reenactment
by Diana Cercone
The autumn sun burned bright in the sky, with temperatures ranging in the high 60s to low 70s. A day more fitting for a hike or a picnic by the Antietam Creek than for fighting. But before 5:30 a.m. the next day, 22,720 men would lie dead. Another 17,300 would be wounded, with 1,770 either identified as captured or missing in action. They were fathers and sons, uncles, nephews, cousins and best friends. Most were united by bloodline and community loyalty, but there were others who chose the opposite side from their relatives and neighbors because of their beliefs in the Union or Confederacy. As such, they fought together side by side. Or fought just as fiercely opposing them. It was the bloodiest single day of fighting in the Civil War. The year was 1862. The day, September 17.
The famous battle was waged again last spring. This time, however, at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem. And, this time, without live bullets or fatalities. Nonetheless, the reenactment of the Battle of Antietam, fought in Sharpsburg Maryland, is also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg (especially to Southerners), stayed true to its history. For to portray authentic battle reenactments every year is the founding mission of the Neshaminy Living History Association which organizes the annual event. More than 1,000 military and civilian reenactors participate. Next to the reenactment at Gettysburg, it is the largest Civil War reenactment on the East Coast.
During the Antietam Battle, Major General George McClellan was commanding the Union soldiers in a series of assaults against the Confederate Army. General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate forces. On that fateful September day, Major General Joseph Hooker pursued the Confederates to Antietam. Despite being outnumbered by almost two to one (87,000 Union vs 45,000 Confederate), the Confederate forces, led by General Stonewall Jackson, held their ground.
Later that day Hooker’s troops received aid from Union forces led by Major General Andrew Burnside, who moved his troops across the bullet-ridden Antietam Creek bridge to challenge the Confederate right flank. Arriving from Harper’s Ferry and leading his division, Confederate General A. P. Hill counterattacked.
With the addition of Hill’s forces, the Confederates were able to drive back Burnside, giving Lee time to move the wounded to safe ground south of the Potomac. McClellan, however, didn’t pursue the Confederates even though he had more than enough troops to do so. It was another sign of McClellan’s indecisiveness. (McClellan’s persistent inability to make decisions would cost him. In November of that year, President Lincoln removed McClellan of his command because of it). Though the battle was a draw, it’s considered a Union victory because the Confederates withdrew first. More importantly, the victory proved two-fold for the Union. It was a sufficient enough win to boost Lincoln’s confidence to announce his Emancipation Proclamation. And it stymied any plans by the British and French governments in recognizing the Confederacy and giving it aid as Lee had hoped.
The Battle of Antietam was also significant for two other reasons. The battlefield was one of 15 visited by President Lincoln. (There were nearly 10,500 battles, engagements and other military actions, including 50 major battles waged during the Civil War.) Alexander Gardner captured the President in a photograph meeting with McClellan and the Army of the Potomac two weeks after the battle. (The now famous photograph is part of the Gardner historic photographs in the Library of Congress.) And, secondly, it was at Antietam that first saw Clara Barton at a battlefield, bringing with her three army wagons filled with surgical and medical supplies. She and her supplies were more than well-received, especially by the over-extended surgeons who were desperately trying to turn corn husks into bandages. Barton also taught able-bodied men how to perform first aid, carry water and prepare food for the wounded.
The Neshaminy Living History Association was founded in 1990 by Scott Shablin and Andy Waskie with assistance from Jane Peters-Estes. They were joined by the following co-sponsors: The 28th Pennsylvania Historical Association, G.A.R. Civil War Museum & Library and the Bensalem Historical Association. Later the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table and the 1st Battalion Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) also signed on as co-sponsors.
Chuck Gilson, executive chairman for the Neshaminy Reenactment Event Committee, says each summer a subcommittee selects an historical battle of the Civil War to recreate faithfully and authentically. They then present their selection to the full Committee in September for approval. In choosing the battle to depict, he says, several criteria must be met. Perhaps, most important, the battle should involve local troops from Philadelphia and the surrounding area.
The battle must also be timely and appropriate, such as an anniversary year. (For example, the Battle of Antietam was its 155th anniversary.) The time period and terrain should be represented as well as possible. In addition to the main battle, they also strive to present a smaller section of action on the Brigade level, where the numbers engaged are accurate to the recreation. Tactics, uniforms, weapons and ceremonies are all authentic to the battle selected. Even the camps and civilian activities presented simulate the camps encountered when in long-term service as opposed to on a campaign. In addition, some of the civilians simulate the home-front activities of the time period.
As such, Chuck says, each reenactment entails its own extensive research and preparation. Reenactments takes place at Neshaminy Park over two days during the last weekend in April. Authentic battle reenactments take place on both days as well as other activities such as artillery demonstrations, battalion drills, meeting of the generals and a military band concert. And there’s plenty of time for you to interact with the reenactors, he says, including stopping by the sutler area where you’ll find food and refreshments, including homemade sarsaparilla “Just don’t expect a twist-off cap,” he says. “These are corked bottles just like they had back then” and kettle corn “made the old-fashioned way.”
Sutlers were civilian merchants who sold provisions to an army in the field, camp or quarters from a wagon or temporary tent, and traveling with the unit. The sutlers you’ll find at the Neshaminy reenactment sell an assortment of Civil War wares, from uniforms, photographs, hats and period dress to wooden musket toys for children to real muskets. You can even have your tintype photo taken in period clothes.
