The unit educates visitors touring Fort Kearny and in doing firing displays from 1864 with either their "original" 24 pound siege cannon, or the Fort's three 12 pound howitzers. You can see a "You Tube" video of the firing of the siege cannon by searching under Fort Kearney on their site. They are also shown on the videos listed on the Venture Crew's above web site. This unit is "family friendly" and encourages families to attend and participate. While all of the men are needed to help fire the cannons, after that they may portray 1860s careers as; farrier (blacksmith) frontier scout, pioneers, photographer, artist, mortician, Native American, or any other appropriate character.

Women portray the wifes or girl friends of the soldiers, some may chose to be teachers, artists, pioneers, washer women of clothing for the soldiers, pioneers going west or any other appropriate character. Favorite activities in the past have included, dances, quilting, old fashion cooking, making candles, baseball games, and doing historical candle light tours. On some occassions, the women have even fired off the cannons. Children are usually dressed in 1800s period costumes and participate in children's games and when they are older participate as flag carriers and as "powder monkeys" who hold the cannon rounds for the cannon crews. Most prefer the quiet atmosphere of camping and the socialization of being with their friends.

During the above historical weekends, unit members usually come and camp at Ft Kearny starting Friday night until Sun. afternoon. They camp right on the main Fort's grassy area. Cannon practice/safety drills usually start at 10:00 AM with the main cannon firings at 2:00 PM in the afternoon. During the 2:00 PM firings, there is usually a skirmish or main battle fought between the North and South. The 1848 Venture Crew provides the infantry troops for the battles and both units work very closely together. Normally, once a year there is a "night firing" of the cannons which is very spectacular to watch. The unit has the capability to portray both Union and Confederate cannon crews. Depending on the year, the unit has participated in other civil war reenactment events in Nebraska, Wyoming and Missouri, along with being in parades, and meeting the Pony Express and Mormon Trail and Oregon Trail pioneers. In 2009, they participated in a two district BSA Camporee at Ft. Kearny teaching scouts how to load and fire cannons. Every year the unit is either on TV or in the newspaper or both.

Costs to be involved with the unit are very minimal. An entire civil war uniform can be purchased "new" for less than $200. The unit and Fort does have some clothing items that can be borrowed by newcomers to the hobby. The unit invites all who love history to come and learn more about history and be active in our hobby.

For more information please contact Paul Hendrickson at 308-234-1698

C Battery 3rd US Field Artillery was heavily invovled in the American Civil War 1861-1865 and has a rich military history. It was stationed at Ft Kearny after the civil war.

carlsonj@unk.edu