Pioneering Soldiers

The Pioneering Soldiers wayside panel at the first Fort Smith site.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

First Fort Smith

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible

The Regiment of Riflemen was the elite of the infantry. Specializing in scouting and patrols, they were also top marksmen training on targets set at fifty to one hundred twenty yards using flintlock rifles.

Life for a soldier at Fort Smith was tough. They woke to reveille at daybreak, followed by assembly, roll call, morning duties, and sick call all before breakfast at 8:00 am. Every day was filled with duties, drills, inspections, training, and five roll calls. The only breaks were a meal at noon and dinner. There was a parade every day twenty minutes before sunset, followed by more duties before lights out around 9:00 pm in summer and 8:00 pm in the winter.

The rations were monotonous. Hard bread, salt pork or bacon, beans, a gill (4 oz) of whisky, and, on occasion, coffee or tea. The post garden did provide some variety in summer. Crops included melons, onions, potatoes, and other fresh vegetables.