The Reoccupation of Ft. Sumter

    In February of 2005, 60 living historians from across the country were invited by the National Park Service to re-create the Federal reoccupation of Ft. Sumter.  We were proud to have members of the Pumpkin Patch Mess and GHTI present at this rare opportunity to live and work within the historic structure.

    Portraying the 52nd Pennsylvania Infantry, those present spent Friday night on desolate Morris Island on the Atlantic side of Sumter in Charleston Harbor.  Saturday morning the men rowed long boats from the island to the fort, about a mile, to seize without incident the undefended installation.  The rest of the weekend was spent in interpretive programs for the public including drill, cooking, guard mount, garrison duties and a game of rounders.

    The event was held to raise public awareness for the preservation of the seriously threatened Morris Island.  For more information on the preservation of Morris Island and how you can help, please visit www.morrisisland.org.

    We would like to thank Matt Caldwell for providing the following photographs.

 

Members of the PPM in a long boat on 
Charleston Harbor.  Bill Young is in 
the Coxswain’s Position.

Another long boat makes the crossing.
(Photo by Margaret Blackmer)

Runyon and Kuchmuk having some 
fun with Sumter's guns.		 Members of the Pumpkin Patch,
Tarwater Mess, Slakerz Saloon,
and Mess #1 in front of one 
of the gun ports in the fort.

 

 

 

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