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Fort Scott National Historic SitePhotograph of Powder Magazine and Officers Quarters at Fort Scott
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Fort Scott National Historic Site
Artillery - Program Outline

Theme:

  • Artillery pieces were present at Fort Scott, but were never fired in anger

Goals:

  • Explain the Artillery at Fort Scott was only used for training and as a ceremonial piece.
  • Explain that Infantry and Dragoons served as "Instant Artillery" on western posts.
  • Describe the various duties of each Cannoneer.
  • Describe the types of rounds fired.

Objectives: After participating in this program, the students will be able to:

  • Name three types of rounds fired out of the gun.
  • Name the duties of at least two Cannoneers.
  • Give at least two instances when the gun would be fired at Fort Scott.

Suggested Activity:

  • Run a mock artillery drill, choosing a few of the students to be on the cannon crew.

Safety Information:

  • Students should not climb or sit on artillery piece.
  • Students should use caution when handling artillery implements and should refrain from
    handling shot.
 
Barrels in the quartermaster storehouse at Fort Scott  

Did You Know?
All supplies had to be strictly accounted for at Fort Scott. Upon discovery of 31 barrels of pork that had turned "soft and rusty", Lt. George Wallace, post quartermaster, recommended selling it to the Indians at $4.00 a barrel rather than disposing of it.

Last Updated: July 21, 2009 at 16:37 EST