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The Gettysburg experience: Keokuk man participates in re-enactment of battle
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| Jason Sparrow of Keokuk and formerly of Warsaw, Ill., participated in the Battle of Gettysburg this year. He has been re-enacting for 12 years. |
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
Jason Sparrow's hobby took him to the farm fields of Pennsylvania for the Fourth of July holiday this summer.
Sparrow, a 1996 Warsaw High School graduate and Keokuk resident, traveled with his re-enacting Confederate unit Scott's Battery to participate in the 145th anniversary and re-enactment of the battle of Gettysburg.
“It was awesome,” said Sparrow who has been re-enacting for 12 years.
“We arrived Thursday (July 3). It's the biggest re-enactment I've attended. The real battle was spread over three days, so the re-enactment goes for three days.
“On that first afternoon, I marched three miles with about 6,000 Confederate soldiers along the road into town. We were re-enacting some commander's march into Gettysburg who made demands for supplies. Our march took us to the town hall. The commander spoke with the mayor and made demands. I was so far back in line I couldn't hear what was being said.”
Sparrow said the town's main thoroughfare and downtown is similar to Keokuk's. The 2000 census counted Gettysburg's population at 7,490. Thursday's march was his only glimpse of the town.
“At some point, I met Gen. Lee. I was straggling along the road and heard a horse behind me,” said Sparrow. “We talked a minute.”
His re-enactment group, Scott's Battery, is a Confederate artillery unit. The unit participates each year in Keokuk's re-enactment of the Battle of Pea Ridge. Each member adopts an actual soldier's story and learns as much as possible about that man.
The group chartered a bus for the trip east. Sparrow's friend, fellow Warsaw graduate and re-enactor, Ken Felts of Colchester, Ill., also went, meeting his father, Dennis Felts of Florida. This was not the first trip to Gettysburg's re-enactment for the Felts.
“We chose to go hard-core,” said Sparrow. “We knew we had a bus, but after it parked, everything we need or want to use, goes on our backs, carried by us. We didn't take tents, just essentials. I carried two haversacks, my bedroll, leathers and weapon. With all the equipment, I was probably carrying 60 to 70 pounds of weight.”
Scott's Battery did not fight at Gettysburg, nor did the unit want to bring along its authentic cannon. So Sparrow and his fellow members went as infantry soldiers and were attached to the 49th North Carolina.
“I'm glad I went,” said Sparrow. “I'm glad I both participated and watched. I'm not familiar with infantry drills, so I had to learn.
“We took part in Friday morning's battle. We were up on Cemetery Ridge. I decided to watch Friday afternoon's battle.”
Saturday morning Sparrow watched a cavalry battle with soldiers on horseback.
He got back in the fight Saturday afternoon.
“That was the best,” he said. “We were up a hill (Little Round Top) and could see the fields below. We weren't supposed to be where we were. It was an awesome sight to watch four lines of soldiers, brigade after brigade marching by. It was like in the movies.”
Sparrow estimates about 26,000 re-enactors converged on Gettysburg this year.
“It's an experience to go to a national event,” he said. “I walked away with real respect for infantry soldiers. At smaller re-enactments there's not as much marching. Our campsite was a mile or more away from everything.”
Before a re-enactment battle at Gettysburg, the soldiers count off one through four; during a battle, when the commander calls out “one” or “two” those soldiers fall down, dead or wounded on the battlefield.
“It was awesome to watch so many soldiers,” said Sparrow. “They were still using Napoleonic tactics then. Opposing lines would advance on one another, across roads, through creeks, over walls.
“In one battle, Yankees and Confederates were firing on one side, then would run around the enemy to the other side. Whole units were leap-frogging down the field around one another. There was so much happening, there was a lot to watch.”
On Sunday, Picket's Charge was re-enacted.
