Civil War Reenactment

Sunday morning, September 8th, we left home at about 8:50 to drive to Mason City, Iowa to see a Civil War Reenactment.  The drive was, thankfully, uneventful.  We stopped at an auction on the way, as we had heard that postage stamps were to be auctioned.  The stamps were common--no thousand dollar finds--so we finished our trip to Mason City.

We arrived in time to chat with our friends the Dirksens (who had kindly invited us) and the Lenz sisters, whom I had heard speak at a ladies conference this spring.  Then the South Carolina regiment infantry drills began.  After watching the troops prepare for the battle, we walked over to the concession stands, conveniently situated in no-man's land (between the Southern and Northern camps) and obviously owing allegiance to neither side.

We bought quesadillas at a Mexican food trailer and delicious root-beer at Doc's (below right)

The tent on the left sold reenactment memorabilia: swords, hats, handkerchiefs, post cards, etc.

While we ate we listened to this couple play civil war songs.  

The Northern Camp--isn't the blue dress that the lady in the background is wearing beautiful?

After taking a quick look at the field hospital below, I decided I didn't want to be injured in any battles.

Cannons, including this one, guarded the banks of the Southern camp.

We took seats in the grass across the creek from where the battle would be held.  Soon the Southerners and Northerners bravely marched onto the battle field.

The Southern Army preparing to fire.

Northern Artillery.  Both the Southern and Northern cannons were *very* loud!

The first Southern soldier fell, and the Northerners began advancing

But the situation didn't really get bad until a  group Northern soldiers slipped across the creek, breaking up onlooker's "picnics" and outflanking the Southern army.

Onlookers watched as the North continued advancing and the South continued retreating.

Soldier after Southern soldier boy fell until with a final cannon blast their final escape route was closed and the Southern army lay dead and wounded on the banks of the lake.  The North won again.

And everyone returned to their camps.  

"What a cruel thing is war; to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbours, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world! I pray that, on this day when only peace and good-will are preached to mankind, better thoughts may fill the hearts of our enemies and turn them to peace."  --Confederate General Robert E. Lee