On the third weekend in September, the Civil War will be fought again in Belle Plaine.  On that weekend living history enthusiasts of the Civil War era will make Franklin Park their home.  These Civil War re-enactors dress as soldiers and civilians of the 1860’s.  They will set up camps, sleep in tents, and cook over open fires.  Several demonstrations of military and civilian life, during the Civil War, will be held on both days.  The highlight of both days will be a battle reenactment, where the boys of the blue and gray fight it out with muskets and cannon.  The re-enactors will use blank powder charges, so no real casualties will hopefully occur, however, the re-enactors take “hits” to simulate the casualties.  Surgeons will try to repair the damage done by shot and shell.

During the day various activities will be on going.  The soldiers will practice drill and the civilians will cook, and all are happy to answer questions from visitors.  If there is enough interest, a candlelight tour of the camps will be conducted.  A baseball game between the Yanks and the Rebs will also take place with 1860’s rules.  A dance is scheduled for Saturday evening and the public is invited to see and hear the music and dances of the era.

Sunday a non-denominational Christian worship service will be scheduled, and again, the public is welcome. The Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation hopes to continue this community event for many years.

The re-enactors wear clothing and uniforms that are exact replicas of originals found in museums across the country.  Most re-enactors take great care, and expense, to be as accurate as possible in their presentation of the era.  There will be two types of camps on each side of the Mason-Dixon line.  The campaign camps are demonstrations of what it was like for the soldiers on active campaign.  They sleep on the ground with only a single wool blanket and ground cloth.  At most, some will make a lean-to for shelter.  The other type of camp is the garrison camp.  Garrison camps included tents and some furniture.  These are the camps that the men set up when the armies stayed in an area for an extended period.  Sometimes women relatives would visit the men in camp and stay for a while.  The re-enactors try to use only materials and items common during the mid-nineteenth century.  The weapons and daily items are, again, exact replicas of the originals.

These students of Civil War history do what they do for varied reasons.  But all are interested in sharing their knowledge and educating the public about the Civil War.  They also wish to honor the men and women of that time (many were their ancestors), who sacrificed and showed an uncommon dedication in their beliefs and personal honor.  More Americans were killed in the Civil War, than in all of the other wars in our history combined.  This war between brothers defined the nation we live in today.  Out of the many, one nation was forged, and the sin of human bondage was swept away in its aftermath.

Come out for the day and experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Civil War era.  Step back in time and learn more on this crucial period in our history.  Refreshments will be available on site, and it is our hope that some sutlers (general merchandise vendors of the era) will be set up to sell their wares to re-enactors and the public.