The Blue and the Gray Today : When History Buffs Re-Enact the Civil War at Ft. Tejon, Both Sides Can Claim Victory

One wore blue and one wore gray,

As they marched along their way.

The fife and drum began to play,

All on a beautiful morning.

Cannon ball don’t pay no mind

Though you’re gentle or you’re kind.

Don’t think of the folks behind,

All on a beautiful morning.

--American folk song

You leave the 20th Century behind when you cross the foot bridge at the entrance of Ft. Tejon Historic Park, just off Interstate 5 on the way to Bakersfield.

Inside, on specified days, men dressed as Union or Confederate soldiers patrol the grounds, plan maneuvers or rest in low-lying tents, while women in hoop skirts fan themselves to ward off heat or prepare to tend “wounded” in the hospital tent.

The towering trees, grassy fields and 19th-Century barracks add to the atmosphere of deja vu , blotting out the distant freeway roar.

Civil War re-enactments are presented the third weekend of every month, April through October, by the Ft. Tejon Historical Society, a group of enthusiasts who come from as far away as Santa Barbara and San Diego to re-create the War between the States.

‘Living History’ Preferred “I prefer to use the word living history instead of re-enactment. Our goal is to show the plight of the common soldier in the Civil War,” Confederate Maj. Dale Himebaugh of Encino said. He added that on a good weekend, 300 to 400 men and a smaller number of women turn out for the re-enactments.

On Saturday, the group sets up camp, and on Sunday, three mock battles are held. The group uses authentic muskets and cannons loaded with blank ammunition.

After the morning battle, tours of the Union camp at the west end of the fort describe medical practices, cannon loading, other military procedures and the life style of the Union soldier. Following the noon battle, tours of the Confederate camp at the eastern side of the fort give similar insights into the life of the Southern soldier.

Before each battle, the officers get together to plan their maneuvers. Unlike in real life, the two sides alternate their victories, so that everyone gets a chance to win.

Most re-enactors are also history buffs and attempt to bring authenticity to their costumes and uniforms. Many say they have extensive Civil War libraries.

The Union troops represent Company D of the 19th Indiana Regiment, a part of the famous Iron Brigade that fought in most of the major battles of the war. Each soldier has taken on the persona of a real individual in that unit.

Gary Fradella of Pasadena, a real-estate appraiser for Great Western Bank, acts as major for the unit. “I participate in the re-enactments because I like the romance of the time period,” he said. “My own relatives didn’t come to the United States until the 1920s.”

History Teacher Visits

“I enjoy the living-history part of the re-enactments,” said Tom Venner, a history and computer-programming teacher at Silver Valley High School in Barstow. Venner and his wife Julie came to the May re-enactment with their 9-year-old son, Josh, and four students. Venner portrays Cpl. James Van Tooth of Danville, Ind., an immigrant from Holland.

“This is the most wonderful way to teach kids about history,” Julie Venner said. “Each time we re-do our costumes, we become more authentic.” The Venners have obtained a grant to enable high school history students to participate.

The opportunity to act out a personality and profession different from that of real life adds to the fun of the day.

Terry Allen, a brewer from Santa Barbara, assumes the persona of a Union surgeon. During the living history following the first battle, he explained medical procedures in the hospital tent.

“We care for wounded Confederate soldiers too,” he said, getting into his character. “If someone is near death, we help him make peace with his maker. We have so many wounded, we try to help those who can be helped. We have better supplies than the South. We’ve lost a lot of men, but I do believe we’ll win.”

“What were the chances of surviving an amputation?” a visitor asked.

“Three in 10 if gangrene didn’t set in,” Allen answered.

Confederate Camp

Down in the Confederate camp, John Maurais, a truck driver from Garden Grove, sits in a field tent in front of a makeshift table. He portrays a first lieutenant brigade adjutant in the Army of Northern Virginia.

“I created the person I portray,” he said. “I’m a farmer, a poor white kid. I was born in Harmon, S.C., but when the war began I moved to Shelby, N.C. At the beginning of the war I was an enlisted man, but now I’ve worked up to first lieutenant.”

