Morgan County recalls 'the Battle Between the States'
The tents were pitched, fires burning and soldiers were milling around the streets of McConnelsville during the 19th annual Civil War Encampment Days.
Visitors were given tours of the camp, shown the living quarters of the soldiers, the medical doctor's tent and shopped in the vendor's tents. Battles took place on the square and at "Doc" Richmond's farm. A Military Ball and Ladies Tea Party offered other glimpses into days gone by.
This year about 250 reenactors relived "the war between the states" as they camped in the field before their daily battles. Mary Ellen Van Horn, a member of the Byrnes Battery Company D, registered the reenactors and was happy reenactors came from as far away as Pennsylvania to take part in this year's event.
"We've had a lot of walk-ons so it's going to be a good year," she said. "We treat the reenactors well and we'd love them to come back again."
Assistant surgeon, Mike Wonski, of St. Clairsville, was busy in the medical tent. A blood-soaked cloth covered his table. Potions, powders and pills sat on the table along with saws, pliers and other frightening instruments. He attends the event he said, because "it's a lot of fun" but acknowledges the Civil War as a horrible time in history.
Matthew Barbee, of Eaglesport, sat quietly under a shade tree stirring a huge kettle of bean soup as the fire's smoke blew throughout the camp. He makes lead figurines of soldiers that were sold to visitors.
"Very few people know about the war, and I love telling them about it," he said. "I like teaching people about the war.
Chuck Dunlevy of Bishopville was serving with the 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He has been involved with the reenactments since he was three. He was sitting with a group of men around a campfire waiting for the day's battle to begin. All the reenactors were dressed in wool uniforms.
Visitors enjoyed the event and learned a valuable lesson about a war that divided the nation, in which brothers fought against brothers. The encampment brings history to life and makes learning fun.
"I like seeing the soldiers' guns," Jeremy "JJ" Johnson, 6, said. "I'd like to sleep in the tents and fight."
"Me too," chimed in his brother, Aaron, 4.
The family was driving through the town, saw the tents and decided to stop, said David Johnson of Florida. His wife, Marlene, said the boys would have a "fun history lesson without realize they were learning history."
Brian McKee, called the "head rebel" by history professor Mike Kline, started the event with Robert "Doc" Richmond and Richard Troup on the 125th anniversary of Morgan's Raid. The first battles were held at Rokeby Lock but the camp was in McConnelsville so soldiers were transported to the battles.
"We took them to the battlefield on sternwheelers," Brian said. "It was a good way to get them to sign up and it just grew from there. We've always made the reenactment fun so the women like to come."
The women were enjoying an old-fashioned tea party in the Riecker Building. Attendees were dressed in period clothing. Marlys Barbee, Amber Jones, Billie Hogan and Peg Reynolds were just a few of the women having tea and listening to a special presentation by Catlyn Warmke.
Catlyn told the crowd about life in the southwest with a little assistance from her grandmother, Annie Warmke. Catlyn became interested in life in the southwest when she received Josefina, an American Girl Doll.
Blacksmiths Scott Windsor of Zanesville and Loren Roper of Duncan Falls, were demonstrating in the Will McDaniel's Blacksmith Shop. The blacksmith was a necessary part of the war and traveled with the troops.
"Blacksmiths did everything, made kitchen tools, took care of horses and pulled teeth," Loren said.
After watching the hot coal forge billow smoke visitors walked up the street to get an ice-cold sarsaparilla from vendor Gary Dyer.
Granny Duncan's homemade lye soap might be just what the blacksmiths needed to remove the layers of smoke from their clothing and hands. She sold rose, sand, lavender and oatmeal lye soap because they were the four soaps that were made in the 1800s.
Mike and Stephanie Kline attended the event. Stephanie shopped while Mike sat under a shade tree.
"I think it's just a lot of fun to see all the people," he said as Stephanie showed him her purchase.
