In 1839 Roger Jones, Adjutant General of the Army, issued General Orders No 28. The order called for a Camp of Instruction to be organized under General Winfield Scott. The camp, which was to be held in the summer months, would bring together the various Corps of Artillery, Dragoons and Infantry and re-instill the martial spirit. Jones noted: "The arduous and desultory service in which the troops have been so long engaged, the unavoidable dismemberment of the regiments, and separation of so many officers from duty in the line while employed on other service, could hardly fail greatly to impair the esprit d' corps of the army as well as the discipline and efficiency. These must be restored, and every proper effort speedily made to place the service on a foundation which will ensure its steady and uniform advancement."

The first Camp, held in the east, was a great success. A second Camp was planned for the Western Department, but it never took place. On November 10-12 at Historic Ft. Washita, Company A, 7th US Infantry Living History Association will recreate an 1830's-40's Camp of Instruction. The weekend is entitled: "The National School of the Soldier." Ft. Washita is located on State Highway 199 between the towns of Madill and Durant, OK. It is approximately two hours north of Dallas, TX and two hours south of Oklahoma City, OK. (The Ft. Washita Web Page can be accessed by going to the Links page on     Co A 7th Infantry webpage.

All interested individuals and units, Regular, Volunteer, or Militia of the time period are invited and encouraged to attend.

The School will be a "total immersion" event where participants will be able to challenge themselves and experience the ante-bellum American Army. A registration fee of $20 per person will be charged. Barracks and tent space will be provided as well as all meals.

Three Schools will be offered. Participants will have a choice of one of the following:

1. School of the Soldier. (Infantry) Taught by the 7th USI. Scott's Infantry Tactics, the 1835 edition, will be used.
2. School of the Piece. (Artillery) Taught by Co. A 2nd US Artillery. The 1845 Artillery Manual will be used.
3. School of the Trooper. (Dragoon) Taught by Co. B. 1st US Dragoons. The 1841 Manual will be used.

Aside from drill, participants can expect, barracks inspections, dress parades, guard mount, participation in candlelight tours and off duty hours relaxation. The purpose of the event is to hone the skills of units throughout the country who do military living history of the 1830's-40's era. While the original Camp was for Regulars of the US Army this weekend is devoted to all interested in this era whether Regular or Volunteer.

What follows is a brief information packet for potential participants. It should answer most of your questions. If you need further information please do not hesitate to call Steve Abolt (HQ 7th USILHA) at 804-385-7338 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. You can also e-mail us. Thank you for your interest. We hope to see you in November!

PURPOSE and GOALS

It is the purpose of this weekend to bring together individuals interested in the ante-bellum American Army. We will recreate an 1840's Regular Army Camp of Instruction encompassing three "Schools." They are:                                                                                                                                           School of the Soldier (Infantry)
School of the Piece (Artillery)
School of the Trooper (Dragoon)

Our goal is to challenge you and teach you practical drill of the 1830's-40's time period for use at historic sites and events across the United States. We hope that when you leave you will have developed an enviable esprit d' corps and proficiency in interpreting this exciting time in our Nation's past.

PARTICIPATION

Participation in "The National School of the Soldier" is open to all interested individuals who portray the American military, Regular or Militia, between the time period of 1835-1850. Individual units are encouraged to attend as a whole.

Units, which attend together, will preserve their unit identity and personal command structure. They will however be subordinate to the instructors assigned in each of the three schools.

COMMAND STRUCTURE

The event is under the command of Major Steve Abolt 7th USILHA. Second in Command is Captain Dan Lawrence 2nd US Artillery. Third in command is Lt. Steve Allie 1st US Dragoons. These three men are also the overall instructors for the School. Capt. Kevin R. Young 7th USILHA will serve as Post Adjutant. Sergeant Major John Lawrence 2nd US Artillery will function as Command Sergeant Major.

