The 1^st Conch Republic Artillery is a component of the Army of The Conch Republic. The unit is garrisoned at CR Army HQ, Fort Taylor. While the complete weaponry list remains classified, forces wishing to test the mettle of the Republic's artillery will face a 3-inch Ordnance Rifle, a 1.5-inch smooth bore cannon, a Coehorn Siege Mortar, the "Seven Sisters" and various seacoast cannon at Fort Taylor, plus, any other cannon that can be begged, borrowed or stolen.

The unit began service as an all-volunteer group. Always loyal to the Republic's cause and philosophy the volunteer group was nominated in 2005 to be inducted into the Conch Republic Navy. The commissioning took place in early 2006 aboard the flagship of the Conch Republic, the Schooner Wolf. Following the induction, the Supreme Commander of Conch Republic Forces and High Sea Lord then formerly established the 1^st Conch Republic Artillery as part of the Army of The Conch Republic.

In 2002, Fort Taylor was "officially" brought into the Republic's fold. In 2006 it was officially declared the Headquarters for the Army of the Conch Republic. After all, the fortress "rightfully," belongs to the Republic. Hence began the ceremonial "Taking of the Fort." Each year during Independence Day celebrations, the Secretary General pays his respects to the caretakers of Fort Taylor, which is the state of Florida. The Secretary General then informs the visiting public about the importance of the occasion interspersed with the history of the Republic. Following the Secretary General's comments, the National Flag is raised over Fort Taylor. When the flag reaches its pinnacle, the artillery fires a volley to commemorate the "victory" over the State of Florida.

Conch Republic Army General Harry and the Supreme Commander of Conch Republic Forces, Admiral Finbar, plan the "land" strategy for the Great Sea Battle which is fought in the harbor of Key West against the invading Federal Ships every April. The 1^st Conch Republic Artillery, under the able command of General Kip and Colonel Mark, carry out the strategy with perfection. The artillery holds Mallory Square against the invading Federal Ships (Vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard). Working together with the Conch Republic Navy and Conch Republic Air Force, our forces are victorious! The 1^st Conch Republic Artillery remains vigilant throughout the year fulfilling its mission to protect the Republic against all enemies -- animate or inanimate.

And, click here to hear our song about the Conch Republic Artillery written by Ambassador Bobby Green. The file plays in Windows Media.

September 21, 2006 a private housing development decided to institute an ID Checkpoint on the only road going into and out of Fort Taylor. The Tukeyville community, so named for the president of the homeowners association, blocked vehicular travel to our fort unless citizens and visitors produced proper identification to pass through their so-called security gate. Their rationale was that they had a "need to know" who was going thru their neighborhood on this city street. The community has claimed that it "owns" that portion of the city road and it was merely exercising its "rights." Yet, they have repeatedly failed to produce documentation to that effect. And, only vehicular traffic was stopped. Apparently pedestrian traffic did not pose a "security" problem. (This was not the first time the president of the homeowners association attempted to take something that did not rightfully belong to him. He nabbed a neighbor's cat, claiming it was a stray and took it to his other home in New England. The courts ruled that he had to return the cat to its rightful owner.) The citizenry answered the ID Checkpoint edict with a resounding "Hell no, we won't slow!" Negotiations began in earnest to quell what was sure to become a massive uprising. Ministry officials attempted to explain to the Tukeyville parttime security people that, in the Conch Republic, identification is not necessary to freely move about. Efforts to convince the Tukeyville officials about the error of their ways proved fruitless. Citizens would be stopped, they declared, and forced to produce identification and inform Tukeyville security of their ultimate destination. Could this crisis be averted?

Ministry officials openly demonstrated against the Tukeyville dictum, boldly running the security blockade. Tukeyville security wrote down vehicle license plate numbers of the blockade runners (why remains unclear). The situation was quickly going south. The Chief of Artillery of the Army of The Conch Republic quickly conch-tacted the Secretary General to request the Conch Republic Air Force conduct a humanitarian air drop. Another request went to the Conch Republic Navy to conduct a beach landing of essential supplies. These items, which would include bread and rum, were vital in the defense of the fort by the beleaguered citizens and Army of The Conch Republic personnel who remained. Later that same day, the Minister of Internal Security responded to the scene following some rather tense moments between Tukeyville security and Ministry officials. Tukeyville security forces were ordered to cease and desist with their ID Checkpoint. After much discussion, the order was complied with in full. However, at the end of September, 2006 legal beagles associated with the Tukeyville community filed court papers to reinstate their blockade. They also charged Ministry officials with constitutional violations (property rights infringement). The issue has not been fully resolved. Therefore, Conch Republic Military Forces (Air Force, Navy and Coastal Guard) stand ready to resupply the fort on a few moments notice.

The unit has been honored to perform with the Key West Symphony. In what has become a tradition at the Symphony's free community concerts in April at Fort Taylor, the unit fires off our mortar, the "Seven Sisters," the small smooth bore cannon and the 3-inch Ordnance Rifle at the climatic end of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture -- just as it was originally performed!

The 1^st has been known to display their piratical attitude as reenactors for the Pirates in Paradise Festival every December. In February, members go back to their roots as Civil War reenactors representing the first unit of record at Fort Taylor in 1861 -- 1^st U.S. Artillery, Battery B.

The Distinctive Insignia shows a field piece. The staff leaning against the tube symbolizes the sponge that is used to clean the cannon as well as the rammer that is used to set the rounds manufactured by the Republic's munitions depot, La Dichosa Bakery. The Conch Shell within the wreath symbolizes the National Shell.

The Branch of Service insignia allows even the casual observer to understand that they are in the presence of an artillerist. Utilizing the crossed cannon, long a symbol for the artillery, it features a golden conch shell upon on a scarlet (the artillery colors) disc placed over crossed cannon.