On Saturday, May 5 and 6, 2012, the Washington Civil War Association will be at Fort Simcoe   for their annual “Military Days” commemoration.

On Saturday, there will be Civil War battles at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.     On Sunday, the battles will be at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.      Historical presentations and demonstrations will at various times during the event.  A Washington State Parks Discover Pass is required for the park but the event is free of charge to the public.   Camps close at 3:00 Sunday.

Fort Simcoe was built in 1856.     It is located near White Swan that is currently a beautiful state park now which includes many original and reconstructed buildings.   It is one of the best preserved military forts on the west coast.

See Infantry, mounted cavalry and artillery all in one special place. Visit Fort Simcoe  Saturday and Sunday to hear the roar of musketry for a special experience.

Even though Ft. Simcoe predates the Civil War, it does have some connection with the War Between The States.   The army officer who oversaw building the forts, Major Robert Selden Garnett, was a West Point graduate from Virginia who had served in the War With Mexico. When the Civil War broke out,

Garnett resigned his U.S. Army commission, and enlisted in the Confederate cause.  He was made a Brigadier-General under Robert E. Lee. He holds the distinction of being the first general, Union or Confederate, to be killed in the war falling at Carrick’s Ford, Virginia on July 13th, 1861.

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On a personal note, I'm a member of a group called Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War as a hereditary member.  I derive membership from one of my paternal great great great grandfathers, Charles Williams, who served with the 46th Wisconsin Infantry.

 

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