The three Schools will be supervised by 1st Sgt. Robert Wettemann 7th USILHA, 1st Sgt. Gerald Krows 2nd US Artillery and Lt. Allie First Dragoons.

THE SCHOOLS

As previously stated the weekend will embrace three schools: Infantry, Artillery and Dragoons. Each participant will have a choice of one. We will deal mostly in the beginning parts of these manuals. These were the sections devoted to teaching recruits the basics.

Dragoons and mounted volunteers will spend time working with "heads" and "rings". Artillery will practice serving and moving the guns. Infantry will practice marching, manual of arms, loading and firing and elementary evolutions.

Copies of Scott's Infantry Tactics Vol. 1., the 1835 edition, are available for sale. They are complete with illustrations and music. Published in the original size Vol. 1 encompasses the School of the Soldier and School of the Company. Infantrymen may wish to purchase a copy before attending. The cost is $20 postpaid. Please contact Steve Abolt if interested. His phone number and E-mail appear several times in this packet.

These Schools are the building blocks upon which higher maneuvers depend. Without proficiency and confidence in them future skills are impossible to obtain.

Competent instructors will teach the Schools. They will demonstrate and explain. Teaching will be direct from the manuals. There will be no derivation of or deviation from them.

OFFICER'S SCHOOL

A School for Officers will also be taught. This will take place while the men are at drill. (Officers will have time to observe the development of their men as the day progresses.) This School will embrace Management of the Company, Company Evolutions, and Duties on Parade and Guard. The Regulations of 1841 will serve as the basic tool for this class. Copies of pertinent sections will be given to all attending this School.

TOTAL IMMERSION

Like two of our previous events: "Alamo 162!" and "Campaign Ft. Towson--1836", "The National School of the Soldier" is a total immersion style event. This means that living history will be on going 24 hours a day.

From the moment the event begins participants will be able to totally immerse themselves in a Regular US military environment of the 1830's-40's. You should expect plenty of drill, inspections, dress parades, squad competitions, live firing of muskets, and all night guard duty.

This will be intense! If this kind of activity does not suit your tastes then our event is not for you! All will be expected to work hard and challenge themselves. The rewards are limitless in regards to unit pride and esprit d 'corps.

Don't worry however, there will be down time. We do expect when formations are called or military duty is performed that all are prompt and ready to go. There is no need for confrontational style living history. It is disruptive to event harmony and unit cohesiveness. There is also no time or patience for inner service or Regular vs. Militia rivalry. Come to work! Work to be a team!!!

REGISTRATION FEE

All participants will be assessed a $20.00. Registration fee. This will cover the cost of meals, publishing, commemorative coins and other awards. It is non-refundable. Registration fees and forms must be sent to:

Headquarters 7th USILHA
423 West Cadbury Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501

The cut-off date for Registration is October 20, 2000. All money and forms must be in before this time in order for you to participate. Final event information will be mailed (snail or E) by October 25.

MEALS

The Registration fee covers the cost of all meals. Meals will be period in nature and served in the mess hall. Officers will form their own mess. Enlisted men and officers will not mix together during meal times.

Two full meals a day will be served. They are breakfast and dinner. Supper will consist of leftovers. The dinner meal will be the largest of the day. If numbers become too large meals will be eaten in shifts in the mess hall.

The mess hall is under the direction of David Hinkley and Dan Marshall 7th USILHA. We are also looking for men to assist them. Cooking in the Army was supposed to be done by men. If you are interested in being a part of this program please check the "cook" section of the Registration form. Cooks will not drill but will be present for Morning Colors and Retreat.

QUARTERS

Enlisted men of the Artillery and Infantry will be quartered in the reconstructed barracks. They will sleep two to a bunk. There are spaces for 48 men in the east barracks room. There will also be 12 regulation hand-sewn wedge tents sent up across Main Parade. These tents are the property of the 7th USILHA. They can accommodate 4 men each. There is also the west barracks room. This room has no furniture. If you stay here you will need to provide a cot.

