I have always wanted to go and see the reenactment of various battles that the http://www.valleyhistory.org presents in Fresno at Kearney Park. Every year they do different battles that they will demonstrate the battle and speak about its details.
This was so cool to watch as well as the kids getting entertainment and a history lesson at the same time. To think what it must of been like for almost half a million Americans to die in 4 years, that was 2% of the population in the US at that time. Some facts I learned today ;-)
We watched both battles and in the middle of them we walked around to see what was going on. A lot of the reenactments continued back at the camps that were set up. We spent some time at the camps battle field ER. The moaning and screaming soldiers with red (implied blood)on them was real enough that my kids would not stop asking me if it was real. As the Doctors would act like they were digging out bullets and the soldiers would lay there in an agonizing moan it was all to real. Then as they would carry a soldier off the tables whom just died they would make room for next soldier. I couldn't help to feel the emotion too when a young women was throwing herself on one of the bodies where the dead were stacking up. She was crying for the loss of her brother and wouldn't leave his side. Was such a realistic scene and emotion The blast from the canons and the clash of the swords from the horsemen was great to watch.
Next year when they present the reenactment again I would really like to encourage you to take the family out and watch this reenactment. They say its the largest reenactment this side of the Mississippi, (That would be West) for all my East Coast friends ;-)
I left the pro gear at home and traveled light today. Using only the basic point and shoot. I hope you enjoy some of my pictures and how I saw the battle.
Click the link below to see 20 images from the reenactment
