Virginia Civil War Reenactment Kicks Off With National Anthem, Chants of ‘USA, USA’
History buffs from all around the country gathered at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park in Frederick County, Virginia, during the weekend of October 14th to commemorate the 153rd Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek during the American Civil War.
Fought on October 19, 1864, the event was the culminating battle of the Valley Campaigns of 1864, fought in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. The battle ended in a Union victory.
Prior the scheduled event, the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation reportedly received a letter “threatening bodily harm to attendants of the event.
Despite this threat, the organization chose to go ahead with the event, though they did increase security. Western Journalism reached out to the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation for comment, but have not heard back at this time.
However, in a statement on the organization’s website, the foundation wrote, “IMPORTANT MESSAGE : PLEASE READ,” adding, “We would like to make everyone aware that the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation has received a letter threatening bodily harm to attendants of this event. With this in mind security has been increased and we ask that everyone work with us for a safe and enjoyable event. Please pardon the inconvenience as you may experience increased security measures when enjoying the event.”
According to one event attendee Western Journalism spoke with, reenactors were setting up for their event Saturday afternoon when a suspicious package was first located. As reported by The Winchester Star, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and Middletown Police Department were alerted at around 4 p.m.
Western Journalism spoke with Thomas Meadows, a reenactor and historian who described having to evacuate the premises, leaving behind all his belongings and his car, before the area was eventually deemed safe.
According WUSA, the device was reported to look like a pipe bomb. No one was hurt during the investigation.
The FBI, along with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Department and Middletown Police are investigating the incident. As of a now, the motive for the threat is unclear.
However it comes at time of debate over whether or not Confederate War monuments have a place in public settings, or whether it is appropriate to display the Confederate Flag.
Thomas Meadows described feeling trapped in the recent controversy, explaining that war reenactors just want to teach history.
“We just want to tell the story, we’re not trying to make a political statement,” he said.
Despite what transpired Saturday, attendees carried on Sunday, with a twist: Prior to the start of the reenactment, both sides approached and shook hands. The Confederate Army played the “Star Spangled Banner”, and the Union Army played “Dixie.” Both groups then chanted together “USA, USA.”
When asked how Sunday’s introduction made him feel, Meadows said, “When the world goes crazy, you find out God is looking out for you.” https://www.westernjournalism.com/virginia-civil-war-reenactment-evacuated-suspected-bomb-threat/
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this event is in my area, re-enactments are a big part of our tourism and bring many visitors and much money to our area. Also preserving the battlefields is a great way to keep open space that way
The people that do it enjoy it and study everything about it. Great hobby