MID - 1800's COME ALIVE WITH

"THE GHOST GARRISON"

 

The Ghost Garrison brings alive the day-to-day life of U.S. Army Troops who were actually stationed in Iowa in the mid 1800's. It provides a glimpse of a time when Iowa was still a territory, When the frontier was a real place, and the only Civil War was happening in Europe. 

 

As the cook works on the next meal, camp coffee heats over the fire. A soldier has the error of his ways pointed out by his sergeant while another cleans his musket or shines his brass in preparation for the next drill. Occasionally the fifers and drummers break into a spontaneous concert or the sound of a period song drifts down the company street.

A soldier resting in front of his tent asks for help with the alphabet as he practices on his slate board or an invitation is extended to join in a game of dominos or checkers, popular pastimes of the frontier soldier. Ghost Garrison members invite and enjoy visitor questions and conversation. Their camp is not a museum display but a living place offering a unique learning experience. 

 

The Ghost Garrison was organized in 1977 and is made up of members from throughout Iowa. It is incorporated as a not-for-profit educational organization and enjoys Federal tax exempt status. It's primary objective is the growth of general knowledge of early to mid-1800 U.S. military history, the Territory and State of Iowa. Emphasis is given to the early soldiers actually stationed in Iowa and the part these soldiers played in the protection, development, and social fabric of Iowa.

 

Many Iowa communities have used the Ghost Garrison to present an authentic PRE-Civil War military encampment, to march in parades, and participate in dedications. The group has appeared in a number of movies and has presented encampments for the National Park Service and U.S. Army museum at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. 

Check out the United States Army Infantry Enlisted Man's Uniform 1843-1851 

Check out the United States Army Tents 1800’s 

Recommended Reading list 

2007 Schedule of events:

 (2008 will be planned in April 2008))

  • June 29-July 1 – Iowa Falls Military History days
  • July 1 – Arlington, IA. Dedication ceremony
  • August 18, 19 – Mason City Civil War
  • Sept 28-30 – Fort Atkinson, IA – Rendezvous
  • Oct. 4-7 – Albert Lea – Big Island Rendezvous

 

Other notable events in 2007 are/were:

  • April 27-29 – Charles City Military History Days
  • June 1-3 – Clermont IA. Thunder in the Hills IV,

                     Civil War event at Heritage Farm Park

  • June 2, 3 – Fort Dodge, IA – Rendezvous
  • June 16, 17 Centerville, IA Civil War event                          
  • April 27-29 – Charles City Military History Days
  • August 24-26 – Nevada, IA – Nevada Highway days
  • ? ?  - Winterset, IA – Military History

 

Plans for each year are made at the April annual meeting and published after that date.

Each year the Ghost Garrison can be seen at Fort Atkinson, Iowa Rendezvous during the last full weekend in September. This is their major event of the year.

“Soldering is no play, and those who undertake it must make up their minds to hard times and hard knocks.”     Lieutenant George G. Meade, 1846   On the Rio Grande

 

Anyone interested in joining or who would like information about having the Ghost Garrison appear at a local event may contact one of the following:  

·         Kyle McGonigle 1130 38th Street Des Moines, Ia 50311  ------ email at kylemcg@compuserve.com
·         David Mackay 604 N 14th Street Fort Dodge, Ia 50501  ------email at DMackay@dodgenet.com 
·         Eldon Gast 1845 Palm Ave. Box 76, Garner, IA 50438 ---------email at egast@laknet.com  

...

Photo Album

2006 Photo library 2006photos

2005 Photo library 2005photos

Staff at Albert Lea 2004 Albert Lea Staff

Inspection Arms 2004 Ft Atkinson Inspection

Firing Range 2004 Ft Atkinson Firing Team

2004 Photo library 2004photos

Dinner in style 2003 Ft Atkinson Dinner

Enlisted don’t have it bad 2003 Ft Atkinson EM dinner1

Cooks on stations at Fort Scott, KS 2003 Ft Scott Cooks

2003 Photo library 2003photos

Training at Fort Atkinson 2002training.jpg

Marching at Fort Atkinson, IA 2002 Ft Atkinson March

2002 Photo library 2002photos

2000 Photo library 2000photos

2001 Photo library 2001photos

1999 Photo library 1999photos

Uniforms of the 1840's U.S. Army 1998 uniforms
from left to right: Dragoon winter undress, Dragoon Summer Dress,
1st Sgt. Winter undress,  Pvt Summer undress, Pvt. Winter undress with time stripes, Pvt Winter undress with full campain equipage, 2nd Sgt. Dress

Full Dress Flag lowering at Ft. Atkinson 1998 flag ceremony

Memorial service 1998 Memorial Servicel

1998 Photo library 1998photos

At Ft Scott, Ks 1997 Ft Scott

Marching with dragoons 1996 with dragoons

We are often mistaken for dragoons who were mounted units of the U.S. Army.   We're not dragons. These are Dragoons  

and these are Dragoons in dress uniform Ft. Scott dress dragoons

Our Captain at his desk Captain desk

Other Photo library other photos

 

 

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Check these sites:

U.S. Mexican War

U.S. Mexican War
1846 - 1848

U.S. Regular Army Reenacting Unit Directory

Co. A 7th Regiment U.S. Infantry
Living History Association

AZTEC CLUB of 1847

The Fort Dodge Museum
includes Frontier Days, Civil War days and more

Fort Scott, KS
National Historic Site

Fort Leavenworth, KS
Historic Site

 

 

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Space for this Web site provided courtesy of Dodgnet of Fort Dodge, IA

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