23rd Annual Civil War Re-enactment at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem PA
‘Be a Part of History’
The 23rd Annual Civil War Re-enactment takes place on April 28 and 29 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. This event is the largest Civil War re-enactment on the East Coast outside of Gettysburg.
The 23rd Annual Civil War Re-enactment Experience & Atmosphere
The theme for this year’s re-enactment is “Spring 1862 Campaign -1st Kernstown and 1st Winchester”. Over 1,000 re-enactors will converge on the park for this event featuring:
- Authentic battle re-enactments
- Camp life scenarios
- Military and civilian life demonstrations
- Performances by the Camptown Shakers, a band specializing in Civil War era music
The battle will involve troops from Philadelphia, the 98th Pennsylvania Volunteers and the Veteran Reserve Corps units. The time period and the terrain should reflect the same elements dating back to the original time of the battle.
The two battles were fought in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and were part of the offensive that Confederate General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson undertook to prevent Union forces from moving eastward to take the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
1st Kernstown was fought on March 23, 1862. In that battle, Jackson’s 3,400 troops fought against 8,500 Union troops lead by Colonel Nathan Kimball and Jackson lost. It was the only loss of his military career, largely due to inaccurate intelligence about the size of the Union forces.
1st Winchester was fought on May 25, 1862. In this battle, the Confederate division attacked the Union forces at Camp Hill, whereas the Louisiana Brigade of Jackson’s forces overran the Union position, and were forced to retreat.
History of the Civil War Re-enactment
Each year, an historical battle of action of Civil War history is selected by the committee to recreate as faithfully and authentically as possible. The tactics, uniforms, weapons, and ceromonies are all authentic.
This event is a joint project sponsored by Neshaminy State Park, the Bensalem Historical Society, the 28th Pennslyvania Association, the Army of Northerm Virginia Re-enacting Organization, the Delaware Valley Civals War Roundtanle, the G.A.R. Museum and Library, and Waste Management, Inc.
The 23rd Annual Civil War Re-enactment at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania should be a good time and a good experience. As mentioned, this event has become one of the largest historical creations of Civil War history on the East Coast. Come on out and be part of the excitement and history.
Location
3401 State Rd
Bensalem, PA 19020
Dates
April 28, 2012 – April 29, 2012 | Starting at 9:00 am both days | Visitor’s Schedule – Click Here | Rain or Shine
Admission
Free | Voluntary collection will be taken – All proceeds will go toward Civil War preservation efforts
Phone
(610) 291-0838
Web Site
pictures courtesy of the Neshaminy Civil War Re-enactment group
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