In December of 1855 nearly 100 troopers and officers of the U.S. Army’s 1st Regiment of Dragoons arrived at Fort Vancouver to help keep peace in the region. Dragoons were mounted infantry who carried a variety of personal weaponry, including sabers, a single-edged, slightly curved sword. To provide the public with hands-on experience of daily life as a trooper, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, in partnership with Academia Duellatoria, is holding training sessions in the methods and drills used in the 19th century to instruct in the use of this distinctive weapon.
“We are really pleased to start another 7-week series of training sessions. Training and drills for sword work are similar to other martial arts techniques, and so provide opportunity to work on muscle memory, motor skills and coordination. It’s a great way to get exercise, learn some regional history and do something fun and unusual on your own or with your family. Plus, if you choose, after completion of the Basic 1 course you can participate in saber drills during reenactment events at Fort Vancouver,” according to Elaine Dorset, Supervisor of the Saber Training Program.
The upcoming training course is seven weeks, on Sunday afternoons, October 16 through November 27, 2022. The cost is $100.00 per person for the 7-week course. Anyone age 12 and up may participate. Training sabers and safety equipment will be provided. The training sessions take place at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. To learn more visit 19th Century Saber Training Program - Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).
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