Fort Moultrie, Dec 1858

12,13,14 December 2008

View of Fort Moultrie from Fort Sumter, 1861

Harbor Defenses in April 1863, from the London News

 

Fort Moultrie is where it all starts. The 1st US Artillery arrives in June to occupy the fort after two years in Florida. This group has been traveling for a long time and has not seen the northern US in close to ten years. Charleston, SC is a decent post: there are not threats to personal safety, it is easy to get out and mingle with the locals, and Fort Moultrie is a highly visible place with homes of the wealthy close by. We are still two and a half years away from America’s bloodiest conflict and nobody can imagine it can ever happen.      Come and take part in the first of three events that lead to the first shots of the American Civil War.  The 1858 Living History will feature three primary impressions; US Regulars, civilian militia, and local civilians. Participants will be in full view of spectators for most of the daytime hours and some will provide tours of pre war areas of the fort. Historical vignettes will include the courts martial of Surgeon Bernard M. Byrne, laborers maintaining the fort, militia drill, and siege artillery drill.      There are no registration costs, no fees, and no dues… only you. We ask you maintain a professional appearance and demeanor, provide courteous customer service, and enjoy yourself in this wonderful setting. There are and will be modern intrusions, but we can all remember the importance of this place. Half of the fort is well preserved, and interestingly enough it was the military that destroyed the areas that are not preserved.      The Tramp Brigade Mess will provide firewood, shuttles to and from the airport, but will not provide rations as of yet. This may change, but please do not count on it.        Impressions      Schedule of Events      Registration Information      Suggested Reading      Prohibited Items      Referenced Vendors      Flags

The Drill Field US Regular Artillery

View of Fort Sumter  Coastal Siege Guns

 

Impressions and Standards

1st US Artillery Company E Brian Hicks, Garrison Commander   The 1st US Artillery was a broken command.  Companies were scattered all across the country with Companies E and H posted at Fort Moultrie since June of 1858.  This unit will have exquisite dress and drill.  This is not a Civil War unit, rather a well oiled machine that signed up for the army during  relative peacetime (many served outposts during the Seminole Wars and also in Frontier Posts out west where Indian attacks were common).  Officers are permitted to have their families present and privates should have no family ties for their impression.  The Fort will be garrisoned by the artillery with interaction between US Army officers and militia officers.    Federal Uniform Guidelines Drill Manual:  Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics  (Hardee, 1855), Gibbon's The Artillerists Manual (1859) comes after the event, but can be a good primer tool. Regulations For The Army Of The United States (1857) Max US Regulars:  There can be no more than 80 Regulars for any of the Moultrie Events.  Specialty:  Brass Band US Army Regulars

Beat Company John Durham, Lieutenant   This impression calls for a complete outfit of civilian clothing of the period.  Beat companies were basically conscripts into the militia and were not as well trained or equipped as their volunteer counterparts as every adult male was required to serve in the militia.  Militia men were required by law to provide their own equipment and arms.  This made the look of arms and accoutrements rather hodgepodge.  This company will fall in with their civilian rifles and some may not have any accoutrements other than a powder horn (of course you may be fined up to the sum of five schillings for lack of equipment).  This impression requires neither a haversack, knapsack, nor a canteen, since this will be a militia muster.  Their duty was designed to be one of garrison and short service or patrol.  Officers should be frustrated with drill and military discipline should be lacking.  Militia Musters were often more social than military.  When the Fort closes to the public, the militia will muster outside for the local Sullivan's Island Slave Patrol.  NCOs should be of Mexican War veteran status and maintain professionalism.    The Militia System of South Carolina or an Act to Provide for the Military Organization of the State, 1833 Drill Manual: Abstract of Infantry Tactics Arms and Accoutrements:  "If belonging to the infantry, he shall procure at his own expense, (unless an apprentice or servant,) a good musket or firelock, with bayonet or belt-two spare flints-a knapsack-a pouch or cartouch box, to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges, with a proper quantity of powder, and ball to suit the bore of his firelock.  The bore of the musket should be eighteen balls to the pound-or he may supply himself with a good rifle, knapsack, shot pouch, powder horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder."  "Every militia man not appearing armed and equipped according to law, to forfeit a sum not exceeding five schillings, or the sum of  2s. 4d. for each article deficient."  Quoted from the Militia Laws of South Carolina.  Basically any long arm dated 1858 or earlier will work for this event.  Any accoutrements that are military in style should be of Mexican War styles.  Remember, if you are missing a required item you may be fined up to five schillings.  Have your period money ready!  Clothing: Enlisted ranks should wear civilian clothing with only a few wearing any type of uniform of the time.  If anyone is wearing a uniform it should be of Mexican War types associated with South Carolinians.  Generally, militias would muster in their civilian clothes and if they had uniforms, they would only wear those on parades and inspections.  Uniforms should be considered for NCOs and mandatory for officers.      Scene of a Militia Drill from Richmond, VA

