THE FUN THINGS - THE BATTLE OF TEMPLE JUNCTION?

THE BATTLE OF TEMPLE JUNCTION

GUESS WHICH TENT WAS MINE? (CENTER)

After attending artillery school at Mansfield, LA, I dearly wanted to participate in the reenactment of the battle of Jefferson, TX.  There were only a few significant battles in Texas during the Civil War, and the next opportunity wouldn’t be until October at the reenactment of the battle of Hallsville.  However, certain unsympathetic persons obstructed that dream.  So, I thought I’d have to wait some eight months before putting my new found skills as an artilleryman to use.

Then I learned about the “Battle of Temple Junction” which was reenacted last month.  Those familiar with Civil War history may give me a puzzled look, scratch their head and ask, “Why haven’t I heard of the battle of ‘Temple Junction’ before?” 

BREAKFAST COOKING ON CAMPFIRE :`)

The truth is there was never a battle in or near Temple, Texas.  However, some folks in Temple wished there had been.  And since it’s nearly a five hour drive to Hallsville and further to Jefferson, they decided to reinvent their history.  It makes sense when you realize the value of living history and that it’s important for today’s generation to be able to connect with it while having some consideration for convenience and a little nod to creative license.

So, the city made arrangements with Cleburne’s Division to stage a reenactment of Civil War camp life and a scripted battle complete with infantry, cavalry and artillery.  It was a great excuse for about a hundred adult men (and some women) to dress up in period uniforms and bring their pistols, rifles, cannon and assorted camping gear out for a weekend of jolly good fun and camaraderie.  Many brought their spouses and children.  Assorted vendors, called “suttlers” to be more authentic, also came out to enjoy the occasion and make some money from their hobby.

 

USING A BLOWPIPE TO START SMOKEY FIRE

It reminded me of my days as a youth when the neighborhood boys would gather to play army or cowboys and indians.  We had cap guns and sometimes cowboy hats or even child sized military gear.  It was great fun play-fighting across the playground at school or in the lots and woods near our homes.  It was a little frustrating when the opposition was fairly shot and killed, but they refused to admit it and kept on shooting back and insisting that you were the one who had to pay dead.  It wasn’t much different here, only the toys were more realistic and a lot louder with plenty of smoke and noise.

Before each of the two days of battle, the “soldiers” could be seen lounging around camp preparing their weapons and uniforms and swapping chitchat and sage sounding advice with each other.  Loading the firearms is a bit different than for a real battle.  Actual bullets are forbidden since this is simulated warfare and the intent is to entertain and educate, not maim and kill.  Unfortunately there have been some accidents in the past where weapons were brought loaded and people were accidentally shot at the past reenactments.  So great care is taken to assure that live rounds are not used and only blanks are fired.  Reenactors are not even allowed to use ramrods to tamp down the black powder in their rifles and shotguns.  It has also happened that an errant ramrod has been left in the barrel and accidentally fired at some innocent reenactor. As a final precaution, weapons are fired away from or over the heads of the opposition and at a safe distance.

This is especially important in artillery.  A no-fire zone is established in the front of the cannon some fifty yards in front of the muzzle.  The muzzle blast of a blank charge from cannon like the six-pounder I crewed is so powerful that it can deafen, seriously maim or kill at close range.  More than once, reenactors from both sides wandered into our no-fire zone and we had to hold our fire and yell at them to be more careful.



LOADING A PISTOL WITH CORNMEAL INSTEAD OF BULLET

 

PREPARING FOR BATTLE



 

Crewing cannon is quite exciting, and I will write about that shortly, but the camp life can be just as interesting.



RIFLES AT REST BEFORE THE BATTLE



LINE DANCING ON SATURDAY NIGHT



We stayed in reproduction period tents.  So, the floor was dirt or grass (a tarp was laid on the ground if you were being fancy), there was no A/C, electricity or running water.  I slept simply on a folding cot with a sleeping bag and pillow.  Better equipped campers had clever knock-down wooden framed beds with real mattresses. Others has cleverly constructed folding wooden chairs and tables. Cooking was largely done on wood fires with many clever innovations used to prepare excellent food.  (I ate so well that I gained four pounds in just that weekend!)  Some campers brought coolers and camp stoves, but most were traditionalist.  One reenactor even apologized because he was using a butane lighter to start his campfire!  The city of Temple provided ample seasoned cord wood so we didn’t have to forage in the nearby woods.  (I was warned that chiggers abounded there, but actually found none.)

It was quite entertaining and educational to walk from tent to tent to see the various implements and camp furniture people had set up.  There was an endless variety of flag holders, rifle rests, pot hooks, grills and other implements.  It was a blacksmiths dream. There were also many folding wooden chairs, tables and other furniture.  Some were cleverly made from recycled wooden pallets.  Nearly all were sturdy, serviceable and period appropriate. I took many pictures with the thought of showing them to my blacksmith and cabinet maker friends.



THE BATTLE  (OR PART OF IT)





 The sutlers were also quite interesting.  The sold not only gear for the reenactors, but a broad variety of food and souvenirs for the curious public.  There were genuine Civil War artifacts, reproductions and lots of gizmos for children.  Food and drink was also abundant.  This however was more modern fare than period.  Not much market for hard tack and black coffee I suppose.  The sutlers were also a diverse and interesting crowd.  Some were reenactors or their spouses making a little extra to pay for their hobby. Some were enthusiasts buying and selling period items just as happy to talk about their collections as to sell them.  Others were simply business people drawn by the prospect of a crowd.



JAMES HORN'S 6 POUNDER CANNON IN ACTION



Among the most interesting side attractions was the band.  Playing period instruments and calling period dances they livened up the camp life on Saturday night with merry tunes and humorous anecdotes.  Young and old enjoyed Virginia reels, square dancing and line dancing.  The women looked beautiful in their long flowing dresses with bustles and the men were dashing in their uniforms and polished boots.  If you squinted just right, it was possible to imagine you were watching some antebellum gathering of southern elites.

Here and there you could also see a young girl with her hair tucked up under her cap or a plump grandma with a baggy military overcoat over her well endowed figure having just as much fun as the guys. Other women enjoyed their own company in the camp, cooking, chatting and chasing children about in a congenial atmosphere of the extended family of reenactors.



CAVALRY PAUSE WITH EARS RINGING AFTER CLOSE ENGAGEMENT



The battle was reenacted twice, one on the 21^st and again on the 22^nd.  Union and Confederate sides fought bravely each day, switching ends of the battle field for the respective battles to introduce some variety to the occasion.  I was triggerman for Captain Busters’ cannon and stayed put for the entire battle.  Between volleys, I watched the infantry and cavalry skirmish back and forth across the field.  Due to the relatively small number of participants, casualties were light until near the end of the battle.  Then whole ranks of soldiers dropped to the grass for the grand finale of the show.  It was clear the men were having just as much fun as nay boys playing army, perhaps more so.  Even the horses seemed to be enjoying the fun!  Few cared which side won and reenactors and audience alike had a fine time! 

 

HAND FORGED RIFLE REST



A CLEVER LID LIFTER FOR A DUTCH OVEN

Among the most interesting side attractions was the band.  Playing period instruments and calling period dances they livened up the camp life on Saturday night with merry tunes and humorous anecdotes.  Young and old enjoyed Virginia reels, square dancing and line dancing.  The women looked beautiful in their long flowing dresses with bustles and the men were dashing in their uniforms and polished boots.  If you squinted just right, it was possible to imagine you were watching some antebellum gathering of southern elites.

Here and there you could also see a young girl with her hair tucked up under her cap or a plump grandma with a baggy military overcoat over her well endowed figure having just as much fun as the guys. Other women enjoyed their own company in the camp, cooking, chatting and chasing children about in a congenial atmosphere of the extended family of reenactors.

The battle was reenacted twice, one on the 21^st and again on the 22^nd.  Union and Confederate sides fought bravely each day, switching ends of the battle field for the respective battles to introduce some variety to the occasion.  I was triggerman for Captain Busters’ cannon and stayed put for the entire battle.  Between volleys, I watched the infantry and cavalry skirmish back and forth across the field.  Due to the relatively small number of participants, casualties were light until near the end of the battle.  Then whole ranks of soldiers dropped to the grass for the grand finale of the show.  It was clear the men were having just as much fun as any boys playing army, perhaps more so.  Event he horses seemed to be enjoying the fun!  No one cared which side won and reenactors and audience alike had a fine time!

I look forward to the battle of Hallsville later this year and hope to write about that one too.