Former Director Edwina Carpenter said four living-history events were hosted by the staff to celebrate the 149th anniversary of the Battles of Brice’s Crossroads and Tupelo-Harrisburg.
On Friday, eager minds ready to learn about life in the 1860’s attended the Children’s Discovery Day held at the center. Re-enactors were on hand to tell first- hand accounts of their ancestors who fought in the Civil War. They demonstrated music, camp life and weapons while dressed in period attire.
“More than 70 children attended the discovery day held at the center,” Final Stands former Director Edwina Carpenter said. “This was a great opportunity for both the parents and their children to learn about their history in an educational manner.”
After the demonstrations at the visitor center, the children visited the hallowed ground at Brice’s Crossroads Battlefield. They also participated in a scavenger hunt where they searched for the grave of Reverend Agnew and others in the Bethany Historic Cemetery.
Friday night, two authors of historic works shared their knowledge and research of the battles of Brice’s Crossroads and Tupelo-Harrisburg. Refreshments were served while the authors signed and discussed their books.
“We had an enthusiastic crowd,” Carpenter said. “Tom Parson and Stewart Bennett were both very informative and entertaining.”
On Saturday morning, smoke from cannon, dust from the horses gallop and period music drifted across the hallowed grounds as the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Brice’s crossroads was celebrated.
Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed a variety of impersonations of the Civil War era.
“Ann Collins traveled from Tennessee to share her knowledge about Civil War nurses,” Carpenter said. “Dressed in the proper attire of a vivandiere, Ann shared how women cared for the wounded. Robert Beams traveled from Alabama with a canon and four cannoneers. They presented an interpretation about the cannon and the responsibility of each the artillery group members.”
In addition to the cannon firing, period band and nurse demonstrating, the 3rd Tennessee Calvary Regiment escorted visitors to a variety of stations.
One of the stations featured in the tour included a live firing of the type of carbines used at Brice’s in 1864. Four re-enactors traveled from South Mississippi to spend three days at Brice’s.
Camps were set up by infantry and musicians to showcase how the soldiers lived during the war.
“Pat Arinder taught children how to play musical instruments form the war era including the “spoons” and the “lizard” as he sang,” Carpenter said.
The eventful weekend ended with a closing vespers for the 2013 living history event. A service was held under the brush arbor, built by Final Stands employee BIlly Francis. The Bethany Historic Cemetery board hosted the devotion and song service.
“We offered an educational and entertaining weekend event and they were well attended. We wanted to add a few new things during the sesquicentennial of the Civil War,” Carpenter added.
