Gotta love it when American history can come alive for these boys.
Today we visited Allaire State Park for the Civil War Encampment reenactment that takes place once a year. The boys learned about the difference between cavalry and infantry, how a cannon was loaded (below)...
...all about the importance of musicians during times of war (and how they were the least-protected members, as they did not carry a personal piece to defend themselves with)...
... and witnessed a debate between sitting president Abraham Lincoln and aspiring Presidential Democrat nominee General George B. Mc Clellan. Although Lincoln went on to defeat the General in the election of 1864, McClellan later became governor of New Jersey (and Lincoln was assassinated a few months into that term).
A VERY COOL way to take a tintype photograph. Smile! Or not!
I think the kids understood that these folks were actors... and pretending to be soldiers, and that the Civil War took place here in America... and that it was over a hundred years ago. More than that, I'm not sure that they got it. But if taking them today means that they'll whet their appetite for more stuff like this in the future, I'd be sooo happy! :)
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