'Thunder on the Bay': Reenactment, camp on sandy Alabama island recall siege of Fort Gaines, other clashes during the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay

(All photos by Civil War Picket)

The weather was near-perfect on Saturday as I donned a healthy dose of sunscreen and visited two Rebel forts that guarded Mobile, Ala., during the Civil War.

Our first stop was Fort Morgan State Historic Site, about 23 miles west of Gulf Shores. We then took a 35-minute car ferry across Mobile Bay to Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island for a reenactment.

Both forts saw action and surrendered in August 1864 during the Federal campaign for control of the port of Mobile and the waterway.

The battle was made famous by Union Rear Adm. David Farragut and his paraphrased command, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead” as his fleet maneuvered past Fort Morgan into the bay. (Click video above to see firing of gun)

On the way to Fort Gaines, our boat skirted natural gas platforms and large tankers, including one that steamed past, with dolphins leaping from the water at the bow.

The main event over the weekend was Fort Gaines’ “Thunder on the Bay” marking the 160^th anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay.

An encampment, living history, cannon fires and scores of reenactors in period uniforms greeted a sizeable crowd. A battle was held on Saturday, with a tactical exercise the next afternoon.

Pleasure boats a couple hundred yards from the fort  took in the fun and musket and artillery fire. Natural gas platforms also added a modern backdrop.

Among the participants were the Walton Guard, 6^th Alabama Cavalry and the Alabama Division of Reenactors. The 5^th Alabama Infantry Regiment Band, which maintains a busy schedule, provided music. 

It had been a while since I attended a re-enactment. This one was action-packed and there was plenty of flanking movement as Federal troops moved from the beach and to the fort. Saturday's battle ended with solemn music, including Taps.