Submitted by Joann Flirt
Gulf Coast Newspapers
Blakeley State Park, Alabama
1-2 November 2006
Area and regional Civil War re-enactors gave demonstrations Saturday at Blakeley State Park. They set up a Civil War period campground and hosted visitors who came out to see how soldiers dealt with everyday events, as well as battle.
A cannon and rifles were fired at their campsite that was set up on Battlefield Road, just as they did on this same historic battlefield in April 1865 in the last major battle of the Civil War.
Morton's Battery, one of the oldest and most experienced of the Civil War artillery re-enactors, provided the heavy firepower while infantry from Company E, First Regiment the Florida Volunteer Infantry, CSA and Company D. 21st Alabama Infantry, Florida Battery demonstrated rifle fire.
Steve Adler with Morton's Battery and Eli Chandler led the infantrymen and directed the living history demonstrations. Both men are experienced and have organized Civil War history events at Blakeley Park in the past years.
The last major land battle of the Civil War took place at Blakeley April 9, 1865 on battlefield lands which have been preserved by Blakeley Park.
The demonstrations Saturday were staged on part of the those grounds behind the Confederate earthworks.
The park is located on Alabama Highway 225, about 4.5 miles north of the Spanish Fort intersection with U.S. 31.
Click Here To See Article Clipping
Fort Blakeley State Park Website
List of Participating Units in the Battle
Spanish Fort Sun Editor Martha Campbell contributed to article
© Gulf Coast Newspapers, Alabama 2006
