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War re-enactment slated for Saturday at Bost Grist Mill
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Published: June 10, 2009
Battle at Bost Grist Mill
2 p.m. Saturday, June 13
1:30 p.m. Sunday June 14
Adults 13 and over $10
Ages 6 to 12 $5
Under 6 free
Gates open at 10 a.m.
Bost Grist Mill
4701 Hwy. 200, Concord
www.battleofbost.tripod.com
Bost Grist Mill and the 30th North Carolina Troops will play host to a historic Civil War re-enactment this weekend in a meadow at the mill.
"This is a re-enactment show, not a competition," said Gene Bost, owner of Bost Grist Mill.
Close to 300 re-enactors, and 30 Calvary horses will be present, with two to three pieces of artillery for demonstrations.
They expect between 3,000 and 5,000 spectators to watch the 30th North Carolina Troops demonstrate battles and squirmishes. It will be a precursor to several larger re-enactments planned in the coming months.
Capt. Doug Wright of the 30th North Carolina Troops and the event coordinator has previously participated in re-enactment battles at Gettysburg.
"We had over 30,000 in that one," Wright said. "It happens about once every five years."
Next year, the group will participate in the Bentonville Battlefield in Newton Grove, south of Raleigh.
"That was the last large battle in North Carolina," Wright said. "It will be the 145th anniversary."
A specific battle will not be fought this weekend, because the closest battle to Concord was in Salisbury, where Interstate 85 crosses the Yadkin, according to Wright.
"I think that's what holding up the new bridge," Wright said.
He explains that the Stoneman's Raiders, in 1865, did some damage in Salisbury.
"They burned up the prison and had planned to move up to Lexington, but Fort York stopped them," Wright said. "They used Yankee prisoners to man the artillery at the fort. They had changed sides, but had been federal prisoners."
Re-enactments are not only entertaining, but also remind spectators important lessons about local history.
"We do this for the historical significance of it," Bost said.
"We have two individuals who will portray General Lee and General Longstreet," Wright said.
A traveling museum will be available on-site for people to look through artifacts.
Two local authors will also be there. Both have written about the Civil War. Steve Shaw, wrote historical fiction, and Walt Hilderman wrote "They Went Into The Fight Cheering" about the draft (conscription) in North Carolina during the Civil War.
A ladies tea with an appearance by Anna Jackson, wife of General Stonewall Jackson is also planned.
"We're historical," Bost said. "The whole place is historical at the mill, and there is not any of this kind of thing going on in the area. Statesville is the closest. There wasn't a battle here, but we try to represent some battle."
"They're fairly scripted, these battles," Wright said. "We know who will win in the end."
• Contact reporter Robin L. Gardner: 704-789-9140.
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