Brightest Young Things

War is cruelty. There is no use trying to reform it. The crueler it is, the sooner it will be over.  -General William T. Sherman

all photos: Dakota Fine; video by: Zachary Goldbaum; words by: Jeff  Jetton

Next year marks the 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) of the American Civil War.  Over those years, wars have come and gone and been waged on battlefields across the world, but none so close to home and none so costly in terms of lives lost. It remains the deadliest war in United States history, resulting in the deaths of 620,000 soldiers and an undetermined number of civilian casualties. Ten percent of all Northern males 20–45 years of age died, as did 30 percent of all Southern white males aged 18–40.

620,000 soldiers dead.  Perhaps that's why the 'War Between the States' doesn't remain particularly vibrant in the collective consciousness of the American public.  It's difficult to process something so painful and utterly massive without pushing it down into some dark cellar of the mind.  This was truly the most painful time in the history of the Republic, a war fought over the most divisive of issues, one that shapes our political landscape to this very day. The debate between abolitionists and secessionists makes discourse between Teapartiers and Liberals seem like a couple of kids fighting over legos in the sandbox.

BYT recently spent a day at the 146th Reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek, the battle that held back the Southern troops from their march on the Federal Capitol of Washington D.C.

"The Battle of Cedar Creek,  October 19, 1864, was one of the final, and most decisive, battles in the Valley Campaigns of 1864. The final Confederate invasion of the North, led by Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early, was effectively ended. The Confederacy was never again able to threaten Washington, D.C. through the Shenandoah Valley, nor protect the economic base. This victory aided the reelection of Abraham Lincoln and Union Army Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan won lasting fame."

On this sunny Autumn day, we arrived as Confederate troops milled about their camps, contemplating the battle [reenactment] that lay ahead.

That distant stare was not uncommon amongst the good men of Cedar Creek: a look of angst and confusion, perhaps of longing for their families. Or perhaps it was just envisioning a delicious bowl of chili with some of that famous 1860's-era cornbread that we've heard so much about.

The question 'Why reenact a battle?' was one that we'd wondered aloud since our days meeting LARP (Live Action Role Playing) enthusiasts at the Renaissance Festival.

If you asked a hundred people why they reenact, you'll get a hundred answers. Camaraderie. Fun. Heritage. A link to one's ancestry. Hell, people reenact Far Side comic strips.  Who knows why?

These Civil War reenactor folks all have their different reasons, yet they're united in their respect for the hallowed ground of this wartime theater upon which they tread: Cedar Creek is one of the few Civil War sites in the country that is privately owned and allows participants to reenact upon the actual grounds in which the battle took place.

We ended up choosing to spend the morning in the Confederate camp for no other reason than proximity to where we entered the field. One imagines this is how most of those caught up in the conflict made the decision for which side they fought. You fought for the side you came in on. If you were of Massachussettes blood you fought for the North. Alabamans (Bammas?) for the South. Etc.

ed. note: This article originally quoted Kentucky as fighting for the South.  For a detailed history on Kentucky's complicated role in the Civil War, please see here. Abraham Lincoln recognized the importance of the Commonwealth of Kentucky when he declared "I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky."

As the camps cleared and the regiments began to file together, the mood turned introspective and somber.  Gentlemen who had only moments ago been laughing and joking with their buddies fell quiet as they marched towards their (reenacted) destinies.  The Confederates quickly prepared to make a rush on the Union troops across the valley.

"In a letter of October 12, 1864, Robert E. Lee told [General] Early, "You had better move against him and endeavor to crush him. ...I do not think Sheridan's infantry or cavalry numerically as large as you suppose." Early examined the Union position behind Cedar Creek and found an opening. Expecting an attack across the open valley floor to the west, the Union left relied on natural obstacles for cover. Early planned to get his men across the creek and attack the Union left, rolling up the line and defeating each part in detail. His choice was either to attack or retire to replenish his dwindling supplies. Early chose boldness and planned an assault on superior forces, using surprise to his advantage."

Tension was not solely relegated amongst the troops.  The crowd also hushed as the two sides lined up, women realizing that they're (reenacted) husbands could perish in the coming moments.

An excerpts from the 1942 Pulitzer Prize-winning book 'Reveille in Washington' gives a bit of insight into the Cedar Creek battle:

"Soon, there was action on a larger scale in the neighborhood of Washington.  Before daybreak on October 19th, [General] Early's forces made a surprise attack on the Army of the Shenandoah.  [General] Phil Sheridan was not with his command. On his way to rejoin it, after a conference at the War Office, he was sleeping that night at Winchester, twenty miles north of Cedar Creek, where the army was encamped.

As Sheridan rode of of Winchester in the morning, he heard the sound of heavy firing. Blue-clad fugitives welled out of the south, panting the news that his army was routed. Sheridan put spurs to his horse, and, calling on the men to follow him, galloped to the front. He rallied his forces, and in the afternoon made a counter-attack which ended in a decisive Federal victory."

As the cavalry brigades drew scabbards and closed in on each other, our day similarly drew to a close.  We made preparations to navigate that long path back to our car along with hundreds of other enthusiasts.

And finally, we bid adieu to our new friends at Cedar Creek.  The reenactment was over. For many of these people, it would be on to the next one the following weekend.

As for the actual Civil War, the Battle of Cedar Creek was a signal of the North's dominance to come:

"Day after day, the flatcars that pulled out of Washington were loaded with men in Blue.  In the mild April air, they jolted down through the desert of Virginia.  Farms, gardens, churches, schools, wayside taverns and turnpike roads were obliterated.  In Washington, the tulip trees were green, and the silver poplars dropped their plumes.  Daffodils danced in the gardens. Along Rock Creek Park, the redbuds were in flower. Only stumps and stunted undergrowth remained of the forests of northern Virginia. Only some dock and watercress told of Spring along Bull Run. The cars lurched through the naked country, carrying desolation to the South."

Also, check out this great little video that one of our videographers made of the day's events:

Previously in Tangents:

• 12/28: Terrible Boyfriend/ Girlfriend Generator.
• 11/2: PHOTOS: TAXLO Halloween (feat. Chain Gang of 1974)
• 10/10: #OccupyWallStreet
• 8/10: PHOTOS: Lawn Mover Racing, Eastern Seaboard Regionals @ Bowles Farm
• 7/26: Special List: Things the BYGays Want Now That We Can Marry In DC (and NY!)
• 7/20: PHOTOS: Artscape
• 7/19: Miho Hatori's Guide to New York City
• 4/11: Cirque Du Soleil: Totem (A Review)
• 12/29: What in Hell is Slaughterama?!?
• 12/29: Disney Diary: Day 1