BATTALION ROPE DRILL EVENT

INVITATION-ONLY EVENT: This is a chance for us to get together with friends from around the Midwest to provide meaningful interpretation of battalion maneuvers and camp life for the general public and establish a working relationship between Mess No. 1 and other local interpretive programs for future events.

FIRST, WHAT IS A "ROPE DRILL"?

“Rope Drill” During the American Civil War was one method used to train newly-minted officers and NCO’s in the intricacies of the maneuvers of battalion drill exercises This method simulates a full battalion by replacing the privates in the ranks with a length of rope. The rope would be held on either end by a corporal and the “company” flanked by a first and second sergeant. In this way, the commissioned and non-commissioned officers of a battalion could learn the drill without having to contend with raw recruits who had yet to learn anything about drilling or formations.

WHAT WILL WE DO AT THE EVENT?

Mess No. 1 will host a battalion “rope drill” on the grounds of Ft Ouiatenon April 22-24, 2022. Arrival will be a Friday afternoon and evening, the event ceasing at approximately 1pm on Sunday (time flexible according to the needs of TCHA and the fort). The public is welcome to observe the drill and members of Mess No. 1 will be available to explain maneuvers being performed, as well as how roll these maneuvers were used by the Federal army during the war.In addition to the rope drill, camp will be set up for the troops, where cook fires will be going and cooks and others available to explain some of the routines of camp life in the Union army. Goals of this event are:

Meaningful interpretation of battalion maneuvers and camp life for the general public.
Education and practice for members of Mess No. 1 and other participants.
Establish a working relationship between Mess No. 1 & TCHA (and other local organizations) to provide other Civil War interpretive programs for Tippecanoe county in coming years!
As a “stretch goal”, we would like to invite Purdue ROTC to attend as well to either observe or participate!

REGISTER FOR ROPE DRILL

REGISTRATION: The registration fee is $20. To pay registration, click here, or hit the button at the bottom of the registration form. If you have any questions about registration, please contact John Wickett by clicking here.