Post by lizs on Apr 27, 2011 9:20:29 GMT -6
Wasn't sure where to post this, but wanted to let people know as it perhaps might be of interest to someone. The selected statewide event to commemorate Minnesota's entrance into the Civil War will be held at Wasioja (waah-zee-OH-juh), within half an hour NW of Rochester, MN (and within 90 min. of ME = yay!) June 24-26.
SE MN, where I live, was one of the more settled spots in MN when the CW started, so the history is great of men who went to the war from this area. Research into that is being shared by local CW buffs now in special programs, plays, etc. Am really enjoying that end result of all this focus on the Civil War anniversary. I saw the saber of one of our area "boys" (Judson Bishop) in a recent program. It is marred by two marks from being hit during the Battle of Chickamauga.
Getting back to Wasioja, it is where the Mayo Bros. first set up shop, much bigger than Rochester, but then a tornado went through Rochester and in their response the clinic was set up there. Also, Wasioja had a Baptist-related seminary which housed around 300 men. Due to that fact (easy recruiting and enlistments in one spot), a bank was taken over as a CW recruiting station which still stands today, thought to be one of the few (or only?) one west of the Mississippi.
So the location has HISTORY! It was selected by a state committee over other larger towns to host this event. Here's the list of reenactor companies, etc. that will be attending and taking part in battles. Amazing - over 30, including "Grant Lee Custer & Company" and Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Not sure if it's on here, but it even includes a company from Canada (who knew Canada participated in the Civil War??!?) and an all-black unit from the Milwaukee area.
www.civilwarmn.com/registrations.php
Over the three days battles will include Chickamauga, First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) and the battle and surrender at Appomattox. Here's the general site for the group hosting it and the event, called Civil War Days.
www.civilwarmn.com/
The full schedule of events (as set at this point) is here:
www.civilwarmn.com/resources/Schedule.pdf
I've heard people speak on this and am really excited to attend. If anyone is going to be in the area to attend, drop me a line.
SE MN, where I live, was one of the more settled spots in MN when the CW started, so the history is great of men who went to the war from this area. Research into that is being shared by local CW buffs now in special programs, plays, etc. Am really enjoying that end result of all this focus on the Civil War anniversary. I saw the saber of one of our area "boys" (Judson Bishop) in a recent program. It is marred by two marks from being hit during the Battle of Chickamauga.
Getting back to Wasioja, it is where the Mayo Bros. first set up shop, much bigger than Rochester, but then a tornado went through Rochester and in their response the clinic was set up there. Also, Wasioja had a Baptist-related seminary which housed around 300 men. Due to that fact (easy recruiting and enlistments in one spot), a bank was taken over as a CW recruiting station which still stands today, thought to be one of the few (or only?) one west of the Mississippi.
So the location has HISTORY! It was selected by a state committee over other larger towns to host this event. Here's the list of reenactor companies, etc. that will be attending and taking part in battles. Amazing - over 30, including "Grant Lee Custer & Company" and Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Not sure if it's on here, but it even includes a company from Canada (who knew Canada participated in the Civil War??!?) and an all-black unit from the Milwaukee area.
www.civilwarmn.com/registrations.php
Over the three days battles will include Chickamauga, First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) and the battle and surrender at Appomattox. Here's the general site for the group hosting it and the event, called Civil War Days.
www.civilwarmn.com/
The full schedule of events (as set at this point) is here:
www.civilwarmn.com/resources/Schedule.pdf
I've heard people speak on this and am really excited to attend. If anyone is going to be in the area to attend, drop me a line.