12th U.S. Infantry Company A firing drill to prepare for 2 p.m. skirmish. The 12th U.S. Infantry Company A (reenacting) military and civilian encampment is an ongoing living museum Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15. Visitors walk among the camps, talk with soldiers, and can participate in some activities with the troops. This educational and entertainment event displays the military techniques, skills, and equipment of Civil War Soldiers. The plan for the daily two o’clock skirmish is worked out beforehand by military company officers. The skirmish uses accurate reproductions of clothing, tactics, and strategies reflecting the conditions of nineteenth century military conflict. A surgeon’s station enlightens the spectator concerning medical techniques at that time. Spectators do not know who is going to be victorious. Before and after the skirmish, re-enactors canvass the crowd answering questions and providing explanatory detail.
At 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, the Divas and the Dudes will play Civil War music with explanatory introductions. Danielle Caringi and Lydia Houser, students at Camden Middle School, with Adeline Houser, a student at Annsville Elementary school have been fiddling divas for more than three years. The divas are members of the NYS Old Time Fiddlers Association and the Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Association. Mike Caringi, the guitarist switched from rock to the historic genre a few years ago, and David Secor, guitarist, pianist, and accordionist are the accompanying Dudes. The fiddlers have selected around fifty Civil War era songs that they will present in a variation of sets for their three programs. From Amazing Grace to Wildwood the Divas will add to the weekend event.
North-South Skirmish Assn: Texas Rangers Unit Fulton NY: The North-South Skirmish Association will exhibit for the first time in Peterboro on Saturday, June 14. Terry’s Texas Rangers, a central New York unit of the national association, will display information on the August live fire target shooting competition in Fulton NY, and the national shoot in Winchester VA which draws several thousand shooters. Each group represents an actual group that existed in the Civil War, and each dresses in appropriate period uniform for their group.
Peter Troy, a former teacher from Blessed Sacrament School in Utica, will be at the Civil War Event to talk about his newest book May the Road Rise Up to Meet You, and his upcoming book. Both books are about the Civil War.
(Reenactor) Sgt. Neil MacMillan plans skirmish.
(Peterboro, NY – June 2014) The 22nd Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend will feature 1864 Sesquicentennial programs June 14 and 15 and will also maintain many of its popular activities. The 12th U.S. Infantry Company A (reenacting) military and civilian encampment is an ongoing living museum Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15. Visitors walk among the camps, talk with soldiers, and can participate in some activities with the troops. This educational and entertainment event displays the military techniques, skills, and equipment of Civil War Soldiers. The plan for the daily two o’clock skirmish is worked out beforehand by military company officers. The skirmish uses accurate reproductions of clothing, tactics, and strategies reflecting the conditions of nineteenth century military conflict. A surgeon’s station enlightens the spectator concerning medical techniques at that time. Spectators do not know who is going to be victorious. Before and after the skirmish, re-enactors canvass the crowd answering questions and providing explanatory detail.
The 12th U.S. Infantry Co. A reenacting unit will provide activities at its camp. At 11 a.m. on Saturday June 14 the 12th will present a Reader’s Theatre. The actors will use voices and facial expressions as they read and express Emmeline, a book by Elsie Singmaster, about a strong-willed teenager in Gettysburg in 1863. Emmeline finds herself alone at her grandparents farm when the Confederate Army takes the family land and house for their own camp and hospital. Private Christy, an injured rebel, organizes the hospital and soon becomes the protector of Emmeline, as she struggles with her feelings about the enemy. Lori Bowers, who has a Speech and Theatre degree from Mansfield University and a Masters Degree in Communications, adapted and narrates the play. Garrett Deblieck, who has a degree in business and economics, works for NYSEG, and has been with the 12th since 2010, plays Private Christy. Kaylee Roberts, who competes in speech and debate league and loves history, will play Emmeline. At 11:00 on Sunday, June 15 Tom Brokaw, 12th U.S. Infantry Co. will preach a sermon for the military and visitors. At 12:00 on both days Ross Whitford will provide a military drill for children.
At 12:30 p.m. on both days of the events, Donna Burdick, Smithfield Town Historian, and Beth Spokowsky, President of the Peterboro Area Museum, will provide a guided walking tour of the Hamlet of Peterboro sharing the history of the buildings and the people and events associated with the locations. The walk begins at the iron gate at the Gerrit Smith estate and continues around the hamlet green with stories about the houses and people of Peterboro. Peterboro natives, the sisters enjoy researching local history, and love sharing this history with others.
At 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, the Divas and the Dudes will play Civil War music with explanatory introductions. Danielle Caringi and Lydia Houser, students at Camden Middle School, with Adeline Houser, a student at Annsville Elementary school have been fiddling divas for more than three years. The divas are members of the NYS Old Time Fiddlers Association and the Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Association. Mike Caringi, the guitarist switched from rock to the historic genre a few years ago, and David Secor, guitarist, pianist, and accordionist are the accompanying Dudes. The fiddlers have selected around fifty Civil War era songs that they will present in a variation of sets for their three programs. From Amazing Grace to Wildwood the Divas will add to the weekend event.
The North-South Skirmish Association will exhibit for the first time in Peterboro on Saturday, June 14. Terry’s Texas Rangers, a central New York unit of the national association, will display information on the August live fire target shooting competition in Fulton and the national shoot in Winchester, Va., which draws several thousand shooters. Each group represents an actual group that existed in the Civil War, and each dresses in appropriate period uniform for their group.
Peter Troy, a former teacher from Blessed Sacrament School in Utica, will be at the Civil War Event to talk about his newest book May the Road Rise Up to Meet You, and his upcoming book. Both books are about the Civil War.
At 3 p.m. on Sunday, the event officially closes with Donna Burdick, Town of Smithfield historian explaining the connection of the Civil War soldier from Siloam to the musical TAPS. Oliver Norton is credited with creating the twelve bugle notes which indicate the end of day for his commanding officer Daniel Butterfield. Burdick will explain how Norton honored his pledge to his good friend Alexander Dickey of Siloam, the other hamlet in the Town of Smithfield. At the conclusion of Burdick’s program, the Smalley family of Morrisville will play Taps to signal the end of the 22nd Civil War Weekend.
The Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department will barbeque chickens on Saturday, the Peterboro United Methodist Church will serve a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning from 7 to 10 a.m., the Deli on the Green has food and drinks available all weekend, and vendors provide a variety of snacks. (Refreshments are not included in the cost of admission.)
The 22nd Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend will be held Saturday, June 14 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, June 15 from 10 am to 4 pm during the second Path through History weekend. The 19th Century military and domestic encampment, historic sites, shopping, exhibits, demonstrators, and children’s activities are throughout the Hamlet of Peterboro in Madison County NY. Peterboro was the home of abolitionist Gerrit Smith who was the primary funder of The Secret Six who supported John Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry which helped ignite the Civil War.
Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for 6 – 12 years, and free for under 6.
For more information: 315-280-8828, civilwarweekend.sca-peterboro.org rweekend.sca-peterboro.org, mail@sca-peterboro.org and 315-280-8828