UPDATED AUG. 10, 2005
 


Fort Stanton 150^th Celebration
August 13, 14, 2005
View photos from past year's events by Marilyn Shultz

KEDU-LP 102.3 FM
Community Radio for Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Nation
(Live Broadcast from Ft. Stanton during the 150th celebration, listen to us on the Internet)

Fort Stanton celebrates 150 years of continued service to New Mexico and the United States.  During the Civil War, the post was temporarily held by Confederate troops, and then re-occupied by Union troops in 1862.  The fort is located in Lincoln County, 20 miles northeast of Ruidoso on Hwy 220, a mere 6 miles from Lincoln.  For information call 630-0044 or toll free 800-253-2255. 

On Saturday, August 13^, 2005, the fort will celebrate this momentous occasion during Fort Stanton Live! from 9 am to 5 pm.  The public is invited to join the activities on the Parade Grounds which include cavalry, infantry and artillery drills, Living History reenactments and demonstrations, Apache dancers and much more.  Those that are history buffs will enjoy the Lantern Tour from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM in the Garrison Camp.  The fun continues on Sunday, August 14^th from 9 am to 1 pm.  All this for the suggested donation of $5.00 per car load or $1.00 per person if you arrive on a tour bus or shuttle van.   For further information please call 505 630-0044 or toll free 800-253-2255.  If you are concerned with finding a parking space, the Lincoln County Tour Company will be conducting shuttle service for a nominal fee.  You can reach them by calling 505 257-6069. 

This year’ event is dedicated to the late Keith Green, former editor of the Ruidoso News and member of Fort Stanton Development commission.  Mr. Tony Hoffman, President of Fort Stanton Inc. will be presenting an engraved saber to his widow, Ann Green during a special ceremony at 12 noon on Saturday. 

The day’s activities begins with a flag raising ceremony at 9 am on the Parade Grounds while a military reenactor plays “Tattoo” on his bugle.  Immediately following this will be a Cavalry Drill on the southwest corner of the Quadrangle.  The First New Mexico Field Music Regimental Fifes and Drums will be marching around the Parade Grounds providing musical background for this drill.   

At 10:00 am, the Performing Arts students of Mescalero will be performing their Sign Language and Apache Social Dances.  You won’t want to miss seeing them in their full regalia. 

Following these students, Mike Bilbo, of Bureau of Land Management in Socorro, will be giving a power point presentation of the Fort Stanton Cave National Natural Landmark called “Snowy River”.  He will be showing slides of the discovery of this unusual landmark, after 38 years a new ½ mile passage of what they think is an original passage in the Fort Stanton cave.  In between his presentations, Bilbo will be giving 19^th Century hand writing demonstrations to classes of students interested in learning how to write their name. 

There will be an Infantry Drill at 11:15 on the Parade Grounds and weapons that were used during the Civil War will be on display.  At 12 noon, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, John Garcia, will be retelling stories of the fort that were told to him by his grandparents who lived at the fort many years ago.  Following this, Mrs. Keith Green will be presented with an engraved saber in honor of her recently departed husband who was a supporter of preserving Fort Stanton. 

The New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities will present a Chautauqua performance by Pfc. Summerset and Cpl. Sanders.  They will bring the history of the Black cavalry to life.  From the Medal of Honor recipients to the common trooper, from Indian battles to battles with lawbreakers, learn how a small number of Black troopers made a difference in the lives of law-abiding citizens.  These Buffalo Soldiers, who arrived at Fort Stanton in 1866 and served under General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing,   will explain how they overcame great hardships as they served their nation with honor and distinction. 

2:00 pm you are invited to watch as the Mescalero Apache Gourd Dance Society will be performing their Gourd Dance as a blessing of the fort on both days.  This dance originally performed by the Kiowa Tribe in Oklahoma until the U.S. Government prohibited it, was reintroduced to the public in the 1950’s.  This ceremonial dance is meant to honor the veterans who have fought in battle.  Today the Gourd Dance is performed by the Sioux, Comanche and Apache Tribes.  They will be accompanied by the Mescalero Apache Gourd Singers. 

Although he is remembered as the author of Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ, Lew Wallace (1827-1905) was also an Indian lawyer and politician, Civil War general and United States minister to the Ottoman Empire.  As the first Governor of the Territory of New Mexico, he grappled with the Santa Fe Ring, the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid.  Chautauqua performer Noel Pugach will be giving the public a first hand account of the life of this former Governor. 

The public is invited to join the Ladies from the Friends of Fort Selden and participate in a Period Fashion show by wearing an article of clothing that was worn during the late 1800’s.  Both men and women are encouraged to model this period attire.  While so attired, stop by and visit with Judge and Miss Lilly Hartless and their daughter Mica who is a photographer.  She will be happy to take your picture using her tin type camera.   

At 5:00 pm the daytime activities concludes with the Lowering of the colors. 

The reenactors will be conducting a guided Lantern Tour through the Garrison Camp on Saturday evening which will be a unique creative event that is fitting for the 150^th anniversary of the fort.  The program (approximately 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm) is interpretive 1^st person vignettes through the camp.  Examples include 1855 soldier construction workers, apprehensive Union pickets, Confederates probing the defenses, Infantry and Buffalo Solider getting ready for a night march, small talk among civilians, etc.  Each 5-8 person group of visitors will be escorted by guides (soldiers and civilians) with lanterns to see these interpretive stations in the Garrison camp.  

Imagine going to church 143 years ago!  You’ll have that opportunity on Sunday morning at 9:15 am with Chaplin Dwight Thompson.  This Regimental Chaplain for Col. Kit Carson’s 1^st Nm Volunteers will conduct a non-denominational service of the period for both visitors and the troops.  The public is invited to attend this service and join the Gospel Singers from the Ruidoso’s First Baptist church in singing period hymns. 

After the church service would be a good time to stop by and visit with the ladies from Fort Selden and visit their Sutler display.  The sutler was the forefather of the military PX.  They were at the forts and regimental sutler followed the troops.  Madeleine will give a brief history and development of the sutler and how supplies were transferred to the territory. 

Both Days:   

Mike Bilbo will be back with his 19^th Century Handwriting Class as will Ira Rabke with his weapons display.  While in the area learning how to write, stop by and visit with the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9^th and 10^th Cavalry from Phoenix.  They will be having their Indian War period (1870’s) saddles and tack on display for the public to view. 

If you want to cool off, go inside the old Administration Building where former Fort Stanton resident, Lydia Lane will be waiting to give you a guided tour of the building.  She will be telling folks about the many uses of this beautiful building over the years.  Also, inside the Administration Building, stop by and admire the Weapons displays of pre and post Civil War artillery lovingly preserved by Brent Clark, Bill Thorp and Herb Marsh.   Step into another room and see a beautiful miniature ship built by a man who was in the Merchant Marines and stationed at the Fort. 

Outside on the porch of the Administration Building collect the autograph of John Ryan, author of “Fort Stanton and It’s Company” and also of James Mc Bride, author of “Interred”.  Mr. Mc Bride will also be conducting tours of the German Internment camp ruins.  Check with him for time and availability as space is limited.   

Getting hungry?  Plenty of food to choose from.  Whether you are in the mood for Green Chili stew or fry bread made by the Mescalero Apaches, or a hamburger from Alto Café.  Perhaps you feel like BBQ and dessert.  We have those as well.  Thirsty?  Stop by the Fort Stanton booth and pick up a bottle of water or a Root Beer donated by Sierra Blanca Brewery of Carrizozo. 

If you feel like a light snack, the Chuckwagon from New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum will be making biscuits in a Dutch Oven and will be giving away samples.  Be sure to stop by and visit Billy Provence the Farm & Ranch Blacksmith.   

The Artillery Company focuses on the artillery of the middle of the 19^th Century.  The most common presentation is the period of the American Civil War, although presentations have been made in the period of the American Occupation of New Mexico   ("The Mexican War") and the period of military activity after the Civil War (The Indian Wars Period").  The members have made horse drawn field artillery presentations. 

The Artillery Company has about 15 active members and several replica cannon that they use to describe the everyday life of an artilleryman, the operation of the guns, and the role of artillery in the 19^th Century. 

After visiting the Garrison Camp, wander down the road and try your luck at Tomahawk Throwing with the New Mexico Mountain Men.  These men were mainly fur traders and traded with the fort’s residents. 

Something new this year will be the Old Timers Tent.  We will have a tent set up just for people who either worked or lived at the fort some time ago or had a relative who lived there.  They can sit in the cool shade of a tent and reminisce with visitors or other former residents. 

Sunday only: 

The weekend’s activities conclude with a Mock Civil War Tactical Battle in the field south of the fort.  Watch and learn as the Union and Confederates stage a “what if” battle.  What if both the North and South met up at Fort Stanton at the same time?  This battle will be narrated by Ed Whitted of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. 

The day concludes with a flag lowering ceremony at 1:30 pm 

Don’t forget, Fort Stanton is on the register of Historic Places and deserves to be preserved for future generations.  You can help by attending Fort Stanton’s 150^th Anniversary and signing up to become a Friend of Fort Stanton. 

For more info: