THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 14, 1994 TAG: 9410120200
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SARAH MISKIN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Four dirty-white tents, little more than a sheet over a piece of line, are on the grass at Riverfront Park.
Inside, a member of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, Company B, takes a nap in the midday sun. Resplendent in red long-johns, he snoozes under the gaze of a small boy and his mother, who is taking photographs.
``He's demonstrating how the tents were used in the Civil War,'' says Second Sergeant Tim Moore, also of the 54th Massachusetts. He and the other members of Company B, a mere seven of the 46-strong unit, were in town Saturday for the third annual Civil War Day.
The modern 54th Massachusetts was formed in 1989 to portray the African-American regiment in the movie ``Glory.'' The members decided to stay together to form an education re-enactment group.
Numbering more than 100 men in total, the regiment comprises four companies in addition to Company B, which is from Washington.
Events such as Saturday's are important to the 54th because members realize the role of blacks has been underemphasized in most Civil War accounts, Moore says.
He blames the media and educational institutions as a whole for the ignorance of African-American participation in the war and says it is essential the situation is rectified.
``Such information has a tremendous impact on the way people feel about themselves and how they feel about their neighbors. If people grow up feeling that they had no role, then they feel bad about themselves.
``When they know that the blood of their ancestors paid for their spot on this earth, then they feel a bit differently. If you know your neighbors paid in the same way, then it changes your opinion of them.''
Knowledge of history helps people understand and deal with current conflicts, including political and educational conflicts, he says.
``If you know the history, then you can deal with that. It is like a tree with no roots: The wind comes along and blows you over because you have no way of dealing with it.''
Alvin Batiste, quartermaster sergeant, agrees that more people, particularly young African-Americans, need to learn about the untold events of the Civil War.
``It is important for everyone to get involved, even the kids. Some are surprised to find that blacks even fought in the Civil War. All they know is slavery.''
The low number of African-Americans attending re-enactment functions disappoints Batiste.
``Many places we go, even in black neighborhoods, they don't get involved. If they learned, they will be aware of the things that happened during that period of time and they could relate better to others.''
Batiste, a World War II veteran, has been retired from the federal government for 20 years. He has been with the 54th for four years, joining on the urging of his son, Michael, who did not like to see his father sitting around the house. The older Batiste now attends Civil War re-enactments and living histories almost every weekend.
Moore works for the Arlington County government in what he calls his ``other life''.
Dressed in the uniform of the time, gun at his side and blue sergeant stripes on his arm, he says the members of the 54th share more than a casual interest in Civil War history. ``If we don't care enough to portray these events, then who else will?'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SARAH MISKIN
Alvin Batiste portrayed a sergeant in the 54th Massachusetts
Infantry.
KEYWORDS: CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT by CNB