Volume 3, Issue 3

Page 3

SALT RIVER RIFLES

DRAMA IN WESTVILLE, 1861 from Sparks of Secession - October 17-19, 2008

One of the unique aspects of the Sparks of Secession - Westville, GA 1861event was the on-going, first-person interactions and activities that brought the town to life.  Two days was not enough to get to experience all that the event and Village had to offer.  Here are some of the dramas that you may or may not have known happened at the event: - The woodworkers built a coffin for another lay who portrayed a woman who lost her child.  All did admirable and believable portrayals and craftsmanship. - A secret Ancient Order of Hibernians meeting was broken up by some Know-Nothings who had not liking for new Irish workers in their town.  Ironically, the Deputy Sheriff and Capt. Michael Lynch were part of the secret meeting. - A robber strikes a patron leaving the Nuckolls Tavern. Witnesses are supeoned to court to testify. A suspicious traveller in town plans to tetsify against Greer Ball in the crime. Greer's friend doens't take too kindly to this. - The strangers travelling thru town seem to possibly be Unionists heading home. - Greer's friend stirs up a knife fight at the tavern with the tesifying stranger. The fight is broken up with the friend suffering a minor knife wound. - Greer and his sweetheart, the Magistrates daughter, elope and flee town before he can be found guilty of the robbery. - A new brokerage employee for the McDonald Brokerage House turns out to be swindler and counterfeiter and is taken into custody. - The Nuckolls Tavern at the West Cabin was a lively place after dark and Andy Shogren and Ed Henry did a great job with it. The West Cabin probably hasn't rocked that much since Mr. West's honeymoon! - Animosty ensued between the McDonald's new lady, Irish domestic and the anti-Irish Gardener. They played this off great and it seemed so real. -I heard there was one minor court case involving a citizen and his violations of his livestock. - The Post Master and his clerk are spotted steaming open letters. - One of the McDonalds slaves, had recently escaped. Some fear that other slaves my run from the household.  Unsavory fugitive hunters start asking questions at the tavern. I can't wait to see what folks come up with for the next event in 2010!

Mr. & Mrs. Haus and Postal Clerk in front of General Store in Westville, GA

"Campaigners don't need coolers. They bring taverns!"              overheard in a GA Village

The Jury Foreman is taken into custody as it is discovered he is also a swindler and counterfeiter!

"Some people be cuntry folk. Some people be city folks. And some people be all folked up." Overheard on Campaign

Struggles of Secession - Westville, GA 1863 Oct. 14-17, 2010

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT REENACTING but Were Afraid to Ask

SCAR will be hosting the next exciting installment of Westville with the Struggles of Secession event on Oct 14-17, 2010. Although the event covers four days, reenactors will have windows where they can arrive as late as friday afternoon.  The first part of the event will focus on some man hours doing period style improvements to the site as well as reenacting and living in the Village of Westville. Many of the men 17-45 will have to act as wounded veterans, deserters hiding around the Village and those that have exemptions. Life will begin to be less lievly as citiznes start hoarding food or filling roles left by the absence of their men. Citizens will check the dead rolls each day at the Post Office and Courthouse. Sadness begins to pervade the village as messages of death pervade as the war drags on. News of the victory at Chickamauga gives a bit of renewed hope of an end to the war. Home guards seek deserters to take into custody to send back to the front.  Women begin to manufacture ammunition while Ladies Societies sew comforts for men at the front.  The Singer Boot factory churns outs boots under contract for the Confederacy.  There are also plans for an event in 2012 called Surrender of Secession - Westville, GA 1865. If you missed the 2008 event you won't want to miss what we have in store for you in 2010 and even 2012! You can go to the webpage at www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/WestvilleIndex

Your editor has written several articles on reenacting. Most are practical fieldcraft or drill articles for campaigner reenactors.  I have always wanted to write a more tongue-in-chek article on my observations on reenacting.  This is a first in a series of articles. It reads like a encyclopedia of definitions.  It is not a politically correct article and may offend some and make others laugh. I don't claim to be an expert and I am just making observations on our unique hobby. I even hope others will submit their own unique observations for a part two article. You can email me your submissions to unionguy1@comcast.net The article can be viewed by clicking below:      Everything You Wanted to Know About Reenacting                       but Were Afraid to Ask.

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