The barracks rooms will be assigned on a first registered-first served basis. Get your registration in early! If large numbers of other units attend then all men of the 7th Infantry and 2nd Artillery will occupy the tents thus freeing up the barracks space for our guests.

If individual units wish to camp in tents and set up company streets they may do so. We ask that you check with Headquarters first.

Straw will be provided for those sleeping in tents. However, you must provide a period bed sack for it. Straw may not be left loose in tents or strewn about Main Parade or the Dragoon area. After the event is over you must dump your bed sack in the required location. No exceptions!

All Dragoons will be quartered in tents, which they must provide. The Dragoon camp will be set up on the west side of the west barracks ruins. The picket line for horses will be established, per Regulations, directly across from the Dragoon camp.

Sergeants will occupy the sergeants rooms located at the end of each barracks. They will need to provide their own cots.

Officers will be quartered in tents set up in the officer's camp around the Bohannon Cabin on the north side of Main Parade. Officers must provide their own tents. Dragoon officers may either set up their tents on their Company Street or in Officer's country. All Officer's will eat together in a Mess tent set up in the Officer's camp.

Women's Quarters will be set up in the first floor barracks room on the east side. There are no bunks or furniture in this room. Women must provide their own.

Married couples who wish to stay together will occupy tents on Main Parade. There will be no co-ed facilities in either the enlisted or women's quarters.

Sgt. Major John Lawrence will handle enlisted billeting assignments. You may contact him at johnmlaw@yahoo.com if you have any particular questions or requests.

All quarters, tents, and barracks will be kept neat and orderly at all times! This applies to Officers, enlisted men and women. They will be subject to inspection by the commanding officer or his designate. Failure to maintain a tidy quarters will result in extra duty.

As the bunks which are provided by the fort do not have the required shelves for storage, each enlisted man is allowed one (notice the word one) small period footlocker. It can also double as a chair. Please, no folding chairs, or extra baggage in the enlisted barracks! It will be crowded enough and is really out of place. There are plenty of places to sit on the large veranda, which wraps around the entire barracks.

We ask that all items in the footlockers, or anywhere in camp be in proper period boxes or containers. The Command Sergeant Major and the First Sergeants of the designated Schools will inspect all equipment. You will be asked to remove any item, which seems inappropriate. Leave behind the Brasso, Scotch Brite Pads, modern gun cleaning equipment, etc! Polish your brass, whiten your belts, and brighten your musket before you arrive!

In regards to bedding no sleeping bags may be used. Our goal is to keep this event as period as possible. If you can't comply then please do not attend. We want this to be the best but we can't do it without your help! Thank you.

CANDLELIGHT TOUR

We have been asked by the Oklahoma Historical Society to present a candlelight tour on Friday and Saturday evenings. The candlelight tour is and has been very popular in the past. Adjutant Young 7th USILHA will be in charge of putting the tour together this year. He will need to have ten stations set up. The women will also be a part of the tour.

Though the event will be open to impressions from 1835-50 the focus of the candlelight tour will be either 1845 or 1846, the Mexican War era. Those attending in U.S. Regular Seminole War attire will be used in barracks situations so their distinctive hats and cross belts will not present a problem.

This is always a great time! Please contact Adjutant Kevin Young at adjutant7inf@juno.com if you have any questions. There will be down time after the tour for relaxation. Guard duty commences after that.

SAFETY INSPECTIONS

All black powder firing weapons must be inspected before use. If they are found defective and cannot be repaired by our ordnance person then they may not and will not be used.

Flintlock system long arms must have a hammerstall and flash guard. Pistols need only a hammerstall.

The infantry will be doing live firing in the afternoon on Saturday. Per 7th Infantry custom the laundresses and other women may fire a round or two, but only after the conclusion of the main exercise.

After firing all weapons will be cleaned prior to evening parade and inspection. Hot water and some rags will be provided for this purpose as well as gun oil.

