"DRILL, DRILL,DRILL" LIVING HISTORY SERIES CONTINUES AT CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL PARK

08/08/19

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.  




Back to News