Our last meeting went well! It was decided that we shall meet every third Tuesday at 6:30pm at The Art Store. This means that our next meeting will be June 17. If you have an idea for discussion at this or other meetings, please let the group know. Likewise, if there is something you would like to present, email llhsjc @gmail.com with that information and which date you would like to present.
We have also received an email about some events coming up at the John Wornall house in Kansas City. There is to be a Civil War Medical Weekend beginning June 3 and running through the 5th. If you visit their website, you will find more information, including dates, times, and locations for the different lectures/events offered.
That same weekend, however, is the event in Rolla, MO on June 4. The city is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with a parade in the morning, various speakers, and other activities throughout the day. It is a one day event. Some from our group have planned to attend. It is approximately 3hrs southeast from Warrensburg. Plan to bring chairs or blankets to sit on and a period-appropriate lunch or monies to purchase food from vendors. For a complete schedule of the day's events, please visit this page.
Also coming up next month is the Battle of Boonville in Boonville, MO. It is scheduled for June 17-19. For a schedule and registration information, visit this site. Our next meeting will be after this event, so if you have questions or are planning to attend, please email llhsjc @gmail.com and let us know! We will send out an email to all attending so that we can, as a group, meet up at some point during the event! If you are planning to camp, please let us know that as well.
Yet another event of interest is the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Springfield, MO. This event is scheduled for August 12-14. The registration fee is $20/person, ages 14 and under are free but must still be registered. Deadline is July 1. Their website is www.wilsonscreek150.com with a schedule of events. Registration will be up to the individual but we will take a head-count at our July meeting as to who is going from our group.
Also, please mark your calendars for the Battle of Perryville in Perryville, KY. This will be the 149th commemoration of this battle. They have the requisite battles each day and a dance Saturday evening but what makes this event special is the Living History Village. Bring your tent "house" set-up and join the town of Perryville as we recreate the 1862 battle scenario. For more information and to register, please visit the Perryville Battlefield website.
That's all for now as far as events and what's going on in the group! If there is something you'd like to see on this blog or at a meeting, please leave a comment or send an email!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Next Meeting This Tuesday!
Next Meeting is this Tuesday, May 17, at 6:30pm at The Art Store in Warrensburg. The focus will be on accurate reproductions to use at events. Cups, plates, napkins, chairs, tables, etc all will be discussed with some examples to view and resources to find affordable repros. If you have items that you would like to share or would like input on, bring it to the meeting! Be sure to also bring your calendar with you, as we will discuss upcoming events and decide which ones we will plan to attend this year. If you know of an event that you think will be of interest to the group, whether it is a reenactment or an educational opportunity of some sort, please bring along the information or email it to LLHSJC.
We hope to see you at the meeting! Bring a friend!
We hope to see you at the meeting! Bring a friend!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Camp Jackson AAR & Next Meeting
Well, the Camp Jackson event was a lot of fun! The entire week before, we were anxiously keeping an eye on the weather. With all of the devastating winds, tornadoes, and flooding, it wasn't looking all that great. Even as close as three days out there was a 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms predicted for Saturday! But thankfully, the rain held off until after 2pm Sunday.
Saturday held an interesting line-up for the spectators. Usually, mainstream events will have two battles, a "ball", and various things in camp for visitors to view and possibly participate in. Camp Jackson did something a bit different. Saturday's "battle" was a reenactment of the civilian massacre that occurred May 10, 1861. For a very well done article written about this horrid event, please visit 8th Missouri Cavalry Regiment's blog and read the post written by CSA Brent. The reenactment turned out well, all things considered. The civilians taunted the soldiers. There was one man in particular who did an outstanding job at riling the civilians into cheers and jeers. General Lyon dismounted in an attempt to quiet the troops and calm the crowd. Unfortunately, his horse chose just that instant to kick him square in the head. Knocked unconscious, there was now no one in charge of the untrained troops. Without warning, a shot rang out from the crowd. Chaos was immediate as troops opened fire, causing further confusion among troops and civilians alike. Men and women scattered through the area frantically trying to escape the gunfire, while children clung to their mothers and tried desperately to keep up. In all, at least 28 civilians were murdered. Two were women, along with several children. After the smoke cleared and the frightened civilians were cleared of the field, a gentleman stepped forward and read off each casualty's name accompanied by one toll from a large bell. As each person's name was called, the reenactor portraying that individual stood and silently left the field. It was a moving spectacle to watch. It was a wonderful thing to participate in as well. The adrenaline that courses through your body, even though your brain knows it is just a reenactment and therefore not "real", is amazing. As gunshots are fired all around you, you cling tightly to your small child's hand while trying to keep a watchful eye on your other children as all are fleeing like frightened hens.... The spectators nearly vanish from view as you focus on that one clearing. The only path to escape all the noise and gunsmoke. Frightening, yes. Humbling, yes. Did every spectator "get it"? I would hazard to say no but there's always "that one person" who's intent upon making the reenactor "stumble". Ah well. For the rest of us who saw, knew, what it all meant, who knew why we were there, it was wonderful. All in all, Camp Jackson: The Tipping Point was a wonderful event.
