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Learning Activities

Fort Scott NHS

Design A Dragoon Dress and outfit of a Dragoon in the 1840s Boots Students will demonstrate the ability to design a boot that would fit the stirrup while mounted and still be useful for ground fighting while dismounted. What kind of style, sole, material, height, heel and toe shape boot would work best for the Dragoon? *The Dragoon soldier's boot,called the "Jefferson boot," was a square-toed, low-cut, laced, and small flat-heeled boot. It was made of leather and had neither a right nor a left disignation.   Underwear/socks Students will demonstrate the ability to determine the type of underclothing that would be needed for warm/cold weather,as well as, what kind of material, design, button or tie, would be needed for that time period. What type of sock would be best suited for the type of boot used?   Hat-dress and work Students will demonstrate the ability to draw and design Dragoon hats for work and dress. They will decide the color, material, shape, bill style, brim style, strap or tie, ear flaps, tassels, etc.   Material for uniform (work/dress) Students will demonstrate the ability to select materials available for uniforms of the Dragoon period for work and dress.   Buttons Students will demonstrate the ability to design uniform buttons that could be homemade or manufactured, constructed of wood, bone, shells, leather, glass or metal, with or without insignia, the number and size, as well as decorative or functional purpose for the time period.   Insignia/design a flag (colors) Students demonstrate the ability to design a guidon that identifies a particular unit's or company's color. They will decide the guidon's insignia, background color, shape, size, and edging.   Belt buckle Students will demonstrate the ability to design a plain or fancy belt buckle made of metal, wood, leather, shell or bone. They will decide size and purpose (dress or work).   Weapon cases Students will demonstrate the ability to choose the type of leather, cloth, canvas, or wood material, as well as shape, size, and weight of cases for the various weapons used by the Dragoon.   Contents of a valise/design Students will demonstrate the ability to decide what to carry in a Dragoon's valise. They should take into account spare ammunition, clothing, shaving kit, boot(s), sewing kit, personal possessions (Bible, book, playing cards, sulphur sticks, tobacco (pipe or chewing), photos, writing paper/pencil, and/or diary.   Mess kit/rations for trip Students will demonstrate the ability to pack a mess kit. This would include a spoon, fork, knife, cup, plate, skillet, coffee pot, hard tack, salt, flour, corn meal, coffee, meat (salt pork, bacon, dried meat), vinegar, and soap and towel.   Personal identification Students will demonstrate the ability to decide about personal identification, since there was really no such thing during the time of the Dragoon. However, the company assigned a number to the individual Dragoon. The student will decide how the Dragoon will carry or wear the identification.   Activity Compare a Dragoon soldier in 1840 with a cavalry soldier of the Indian Wars in 1870, World War I in 1917, World War II in 1944 and Desert Storm in 1991.