FORT SILL, Okla. (Dec. 17, 2015) -- History came alive on the night of Dec. 12 in Fort Sill's Old Post Quadrangle when men in 1870s uniforms and women in antebellum dresses took on the personas of folks now read about in history books.

The annual Candlelight Stroll sponsored by the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum began as the threatening skies darkened into evening, and groups of visitors were led to various stops by "frontier" Soldiers lighting the way with lanterns.

Lori Siltman and several other volunteers oversaw the refreshment table in the museum, where each tour group gathered. Her dark blue taffeta hoop dress billowed about her, and a cameo brooch adorned her collar. Costumes such as these are custom made by online retailers such as CivilWarLady.com, said Siltman. Some were also provided by the museum, which gets many of its exhibit clothing from similar sources.

Eight of the women in period attire belong to the Gentle Tamers, a volunteer group that supports the museum. The name refers to the women pioneers, who managed the same harsh conditions as their menfolk with a feminine touch.

Marcia Peppel, a retired kindergarten teacher, wore a more functional dress made of red cotton twill. It featured a row of buttons in front, a bustle, and a layered crinoline petticoat over pantaloons.

"Everything had to be up to your neck, and dresses had long sleeves," she said. It wasn't just from modesty. "It was protection from insects and the sun, too."

She and friend Wallace Moore Sr., who played a Buffalo Soldier outside the Cavalry Barracks, have a non-profit business telling the story of the African-American of the West.

"We do re-enactments for other museums," she said. "Seven of 10 cowboys on the Chisholm Trail were black. Most people don't know that."

She said Moore is a "cowboy poet" and she helped him put down his oral poetry into words which became a book, "Ebony Horse Soldier: Poems of the Buffalo Soldiers, Volume 1" published in 2013.

Outside the Cavalry Barracks, Moore, a retired Army infantryman, related a tale of an unfortunate cavalry Soldier who had to patrol the stables area, which had a very unpleasant odor.

A young child came along, noticed his depressed demeanor, and reminded him that "our Lord and Savior" was born in such a stable. As he related the story, Kenneth Reese, a retired field artillery Soldier, played a Buffalo Soldier corporal who softly hummed Christmas hymns in the background.

Although there was no interpretive talk given in the Sherman House this year, a walk-through allowed visitors to see the lovely home with its two fireplaces and Christmas trees, as well as the other decorations and furnishings. The current residence of Fort Sill's commanding general Maj. Gen. John Rossi and his wife, Liz, it was so named because it was where Kiowa warriors attempted to kill General William Tecumseh Sherman during a council on its steps in 1871.

One stop was at the office of the first post commander Col. Benjamin Grierson, portrayed by director of museum services Frank Siltman. He said the Fort, which in the 1870s was 150 miles by wagon from the nearest railroad station, was established to protect settlers from the Indians, and to keep the "Sooners" out of Indian Territory as well. He also organized and commanded the 10th Cavalry Regiment of free black men and former slaves who came to be known as Buffalo Soldiers.

Grierson declined offers to command other units, to the dismay of his superiors. "They were good Soldiers and committed to serve on the frontier," he said of his desire to stay with them.

Alvie Cater, museum interpretive volunteer staffing the Guardhouse, looked like someone out of the TV show "Lonesome Dove." He has played Deputy U. S. Marshall James Mershon for the last 12 years. Although Mershon escorted many ruthless lawbreakers to trial at Fort Smith, Arkansas, one of the jail's most famous residents was Chiricahua Comanche warrior Geronimo, who is buried on post.

Turnout for the Candlelight Stroll was lower than in previous years, said Frank Siltman, who blamed the forecast of thunderstorms that evening. However, the night was warm and pleasant, with not a drop of rain.

For people who appreciated a peek into Fort Sill's history, this portrayal of life on the frontier post was an opportunity that comes but once a year.