STATESVILLE – Keeping the soldiers fed was a most important task for 18th century commanders at Fort Dobbs, now a state historic site. On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6, you can see how the provincial soldiers at Fort Dobbs ate. Demonstrations of field cooking techniques will be presented at 11:30 a.m. each day of the weekend encampment. Learn about what they ate, see how they prepared it, and even try a bite at the free public program!
Military drill, musket and cannon firings, camp life demonstrations led by interpreters in period clothing and tours of the fort will be offered from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. A Divine Service (as the British called church service) will be presented on Sunday at 11 a.m. For more information, call 704-873-5882 or visit www.fortdobbs.org.
Basic rations consisting of bread and meat were issued by the military, but troops often were able to supplement their diet with goods purchased from local farmers and merchants. Typical items in a mid-18th century soldier’s diet were peas, butter, beef, rice, bread, cheese, and seasonal vegetables. Common drink included spruce beer, rum, port, tea, coffee, ale, and cider.
The role of Ft. Dobbs and North Carolina in the French and Indian War (1754-1763), the first true world war, is an important chapter in the state’s colonial history. Built in 1756, the fort was named for Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs and was garrisoned from 1756-1761, sheltering frontier settlers during the war and serving as the colony’s western company headquarters. The fort was attacked Feb. 27, 1760, when soldiers fought off more than 60 Cherokee.
Ft. Dobbs’ mission is to preserve and interpret the history of North Carolina’s only French and Indian War fort. It offers living history programs daily, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and is located just one mile from I-77 and I-40 in Statesville. Fort Dobbs is one of 27 sites in of the Division of N.C. Historic Sites and Properties within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture. For more information, visit www.ncculture.com.