Cannons will also be inspected. We  have three qualified NPS Black Powder officers in our rank . They are Kevin Young, Tom Wing and Dave Jurgella.

PHYSICAL IMPRESSIONS

The setting of the event is 1835-50 with the main emphasis on Mexican War 1846-48. Any impression Regular or militia from that period is acceptable. If those from the Seminole War period can upgrade to Mexican War era it would be appreciated, but it is not mandatory.

The 7th Infantry prides itself on its physical impressions. We ask that you do the same. Please do not try to slide by. Do it right. If you have questions please do not hesitate to ask. For example if you are doing a militia impression and are wearing a civilian frock coat be sure it is of the period. Civil War era styles will not work!

If you are a beginner and want to try us out but don't have a large amount of cash a simple solution would be sky blue, or any woolen period trouser with a woolen or jean overshirt. These were very popular in the time period we are portraying.

Those portraying Regular U.S. Infantry should have:

Those portraying Regular U.S. Artillery should have:

Those Portraying Regular U.S. Dragoons should have:

Those portraying Militia or Volunteer Infantry should have:

Those portraying Militia or Volunteer Artillery should have:

See above only eliminate cartridge boxes, bayonets, rifles, muskets and blank ammunition.

Those portraying Militia or Volunteer Mounted Service should have:

Remember these are guidelines!!! If you have any questions please contact Steve Abolt at 804-385-7338 or by E-mail.

WOMEN

Each individual unit participating is allowed four women to work as laundresses. Officers may have their wives with them, as may enlisted men. All participants in the event must be active. We value the participation of women at our events and want to see them made welcome. Women should remember, before registering, that the main focus of the event is The School of the Soldier. Its purpose is to recreate an Army camp of instruction. We don't want this to sound discouraging or demeaning. But we also don't want to have you feel slighted. Please be advised that aside from the functioning laundry, there will be no activities scheduled for women. For any questions regarding women's roles or impressions please contact the 7th USILHA head laundress Kay Wettemann.

WEATHER

November in Southern Oklahoma can either be warm, cold, snowing or raining. Last year at Campaign Ft. Towson it was blistering in the day and cold at night. Be prepared. The barracks have fireplaces.

ONE MORE TIME: PUPOSE

Remember this is "The National School of the Soldier". It is our goal to train you to be soldiers of the 19th century American Army. This will be intense.

It will also be by the book. Uniforms for Regular troops will be worn as described in Regulations. Inspection will be performed per Regulations. Ceremonies will be performed per Regulations.

This event offers participants the opportunity to work hard and challenge themselves. The knowledge which can be gained and the spirit of cooperation and esprit d' corps which develops can serve us all well at future events.

If you have the desire to learn, to be a team player and most importantly to be the best then this event is for you!

On behalf of the 7th Infantry, 2nd Artillery and 1st Dragoons we extend our thanks for your interest and look forward to seeing you at Historic Ft. Washita in November..

Y'r Ob't S'v't,
Major C. Steven Abolt
7th USILHA
Officer Commanding

Name_______________________________________ Phone #______________

Address__________________________________________________________

E-Mail_____________________________

Have you participated with us before?_____

Unit Affiliation________________________________________

Do you have any medical condition?_____ If so, please describe___________

__________________________________________________________________

Emergency contact person and phone #________________________________

I'm interested in: (Circle one) Infantry Artillery Dragoon Cook Laundress

Other (Please describe)_____________________________________________

Quarters: (Circle one) Barracks Tent    If tent, will you be providing______

I will arrive on site: (Circle one) Thursday Nov. 9. Fri. November 10

I will participate in the candlelight tour on (please circle) Friday Saturday

Please send your completed form along with your $20. Registration fee to:

7th USILHA
423 W. Cadbury Dr.
Lynchburg, VA 24501

All Registration forms and money must be received no later than October 20, 2000