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Old World Wisconsin and Lee's Final Retreat


A Union cavalry rider fires his black-powder revolver during a Civil War battle reenactment (photo courtesy of Loyd C. Heath)

It is April of 1865, and Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia fights for its life. Pushed out of Petersburg, they march and fight their way into central Virginia. The battle of Sailor's Creek sees 8,000 Confederates, including the bulk of the 32nd Virginia Infantry, surrender to Union troops. Yet, singly and in small groups, men not ready to give up on their cause fight to reunite with the rest of their army. Meanwhile the Union's Army of the Potomac, including the 5th Wisconsin Infantry, hungry for victory, has its blood up. They pursue their foe with zeal for they know that if they can beat Lee once and for all, the war will soon end and they can all go home. It's the ultimate game of cat and mouse.

On Saturday and Sunday, September 1-2, Old World Wisconsin and the Old Northwest Volunteers will re-create a small portion of that bitter week near the end of the Civil War. Follow Confederate soldiers as they desperately try to stay ahead of the pursuing Union forces while searching for food and the rest of their army. Follow Union troops as they pursue an enemy they know well. See the persistence of the Union troops pay off, if they can get around to the front.

Note to visitors: The times below are approximate. We ask the public to be aware of the living historians. They are well trained in safe use of black-powder weapons and working around the public, but we ask that you be careful not to interfere with their vignettes/skirmishes. Be aware of their location, and your own, for safety is all of our concern.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

  • 9:30-10:45 a.m., Crossroads Village — Confederate troops, who've escaped the bloody battle at Sailor's Creek (historically known as Sayler's Creek) and the surrender of General Richard Ewell's Confederate Corps, arrive at a town, hungry and beaten. They search for food while keeping an eye over their shoulders for the pursuing Union Army.
  • 10:45 a.m.-noon, Crossroads Village — Union forces occupy a Southern town and make plans to continue the pursuit of the retreating Rebel Army. Yankee soldiers, who for four years have seen the bayonet point of the Army of Northern Virginia, now begin to sense the victory they have longed for. They have one last task to perform before they can finally go home.
  • 11 a.m.-noon, German Area (Schulz Farm) — Remnants of the Confederate troops enter friendly territory. They stop for a brief respite at a farm owned by one of their own. Guards are posted and rations cooked. Some soldiers are reunited with their families. The brief tranquility abruptly ends when the Union pursuers attack again. The Confederates sprint to the woods in an attempt to escape.
  • Noon-2:30 p.m., German Area (Schulz Farm) — Pushing the Confederates out, Union forces again occupy homes of loyal Southerners. Spirits are high as the Yankees search for deserting rebels and fill their haversacks with contraband rations.
  • 12:45-3 p.m., Norwegian Area (Kvaale Farm) — Confederate soldiers and refugees meet at the Kvaale Farm. Nearby, Union soldiers — tired and knowing the war is all but over for them — will soon clash with those still hoping to grasp victory from the jaws of defeat. Confederate soldiers begin to desert while others hang on to the lost cause. Civilians search for answers. Again the relentless tide of Union blue arrives, and a determined fight breaks out on the farms and in the fields.
  • 3 p.m., Norwegian Area (Kvaale Farm) — After a brisk skirmish with Confederate forces, Union troops move to the Crossroads Village.
  • 4 p.m., Danish Area (Pedersen Farm) — Confederate forces bivouac for the night, prepare rations, patrol and establish picket posts.
  • 4 p.m., Crossroads Village — Union forces occupy the village and prepare to block the road so Confederate forces cannot escape. News of Lee's surrender fills the village. Union soldiers celebrate, but also realize they may still have a fight on their hands come morning.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

  • 10 a.m., Crossroads Village — Union forces wait behind their defensive works for Confederates to surrender or fight.
  • 10 a.m., Finnish Area (Rankinen Farm) — Union soldiers establish a picket post at the Rankinen Farm to protect the main body of soldiers camped in the village.
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Finnish Area (Rankinen Farm) — Confederates attack the Union picket post, taking prisoners and securing rations from captured federal haversacks. Rumors of Lee's surrender at Appomattox begin to filter through the Confederate ranks. Can it be true?
  • 1 p.m., Finnish Area (Rankinen Farm) — The main body of the Union Army receives word that their picket post at the Rankinen Farm is under attack. They march fom the Crossroads Village to the farm to provide support for their besieged comrades. Survivors of Antietam, Gettysburg and Petersburg prepare to face off one last time.
  • 1:30 p.m., Finnish Area (Rankinen Farm) — Realizing the overwhelming odds that now confront them, the Confederates finally decide to surrender.
  • 1:30-3:30 p.m., Crossroads Village — Union forces prepare for the officeal surrender. Confederate troops stack arms and sign their paroles. Soldiers no more, they begin the long walk home.
  • 3:30- 5 p.m., Throughout Old World Wisconsin — Singly and in pairs, the vanquished Confederates return to their homes, where they now pick up hoes and axes in preparation for a spring of peace and uncertainty.
  • 3:30-5 p.m., Crossroads Village — Union troops begin occupation duty. Drilling, guarding, pay call and other facets of the life of a soldier fill the village streets.

Other Activities During the Event

  • 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Crossroads Village (Caldwell Farmers' Club Hall) — Stop in and play the 19th-century parlor game, "The Checkered Game of Life." Developed in the early 1860s by game maker Milton Bradley, this game was a camp-time favorite for Union Soldiers during the Civil War. If you enjoy outdoor activities, then step outside and try your hand at "Graces" or "Hoops and Sticks," two popular games children enjoyed in the 19th century.
  • 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday only, Pleasant Ridge African American Area (Cemetery) — Hear fascinating stories of African Americans from the Pleasant Ridge community who served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Crossroads Village (Thomas General Store) — Enjoy the sweet sounds of the dulcimer, a traditional stringed instrument. Musician Rita Dow will perform a variety of favorite folk tunes from the Civil War period.

For complete details on admission, hours, a map, distances from various cities, and other information, see Old World Wisconsin's visitor information page. Veterans receive free admission throughout the weekend with proof of service.

:: Posted August 27, 2007
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