Variety of Events Mark the 125th Civil War Anniversary

The variety of Civil War re-enactments this year includes special 125th anniversary commemorations of battles and other significant events.

Virginia and North Carolina are where most of the commemoratives will be staged. These include Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox, Va., and the subsequent stacking of arms of the last rebel armies at a farm outside Durham, N.C. For a free schedule and guide, write to Department of Cultural Resources, 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh, N.C. 27611, or phone (919) 733-5722.

Events this year are at the following sites:

--Durham, N.C. (Feb. 24): The African-American experience during the Civil War and Reconstruction symposium at Stagville Center. Call (919) 733-5722 for information.

--New York City (March 15-18)--The colorful Irish Brigade’s 125th anniversary commemoration. Living history and troop billeting on Governor’s Island, and participation in the St. Patrick’s Day parade through Manhattan. Write G. Regan, 925 25th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037.

--Newton Grove, N.C. (March 16-18)--Re-enactment of the Battle of Bentonville on the original battleground. An elaborate field-hospital program is slated March 17. Call (919) 733-5722 for more information.

--Raleigh, N.C. (April-May)--A continuing Civil War film festival and commentary every Sunday afternoon at the North Carolina Museum of History. Call (919) 733-5622.

--Selma, Ala. (April 2-8)--The 125th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Selma. Activities include parades, dances, tours of historic homes, ceremonies at Live Oak Cemetery. Contact Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Drawer D, Selma, Ala. 36702.

--West Point (April 5-8)--The Military Academy will co-sponsor a “Leadership in the Civil War” seminar at Hotel Thayer on the academy grounds. Proceeds to the Civil War battlefield preservation/restoration effort. Contact West Point Civil War Seminar 1990, Box 265, Delmar, N.Y. 12054-0265.

--Fredericksburg, Va. (April 7-15)--The Virginia Living History Center will sponsor a weeklong program of commemorations, re-enactments and living history interpretations. Events include the 125th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House and the fateful meeting of Grant and Lee thereafter, and the remembrance/mourning of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Contact Napoleonic Tactics Inc., Box 8526, Fredericksburg, Va. 22404.

--Appomattox, Va. (April 6-8)--The National Park Service plans a weekend of re-enactment events marking the 125th anniversary of the surrender of Gen. Lee’s army. Contact Harold Wyatt, Box 980, Appomattox, Va. 24522.

--Madison, Ind. (April 20-22)--The ninth annual Midwest Civil War Conference at Clifty Falls State Park will include presentations by six leading U.S. historians, including Ed Bearss of the National Park Service. Includes tours of homes with war connections in Madison. Call (812) 265-5284.

--Pleasant Hill, La. (April 21-22)--The 10th annual re-enactment of the Battle of Pleasant Hill on the original battlefield. Largest battle fought west of the Mississippi. Family activities planned. Contact the Battle of Pleasant Hill, 8502 Westbrook Place, Shreveport, La. 71108.

--Raleigh, N.C. (April 26-28)--The last Confederate signal message re-enactment on April 26, with the “show and tell” of wartime experiences all three days at the state Capitol. Call (919) 733-5722.

--Durham, N.C. (April 28-29)--Re-enactment of the surrender of the last rebel forces in the field at Bennett Place Farm. Call (919) 733-5722.

--Edwards, Miss. (May 11-13)--The battle that sealed the fate of Vicksburg, and of the Confederacy, is restaged on a portion of the old battlefield. A parade, cotillion and living history are planned. Contact Champion Hill Foundation, P.O. Box 1863, Edwards, Miss. 39066.

--Covington, La. (May 18-20)--The third annual Battle of Covington re-enactment and living history. “Jollification,” a social with all participants both Blue and Gray, is also scheduled. Call (504) 892-0447.

--Gettsyburg, Pa. (June 30-July 1)--The Gettysburg Civil War and Antique Gun Show will include living history events by uniformed re-enactors. Special events at nearby National Military Park. Call (717) 334-4564.

--Vicksburg, Miss. (June 30-July 1)--The expansive Re-enactment of the Siege of Vicksburg will highlight the battle segment in which Missouri troops on both sides of the battlements underscored the brother versus brother, father versus son connotation of the Civil War. Events around town, with much activity in the Old Courthouse Museum area. An Old South Ball on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Call (601) 636-0741.

--Wytheville, Va. (Aug. 24-26)--A re-enactment of the Battle of the Cove and a living history encampment on part of the original battleground. Lots of cavalry involved. Call (703) 993-2635.

--Creswell, N.C. (Sept. 1)--A narrative concert of Civil War period music by the North Carolina Symphony at Somerset Place. Call (919) 733-5722.

--New Bern, N.C. (Oct. 19-21)--”The Civil War in New Bern” is a definitive exhibition and living history of how the war affected a typical Southern community. Call (919) 733-5722.