A blog about reenacting and living history.
-
Charleston Gazette/AP: Fairmont markers join Civil War tourism trail
This was in today’s Charleston Gazette: Fairmont markers join Civil War tourism trail Five markers in Fairmont commemorating the city’s Civil War roots have been added to a state tourism trail. By The Associated Press FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Five markers in Fairmont commemorating the city’s Civil War roots have been added to a state tourism trail.…
-
Battle of Blakeley, Alabama Reenactment
The following is a dispatch from a correspondent, Hugh Glasgow, regarding the reenactment of the Battle of Blakeley, Alabama. The actual battle took place from April 2-9, 1865 and was, according to Wikipedia, ” the last combined-force battle of the war” (naval and ground forces.) Union Maj. General Edward Canby, commanding the XVII and XIII…
-
Upcoming Event: Battle of Rowlesburg and Jones-Imboden Raid Reenactment
When: May 1 – 3, 2009 Where: Rowlesburg, WV A reenactment of the Jones-Imboden Raid in Rowlesburg, WV, when General W.E. “Grumble” Jones led an attack on the town to destroy the vital B&O Railroad bridge and the famous Tray Run Viaduct. Union forces under the command of General Charles Hill defended the town with…
-
Hurricane Civil War Event
On the weekend of March 28th and 29th, I travelled to the Charleston, WV area to attend the annual reenactment of the Battles of Hurricane Bridge and Scary Creek. I didn’t camp due to the weather (cold and rainy) and the continuing health problems which have plagued me since last fall. Much thanks to Bill…
-
Military Through the Ages – 2009
On the weekend of March 21-22, I journeyed down to Jamestown, VA for the annual Military Through the Ages event. In a year of firsts, this was a first-time event for me. For anyone who isn’t familiar with MTA, it is an annual timeline event held at the Jamestown Visitor’s Center. Participants have to be…
-
Gallery: Military Through the Ages 2009
Photos from the Military Through The Ages event in Jamestown, VA (March 21-22, 2009).
-
Gallery: WWII Living History & Reenacting
Various and sundry pictures from reenactments and living history events.
-
Group Fights Plan to Build Incinerator Near Monocacy Battlefield
We just received this email from Ms. Mary Posey, regarding a bill to stop the building of a large incinerator near the Monocacy Battlefield in Frederick County MD. It sounds like it could have a negative on a small, yet important Civil War site. March 31st at 1PM! If you can’t attend, please email the…
-
Hurricane Bridge and Scary Creek Weekend Article
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…
-
McCormick Museum seeks WWII / 1950s womens baseball reenactors for demonstration game at June 2009 event Share
I got this from Stacy Roth-Niemiec. Sounds interesting: Hi everyone Im looking for two teams who reenact the All American Girls Professional Baseball League of the 1940s and 50s. We would like to host a demonstration baseball game here in June. I am having no luck finding teams and so am reaching out quite broadly.…
-
Civil War reenactment causing division
From Appleton, Wisconsin,(Courtesy of WLUK-TV Channel 11) March 12, 2009: Reporter: Evan Perrault APPLETON – It’s a war that divided the nation, now it seems to be dividing parents and administrators in the Appleton School District. “Hopefully we can get people to change their minds,” said Theresa Kersten. “This is 20 minutes of a living…
-
Upcoming Event: Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern in Heathsville, Virginia
We received this communique this morning. All time periods are welcome! I am writing to see if I can post an invitation to single or an organization who would like to attend a living history weekend at Rice’s Hotel / Hughlett’s Tavern in Heathsville Virginia. I have had Civil War Reenactors there for the last…
-
Jefferson Davis Reenactor is Laid to Rest
Submitted by Bill Donegan -March 12, 2009: Friends: I can report that Mr. Cliff Howard, a/k/a President Jefferson Davis, was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon at the Lexington (Ky.) Cemetery, with proper military honors. A decent contingent of living historians was present. Upon arrival of the funeral cortege from the church service, Mr. Howard was…
-
