Parade Ground

Soldiers march across the parade ground at Fort Stanwix National Monument

National Park Service/M. Huchko

Definition 
A "parade ground" is tje open area in the center of the fort that allows soldiers to gather together for assembly and drill practice. 

Archeology
The parade at Fort Stanwix was only 90 feet long, 85 feet wide and located in the center of the fortifications. The parade ground elevation was established as the top of the sterile soil zone where there was a faint trace of a living surface (Level II) in the form of bits of charcoal, bone splinters and pipe stems. Level I was a gray loam with post-1781 ceramics. Elevations taken around the site resulted in an average elevation of 451 feet to the parade ground with a variation of less than 6 inches above or below this reading.

The stump of a white cedar post was found 18 feet from the center of the fort along the midline of the parade ground. Its position, which would be approximately 28 feet in front of the headquarters building, suggests that it was the remains of a whipping post. The fort is known to have had one capable of holding four men at once.

In addition to the whipping post, caches of musket flints were uncovered during compliance archeological excavations.

Examples of Historic Use
From the Orderly Book of the 78th Regiment of Foot:
“Feb. 9, 1759
All the men of Duty to parade Immediately to Clear the Fort of Snow and the old Guard to Join in the Work when the Drum beats at two of the Clock…"

From the Orderly Book of the 3rd NY Regiment:
“Fort Schuyler 21st: Decr 1777 –
John Hill private in Capt Greggs Company is Order’d to Attend the parade every morning at eleven oClock, and at 2 in the Afternoon at which Time the Officer of the Guard will Order the Long Roll to be beat If he judges the Weather not to cold for men to Learn their Exercise..."