The Civil War might have ended in 1865 but don't tell that to the men and women that make up the nation's civil war reenactors. Weekend soldiers dressed in blue and gray still battle it out in reenactments around the USA every year. Over the 4th of July weekend I joined hundreds of spectators at Willamette Mission Park in Brooks, Oregon to get a feel of what life was like for a soldier during the Civil War. The event was sponsored by the Northwest Civil War Council (NCWC), a non-profit living history organization dedicated to educating the public about the American Civil War. In addition to watching the battle renenactments, I was free to walk around the various military camps and watch as soldiers staged drills, doctors treated the wounded and craftsmen demonstrated their various talents.
Civil War reenactment is a potentially expensive hobby. A new reenactor may spend upwards of $1,200 or more to be properly outfitted and you can be reasonably certain that the romance aspect of the hobby soon wears off after a hot summer afternoon of fighting in a wool uniform. Still, there is something extremely appealing in going back to a simpler time - even if it's just make believe.
For more information about Civil War reenactment in Oregon, visit www.nwcwc.org
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