Thousands Gather in Penn. for Gettysburg`s 150th Anniversary
June 28--Joe Hamer drove from Oregon about a week early, so the horses could adjust to the East Coast's heat and humidity.
That was probably a wise choice.
Humidity hung heavy in the air on Thursday as Hamer sat with other re-enactors, all in varying stages of costume dress, adjusting to the heat in an encampment along the treeline of the Bushey Farm outside Gettysburg.
The group played games using modern playing cards and enjoyed some last-minute creature comforts, such as packaged foods, as thousands of other re-enactors set up camp in fields around them.
"The transformation starts at midnight," said Judy Arter, a re-enactor from Oregon. She wore a T-shirt and a wide-brimmed hat and wondered aloud whether the one corset she brought was enough. The group's horses, cannon and artillery ambulance were nearby.
They will join an Alabama light artillery unit as part of the Blue Gray Alliance re-enactment that begins today at the farm and ends Sunday.
If Thursday seemed like the calm before the storm -- even as the sky grew heavy with clouds threatening a midday thunderstorm -- that's because it was. Hundreds of tents dotted the landscape Thursday at the Bushey Farm as thousands of re-enactors from around the world readied for the weeklong observance of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Events, re-enactments and living histories are planned beginning today through July 6.
Some re-enactors took time to take in the sights -- and a little air conditioning.
Cleon Plunk, of Oklahoma, wore his Confederate uniform, with the 22nd Arkansas, as he dined with other members of his unit at Sweney's Tavern at the Historic Farnsworth House Inn in Gettysburg. Plunk and three other men who came for the week's events were camped at Bushey Farm, but spent part of the day touring the actual battlefields.
"Can't get tired of touring Civil War battlefields," Plunk said.
Streets throughout the town of Gettysburg seemed to be getting busier. Confederate and Union re-enactors mingled with civilians on sidewalks, and at least one truck with Texas license plates was spotted rumbling through town with a trailer carrying artillery in tow.
Bonnie Alwine, an office manager at the historic Farnsworth House Inn, said she ordered double the amount of souvenirs in anticipation of tourists. Six of the Inn's 10 rooms were booked heading into this weekend, Alwine said.
"Next week is a different story," she said.
'An eye on everything'
Katie Corrigan, a public information officer for the National Park Service's Incident Management Team, said the agency is collaborating with local and state emergency management and law enforcement to ensure the public's safety during the week and has brought in an additional 226 people, including volunteers, to assist. A "structure" is in place in the event of a major emergency, Corrigan said.
Mark Way, an event coordinator for the Blue and Gray Alliance's event, which is run separately from the National Park Service events, said two first aid stations will be set up along the battlefields in addition to one already along the road. Way said about a dozen security guards trained in anti-terrorism will be working the event. Pennsylvania State Police also did a threat assessment at the site, he said.
"I saw their bomb truck out here the other day, so they're keeping an eye on everything that's going on," Way said.
As re-enactors set up camp, some people took the opportunity to restock along a row of about 50 vendors that set up shop at the farm along Pumping Station Road. Entrance to the vendors' area, known as Sutler's Row, is free, Way said.
Richard Lindley and Peter Whyman looked like civilians as they wore shorts while shopping for supplies. The two men traveled with another re-enactor from England to take part in the week's events and will join with soldiers from the 8th Louisiana. Re-enactors from California had loaned the men some guns to use, they said, but they couldn't pack their tent.
"We're still picking up some odds and ends," Lindley said. "There's only so much you can fit into luggage.
"It sounds silly to do Civil War re-enacting in England," Lindley said. "It's a chance of a lifetime."
Follow Courtney Mabeus on Twitter: @courtmabeus.
IF YOU GO
The Blue Gray Alliance's re-enactment site: www.bluegraygettysburg.com.
Tickets are $10 for adults and can be bought in advance through the website. Children ages 12 and under are free.
Bushey Farm is near the southwest section of Gettysburg National Military Park at 1845 Pumping Station Road. The roads are rural and may get busy early, even though there will be people to assist with parking. Satellite parking will be offered off Cumberland Road, with as many as eight shuttle buses running.
All bags will be subject to visual inspection. No modern firearms will be allowed. There is no grandstand for viewing the re-enactment events. Spectators may bring lawn chairs and blankets. Umbrellas will also be allowed, but they cannot be used during re-enactments. Sunscreen is recommended.
Copyright 2013 - The Frederick News-Post, Md.
