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Troops gird for faux battle
This weekend's 140th anniversary version of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House expected to draw thousands hereDate published: 5/7/2004 By LAURA MOYER Capt. Gary Sunderland, commanding officer of the 13th Virginia, Company I re-enactors, wasn't exactly lost yesterday afternoon. He was just turned around. He and two of his soldiers meant to walk toward the long trench at Spotsylvania County's Belvedere Plantation, where the Battle of Spotsylvania 140th Anniversary Re-enactment begins today. But they were on a road in the opposite direction, sweating in wool uniforms and soaring May temperatures. Then a helpful guy in an official-looking white pickup truck offered them a lift. They clambered in, on the double. Of course, it was an anachronism--three Rebels in heavy gray pants and coats, toting maybe 30 pounds each of canteens and tin cups and rifles, riding in the bed of a shiny white pickup truck. On the other hand, what would real Confederates have done 140 years ago, if offered even five minutes' respite from hardship? They would have accepted, unless they were stupid or stubborn. Sunderland, 37, of Altoona, Pa., is neither. Besides, he had his men to think of--company 1st Sgt. Bob Slifer, 62, of Butler, Pa., and Cpl. Donald Patrick Brogan, 70, of Verona in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. They were just as happy to ride to the quarter-mile-long trench in a Belvedere cornfield where military demonstrations and re-enactments will be held today through Sunday. When they got there, they were impressed. The trench was realistic, they said. They could imagine firing over its log-shored sides as blue-coated Yankees charged them at the Mule Shoe. Realism within reason is the goal of the weekend's event, marking the anniversary of the fierce fighting at Spotsylvania Court House. The aim is to re-create the look, sound and feel of 1864 Spotsylvania, without the suffering. Today is education day, when school groups and the public will see demonstrations by horse-drawn artillery, infantry, cavalry and engineers. Programs also will focus on Spotsylvania civilians and Civil War music. Today's events last from 10 a.m. to dusk. Tomorrow, gates again open at 10 a.m. The schedule includes an infantry demonstration at noon, a cavalry demonstration at 2:30 p.m. and an artillery demonstration at 5 p.m.
Date published: 5/7/2004
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