Civil War Comes Alive at Gettysburg

The American Civil War started with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861. The war ended when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomatox Courthouse, Va., on April 9, 1865. It was the most devastating and deadly war ever fought on American soil. Its battles, heroes, and villains have been portrayed in books and films. History has been kept alive through accurate portrayals by reenactors all over the country.

The high water mark of the Civil War occurred in July 1863, when Lee decided to make a thrust into northern territory. He planned to attack deep into the heartland of Pennsylvania with seasoned troops and cavalry fresh from victories over Union forces in previous battles. Gen. Lee knew that time was on the Union side. For every dead or wounded Union soldier, the North could field two more. The supply of machinery, munitions, and manufactured goods was endless. The largely agricultural South depended on imports of goods and war material and had drawn from the strength of its young men with few reinforcements available to replace battle casualties.

The tactic was a good one. An attack on the state capitol at Harrisburg would shock the North. Many in the Union were turning sour on the war and wanted peace. Abraham Lincoln was having trouble keeping it popular with draft riots in major cities. To some it was called, “Mr. Lincoln’s War.” It was the only hope for the South, to cause the North to sue for peace that would include a divided nation.

The hope of confederate victory ended at Gettysburg, Penn., during a three-day battle waged from July 1–3, 1863. It proved to be the turning point in the war. It was the bloodiest battle of the war with 51,000 casualties, some 8,000 dead. On July 3, Lee commenced a bombardment with 170 cannons against Union lines formed across a wide field on Cemetery Ridge. The entrenched Union troops had the high ground and were protected behind stone fences. Unable to see in the smoke from so many cannons firing black powder, without the eyes of his trusted cavalry commander who disobeyed orders and was not on hand, the Gray Fox ordered an infantry charge against the Union position.

The summer temperature was 88 degrees and humid. The Confederates overshot their artillery targets in the smoke and when Union forces ceased firing their cannons to conserve powder and shot at about 2:30 p.m. Lee ordered the charge. Some 13,000 men advanced across the field about a mile toward Union emplacements. Union forces opened fire with cannons loaded with canister shot tearing the Confederate lines apart. Those few rebel troops that reached the wall were quickly overpowered and forced to fall back.

In heavy rain on July 4, 1863, Lee retreated with his surviving forces across the Potomac River. The high water mark of the Confederacy, that came within six miles of Harrisburg, receded. Lee escaped and the Civil War bled the nation out for two more years. The fate of the war, and thus the ultimate fate of American history, was played out on rolling hills of this bucolic Pennsylvania farmland.

Every year the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee stages a three-day event that recreates battles of the Civil War and conducts living history programs on private farmland. The National Park Service maintains nearby Gettysburg’s National Battlefield, the site of Pickett’s Charge and other skirmishes.

About 4 million visitors come to Gettysburg every year to visit sites of interest. The anniversary of the battle is always a special occasion with many activities for tourists. The three days of reenactment activities is a highlight especially as the sesquicentennial of the Civil War is underway.

“We’re celebrating the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg this year. The 150th anniversary events started in the whole region. It has increased interest in the Civil War as a whole. For us this is a small event this year. You can tell from the number of people attending how excited and interested they are. For the 150th anniversary event our reenactments will be five times the size of this year’s. Instead of 1,500 reenactors we will have 15,000. We have 22 cannons here; we’ll have to limit them to 150. We have 90 horses here and we’ll have to limit them for the 150th to 400,” Randy Phiel said. He spent his career with the National Park Service at Gettysburg. He is the Anniversary Committee’s director of Operations and one of its founders.

Attendance at the reenactment was put at 20,000. Organizers expect 60,000 over the three days for the 150th anniversary activities. The event was held on the Yingling farm. The motion picture “Gettysburg.” was shot there. The rolling hills, valley, and antique barn were reminiscent of the actual battlefield. The fields are in sight of Big and Little Roundtop, mountain rock outcroppings that played crucial roles during the battle.

“Our event is an all day family event. There are battles on the field. There are living history exhibits. We held a Civil War wedding. Visitors can go to the camps. We have sutlers that sell period costumes and unique articles. There are food vendors that offer food that can’t be obtained elsewhere,” Phiel said.

A delegation of South Koreans came to watch the events. They are part of a university program in South Korea that offers masters and doctorate degrees in event management. Phiel was invited to participate with them in South Korea and speak about event organization and management. The visitors were on hand to observe the programs first hand. A Make-a-Wish child was also a priority for the association’s charity.

Reenacting History

The living history section was replete with characters that looked, dressed, spoke, and discussed matters from the Victorian age. David Meisky from Springfield, Va., portrayed Brig. Gen. William “Extra Billy” Smith.

“Extra Billy was a lawyer living in Culpeper, Va. He organized a stage line from Washington, D.C., to Milledgeville, Ga., a distance of 654 miles. The stage would leave Washington for a three-day trip to Lynchburg, Va., then for the six-day trip to Milledgeville, at that time the capital of Georgia. He had a contract with the government to carry mail. The rates were to increase with the distance traveled and increased frequency on the routes. A senator made a speech about extra payments to Billy Smith. From then on he became known as ‘Extra Billy.’”

The general then nodded to an elegant woman seated next to him. “This is Miss Jessica,” he said courteously. “He’s my Dad,” Miss Jessica said, and smiled.

Gen. Maxey Gregg of South Carolina was portrayed by Tony Virando from Pasadena, Md. “General Gregg was the Third corps commander of Lieutenant General A.P. Hill,” he explained.

Bands were organized around Civil War era instruments. “This is a keyed bugle. It was invented in 1797, and made to play chromatic scales. This one was made in 1810,” Bob Meyers said. The bands follow actual organizations. The 46th Pennsylvania Regiment Band played many Civil War tunes and marched with reenactors during mock battles.

Organizing reenactments is a momentous undertaking. “We fed 800 reenactors yesterday. Many didn’t come to the tent for food. They like to stay in their encampments and cook their own over camp fires,” Phiel explained.

Events leading up to the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War are taking place around the country. Gettysburg’s sesquicentennial will take place in two years. In the meantime there is plenty to do and see in anticipation of the momentous event in a place that changed the history of the United States forever.

For more information visit the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee’s website at www.gettysburgreenactment.com.

Dr. John Christopher Fine is a marine biologist and expert in ocean and maritime affairs. He is a master scuba instructor and instructor trainer. He has authored 24 books illustrated with his photography.