Bringing the Civil War's Historic Potomac Battles to Bensalem

Closer to the Delaware River’s embankment the scent of gun powder hung in the air.  Mixed in with the scent were clouds of smoke, some from the campfires, most from the noisy, angry guns that had sons of America’s late 19th century settlers as their target.  It was a time of war; not everyone would be spared.

Meet the Officers and Soldiers from the Civil War

Leading Today’s Civil War

For the last 22 years Bensalem’s Neshaminy State Park has been home to historic Civil War re-enactments.  “Last year was a record setting year,” Kenneth Gavin, Executive Chairman of the Neshaminy War Reenactments stated.  “About 20,000 spectators attended last year’s event.  Each year approximately 1,000 to 1,200 re-enactors also participate, which is about capacity for the park.”

It wasn’t always this way.  “I started reenacting in July 2004,” Kenneth added.  “I belong to the 28th Pennsylvania.” 

Membership in the 28th Pennsylvania is what pushed Kenneth to the forefront of the park’s re-enactments.  In fact, several years ago Civil War hobbyists from the 28th Pennsylvania told Kenneth they thought he’d be good leading the event.  Their suspicions proved accurate.  Kenneth has been serving as the event’s executive chairman for five years. 

When asked what inspired him to get involved with reenacting, Kenneth said, “My mom is a school teacher.  She instilled a love of history in me.  I went to my first reenactment when I was eight or nine years old.”

The fact that his ancestors fought in actual Civil War battles only served to peak Kenneth’s interest.  “I want to teach people about the Civil War,” he shared.  “I’m always reading and learning, trying to make the event better.”

In addition to encouraging Kenneth to lead Neshaminy’s Civil War reenactments, each member of the 28th Pennsylvania belongs to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  Annually, they go out and place flags in cemeteries to ensure veterans are recognized and properly honored.  At Neshaminy Kenneth said the goal is to, “Teach, to educate the public about a generation that is gone and can no longer speak for itself.”

Bringing History to Life

Kenneth portrayed a Union soldier at the 22nd annual reenactment, which is mid-size compared to other reenactments.  Large reenactments like Gettysburg generally have 5,000 to 20,000 re-enactors.  Regardless of size, organizing the events is no easy task.  In fact, Kenneth said he will start planning for next year’s event in July.  The man who helps to create the battle scenarios at Neshaminy is Dr. Andy Waskie, history professor at Temple University.  Andy serves as Chief Field of Staff to the Union army at the event.

“I’ve been writing historical background material for the event for 22 years,” Andy said.  “This year, we picked battles from 1861 (the battles of Bolivar Heights and Ball’s Bluff) that involved local troops.  The numbers of soldiers in this year’s reenactment are about the same as the number of soldiers who fought in the actual battles.”

Before Andy got involved in reenactments, he served in the Army reserves.  An interest in genealogy surfaced a surprising fact; one of Andy’s great-grandfathers had served in the Civil War.  The discovery led Andy to Virginia.  “I went to the Gettysburg reenactment and was mesmerized by what I saw.  While there I found out that some of the re-enactors were for Bucks County.  One attended Pennsbury High School.  It was through him that I got involved in reenacting.”

In addition to teaching history at Temple University, Andy has spoken at elementary schools about the Civil War, striving to make it come alive.  “The students are very interested,” Andy said.  “For 20 years I have studied and portrayed General Meade, who was from Pennsylvania, to students and groups.”

One of Andy Waskie’s latest ventures has been the publication of his book, "Philadelphia and the Civil War," published by History Press.  The book is available in bookstores.  While penning it, Andy was able to draw upon more than his passion for history and the Civil War, he was also able to call upon first-hand knowledge of the area.  After all, he is a Pennsylvania native who was born and raised in Bloomsburg.  He taught at Pennsbury for 30 years, and has been instructing students at Temple for 11 years.

Carrying the Confederate Flag Up North

As with the actual war, there was opposition.  Portraying a Confederate soldier at the reenactment was Bill Rodman, a man with an infectious laugh and an engaging disposition.  “I’ve played both sides,” Bill began.  “I started out 25 years ago with Company B of the 4th Texas Infantry.  Normally I participate in 10 to 15 events a year.  I’ve served as the overall Confederate Commander at four events:  Philadelphia, Ridley Creek State Park, Neshaminy and White Hall outside of Allentown.”

Bill’s interest in the Civil War has always been there, working on him like a second skin.  “Twenty-five years ago I went to an event at Ridley State Park.  After the event, I asked how I could join as a re-enactor.  Next thing I knew I was wearing funny clothes.”

