The Civil War

Thanks to friends, Michelle and Kristie, Heather and I spent the afternoon with soldiers from the Civil War.  There was a reenactment being staged at Huntington Central Park.  I was so tired and not wanting to go anywhere, but I have a 5th grader, and this is not an opportunity you pass up!  A quick shower and some sunscreen found us loaded in the car.

The battle began at 1:30 p.m.  We were situated near the Confederate Army.  It was an amazing experience to sit on the sidelines and whisper to Heather about the war where we fought our own countrymen.  We talked about how the guns worked and how the men were shouting because there were no walkie-talkies.  It was wild watching how the regiment advanced, and how the Union snuck through the trees and surrounded the Confederates.  The rifles and cannon fire were deafening!

Bodies were strewn across the field as the battle raged on...

The Union Army advanced.  This was a grim battle for the Confederates.

This guy was my favorite.  He appeared to be a reporter or record keeper.  He kept to the trees and empty parts of the field.  He sketched pictures and made notes.  When the bodies were all that were left, he walked through and made notes.

This nice Confederate soldier noticed us taking pictures after the battle and stepped in.  I told Caleb that when he grew up, this was a good, and socially acceptable, way to be able to play pretend soldier games.  He thought that was funny.

We stuck around for the cannon demonstration.  We learned about the 4 men who stand at the cannon and what their jobs are.  

The cannons were moved in and out by horses.  

After the battle, we wandered the encampment.  Look who we found!  President Lincoln himself.  Heather was SO impressed.  Could we have run into a more convincing Mr. Lincoln?  I say not!  Heather was sporting her new coon skin cap purchased from a vendor in the camp.

There were all kinds of fun finds.  Loved this bike!  It's a racing bike hence the large wheel.  No chain or gears so the larger the wheel, the faster it went.

The park was filled with campers.  It looked like a scene from the period.  Tents and supplies everywhere.  It was surreal.  Heather posed in front of a soldier's tent.  She noticed his supplies and the picture of his sweetheart next to his bed.  She got the idea about this being a war where people had dads and brothers serving.  What a great event!