Huge Civil War reenactment/event in MN June 24-26

[lizs]

I wanted to let people know about this 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.

Read more: lbha.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=campfire&action=display&thread=3922#ixzz1Kveo7o58

[lizs]

Some stories I've written on presentations tying to the Civil War and the upcoming event:

Event brings Civil War history home
www.bluffcountrynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=36629&SectionID=12&SubSectionID=21&S=1

Wasioja will host Civil War Days in June
www.bluffcountrynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=36630&SectionID=12&SubSectionID=21&S=1

Judge Joe Chase, a Civil War enthusiast, has written a play on the Chatfield, MN men who served in the Civil War, fought Sitting Bull at Killdeer Mountain and who also manned Fort Ridgely during the Dakota War of 1862 in Minnesota.
www.bluffcountrynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=36705&SectionID=44&SubSectionID=182&S=1

Author Nick K. Adams will return to the area to speak before the Wasioja event. He had his father's letters from the Civil War and created a book for students from them. I interviewed him:
Book has Fillmore County ties
History comes alive for students in 'Uncivil War'
www.bluffcountrynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=33047&SectionID=14&SubSectionID=23&S=1

[lizs]

www.rahrahrochester.com/events/2011-Wasioja.Civil.War.Days/

Just a reminder. This is getting close. I just learned they'll be using pyrotechnics on the field during the Saturday and Sunday battles. Can't wait!!! (And, yeah, I know, too bad it's the same anniversary weekend as Little Bighorn)