This year the reenactment of the Battle of Chickamauga marks the event’s 29th year and the battle’s 155th anniversary. It will take place at Neshaminy Park on April 28 and 29, beginning both days at 9 a.m.
The Battle of Chickamauga was waged over two days, September 18-20,1863, in Georgia after Union Commander William S. Rosecrans forced Confederate Commander Braxton Bragg and his men out of Confederate held Chattanooga. Determined to recapture the city, Bragg followed the Union north, meeting up with Rosecrans’ army at Davis Cross Roads. While marching on the 18th, Bragg’s cavalry and infantry encountered Union mounted infantry who were armed with state-of-the-art Spencer repeating rifles. A skirmish ensued. However, beginning on the morning of the 19th, near the Chickamauga Creek, fighting became very fierce.
With an estimated casualty of 34,624 (including 3,969 killed), Chickamauga is known as one of the bloodiest battles in the Western Theater. Though it was a Confederate victory, it earned Union Major General George H. Thomas the nickname “the Rock of Chickamauga” for preventing a complete Union disaster by holding Horseshoe Ridge against repeated assaults and, thereby, allowing the remaining Union army to withdraw under the cover of night.
When at this year’s reenactment make sure to stop by and talk with General John Buford, alias Michael D. Smith. Smith has been portraying General Buford for almost 20 years. Over those years and through thorough research, there isn’t much that Smith doesn’t know about Buford, including allowing him to develop insights into the general.
Mike says his experience as a cavalry trooper in Civil War reenactments while still a neophyte horseman helps him in his portrayal of the general, especially when speaking of the training of troopers and talking about his saddle and cavalry rifle which, among other authentic objects, are displayed at his campsite.
A not-to-miss highlight of his talk is Mike’s brandishing of his authentic Civil War general’s saber. Buford, he says, was a graduate of West Point. After graduating he became a member of the 2nd U.S. Dragoons who were known as the highest order of career soldiers. When the Civil War broke out, the Dragoons’ name was changed to 2nd U.S. Cavalry. To display how Buford would lead a charge in any of his Civil War encounters, Mike pulls out his saber, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Dragooooons!” It was Burford’s way of forewarning the Confederates that they were dealing with professional soldiers and not volunteers, he says.
Mike’s wife, Diane Smith, portrays Martha Buford, the general’s wife, and a member of the Ladies for the Union. At her campsite you’ll find a recreation of a parlor germane to the period where women friends of the hostess would gather to socialize. Along with Diane/Martha, you’ll find five other women, she says. All of them portraying generals’ wives. However, as she is quick to point out, that is not the reason for their portrayals. It is the demonstration of crafts of the period that makes their presence so valuable.
Diane’s specialty is bobbin lace, a lace textile created by braiding and twisting thread around bobbins or pins. Another reenactor demonstrates how bandboxes or hat boxes were made, while another shows the different types of quilting, including stitches made on an early sewing machine. Still one of the other ladies, a nurse by profession, compares the medicines and medical instruments available in Civil War to those of today. Another portrays Rebecca Moss, who, Diane says, was instrumental in instituting a sanitary commission for the troops. All the civilian reenactors are in period dress, which, for Diane’s portrayal of Martha Buford consists of eight layers of clothing.
Oh, yeah, as if the Smiths aren’t Civil War experts enough, Mike and Diane also live on the First Day Battlefield in Gettysburg.
For another lively discussion on the Civil War, seek out Lisa Waltz, a retired Middleton Township police officer who has been part of the civilian division of the 28th PA Volunteer Infantry for 20 years. She portrays a Vivandier. These were battlefield nurses who followed a particular regiment. Civil War Vivandier costumes varied from regiment to regiment, usually consisting of a knee-length skirt over trousers, a tunic and a hat. All costumes, however, were well-suited to the outdoor exercise required of them for living and marching with the regiment.
And even though women were not allowed to be soldiers during this time, more than 400 women disguised themselves as men to fight as soldiers in the Civil War. They cut their hair, adopted male names and mannerisms—and sometimes were able to continue serving without having their true identities known.
Another reenactor you want to look for is John Greene, a history teacher at George Washington High School in the Northeast and a resident of Warrington. John has been a Civil War reenactor for 25 years, beginning when he was 13. He has experience with just about every aspect of being a Civil War reenactor, he says. From starting as a drummer to becoming a medic, and from working his way up the ranks from a private to his current position as a captain. “Everything but the lead bullets,” he says, “is authentic as possible.” John wears a custom-made gray wool Union captain’s outfit and carries an 1850 Officer’s Foot Sword with a 36-inch blade and an 1860 Army Colt 44-caliber, 6-shot pistol.
As captain of the 28th Volunteer Infantry Company C, John commands about 50 members of his unit in battalion drills and in both the unscripted and scripted battles. All, he says, require extensive research. His company also has their own brass band. Most regiments were formed with 1,000 men and had their own band, he says. At the reenactment, you’ll hear John’s band play patriotic music of the day, including “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
John, like the other reenactors I spoke to, enjoys the role he plays in engaging visitors and bringing our nation’s history alive for them. Of course, he says, it’s also great fun being with the men in his Company. “They’re my best friends in the world.”
It’s hard to say who has more fun at the Neshaminy Reenactments: Visitors or reenactors. You’ll just have to go and judge for yourself.
For more information, including a schedule of events, visit www.neshaminycwevent.org.
Diana Cercone is an area freelance writer who specializes in food, art and travel.