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OVCWA
ladies demonstrate a wide variety of clothing styles common
during the War
Between the States. (photo by Joanell Gates Phillips)
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Captivating
Civilian Impressions at Civil War Encampment
The Ohio Valley Civil War Association not only brings top notch
military presentations, but also incorporates the fascinating civilian
side as well. Visit them on Saturday April 30th and Sunday May 1st at
Shawnee Prairie Preserve on State Route 502 west of Greenville and step
back in time. While many able bodied young men enlisted to fight on
both sides of the War Between the States, women were left to keep life
running at home, in the shops, and on the farms. Sometimes this even
brought them into camp as a nurse, camp follower, or visitor bringing
comforts of home. Civilian men also had roles to play in the war
effort, like the displaced farmer turned cook for the army or preacher
providing comfort to the anxious or grieving families.
The civilians of the OVCWA are dedicated men and women who take on
first-person personas of real people during the American Civil War.
They educate, entertain, and enlighten visitors on a wide variety of
topics and issues our ancestors faced. The members portray a full gamut
of Civil War civilians: from prostitutes to nuns, farmers to business
men, laundresses to telegraphers. The Civil War Civilian are devoted to
educating the public about the many roles civilians, especially women,
filled during the Civil War. Come discuss the war effort, marvel at
visiting ladies’ latest fashions, and, special for this event, Mrs.
Adelicia Acklen of Nashville will be visiting. She’ll regale visitors
with stories from her life on a southern plantation. This begs the
question: Why is a southern woman in Ohio and with a Union camp no
less? Visit Shawnee Prairie on April 30th or May 1st to find out.
Make sure to make time between talking to civilians to observe daily
life for a Union soldier, hear the cannon blast, watch men drill, and
smell a soldier’s supper simmering. Daily demonstrations at 11am, 1pm,
and 3pm will include the 35th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Co. G, 66th
Illinois Co. G also known as Birge's Western Sharpshooters, and 1st
Ohio Light Artillery Bat. C. The organization also includes Co. A 1st
Battalion 19th US Infantry, US Army Signal Corps, Civil War Civilians,
and the 75th OVI Headquarters. The OVCWA has taught at Manassas,
Kennesaw Mountain, Stones River, and Gettysburg National Battlefields.
In July of 2012 they taught at Shawnee Prairie and in April of 2015 at
the Gettysburg hub of the Tecumseh Trail, and Darke County Parks is
proud to welcome them back to Shawnee Prairie again. This free, family
friendly event has something to interest everyone. For any questions or
more information about this exciting and unique event, please call the
nature center at (937) 548-0165, or send an email to
info@darkecountyparks.org
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