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LIFE
Civil War Days invade Barboursville
BARBOURSVILLE -- There's a presidential debate this weekend in Barboursville Park -- and it's going to be old-school.
Toss out the TV, the teleprompters and the John Mellencamp music.
Re-enactors playing the western Kentucky native presidents Jefferson Davis of the Confederate States of America and Abraham Lincoln of the United States of America will hash out their differences at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Davis and Lincoln are joined by Grant, Lee and hundreds of others for the second annual Barboursville Civil War Days that runs today through Sunday with Civil War encampments, an 1860s church service, sutlers, a Ladies Tea, a Camp Dance, night firing and battle re-enactments on Saturday and Sunday.
The Civil War Days kicks off this evening with a succession of general portrayals including Guyandotte resident John Belcher portraying Gen. Albert Jenkins at 7 p.m., followed by Al Stone and Barry Meadows presenting generals Lee and Grant, respectively, at 7:45 p.m., and at 8:30 p.m., Jim Rubin portraying President Abraham Lincoln.
And Civil War Days really kicks on Saturday and Sunday with a little bit of all things Civil War from the debate to a Ladies Tea, a Camp Dance, games, camp open houses and of course, battle re-enactments each afternoon at 2 p.m.
The re-enactments pay homage to the actual early Civil War battle fought at Barboursville on July 13, 1861, when border rangers and local citizens met on "Fortification Hill" to repel an advance by five companies of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry.
According to the historical marker at U.S. 60 and Water Street, after firing several volleys, Union troops made a bayonet charge up the hill and dispersed the locals. Union casualties were 16. Local farmer James Reynolds, age 58, died of wounds sustained in battle.
In its first year, the Barboursville Civil War weekend drew more than 700 spectators as well as a couple hundred re-enactors.
This year, re-enactors are set to come in from Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and several other states.
Easter Miller, who is on the board that puts on the event, said they were very pleased at the turnout last year and are hoping for even more re-enactors to camp at the more than 700-acre Barboursville Park that's full of trails, a lake, and lots of field space making it an ideal setting for such an event.
"It's a beautiful place and a great space down by the lake," Miller said. "This was the best and nicest place we could find."
Miller said in their first year of running the re-enactment they learned quite a bit about what they could do and do better.
People can park at the upper baseball fields where the battle takes place and there will be trailers to bring them down to the lake where all the camps and activities are being held. This will be available throughout the day.
Miller said they encourage everyone to come out to the free event to learn more about their history from these unique presentations including the presidential debate that was written by Cliff Howard, who portrays Davis. It is a scenario of how a debate between Davis and Lincoln would have went while both were in the running for president.
New this year are several activities for the kids, including a scavenger hunt where children can win prizes by finding answers in the different sutler and camp tents.
Steve Haislip who is a blacksmith complete with forge, which he will keep in operation all weekend, and local re-enactor and period-correct gardener and farmer, Jeff Clagg and family will be there with their animals to teach about farming during this period of history.
"We're trying to make it as fun as it is educational," Miller said.
Jessica Nibert, 20, who went to the first Barboursville Civil War Days, said she had a great time last year and is going back again this year to learn more about the area's history first-hand.
"It's something to see living history and to actually see what it was like in the camps," Nibert said. "I would like to see more people attend because I think it has the potential to be a really great re-enactment."
If people need more information, they can contact Linda Miller at 304-762-2657 or 304-208-4209 or BarboursvilleCWD@aol.com or go online at www.battleofbarboursville re-enactment.org.
Here's a look at the schedule for the second annual Barboursville Civil War Days:
Friday July 18
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. - Registration
7 p.m. -- General Albert Jenkins (portrayed by John Belcher)
7:45 p.m. -- Gen. Lee & Gen. Grant (portrayed by Al Stone and Barry Meadows)
8:30 p.m. -- President Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by Jim Rubin)
Dusk: Night Firing
Saturday, July 19
9 a.m. -- Registration
11 a.m. -- Ladies Tea with speaker Mrs. Varina Davis (portrayed by Joan Howard)
2 p.m. -- Battle
3:30 p.m. -- Davis/Lincoln Debate (Portrayed by Cliff Howard and Jim Rubin)
5:30 p.m. -- Dinner served for re-enactors
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. -- Camp Dance (Ron Mullenex and Skirmish Band)
Participants must be in period attire, spectators welcome
Sunday, July 20
10 a.m. -- 1860 Church Service (Chaplain Alan Farley)
12:30 p.m. -- Lee's Lieutenants
2 p.m. -- Battle
4 p.m. -- Camp closes
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Marshall Artist Series: "Nunsense"
Comedian Mike McCarthy
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"The Witches' Ball"
The Bob & Tom Comedy All-Stars Tour
Marshall vs. Houston (football)
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame"