Muster day also served as a significant social event in early America, at least for men. Since militia commanders often attempted to win their men's cooperation by providing them with alcohol, muster day frequently degenerated into an annual drunken spree. After the Civil War, muster day generally lost importance.

Days of play 175 years ago were not many. Real holidays were few. Christmas was observed as a Children's Festival Day; Thanksgiving was an annual family and religious day; and Fourth of July called for public celebration of a patriotic nature.   The only other "Holiday" was "Muster Day" that comes every year, usually in the late summer or early fall.

The French and Indian Wars, and the two wars with England (The Revolutionary War and The War of 1812) had made our pioneer forefathers a people conscious of both the need for readiness to bear arms and to protect their homes at all times in true minuteman spirit.

Thus began the creation and establishment of local militia groups in each town. Each town had its own military company with each soldier, at least twice a year, "showing his gun for inspection" and the Selectmen of that town "taking" account of stock in powder and ball, and to see if the town is ready to defend its people and its homes.

After a forenoon of 'drill' and 'maneuvers,' contests such as wrestling matches between the champions of each company and which company could present the best band, took place on the 'Green'.

Old men, young boys, and all the women and girls urged on their favorites. The Muster Field with its "eating booths," "tent shows," "auction carts," "Candy stands," and plenty of rum at "three cents a glass," presented a gay appearance, marred, too often, by the spectacle of men with muddled brains and unsteady feet.

In the early evening, the women folks would serve to all present a feast so plentiful that even the heartiest eaters were well satisfied.

Citizens were compelled to pay a fine of one dollar for absence from muster. These militia adopted names according to their fancy, such as the Liberty (Missouri) Blues and Carthage (Illinois) Greys.

On muster days all the men came to town for militia training. The drills took only a short time and the rest of the day was spent celebrating. The day wasn't complete unless the men had lots of rum, and molasses gingerbread. The holiday has vanished with many others, but, fortunately 'Muster Day Gingerbread' remains.

Muster day traces its roots back to when Texas was still a Republic.  In the early days, specifically during the Civil War, on an annual basis the troops were mustered, or called in, to report.  This served two purposes.  One, to verify that the individual was still alive, and two, to verify that they had a weapon to fight with.

Over the years the mustering of troops became obsolete.  However, Camp Mabry in Austin, TX., still holds on an annual basis a Muster Day where enthusaists of all ages and time periods from the Civil War to current times can display their historical items of significance and show them to the general public.  These items include Civil War era cannons, muskets, bayonets, and uniforms.  A large contingency of WWI and WWII are present with complete vechiles, uniforms, armour, and accessories.   Yet others display their Korean War, Vietnam, and Desert Storm items of historical significance.