General Orders (regarding the Ft Marion Federal Garrison December 10-13, 1998)

Youngsters are asked to dress in period attire. Seems that a game of "hoops" and "downbeat" along with marbles are mentioned in several letters. Seems that the only people left in town were women and children. Women are encouraged to wear "day dress or work clothes". Refugees should look worn. Hoop skirts should be worn in the evening. Especially when you go out to dinner. If your spouse would like to portray a laundress please let us know. (Ladies this town is a great place to shop while the male bonding is taking place! Better yet do it in period attire!)

RANK. Because of the unique setting I am requesting that everyone DRESS down in rank. Companies will have about 32 men and will be commanded by one officer. Those wishing to portray officers should field at least 20 men. Every attempt will be made to keep unit identity intact, but let's face it you may be assigned to another company to help round out the numbers. This is for just 48 hours and you will all still be in the same fort. so please bear with us and we need everyone's cooperation with this.

Uniforms should be plain, with no Corp badges or excessive hat brass. The 17th Connecticut was a generic Eastern impression. frockcoats & sack coats can be clearly seen in several photos.

Each hutment is encouraged to "trick" out their living quarters. Small furniture, lanterns, newspapers. etc. Those wishing may name their respective "mess (hutment) Examples are: "Fairfield Inn" or "Hartford Hotel" or "Danbury Mess" to name a few.

Rations will consist of Beef Jerky, Hardtack, & candles.

Each Company is expected to pull its share of guard & fatigue duties. The schedule leaves plenty of time to explore the town.

Everyone is asked to remain through Sunday afternoon 5:00PM. Since most of us attending live within two to fours hours away we hope that this is not a problem. We also ask that you bring your knapsacks (hard or soft). We wish to march out Sunday afternoon in full heavy marching order.

First person impressions should be explored before hand. Think about who you are, what you are portraying and what you did in civilian life. The public will ask these questions. Also take time to read about of regimental history. We will provide further details at orientation Friday evening. Please bring period writing & reading material. We need letters for Mail Call, so why not write them while you are there!

We ask that photographs be done out of uniform. We will have a group of photographers to take historic pictures. No modern items will he allowed in the fort. Burlap & muslin bags will be available to transport non-period items. You are encouraged to bring your own period mattress tick stuff with hay, as these bunks are hard.

This event is designed to be memorable as well as enjoyable. This schedule is only tentative at the moment. II you have any suggestions please let us know.

If you wish to make a donation to help cover the expenses of this event it would be appreciated, as Company B of the 17th C.V.I. is footing the majority of the costs. Various units within the state have expressed an interest in supporting this project. The 75th Ohio out of Melbourne is building the bunks for the hutments. If you or your unit would like to help we are still seeking 1/2 inch lumber for siding.

Anyone that can arrive EARLY or stay through MONDAY MORNING should please contact us, as we can use all the help we can to set-up and break-down this project Much of it will be transported to Olustee for "Barber's Plantation" in the Union Camp.

PHOTO: There will be a number of period photographers present throughout the weekend to strike your image. We ask that you do not take picture with modem cameras while in uniform. (Have your wife or friends do, we wish to remain in 1^st person)

MODERN GEAR: There will be no modern items allowed in the fort. Any modern beverages or food must be put into period containers, bottles etc.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS You will be assigned to a hutment. It is suggested that you bring your own pillow and bed ticking. Hay will be provided. NO Modern Sleeping Bags! No foam Mattresses!

The tentative schedule enclosed may change & those who register will receive updates.

• 4:OO~7:00PM Logistic support to be put in place. Bales of Hay for bunks, firewood in the fort cannon ball stacks, barrels, mattresses stuffed, etc.

• 4:00PM-7: 00PM Hutment set-up on upper deck
• 7:30~8:00PM Orientation for participants for the weekend.

