Fort Concho Celebrates Independence Day with Artillery Fire

Visitors to Fort Concho were treated with artillery salutes on Saturday. History enthusiasts and cannon experts were present to fire the cannon and mortar to celebrate the nation’s birthday.

“This is pretty much a learn-on-the-job [operation],” living historian Robert Broene said. “But we pretty much insist [that] everybody learns, and learns well. We require a pretty high degree of perfection.”

Two pieces of artillery were fired Saturday: replicas of the Coehorn Mortar and the 1841 Mountain Howitzer. According to Broene, firing the weapons was appropriate due to the line in the Star-Spangled Banner that references artillery: “The rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air.”

Broene, a retired chief petty officer, has a vast array of knowledge on the history of artillery.

“The original [artillery] would’ve been bronze,” Broene said. “From 1835 to 1861 the army would only accept bronze guns because cast iron guns are brittle. Blow up in service. Very bad for crew morale. There was no tests, as far as I know there is no tests that tell you when it’s going to happen, it’s just going to happen.”

Both artillery incorporates a steel sleeve inside the barrel that contains the pressure In order to prevent such accidents, and, as Broene said, “in the interest of lawyers.”Broene also made the differences between a living historian and a historical reenactor quite clear.

“The difference is, reenactors recreate a specific event,” Broene said. Like you reenact the battle of Gettysburg or you reenact something specific. Whereas we here, we’re not reenacting anything as so much as we’re living the life of the day. So, the difference is, living historians live the history. Reenactors shoot at each other.”

Broene was adamant about the value of learning hands-on history.

“You can read about stuff in a book, and then you forget about it,” Broene said. “But, when you actually hold a rifle in your hands that was made in 1894 and went to Cuba in the Spanish-American War, that’s a whole different experience. It’s just another teaching tool, but I think it’s a much more vivid teaching tool than other ones.”

Broene expressed how much he enjoys shooting artillery.

“Let’s face it: we’re here to educate, but we’re here to have fun,” Broene said. "Smoke and fire and noise! What’s not to like? I think this is way more fun than fireworks."