It didn’t take long for Bill’s love of history to shine through.  He let on that, “Modern reenactments started at the 100th anniversary of the Civil War.  I went to the first two reenactments when I was 15 and 16.  Before modern reenactments, veteran soldiers of the Civil War put on ‘sham battles’ starting in the 1880s.” Bill laughed.  “Most Northern reenactments tend to have more Union soldiers, while most Southern reenactments tend to have more Confederate soldiers.”

Home for Bill is King of Prussia.  He was born in Camden, New Jersey and moved to Pennsylvania when he was 10 years old.  He has lived in the Keystone state ever since.

Leading a Civil War Company

Another re-enactor portraying a Confederate soldier is Ron Lauser, a man who makes his home in Delaware County.  He is a Captain of Company B of the 4th Texas Infantry.  He has been involved with reenactments since 1996. 

“Neshaminy is one of the better events,” Ron said.  “It’s a step below Gettysburg.  The landscape at Neshaminy Park offers a lot of scenarios we can do.  We try to do a different scenario each year.”  When asked what got him inspired to reenact the Civil War, Ron responded, “I’ve always been interested in history.  I’ve wanted to get involved in reenactments since I found out my great-great-great grandfather served in the Virginia Calvary.”

The company that Ron leads had about 80 men in it during the real Civil War.  “A company was a small group of troops from different areas,” Ron shared.  “Companies formed battalions and so many battalions made up a division.  Finally, so many divisions made up an Army during the Civil War.”

When asked how much captains know about the scripted scenes prior to the actual reenactment, Ron answered, “Captains don’t know the scripted reenactments.  More senior leaders do.  We do know who is going to win in advance.”   

Going Back In Time to Honor Those Who Can No Longer Speak

It Was a Sight to Behold, an Experience Hard to Forget

People of all ages came out to the Saturday, April 30, 2011, reenactment.  Some brought blankets and lawn chairs.  A few dogs barked while boats sailed down the Delaware River.  A little after noon, people stood on the river’s grassy embankment and peered out across the field in the direction of blasting guns.  Cannons could be heard even before soldiers were seen making their way through the brush. 

“It’s my first time seeing the reenactment,” a spectator named Bryan said.  “I served in a reenactment when I was 10, but this is my first time watching.”  His friend, Chris, said, “I’m having a good time watching the event.”

A few yards away from Bryan and Chris, another spectator named Jean said, “I’ve been coming for three years.  It’s incredible the carnage you see while watching the battles,” she added.  “It was hot last year.  The guys fought in the middle of the heat.”  She shook her head, still amazed, somewhat aghast, at the sight of men gunned down, their bodies lying flat and lifeless on the field.  “People should go home and research the battles.” 

Karen also mixed in with the crowd on the embankment.  She portrayed a civilian re-enactor.  “This is my sixth year participating in reenactments,” she shared.  “My son got involved with reenactments when he was six years old.  He volunteered as a runner.”  She was quick to add, “During the Civil War children served as runners and passed orders between lieutenants and captains.”

George Washington High School and a Surgeon General’s Tales

Tara Baldwin, a student from Philadelphia’s George Washington High School, said, “I came as part of a school assignment.  My teacher is a re-enactor.  His name is John Green.  He portrays a Union soldier from the 28th Pennsylvania.”  Not only did Tara think the event was “pretty good,” she planned to return next year. 

As Tara made her way to the crest of the embankment to get a clearer view of the ensuing battles, Civil War officers rode galloping horses onto an open field.  Spectators in the crowd watched with anticipation.  Yet, and as odd as it seemed, a short distance from the battles, life went on.  Over two hundred yards away from the embankment were rows of tents that seemed to go on forever.  This was where the soldiers’ families and support staff camped out. 

At the entrance to the tent area, a class four clerk, portrayed by Bill Wilson, and a surgeon general, portrayed by Bill Gent, sat behind a smoky log fire.  Wilson has been participating in reenactments for about 14 years.  He drove up from Virginia to attend this year’s event.  Gent is a local native who has been participating in reenactments for five years.  He also works as a lecturer on the Civil War and is online at www.manlytoolman.com. 

It wasn’t long before Gent crossed the field, stood next to visitors who ogled a tray of bottles outside his tent and taught them about the medicines that lined the table outside his tent door.  “Laudanum was the most abused drug during the Civil War period,” he said.  “It came in liquid form.  People used it for many ailments.  It was mixed with alcohol, opium and mercury.”  Today the drug is heavily regulated; its bottle stamped with the word ‘poison.’

