Last week the historic fort grounds in the city hosted live reenactments and “The 1873 Fort Stockton Mutiny,” a tour and history lesson regarding the court-martial of the 21 buffalo soldiers in 1873 led by Allen Mack - founder of The Living History Foundation.

The two-day event was a group effort of the Historic Society, Annie Riggs Museum and Historic Fort Stockton. The event kicked off with 21 Fort Bliss soldiers participating in a staff ride to Fort Stockton.

According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) website:

“Staff rides represent a unique and persuasive method of conveying the lessons of the past to the present-day Army leadership for current application.”

The staff ride began in Fort Stockton at the Comanche Springs Pool with a lesson presented by Annie Riggs Memorial Museum Interim Director Ross Harper. During his speech, Harper

During his speech, Harper shared the history of both the springs and Fort Stockton.

With aid of Harper, the leadership of the Fort Bliss group did research in advance to prepare their own lessons for the group during the tour.

Sergeant Watson and SPC Calderon gave the introductory lesson on the first infantry until the Civil War as they all walked to the fort guardhouse.

The walk and lesson continued on to the Barracks 1 site and fort visitor center where the soldiers watched videos and viewed various displays.

At Barracks 2, Staff Sergeant Hernandez and Sergeant Thermos gave the history of Fort Stockton in the 1860s (9th Cavalry).

The group then walked to OQ7 where Harper gave an in-depth lesson on abode building construction.

At OQ8, Allen Mack (founder of The Living History Foundation) gave a presentation as a Buffalo Soldier reenactor. His extensive presentation of the court-martial of the 21 buffalo soldiers in 1873 included a full set up and discussion with the soldiers on how they would have handled it in today’s military judicial system.

Sergeant Carabello and SSG Clemons spoke on the tactical advantages and disadvantages of Fort Stockton.

Other lessons included: changes in the MJ System since 1873, presented by Sergeant Eisiminger and SSG Mergen, and an additional advantages and disadvantages lesson of the MJ changes given by SPC Jefferies, SPC Agnew and Sergeant Goines.

Before the drive back to Fort Bliss, special guests Victoria Wagner and Gary Harper performed live gatling gun fire with blank rounds near the Officers 8 Quarters for attendees. The special demonstrations of Mack, Wagner and Harper were given an additional day (April 15) for the general public and homeschool students.

Before the first day’s end, the Fort Bliss group awarded the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum with a certificate of appreciation from the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.

The certificate also included a medallion of excellence, which served as a token of appreciation for hosting the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate’s enlisted staff ride.