Civil War rages on in Jacksonville

By Cody Bozarth

The sounds of cannons and musket fire reverberated through the city Saturday as hundreds of Civil War re-enactors once again took to the field for open combat.

The 19th annual Grierson Civil War Days continues today in Jacksonville’s Community Park, remembering a pivotal time in American history and honoring veterans of all eras.

Grierson Days chairman Ron Gray said more than 300 re-enactors came to Jacksonville to take part in the event, slightly more than last year. Despite a warm day, the park provided ample shade for the large crowed that turned out.

“People love to get out, see the event and love to mingle,” Gray said. “There’s a lot of what we call 'sutlers.' They followed the Civil War soldiers during the war and sold them everything they needed, including uniforms.”

Today, many of the events featured Saturday are again scheduled, including a kids’ play area, 1850s-rules baseball, historic exhibits, and food and craft vendors.

The camps open at 9 a.m. and the second part of the Civil War reenactment battle will take place at 1:30 p.m.

“People are welcome to come visit,” Gray said. “The re-enactors love talking to the public.”

Grey said one of the fastest growing parts of Grierson Days is Veterans Remembered — a multi-era reenactment covering World War I through the Vietnam War.

On Saturday, re-enactors participated in World War I and World War II skirmishes. Veterans Remembered coordinator Erik Hack said period equipment, uniforms and vehicles will be on display today.

Saturday was the first year that the event included a World War I skirmish, and Hack said the group is motivated to bring something new to the event every year.

“This would have been the fourth year, but it didn’t go on the year of the floods, what we call the Noah’s Ark reenactment,” Hack said. “There’s both interest from re-enactors and from the community, because the main thing is we honor all veterans. We have veterans come out and really enjoy it."