Ararat, Virginia Civil War Encampment starts Oct. 3
October 1, 2009
Mt. Airy News, NC
ARARAT, Va. -- The sounds of gun and cannon fire will once again ring out from Laurel Hill as the 19th annual Civil War Encampment and Living History event takes place this weekend.
Mount Airy News
The News Union soldiers form ranks during last year’s re-enactment of the Battle of Cold Harbor at Laurel Hill. More
The gates to the James Ewell Brown “J.E.B.� Stuart birthplace will open at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, offering full days of recreating life in the 1800s.
Each year, the first weekend in October re-enactors erect white tents across the grassy areas of Laurel Hill and light their campfires. Some people come with merchandise to sell both to the re-enactors and to the general public from clothing to weaponry.
On Saturday, the public can serve as witnesses to a demonstration of military tactics by the re-enactors in the morning before enjoying a period fashion show, with ladies appearing in period dresses ready for anything from an afternoon tea to a funeral.
Authors Dr. Roger N. Morris and his father, Aubrey Morris, will be in the main tent during the late morning hours to discuss their books relating to Stuart and the Civil War.
At 12:30 p.m., the generals will gather under the main tent to discuss the strategies for the upcoming battle which begins at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday night’s special treat will be a candlelight tour of the battlefield at 7:30 p.m. and costing an additional $3.
At 8 p.m., there will be a ball that will be open to the public this year. Typically the ball is reserved only for re-enactors. The gate passes will be accepted as admission for that event.
“It will be open to the public for the first time. The Slate Mountain Ramblers will be playing for that as well as Saturday morning,� said Shirley Keene, president of the board of directors, of the ball.
On Sunday, the Rev. Alan Farley will preside over a church service in the main tent at 10 a.m.
Trout will speak under the main tent once again on Stuart’s role as a general following the service and Virginia Morton will speak of her book, “Marching Through Culpepper.�
The generals will meet once again under the main tent for a second council of war to plan for the second battle of the weekend, which will take place at 1:30 p.m., and answer questions from the audience.
Music will be provided throughout the weekend by the Slate Mountain Ramblers and Tina and Herbert Conner.
A Black Rose Memorial Service will take place on both Saturday and Sunday with re-enactors, dressed in mourning garb, gathering to place flowers on Stuart’s grave, which sits on the property.
“The memorial service will serve to remember the men who have fought and died for this country,� said Keene.
Traditional food, including fry bread, kettle corn, birch beer and homemade apple and peach pies, will be available as well as more modern food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ and funnel cakes.
Admission to the event is $8 per person with children 12 and younger admitted for free. Parking for the event is also free. All proceeds for the event will go towards preserving the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace, which is overseen by the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Trust. The event typically draws around 2,000 people to the area including re-enactors and spectators.