My unit is hosting its 150th anniversary next year. This coincides with the 150th anniversary of the founding of our city. The unit is the Walton Guards, the location was Camp Walton now Ft Walton Bch, FL.
The unit was sent down from the north end of Walton County to guard the narrows, part of the inter-coastal waterway leading to Pensacola.
We know that the men were farmers with no prior military training. We also know that they spent most of their time drilling and that they were not issued muskets. The only weapons they had were the few they brought from home, flintlocks, shotguns and a boys rifle and bowie knives.
Does anyone have any information on the drill manual that would have been used by Florida troops in March of 1861? So far I know of 3 possibilities Scott’s 1830, Cooper’s 1849 or Hardee’s 1855 just not sure if any of these were used or something else.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Jim
The unit was sent down from the north end of Walton County to guard the narrows, part of the inter-coastal waterway leading to Pensacola.
We know that the men were farmers with no prior military training. We also know that they spent most of their time drilling and that they were not issued muskets. The only weapons they had were the few they brought from home, flintlocks, shotguns and a boys rifle and bowie knives.
Does anyone have any information on the drill manual that would have been used by Florida troops in March of 1861? So far I know of 3 possibilities Scott’s 1830, Cooper’s 1849 or Hardee’s 1855 just not sure if any of these were used or something else.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Jim
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