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  Civil War Days is set for February 13-15, 2009. Thank you to those who participated last year. Battery B, First U.S. Artillery will be the host unit. The tentative schedule is posted below. Photos from last year's event will be available soon. Click on the "Image Gallery" button on the menu on the left; scroll to the bottom of the page and click on one of the slide shows from past events. Fort Taylor was the guardian of the shipping lanes to ports on the Gulf of Mexico, which had been placed under a blockade by President Lincoln in 1861. Blockade runners captured by Union navy vessels were forced to anchor in front of the fort as captured "war prizes." We also have the ability to establish various "what if" scenarios. We do not reenact from a "script" -- the outcome of our patrol skirmish, for example, is determined by the cunning of the unit commanders. Our re-enactors have told us they thoroughly enjoy participating in this style of event. Our visitors have remarked that they look forward to watching the "best side win." All Civil War re-enactors are welcome -- no matter if your unit is "Regular" or "Volunteer." We will again feature the military parade on Key West's famous Duval Street. As in the past, the Union forces in Fort Taylor will be joined by the Confederate forces encamped on park grounds outside the fort. Our visitors will have a chance to watch 1860s tactics from a special viewing area.
Overall commanders for Civil War Heritage Days 2008: Re-enactors are the life blood of our event and we hope you can come early in the week and set up for our school event on Friday, February 13th. You in your uniform, with ordnance, and campsites are living history! The school day event is something the kids talk about for quite a long time! Artillery units: We will provide a $100 bounty on powder for the first six (6) cannon crews that sign up. Safety inspections of cannon will occur prior to events calling for discharge of artillery. Failure to have weapons inspected will result in the weapons not being allowed to fire. Safety is #1! Infantry units: Remember to bring enough small arms black powder with you. The sale of black powder on state lands is prohibited by law. Safety inspections of small arms will occur prior to events calling for discharge of small arms. Failure to have weapons inspected will result in the weapons not being allowed to fire. Safety is #1! Cavalry units: You will need to bring enough food and the appropriate vaccination papers for your stock. Safety inspections of small arms will occur prior to events calling for discharge of small arms. Failure to have weapons inspected will result in the weapons not being allowed to fire. Safety is #1! Naval and Marine units: Let us know in a separate communique if you will sail a vessel to Key West. We'll help you with setting up dockage facilities for your vessel. Safety inspections of ship's cannon will occur prior to events calling for discharge of cannon. Failure to have weapons inspected will result in the weapons not being allowed to fire. Safety is #1! Sutlers -- Merchants and food vendors are invited to display and sell their wares. Merchandise sold by you must be pre-approved by park management. You'll need to be dressed in period clothing and your display must also be appropriate for the time period. School children always delight in seeing toys, notions and food of the past. We hope you can come early in the week and set up for our school event on Friday, February 13th. There will be a booth fee of $25 for vendors in lieu of a percentage on sales. Checks should be made payable to "Friends of Fort Taylor." As an incentive to vendors, an extended camping stay (Thursday-Tuesday) is offered. The park offers primitive tent sites and space for RVs for dry camping. We do not have hook-ups or a dump station. You will be treated to all scheduled meals along with the re-enactors and other volunteers.
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Our main event centers around the engagements between land and sea forces -- those blockade runners that attempted escape. It's also the most popular event for re-enactors. Federal and CSA troops will have an opportunity to be aboard authentic 1860s schooners in Key West Harbor to engage in battle. In 2008, the CSA Schooner Wolf held her own against the Federals aboard the Liberty Clipper and the Schooner Liberty. These ship captains are put to the test of their seamanship and sailing tactics. Our land-based re-enactors are put to their own test of doing battle aboard ship. A blockade runner will be captured and the captain will stand trial. The 1862 case that we use was researched from actual court documents and was tried in Key West.
Inside Fort Taylor, Battery B, First U.S. Artillery will demonstrate how seacoast artillery operated. The demonstration will be done on an original 10-inch Rodman seacoast cannon mounted on an iron carriage in the North curtain. Living history demonstrations of the "School of the Soldier" and explaining what life was like for soldiers in the 1860s is a big hit with visitors. Our infirmary will be staffed by a real life surgeon who will show how garrison soldiers were treated for "Yellow Jack" and other maladies of the day.| Park Map | Aerial Photo |
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Driving Directions:
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located at the end of Southard Street thru the Truman Annex in Key West.
