Muster Orders
Muskets in Maryland
September 27th - 29th, 2002
Ft. Frederick State Park - Big Pool, MD

Overview
September 27th - 29th, 2002
Ft. Frederick State Park
Big Pool, MD
Muster Master - Bob Giglio (Capt. Fox)
Phone (Evenings): 410-465-7688
Email: ECWCaptain@aol.com

Fort Frederick State Park is the site of the reconstructed Fort Frederick, a French & Indian War era fort. Besides the reconstructed fort, the site has plenty of open and wooded acres for encampments and tactical demonstrations, as well as a firing range that allows both live firing by musket and cannon!

While a State Park, it is very re-enactor "friendly", and as such holds regular events for the 18th and 19th centuries. This year, the old 18th Century Muster and the Governor's Firelock Competition have been combined in the Muskets in Maryland event. In addition, the event has been opened up to include the 17th century period as well.

Site Facilities

Firewood, bedding straw, drinking water and Port-a-Pots (at each camp) are provided by site (no site fee). Site open to public Saturday and Sunday. Fire pits are allowed, but all sod must be replaced. Also, bedding straw must be piled together at end of event.

A Sutler's Row will be next to the fort's general store (Capt. Wort's Sutlery). Ice is available for purchase at Capt. Wort's (cost $1.75/bag); store hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The 17th-centruy encampment will be in a lower field area beyond the fort (opposite live fire area).

All staff members (rangers, etc.) will be wearing yellow and black arm bands; feel free to approach them with any concerns or assistance you might need. An ambulance will be on-site during daylight hours (other times notify Park Ranger for medical assistance.) Site HQ will be at the Friends of Fort Frederick Tent located in front of Capt. Wort's Sutlery.

Tacticals and demos occur in an area adjacent to the fort. There is also a small earthen half-moon redoubt for use.

Saturday and Sunday morning there will be a light breakfast (coffee and donuts), and Saturday evening (5 p.m.) there will be a catered buffet (chicken, vegetable, potatoes, etc.), provided for each participant. From 7-9 p.m. will be a special reception (with State and fort dignitaries, etc.) to kick-off the reconstruction of the Officer's Quarters which participants are also invited to attend, where light refreshments and appetizers will be served. Following this will be the usual camp nighttime activities. In addition, throughout the day the Maryland Forces (local 18th-century French & Indian unit based at the fort) will be running a food and beverage service, so a mid-day meal can be purchased from them (i.e., no food plan for this muster).

General Site Rules (as per Ft. Frederick)

• No pets allowed.
• All garbage must be kept out of site at all times.
• Please keep all modern intrusions to a minimum. The intent of the event is to provide an enjoyable, period encampment. Modern anachronisms detract from the atmosphere and sanctity of the site. Please help us out by policing your own camps and areas.
• All rules for the musket competition, etc., are available here on the website as well.

Orders of the Daye

The Society will only be attending the muster this year for one day - Saturday. Therefore, only a small camp (officer's tent for shade and a couple soldier tents) will be set up. Arrive 2pm Friday for camp set-up (if impossible, then no later than 8 am Sat.) There will be a Registration Tent staffed by the Park Rangers when you drive in. Musketeers Note: At time of registration all musket balls (i.e., live rounds) must be turned into the rangers, so you should have your rounds in a container marked with your name, unit, and time period.

Each time period will present a tactical or demonstration on Saturday for the public. The 17th-century period, due to expected numbers, will give a full drill, firing, and battle demonstration, as we have done at other musters. Saturday can also be used to practice at the live fire range. This is a full military muster, complete with all normal military activities (i.e., reveille, flag raising, etc.)

Schedule
(The following schedule is tentative, based on last year.)

Friday (Sept. 27th)
Units arrive, register and turn in live rounds.

Saturday (Sept. 28th)
07:30 - Reveille
08:00 - Breakfast
08:30 - 'Stand to Arms' - Drill and Maneuver Training
09:00 - Camps cleared/inspected, and all vehicles out of camp
09:30 - Unit Commanders Meeting (CCC Museum)
10:00 - 'Stand to Arms' - Each period musters in camp; Safety inspection; Fort Flag raised
11:00 - Morning Gun (Demonstration Area)
12:30 - Camp Tours Begin - Living History in Camps
13:00 - 17th-Century Tactical Demonstration (Demo Area)
14:00 - 18th-Century Tactical Demonstration (Demo Area)
15:00 - 19th-Century Tactical Demonstration (Demo Area)
16:00 - 'Stand to Arms' - Each periods musters in camp; Safety inspection
16:15 - Evening Gun (Demonstration Area)
16:30 - Program/Tours End
17:00 - Catered Supper (Fort Grounds)
19:00 - Reception & Reveling begins! (Fort Grounds)

Sunday (Sept. 29th)
No schedule is listed, since the Society will only be attending Saturday.

Directions
(Highly recommended to also use a road map)

Ft. Frederick State Park is located in Big Pool, MD (just south of I-70, west of Hagerstown, MD).

From Central Maryland or Northern Virginia Area: Take your best route to I-70 West (towards Western Maryland). Proceed on I-70 West past Hagerstown, MD. About 15 minutes drive time past Hagerstown (still on I-70), take the exit for Big Pool. Follow the signs for Ft. Frederick State Park (which is about 1 mile from I-70). See 'Upon Arrival' below.

Upon Arrival: Once at the park, enter and register (state your unit, organization - English Civil War Society of America - and time period). Musketeers must turn in all shot (live rounds). Then proceed to the 17th-century camp area, which will be adjacent to the fort inside a wood fenced area (facing the the General Store). All vehicles must be off-loaded and moved to the re-enactors parking area as soon as possible. No vehicles will be allowed on site after the hours of 9 a.m. Sat. (vehicles can re-enter site after 5 p.m. Sat.)