Battle of Aiken

Seth and I went to a Civil War reenactment this weekend.  We consider it another check off our Southern bucket list.  This was a full day adventure as Aiken is just over two hours from our home.  We woke up early packed a lunch and hit the road.  We arrived at the battle field around 10:00 am.  The first exhibit we saw was on firearms from the Revolutionary War through present day.     

We expected more exhibits but found lots of vendors selling period clothing.  They had hats, boots, dresses, petticoats, gloves, trousers, etc.  Many spectators of the event were actually dressed up in period clothing.  Imagine a Star Trek convention for Civil War buffs.  After checking out some of the shops we hit the battlefield and camps.

We met this nice Confederate solider.  In real life his son is the reason he became a reenactor.  They travel to events together and enjoy the camping aspect as much as the reenactment.
 

All of the reenactors had period tents and camping equipment set up.  We found that there were more Confederate soldiers and we guess it is because we are in the heart of the South.  We talked to one reenactor that has 13 reenactments scheduled for this year.  He was close to our age and said he got into it because he enjoys history.

Can you imagine eating with wooden spoons all the time?

By noon we had seen everything there was to see.  The battle was not set to begin until 2:30 PM.  So we scoped out a spot, ate our lunch, and soaked up some sun.  Just before the battle started this firetruck came through and hosed down the area just in front of all the cannons.

At last the battle started. 

This poor girl fell of her horse at least twice.  I think she finally gave up and walked him back to camp.

The cannons were probably my favorite.  I was suprised by how much smoke came out out when they were shot.

The cannons were loud.  Here you can see the reenactors covering their ears.

 

One cannon kept sending up circular shapes in the smoke.

 

Check out the fallen soldier.  We asked one reenactor if they had a set script or time when they were supposed to die.  He explained that they just play it by ear and die when they felt like someone on their side needed to die.   

There were also scavengers on the Union side.  They were not associated with the army but worked along side the Union.  They would take weapons and items of value from the wounded and dead.

The battle was almost an hour long.  We didn't get to see the end of the battle because they saved the end of the reenactment for the following day.  History tells us that the Confederate soldiers pulled off a victory.  Overall Seth and I agreed that a Civil War reenactment is an essential Southern experience....but we don't know if we would want to experience it again. 

After the chaos of leaving the event we went into the city of Aiken to the Thouroughbred Racing and Hall of Fame Museum.  Aiken is apparently the place in South Carolina to have your horse trained.  Here we are having a race of our own. 

 

The museum was in the middle of Hopelands Garden a true Southern gem.

On our drive home we made a stop in Edgefield, South Carolina which is the home of 10 Governors and at least 10 of these huge turkeys.    

NEXT BUCKET LIST ITEM:  SOUTHERN HORSE RACE.