Old Clinton War Days Reenactment 2016

I am actually on the advertisement. Behind and to the right of Georgia State Flag. This picture was taken last year at the 2015 event. We were marching to the Memorial Service that was held at the church in Clinton, GA.

The Fall of the Rebellion, Mansfield Louisiana

This past month I was able to witness the surrender of Confederate Forces in the State of Louisiana. In April, Lee had surrendered in Virginia. Johnston in North Carolina likewise capitulated. Jefferson Davis was captured in Georgia. In May, rumors had spread that the war was over yet, General Edmund Kirby Smith was consolidating his troops in Shreveport to continue the fight. He made a fatal error by transferring his headquarters to Houston Texas and not telling anyone.
The troops being asked to continue on, and the're commander in a "skedaddle," rumors began to fly that they were abandonded and left to fight on. Full scale mutiny was in effect in several units all over the state. Most men simply just went home.
There were, however a few units that officially surrendered to U.S. authorities in an orderly fashion. One brigade of Infantry actually stacked arms and surrendered in Shreveport. This is a representation of how a surrender was handled.

Union Soldiers prepare for the surrender.

After Lincoln was assasinated, miniature posters and hand cards like this were

printed and desplayed in mourning. Some Union Soldiers pined this to there jackets or stuck them in their hats.

The Confederate soldiers are presented to the Union commander. The order to stack arms is given.

Confederate soldiers remove all "items of war." Government issued Cartridge and cap boxes.
Bayonets, and rifles. The soldiers bedroll, haversack, clotheing and personal items are retained by them. It was not unheard of to see an old haversack being used several years after the war by a farmer as he picked his crops.

the Union officer asks the Confederates to raise their right hand and repeat the oath of allegiance to the United States Govenrment.

Once the oath is administered, The former soldiers line up to sign their names and recieve a parole. The parole was essentially a piece of paper stating that the person has surrendered and promises to go home and not take up arms again.

The Soldiers who refused to take the oath were removed from the formation and placed under guard. Later these men would be sent to prison.

Along with the parole is a nice tasty hardtack bisquit that you can either eat now or throw away later.

Old Clinton War Days 2015 Reenactment

On the first weekend of May I had the privilege of taking part in Old Clinton War Days in Clinton Georgia. The town is more of a community than anything else. Located right outside of Gray Georgia on Hwy 129.
The event is held every year to commemorate the Battles of Griswoldville Nov 22nd 1864 and Sunshine Church Nov 20th 1864. Both battles were Union victories and resulted in the destruction of both towns.
Griswoldville was founded in 1850 and was located on the railway linking Macon to Savannah.They also had a factory that was originally a cotton gin. During the war it was retooled to manufacture pistols. This made the town a prime target.
Clinton was the county seat for Jones county and was founded in 1808. In the mid 1800's the town was one of the most populace cities in the state. It was the center of commerce and the cotton trade in the area.

The final charge.... This represented the final charge at the battle of Griswoldville.

Members of the 53rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry Reenactment group

Newly Minted Corporal Harris.

150th Anniversary Battle of Sandersville Ga. In Pictures.

On Friday, 7th of November, I drove up to Sandersville, Georgia for the 150th Anniversary reenactment of Sherman's Capture of Sandersville. The town was just one of many to fall in the path of the invading Union Army on its way to the sea.
For me, and everyone else who participated in the next 20 hours, this was as close to the actual real life experience as we could get.
After arriving on the grounds of Forest Grove Plantation, the property where the camps and Sundays reenactment where to be held, I quickly found my unit and got dressed out. This was my first time portraying Federal Soldiers and it was a very memorable experience.
We had supper and drew our gear, after we had accountability of who was going to participate in the next portion of the event he stepped off. The camp site we were at was on the west side of town. For the mornings battle we had to be coming from the east side. So, that night we caught a shuttle ride over to a small field with a grove of pines and camped the night on our rifles braving the fall weather. We had brought blankets and made some small fires. This was as bare bones as it could possibly be. After a very cold and uncomfortable night we formed up just as the sun broke the morning sky at around 6am. We went straight into battle line and right into the battle.
We were approximately two miles from the city limits and marched and fought all the way to the courthouse square. I was told that we followed the exact route that Shermans Army took as they entered the town 150 years ago. We fought down streets and suburbs shooting at the retreating rebels as they went much to the suprise of the towns folk. One instances we fought right through someones back yard and captured an artillery battery.
By 10am we were inside the city limits and less than a half mile from the courthouse. After a small break we were on the march again. The majority of the spectators were at the courthouse waiting for the final push. They were not disappointed. The Union Army came into the courthouse square thick as Georgia mud. It looked as if the river itself had broke the banks and washed down the street because of the amount of blue that was present. The stalwart Confederates held their lines as best as they could, but the rush of union blue was too much. Slowly but surely they were beaten back and one by one the defenders died a heroic death. by 10:30am it was over. General William T. Sherman read his address to the town of Sandersville placing it under martial law. It was truly a unique event.

