Fort Towson Historic Site Hosts “A Long Walk in the Sun: Mexican-American War Days”

FORT TOWSON, Okla. — Fort Towson Historic Site will host “A Long Walk in the Sun: Mexican-American War Days” on Saturday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event will feature an encampment set in the 1846–1848 time period of the Mexican-American War. There will be educational presentations and opportunities to interact with experts in the fields of infantry, mountain howitzers, dragoons and field artillery. The public is invited to attend “A Long Walk in the Sun” to view demonstrations and reenactments that will bring this little-known period of history to life with sights, sounds and smells to ignite the imagination.

During the Mexican-American War, Fort Towson was an important staging area for U.S. forces. Troops gathered at the post to rest and resupply before marching south to Mexico, only three short miles away across the Red River. During this time, soldiers at Fort Towson participated in the artillery drills, saber and pistol instruction, mounted patrols and personal tasks required for life in a mobile military encampment.

Alternating historical talks and live, narrated drills will be presented for the public on Saturday. Dan Lawrence, one of the nation’s foremost early 19th-century military experts, will draw from his 40 years of experience in reenacting to discuss the finer points of field artillery. Southeast Oklahoma natives Garrett Mussett and Jesse Phipps will thrill guests with the pounding of hooves and the flash of sabers during mounted dragoon presentations. Internationally recognized historian of U.S. and French mountain artillery Colonel Paul Rosewitz of Bethalto, Illinois, will demonstrate the effectiveness of the mountain howitzer—the longest-serving artillery piece in the U.S. inventory. And young, aspiring living historians are invited to work with long-time reenactor Robert Wallace to build a working 1800s wagon.

“We are honored to have this caliber of knowledge and skill at the Mexican-American War event,” said Fort Towson Historic Site Director Calista Stephens. “These individuals have done countless hours of research and worked tirelessly to hone their historic disciplines. Our guests are in for a great day of learning mixed with the excitement of seeing, hearing and feeling the firing of real cannons.”

If you have questions about “A Long Walk in the Sun” or Fort Towson Historic Site, please email [email protected], call 580-236-0537 or message @FortTowsonHistoricSite on Facebook. Learn more about Fort Towson Historic Site at okhistory.org/sites/forttowson.

Fort Towson Historic Site is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.