Most of the photos
you find on our site were not posed, so they correctly show exactly
what we look like and what we do. Some of the photos were sent
to us from spectators and some were taken by unit members or their
family. A few were taken by media and professionals, so before
you copy photos, please check our copyright policy.
As of May 26, 2008,
Lesters
Studios will supply us with photos. (Their photographs are
identified.) Please visit their site to view these and more
excellent photographs.
Port Columbus (Ga.) - March 11-13, 2011
This was the tent anniversary of the
Civil War Sailors Museum at Port Columbus. It was also
"River Blast" weekend. Four of us from the USS
Fort Henry participated at the event.
Fort De Soto - February 25-27, 2011
The Battle of Ballast Point was again
recreated for the public to see. The original battle was the
largest one on Florida's west-central coast. We were assigned
to be the color company and "Trooped the Colors" in front of the
combined forces each day.
Brooksville Raid - January 14-16, 2011
The Brooksville Raid is the largest
event we participate in. The large photo below shows the new
location of our "Naval Compound," a completely separated area from
the army units. This year (on Saturday) we joined forces with
the Marine Guard of the U.S.S. Pawnee (bottom photos.).
On Sunday, we were assigned to be the color company and the battle
plan was to replicate the First Battle of Bull Run.





The Hillsborough River Raid and the Battle of Ballast Point -
October 2-3, 2010
The Battle of
Ballast Point is held at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Tampa.
It is hosted by the U.S.S. Fort Henry. This
year we added space to the small field which was used for the force
to withdraw after "burning the two blockade runners." The site allows
the spectators a close in view of the men in action as well as the
amphibious landing. Also new this year was we allowed spectators
to come close to view the marines and sailors landing before the
battle. After the landing, the spectators were moved back to
the crowd line.

Port Columbus (National Civil War Sailors Museum) - April 17-18, 2010
This was the U.S.S.
Fort Henry's
first unit out-of-state event. We travelled to
Columbus, GA, to participate in the 2010 edition of "River
Blast." (Second photo - courtesy of Port Columbus.)
For a video of the loading and firing of the
7-inch
Brooke Rifle, click here.
Brooksville Raid - January 15-17, 2010
This year we had two guns on the field as well as
infantry. The weather held during the day, but the
heavy rain came in as dark approached. By morning, the
rain had ceased. Both days had a very mild temperature
of about 70°.
Heritage Village Skirmish - May 2009
The Heritage Village event "Civil
War Days is co-hosted by the U.S.S. Fort Henry. We write new skirmish
scenarios each year. The small field limits the scope of the battle but
also allows the spectators a close in view of the men in action. This
year, the skirmish started with Union men foraging through the vegetable garden
at the south end of the field. They were surrounded by Rebels, but they
were quickly pushed back into the woods but the Berdan Sharpshooters. More
troops and artillery on each side gradually entered the field building on the
conclusion. (Photos are in sequence.)
The Hillsborough River Raid reenactment is held
at Fort De Soto (Mullet Key). The original site is completely built to the
waters edge, and Fort De Soto provides an excellent replacement spot.
Photos below are of the trial and battle.
Brooksville Raid - January 16-19, 2009
The Brooksville Raid reenactment is nothing like
the original raid. However, it does portray a much larger raid with about
a 1,000 infantrymen, two dozen canons, and cavalry on the field. School
day (Friday) had over a 1,000 students at the 2,000 acre Boy Scout camp, and men
from the U.S.S. Fort Henry did their part in educating the students on the role
of the navy during the Civil War.
Battle of Ballast Point - October 4 & 5, 2008
This event war the 145th Anniversary (landing on
Oct. 16, 1863 with the battle on the next day) of the original
battle between the U.S. Navy and the local Confederate forces.
The U.S.S. Fort Henry portrayed men form the U.S.S.
Tahoma.