FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andi Martin, Marketing and Public Relations Manager
andi.martin@ahc.alabama.gov, 334-230-2680
August 6, 2019
“Drill,
Drill, Drill!” Living History Series Continues at Confederate Memorial Park
(Montgomery,
AL) The Alabama Historical Commission and Confederate
Memorial Park are pleased to announce “Drill,
Drill, Drill!” as part of their
2019 Living History series.
On Saturday, August 17, from 10:00
am – 4:00 pm, living historians will focus on the manual of arms and
military maneuvers of the Civil War.
Alabamians
had to learn the art of war in the nineteenth century and to adapt new tactics
to match the introduction of new weapons and equipment into the conflict.
Demonstrations will include how the soldiers handled their weapons, the rank
and file system, and the basic maneuvers performed by a small company of men.
According
to Confederate Memorial Park Site
Director Calvin Chappelle, “Many
historians consider the American Civil War to be the first ‘modern war’ in part
due to the advanced technology being used to manufacture weapons and
ammunition.” The rifling of gun barrels, use of the Minié ball, and development
of the repeating rifle are just a few of the advances that made the war
technologically equally advanced and deadly.
“Drill
was the manner in which soldiers were taught and remained prepared for battle,”
said Chappelle. William Joseph Hardee,
a veteran of the Seminole Wars and
the Mexican American War, wrote what
would become the most widely-used infantry tactic manuals of the Civil War - Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics (1853-1855), or as it was more commonly known, Hardee’s
Tactics. Written originally for the US Army in 1855, it was adopted by the CS
Army when Hardee resigned to enter the Confederate service. This manual is
still being used by living historians today to accurately portray Civil War
military maneuvers.
Throughout
the day, living historians will occupy the authentic reproduction barracks on
site, offering demonstrations to the public. Demonstrations will begin at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm.
Visitors will also want to tour our state-of-the-art museum that displays a
large collection of Civil War arms and artifacts. A new display case, installed
earlier this year, focuses specifically on Alabama related weapons.
The event is free and open to the
public. Normal museum admission rates apply. The 2019 Living History Series at Confederate
Memorial Park will continue on October
19 with Cooking with Commissary.
Confederate
Memorial Park, a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission, is
located at 437 Co Rd 63, Marbury, AL 36051.
To learn more about Confederate Memorial
Park, or the Alabama Historical Commission, please visit www.ahc.alabama.gov.
About the
Alabama Historical Commission
Located in historic downtown
Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the
state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an
act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission to protect,
preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to accomplish its
mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of
state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide programs to
assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation activities.
For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated by the AHC,
hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov.