Text and Photos
By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews
NAPPANEE — The 7th Indiana Light Artillery, one of the region’s most active Civil War re-enactment organizations, is hosting the fourth annual Nappanee Civil War Days this weekend, Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, at the Power from the Past showgrounds, just north of The Barns, 1600 W. Market St., Nappanee. The event is open until 10 p.m. Saturday, June 8 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Admission is $7 per person but children under seven years old can enter free of charge. A map of the grounds is provided once admission is paid.
The weekend is jam packed with era-accurate activities, such as pottery making, woodworking, blacksmithing demonstrations, skillet toss, cannon ball toss and of course, Civil War battle re-enactments. There is also plenty of era food options to enjoy, such as turkey noodle soup, sweet potato pie and squash pie but there is also some classic fair favorites, such as pizza, elephant ears and lemon shake-ups.
“None of us, in this current lifetime, could ever possibly know, or even imagine, what it was like to be immersed in the long ago, bitterly raucous conflict between the States, known as the American Civil War,” Amy Lant-Wegner, secretary of Wakarusa Historical Society, wrote in a press release marketing the event. “But thanks to the tireless efforts of a veritable nation of historical enthusiast, there is an opportunity to witness a glimpse of the soldiers in a faithful depiction of a Civil War battle, a chance to observe, in real time the way the young men lives and in far too often scenarios, how they died.”
On the stage, musicians fill the air with their melodies. Saturday musical talent included Crystal River Band, Mike Hemmelgran, Full Measure, Mark Gaut and Heartland Cloggers. President Abraham Lincoln, General and President Ulysses S. Grant and General Robert E. Lee also made appearance on the stage to give a speech.
For the kids, there are hay rides, games, scavenger hunt, Civil War museum and train rides. There is something to enjoy for the whole family, whether that is the history itself, the music, delicious food or interesting demonstration. Taking a step onto the showgrounds is taking a step back into history.
Saturday, June 8 will close out with a fireworks show at 10:30 p.m. The grounds will open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 for more period accurate fun. On the stage, on Sunday, the National Anthem will play at 9:45 a.m. Mike Hemmelgran will perform at 10 a.m., followed by Mark Gaut at 10:30 a.m. and Hemmelgran will take the stage again at 11:30 a.m.
On the grounds, a church service will begin at 10 a.m. Following will be the ladies’ skillet toss at 11 a.m., men’s cannonball toss at 11 a.m. and a Civil War battle at 1 p.m. Both days there will be pottery making, woodworking, period music, train rides, blacksmith demonstrations, encampment, pewter craftsman, food and sutlers, Civil War museum, period-accurate kid games, saloon with music and treats, scavenger hunt and hay rides.
Each year, event coordinators select a specific battle to highlight and this year is the Battle of Cedar Creek. The Battle of Cedar Creek was fought on October 19, 1864 in the Shenandoah Valley of northern Virginia. The Union was led by Major General Philip Sheridan and the Confederate by Major General Jubal Early. Early attempted a surprise attack, driving three Union corps from the field. As Early and his men paused to reorganize, Sheridan rallied his troops and launched a counterattack from which Early and his forces could not recover. Sheridan’s victory at Cedar Creek eliminated any hope of further Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley and is one of the Union victories in late 1864 that helped cement President Abraham Lincoln’s reelection that November.
“We keep growing every year and every year it just keeps getting better,” 1st Lt. Vern Zentz, 7th Indiana Light Artillery’s principal event coordinator, said about the event. “Every year we sit down and list what worked and what did not so we can improve the next year. This year, we have re-enactors from Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. In years past, we have had re-enactors travel here as far as Texas.” Zentz has been involved with the 7th Indiana Light Artillery for over a decade, starting at the rank of Private and working up to his current ranking, 1st Lieutenant.
Gold sponsors for the event include Casper’s Coin and Jewelry, Copper Cross Trading, Ruhe 152 Brewery Co. and Power from the Past. Blue sponsors include Schwartz Electric and Clarko, Inc. Red sponsors include Economy Offset and Digital Services, American Legion Post 365, B&G Discount, ALR American Legion Lady’s Aux, Renee’s Family Breakfast, Wakarusa Electronics, S.A.L. Squadron 154, Locke Auto and Repair Inc., Countryside Estates and Wilson Financial.To stay up-to-date with Nappanee Civil War Days, follow its Facebook page here.
