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THUNDER ON THE BAY 2002

Rules and Information

Event Schedule

Friday - May 3, 2002

8:30 AM Forts Open to Reenactors - Registration and Quarters Assignment
9:00 AM Forts Open to Public
3:00 PM Schooners Begin Arriving at Fort Morgan pier for Deck Gun loading
8:00 PM Admiral Farragut's Reception for Ship Crews and Dignitaries at Ft. Morgan

Saturday - May 4, 2002

9:00 AM Forts Open to Public
10:00 AM Formal Officers Call at Ft. Morgan - Ladies Tea in Kitchen Area
11:00 AM Troops Assemble - Safety Inspections - Federals Leave for Embarkation
11:30 AM Troops Board Schooners - Schooners Sail into Position for Battle
12:00 PM THUNDER ON THE BAY - Farragut Enters Mobile Bay
12:30 PM Naval Battle Ensues - Union Fleet Engages CSS Tennessee and Gunboats
1:00 PM CSS Tennessee Surrenders
2:00 PM Land Battle for Fort Morgan Commences
2:30 PM Surrender of Fort Morgan - Federals and Confederates Discuss Terms
3:00 PM Confederate Garrison Marched Out of Fort
4:00 PM Bay Excursions Aboard the Schooners
5:00 PM Forts Closed to Public - Evening Meals for Reenactors at Each Fort
8:00 PM Candlelight Tours - Theme "Thunder on the Bay, The Fall of Mobile "
9:00 PM Reenactor's Camp Dances at Each Fort

Sunday - May 5, 2002

9:00 AM Forts Open to Public
9:30 AM Period Church Services at Each Fort
10:30 AM Formal Officers Call at Ft. Gaines
11:30 AM Troops Assemble - Safety Inspections - Federals Leave for Embarkation
12:30 AM Troops Board Schooners - Schooners Sail into Position for Battle
1:00 PM THUNDER ON THE BAY - Naval Bombardment Commences
1:30 PM Federals Land on Dauphin Island - Seige of Ft. Gaines Commences
2:00 PM Fort Gaines Surrenders - Reenactment Concluded
2:30 PM Reenactors Cars Permitted in Forts to Load
5:00 PM Forts Close


General Information

There is no fee charged for reenactors. Sutlers will pay a $35 setup fee. All sutlers will set up at Fort Morgan unless they wish to also pay a $100 peddlers fee to the town of Dauphin Island to set up at Fort Gaines. Pre-registration is required of all units and individuals.

FORT MORGAN - The fort will begin allowing reenactors and sutlers to set up camp as early as Wednesday, May 1st. Confederates will camp within the fort, and Federals will camp to the east of the fort. Mounted cavalry will also camp east of the fort. There are no facilities for camper hookups and no showers at Fort Morgan. Please report to the registration area upon arrival and sign in before setting up.

FORT GAINES - The fort will allow reenactors to set up camp inside the fort as early as Thursday morning, May 2nd. Report to the registration fly just inside the gates of the fort. Camping space is limited. Units will be assigned quarters on a first come, first serve basis. There will be no separate Confederate and Union camps at this fort. Please park in reenactor designated areas, as the fort parking lot is restricted to spectator parking ONLY. Shower passes will be issued Saturday for use at the Dauphin Island Campground, 1/4 mile from the fort.

While you may prefer to camp within the buildings, bastions, casemates, or SpanAm areas of the forts, please come prepared to camp in tents on the parade ground. We will do our best to issue camping sites according to your desires, but there are no guarantees. Please indicate preferences on the registration form.

For mounted cavalry, Coggins papers will be required and checked by Event Staff upon arrival. Please have your horses properly tested out of respect for others.

Alabama Division safety rules will apply for the land battle scenarios. A special set of rules devised by the Naval and Marine Living History Association will apply to troops being transported aboard ships and landing craft. These rules will be discussed in detail at Officers Call. Kindly conform to these standards, for the safety of all of us. Violators will be asked to leave the event. No exceptions.

Authenticity is a must. Many spectators are expected. We are putting on a living history for these paying visitors. Federal troops must conform to strict uniform standards if they wish to board the schooners for the battle. Sky blue trousers and federal blue coats with blue kepis, bummers, or slouch hats for army units, and proper attire for marines and sailors, as directed by the NMLHA. If in doubt, please inquire ahead of time.
The interpretation of rules and regulations regarding the event lies with the Officers and Command Staff of the Sixth Alabama Cavalry Regiment. The decisions of this group are final.

MOTELS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

DAUPHIN ISLAND, ALABAMA

GULF BREEZE MOTEL (334) 861-7344

HARBOUR LIGHT INN (334) 861-5534

BAYSIDE MOTEL (334) 861-4994

SANDCASTLE CONDOMINIUMS (334) 861-6691

DAUPHIN ISLAND CAMPGROUND (334) 861-2742

 

TILLMAN'S CORNER, ALABAMA

BEST WESTERN (334) 660-9978

COMFORT INN (334) 666-6604

SHONEY'S INN (334) 660-1520

HOLIDAY INN (334) 666-5600

 

Motel space and campground space on Dauphin Island is very limited. Please make your reservations well in advance. Motels at Tillman's Corner (intersection of I-10 at Hwy 90) are about 30 miles from the fort. Please contact us if you need assistance.

If you desire motel accomodations at Fort Morgan, the nearest motels are located in Gulf Shores, about 22 miles east of the park.