The 4th Texas / 16th Michigan is hosting an invitation-only event at historic Fort Mackinac, on Mackinac Island, during August 24th-26th, 2018.

This is an opportunity to re-enact a part of Civil War history that actually occurred in Michigan (how rare is that!), on the original grounds. Three high-profile confederate prisoners were held at the Fort during the summer of 1862. The fort was garrisoned by the Stanton Guard, made up of Federal troops from the Detroit area. There were plans to increase the number of prisoners at the fort over time, but the plan was eventually abandoned. See http://www.mackinacparks.com/confederate-political-prisoners-at-fort-mackinac/ for more historical information.

During the weekend, we perform multiple drills for the public, including military maneuvers, firing, and guard mount demonstrations, all inside the Fort. There is no battle or tactical; this is a “demonstration to the public” weekend. We do these several times during the day, with prominent narration for the public. Our civilian branch typically does a fashion show for the public.

Transportation

Traveling to Mackinac Island requires purchasing a round trip Ferry ticket in Mackinac City. Cost is approximately $26. Parking in Mackinac City is free. There is no problem bringing equipment and rifles onto the ferry; they are quite accustomed to costumed historical interpreters from many time periods and their weapons. In fact, is a picture of some of us riding the ferry the last time we did this event in 2016:

Lodging

The military camps at the Fort itself, just outside the main enclosure. It’s basically an empty field at the edge of the woods; it is in an area NOT open to the public.

There are no provisions for civilian camping. Our civilian branch typically stays in bed-and-breakfast establishments on the island. Early reservations are recommended for this, it is not cheap and it fills up early in the season. Some of our older military members choose this option too.

Transportation on the island

Once you disembark the ferry, everything is within walking distance. The Fort is on the top of a long, steep hill, so the Fort supplies a dray for us; we simply get our equipment to a specific dock on a specific ferry on the Mackinac City side by a certain time on Friday, and the equipment is delivered to our campsite. This is the same dray service used by people who stay at the hotels on the island; the dray simply makes a special stop at our campsite.

Specifics on what time this free service will be available are not yet known at the time of this writing, but will be communicated before the event. Expect that it will be Friday afternoon.

Mackinac Island is a beautiful place, and there is sufficient downtime “after hours” to explore the town local nightlife after hours, when the “fudgies” (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fudgie) have all gone back home on the ferry for the day.

I hope you will consider joining us on the Island in August. Contact Alan Allgaier if interested at alan.allgaier@gmail.com, or 248-495-8107.

More Details:

Re-enactors will typically arrive throughout the day on Friday starting mid-afternoon. There is no “Registration Tent”. See this picture for where we camp:

There is an admission charge for the general public to get into the Fort, so you will likely come across someone collecting fees at the base of the long steep hill. You do NOT have to pay this…simply tell the attendant you are participating as a re-enactor for the weekend, and you should have no problem walking by.

Official activities will begin early Saturday Morning. Plan on being actively participating under the public eye between 7:00am and 6:00pm on Saturday, and 8:00am through about 2:00pm on Sunday. I expect we’ll be done by 2:00pm Sunday at the latest.

Amenities: Be aware this is limited to water out of a hose, a few sticks of not-so-great firewood, and a field to sleep in. There will be no straw, no CW sutlers, no supplied meal, no powder ration, etc. The town has a small grocery store (Dowd’s Market) within walking distance for anything you forgot to bring, or run out of.

Camps – Please set up in company streets. If you bring tentage, I recommend limiting it to dogtents or shebangs. The logistics of hauling lots of equipment to the site is troublesome.

While our camp is not open to the public, this is not an excuse to relax authenticity standards. No visible anachronisms please.

The Stanton Guard was a 100-man company. It is expected that all soldiers are participating as a member of this SINGLE company, because that is historically what happened here. Please come prepared to participate as a Federal enlisted man.

There were only three confederate prisoners at this fort. We have three people already set up to portray these specific prisoners. There is no role for “general confederate prisoners” here.

The Stanton Guard were fresh troops. It is acceptable to bring new recruits to Mackinac who know very little about drill, training new people is what happened here.

The Stanton Guard had a mish-mash of uniforms – their supplies were cobbled together and were not in any way uniform. Therefore, any traditional Federal impression is acceptable – frock coats, sack coats, any type of respectable headgear is fine. But please keep it formal military – no “Home Guard” yahoo stuff please.

Plan on bringing a full cartridge box, but more than that is not required. We will be firing for the public several times a day.

Plan on participating in Guard Mount during the times the Fort is open to the public. This will not be “go stand in the parking lot for no reason” guard mount – this will be “publicly visible, with public interaction” guard mount – after all, we’re garrisoning a fort here!

The town is abundantly full of restaurants. But be aware you will pay Disney-world prices.

Drunkenness in front of the public is not acceptable! This is not a usual blah-blah-blah statement, I mean it. The city is set up as one long bar crawl, and it could be very easy to fall into temptation. While re-enactors are free to enjoy themselves in the city after hours, I will deal with Public Stupid Drunks very harshly, as it threatens our ability to return to this beautiful location – the public thinks we’re ‘employees of the island’, and our hosts will not stand for that. I have identified a provost marshal who is an active duty police officer in real life, and he and I will be patrolling the city streets in the evening to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves in a responsible manner. If you wish to imbibe to excess, please do it AWAY from the public.

Captain Alan Allgaier

4th Texas / 16th Michigan