Graham Jaehnig/DMG Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery spent this past weekend encamped at Fort Wilkins, conducting educational demonstrations on Civil War-period military life. Also with the battery were living history reenactors representing the 3 and 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry units.

COPPER HARBOR — History at Fort Wilkins State Park came alive again this past weekend as Battery D, 1st Michigan Artillery living history reenactment group returned to the 1844 military post.

More than 25 reenactors interpreted army life by demonstrating artillery drills, period cooking and soldiers’ pastimes. Their military uniforms are authentic reproductions of the those worn by the United States Army during the Civil War. Weapons, including the three cannons the group brought with them from their home base in lower Michigan, are also reproductions. While they appear authentic, however, they incorporate modern iron casting, steel-lined firing tubes in the bore, and are far safer to use than those of the Civil War.

With the battery, were elements of the 3rd and 4th Michigan Infantry, who were also uniformed in authentic reproduction clothing and accurately reproduced weapons, including 1851 British Enfield rifled muskets and 1861 U.S. Springfield rifled muskets.

The demonstrations of soldiers’ pastimes included mid-19th century were performed using period-appropriate instruments, including a mountain dulcimer and a concertina.

With the infantry contingent was a surgeon, also a re-enactor, who demonstrated how amputations were performed, very cleverly staged, complete with theater blood.

Battery D has long been a tradition at Fort Wilkins, having returned every summer for more than 36 years.