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September 9, 2012

Battle re-enactment keeps history alive

Rachel Brown rachelbrown@daltoncitizen.com

TUNNEL HILL — The sound of cannon fire and musket shots boomed against the sides of the hills as hundreds of onlookers gathered to watch the battle unfold.

“Look in the middle of the field, ladies and gentlemen. It looks like the Confederates are trying to make  a charge. Let’s cheer ‘em on!”

Rick Revel of Henry, Tenn., called the announcements over loudspeakers covered in plastic to protect them from the rain during the 19th annual Civil War Re-enactment of the Battle of Tunnel Hill to commemorate its 148th anniversary this weekend. The commemoration continues through today. Revel, who also performs traditional Dixie music, said re-enactment organizers have used the speakers for the past two years to help audience members understand what’s going on.

“People would come to re-enactments and didn’t know what they were seeing,” he said.

During the roughly hour-long demonstration, hundreds of cavalry and infantry dressed as both Union and Confederate soldiers, staged advances on each other with the Confederates finally able to catch the Union stronghold on the hill.

According to Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation literature, there were several skirmishes and battles at Tunnel Hill during the war. The first, on Sept. 11, 1863, involved a skirmish just days before the Battle of Chickamauga. The second was in November, 1863, and the third was in January, 1864.

Revel said that when the first battle occurred the Confederates had only 500 or 600 soldiers and were facing about 4,500 Union troops.

“That tells you the odds, and they repelled the enemy,” he said.

Revel said lack of ammunition was a problem for the Confederates throughout the War Between the States, and they often had to capture what they did use from the enemy. Many children were fascinated with the battle taking place on the field and stayed afterwards to talk with re-enactors and fire their muskets.

Scott Wilkes of Ringgold came with his 8-year-old son, Jonas, who described the whole experience as “awesome.”

Ron Hall said he came from Murfreesboro, Tenn., to watch his 15-year-old son, Peyton, perform as a re-enactor. He said he and his son are both members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Peyton became interested in re-enacting, dressing in period attire for the Confederates or Union depending on where he’s needed.

“He will always try to do Confederate if he can,” Hall said.

Re-enactor and lead organizer Ken Sumner said re-enactments are one way to keep history alive.

“Our history, right or wrong, this war made us who we are today,” he said.

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