File Photo. (Tricia Dillard/Calhoun Times)
Event spokesman, Ken Padgett stated this year’s reenactment will be exciting with different battles both days. The spectator line is closer to the battles allowing spectators to better view the battles while seeing the smoke and hearing the thunder of history unfold. Once again over one thousand reenactors from across the United States composed of infantry, full-scale cannons, cavalry, and civilian refugees converge n Resaca. The will be a fun packed weekend for the entire family as history comes alive.
The event kicks for Friday morning with free school tours and demonstrations for educating students to the most critical times in American history. The site is closed to the public during this time. Padgett said that each reenactor spends, at their own expense several thousand dollars on reproduction clothing, weapons, tentage, and etc. in portraying a soldier of the Blue or the Gray. They travel all over the county as well as appearing in movies as “Gettysburg’ and “Gods and Generals” as well as the History Channel. The reenactment site is one of the very few places in the nation that is held on part of an original battlefield, making the action seem very real as one hears the yells, smells the power, and feels the ground sake for the guns. Trains still roll though the site on the same track bed on which the Great Locomotive Chase between the General and Texas occurred in 1862.
Padgett said that a Memorial Service will be held at the Resaca Confederate Cemetery at 10:00 on Saturday morning to honor the dead who fought at the battle. Of the 160,000 troops were engaged at Resaca there were 11,500 combined causalities.
The event is sponsored by the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce CVB, Town of Resaca, Gordon County Historical Society, and General Stand Watie Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp.
This is a very special year at the reenactment. We will celebrate the Trust for Public Land’s conversation easement to protect the site from development in the future. Also Great Divide Pictures will be on site filming battle scenes for a documentary for the National Park Service to be viewed at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Museum.
Great Divide will be back in Resaca in mid June to complete filming. Spectators will also get too see a original Noble cannon forged 150 years ago in Rome, Georgia used during the battles.
The entire family is encouraged to visit all military and civilian camps and talk to the reenactors before or after the battles. Spectators are also welcome to visit the Sunday morning 1860’s church service. Period sutler (vendors) and many modern noted food venders, which will be serving, breakfast, lunch, and supper this year. Also the Gordon County Antique Engine and Tractor Club with be providing free rides from the parking areas to the battlefield.
Please attend and support the reenactment in the preservation efforts in Gordon County. The success of the event depends on public support while enjoying the fun and entertainment for the day or the entire weekend. Hope to see you there Cost is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children under 12 years of age, infants free, parking free.
Public Schedule
Saturday
9 a.m. - Open to the public
10 a.m. - Resaca Confederate Cemetery Memorial Service
1 p.m. - Camps closed to the public
2 p.m. - Battle Reenactment
Note - Special Living History demonstrations will be ongoing the entire weekend.
6 p.m. - Site and Camps closed to the public
Sunday
9 a.m. - Site and Camps open to the public
9 a.m. - Dress review and Colors for both armies near the field
10 a.m. - Non-denominational 1860’s Church Service
1 p.m. - Camps closed to the public
2 p.m. - Battle Reenactment
5 p.m. - Site closed to the public.
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