Staff at the Fort Gibson Historic Site will present a series of living history programs in September, focusing on military training methods from Gen. Winfield Scott’s 1835 manual, “Infantry Tactics: or, Rules for the Exercise and Maneuvers of the United States Infantry.” The events are scheduled for September 13, 20, and 27, with sessions running from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Seth Goff, historical interpreter at Fort Gibson Historic Site, will lead these demonstrations. On September 13, Goff will cover introductory lessons from Scott’s manual using an 1840s soldiers’ drill. Visitors can participate in a short lesson that introduces basic commands such as attention, left face, and right face.
The program continues on September 20 with more advanced drill commands like wheeling and marching to the oblique. Goff will also provide a summary of the previous session for those who missed it.
On September 27, musket drills and tactics used by musket-armed infantry will be demonstrated and explained by Goff.
These activities are included with paid admission to the site and will take place at the log fort located at 110 E. Ash St., Fort Gibson, depending on weather conditions. Additional information is available by calling 918-478-4088.
The Fort Gibson Historic Site operates under the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS). According to its mission statement, “The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.” The OHS was established in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association. It oversees museums, historic sites, research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications across Oklahoma that document state history. More details about OHS can be found at https://www.okhistory.org/.
