Van Dyke's Howitizers

Welcome to the Home Page for the Van Dyke's Howitzers and 1st Florida Artillery & Friends Civil War Reenacting Artillery Unit

Dade City 2021

Dade City 2022 Twentith Year Celebration

Van Dyke's Howitizers is a Section of Field Horse or Mounted Artillery. We field two full scale Model 1841, 12 Pounder Mountain Howitzers mounted on Prairie Carriages with Limbers and are also a Member Unit of the 4th Brigade, U.S.

Artillery Howitzer Section

Left and Right Pieces

Generic North and South Portrayals

Available for Living History Events, Ceremonies and Salutes

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We reenact with 1st Florida Artillery & Friends throughout the State of Florida as Gun Detachments No. 3 and No. 4 portraying from the historical Florida 1st Battery Light Artillery (also known as Sheldon's Mule Battery), 2nd Brigade-1st Division of U.S. Forces - Pensacola -District of West Florida-U.S.

Main Contact is 1st Sergeant Thomas Van Dyke 1stFloridaArtillery@gmail.com.

When "galvanizing" as Confederate Unit, we portray from the historical Florida Light Artillery (also known as Dyke’s Company) - Florida 6th Battalion Artillery, C.S.

The Section is commanded by a Lieutenant and the Platoons by a Sergeant, Chief of the Piece. Each piece is manned by an Artillery Detachment, including a Gunner (Corporal) and up to 5 Cannoneers (Privates).

The Unit also has a Hospital Steward detached to the 4th Brigade Field Hospital.

1st Florida Artillery subscribes to all Safety Guidelines of the 4th Brigade and the Reenactment Hosting Organizations. We fire reduced loads of blank round ammunition as per the North-South Skirmish Association Handbook.

We support the Authentic Artillery movement, using the Original Manuals to safely fire our Pieces. In teaching to Reenactors, we compare and contrast the various modern Reenactor Artillery Drills with what they should be when using the 19th Century Army Regulation Drills.

Our Tubes are made by Hern Iron Works and our Carriages and Limbers are both homemade and by Miller Wagon and Cannon.

Reenacting Artillery Units simulate the firing of authentic Rounds. Howitzers fired timed fuse explosive Spherical Common Shell and Spherical Shrapnel Case Shot (which contained 82 .69 caliber balls) as well as Canister (which contained 148. 69 cal. balls). Each fixed round of Light 12 Pounder Howitzer's Ammunition used a one-half pound cartridge of gun powder for the Service Charge. We use half of that to produce realistic muzzle blasts.

We have a Powder Fund that hosting organizations and donors contribute to in order help defray the expensive costs associated with firing for salutes, during living history demonstrations and in Reenactment "Battles."

We do not have Teams of Horses at this stage.

>>>Now Recruiting! If you wish to join the Artillery as you begin in your new reenacting hobby, or if you have prior experience, please inquire. 1st Florida would like to talk to you. We train in the Artillery using the original instruction manuals from the American Civil War. (If you are already in a reenacting unit, please request to speak with your ranking Non Commissioned Officer and Commanding Officer to discuss this with them first) .

We can also accept "Spare Men" who wish to fall in with an artillery piece on an as needed basis, to help us place adequate numbers for the safe firing regulations for an event.

Artillery can be a good home for "veteran" (seasoned) reenactors who may be starting to be sideline themselves due to personal health, fitness or age issues. We also start out new reenactors as early as age 14 whenever the 4th Brigade, or the commanding unit or hosting organization permits.

"Women in the Ranks" are welcomed as long as your impression portrays a male soldier well enough to not be an issue to the audience or fellow reenactors.

We strive for the best authenticity portrayals of late War Federal Artillerymen and Unionist Florida Volunteers.

Come meet us at an upcoming reenactment and consider joining in the fun of being the "King of Battle" Artillery. You will have a Blast!