a nice shady spot immediately adjacent to the reconstructed earthworks.
Food: Food will be prepared using a regulation company kitchen with implements that would have been available and issued to an infantry company in garrison. Soldiers garrisoned in Oregon at this time had access not only to the Army Commissary system, but could rely on local victuals from the fertile bounty of the Willamette Valley. Expect more than army beans and hardtack!
Activities
Living History – Fort Stevens is one of the most visited parks in the state system. July will offer us the perfect time to interact with crowds visiting the park from all corners. We will have the run of the place as the only living history venue present that weekend, so this will be an excellent chance for us to truly educate the public with the best information possible.
Heavy Artillery Drill – The fort has a replica 200-lb Parrott rifle in barbette, which we will utilize for heavy artillery gun drill. Though we will most likely get a chance to fire it, this is an excellent chance to do some cross-training in an area outside of typical infantry drill, and is precisely the duty that Company B performed while garrisoned at Stevens in 1865
Guard Duty – As is required in garrison, soldiers will perform sentinel duty. This will be conducted atop the reconstructed Civil War era earthworks, with commanding views and lovely breezes.
Drill – Breaks up the monotony of camp life. We will be conducting company drill maneuvers throughout the weekend in order to break free of the restraints of reenactorisms and return to the simple sanity of the manual.
Road March – Saturday evening we will accouter ourselves in heavy marching order and set out on a road march to the sea. Those not participating in the living history presentation at the Park campground will continue on to the wreck of the Peter Iredale on the beach near the park.
Skirmish Drill – We will conduct skirmish drill on the ample training grounds, and fire blank cartridges using ramrods and period correct loading and firing procedures. Later, we will be pushing a skirmish line through widely varied terrain across the park. There are many “accidents of terrain” for us to utilize in a realistic setting.
Bayonet Drill – A great time waster and a crowd favorite!
Manual of Arms – all attendees will receive instruction in the manual of Arms as found in Casey’s. Whether you are an old hand or a raw recruit, you will leave the event proficient in the manual of arms for the rifle musket.
Uniform and Equipment Guidelines
1865 California Volunteers in Federal Service – Company B was raised as an infantry company, and then trained in heavy artillery. While at Fort Stevens they acted in a garrison capacity. Uniform of the Day will reflect the “Fatigue” layout and reflective of the realities of garrison life.
Hat:
• Forage Cap (preferred)
• Regulation Hat (Hardee)
Shirt:
• US Issue Shirt
• Civilian pattern shirt
Trousers
• US Issue trousers in Sky Blue Kersey (preferred) – JT Martin or Schuylkill Pattern
• US Issue trousers in Dark Blue
Coat:
• US Issue 4-button fatigue blouse with proper materials and construction.
• Regulation Issue Coat (Frock)
Footwear:
• US Issue Jefferson Pattern Bootees
• Documented Civilian pattern
Accoutrements:
• 1861 Pattern cartridge box with proper Federal brass buckles and plates.
• 1855 or 1861 pattern cap pouch
• 2 or 7 rivet Springfield bayonet scabbard.
• Waist belt, waxed flesh with sewn loop or brass keeper. US Oval plate only.
• NY or PHL pattern canteen with proper sling and stopper
• Federal painted cloth haversack (optional for garrison)
• 1858 pattern US Issue blanket
• Painted cloth or rubber blanket
Mess Items
• Tin drinking cup
• Tin Plate
• Period pattern utensils
Camp Equippage/Baggage
In garrison, soldiers will be allowed some leeway in baggage. However, we will allow only a minimum of impedimenta in order to present a realistic view of army life on a frontier posting.
• Simple wood and canvas folding stool
• Garrison issue mattress tick
• Simple floor cloth
• Simple candle holder with beeswax candle