Civil War Day at Fort Point

[gary]

Mark Twain once remarked the coldest winter he'd ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. Today (Aug. 16, 2008) was no exception and with the fog and wind, it was certainly cold for the Civil War reenactors and visitors at Fort Point. Elements of the 20th Maine (Co. G), 69th New York, Berdan Sharp Shooters, Sons of Union Veterans, artillery, a surgeon and a band (playing both brass instruments and later fife and drums) were at hand to educate Fort Point's visitors on the life of a Civil War Union soldier (no rebs were at hand).

The 50 star flag was raised by a squad and a color guard with the band playing a national air from the second tier. The men were marched around to the courtyard and pretty soon the awkward squad became well drilled men. In the casemate, two gunners instructed their audience in the tasks of the cannoneers. They were then put through the drill (but not timed). Meanwhile the surgeon offered free bleeding (I declined) and surgery which I also declined. In a nearby office, the telegrapher received a message asking where the whiskey was to which he responded that he couldn't find the medicinal stock. The sole Berdan Sharp Shooter not only discussed guns, but also canned foods. Did you know that condensed milk was first developed in the antebellum period and that essence of coffee (condensed coffee with cream and sugar already added) was the instant coffee of the period (and still available today in some South American country)? The soldiers of course prefered fresh coffee to the canned stuff (and still do today). He also had modern MREs including the vegetarian dish at hand. Through out the day, the band tooted its horns and then marched back and forth with their fife and drums. Their repertiore included Bonnie Blue Flag, Dixie, The Girl I Left Behind Me, Hail Columbia, The Star Spangled Banner, Marching Through Georgia and other pieces from the period.

Overall, a fun Saturday morning and I deserted the fort sometime after noon time to seek food and warmth.

[ole]

Sounds like a thoroughly good half-day, Gary. Too bad the weather wasn't pleasant.

ole

[Irishtom29]

Fort Point being famous of course as the place where Madeleine jumped in the water.

[gary]

BTW, during a previous Civil War Day at Fort Point, we had an actual bridge jumper. Thankfully no one else was hurt (the jumper jumped from the area of the south tower so the fort's guests were never endangered). Never did read about it in the papers.