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After two years of winter meetings in Minot and Bismarck, with summer gatherings at Ft. Seward, Ft. Lincoln and Ft. Buford, members of the 7th Calvary, 20th Infantry and 6th Infantry formed the Frontier Army of the Dakota. The purpose of a state-wide group is unification of goals and objectives. Standardization of reenactment groups is partofthe goals of theorganization: standards for uniforms, equipment, competition, encampments and individuals. It is the desire of the members of the Frontier Army of the Dakota to foster a better understanding of the personalities and military lifestyle which existed on the Upper Plains during the Indian Wars Period (1865-1895) |
| The Cavalry was sent to Dakota Territory after the Civil War to protect the
survey crews of the Northern Pacific Railroad and the settlers who followed. The
troops dress in authentic period uniforms. Much of the equipment used is original
or an exact replica of equipment used during the 1870's. The drills they perform are
taken from an Army Manual of 1874. Company "M" has an original 12 lb. Napoleon
cannon which is fired during encampment drills. For further information contact:
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The Infantry portray the walking soldiers of the Frontier Army. AII military posts had companies of infantry. The Infantry portray an accurate recreation of military life in dress and action. The uniforms are painstaking reproductions of the period, duplicating style and material to minute detail including footware. The equipment carried by the soldiers is either original or accurate reproductions. The riflesare actual U.S. Model 1873 Springfield "Trapdoors" which were the arms issued to the soldiers of the 1870's. The 20th Infantry has 2 Mountain Howitzers and the 6th Infantry has a Gatling Gun which are fired during encampment drills. The Frontier Army Infantry also portray the soldiers of the Civil War and have both union and confederate units. |
For more information contact:
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The Fort McKeen Detachment, Old Scouts Society was formed in
December of 1983. They are dedicated to correcting misconceptions and educating the
public about the military scouts both Indian and non-lndian and their influence on
American and North Dakota history. The Detachment, which is headquartered in Mandan,
North Dakota, believes in the purposes for which the U.S. Volunteer Scouts were
founded and supports the ideals of the Old Scouts Society of White Shield, ND. For further information contact: Gary Anderson (701) 663-1873 |
| The North-West Mounted Police were a
parliamentary police established in 1873 to maintain law and order and to be a
sign of Canadian sovereignty in the North-West territories (which at that time
included what is now Saskatchewan and Alberta.) In 1904 "Royal" was added to the
name, and when the force merged with the Dominion Police in 1919, the Canadian
Mounted Police was born. For further information contact: Oueens Cowboy Manitoba, Canada Rick Stanick (204) 728-0699 |
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Since its inception in 1986, the
Frontier Army has grown from 3 groups to 17 groups. Our membership includes North
Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Canada and individual members from coast
to coast and Japan. Ongoing objectives are statewide publicity, fundraising,
historical research and legislative action.The Frontier Army of the Dakota is a
family centered organization and encourages participation from children to adults.
Women portray a variety of individuals from laundresses to officers wives. The
clothing they wear are authentic reproductions of the time period and they
participate in daily living demonstrations such as buttermaking, laundry, cooking,
etc. Our members have been featured in parades, honor guards, television appearances
and major movie productions. The Frontier Army participates in regular summer
encampments which include: |
For further information about the Frontier Army of the Dakota contact:
Cheryl Stein (701) 728-6740
or check Army's Web Site
