Adonijah McDonald strolls around Sycamore
cabin before all hell breaks loose (2009)
Battle heats up with firing on Union soldier (2009)
Rebs establish their firing line (2009)
Union troops scramble for position (2009)
By Bob Weaver
It is for Calhoun County, an exciting panoramic extravaganza, the reenactment of the Battle of Sycamore, to be staged for the public this weekend at Calhoun County Park.
The spectacle will be staged at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with no admission required, but much-needed donations are needed to keep the park open.
Last year the reenactment of the battle was performed by Calhoun County's own 19th Regiment of the Virginia Cavalry Company A - "The Moccasin Rangers," with a large accompanying cast of regional reenactment groups.
The battle will be spread across the county park's hillside, an obvious crowd-pleaser for family members and kids.
Colonel Adonijah McDonald, commanding officer of the county's 186th Regiment of Virginia Militia, lived on the divide between the forks of Sycamore, where the battle broke out.
The battle action surrounds the area near the McDonald cabin.
A Civil War drama production by the PSHS Drama Department of the play, "The Breaking of Bread" by William Watson will be presented at 9 a.m. Saturday. Eli Tracewell will portray the Yank and Adam Shaffer the Reb.
Reenactors present arms for park visitors
The battle
will include cannon fire
The action was an exchange of gunfire lasting about forty-five minutes between Captain Perry Conley's band of irregular Southern partisans, a splinter group of the Moccasin Rangers, and a detachment of Captain James L. Simpson's Company C, Eleventh (West) Virginia Infantry, which had not yet been mustered into Federal volunteer service.
When union and rebel soldiers encountered near Adjoniah McDonald's cabin, especially constructed for the event, gunfire erupted with firing lines reminiscent of most Civil War clashes.
It is important to note the scope of this weekend's production, which has taken lots of planning, hard work and dedication.
Park visitors meet and greet reenactors,
visit encampments and displays
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