Civil War Days at Billie Creek Village
(Park County)
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Keeping the Memory of the Civil War Alive
Though most of the Civil War was fought outside of Indiana, the state was still touched by the war. The battles and skirmishes that took place in Southern Indiana may not always be mentioned in history books, but they none-the-less touched lives and are remembered here. Nearly every weekend throughout Indiana visitors and reenactors gather to remember the Civil War. We visited Civil War Days at Billie Creek Village, and also bring you a listing of upcoming Civil War Events and Reenactments below.
Indiana and the Civil War
The Battle of Corydon
The only Civil War battle fought in Indiana was near Corydon, in the Battle of Corydon. Today a park commemorates the site where on July 9, 1863, 450 members of the Harrison County Home Guard attempted to delay General John Hunt Morgan’s 2,400 Confederate soldiers in hopes that Union reinforcements would arrive and stop Morgan’s march through Southern Indiana. Colonel Lewis Jordan commanded the Harrison County Home Guard.
Hines Raid of June 17, 1863
An historical marker commemorates one of two known invasions of Perry County during the Civil War, the Hines Raid of June 17, 1863. Mr. Thomas Hines joined Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan's 9th Kentucky, Company A in May, 1862. On June 10, 1862 Morgan commissioned him a captain in Company E. Hines was sent to round up replacement horses in Kentucky for future raids into Indiana. Hines raided Indiana - a raid not ordered by Morgan, as Morgan was under orders not to cross the Ohio River at that time. Hines and 62 members of the raiding party “exchanged” their worn out horses for fresh horses with farmers. They also appropriated cattle, hogs, and chickens. They camped east of Dexter and left Perry County on the morning of June 18th.
Most of Hines men were captured at the mouth of the Blue River by Perry County and Crawford County militias. Hines and a few others escaped by swimming to Kentucky, where he rejoined Morgan's forces near Brandenburg for the Battle of Corydon on July 9th.
Hines was later captured with Morgan and taken to the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus in August. By November, they had built an underground tunnel and on November 27 th Morgan, Hines, and four other captains escaped.
Civil War Grave Site, Perry County
At a Civil War grave site in Perry County, tribute is paid to ten soldiers whose lives ended in a tragic irony. Four months after the war came to a close, ten Union soldiers from Ohio boarded a ship headed for home, the USS Argosy #3. On August 21, 1865, as the ship traveled on the Ohio River towards home, a storm drove the ship ashore. On shore, the ship’s boilers exploded, killing nine or ten of the men on board. One may have survived until he reached Louisville, Kentucky, where he then died. All ten are buried at this site near Magnet, Indiana.
Civil War Reenactments
Nearly every weekend throughout the summer people gather at encampments to relive the Civil War period. I went to my first Civil War event this summer at Billie Creek Village - Indiana’s largest Civil War Reenactment. Below you will find other Civil War Events listed, including the Battle of Corydon Reenactment on the second weekend of July.
Billie Creek Village Civil War Days
Located in Parke County, Indiana, Billie Creek Village is home to Indiana’s largest Civil War Reenactment, held each June. This year thousands of visitors and reenactors came to this recreated village in Parke County. Union and Confederate encampments were set up and demonstrations gave a feel for what it must have been like to be alive during the Civil War.
Saturday morning the event started off with a Company Drill, and then a Battalion Drill later in the morning. There was a Troops Parade to the battlefield, and the Battle in the afternoon. Saturday evening was a Military Ball and Concert, with ladies, gentlemen and children dressed in their finest period clothing. There was a second battle on Sunday, which drew thousands of onlookers to the hill to watch this impressive reenactment. In this particular battle, hosted by the 4th Virginia Company 1 Liberty Hall Volunteers, the Confederacy won. A young boy in a Union uniform who was taking part for his first time shook his head and patted my nephew on the back, saying, “Maybe next time.”
Civil War Reenactment at Billie Creek Village
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Though the battles were the featured event, we were immersed in history and Civil War culture throughout the day. There were outfitters to supply reenactors, books on the war, and period music playing. There were also demonstrations on blacksmithing, candlemaking, a bayonet demonstration, schoolhouse sessions, medical camp demonstrations and more. Civil War Days are held annually the second weekend in June. See www.billiecreek.org for information. Every other year on even years a winter Reenactment is also held on Super Bowl Weekend. In 2000 125 dedicated reenactors took part, despite 8” of blowing snow which closed Highway 36 and forced most to sleep in the barn and Inn.
Battle of Corydon Reenactment (July 14-15, 2001)
This two-day event in Harrison County commemorates the Battle of Corydon which took place on July 9th, 1863. This was one of only two battles fought on Northern soil. On July 14th a Civil War Military Ball will be held at 8pm at Old Capital Square and will feature period music. The public is invited to attend and enjoy reenactors dancing to the musical guest Ten Penny Bit band. The battles, which reenact the only civil war battle fought in Indiana will be held at Hayswood Nature Reserve and will include over one hundred reenactors. Activities over the weekend will also include authentic military camps and demonstrations, a memorial service at the Battle of Corydon Park, a Civil War artifacts exhibit and a presentation by Dr. George T. Blaky on memories of Morgan’s Raid and a portrayal of General Braxton Bragg by Mr. James Jones.
Harrison County and Historic Corydon is also the home of an authentic Civil War Memorial Battle Park. The battle park is open to the public year round. For more information call 812-738-8236 or 888-738-2137 or see www.tourindiana.com.
Indiana Historical Society, July 28
Sixteen military conflicts will take place in Military Park across from the Indiana Historical Society. Details will be added soon!
The Battle of Black Swan Lake, August 18-19
Located halfway between Bedford and Brownstown in Jackson County, Black Swan Lake is home to Civil War Events as well as other activities like Indian pow wows. In 2001 there will be activities offered all day. The battles are scheduled for 3pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday, with a skirmish at 6:30 on Saturday evening. Saturday night there will be a night firing of the cannon. Other events will be artillery drills, demonstrations, company drills, hospital demonstrations, and a capture of spies complete with a trial. This is being hosted by the Bedford Light Artillery of Virginia and 18th Indiana Light Battery. Contact Cliff Goodman at 812-275-6071.
Franklin Fall Festival Civil War Reenactment
On September 8th a Civil War Reenactment will be held at the Franklin Parks Department. More information on this event is forthcoming, and will be posted soon. Contact Greg Lineberry at 317-736-6141 for more information.
9th Annual Civil War History Weekend at Huddleston Farmhouse
Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, 2001. See Civil War camp life up close. Feel the heat of the campfire. Smell the gun powder. Observe the drilling. Hear the Gunfire. Saturday's activites are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a Lantern Tour of Encampment from 8 - 9 p.m. Sunday events are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children's activities at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child (under 5 free).
The Blackford County Civil War Days (October 12-14 in Hartford City)
This will feature ongoing skirmish up to battles both days, a military ball, artillery night firing, demonstrators, ladies tea and fashion show. E-mail [email protected].
October 26-28 in Culver - Sponsored by Culver Military Academy and Culver Girls Academy. To feature battles both Saturday and Sunday. Military activities include encampments, cavalry and artillery drill demonstrations, a dress parade, and other living history activities. Come help demonstrate the heritage that made our country great. E-mail: [email protected].
Also check out these links:
www.campchase.com
www.civilwarnews.com |
