Wednesday, April 13, 2011

CAMP JACKSON: THE TIPPING POINT

DATE: April 29 – May 1
TIMES: Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PLACE: Jefferson Barracks Park

Visit Jefferson Barracks and experience the events that took place during the Missouri Volunteer Militia's encampment known as Camp Jackson in early May, 1861.

On Friday and Saturday, be transported through time to the outskirts of St. Louis in 1861. See re-enactors depict the events and daily routines in the state-sanctioned camp of the Missouri State Guard at Lindell Groves. Take a short walk to the opposing pro-union and mostly German immigrant camp of pro-Union Home Guards at the St. Louis Arsenal, who sought to keep Missouri in the Union and the Arsenal out of Southern hands.

The event will end on Sunday with a reenactment of an early war battle that occurred during the summer of 1861.

There will be a variety of demonstrations including Civil War era music, artillery and musket firing; and drill demonstrations as well as a reenactment of the incident that proved to be the tipping point that set Missouri down a violent, turbulent path in the American Civil War. Military camps will be open to the public and tours will be available for school groups and public alike.

Available for purchase will be period merchandise from a variety of “sutlers” and an assortment of food vendors.

Camp Jackson proved to be the tipping point, and the entire state was then embroiled in four grueling years of civil war. Missouri had the third highest number of Civil War battles and skirmishes (after Virginia and Tennessee).

Freedom’s Gateway website

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