2009 Rich Mountain Reenactment
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2009 Rich Mountain Reenactment |
Beverly, WV—One hundred forty eight years ago, the mountains of western Virginia became home to troops moving in to help secure roadways and railways for the Union cause. Traveling by foot and wagon, patriotic men of the North left their homes and families to take up for the preservation of the Union. Southern “aggressors” moved into these mountains to fight for their belief in states rights and independence of Northern politics. Rich Mountain, located in the heart of what is now the state of West Virginia, was one such location where North and South met in July of 1861 on the field of battle to make their passions for the cause known.
The Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation and the West Virginia Reenactors Association invite the public to join in this year’s commemorative Battle of Rich Mountain Civil War Reenactment, Saturday July 10th and Sunday July 11th. Camps open to the public at 10am each day and visitors to the site can explore a soldier’s life in camp along with demonstrations of company drills, weaponry, cavalry skills and cannon fire. Ladies and girls can join in a traditional camp tea at 2pm. The tea will feature traditional readings, and refreshments and a sewing activity. Guided camp tours and living history will take place throughout the day. Guides will depart from Field of Fire Park. The Saturday skirmish will take place at approximately 3pm at the Field of Fire Park section of the Battlefield grounds. This skirmish will be situated along the historic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Route, the same scenario of the original days leading up to the battle.
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Saturday’s showcase event is the traditional Rich Mountain Benefit Auction of Civil War Memorabilia. This event raises much needed funds for battlefield preservation of the site. Some of the items on the auction block include an 1862 NCO sword and scabbard, several carte-de-viste images, civil war era postal envelope from Beverly, VA, Civil War maps for Rich Mountain from the Official Records, several Civil war themed books including a first edition of The Flying Gray Haired Yank (1888), a signed-in-ink copy of the Acts of the General Assembly of VA, 1853-4, Civil War reunion ribbons, and engravings of Generals Rosecrans and Lander. “RMBF is proud to host this auction. Our team has put a lot of time and research into the items listed in this auction. The proceeds benefit the upkeep and operations of the site. It’s a very important piece of the Reenactment weekend because it goes directly to the upkeep of the site—our primary mission.”
Camps close to the public at 5pm but evening activities continue on Saturday to include a chicken BBQ at the pavilion (limited numbers available to the public) and a good ‘ole fashioned camp dance. The dance will begin at 8pm and will feature the Rich Mountain String Band providing music and dance calling. The public is invited to attend. “This dance is a great way to really interact with the reenactors. No advance knowledge of the traditional dances is needed, they will help you find your way through the steps, and period attire is not required.”
Sunday morning activities resume at 10am when the camps reopen to the public and a Civil War era church service commences at 11am. The public is welcome to attend. Dress parade for the Battle of Rich Mountain begins at 12:30 as the soldiers make way to the battleground for a soldiers memorial followed by the battle at 1:30pm. Following the battle, camps will close to the public.
The Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation is a non-profit
devoted to the preservation of the Rich Mountain Battlefield Civil War site. The
Foundation was formed in 1991 as a grassroots effort to save the then-endangered
site. With over 500 members world wide, RMBF is the largest non-profit
battlefield preservation organization in the state, with over 400 acres of
protected grounds and two historic buildings housing their offices in the town
of Beverly, WV. The Foundation is a primary partner in the Beverly Heritage
Center Museum Complex and also active in the West Virginia State Civil War Task
Force and with the Civil War Preservation Trust, the country’s largest
battlefield preservation organization. For more information on the reenactment
of the activities of the foundation, explore this website, call 304-637-RICH or
stop by the Beverly Heritage Center located at the corner of Court and Main
streets in Beverly, WV.