I very much enjoyed going to Lamoni for their Civil War Days during Labor Day Weekend in 2007. When it came around in 2008, Linda said I should see if one of my guy friends would like to go; I think that was code for "I'd really rather not go this year." Fortunately, Bill was available and had expressed interest in seeing what it was all about.
It's not a re-enactment because no action to re-enact happened around Lamoni during the Civil War. Instead, cavalry, infantry, and artillery representing each side gather, camp, and conduct an unscripted, illustrative battle. While the battle is a draw, wandering through the respective camp, chatting with the people who are immersed in the event is interesting as well. Most are combatants but I also met family, reporters, recruiter, and a gentleman who bore a striking resemblance to photos of Abraham Lincoln. Each did a nice job of staying in character and explaining what life could have been like for someone in their role.
As the appointed hour of battle nears, activity all over the field picks up. There are a few discussions between the representatives of the participating generals before things get started. Soon, officers start gathering men into their units and start moving marching to their positions for battle. Horses saddled and cannon are checked and prepared. Scouts on horseback patrol the field and report back to their officers. Soon, something happens and shots are fired in anger. It's on!
From there on, what happens is largely up the commanders in the field. They're free to assess the situation and issue orders as likely would have been ordered in the situation at hand. Fortunately, the event provides an interpreter / narrator to point out and explain some of the things of interest that are happening so that we, the audience, have a better understanding of what we're seeing. Much of the action takes place as units move for position, pressure another unit until one withdraws to another location, and then do it again. From time to time, there is brief hand to hand combat.
The field is pretty large, has a little rolling terrain, and easily accommodates the two camps with room for the various units to maneuver. From time to time, a unit will disappear behind a little hill only to appear again at just the right moment. Cavalry gallop across the field to take advantage of a breech in the line or deliver messages to and from the front units. A couple of officers rode behind the lines of infrantry, calling out orders to their men. There's also room enough for several cannons to deploy. When they fire, it's always impressive... and sometimes startling! I could often feel that the guns had fired as well as hear it.
On this day, the Union gained the upper hand and received the Confederate surrender. Last year, I believe it went the other way. It's fun knowing that nobody really knows in advance how it will all happen. With the conflict resolved, the units revive their dead, form up, and parade past the audience. The officers then address their respective units, commenting on their performance, thanking them for their participation. It looks like they have a good time; I know I did!
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I'd never seen a Heidelburg Windmill in my forty-plus years and, within a few weeks, I saw my son operate one and another featured in a major motion picture, Seven Pounds. Eric twisted this and nudged that, coaxing the machine to produce the distinctive impressions of letterpress.