“I liked doing Picket's Charge the most,” said Sparrow. “We were down in the field. There was an artillery barrage. A burnable house was set on fire. There's a wall the Confederates run to, behind it, Yankees are firing. We were told not to get up on the wall unless specifically told to individually. Some guys who participate year after year have it as their goal to make it to the wall before getting hit. Denny (Felts) died on the wall this year.
“We were told to move, then told to get back on the line. The commander ordered retreat. I was running full out, back to the lines. The order came to ‘halt, about face.' There's smoke from artillery, there's running and yelling and confusion. I know it's not real but you get caught up in it. I looked around and didn't see anyone I knew. I nearly panicked. I didn't want to get lost from my unit.
“In re-enacting, there's a term called a ‘bubble' or stepping through a ‘window.' I experienced that in Picket's Charge. It seemed real for a moment even though no one was firing real bullets.
“I can imagine what it must have felt like to be in battle, the hovering smoke, the confusion and adrenaline, then all of a sudden running into the clear and there you are - face to face with a wall of blue.”
Sparrow also encountered Southerners' views of the battle and war.
“Our commander for battle was a Southerner,” he said. “He accepted us because we wore gray. But he didn't like us.
“He's very proud of his heritage. He traced his ancestors back to a soldier who actually fought at Gettysburg. He takes part in several re-enactments all year. It's very serious business.”
Sparrow also experienced southern hospitality. His friend in Scott's Battery, Ken Felts who also has been re-enacting for years, has been e-mailing a Southern re-enactor for months.
“We found that guy's unit. He was so gracious and welcoming to us,” said Sparrow. “He gave us drinks and fresh cherries.”
The re-enactors were treated to a live mortar firing demonstration.
“We could see the ball go through the air and hit the cardboard target,” said Sparrow.
Gettysburg also has Sutler's Row, a Living History tent, food stands, three balls and grand stand seating.
“They had huge grandstands for spectators,” he said. “It cost $16 to $45 admission to the park. Regular seating at the battlefield was $10, then there were $15 and $20 seats. We met a group from the British Isles in the parking lot when we returned to our bus to leave. They had come to watch the battles.
“We didn't attend any balls or other events,” said Sparrow. “Mostly because we didn't bring extra clothes and because of the distance to walk.”
Sparrow is glad he connected with Scott's Battery all those years ago.
“The unit is well-versed in the Civil War and very accepting of others,” he said. “It's among the best in safety and we have a reputation for knowing what we are doing. We're held up as the example of an artillery unit. And we use an original cannon.”
Sparrow has traveled to other re-enactments throughout the Midwest. He plans to return to Gettysburg in five years for the 150th anniversary.
Sparrow, a 1996 Warsaw High School graduate and Keokuk resident, traveled with his re-enacting Confederate unit Scott's Battery to participate in the 145th anniversary and re-enactment of the battle of Gettysburg.
“It was awesome,” said Sparrow who has been re-enacting for 12 years.
“We arrived Thursday (July 3). It's the biggest re-enactment I've attended. The real battle was spread over three days, so the re-enactment goes for three days.
“On that first afternoon, I marched three miles with about 6,000 Confederate soldiers along the road into town. We were re-enacting some commander's march into Gettysburg who made demands for supplies. Our march took us to the town hall. The commander spoke with the mayor and made demands. I was so far back in line I couldn't hear what was being said.”
Sparrow said the town's main thoroughfare and downtown is similar to Keokuk's. The 2000 census counted Gettysburg's population at 7,490. Thursday's march was his only glimpse of the town.
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His re-enactment group, Scott's Battery, is a Confederate artillery unit. The unit participates each year in Keokuk's re-enactment of the Battle of Pea Ridge. Each member adopts an actual soldier's story and learns as much as possible about that man.
The group chartered a bus for the trip east. Sparrow's friend, fellow Warsaw graduate and re-enactor, Ken Felts of Colchester, Ill., also went, meeting his father, Dennis Felts of Florida. This was not the first trip to Gettysburg's re-enactment for the Felts.
