I write about a variety of ways we cut expenses to manage during the current recession. Many of those things are mundane, some involve hard work, and a few are downright unpleasant. But that doesn't mean we don't have fun. In fact, we do have some truly memorable and exciting adventures. One of them began last year on 10/02/2010 when we went to watch reenactors recreate the historic civil war battle of Fort Crawford. A link to more information on that event is given below:
We watched in excited fascination as modern reenactors in period costume with reproduction small arms and cannon battled back and forth for several hours across the hilly fields of Bill and Ann Ainsworth's ranch. Over 500 reenactors entertained some 2000 visitors, and 1100 school children from four local school districts. The battles were truly dramatic with 19 cannons and about 50 cavalry. Infantry squared off in battle lines punctuated by the booming of cannon. Charges set in the ground and water simulated the fall of heavy munitions and acrid clouds of smoke from spent black powder drifted across the fields. There was even a horse drawn field ambulance that dashed about retrieving simulated wounded soldiers.
After the battle, we toured the reenactors' shops and camp, learning first-hand something of the rigors experienced and inventiveness exercised by those 19th century soldiers and camp followers. At the end of the tour we stopped to admire the artillery and were regaled by "Captain Buster" James Horn. He mixed history with anecdotes, his personal experiences and an invitation to join the activity to persuade us to come back for more.
So we did.
My daughter and I went last weekend to Mansfield State Historic Site near Mansfield, LA where Cleburn's Division were holding a mandatory artillery school. Using artillery in reenacting is actually significantly dangerous (and expensive) business. To use them in state parks, Louisiana requires reenanctors to be properly trained and certified to exacting standards. We went to take the training and learn more about reenacting. Since this is the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, it's become a major activity across the nation, even attracting international attention!
We arrived for the class on the morning of the 12th, and had a thorough lecture on safety and etiquette with some humor and cautionary tales thrown in. The park office's small auditorium was packed to overflowing with a group of primarily middle aged men with some women and youth. Most were in period clothing, the majority being a wide spectrum of Confederate military uniforms. The red kepis of artillery men dominated.
After the classroom lecture, there was a graphic demonstration of the potential hazards of loading and firing cannon. A cannon was set up in the large open field before the park office and the trainees made a wide semicircle behind the cannon. A heavy steel T-post was driven deep into the ground before the cannon muzzle. A thick, fire-resistant glove was stuffed with a raw chicken, one piece of which was placed on the touch hole of the cannon. The glove was then securely tied to the post. The cannon was loaded, and after a dramatic pause and a stern warning, was fired point blank at the glove with a charge of about 1 3/4 lbs black powder and no projectiles.
After the roar faded and the smoke cleared, the bare T-post was visible, burned and bent like a bow by the blast. Eager onlookers spread out on the field and retrieved small, charred fragments of the glove that smelled strongly of burned saltpeter. No trace of the chicken was found. It had evaporated! The piece on the touch hole had been badly blackened and burned too by the hot gasses spewing from that small orifice. This is what would happen to a hand carelessly placed in front of or on top of the cannon when it is discharged. Since a single serious injury could shut down an event, not to mention cripple or kill a participant, they are to be strictly avoided.
For the rest of the morning we trained on how to load and fire a muzzle loading cannon. Without actually using any ammunition, we cycled through the seven positions required to service the cannon. The details of this training can be found at the Cleburn Division website:
Loading and firing a cannon was much more complicated than I had imagined. It takes real teamwork to carry it out correctly and safely. My daughter enjoyed it and bragged about the experience to her friends who had declined to come with us. Some of them regretted missing the unique opportunity! I can scarcely imagine the discipline needed to carry out that routine under fire during the chaos of a real battle.
Afterwards we spent the afternoon resting and then enjoyed some lively recreation around the campfire after dark. The reenactors gathered to sing songs, exchange stories and enjoy good food and drink. It was a little bawdy for my teenage daughter, who tuned out a good portion with her ipod. There was a full spectrum of people and no lack of colorful opinions. All was exchanged in good humor with southern hospitality and generosity on full display. It was about as close to period camp life as one could hope for.
We spent a very cool night in a walled tent provided by our host. Even a modern propane heater didn't completely chase the late winter chill away. As I lay in the cold darkness my thoughts went to the museum displays of artifacts and letters from those who had battled here over a century before. Many of those who died in the battle of Mansfield are still buried here. It was a privilege to stay on that hallowed ground and be in the presence of brave and selfless men who had fought for their principles under such terrible conditions. The loss to our nation of such good men and material was tragic and the personal losses were grievous beyond measure. I hope that preserving the memory of such events preserves for future generations such good as resulted from that titanic struggle.
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