Here is an article regarding the upcoming Civil War event in Putnam County this coming weekend. From the Putnam Standard Newspaper:
Civil War weekend brings in re-enactors from everywhere
Carolyn Harmon
reporter
CULLODEN – Re-enactors will provide a close account of a couple of the battles of our country’s Civil War at the 12th Annual Civil War weekend.
The event’s Overall Commander Kevin Skaggs, of Charleston, has been involved in the weekend since day one and is in charge of both the federal and confederate armies’ battle scenarios. He has been a re-enactor for about 15 years, spurred by playing in Fayetteville Civil War trenches as a kid.
Fayetteville has an enormous amount of Civil War history, Skaggs said. Two forts built during the Civil War still exist, with trenches around them. Back in the 60s he and other kids liked playing army in them while collecting artifacts, such as buttons and artillery balls.
Skaggs was unaware of Civil War re-enactors until he saw the movie “Gettsyburg,” wherein the credits revealed different reenactor units that contributed to the movie.
Shortly after, Skaggs discovered a Civil War re-enactment was taking place at Carnifax Ferry Battlefield State Park in Summersville. He attended that event and went to another at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, in Hillsboro. Skaggs decided he had to try it out.
“I’m not a great actor and never claimed to be,” Skaggs said. “I have a love of a history.
“But reading a history book is about as dry and boring a reading as you can get. But when you come to a Civil War reenactment, you hear the guns, smell the gunpowder, see the white smoke, and touch the weapons. Suddenly history is physical – it is alive.”
While the number of re-enactors, about 300, is greatly diminished from the original battles, the goal is to be as accurate as possible. Most will be dressed in 1860s motif, which they purchase themselves. Skaggs is a member of the First Regiment (West) Virginia Volunteer Infantry – Company “A,” of Buchanan, which is part of a 33-unit national organization of Civil War re-enactors, West Virginia Reenactors Association, over which he is the Lt. Col. His and other units will partake in two spectator battles. The battles usually last from 30 to 45 minutes.
“Before the battles, I’ll go over each scenario with the officers for each army,” Skaggs said. “Generally, I like to ask for any suggestions that might improve it, so the spectators get a better idea and it makes it more enjoyable for them.”
Sometimes Skaggs is part of the battle and sometimes he is off to the side making sure things are running smoothly. With artillery that can weigh up to 3,000 pounds, horses, and costumes, Skaggs also keeps an eye on the safety issues.
“If I see something that’s unsafe I will shut the thing down in a heartbeat,” Skaggs said. “My opinion of a successful event is one where everyone goes home with all of their eyes, ears, and fingers working. Everything else above that is gravy.”
In addition to the re-enacting, Skaggs is especially excited about the H.L. Hunley Mobile Exhibit (the world’s first successful combat submarine) that will be on exhibit the entire weekend.
“It is the first successful submarine that sank another vessel,” Skaggs said. “They’re bringing in a full size replica, including artifacts. It’s a whole lot closer for me to go to Hurricane than to Charleston, S.C., where the original Hunley is displayed.”
The 12th Annual Civil War weekend at Valley Park will take place Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29. For additional information, call 304.562.0518 Ext. 3 or 4 or visit www.putnamcounty.org/tourism.
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