Civil War re-enacting

Ever been interested in the Civil War? How about the military from that era, or are you interested in just having a good time educating the public about that important period of American history?

Well, if you are Civil War re-enacting might be for you.

If you're wondering exactly what re-enacting is, it's where people dress in period clothing and act the way that people did back then to see what it was like at that time.

I'm talking about Civil War re-enacting because that's what I do and, believe me, it's fun with a capital "F."

The Civil War started April 12, 1861, around 4:30 a.m., with the firing on Fort Sumter. For the next four years, America was torn apart in the bloodiest war in American history.

There were about a thousand battles during the war. The most famous include the Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredricksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Chickmauga and Cold Harbor.

If you're interested in reliving this period of history, go to www.ncwv.org for details.

You can call Harry Ehrman at 885-0358 or 720-7216, or go to a re-enactment and you can sign up there.

We will be performing in Gardnerville's Heritage Park today and Sunday as part of the celebration of Gardnerville's 125th birthday.

We will perform at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. today and 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

So if you want to have a good time doing fun things and re-enacting history, give the Nevada Civil War Volunteers a chance and we'll help you get set up.

I hope to see you there, private.

Timeline

Feb. 9, 1861 - The Confederate States of America is formed with Jefferson Davis as president.

April 12, 1861 - At 4:30 a.m. Confederates under General Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, S.C. The Civil War begins.

Jan. 31 - President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1, calling for all United States naval and land forces to begin a general advance by Feb. 22, George Washington's birthday.

Sept. 17, 1862 - The bloodiest day in U.S. military history as Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Armies are stopped at Antietam in Maryland by McClellan and numerically superior Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. Lee then withdraws to Virginia.

Sept. 22, 1862 - Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves issued by President Lincoln.

Jan. 1, 1863 - President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and emphasizes the enlisting of black soldiers in the Union Army. The war to preserve the Union now becomes a revolutionary struggle for the abolition of slavery.

May 10, 1863 - The South suffers a huge blow as Stonewall Jackson dies from wounds, his last words, "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." "I have lost my right arm," Lee laments.

Nov. 8, 1864 - Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president, defeating Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln carries all but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes. "I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day's work will be to the lasting advantage, if not the very salvation, of the country," Lincoln tells supporters.

April 9, 1865 - Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Grant allows Rebel officers to keep their sidearms and permits soldiers to keep horses and mules. "After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources," Lee tells his troops.

April 15, 1865 - President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 a.m. Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency.

In May - Remaining Confederate forces surrender. The nation is reunited as the Civil War ends. More than 620,000 Americans died in the war, with disease killing twice as many as those lost in battle. 50,000 survivors return home as amputees.