JACKSON— Residents of Jackson with an interest in history, and those who have been waiting to see a Civil War Reenactment first hand, will be pleased to know that one is coming to Jackson County on Friday, August 16, through Sunday, August 18.
The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War provides a fresh opportunity for a new generation to rediscover the many ways in which Ohioans played a key role in the war and in which the war – “this mighty scourge,” as Lincoln described it – changed life in Ohio. The Civil War story in Ohio touches almost every community in the state.
Friday will be designated for registrations of participants, so the site will not be open to the public. Informational materials state the site will not open to the public until noon on Saturday.
Those participating in Morgan’s Raid and/or the reenactment itself will be registering on an open field on McCarty Lane, located between Veterans Drive and Acy Avenue. That same field will not only be home to the reenactments, but will serve as camp for those participating.
This special historical reenactment of Civil War events is being presented by the Jackson Historical Society and will include actual battle reenactments at the McCarty Lane site, but a reenactment of General John Hunt Morgan’s ride through the streets of downtown Jackson.
According to the brochure of events Morgan’s raid on downtown Jackson will occur at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning. At 12:30 p.m. the Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps will perform in tent 1. John Duke as Basil Duke will be in tent 2.
At 1:15 p.m. Steve Ball’s Civil War music will be in tent 1 and Robert Ervin as Abraham Lincoln in tent 2.
At 2 p.m. the ladies will have tea in the dining tent and Payton Seats as Johnny Clem will be in tent 2. At 2:45 the Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps will perform in tent 1, while Rick Williams as George Custer will appear in tent 2.
At 3:15 p.m. Steve Ball Civil War music will be in tent 1 and John Duke as Basil Duke in tent 2.
A battle begins at 4 p.m.
Payton Seats as Johnny Clem will be in tent 1 at 4:30 p.m. and Robert Ervin as Abraham Lincoln in tent 2.
The Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps will be back in tent 1 at 5:15 p.m. with Rick Williams as George Custer in tent 2.
At 6 p.m. dinner will be provided for the Reenactors and at 7 p.m. the Camp Military Ball will begin in tent 1. Period dress is not necessary.
The evening will conclude at 9:30 p.m. with the Night Cannonade (all Batteries).
Sunday’s events kick off at 9 a.m. with breakfast for the Reenactors, and the camp opens up to the public at 10 a.m. There will also be a Worship Service with Reverend William Goodall and Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps in tent 1.
There will be a Cavalry Field Contest at 11 a.m.
At noon, Payton Seats as Johnny Clem in tent 1, and John Duke as Basil Duke in tent 2.
At 12:45 p.m. Steve Ball Civil War Music in tent 1 and Robert Ervin as Abraham Lincoln in tent 2.
The Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps will be back in tent 1 at 1:30 p.m. and Rick Williams as George Custer in tent 2.
A battle will begin at 2:15 p.m., followed by Steve Ball Civil War Music in tent 1 at 2:45 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m. the camp will close. Bounties will be paid at $13 per person for Infantry, $50 per horse and rider for Cavalry, and $200 per gun and crew for Artillery. No additional bounties paid to paid presenters.
Lee Downey, Surgeon, and other events, are awaiting the place and time to be established. Michael Crutcher, as Frederick Douglass, will appear both Saturday and Sunday.
Lisa Actor, the author of Rebel Raiders, will be telling the local story and autographing her book during the Reenactments, and children can participate in an Archeological Dig on Saturday, August 17 at 2 p.m. They will be able to dig for Civil War era buttons, bullets, mini balls, horseshoes, etc.
Also on Saturday following the battle the Youth Battle Instructional Drill will be on the battlefield with mock rifles, led by Battery L. 1st Ohio Lt. Artillery.
For more information contact Wilbur or Carolyn McCormick at 206-5522 or 395-1728, or contact Chip or Cathy Smalley AT 988-2841 OR 286-5560. Interested parties can also go to www.jacksoncivilwar150.us .
For those who have always observed scenes from the Civil War on television or on the movie theater screens, this is a perfect opportunity to witness some of those epic battles or raids first hand.
Make plans now to attend.