Discovery Expedition of St. Charles holds Fort Massac
The 2021 Ft. Massac Encampment in Metropolis, IL was held October 16-17. The Lewis & Clark Discovery Expedition of St. Charles’ military camp, once again, was stationed inside the historic old fort.
Preparation actually started a couple of weeks prior, with making sure the trailer was in order from the recent events, and loaded with extra items needed for Ft. Massac. Bob Foster, Steve Mansfield, and Larry Boschen handled most of this. Thanks to Tom and Karen Ronk for hauling the Corps Trailer to Massac on Thursday evening so set up of the camp could begin Friday morning.
About eight folks started around 10am unpacking and setting up the camp (4 wedge tents, kitchen tent and fly, 4 display flys, Captain Lewis’ tent and fly and Captain Bissell’s large fly). As additional members arrived and joined in the setup, it wasn’t long before the camp was coming together nicely. Tom and Joy Young arrived with additional tables and supplies. Camp was completely set by 6:00pm, and all went to dinner locally. Early evening a storm rolled through with rain and high winds, but the camp made it through safely intact. All retired for the night, in camp or in hotels.
Saturday started with coffee and a light breakfast for those in camp or who wished to eat. Beautiful, cool day began with stations being prepared and our camp colors at 9:15am. Fort colors for all were at 10am in the old fort remains.
From there, we manned our stations: Weapons; Clothing; Medicine; Rope Making; Dulcimer playing; Captain Lewis’ tent, Captain Bissell’s tent. We were happy to add a Market station where we sold L&C items of interest and books that were recently donated by Ron Lowery. Lunch was staggered so the stations could continue uninterrupted.
Crowds were at our stations all day, and the entire two day event in Ft. Massac saw over 110,000 folks in attendance. The Encampment Colures were retired at 5pm, followed by our camp colures. We were joined for this ceremony with a detachment of French soldiers and men of Rogers Rangers. Dinner was enjoyed before dark, with a beautiful full moon and campfire.
Sunday morning, with 38 degrees and haze rising from the river, was brisk and beautiful. We had much the same meal routine, as on Saturday, and camp colures as well. Stations were once again quite busy, with wonderful history being shared. The day ended with Ft. Encampment colures at 4:30 and our camp colures being retired soon afterwards. Camp breakdown was easily completed by 6pm, with lots of help from our members who were able to stay until the end.
Many, many thanks to all those who helped make this event such a success. Allow me to mention them: Jim Wallace, Jan Donelson (and Captain), Tom & Karen Ronk, Tom and Joy Young, Dick Prestholdt and Ruth Melchiarre, Bryant Boswell, Davy Cain, Mike Baker, Barb Slete, Jeanne Anderson, Charles Crase, Marty Aubuchon, Tim Hirzel, Ken Gaffney, and Charleen Thornton. Also thanks to Bob Foster for also bringing missed items to camp on Saturday, to Steve Mansfield, and Larry Boschen for making sure we were properly prepared!
Thank you, Tom Young, for taking on Captain Clark’s character. A big thank you to Jim Wallace for helping organize and oversee it all as Phase Leader.
Great event folks! Many thanks to you all for helping in this 2021 Ft. Massac Encampment, and we hope to see you at the Christmas Party in St. Charles the weekend of December 11.
Reported by Mack Thornton, Phase Leader
