Advertisement

Camp Nelson Civil War Days scheduled for this weekend

September 05, 2007

The Camp Nelson Restoration and Preservation Foundation along with the Jessamine County Fiscal Court will sponsor the Camp Nelson Civil War Days on Saturday and Sunday, September 8-9.

The event will be held on the grounds of the best preserved Union Army supply depot and recruitment sites in the nation--the 525-acre Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park.

Reenactors from several states, including those representing the U.S. Colored Troops Living History Association, will converge on Camp Nelson to reenact life as it was at the original 4,000 acre site of the 1863 to 1866 Civil War Camp.

Visitors will learn what life was like at the Camp Nelson Civil War Union Army Depot and Refugee Camp through living history experiences. Military reenactors will perform infantry, cavalry and artillery demonstrations.

Advertisement

Camps will dot the rural landscape detailing the life of the soldier and the civilians who helped maintain the military site. First person interpretations of soldiers and civilians will bring the experience to life.

At 2 p.m. each day a reenactment of a skirmish based on actual events around Camp Nelson dealing with John Hunt Morgan's retreat from Cynthiana will be portrayed. As Morgan's command retreated to Tennessee several of his men came to the perimeter of Camp Nelson where several sharp skirmishes took place as the co escaping across the Kentucky River.

Along with the re-enacting, Civil War artifacts uncovered from the site will be on display along with exhibits depicting Camp Nelson life in the museum.

Various demonstrations will be held throughout both days such as broom making, leather work, clothing and others. First person interpretations of Camp Nelson notables and commentaries on the Civil War will be provided on Saturday.

The site will also be alive with music. Kentucky Bound will play period music both days. Bourbon City Brass Band will participate in the Sunday morning worship service and the Camp Parade in the afternoon. The Kentuckian's Chorus will provide a selection of period music on Saturday afternoon.

Tours will be provided both days of Camp Nelson's restored White House which served as the officer's quarters.

A special guided tour will be available of the eastern boundary of Camp Nelson which includes Fort Jones and two stone forts. Visitors will be transported to the site and be guided through the woods to learn about the historical features of this site, which sits on top of the Hickman Creek Palisades and overlooks the rural landscape similar to the way it looked during the Civil War.

A special tour of the Kentucky River and majestic Palisades will be available by Kentucky River Otter Outpost. Visitors will be transported to the launch site at the river and provided a historical interpretation of the area by pontoon boat.

Camp Nelson is located six miles south of Nicholasville on U.S. 27. A parking fee of $3 per car is charged.

For more event or general information call (859) 492-3115. Visit the Web site at www.campnelson.org.

Central Kentucky News Articles
|
|
|