Annual School of the Soldier and Civil War skirmishes at Eden Gardens State Park

Sat., Jan. 22nd from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 23rd from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Eden Gardens State Park will host the 17th Annual School of the Soldier event led by 7th Vermont Company D (Walton Guard). This will be the 147th anniversary of the actual event that took place in the Point Washington area during the Civil War in 1864 between the 7th Vermont Volunteers and a Confederate unit. Visitors can expect to observe rifle and light infantry tactics as well as artillery demonstrations, drills and skirmishes. There will also be medical demonstrations, a ladies tea and examples of period camp life as well as a period cook tent and a blacksmith.

During the Civil War a company of Seventh Vermont was sent to Washington Point (Eden) to recruit the loyalists in the area. They recruited two regiments of US Color Troops and First Fla. Cavalry USA. Some of them went up the river to take a small Confederate camp, which they did without incident. However, on the way back, they themselves were captured by Confederate Cavalry.

Event is free with admission to the Park ($4.00/Car or $2.00/ Bike or Pedestrian). Eden Gardens is located in Point Washington North of Hwy 98 via Hwy 395. Events are scheduled from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, January 23rd, and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Sunday, January 24th. For further information contact Elizabeth Eich at (850) 267-8322 or visit www.waltonguards.org.

Schedule of activities:
Saturday
0900 Camp Open to Visitors
0900 Officer’s Call
1000 Drill +
1330 Dance Workshop
1400 Drill +
1500 Skirmish ++
1530 Medical Demonstration
1700 Camp Closed to Visitors

Sunday
0900 Camp Open to Visitors
0900 Colors & Officer’s Call
1000 Drill +
1330 Skirmish ++
1400 Camp Closed to Visitors
1400 Break Camp
+ denotes Musket Firing
+ + denotes Artillery Firing