Sundays event was at the Forest Grove Plantation. It involved a more balanced force on force demonstration. There were Artillery, Cavalry, and Infantry on the field. Sundays battle saw me wearing the gray again. I believe that the spectators enjoyed the show. Many people who were present have never been to a Civil War Reenactment. Most people who would like to come are turned off by the fact that most events are held further up north. Events like Sandersville, and the Old Clinton War Days from earlier this year, are a perfect opportunity for local people to witness something truly spectacular.

Two miles out from the city limits and already in battle.

Fighting through someones pack yard.

Infantry skirmishing with Confederate Cavalry.

"Captured" Reenactors taking it easy in the cold early morning.

Members of an artillery battery.

Taking a water break on the march to Sandersville.

Me in Union impression.

General William T. Sherman reads his address to the town of Sandersville.

General Sherman.

A small "hurry up and wait" moment before Saturdays battle.

 These last few pictures were provided from fellow reenactors facebook pages and image search of the event.

A very "sore" me stepping out my tent. I don't do well with cold weather.

150th Battle of Sandersville, Ga

The Seventeenth Corp crossing the Ogechee River in Georgia

The following is from the 150thsandersville.org website.

 Spectator Information

Admission

Admission	$5.00
Children 6 and under:	Free
Event Parking:	Free

All admission tickets are purchased at the gate. No advance ticket purchases are available.

All money collected on behalf of this reenactment is considered a donation and is not refundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Parking

• Spectator parking will be available. Follow the event signs to Spectator Parking.
• Handicapped parking will be available next to the battlefield site.
• Shuttle service will be provided from Spectator Parking to the battlefield site.

General

• Camps open to the public from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
• Saturday troops will enter Sandersville around 10:00 a.m.
• Please note that multiple streets will be closed on Saturday morning entering Sandersville along Ga. Hwy 24 and in downtown for the safety of the reenactors as they skirmish and fight in the streets.
• Sunday battle begins at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Grove Plantation.  Allow time to park and walk to the battlefield.
• This is an outdoor event during November, so dress appropriately.
• Food vendors will be available on site.
• No seating will be provided.  You may bring lawn chairs, portable stadium chairs, or blankets.
• Please keep in mind that the battlefield terrain may be difficult for some to traverse.

Pets

• Pets are not allowed.
• Service dogs will be allowed.

Inclement Weather

• The event will be held rain or shine! The battles may be delayed while lightning is in the area, but the battles will begin as soon as possible.

Below are events for spectators to attend during the weekend event.

Thursday Nov. 6: 2:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.- Brown House Museum open for Art Exhibit

                                 6:00 p.m. – 9 p.m.- Registration for Reenactors at Forest Grove Plantation

Friday Nov. 7:      9:oo a.m. – 11:00 p.m. -Registration for Reenactors at Forest Grove Plantation

                                9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.- Tours of Brown House by School groups -NOW CLOSED

                                2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. -Brown House Museum open for Art Exhibit

Saturday Nov. 8: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.- Registration for Reenactors at Forest Grove Plantation

                               9:15 a.m.- 97th Regimental String Band play on Courthouse Square

                               10:00 a.m. - Skirmish on Court House Square

                               10:30 a.m.: Narrations/Vignettes

• Rev. J.D.  Anthony
• Ella Mitchell
•  Soldiers’ Letters
• Wife of soldier buried in cemetery
•  Sherman read orders
• Honorary reading names of African American soldiers who served in the Civil War

                               11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Events at Brown House Museum

•  Visit Sherman’s headquarters
•  Civil War Art Exhibit
•  Tours by Brown Family
•  Period Living History Demonstrations

                               8:00 p.m.-11:00 PM - Blue/Gray Ball at Forest Grove Plantation

• Renactors attend for free
• Public: $10 per person, children are welcome,  under 6 free.

**   Period costumes or Business Casual to Formal attire required **

Sunday Nov. 9:  2:00 p.m. - Reenactment at Forest Grove Plantation

Gates open to public at 10:00 a.m.

Spectators are welcome to visit Union and Confederate camps

• Camps open to spectators 10:30 a.m.
• Camps close to spectators 12:30 p.m.
• $5 per person, children under 6 attend for free
• Battle begins at 2:00 p.m.
• Closed to public at 4:00 p.m.

Andersonville Ga Living History Event

Monument to Maj. Henry Wirz, commandant of Camp Sumter

The National Park Service has been having "First Saturday Programs" this whole year. This past weekend I was in Andersonville with the Georgia Volunteer Battalion for the town of Andersonville's Civil War Weekend. October 4th and 5th. Everyone had a good time.

Pvt Harris accompanying Capt. Groce.

The Historic Town Of Andersonville.

A group of outlaws rob the General Store

Lawmen appear.....

Then a gunfight.....

All military pics taken by Becky Maddox.