| Event Page Reenactors
Spectators
Vendors
(& Sutlers)
School Day
Schedule
Directions
Discussion |
Spectators
What To Expect
There is more than just the battle. The military and refugee camps are
open and people are encouraged to visit and speak to the reenactors. The first person
impressions are supposed to give you the experience of speaking to a person of that time
and place. There is a cabin that would have been correct for field hands. You can expect
cooking demonstrations. Sometimes we have candle makers and quilters demonstrating their
skills. There's always a blacksmith or two banging away at an anvil.
There are period merchants called “sutlers” that sell wares that would have been
available at the time. There is also a varied selection of modern vendors selling
food, drinks and historically related items.
The weather cannot be predicted. In the many years the event has taken place it has rained
torrentially and been hot as a summer day. It has been cold enough to freeze a tin cup of
coffee. And I’ve seen that cup blow all the way to the battlefield. Under NORMAL
circumstances, it should be pleasant in the low 70’s. Check the weather and plan
accordingly. The battle will take place whatever the conditions.
Sunday morning there will be a period church service in the top of the barn. It usually
begins at 11:00, sometimes earlier. The public is invited to attend. There is no
specific denomination, but you can expect some good country preaching backed up by the
soldier’s choir. Come early. It’s become quite popular over the years.
The house is usually open for tours. Those are conducted by the property owner
separately from the event. Check at the gate as you arrive to see if any are planned.
Be prepared to walk. The camps are about 100 yards from the battlefield. We do have
handicapped parking close to the battlefield for those that require it. It doesn’t
hurt to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. We have an area in front designated just
for people to sit.
What time should you come in? The battle is at 2:00 in the afternoon. Skirmishing will
begin even earlier. If I were you, I’d get my lunch and take it down at 1:00 where I
could get a good seat and eat while waiting. You will want to get to the site even earlier
than that. Sometimes the line of cars will backup at the entrance. Come down at 11:00.
Walk the camps and sutler row at your leisure. Get your lunch and mosey to the
battlefield. It’s a pleasant way to spend a few hours and you might be surprised at
what you’ll learn.
The cost is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students under 18 and no charge for
children under 12. I’ve heard people say that’s a lot. I think of it as
the price of a movie with much more value. And think of it this way. Your money will go
directly to historic preservation or our scholarship at Francis Marion University. Imagine
the artifact that you look at in the museum in Florence or Columbia that you helped to
acquire by attending our event. Think of the school teacher whose books or tuition you
helped to pay for. Why, you might be inclined to make an additional contribution.
Finally, to give an impression of what a reenactment looks like. Andy Trimmier
made a great presentation of photos taken at Gettysburg in 2008. Our event will not
be as big as that was, but it may give a notion of what you might see. Click here for the presentation. |
