News Release

How was Life at Fort Scott During the Civil War

Experience it Without Needing to Enlist!

Cavalry and Infantry Solders

M. Brenner

News Release Date: March 26, 2024

Contact: Carl Brenner, 620-223-0310

Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 20 and 21, 2024.  Join us each day to experience artillery, cavalry, and infantry troops drilling, preparing for battle, and firing their weapons, talk to a blacksmith as he brings raw metal to life with his hammer, and learn about the process of tintype photography. 

“We are grateful to have the generous support and participation from the Holmes Brigade, Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., Fort Smith National Historic Site’s Cavalry Troop, and plenty of new and returning Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers alike,” said Superintendent Jill Jaworski. “We encourage everyone to step back in time and smell, hear, see, and experience life at the fort.” 

On Saturday: hear the true story of abolitionist James Montgomery and his war on slavery in the authors discussion of his book Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind, by Todd Mildfelt and David D. Schafer, learn about Jennison’s Jayhawkers 7th Kansas Cavalry from historian Arnold Schofield, smell bread baking, learn about Civil War medicine and the evolution of weapons, and be serenaded by the Prairie Sunflower Strings!

On Sunday: learn about tintype photography and its process, discuss Civil War medicine, and join a guided tour of the fort. The weekend is full of fun and games for the whole family straight from the 1800’s! 

Encampment Schedule:

SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.

• 9 a.m.  Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
• 9:30 a.m.  Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
• 10 a.m.  Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (Meet at Visitor Center)
• 10:30 a.m.  Cavalry Program (Next to Stables)
• 11 a.m.  Authors David Schafer and Todd Mildfelt: Abolitionists of the Most Dangerous Kind (Infantry Barracks Theater)
• Noon  Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
• 1 p.m.  Prairie Sunflowers Strings Musical Performance (Hospital Porch)
• 1:30 p.m.  Lunette Blair Discussion (Meet at the Lunette Blair on Skubitz Plaza)
• 2 p.m.  Cavalry Program (Next to Stables)
• 3 p.m.  Arnold Schofield: Jennison’s Jayhawkers 7th Kansas Cavalry
• 4 p.m.  Flag Retreat with Infantry (Garrison Flagpole)
• 4:30 p.m.  Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
• 6 p.m.  Camp Dance (Memorial Hall)

SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.

• 9 a.m.  Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
• 9:30 am  Historic Church Service (Dragoon Barracks)
• 10 a.m.  Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (Meet at Visitor Center)
• 10:30 a.m.  Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
• 11 a.m.  Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
• Noon  Cavalry Program (Next to Stables)
• 1 p.m.  Guided Tour of the Fort (Meet at Visitor Center)
• 1:30 p.m.  Lunette Blair Discussion (Meet at the Lunette Blair on Skubitz Plaza)
• 2:00 p.m.  1st Kansas Program (Infantry Barracks Theater)
• 3 p.m.  Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
• 3:30 p.m.  Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
• 4 p.m.  Flag Retreat (Garrison Flagpole)

Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Artillery firing at the Civil War Encampment.

M. Brenner

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