Battle of Mobile Bay Day

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) - Fort Gaines remains a well-preserved reminder of a famous Civil War conflict, The Battle of Mobile Bay.

Saturday, the Dauphin Island fixture honored the soldiers who fought in the conflict with a commemorative day.

“[The battle is] talked about even in classrooms and military classes to this very day," said Bruce Pate, of the Confederate Marine Corps. "The subject of the Battle of Mobile Bay comes up, how three Confederate vessels stood up to 23 U.S. vessels.”

On the eve of the battle’s anniversary, Pate explained how, with about 4,000 more men than the rebels, the Union eventually took the fort, in what was a pivotal battle.

Nearly a century and a half later, men dressed in Confederate regalia demonstrated drills and awed audiences.

Mountain Howitzer cannon fired every 45 minutes, echoing through the grounds. Re-enactors fired it to honor the soldiers who fought for Gaines.

Dale Blackburn is a self-proclaimed history buff, but had never been to a commemoration.

“We’ve lived here for a little over 9 years, we’re retired military, and we thought this was a chance to see a little of our history," Blackburn said.

Blackburn is special needs teacher at Morningside Elementary School, located in the inner-city.

In a couple of weeks when he heads back to school, that won’t be the only thing he’d like to return to.

He said he would like to take his kids on a field trip to the fort to have the chance to see how the history fits together with what they learn in the classroom.

“I think this is an experience that most of our kids would never get because they don’t get to go far from their homes," Blackburn said.