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school group learns about Civil War era domestic life from living history interpreters “Miss Lizzie” and “Mrs. Genie.” PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD -
A demonstration of 19th century naval navigation given in the shade at a Chisholm Park pavilion. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD
Annually, the fictional Civil War “Battle of Narcoossee Mill” heats up over a March spring weekend. Hundreds of period re-enactors, both military and civilian, gather at St. Cloud’s Chisholm Park to authentically recreate life in the early 1860s during our nation’s bloody War between the States. As in past years, while preparations for the weekend battle are being made, an opportunity for local school children to learn up close and hands-on takes place during Friday Education Day.
Over 300 registered students, along with teachers, parents, and other family members attended the Friday morning event. Historical re-enactors and living history interpreters, portraying a variety of roles, from Civil War soldiers and sailors to civilian doctors and teachers, opened up their authentic campsites to the students. Each made continuous presentations on their slice of life in America during the 1860s as groups of students cycled through.
Demonstrations included muskets, a cannon, and other weapons, a medical aid station, a chuck wagon and field kitchen set up, how horses were cared for at the time, and a very realistic field medical station. Period music and information on instruments, some hands-on, was provided by the band 7 Pounds of Bacon.
An authentic Root Beer stand provided refreshments, as part of a mobile merchants “Sutlers’ Row,” which often accompanied large armies during the war.
There was no real battle at Narcoossee during the Civil War, as there were very few non-Native Americans in this part of Florida at the time. The closest actions to Osceola County were at Palatka and St. Augustine, and naval actions at Tampa and Fort Myers. For more information about the annual event, go to http://bit.ly/3z4UL9p
