Springfield Fort History Day

Musicians

In spite of drenching showers and the threat of tornados, Springfield Fort History Day made an impressive show of commemorating Springfield's role in the West Florida Rebellion that resulted in the short-lived first "Lone Star" republic made up of the Southeast Louisiana territory from the Mississippi to the Pearl. At right, Southeastern Louisiana University history professor Sam Hyde, director of the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies and an expert on the West Florida Republic, speaks in front of a replica of Fort Ferdinand, the Spanish held Springfield stockade which surrendered to the rebels. the fort and reenactor are reflected in the ÒLittle Natalbany,Ó a drainage ditch dividing FayardÕs Field which was filled with eight 4,500 gallon truckloads of water from the actual Natalbany where Fort Ferdinand was located. Below, colonists loyal to Spain flee the fort as West Florida Rebels arrive after successfully siezing the Spanish headquarters in Baton Rouge. One of the fleeing loyalists was shot, below right, while the others were captured. At bottom, other activities on the grounds included a gathering of local bluegrass and gospel musicians who love to get together and jam; reenactor Cody Scalliom posinf with a black powder rifle beside barrels of Òblack powderÓ inside the Springfield Fort; and one of several demonstrators of colonial skills, Rodney Dupuy, splitting rails into fence pickets using time-honored methods

Rodney Dupuy splits rails into fence pickets using time-honored methods.

Cody Scalliom poses with a black powder rifle beside barrels of "black powder" inside the Springfield Fort

West Florida Republic rebels shoot down one of the loyalists from Fort Ferdinand. The rest were captured.