By Rick Dandes
MIFFLINBURG — The Civil War came to town Saturday afternoon, as a group of about 50 rebel and Union re-enactors began the Battle of Chamber’s Ridge on a grassy field just west of Mifflinburg. The action continues today, with the war camp opening at 9:30 a.m., and another skirmish on the battlefield scheduled for early afternoon.
With nervous smiles on their faces, a small group of union artillerymen prepared to fire three black cannons at an advancing rebel infantry force, as the battle began.
To the order, “Fire,” the cannons went off with a roar, with some observers looking startled, while others were whispering, “That’s awesome!”
“It was a wild way to start the fight,” agreed Noah Simpson, 9, of Sunbury, who was in charge of carrying ammunition to one of the men loading the cannons.
“I’ve been doing Civil War re-enactments for years,” said Scott Debo, of Sunbury. “I know it’s not one of the biggest events, but it sure is one of the best.” Debo likes the Chamber’s Ridge re-enactment because the players involved have so much fun.
“They play their parts well. And they’re very knowledgeable about Civil War history,” he said.
Many of the participants are so particular in the authenticity of their performance that they actually wear historically correct replicas of Civil War uniforms and carry authentic reproduction Civil War weapons.
Annette Murray, of Millertown, and her daughter Abby, dressed in hoop skirt and dress respectively, circa 1865, are tending the fire in front of their tent, preparing warm food for hungry soldiers.
“I’ve been married 25 years,” Annette Murray said. “My husband and I are really into this. One of his ancestors fought in the Civil War. On our honeymoon, we went to Gettysburg, and this was before they started their re-enactments.”
Rebel supporter Pat Millett, of West Milton, has been coming to Mifflinburg for 12 years and said, “I’m representing a southern woman, as she might have dressed in 1865.
“I’ve portrayed women on both sides, union and rebel, and finally decided on the south,” Millet added. “The north is so regimented. Southerners looked like everyday people and fought with what they had. It was a much looser group, and I liked that.”
Millet explained that some women would have followed their soldier husbands to battle, but were never allowed to be in the encampments. “They’d be away from the fighting, kept safe,” she said.
Meanwhile, out on the battlefield, a major in the Union Army infantry, portrayed by Andrew Benner, of McClure, was barking orders to his men, as they fired their muskets.
“I got hooked after one battle re-enactment,” he said, laughing, as he led his troops in a charge into enemy fire.
Benner has been doing this for five years.
Holding on to a half-smoked cigar, he looked the part of a grizzled, veteran infantry leader.
“I love doing this,” he said. And, looking around at a crowd of observers, said, “I hope everyone will be entertained as well.”
Some of the events scheduled for today at or near the encampment are:
-- A period church service at the Confederate Infantry Camp, 10 a.m.
-- A Civil War magic show, with Private Ryan Kane, at the VFW Pavilion,at 12:30 p.m.
-- Civil War hair braiding, Miss Angelica Esquival, and children’s activities at the VFW Pavilion, at 12:30 p.m.
-- The Battle of Chamber’s Ridge continues on the battlefield, 1:30 p.m.
This annual two-day battle in Mifflinburg is a fundraiser for the town’s Buggy Museum, which is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year.