Returning to the 20th Century, he added: “I’m doing this because it preserves history. I wanted to represent the Southern side, because I’m a Southerner by birth.”

“When I was a kid in Virginia, I thought that I would have liked to have lived during the Civil War,” said physicist Sherm Ostrowsky of Santa Barbara, who portrays a private in the first Texas infantry. “When I found out about the re-enactments, it was like a dream come true,” he added. “It gives me a sense of closeness to people both living and dead.”

Ron Bidwell, a telephone repairman for Pacific Bell in Bakersfield, portrays a civilian contract surgeon working with the Army of Northern Virginia. In the field-hospital tent he was preparing to demonstrate medical procedures used by the South.

“Toward the end of the war the Confederates had few supplies or military equipment because of the blockade. We try to simulate wounds and illness such as typhoid, malaria and all the childhood diseases from which soldiers suffered,” he said.

Bidwell started coming to the re-enactments with his son, John, because they wanted an activity they could enjoy together. John, now 16, portrays a cadet.

Blacks are noticeably absent at the Ft. Tejon re-creations.

“We would love to see black participation, because they played such an important part in history. The Civil War was basically fought over slavery,” Maj. Himebaugh said. Some of the re-enactors have acted as extras in “Glory,” a film about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first black units to fight in the Civil War.

The music of fifes and drums signals that the second battle of the day is about to begin on the grassy knoll separating the Union and Confederate camps. The Union troops have positioned three cannons pointing eastward to protect a group of soldiers marching toward a barricade representing a bridge.

“The taking of a bridge could last hours, even days,” explains the narrator. “Bridges formed a vital link between North and South.” He tells us that today’s battle is a skirmish.

A dozen soldiers run toward the barricade to slow down moves by the Confederates. Union pickets line up to defend the bridge. Confederate troops approach from the east, bearing the Stars and Bars, the flag of the South, and shouting the famous Rebel yell.

A drummer accompanies the Confederates. At first he beats 60 beats to the minute, but as the battle fever heats up, he increases his beats to 120 per minute.

On the Union side, a trumpet sounds the call to advance. Firing starts, and men begin to fall. Doctors from both sides run to aid the wounded.

The spectators watching on the sidelines seem quiet, caught up in the horror of the battle scene. It has been prearranged that the Confederates will win this battle.

The noon battle finished, soldiers in blue and gray again mingle without hostility.

“We’re all friends, Union and Confederate, even though we get together to fight,” Ostrowsky said.

Himebaugh added: “We hope people leave here with a feeling of how terrible and violent war really is. Too many people have a romanticized view of war.”

Re-enactments sponsored by the Ft. Tejon Historical Society will be held June 17-18; July 15-16; Aug. 19-20; Sept. 16-17; Oct. 14-15. Battles held Sundays at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Admission $1 for adults, 50 cents for children. Bring a blanket to sit on and a picnic (no food facilities are available).

The Battleground

Ft. Tejon State Historical Park is 74 miles north of Los Angeles near Lebec on Interstate 5. Take the Ft. Tejon State Historical Park exit and cross the freeway to the fort, located on the west side. Call (805) 248-6692.

There are other events similar to those at Ft. Tejon.

American Civil War Society re-enactments are held the second weekend of every month year-round at Prado Regional Park in Chino. Off Highway 71 near Euclid Avenue. Battles are held at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., followed by living-history programs. Admission is $3 per car. Upcoming dates are June 11, July 4 (special program); July 9-10; Aug. 12-13; Sept. 9-10. Info: (818) 845-9003.

Santa Barbara Civil War Council will present an encampment and battle next Saturday at Dos Pueblos High School Campus. Battles will be at noon and 2 p.m. Admission $2 for adults, $1 for children. Contact Dave Douglas at (805) 968-8187.

San Diego G Company, 6th U.S. Infantry, participates in about 20 events per year and presents living history of the Civil War to San Diego County schools. Contact Al Haum at (619) 565-8664. On July 8 the group will perform drills at the Adams Avenue Antique Show on Adams between 30th and 31st streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All groups take new members.