Gulf Coast Artillery

The Premier Period Artillery Reenactment Group on the Gulf Coast

Our group was created in the fall of 2015 with the activation of our first cannon. Initially it was made up of five full members and has grown to number three cannons and more members.

We currently have three 3 pdr. cannon on butterfly field carriages with all implements and towing ropes. These three cannons are the most authentic 3 pdr.s in private ownership along the US Gulf Coast region, and a period ammunition cart is expected to be added sometime before the end of 2020.

While the 3 pdr. is not a large gun, it was the main battalion-level gun of most European armies in the 18th century being able to move with the main body of the infantry, and being first to go into battle while larger guns were further back in the marching column.

By 1805, the 3 and 4 pdr. were starting to be considered obsolete, but in 1810 the British created an entire brigade of 3 pdr. artillery for use in the Peninsula Campaign against France as it was discovered that a lighter field gun was essential to quickly be emplaced upon high hills and mountains.

In order to secure one of the five primary gun positions, a member must be at least 18 years of age. The sixth position, that of powder passer, can be filled by a young person age 12 to 18 WITH PARENTAL PERMISSION. Members are cross-trained for every one of the six gun positions with each member specializing in one of the positions. Six crew are needed to efficiently work each of the cannons in our group, with an additional two crew available at any time to fill vacancies which occur for events.

There are no group dues exacted upon members. However, it has developed as a tradition that any time a black powder purchase happens, the cost is shared equally among all members of a gun crew.

Each of the three cannons shoots a blank cartridge composed of 3 ounces of 1F black powder. This round is recommended as the best amount for the size of our cannon bores by the NPS and the Louisiana State Parks System which initially gave us our training and safety protocols.

Our unit numbers three cannons, but the number of cannons brought to an event will depend on the number of crew present to service them. The unit does not require members to purchase a flintlock musket as some other units do. The cannons are the primary weapons on the field for our unit and members are expected to have a sword as a personal sidearm but nothing more.

Our unit has setOur unit has set MINIMUM standards for the two impressions that we currently do: Spanish Royal Artillery, circa 1770s/80s, and British Royal Artillery circa War of 1812. Every member is encouraged to go beyond the minimum standards in adding to their individual impressions, but it is not a requirement. Each member is expected to keep their personal impressions in good condition so that we all show a certain level of military uniformity. Unit members are not required to show up for every event in which we participate. It is understood that family, health, etc, can prevent a crew member from attending a certain event at any time, but we do heartily encourage everyone's participation for every event. We have members currently in three states, and anticipate members from even more states eventually. Some travel times may preclude a member from traveling for a small sized event.

Unit organization:
We have one ranking officer and two NCOs currently. One of the NCOs was recently promoted in order to become gun captain of gun no. 2. We want to have an NCO as gun captain for each gun. That gun captain NCO will be chosen for gun no. 1 by the two ranking members. The gun captains for guns no. 2 and 3 will be chosen from among the crew members by the ranking officer. Each gun crew will chose a corporal from among themselves to act as gun captain whenever the normal gun captain is absent from an event. In order to be considered for gun captain, a member must show full knowledge of each position, reliably show up for most events, and have a "command voice" in order to give the orders for the loading and firing evolution of a gun. Rank stripes are provided at no cost to the NCO/corporal, but are expected to be returned when/if that person departs the group.

Unit drills:
Training drills do occur. Periodically a drill will be called for a Saturday in the most convenient, central area so that most members can attend. These drills sometimes occur in either modern civilian clothing or our period uniforms. Most of the time drills occur at event sites so that each member can master each position and keep their safety protocols firmly in mind. Top ranking members are considered the safety officers, but each member can stop the loading and firing of a gun if they believe that something unsafe is being done, or an important step in the procedure is not followed. Safety of each member is first and foremost our most important thought. We have yet to have an accident, and we plan on keeping it that way.

Event camping:
Some events last just one day while others can last a weekend. A unit member has the option of either camping at the event site or staying at a local motel. Currently our unit has a marquee tent, wall tent, several tent flys and wedge tents available, but for the member that prefers camping, it is expected that eventually he will provide his own canvas tentage. Each member is required to provide his own seating for camp. Such seating should be a period folding stool, straight-backed chair, or short bench. Sometimes extra seating is brought to an event, but it should not be expected to always be done. At those events that allow campsite cooking, any member may create their own cookfire, etc, or engage in cooking over a communal fire. Period cooking implements should be used. Most of the time, it has developed into a tradition among us that a table is spread with sandwich materials, finger foods, etc, that each are welcomed to partake of, but it is also expected that everyone contribute to the spread.

2021 Campaign Season

Destrehan Plantation - St. Charles Parish, Louisiana

May 1st - 2nd

Civilian or British Royal Artillery impression.

Trail of Honor - Jackson Mississippi

May 21st - 23rd

The annual Trail of Honor timeline. Our impression will be British Royal Artillery.

Fort Rosalie NPS - Natchez Mississippu

June 5th

Our impression will be Spanish Royal Artillery.

Mississeniwa 1812

October 1st - 3rd

This is an maximum effort event in Marion Indiana.