Chuck Wagons, Cattle, Cavalry, Cowboys, Indians, at Ft. Stanton Live 2013

Kenneth Dusenberry, Artillery Company of New Mexico

I said in the very beginning of the Chuck Wagon Musings that I would take some liberties when writing about chuck wagons.  Well, I am going to invoke one of those liberties and actually probably several so that I may relate to you a very enthralling event that took place on July 13, just outside of Lincoln, NM at Ft. Stanton. 

There was not one chuck wagon on site, but there were plenty of Confederate and Union soldiers along with some Mescalero Apaches,  and army laundresses who washed uniforms and other clothes for soldiers.  We also saw doctors, nurses, and a theatrical troupe that provided entertainment for the troops, soldiers' wives, a military ball, modern food vendors, and lots of spectators.  The weather was beautiful as was the green grass of the fort parade grounds where most of the activities took place.

This used to be an event held every year that would showcase the happenings in Lincoln surrounding the life of Billy the Kid and the happenings at Fort.Stanton, which revolved around its history and the cavalry stationed there.    The fort was operational from the 1860's until the 1890's and has a long history serving in many capacities over the years. Recently Linda, my wife, and I heard that the two locations, Ft. Stanton and Lincoln Days, had decided to have separate festivities and the fort would have theirs on Saturday, July 13, 2013.  We knew from past experiences that there would be many re-enactors who enjoy the pristine setting of Ft. Stanton so we expected to see a lot of soldiers and their ladies who also dress out in period costumes.

The activities at FORT STANTON LIVE were not just a happenstance that we came upon. Linda and I started some time ago on our new book and we wanted to get some more inspiration and photographs to use in the book.  Forts, Farbs, and Phantoms is a fictional travel journal that chronicles a strange adventure in Southern New Mexico. During our travels-in the book, we encounter numerous local citizens who proudly display independent and rebellious attitudes. Fort Stanton is the setting where this group of eccentric Civil War re-enactors, led by an overzealous "Colonel", have crossed the line from re-enacting to reality.  The group is experiencing serious financial difficulties, which may halt an ambitious plot to establish their own government.  The re-enactors' pursuit of “individual freedom" is further compromised by the ghostly appearance of a 19th century Confederate soldier by the name of Albert Brown Peticolas....but that is another story for another time and blog.  

We arrived at the fort area well before the published start time and approached a very full parking lot.  It had recently rained which provided a cool atmosphere and had settled the dust quite well.  We parked our car and followed the directions of the local sheriff to the parade grounds were we were met with  a bang. 

There were two cannons set to fire volleys, another for demonstrations, and a couple of Gatling guns set up as static displays. Kenneth Dusenberry, head of the Artillery Company, took great pains to explain to all who came along the intricacies of firing these huge cannons.  Much of what he explained was how they do what they do and still keep the demonstrations safe for all concerned. 

As we approached the parade grounds we purchased our tickets and entered into a wonderful  world filled with re-enactors.  There were Victorian ladies and their gentleman  

such as the two actors, seen here, of the Spencer & Jackson Theatrical group out of Phoenix, Arizona.  They were elegantly dressed and later we got to see them perform in their troupe, putting on skits that were enjoyed by the public as was evidenced by the attendance and the applause.  Troupes such as these would travel to many of the frontier forts and perform for the soldiers in much the same way that Bob Hope used to perform for US soldiers stationed abroad.  

As a side note:  we were staying at the Wortley Hotel in Lincoln and discovered "the troupe" was staying there as well, and we got to briefly visit with them on Sunday morning following breakfast.

Back at the fort.......I spotted a camp (individual re-enactors call the area of their tent and all of their accoutrements "their camp")  that was set up as the Camp Laundresses i.e., women who did the laundry.  Different classes of women lived or worked at army forts, but they did not always socialize with one another because of the army caste system. In other words, officers’ wives did not befriend other women, such as enlisted men’s wives who often worked as servants for officers or as laundresses for the army. (this explanation taken from a handout we picked up at Fort Davis, Texas)

 

The Washing Machine

Maggie Detavernier

Maggie and Jacob Detavernier

Ann Marie Detavernier, the washing machine motor and mother to the kids.

I met these folks last year at a re-enactment at Fort Seldon when I was there with my chuck wagon and making biscuits etc.  Ann Marie's husband is in the military stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas.  They are a great family and while we were all at Ft. Seldon the skies opened up and rained about 5-6 inches that night....all night long.  When I got up the next morning my teepee had about two inches of water in one corner and every thing in my little home away from home had some degree of wetness.  The folks like Ann Marie and her kids and many, if not all, of the re-enactors spent the night in the museum.  It was quite an evening with all the thunder, lightening and rain.  The next day turned out beautiful and we all had a great time. 

FORT STANTON LIVE WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK.................