Next meeting. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 17, 6:30pm, at The Art Store in Warrensburg. We will discuss period-style items to bring when you attend an event. What do I eat on, drink from, sit on, etc? If you have items already that you would like to show or would like confirmation on, please bring them with you! We'll also have a brief business-type meeting to discuss upcoming events that we would like to attend as a group. Please bring your calendars with you so you can check your schedule.
Edit to Add: Civil War Weekend at Heritage Village in Sharonville, OH, is May 21-22. If you would like to go with the group, please email your information to llhsjc @gmail.com before May 11. Registration fee is $5/person. There will be on-site camping for authentic camps only. Please email LLHSJC or visit Heritage Village for more information! We hope that you can join us at this fun, family-friendly event!
Saturday held an interesting line-up for the spectators. Usually, mainstream events will have two battles, a "ball", and various things in camp for visitors to view and possibly participate in. Camp Jackson did something a bit different. Saturday's "battle" was a reenactment of the civilian massacre that occurred May 10, 1861. For a very well done article written about this horrid event, please visit 8th Missouri Cavalry Regiment's blog and read the post written by CSA Brent. The reenactment turned out well, all things considered. The civilians taunted the soldiers. There was one man in particular who did an outstanding job at riling the civilians into cheers and jeers. General Lyon dismounted in an attempt to quiet the troops and calm the crowd. Unfortunately, his horse chose just that instant to kick him square in the head. Knocked unconscious, there was now no one in charge of the untrained troops. Without warning, a shot rang out from the crowd. Chaos was immediate as troops opened fire, causing further confusion among troops and civilians alike. Men and women scattered through the area frantically trying to escape the gunfire, while children clung to their mothers and tried desperately to keep up. In all, at least 28 civilians were murdered. Two were women, along with several children. After the smoke cleared and the frightened civilians were cleared of the field, a gentleman stepped forward and read off each casualty's name accompanied by one toll from a large bell. As each person's name was called, the reenactor portraying that individual stood and silently left the field. It was a moving spectacle to watch. It was a wonderful thing to participate in as well. The adrenaline that courses through your body, even though your brain knows it is just a reenactment and therefore not "real", is amazing. As gunshots are fired all around you, you cling tightly to your small child's hand while trying to keep a watchful eye on your other children as all are fleeing like frightened hens.... The spectators nearly vanish from view as you focus on that one clearing. The only path to escape all the noise and gunsmoke. Frightening, yes. Humbling, yes. Did every spectator "get it"? I would hazard to say no but there's always "that one person" who's intent upon making the reenactor "stumble". Ah well. For the rest of us who saw, knew, what it all meant, who knew why we were there, it was wonderful. All in all, Camp Jackson: The Tipping Point was a wonderful event.
Next meeting. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 17, 6:30pm, at The Art Store in Warrensburg. We will discuss period-style items to bring when you attend an event. What do I eat on, drink from, sit on, etc? If you have items already that you would like to show or would like confirmation on, please bring them with you! We'll also have a brief business-type meeting to discuss upcoming events that we would like to attend as a group. Please bring your calendars with you so you can check your schedule.
Edit to Add: Civil War Weekend at Heritage Village in Sharonville, OH, is May 21-22. If you would like to go with the group, please email your information to llhsjc @gmail.com before May 11. Registration fee is $5/person. There will be on-site camping for authentic camps only. Please email LLHSJC or visit Heritage Village for more information! We hope that you can join us at this fun, family-friendly event!
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