City of Roy host to Civil War reenactment

August 10 and again on August 11, the Civil War Reenactors will be hosting an event in Roy, Washington. Come out, bring your lawn chair and a parasol to watch the North and South battle it out on the big field that Leland Weaver owned on the north end of town. The cost is $10. Also bring water and snacks as the regular food service fellow had an unfortunate medical event a couple days ago and will not be there with goodies for the public. The black powder guns and cannons are rather loud, so if you bring a pet, prepare to comfort them. It’s hot, so don’t leave them in your car.

The encampment has many historical displays to peruse before and after the battle takes place. The Mason-Dixon Township shows what it was like to live in that era. There is a telegraph station, a seamstress with an interesting old sewing machine. A field surgeon has a table of medical equipment from the period and some gruesome reminders of the limbs lost in the battles. Browse and chat, they love to answer\ your questions.

The events go through over 200 pounds of black power each year. The reenactors come from all over Washington state, and some from Oregon and Idaho. There is even an artillery unit that crosses the border from British Columbia to participate. They put on 5 to 7 events each year around the Pacific Northwest.

Sunday’s events begin at 9 a.m. with Sunday chapel at 9:30 a.m.  The battle on Saturday took place at 3p.m. as is likely the same time Sunday.  More information is available on the Washington Civil War Association’s website at  http://wcwa.net/.

From their website:

“The Washington Civil War Association (WCWA) is committed to honoring our ancestors, both Northern and Southern, who fought in or lived during the American Civil War. With this goal in mind, the WCWA sponsors living history encampments, battle reenactments, school programs, and recruiting drives throughout the state of Washington. The WCWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to education.

The WCWA consists of smaller groups of reenactors formed to portray different units and organizations that existed during the American Civil War. These groups portray civilians, infantry, cavalry, navy, marines, engineers, surgeons, nurses, ministry and sutlers.”

Highlights from Saturday: