U.S. Congressman Mark Green fires Confederate cannon during Eagle Fest 2022

U.S. Congressman Mark Green fires Confederate cannon during Eagle Fest 2022 in historic Dover, Tennessee, thrilling those in attendance. It was a beautiful day for a popular event and after the federal lawmaker gave a rousing, patriotic speech to those in attendance, Green headed to the lake to fire a reenactment civil war cannon. There was nothing at all fake about the BOOM produced by the shot heard around the event, and well into Dover city limits.

A Salute to Local History

The civil war cannons were a part of Eagle Fest 2022 in Dover, Tennessee as they have been at local events for years. Dover, Tennessee is the home of Fort Donelson National Battlefield. It is well-documented that The Battle of Fort Donelson was one of the most strategically important battles of the entire American Civil War. This was especially so during the early days, months and years of the war. The firing of the cannons during Eagle Fest were a nod and salute to the civil war history of Stewart County, Tennessee and the Land Between the Lakes area

United States Congressman Mark Green, right, and Stewart County Confederate re-enactor George Wallace go over the procedures for firing an American Civil War Cannon.

A Congressman Shoots a Civil War Cannon!

After giving his patriotic speech and addressing the large audience at Dover’s Eagle Fest, Congressman Mark Green was invited to shoot a very real Confederate States of America (reenactment) cannon. Well known civil war reenactor and local history interpreter George Wallace offered up his cannon for the congressman to shoot. Several cannons were located on the banks of Lick Creek on Barkley Lake (Cumberland River). As folks looked on Stewart County’s George Wallace, gave the United States Congressman a quick lesson on how to shoot a cannon.

Sounding Off!

Once the quick lessons were over, Wallace stepped back and Green stepped up. With a pull of the cannon string, the Tennessee lawmaker fired off the cannon. It was a rousting addition to the already active and festive festivities of Eagle Fest 2022. Where else are you going to get to see and hear a United States Congressman fire off a large caliber weapon in front of a fairly large audience of constituents?

Story and Photos by David R. Ross — LBLUS.com