Civil War re-enactors head to Montpelier

As most combat veterans know, just a small part of war is actually spent fighting the enemy.

The American Civil War was no exception. Although much of the emphasis and many of the writings related to the nation’s bloodiest conflict do concentrate on the horrific battles, there are many other interesting aspects to be learned.

Montpelier’s Summer Civil War Weekend offers a fascinating opportunity for visitors to see what soldier life was like between the battles. Beginning today and continuing through Sunday, visitors will have the opportunity to see Civil War re-enactors working on an authentically built encampment, conducting drills and weaponry demonstrations and much more.

The construction of the Civil War encampment has been an ongoing project spearheaded by re-enactors with the Third Regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia. It stands in approximately the same area as did the camps that were built and occupied by Confederate troops during the winters of 1863 and 1864.

Great pains have been taken to build the huts exactly as they would have been constructed during the Civil War. Visitors can watch soldiers working on the camp and see demonstrations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

A highlight of the three-day event will be a court martial at 3 p.m. Saturday behind the Montpelier mansion. This re-enactment will demonstrate accurately the procedures that were followed when Civil War soldiers were tried for crimes.

Montpelier’s Gilmore Cabin also will offer a unique learning experience to visitors. It was built in the early 1870s by George Gilmore, who had been a slave at James Madison’s estate.

The cabin and surrounding 16-acre farm provide an impression of how one African-American family lived after being freed. The cabin will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Jayne E. Blair will lead a tour of the cabin. She is a Civil War expert and senior guide at Montpelier and the author of the books “Tragedy at Montpelier: The Untold Story of Ten Confederate Deserters” and “The Essential Civil War: A Handbook of Battles, Armies, Navies and Commanders.”

Early risers will be rewarded for their efforts on Saturday and Sunday. They will be able to see a morning dress parade at the Old Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.

Following the dress parade on Saturday will be an infantry drill at 8:45 a.m. and a cavalry drill at 9:45 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., there will be an artillery drill. At 1 p.m., there will be a skirmish between Union and Confederate forces.

The 9 a.m. dress parade on Sunday will be followed at 10 a.m. by a Civil War-era worship service. Infantry, artillery and cavalry drills then will be conducted starting at 11 a.m. A skirmish will be held at 1 p.m.

“There will be plenty of opportunities for visitors to witness tactical and weaponry demonstrations,” said Col. Troy Fallin of the Third Regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia.

“During the skirmishes, visitors will see the time-consuming sequence required to fire a single rifle shot. They will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the team effort that it takes to load and fire a Civil War-era cannon.

“Finally, the cavalry members will demonstrate the critical role horses played on the battlefield.”

The sesquicentennial of the Civil War, which started this past spring, has brought the national tragedy back into focus for many Americans. The Summer Civil War Weekend at Montpelier is designed to give visitors a glimpse of elements of that war that are often overlooked.

“Visitors will experience many aspects of the Civil War in one visit,” said Beth Morrill, Montpelier media relations manager. “They can visit the camp to see how soldiers lived, and learn how surgeons treated injuries.

“A sutler will be on hand to assist anyone who would like to buy wares, such as clothing and canteens similar to those soldiers would have purchased 150 years ago. Civilian re-enactors will show visitors home-front crafts and chores.

“Guests can see how an emancipated slave family lived after the Civil War at the Gilmore Cabin. The wide range of activities makes Civil War Weekend the perfect way to introduce children to this critical period in history.”

Admission to events at the Old Visitor Center, Gilmore Cabin and Montpelier Civil War Camp are free. Attendees will receive a 35 percent discount on admission to the Madison Mansion and court martial re-enactment to be held at 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information and a full schedule of events visit www.montpelier.org.