News Release

2019-37th Annual Civil War Encampment

Four Union Solderer reenactors firing a canon.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: April 8, 2019

Contact: Carl Brenner, 620-223-0310

Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting the Annual Civil War Encampment, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., April 27 and 28. Experience artillery, cavalry and infantry troops preparing for battle. Cooking demonstrations will be in the mess hall and the post sutler will be hawking his wares in the sutler store. A Civil War doctor will be promoting period medical practices and reenactors will be discussing surgery of the era, sometimes at the cost of “an arm and a leg.”

“This is our 37th annual encampment,” Superintendent Betty Boyko said. “You feel history come to life through the generous support provided by volunteer members of the Holmes Brigade, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, Western Bluecoats Field Hospital, Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc., and a host of Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers.”

Park volunteers and staff will be leading a variety of programs. Saturday: discussions around the importance of the Lunette Blair Block House (adjacent to the park) and stories of Civil War courts martial at Fort Scott. Sunday: period church services and explore the meanings of states’ rights vs federal authority in “Conceived in Liberty.”

Encampment Schedule:

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

• 9:00 a.m.            Raising the Colors

• 10:00 a.m.          Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration 
• 10:30 a.m.          Lunette Blair Block House Program
• 10:45 a.m.          Cooking Demonstrations: (All day)
• 11:00 a.m.          Cavalry Drill 
• 11:30 a.m.          An Arm and a Leg: The Cost of Surgery
• 12:00 noon Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
• 1:00 p.m.            Ordered To Be Shot: Civil War Courts Martial
• 2:00 p.m.            Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
• 2:30 p.m.            An Arm and a Leg: The Cost of Surgery
• 3:00 p.m.            Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration 
• 4:00 p.m.            Flag Retreat

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

• 9:00 a.m.             Raising the Colors
• 10:00 a.m.          Church Service
• 11:00 a.m.          Cooking Demonstration
• 11:30 a.m.          Infantry Dress Parade and Inspection 
• 12:00 noon Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
• 1:00 p.m.            Cavalry Drill
• 1:30 p.m.            An Arm and a Leg: The Cost of Surgery
• 2:00 p.m.            Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
• 2:30 p.m.            Conceived in Liberty: An Interpretive Dialog
• 3:00 p.m.            Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration 

Group of Union Solderer reenactors firing black powder rifles.

NPS Photo