Upcoming Event: WWII Eastern Front Event in Alabama
This just in from the 197th Guards. It looks like a good one for the guys in the Southern region. Check out the list of vehicles at the bottom: Operation Winters Storm April 17, 18 & 19, 2009 Eastern Front Florala, AL WebSite: http://sites.google.com/site/197thguard/Home/events/WinterStorm Registration: $20 This includes a Saturday night meal. “Last year’s attendance…
-
Hitler rants about Allied Reenactors
Probably a lot of you have seen this on Youtube, but it is still funny (to reenactors especially!). Hitler rants about Allied Reenactors By the way, this clip is from a great movie called “Downfall,” which is about Hitler’s last days and was released in Germany a few years ago amid much controversy. Available from…
-
Parkersburg News and Sentinel: Civil War reenactors living history
Civil War reenactors received some coverage in the Parkersburg newspaper on Thursday: Civil War reenactors living history By PAMELA BRUST, pbrust@newsandsentinel.com POSTED: March 5, 2009 PARKERSBURG – Although many are already ardent students of Civil War history, reenactors say they continue to learn new things everyday, and that, combined with the camaraderie among their fellow…
-
Passion for the Past: Last Mourner for Lincoln
A post on Passion for the Past today shared an anecdote about reenacting from a child’s perspective. My daughter, Rosalia, at her current age of 8, has been involved in living history since she was 3. She doesn’t remember not reenacting. And she realizes that reenacting is when we pretend to be living in the…
-
Sons of Union Veterans Recognize Eagle Scout
From Matt Gillespie: Eagle Scout Recognized Jonathan Slaughter Receives Certificate From Buckhannon Camp #49 Boy Scout Jonathan Slaughter, Troop 106 chartered to Sand Run Baptist Church, officially received his Eagle Scout Award at a ceremony held at BSA Camp Mahonegon in Upshur County, WV. Every scout who attains the rank of Eagle must lead a project…
-
Winter War – Newville February 2009
Last weekend, I once again braved the cold and journeyed to Newville, PA to the Great War Association site for the annual Winter battle to crush the fascist invaders of the Motherland. This is a regular event between the 193rd Rifle Division of the Worker’s and Peasant’s Red Army and Grossdeutschland Division. I’m not sure…
-
Civil War Reenactor Faces Felony Aggravated Assault Charges in MD
This was posted yesterday in The Evening Sun newspaper. Seems a little extreme for a situation that sounds like a bad joke that got out of hand. What do you think? Here’s what happened according to the story: from Felony charges refiled in re-enactor shooting By KATHARINE HARMON, The Evening Sun, 02/25/2009 On Aug. 3,The…
-
Event Notice – Odessa Eastern Front Event 09
There will be an East Front event held at the Odessa site on April 24-26, 2009. The event fee is $20.00. There will be no vendors, however there will be blank ammunition for sale. The hosts will be furnishing firewood and Porta-potties. Bring your own food and water. The ground will be too soft for…
-
Historic Village Restoration Threatened with Closure
The following is reprinted from the Plainview (NY)Â Old Bethpage Herald: County Cuts Threaten Local Closings Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Jeopardy of Closing By Denise Nash Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi last week addressed the county’s budget woes and outlined a plan to close an unexpected budget gap that could be as high as…
-
Division of Tourism Announces Civil War Trails Program
We just received the following announcement of interest to the Civil War community in West Virginia: West Virginia Civil War Trails The Division of Tourism is pleased to announce that it will be working with Civil War Trails Inc. to implement the Civil War Trails program in WV. Civil War Trails is an established, successful…
-
Book Review: War Games
About ten years ago, I read Tony Horowitz’s book, “Confederates in the Attic.” I remember it that at the time, some CW reenactors were upset at the book because they felt it made them look eccentric and a little silly. I didn’t think it was all that bad. After all, I know that I am…
-
Living History Pictures II – Pictures from FIG
Some photos from the Fort Indiantown Gap Battle of the Bulge weekend.
