WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013
LIFE
COMMUNITY PRESS
PEOPLE | IDEAS | RECIPES
Family sees Civil War reenactment up close
Four generations of Ashworths attended the Civil War reenactment celebrating the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. Paul Ashworth, of Delhi Township, took his son Steve, grandson Steven and greatgrandson Kaden Schulte. We spent two days on the battlefield before returning home via three days in Washington, D.C. Since the reenactment could not take place on the actual battleground, a farm about five miles north was the reenactment battlefield. There were two sold-out grandstands that held 10,000 and thousands of spectators also sat on lawn chairs or threw blankets on the ground watching a piece of history take place on the battle’s 150th anniversary. We were lucky to be in the grandstand (which cost an additional $15 each) that was right on top of the action. Infantrymen marched in formation and skirmished right in front of us with a dozen cannons blasting away just to our left. Like the crowd, we were in awe as the smoke drifted through the air and the muskets rang out. It was 92 degrees with about 95 percent humidity just like the weather during real battle only we got to wear shorts while the participants were layered in authentic wool uniforms. The organizers reported 3,900 Union re-enactors were registered (612 from Ohio) and 3,200 Confederates had signed up. They had no way of counting the large number of walk-ons. The Union Calvary numbered 187 horses with another 188 from the South. The Confederates brought 63 cannons and the North 59 cannon onto the field. One guy fabricated an exact replica of a rare (only seven were used in the Civil War) breach-loading Whitworth cannon in his home in Nevada and drove 2,600 miles to take part in what seemed to be, to the re-enactors, the Super Bowl of reenactments. Several we talked with said this was their final reenactment. Witnessing this reenactment kept alive the memory of how our country was shaped and bestowed a sense of pride and honor for those who fought in the Civil War. When I made reservations last October, the whole town was sold out except for a Motel 6 which was charging $300 per night with a three-night minimum. We stayed at the closest motel 25 miles north.
Paul Ashworth, of Delhi Township, took his son Steve, grandson Steven and great-grandson Kaden Schulte to the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.THANKS TO PAUL ASHWORTH
The Ashworth family with the Delhi Press at the Civil War reenactment celebrating the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg.THANKS TO PAUL ASHWORTH
The wounded are tended to during the Gettysburg reenactment.THANKS TO PAUL ASHWORTH
One man fabricated an exact replica of a rare breach-loading Whitworth cannon in his home in Nevada.THANKS TO PAUL ASHWORTH
There were about 3,200 Confederate reenactors at the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg earlier this month.THANKS TO PAUL ASHWORTH
Paul Ashworth lives in Delhi Township.
There were about 120 cannons used during the reenactment.THANKS TO PAUL ASHWORTH