Civilians and Servants   Civilians from the town may stop by for a visit to interact with the militia and soldiers.  Dress should be of proper material and construction and reflect a person's status.  Servants of militia members should be prepared to cook, clean, maintain fires, and generally do dirty work.    Civilians must be out of the camp prior to the fort opening.  Tents must match and be lined with the militia.  All citizens should be involved with an appropriate vignette for the period.  Good ideas are a family picnic, work details, fort tours (which must be escorted by US Regulars), or selling goods to the militia and army.  Civilians are not required to stay at the fort after hours.   Available impressions: Servants Laborers for the fort Militia Vendor Officer's family Townspeople Farmer Slave Cooks Company Tailor

 

Schedule of Events

Friday, 12 Dec	Saturday, 13 Dec	Sunday, 14 Dec
All Day - Shuttles from airport 0900-1700 - Fort Open to Public 1700-2200 - Check In 1830 - Meet and Greet 1930 - Officers Meeting	0900 - Federal Morning Parade 0900 - Fort Opens 0930 - Siege Artillery Drill 1030 - Militia Muster 1100 - Militia Drill 1300 - Court Martial Surgeon Byrne 1530 - Siege Artillery Drill 1600 - Federal Evening Parade 1700 - Fort Closes 1700 - Militia Formation for Patrol 1900 - Preservation Tournament	0900 - Federal Morning Parade 0900 - Fort Opens 1000 - Rounders Match Federal vs. Militia 1200 - Event Close and Post Event Meeting 1300 - Shuttles to airport begin 1300 - Continuing Displays for any staying

 

Registration

Contact Greg Deese at carolinatiger@charter.net for Federal Garrison impressions. Brian McGarrahan at bmcgarrahan@trampbrigade.com or 843-446-2348 for militia or civilian roles.   Registration is limited to 125 participants.  75 militia and US Army and 50 civilians.  Civilians are not required to remain on site the entire event and may come and go as they please.  Militia and Army must be present except officers who have the freedom to move about the city when duty does not interfere.  We are not seeking sutlers but if a civilian would like to present themselves as the SC contracted vendor for the militia or a local farmer selling food they may.  Should your group want to take pictures, please have only one photographer who is as inconspicuous as possible.    Registration Form Registration List

 

Suggested Reading

Flynn, Jean M, The Militia in Antebellum South Carolina Society (Spartanburg, S.C. : Reprint Co., 1991)

Reminiscences of Forts Sumter and Moultrie, Captain Abner Doubleday

Fort Moultrie NPS Site

The Militia System of South Carolina or an Act to Provide for the Military Organization of the State, 1833

Written Historical Report, 1829-1991, by James N. Ferguson (pdf, 5.4 MB)

Ft. Moultrie Units, by Edwin C. Bearss (pdf, 531 KB)

Fort Moultrie HECP-HDCP: Special History Study, by Edwin C. Bearss (pdf, 7.1 MB)

The Historic Guns of Forts Sumter and Moultrie, by Mike Ryan (pdf, 7 MB)

 THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. BY MAJOR WILLIAM L. HASKIN, 1ST U. S. ARTILLERY. (read only to 306 for historical background related to this event)

A link to all of the following texts

Cullum, Captain George W. Description Of A System Of Military Bridges, With India-Rubber Pontons. Prepared For The Use Of The United States Army. No. 4. Papers On Practical Engineering. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1849. 274 - 414. 5 Folding Plates.

