Fort D Days encampment to offer insight on local history

This weekend in Cape Girardeau local residents will be able to travel back 145 years to witness life as a soldier during one of the most trying times in the United States.

Cape Girardeau's historic Fort D, east of Sprigg Street on Locust Street, was erected in 1861 and served as a Union post during the Civil War, according to Scott House of the Civil War Roundtable of Cape Girardeau.

On Saturday and Sunday, Civil War re-enactors camping out in tents at the fort will give demonstrations during the "Fort D Days" event.

"It's more like a reenactment of camp life," House said. "Fort D never fired a shot. Pretty much all the guys fought were disease or boredom."

But spectators will see much more than just men in uniform sitting around doing nothing. Between 20 and 30 re-enactors from across the Southeast Missouri region will perform various drills, including marching, and the loading and firing of rifles and cannon.

Fort D also served as a location for wounded soldiers to be treated during the war, and medical re-enactors will also give demonstrations, House said.

A raising ceremony of the 34-star Union flag, guided tours of the fort and Civil War artifacts will also be available for the public.

The historic fort underwent a renovation in the last year, and this will be the first time re-enactors will perform inside its confines.

According to House, it is rare for re-enactments to be performed in a Civil War-era fort in a town that played an active role in the conflict.

For more information about the event this weekend, call 334-4131.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

Want to Go?

* What: Ford D Days

* Where: Fort D Historic Site, on Locust Street just east of Sprigg Street.

* When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

* How much: Free.