Highlights Archives
It's Civil War Weekend — September 29 & 30!
Wisconsin soldiers played a prominent role in one of the Civil War's most decisive campaigns — the road to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863. Now, 144 years later, the Union push to the Mississippi River fortress city will provide the scenario for the 17th annual Civil War Weekend encampment and battle re-enactment at Wade House on Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30. The 13 Wisconsin units' prominent role in these battles, which ultimately trapped the Confederates in Vicksburg and led to the capture of the city, makes the Wade House Civil War Weekend the ideal vehicle for re-creating the events which led to a major turning point in the Civil War.
New this year will be two full-scale battle scenarios each day of the event, with the second skirmish of the day a continuation of the first. The armies first meet in battle at 11 a.m. each day and follow up with a second clash at 2 p.m. In between battles, both sides will send out parties to remove the dead and wounded, care for the injured, communicate (parlay) with the enemy, and exchange prisoners.
In addition to the battles each day, visitors will discover many other aspects of a day in the life of a Civil War soldier. When the guns fall silent, visitors can stroll through the camps of the Union and Confederate troops to meet and mingle with living history re-enactors who know their Civil War history and enjoy talking about it. Visitors can also browse the tents of Civil War sutlers, itinerant merchants who shadowed troop movements to hawk their goods and services. The old adage, "an army travels on its stomach," still holds true today, and visitors won't have to look far to find a wide assortment of food and drink vendors offering everything from brats and burgers to root beer and sarsaparilla.
A wide variety of Civil War-related activities and demonstrations continue throughout both days of the event, and the other features of the historic site ranging from the working, water-powered Herrling sawmill to the Wesley Jung Carriage Museum provide a full slate of activities the entire family can enjoy. For complete details on admission, hours, a map and other information, see the Wade House Civil War Weekend visitor information page.
:: Posted September 24, 2007
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