Jebb, Colonel (Joshua), C.B. Practical Treatise On Strengthening And Defending Outposts, Villages, Houses, Bridges, &c., In Reference To The Duties Of Officers In Command Of Picquets, As Laid Down In The Field Excerises And Evolutions Of The Army. 5th Edition. London: William Clowes and Sons, 1857. ix, 100, 15 Plates. Frontis.

Lendy, Captain A. F. Elements Of Fortification; Field And Permanent. For The Use Of Students, Civilian And Military. London: John W. Parker and Son, 1857. xii, 13-224. Illustrations in text.

Mahan, D. H., M.A. An Elementary Course of Civil Engineering, For the Use of Cadets of the United States Military Academy. Fourth Edition, Mostly Rewritten and Augmented with Many Additional Subjects and Plates. New York: John Wiley, 1848. viii, 358. Illustrations in Text.

Mahan, D. H. Industrial Drawing; Comprising, The Description And Uses Of Drawing Instruments, The Construction Of Plane Figures, The Projection And Sections of Geometrical Solids Architectural Elements, Mechanism, And Topographical Drawing; With Remarks On The Method Of Teaching The Subject. New York: John Wiley & Son, 1874. (Originally Published 1852). xvi, 156, 20 plates.

Morton, James St. C. Letter To The Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary Of War, Presenting For His Consideration A New Plan For The Fortification Of Certain Points Of The Seacoast Of The United States. Washington: Willian A. Harris, Public Printer, 1858. 108, Tables.

Morton, James St. C. Memoir On American Fortification Submitted To The Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary Of War, By James St. C. Morton, First Lieut. Engineers. Printed By Order Of The Secretary Of War. Washington: William A. Harris, Printer, 1859. 91. Tables. Map.

The Ordnance Manual For The Use Of The Officers Of The United States Army. Second Edition. Washington: Gideon & Co., Printers, 1850. xxiv, 476. 19 Plates. Index.

Thomson, William. Military Memoirs, Relating To Campaigns, Battles, And Strategems Of War, Antient And Modern; Extracted From The Best Authorities; With Occasional Remarks. London: W. Marchant, Printer, 1804. xvi, 588.

Totten, Joseph G. Papers On Practical Engineering No. 6. Report To The Hon. Jefferson Davis, Secretary Of War, On The Effects Of Firing With Heavy Ordnance From Casemate Embrasures: And Also The Effects Of Firing Against The Same Embrasures With Various Kinds Of Missiles: In the Years 1852, '53, '54, '55 At West Point In The State Of New York. Washington: Taylor and Maury, 1857. i, 152 (30 - 182), 8 Plates (II - IX).

 

Referenced Vendors

The Tramp Brigade Mess and the National Park Service neither endorse nor mandate use of the following vendors.  We only know these vendors have quality gear that is applicable to this event. Some vendors may offer a small discount for this event, so please mention the Fort Moultrie Living History during your order.  This statement does not imply that any specific vendor is offering a discount.

 

Federal	Militia/Civilian
Trousers - Chris Sullivan 1851 belts and 69 cal Boxes - Trans-Miss Depot .69 cal Boxes - E.J. Thomas Mercantile	Canteens - Wambaugh and White Clothing, misc. items - Carter and Jasper Militia Belts - Trans-Miss Depot

 

Potential Flags

May 1858 US 32 Star

Moultrie Flag is Possible, But Not Confirmed for Militia

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