• Saturday December 12

• 7:00AM Reveille, followed by breakfast.
• 8:30AM Troops assembled on Fort Green for photo. Immediately after photo troops march into fort
• 8:50AM Photo inside fort.
• 9:00AM Fort opens, Colors posted. First Guard Mount. Company A
• 9:30AM Musket Demonstration Company F
• 10:00AM Second Guard Mount Company B
• 10:30AM Artillery Demonstration Company H
• 11:00AM Third Guard Mount Company F Fatigue duty for Company A Infantry Drill for Company B
• 11:30 Lunch and MAIL CALL for F&H
• NOON Fourth Guard Mount Company H Lunch and Mail Call for A, B, and Misc.
• 12:30 Bayonet Drill for Company F
• 1:00 Fifth Guard Mount Company A Fatigue duty for Company F
• 1:30 Musket Demonstration Company B
• 2:00 Sixth Guard Mount Company B Artillery demonstration Company F search for deserters Company H
• 2:30 Infantry Drill for Company A
• 3:00 Seventh Guard Mount Company F
• 3:30 Musket Demonstration for Company B
• 4:00 Eighth Guard Mount Company Misc.
• 4:15 Evening Parade Followed by Artillery Salute
• 5:00 Fort Closes to the public
• 7:15 Troops assembled in fort for candlelight tour assignments.
• 7:30 Special Candlelight tours, period music, and living history. Guard Mount (volunteers)
• 8:15 Guard Mount for (volunteers)
• 9:00 Fort Closes to the Public, 2Oth Anniversary celebration & cake for everyone.
• Midnight Provost sweep through town, first person impressions only.

• 7:00AM Reveille, followed by breakfast. On your own in town; be back by 8:15 am
• 8:30AM Troops assemble inside fort for PHOTOS Of upper deck.
• 9:00AM Colors followed by First Guard Mount for (Misc.) Church Call
• 10:00AM Second Guard Mount (volunteer) March to National Cemetery Everyone!
• 11:00AM Third Guard Mount Company B
• 11:30AM Artillery Demonstration Misc. Infantry Drill A, B; &F
• NOON Forth Guard Mount Company B Lunch for Misc., H, &F
• 1:00PM Fifth Guard Mount Company H Lunch for A &B
• 1:30PM Musket Demonstration Company B Mail Call Misc.
• 2:00PM Sixth Guard Mount Company A Search in town Company E Pay Call F & H
• 3:00PM Seventh Guard Mount Company F Pay Call A & B Artillery Demonstration H
• 4:00PM Eighth Guard Mount Misc.
• 4:15PM Evening 'Parade on north Fort Green ALL Infantry
• 4:45PM Retreat, striking of the colors. Entire Garrison marches out with in full kit with knapsacks while women and children wave PHOTO.
• 5:15PM Tents get struck off fort. All personal items taken. Only empty hutment’s left. Cannon balls, misc. gear, wood, and hay removed.

• 7:00AM Period Photo of empty hutment’s. Rest of hutment’s loaded on trucks for trip to Olustee.

As is customary with these types of events there are requirements placed on authenticity and impressions. It is not our intention to place an abnormal amount of restraints on the events, but common sense and historical accuracy are sometimes in conflict. We obviously want to have a "Logical balance" of each to enjoy the weekend. We will strive to maintain Unit integrity along with the appropriate rank structure. It seems that this burning issue is always a problem. We simply wish to have 30-40 man companies commanded by a Capt. or Lt. with perhaps a Sgt. and 2 Corporals We urge everyone to dress down" in rank. Don't plan on coming as an officer unless you have 20 or more men.

Living arrangements will be based accordingly and each hutment can hold anywhere from 6 to 9 men in bunks. They will be assigned by company and each will be commanded by an NCO who will coordinate his messmates.

Eating arrangements art designed to give you the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the town, as we are providing Lunch each day₁ breakfast & dinner are on your own. Ammunition will be provided so DO NOT BRING ANY. We will be having a few firing demonstrations and each man will be issued his rounds from the Ordnance Sgt. The issue of women and children (those under the age or 16) will be dealt with in an historical setting. Townspeople, laundresses, refugees etc., were all part of the setting Soldiers who wish to bring their wives may do so, however they will not be able to camp in the fort. A "refugee camp" will be on the north fort green along with any sutlers who may attend. Women are encouraged to wear "day" dresses/work clothes. Hoop skirts certainly would not be a common item. Many officers had their wives stay in town (as many homes were abandoned) and in the evening strolled along the seawall. There are many excellent Bed & Breakfasts in town if you wish to treat your spouse!