Fort D Day offers step back in time

Holding his 1861 rifled musket -- barrel up -- Joe Roberts of Scott City goes through the steps of firing the gun for a small crowd of spectators at Monday's Fort D Day.

Roberts was just one of several re-enactors from the Turner Brigade Association, who put on three events on major summer holidays, such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, at the historic site. Along with Roberts' rifle demonstration, there also were cannon firings, a chance to talk to -- and question -- re-enactors, women creating crafts and selling Fort D memorabilia.

Dressed in 1860s wool soldier's garb, Roberts said he has been a re-enactor for five years, beginning with the French and Indian War, 1754 to 1763. When the 150th anniversary of the Civil War rolled round, he wanted to be part of that, as well.

"I believe in keeping the history of our country alive, and hopefully, through re-enacting, it keeps the history of our country alive for future generations," Roberts said.

Ruth Kasten of Cape Girardeau and Pat Hagler of Patterson, Mo., civilian members of the St. Louis-based Turner Brigade Association, made crafts inside the replica of the old powder house, constructed by the Works Progress Administration. Hagler's husband, Dave, has been a re-enactor for 15 years and Kasten's husband, Jerry, for seven.

Turner Brigade member Scott House discusses Civil War history with Marcie Mueth of Columbia, Mo., and Tim Forck of Ashland, Mo., on Monday inside the replica powder house at the Fort D Historic Site in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

"My husband went to a Boy Scout event at Shiloh and came home and said, 'I want to build a cannon.' He had to have something to do with it," Pat Hagler said.

Kasten's husband got interested when he found out his great-grandfather manned a cannon and lost his hearing. "He didn't believe me until I showed him the records I ordered," she said, adding she started researching her husband's family in the 1970s.

"It's a fascinating time, if you're interested in that kind of thing," Kasten said.

Cape Girardeau was a garrison town, where there were skirmishes, but no battles to speak of, re-enactor Scott House said. There was always a standing militia, and at any given time, you never knew how many soldiers might be in town. "There were times in the 1860s when we had 8,000 soldiers," House said.

House's wife, Patti, who was manning the sutler's counter where souvenirs were being sold, has been re-enacting since 2006, the year of the first Fort D Days. She noted that sutlers would travel with the soldiers.

By early afternoon, there had been at least 100 visitors to the fort. The largest crowd this year was Memorial Day when 1,200 people turned out. For Independence Day, 400 visited Fort D, House said.

"I think there's always been an interest, but because of this 150th [anniversary], a lot of interest has been drawn to the Civil War," House said.

Tim Forck of Ashland, Mo., and Marcie Mueth of Columbia, Mo., were in Cape Girardeau visiting Mueth's grandparents and had never been to the fort before.

"It's cool. Very cool," Forck said. "I had actually Googled it. I was interested in seeing that, for sure. The history of it altogether is really interesting. There's no kind of forts in Jefferson City to check out, so it's kind of interesting to look down in this area."

Rebekah Corbitt and Callie Mouser, both of Cape Girardeau, had never been to Fort D, but appreciated the history of it.

Mouser said she didn't realize three events were held there annually, "but I'm glad they do."

"... It's nice to have something like this in town that helps us connect to the past. And it's not like a museum; it's interactive," Mouser said.

Melissa Tullock was a re-enactor from sixth grade until she started college, so coming out to the fort Monday was like a homecoming.

"This was my regiment when I re-enacted," she said. "My family started because I begged for it."

On Monday, she bought her husband and three children to the event.

"You know all the ins and outs and you know everybody, so it takes twice as long to get through," she said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

Fort D Historic Site, 920 Westport, Cape Girardeau, Mo.