PRAIRIE CITY – The first Camp Logan Day celebration kicks into action with a 10 a.m. reveille Saturday near the Oxbow Ranch, about three miles south of Prairie City on the road to Strawberry Lake. Demonstrations, exhibits and activities focusing on the late 1800s era are expected to conclude around 5 p.m.

The living history re-enactment of a 1863-65 military camp will be performed by the Prairie City History Club, Boy Scouts, Prairie City High School students, Camp Logan Association, the First Oregon Volunteers and 20th Maine, Civil War re-enactors and other history buffs. Concessions include a noon to 5 p.m. barbecue prepared by the Prairie City Community Association and pie and biscuits by the Grant County Genealogical Society.

Camp Logan was established by the First Oregon Volunteers, and later occupied by the Army until 1869. The Department of Columbia included the state of Oregon, Washington Territory and Idaho Territory and in 1870, the Territory of Alaska was added. Camp Logan, as well as Camp Watson and Fort Klamath, reported to department headquarters at Fort Vancouver.

Following the bugle call Saturday, Captain Reno’s troop inspection will take place at the historic camp. Guided tours, the Camp Logan interpretive tent, history of the Bannock War and an American Indian archaeology display will be included in the day’s activities as well as re-enactments of an officer’s meeting, caring for the sick and wounded, memorial service for Lt. James Pike and demonstrations about weapons and blacksmithing.

Authors Greg Hodgin and Larry Purchase will host a book signing for “The Rocks are Ringing.”

Daily life at the camp will be depicted throughout the one-day event and those attending are invited to wear period clothing, such as miners and early settlers. Buggy rides will help set the stage. Old-fashioned children’s games and crafts will keep the youngsters busy.

The Boy Scouts will keep the camp fires stoked for Dutch-oven cooking, using authentic Civil War recipes. Dressed in historic uniforms provided by the Washington Civil War Council, participants will indulge themselves in a baseball game played by 1860s rules.

For more information, call organizers of the event, Prairie City School teachers Dianne Lesniak and Andrew Demko, at 820-3314.

Schedule

May 17

10 a.m. Reveille

10:15 a.m. Captain Reno’s Troop Inspection

10:45 a.m. Guided Tour of Camp Logan

11 a.m. Blacksmithing

11:20 a.m. Weapons Demonstration

11:45 a.m. Caring for the Sick and Wounded

12:15 p.m. History of the Bannock War

12:45 p.m. A Visit with the Sutler

1 p.m. Memorial Service for Lt. Pike

1:30 p.m. Officers Meeting

1:45 p.m. Guided Tour of Camp Logan

2 p.m. Caring for the Sick and Wounded

2:30 p.m. History of the Bannock War

3 p.m. A Visit with the Sutler

3:15 p.m. Blacksmithing

4 p.m. Final tour of Camp Logan

4:30 p.m. Weapons Demonstration