Re-enactor Weekend

This weekend is the annual re-enactment at Columbus-Belmont park. The battle of Belmont was U.S. Grant’s first battle as a commanding officer. It was rather unorganized and both sides claimed victory, but Lincoln was very happy with it. At last he had found a general who would actually make a move. Grant wasn’t really in the “old boy” network and the network made sure word reached Lincoln’s ear that this Grant fella was fond of liquor, whiskey—the water of life, to be more specific. The tattling did not achieve the desired results. Instead of a reprimand or demotion, Lincoln informed “the network” that if he was sure that whiskey would make the rest of his generals fight, he would order them to drink also.

Here are two of my prized possessions, carte de visites of Grant himself.

I have highlighted what appears to be the man’s signature on the first scan. It is also signed on the back. The second scan is the earlier picture. If I lived in a big town, I would have it authenticated, but then I prolly wouldn’t be able to afford to keep it.

Anyways, back to this weekend. This event is always very well attended. The park is pretty much like it was then, except for structures. The little building on the high point was used as a hospital then, and is a small museum now. No other original buildings survive, but the network of trenches, redoubts, and artillery placements are still there. Lots of re-enactors attend and camp out for the entire weekend. They fire the cannons, have mock battles and even a ball on Saturday night. Many sutlers set up (that’s vendors for the historically challenged), and craftsmen demonstrate the old ways of makin the necessaries. Here are some pics I took at past re-enactments.

And even soldiers have to eat, after all, an army travels on it's stomach, right?

And one final image, a montage I created. I imagine this is what went through a lot of commanding officers minds, when they were on the verge of ordering men they had come to think of as their family, into an action that might exact the ultimate sacrifice.

And, sadly, those decisions, and sacrifices are still with us today.