Local ACW events: June 2009 Archives

Dawn Roser of the Codorus Valley Area Historical Society unveils the newest Pennsylvania state historical marker, this one in the historic center square of Jefferson in southern York County. The CVAHS and the borough of Jefferson's combined efforts led to the installation of this marker, which commemorates the three separate times within a week in the early summer of 1863 that the town and the surrounding region were victimized by passing combatants during the Civil War.

The color guard of the 16th Pennsylvania Infantry reenactment group was among the participants in the hour-long ceremony, which occurred on the 146th anniversary of the first Confederate raid on Jefferson. On June 27, 1863, 250 troopers from Maryland and Virginia that comprised the 35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry rode into the square. Commanded by Lt. Col. Elijah V. White (whose descendant attended the ceremony and spent some time talking with me about her ancestors in that battalion), the Confederates raided the region for horses. One trooper spotted a little girl along the square and handed her a brooch he had stolen from a Hanover jeweler that the Rebels had chased into the countryside before robbing him.

On June 20, as part of the Gettysburg Festival, Gettysburg National Military Park will host the Wildcat Regiment Band and the 8th Regimental Band of the Georgia Volunteer Infantry for free public concerts at the park's Museum and Visitor Center.

For the first time at Gettysburg, the 8th Regimental Band of the Georgia Volunteer Infantry will perform at 11 a.m. in front of the Museum and Visitor Center and from 6 p.m. until sundown at the Pennsylvania Memorial.

Veteran National Park Service Ranger and author Troy Harman speaks to an enthusiastic crowd during his outstanding 2008 battlewalk of the seldom visited, seldom discussed fight on Brinkerhoff's Ridge along Hanover Road (Route 116) between the main Gettysburg Battlefield and East Cavalry Field. Photo by Scott Mingus for Cannonball.

The 2009 schedule has been announced by Katie Lawhon of the National Park Service.

Civil War reenacting and/or living history can be a rewarding (and expensive) hobby. I have known many reenactors and living historians over the past years who have spent more than $1000 on their gear, and that does not even count their weapon(s), which can run hundreds of dollars more. Throw in tents, camp supplies, and other possible expenditures, as well as participation fees, travel, food, etc. and the costs climb. I was lucky enough that someone gave me a living historian Union uniform, belt, forage hat, etc. that was no longer needed or wanted.

Perhaps the best thing of reenactments and living history presentations are the kids who attend, many of which (like my grandson) are wide-eyed at the chance to see (and talk with) the "soldiers," whether in blue, gray, or butternut.