Our Civil War Day

Yesterday, we took a trip to see a Civil War Reenactment. We are in the midst of a study of the Civil War, and despite my procrastinating, it worked out beautifully that there was a reenactment right when I wanted it... and within a couple hour drive.... and the weather was beautiful. There were over 700 re-enactors there and it was an awesome day.

Tuesday, we had traveled to the Lincoln Museum, but yesterday we met Lincoln. How cool is that?

We had hoped to hear him give a talk, but there was a scheduling conflict, and so Pres. Lincoln just traveled around the grounds, meeting his fellow Americans.

We met him right outside some shops where all sorts of Civil War stuff was sold, from wooden toys, to books, to clothing and uniforms, to yarn, and civil war buttons. We did not want to stay too long though, we had so much more to see.

This tent was the crew of the USS Carondelet. We found this a particularly interesting place as my son is doing research on the Naval ships in the Civil War- the Ironclads and the Hunley, etc. These men are like walking, talking history books, except they are way more interesting.


These reenactors are passionate about their interest and were more than willing to answer any questions we had. Wandering around the camps we saw daily camp life, cooking, talking, and children playing. We came across a drum and fife corps and enjoyed listening to the stirring music, but soon it was time for the battle.

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The battle was awesome! Loud canons booming, with several perfect smoke rings. A battle raging right in front of us. The Confederates were outnumbered 2 to 1, and it was not a good battle for them. We got to see many of the tactics we had read about, and my husband ran a continual commentary. He and my son were busy discussing tactics and weapons both during the battle and on the drive home. The buildings you see are the medical facilities. It was not too long before soldiers were falling on both sides. After the battle they would be tended in the crude manner available during the Civil War.

This was a day we will not soon forget. And one I may yet post more on.