-
FIG weekend – 2009
Well, I finally made it to Fort Indiantown Gap for the Battle of the Bulge weekend. Its hard to believe that, after all these years of reenacting, I hadn’t been there before, but driving long distances in snow isn’t one of my favorite things, either. Bill and Linda Donegan generously offered to let me ride…
-
Arthurdale Heritage: 1940’s Valentine’s Day “Canteen Danceâ€
1940’s Valentine’s Day “Canteen Dance†On Valentine’s Day, Arthurdale Heritage will be hosting a 1940’s style dance; complete with the swing music from the Big Band era! WWII Reenactors in uniform very welcome! Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009 Time: 7-10 pm Arthurdale Center Hall, Arthurdale, WV Music provided by Freedom & Pride – DJ &…
-
Amazing Blend of Soviet WWII Historical Photos and Modern Day images
I came across these photos today on Warren Ellis’s blog (warrenellis.com) and was blown away. I’ve always wanted to do something like this, but these images are especially powerful. Ellis says that a fellow named Sergei Larenkov took old WW2 era photographs, went where they were originally shot – exactly – and then took a…
-
Movie Review – Gran Torino
You’re saying: “Why did he review this?” Smart assed Answer: It stars and is directed by Clint Eastwood. While that is the only reason that I need, there is more. Clint plays an aging Korean War veteran, Walt Kowalski, who is surrounded by people, family and otherwise, who fail to understand and appreciate him and…
-
28th Infantry Unit Meeting
On Sunday, January 11, I ventured out in the snow to the Pittsburgh area for a winter meeting of the 28th Infantry Division, 110th Infantry Reg. Company K. The primary focus of the meeting was to map out the schedule for the coming year. An agenda covering events from April through December, 2009 was mapped…
-
‘Defiance’ Movie Review
Last Saturday, I saw ‘Defiance’ at the Cinema here in Morgantown along with one of my sons and a fellow reenactor. It was money well spent. Daniel Craig (the latest James Bond) and Liev Schreiber head a talented cast in an intense and well-made film. They portray two of the four Bielski brothers, who set…
-
WVU Today: WVU Civil War historian lends expertise to battlefield preservation efforts
This was posted on the
-
AP: WVU to study contested Civil War site
The Associated Press is reporting that a West Virginia University class will be studying a Civil War site in the Eastern Panhandle. WVU to study contested Civil War site By the Associated Press January 12, 2009 SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – A West Virginia University history professor will produce a study on a Civil War battlefield that…
-
A Letter Home, November 1943
This is part two of an ongoing series by Lucy Albright. about her grandfather, Major Paul H Price, a WVU geology professor who went back into the military. – Ed. Following his commission in June of 1943, my grandfather was briefly stationed at several sites around the US prior to going overseas. One of his…
-
Movie Review: Valkryie
Alright, I went to Valkryie. I did so with some trepidation mostly due to the casting of Tom Cruise as Claus Von Stauffenberg. Also, I generally expect Hollywood to screw up historical subjects, so I was doubtful about this one. Oddly enough, I found that I actually enjoyed it.
-
Washington Post: Remains Of Union Soldier Found at Antietam
Mark Tennant sent me this information, which should be of interest to all Civil War Living Historians and history buffs. According to The Washington Post: A visitor who was walking the battlefield in mid-October, strayed off the Corn Field Trail and saw some bones on the ground that he later left at the visitors’ center.…
-
A Letter Home, June 7, 1944
This is part one of an ongoing series by Lucy Albright. about her grandfather, Major Paul H Price. He was a WVU geology professor who went back into the military. He got caught up in the Ardennes offensive in late 1944. Lucy will be sharing his letters and photos in a series of posts. –…
-
WWII Reenactor Shot and Killed by Seattle Police
I saw a reprint of this article in today’s local paper and looked it up on the The Seattle Times online. This was obviously a tragic occurrence for all involved. I felt this would be of interest to everyone who reads this blog. Police kill man dressed as German soldier in U-District Seattle police shot…
-
In Winter Quarters – Getting Your Kit Ready for Spring
Okay, the holidays are over and winter yawns before us. What to do with all that time? Freeze your butt off outside? Not me. After you repair your tent loops and replace the glass in that candle lantern, how about working on improving your impression before spring gets here? I submit for your consideration, a…
-
General Meade’s Birthday Party – Attention to Orders
This notice just came in today. Especially interesting for Civil War Reenactors in the Philadelphia area. GENERAL MEADE’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION & NEW YEAR’S TOAST The annual General Meade Birthday Celebration will mark the 193rd anniversary of the birth of General George G. Meade, commander of the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. A parade…
-
Review: The Battle of Shaker Heights
I recently rented a movie titled “The Battle of Shaker Heights” which I had heard was about reenactors. As most of us know, movie companies use reenactors in their productions, but actually making movies which feature reenacting as part of the plot is a fairly recent development. So, I was curious to see what this…
-
IE Problems
We still seem to be experiencing problems with our site on Internet Explorer. We are working to fix this. In the meantime, you may need to use a different browser to see the blog. Thank you for your patience.
-
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to one and all!
-
Night of the Generals
This just in: One of our correspondents has just returned from a meeting of the Union command which may effect the outcome of the current struggle in which our great nation finds itself embroiled. I submit the following for your consideration and edification. J. Barnes Editor-in-Chief Greetings one and all! Here is my report as…
-
21st Century Abe: Finding Abe
We recently received the following communication regarding a new project involving a subject of interest to living historians in general and Civil War living historians in particular: Abraham Lincoln is turning 200 in February, and we want you to celebrate his bicentennial with us! My name is Alexis Lerro and I work for a company…