THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September, 9, 1994 TAG: 9409080166
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
CHESAPEAKE'S FIRST Civil War Day last year was such a success that organizers have decided to make this year's event twice as long.
It seems that Chesapeake loves its Civil War history.
``We had about 6,500 people at last year's one-day event,'' said Paul Alston, Civil War Days organizer and programming and extension service supervisor for the Chesapeake Public Library. ``Everyone was pleased with the event, especially the re-enactors. They enjoyed having something like this in their own back yard. We had something happening every 20 minutes; no one got bored.''
The idea for Civil War Days, to be held Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of Chesapeake Central Library, came from Alston, who holds a master's degree in contemporary American history from San Jose State University.
``I try to program anything that may appeal to our adult patrons,'' she said. ``I'm always looking for ideas for special programs.''
In organizing the event, Alston said she will try to present a balanced look at the war.
``I always want to include not only Confederates, but Union and blacks, women and civilians,'' she said.
The event is being sponsored this year by the Central Library, the 15th Virginia Cavalry re-enactment group, the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission, Friends of the Chesapeake Public Library and the Norfolk County Historical Society of Chesapeake.
As with last year's program, this year's Civil War Days will feature experts discussing various military, political and social aspects of the War between the States, along with scores of re-enactors in period uniforms and costumes, a performance by the nationally known Tuckahoe Social Orchestra, a video of the making of the film ``Gettysburg,'' war games, period fashion show, storytelling, a historical impersonation of Mrs. U.S. Grant, period dance and music demonstrations and, of course, a battle and bivouac.
One of the event's biggest draws is the appearance of Civil War military and civilian re-enactors. M.J. Forbes of Chesapeake is coordinating the participation of various re-enactment groups in the event.
``We're showing real life,'' Forbes said. ``We want to make it look as if we walked out of the pages of history.''
Spectators will get a good slice of mid-19th century combat.
The event will feature a skirmish between Rebel and Yankee troops, regular artillery demonstrations, cavalry and infantry drills and first person impressions in military camp settings.
While walking through the bivouacs, the public will be able to get first-hand impressions of how camp life was during the Civil War, Alston said. The public will see troops playing cards, relaxing, cooking, doing laundry and other day-to-day chores.
Infantry troops will fire .54- and .56-caliber carbines and .36- and
The Norfolk Light Artillery Blues will fire their field pieces every hour, and the 15th Virginia Cavalry will perform several drills.
``This won't be a weekend to come to the library to study,'' Alston said.
Chesapeake resident Tom French will again act as the weekend's master of ceremonies. He will introduce notable individuals and performers and keep the public informed on the event's activities.
Civilian members of the 1st Virginia Infantry - Cynthia Cooper, Pam Spencer and Cheryl Ewart - will model women's fashions of the day, and a ``Ladies Afternoon Tea'' will be scheduled to demonstrate how female army auxiliary personnel served refreshments to the troops.
The weekend also will feature a display of period portrait photographs set up by local collector Larry Williford, a display from the Richmond-based Museum of the Confederacy, an exhibition of contemporary Civil War prints by Hartung Galleries and a display of original Civil War portraits by local artist Curtis Elay.
In addition, there will be special displays of books from the library's Civil War book collection and free bibliographies will be available.
``We've even run several advertisements in the Civil War Times,'' Alston said. ``We're expecting another good crowd. People around here love to study the Civil War. They never forget.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Jake Cooper, left, and Robert Colston are re-enactors with 1st
Virginia Infantry, Company A.[color cover photo]
Amanda Cooper, left, and her grandmother Cynthia Cooper will dress
in fashions of the 1860s.
Edith Blake will perform ``A Con-ver-sation with Mrs. U.S. Grant.''
``We want to make it look as if we walked out of the pages of
history,'' says M.J. Forbes.
Expected to participate in the Civil War Days this weekend will be
re-enactors, from left: Mark Mason, Matthew Spencer and Jim Ewart.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
[for copy of schedule, see microfilm<] by CNB