CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT

Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the annual Civil War Encampment on Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10. Step back in time with volunteers and park staff to experience Civil War garrison life at Fort Scott. Re-enactors will present a variety of programs to include living history demonstrations and traditional music.

During the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, the U. S. Army returned to Fort Scott to establish a military headquarters, a general hospital, a recruiting center and supply depot. Join us to learn about the importance of the Civil War and Fort Scott's role in that event.

Activities begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and conclude with the last program Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Fort Scott served as a training ground for Union troops during the Civil War. This weekend, Union Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery units will perform military training common to soldiers of the era including marching, weapons drills, horsemanship, and artillery drills.

At 11:00 a.m. each day, witness a re-creation of the court martial of Private Summers that actually took place at Fort Scott. Saturday's activities will feature a special program provided by the Kansas Humanities Council, a non-profit organization with 30 years of promoting the understanding of the history, traditions, and ideas that shape our lives and build community.

At 2:00 p.m. Professor William D. Keel will present "I Goes to Fight Mit Sigel", a program highlighting the importance of ethnic Germans in the Union army during the Civil War.

Music was very important to Civil War soldiers away from home and hearth. Come listen to a special musical performance provided by Cathy Barton and Dave Para on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. A versatile duo, Dave and Cathy play several stringed instruments including hammered and fretted dulcimers, banjo, guitar and Autoharp, as well as "found" instruments like bones, spoons, mouthbow and leaf. Their concerts present a range of music from the lively dance tunes they have collected in their home region to old ballads to new songs. They have conducted several instrumental workshops as well as those about songs from the Civil War. Dave and Cathy will be joined by the Gum Springs Serenaders for a wonderful evening musical program at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday's programs will begin with a flag-raising at 9:00 a.m., period church service at 10:00 a.m., followed by an encore performance of the court martial of Private Summers. The afternoon will be filled with artillery, cavalry and infantry drills. Fort Scott National Historic Site, administered by the National Park Service, is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is an entrance fee of $3.00 for each adult age seventeen and above. Children sixteen and under are admitted free of charge. For more information, call Fort Scott National Historic Site at 620-223-0310.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

• 9:00 a.m. - Colors Posted
• 9:30 a.m. - Infantry Drill
• 10:00 a.m. - Cavalry Drill
• 11:00 a.m. - Court Martial of Private Summers
• 12:00 p.m. - Artillery Drill
• 1:00 p.m. - Military Tactical Demonstration
• 2:00 p.m. - "I Goes to Fight Mit Sigel" - Speaker William D. Keel
• 3:00 p.m. - Musical Program: Cathy Barton and Dave Para
• 4:30 p.m. - Flag Retreat
• 6:30 p.m. - Evening Musical Program: "Barton and Para" and "Gum Springs Serenaders"

SUNDAY, APRIL 10

• 9:00 a.m. - Colors Posted
• 10:00 a.m. - Church Service
• 11:00 a.m. - Court Martial of Private Summers
• 12:00 p.m. - Artillery Drill
• 1:00 p.m. - Cavalry Drill
• 2:00 p.m. - Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
• 3:00 p.m. - Artillery Drill