Local News

Reenactment pays homage to American history

LEWISTOWN ­-- For Crystal Jost, Civil War re-enactments are a way to pay homage to American history.

The stories about the Union forces told at the "Sparks in the Barnyard" re-enactment, the 15th annual Civil War Event, might not be found in the history books.

"Our re-enactments show what life was like during the Civil War, but it's not something they teach in school," said Crystal Jost, of Lewistown, one of the organizers of the event. "We talk about the women who were left behind to run the farm or family business, and those who followed after the Army to take care of their sons or husbands if something happened."

The 148th Regiment Field Hospital, the name of the re-enacting unit based out of Mifflin County, also focuses on the individuals who followed behind the encampments of soldiers.

"There were carpenters who had to rebuild wagons, blacksmiths, all of the other people who followed the army to support," Jost said.

The three-day "Sparks in the Barnyard" starts at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, and runs through 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Barnyard Corn Maze, located on Ferguson Valley Road, Lewistown.

History books tell tales of the battles, sharing stories of the Union soldiers outnumbering and overpowering their Confederate counterparts during the Civil War, which spanned 1861 to 1865.

"A lot of re-enactments have people running around and shooting black powder and die," Jost explained.

"This is the stuff that's not in history books." Organizers had to find personal journals of the followers who supported the army to research these re-enactments.

Attendees can learn about life during the American Civil War by meeting people who portray military, field hospital and civilians. The

public is invited to participate in the event by mustering in, training to be a soldier and "fighting" on the battlefield. There will be a Civil War Ball in the barn on Saturday night, which is also open to the public.

The pastime of Civil War re-enactments has dwindled in popularity since the 2020 racial reckoning protests and the removal of Confederate statues and memorials. Older re-enactors are also no longer participating, Jost said.

Jost said the re-enactment event started in 2008 when a Boy Scout Venture Crew was started for ages 14 to 21 by Ralph Aitken and Lamar Richard. Her teenage children, Zachary, then 16, and Rachel, then 14, wanted to get involved.

It didn't take long for the whole family to take part in the re-enactment. This year's event is free, but it will be held in conjunction with a corn maze and dark maze on the property. The mazes have admission fees.

While Jost's children have grown up, daughter, Sarah, 19, is still participating. The venture crew is sponsored by the Burnham Lions Club. Fundraisers are also held to cover other costs of the event, such as making period clothing and other props.

The doctor who worked at the 148th Regiment Field Hospital, A.T. Hamilton, was a Lewistown resident, which is why the unit picked it. The troops that served were from Mifflin, Snyder, Centre and Union counties.

Jost is hoping for at least 20 re-enactors for this year's event. "We also have a battery and cannons this year," she said, alluding to the fact that they require additional manpower.

The 148th Regiment has actors from Mifflin and Centre counties, while the 125th Regiment draws from State College. She's also expecting Confederates from the 55th Regiment from Altoona. "It's

always hard to tell," Jost said. "Some of the re-enactors are fair weather soldiers."

The same is true with the crowds. "It varies with what's going on for the weekend," she explained. "We enjoy being together. One year there was no one, and other times there's been 100 people."

The fact that the scouts are participating this year should mean a decent turnout. "They'll muster in as new recruits for Saturday's battle," she said. "The public can muster in, too, and try their hand at being a Civil War soldier. We'll train you and you can be part of the battle."

The public will use wooden guns, which are the same length as a Civil War gun. "We'll show them how to hold and shoulder the guns," Jost said. "How to do turns when they line up and how the battle will be run. They can take turns shooting from the line. It's all very basic."

Certainly, it provides a taste of what life was like for the soldiers and their supporters during the Civil War.

For more information, visit the Sparks in the Barnyard Civil War Event 2023 page on Facebook.