Next Gent displayed period scalpels and surgical amputation saws lining a bottom side of his medicine box.  “Generally there was one surgeon for thousands of soldiers,” he said, reveling in the chance to educate.  “A surgeon might have one assistant.”  He continued, “The soldiers got homesick.  Guys marched 10 to 20 miles a day, carrying their equipment.  To keep the men motivated, bands played hometown favorites and patriotic music.  They also used drums and bugles to send command messages.  The air was so full of smoke during the actual war, soldiers couldn’t see, so they needed messengers, which were children runners.”

Class 4 clerk, Bill Wilson, said he, “Enjoys coming to Neshaminy reenactments.  It’s cool to be on the Delaware River.”  He also noted that, “Down South re-enactors portraying Confederate soldiers are very passionate about the war.”  Wilson has been coming to the Neshaminy reenactments for 10 years. 

Civilian Life During the Civil War

The walk down the concrete pathway separating the park from Playmasters led to vending tables where writers, members of local infantry units and re-enactors dressed up as civilian shopkeepers sold their wares.  Some of the individuals and organizations who attended the event were the General Meade Society, the Delaware Valley Civil War Roundtable, Regimental Quartermaster, the 69th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, the 28th Pennsylvania Mifflin Guard Band, the 3rd Regiment Infantry of United States Colored Troops, authors Mark Hubman and Scott Mingus, a prolific Civil War book writer. 

Scott Mingus’ titles include "Gettysburg Glimpses: True Stories Behind the Battlefield," "Human Interest Stories From Antietam," "Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition," "Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign" and the "Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign."  Mingus, also a Civil War blogger, tour guide, multiple award-winning miniature war-gamer and scientist makes his home near York, Pennsylvania.  He is online at www.scottmingus.com.

Mark Hubman, a native New Yorker who now makes his home in Willow Grove, has been researching the Civil War for about 30 years.  In his book, "Dearest Isabella," he focuses on the 23rd Pennsylvania, particular a soldier named Samuel Ripley.  The basis of the book are heartfelt letters Samuel writes back home to his wife, Isabella.  Although the characters in the historical romance book are fictionalized, the events that happen to the 23rd Pennsylvania regiment in the story are factual.  Hubman’s Dearest Isabella is for sale at online and offline booksellers like Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.  Hubman is online at www.markhubman.com.

Wendy and Dave sold kettle corn which they made at the park, the same way the corn was cooked during 1861, the year the Civil War broke out.  “It’s hard work,” Wendy said.  She and Dave have been coming to the Neshaminy Civil War reenactments for 14 years.  They also make and sell homemade root beer.  One kid said it was the best root beer he’d ever tasted.

Wives of Civil War Officers and Gentlemen

Melissa Rabinsky and Kate Mullin made their way beyond the shop area to a camp site that was located beyond the Playmasters building.  “I portray a first sergeant’s wife,” Melissa said.  “I’ve been doing reenactments for nine years.  My husband, Bob, has been doing reenactments for 19 years.”  One of the women Melissa has reenacted over the years is Mary Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln.

Her friend Katie Mullin said she was “portraying the wife of a major.”  Katie has been reenacting for 12 years, thanks to her nine year old son, David.  When he started asking her questions about the Civil War that she could not answer, she started researching the history.  Her husband, Craig Mullin, also participated in the reenactment. “We are bringing history to life in the hope to create an interest in people to learn,” Katie said.

“I’ve always loved history, even when I was a child,” Melissa smiled.  “I enjoyed going to portrayals as a child.  I even had a real Civil War style wedding.  We had period music and a church picnic type reception.”

A Vietnam Veteran at Neshaminy’s Civil War

Another vendor and actual Vietnam veteran at the event was Byron Childress, Quartermaster of the 3rd United States Colored Infantry.  “I’ve been reenacting for 13 years,” Byron said, leaning back in his chair.  He was decked out in full uniform.  “I’ve reenacted in the Civil War Army and Navy.  The Revolution Army is another unit I’ve reenacted in.  I’m also a member of the Webfoot Flotila.”  Byron shared that he was, “A direct descendant of a Civil War sailor.  My great-great uncle Dennis Edwards served in the United States Navy on five different gunboats.“

“Second to Gettysburg, Neshaminy is the largest East Coast reenactment,” Byron said proudly.  “Neshaminy usually has a large turnout.  Sutlers sell supplies.  We have a weekend encampment.  Re-enactors do their own cooking in the camps.  It’s pretty realistic.”

As sutlers like Byron, Melissa and Katie busied themselves with everyday affairs, shopping, buying and dining, a shout went up.  The sound of boots, their taps worn down, could be heard hitting the ground.  Men raised their voices toward the darkening skies and sang cadence, “We are the mighty mighty Army . . . “ as they marched through camp.  Women and children watched them excitedly, gladly; for one more day their husbands and fathers had returned to camp alive.  Tomorrow would be another day of marching, tactical battles . . . war.