Fort Larned Camp of Instruction & Living History Event

All reenactors must register here to be considered able to attend this event. This helps us plan for the event. Since we work hard to make sure all soldiers will have a bed in the original barracks and a seat in the original mess hall, we need to make sure we know exactly how many people will be attending. 

The $10 registration fee goes towards providing the period meals for the entire weekend.

Additionally, please make sure you read the following uniform and gear requirements. This year, we are trying for a more formal miltary and garrison style event and will therefore, require the key components of the infantry and cavalry uniform dress.

Uniforms

Being that the main year of interpretation at Fort Larned is 1868, re-enactors and living historians are expected to adhere to the unform standards of the day. Though the main small arm for infantry in 1868 was the M1866 “Trapdoor” Springfield, it’s understood that most re-enactors don’t have the capability to accurately portray this year in uniform and weapons. As such, most of the time, the events at Fort Larned take place in 1867 when the M1866 wasn’t quite issued and most soldiers were still carrying muzzleloading muskets. The uniform is still the standard uniform for the Civil War, though re-enactors portraying soldiers at Fort Larned are portraying a garrisoned unit, which means brass is to be shined at all times, leather is to be kept black, and uniforms are to be clean and neat.

For those portraying Infantry will be expected to wear:

Fatigue Uniform (when on fatigue duty only):

• Brogans
• Sky Blue Trousers (dark blue trouser stripe for NCOs and Officers)
• Four button sack coat
• Forage cap
• Shirt, preferably white, but homespun also acceptable

Dress Uniform

• Dressed Hardee Hat
• Frock Coat with Shoulder Scales
• White Gloves

Accoutrements

• Cartridge box with shoulder sling
• Waist belt with bayonet and scabbard
• Cap box

Weapons (exceptions to this can be requested, but should be approved)

• 1855-1864 Springfields
• 1853 Enfield

For those portraying Cavalry will be expected to wear:

Fatigue Uniform (For fatigue purposes only):

• Brogans or Cavalry Boots
• Sky Blue Trousers (yellow trouser stripe for NCOs and Officers)
• Mounted Service Jacket (shell jacket)
• Forage cap
• Shirt, preferably white, but homespun also acceptable

Dress Uniform

• Dressed Hardee Hat
• Dressed Mounted Service Jacket with Shoulder Scales

Accoutrements

• Sword belt
• Carbine cartridge box
• Pistol cartridge box
• Cap box

Weapons (exceptions to this can be requested, but should be approved)

• Spencer Carbine
• 1860 Light Cavalry Saber

The cavalry will be drilling in their shell jackets, shoulder scales, and hardee hats. If the wind is too much, we will swap to the forage caps, however, all should come with a dressed Hardee. If you don't have one or can't find one before the event, please let me know and we'll work hard to find you one you can borrow. Don't let that be the reason you don't come!

Sleeping Arrangements:

Reenactors will be sleeping in the original buildings. The infantry will be in the bunck beds of the infantry quarters (bottom bunk only), and the cavalry will be in the "Hospital" which was originally the cavalry barracks. Please be sure to bring your blankets and sleeping arragements appropirate for garrison life. 

Military Courtesies to Keep in Mind

Saluting

Saluting is a key part of military courtesies that is often not portrayed correctly. Though salutes would have been given to the proper individuals all the time, it is even more important that this aspect is represented at Fort Larned. Though the palm-out salute was most common at the beginning of the Civil War, that tradition began to change and by the late 1860s most everyone was saluting in a modern manor. According to regulations at the time, a salute, when walking should be started six paces before reaching the officer you are saluting and kept six paces after. If a group is walking past an officer, the highest ranking in that group is the one to salute. If an officer is entering a room or area, his presence is to be announced, all are to stand at attention and the highest ranking in the room is to salute the officer, which is in turn returned by the officer who indicates that work or play may resume in that area.

NCOs: NCOs are not to be saluted and as such are not to be addressed as “Sir”, that is reserved for officers.

Mess Hall

In the Infantry Barracks Mess Hall, there is a set of tables on the south side of the room that is perpendicular to the rest of the tables. This is the head table. At this table sits Officers (if present) and NCOs. When considering meals, the highest ranking goes first always. If it is known that an officer is to be eating in the Mess Hall with the men, all others wait for the officer in order to eat. We understand this is the exact opposite of today's standards but the NPS staff have asked us to hold to this standard. 

Women

Historically outnumbered by a drastic amount, women would be few and far between. As there are rules for everyone, there are rules for women as well. Officer’s Wives and children seldom left Officers’ Row. The white barrier in front of Officers’ Row is a social barrier between upper class and lower class. No enlisted man may cross this barrier without proper permission and an Officer’s wife should not cross it without an escort.

Laundresses and other working-class women would typically remain behind the barracks. Seldom, if ever, were the women allowed to fraternize with the enlisted men, especially on the porches to the barracks.

Parade Ground

The Parade Ground being the square of grass inside the fort proper was sacred ground. At the middle of this area is the flagpole and the 12-Pounder Mountain Howitzer with which to salute the flag with. Enlisted men are permitted under only special circumstances to step food onto the parade ground. Non-military activities would be taking place outside of the view of the parade ground. Though it was a military function, drill would not regularly be done on the parade ground unless for show or parade for the Post Commander or other officer present. Company streets are to be used and, as addressed, only under special circumstances may the grass of the parade ground be stepped on. 

The cavlary will be drilling on the parade ground and the surrounding fields throughout the weekend. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email:

Ben Long (NPS Representative)

benjamin_long@nps.gov

Or Steve Dacus (Cavalry Coordinator)

sdacus@11thovc.com

Cell: 307-262-1725