RE-ENACTMENTS - JANUARY 2002

Have you ever been to a reenactment?  If not, when there is one in your area, you REALLY must go!!  It's an experience you will never forget.  Let me tell you about some of the things I've observed.

The first event I attended was at Neshaminy Park at Bensalem, PA.  We arrived VERY early on a Saturday morning, so early in fact that the folks at the gate just waved us through when we asked where the 14th Brooklyn was.  I guess they thought we were part of the group.  They had no idea where they were and just told us to "ask around."  We drove our car into never never land where the reenactors all parked their cars.  You have to remember, these camps are "1860's" so the cars "didn't exist" and are well out of sight.  Not wanting to be THAT far away from all the "happening," we worked our way back to the public parking area near Sutler's Row.  

From there we started walking, once again looking for the 14th Brooklyn.  Oh yes, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, because there is LOTS of walking!  The members of the 14th Brooklyn have very distinctive uniforms.  They are similar to the Zouave's; their pants are bright red, jackets are dark blue with lots of brass buttons on them, the kepis (hats) are red and they wear white "gaitors" (a cloth or leather covering of the instep and ankles - like spats).  Now you would think they would have been easy to find.  They weren't.  There were hundreds of tents in the camp.  Nobody could tell us where they were. Finally I spotted a young boy with bright red pants!  Follow that kid!!  We followed him, hoping he would lead us to the correct area.  He did.  We asked if anyone knew where "Tubes" was, and sure enough, within seconds we were finally face to face with our friend, who we previously had only met in the American Civil War History chatroom in the Genealogy Forum on AOL.  I felt like we had been transported back in time.  Everyone around us was dressed in 1860's clothing and there we were in our 1990's clothes.  There were tents side by side, row after row.  Each company had its assigned area and each had it's own campfire.  Besides the smoke of campfires, the most prevalent smell was coffee.  Most of the ladies were dressed in their camp dresses which don't have the hoops beneath.  At this same event I met Amy Waltz who was a semi-regular attendee in our chatroom (for a working gal, the hour was a bit late).  Little did I know, at the time, she would become one of the American Civil War History chatroom hosts and one of the best friends I now have (plus she has very generously given her time to be the webmaster for this website.)

There were so many things to do, it was hard to know where to start.  The men began lining up in their companies, getting ready to head to the parade ground for inspection.  Some of the ladies were preparing for a fashion show and other were preparing demonstrations for the 20th century visitors.  They were cooking, doing laundry and sewing. Speaking of cooking, Amy makes the BEST Welsh Cakes in a skillet over the campfire.  I asked her for the recipe so I could try it at home on top of the stove.  Well, it did NOT work.  I told Amy about it and she, too, tried it... it didn't work for her either.  I don't know what it is about the campfire and an iron skillet, but whatever it is... it works!

We walked to the parade ground and watched all the units march onto the field.  An impressive site to say the least.  The various companies gave commands to load their guns and to fire.  Then they would reload and fire again. The handsome horses of the Cavalry also entered the parade ground.  We listened to fife and drum groups playing their music.  Eventually they all marched back to camp. 

It wasn't too long before the companies began lining up readying to head off for battle.  We headed to the spectator area to watch the battle with the others.  Many folks had already picked out, what they thought, would be the best spot to give them the best view. They had beach chairs, blankets, coolers, and cameras.  The spectators were as ready for the battle as the soldiers were.  The battle began.  Soldiers, both Union and Confederates, moving toward each other, and as in real battle, falling as they were "shot".  The cannons shook the ground when they were fired.  The Cavalrymen came in on their horses--I was afraid the horses might step on the soldiers who were "down" on the field, but luckily that didn't happen.  There was one thing that struck me really funny though, every time one of those big cannons fired, the 19th and 20th centuries collided.  You could feel those cannons fire and so could the alarms in some of the automobiles parked in nearby lots.  Horns, here and there began to blow.

We didn't see it, but I've been told that after the battle, they had a "hospital" scenario.  The "wounded" are "treated" at the hospital by the surgeon. 

After the battle, we went to Sutler's row.  What fun that was!!  You could buy just about anything, clothes, accessories, cookware, books, toys, war rifles, ammo, lamps, chairs, tables, storage boxes and just about anything else soldiers and civilians in camp might need.

While we only attended the event on Saturday, if we had gone on Sunday morning, we would have been able to attend a church service. Amy said it was the first time she had ever attended church with a horse. 

A reenactment we went to this year was setup in the village museum of Landis Valley, PA. Kids in the 1860's, along with 2001 visitors could all attend school. The photographer had his big old box like camera with the black cover, set up to take pictures.  There were various musical groups playing on the town green.  There was also folk dancing for everyone. 

The soldiers' camp was set up in one part of the village while the civilians' camp was in another.  The ladies of one company were preparing Ladies Aid boxes with bread, rum cake, candy, cigars and soap, to be taken to each of their soldiers that evening.  The ladies would be escorted into the military camp as it was not proper for them to go there alone.

One thing that really struck me was the way the folks in the camp treated each other, with respect.  Soldiers walking in the street tipped their hats when they met a lady.  They called them "Ma'am"   I guess Chivalry isn't dead after all.

I've often wondered what ever possesses these folks to do what they do...  sleep on the ground, cook over a campfire, no refrigeration, no electric, no plumbing and they wear wool clothes in the hottest part of the summer!!   Just before Remembrance Day in Gettysburg, PA, Nov. 2001, Amy passed on to me the words of Lee F. Walters, Patriotic Instructor of the Dept. of PA, SUVCW and his Thoughts of Remembrance Day.  I got my answer to my "wonderings"...     Even though he was speaking of the SUVCW, I felt his words were very appropriate for all descendants of Civil War veterans, be they Union or Confederate, the re-enactments and for our current troubled times.  "...We are the descendants of the men who fought to save the Union. Their blood runs in our veins. ...We honor our ancestors by keeping alive the memory of their service and sacrifice in a way that no other organization can... Because we remember, some part of them lives in us... Because we remember, the nation that they fought to save endures and thrives... "   

"Because we Remember"

To see more Reenactment photos please click HERE!

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