Confederate soldiers participate in the Battle of Resaca reenactment last year. The original Battle of Resaca took place on the same battlefield as the reenactment May 14-15 in 1864. It was the first major battle of the Atlanta Campaign during the Civil War. (Tricia Dillard/Calhoun Times)
The event is located on the historic Chitwood Farm just north of Resaca off Highway 41. The Georgia Division Reenactors Association hosts the event.
Event spokesman, Ken Padgett said this year's reenactment will feature different battles both days. The spectator line is closer to the battles allowing spectators to better view the action while seeing the smoke and hearing the thunder of history unfold. Once again, more than 1,000 reenactors from across the United States composed of infantry, full-scale cannons, cavalry, and civilian refugees converge in Resaca. This will be a fun packed weekend for the entire family as history comes alive.
The event kicks off Friday morning with free school tours and demonstrations for educating students on one of 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, tents, etc., in portraying a soldier of the Blue or the Gray. They travel all over the county and some even appear in movies as "Gettysburg' and "Gods and Generals," as well as History Channel programs.
Resaca’s 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 powder, and feels the ground shake as the guns fire. 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 a.m. 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, General Stand Watie Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp, and the Chuck Wagon Restaurant. The Resaca Reenactment is hosted by the Georgia Division Reenactors Association, Inc. which is a non-profit organization. The site work as well, as the event, is put on entirely by volunteers.
This year's event is dedicated Mike "Boudreaux" Pippens and to the armed forces of the United States of America serving to protect our nation.
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, a documentary will be filmed by German TV (ARD) about America's interest in the Civil War. The film crew will be interviewing both spectators as well as reenactors for their comments.
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 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.
Cost: $5 for adults, $2 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
CJ, your information, while correct at one time, is dated.
When the county owned the property, yes, tax revenues were expended for it and to preserve it. However, the land was purchased in 2008 by the Trust for Public Lands for about $2 million, and has owned it ever since.
So we're still awaiting some sort of clue as to just how many tax dollars are being spent by Gordon County for this years BoR re-enactment.
Some of us do keep up with where our tax dollars are spent. If you do some research you will find that Gordon county has contributed money from the general fund (filled by our tax dollars) toward the preservation of this property.
The land is privately owned, the people working there are all volunteers as are all the individuals directly participating. So aside from the limited sponsorship of the Gordon County CoC and the Town of Resaca, everything is pretty much covered by donations, private sponsorships, and the groups such as the GDRA, not tax revenues.
And the event brings in some money to both Resaca and Gordon Co. through the purchase of gas and other consumables by those participating and those coming to see the re-enactment.
As for "plantation owners", a lot of individuals from what weren't secessionist states participate in these re-enactments. Are they the holdovers of southern plantation owners as well?
IF YOU DON'T LIKE REINACTMENTS JUST SIMPLY DON'T GO SEE IT..THERE ARE SOME OF US THAT ENJOY REINACTING AND OR WATCHING BATTLES BEING REINACTED. YOU HOPEFULLY HAVE ANOTHER HOBBY OTHER THAN GIVING YOUR IDIOTIC OPINIONS ON ISSUES LIKE THIS