“We chose to go hard-core,” said Sparrow. “We knew we had a bus, but after it parked, everything we need or want to use, goes on our backs, carried by us. We didn't take tents, just essentials. I carried two haversacks, my bedroll, leathers and weapon. With all the equipment, I was probably carrying 60 to 70 pounds of weight.”
Scott's Battery did not fight at Gettysburg, nor did the unit want to bring along its authentic cannon. So Sparrow and his fellow members went as infantry soldiers and were attached to the 49th North Carolina.
“I'm glad I went,” said Sparrow. “I'm glad I both participated and watched. I'm not familiar with infantry drills, so I had to learn.
“We took part in Friday morning's battle. We were up on Cemetery Ridge. I decided to watch Friday afternoon's battle.”
Saturday morning Sparrow watched a cavalry battle with soldiers on horseback.
He got back in the fight Saturday afternoon.
“That was the best,” he said. “We were up a hill (Little Round Top) and could see the fields below. We weren't supposed to be where we were. It was an awesome sight to watch four lines of soldiers, brigade after brigade marching by. It was like in the movies.”
Sparrow estimates about 26,000 re-enactors converged on Gettysburg this year.
“It's an experience to go to a national event,” he said. “I walked away with real respect for infantry soldiers. At smaller re-enactments there's not as much marching. Our campsite was a mile or more away from everything.”
Before a re-enactment battle at Gettysburg, the soldiers count off one through four; during a battle, when the commander calls out “one” or “two” those soldiers fall down, dead or wounded on the battlefield.
“It was awesome to watch so many soldiers,” said Sparrow. “They were still using Napoleonic tactics then. Opposing lines would advance on one another, across roads, through creeks, over walls.
“In one battle, Yankees and Confederates were firing on one side, then would run around the enemy to the other side. Whole units were leap-frogging down the field around one another. There was so much happening, there was a lot to watch.”
On Sunday, Picket's Charge was re-enacted.
“I liked doing Picket's Charge the most,” said Sparrow. “We were down in the field. There was an artillery barrage. A burnable house was set on fire. There's a wall the Confederates run to, behind it, Yankees are firing. We were told not to get up on the wall unless specifically told to individually. Some guys who participate year after year have it as their goal to make it to the wall before getting hit. Denny (Felts) died on the wall this year.
“We were told to move, then told to get back on the line. The commander ordered retreat. I was running full out, back to the lines. The order came to ‘halt, about face.' There's smoke from artillery, there's running and yelling and confusion. I know it's not real but you get caught up in it. I looked around and didn't see anyone I knew. I nearly panicked. I didn't want to get lost from my unit.
“In re-enacting, there's a term called a ‘bubble' or stepping through a ‘window.' I experienced that in Picket's Charge. It seemed real for a moment even though no one was firing real bullets.
“I can imagine what it must have felt like to be in battle, the hovering smoke, the confusion and adrenaline, then all of a sudden running into the clear and there you are - face to face with a wall of blue.”
Sparrow also encountered Southerners' views of the battle and war.
“Our commander for battle was a Southerner,” he said. “He accepted us because we wore gray. But he didn't like us.
“He's very proud of his heritage. He traced his ancestors back to a soldier who actually fought at Gettysburg. He takes part in several re-enactments all year. It's very serious business.”
Sparrow also experienced southern hospitality. His friend in Scott's Battery, Ken Felts who also has been re-enacting for years, has been e-mailing a Southern re-enactor for months.
“We found that guy's unit. He was so gracious and welcoming to us,” said Sparrow. “He gave us drinks and fresh cherries.”
The re-enactors were treated to a live mortar firing demonstration.
“We could see the ball go through the air and hit the cardboard target,” said Sparrow.
Gettysburg also has Sutler's Row, a Living History tent, food stands, three balls and grand stand seating.
“They had huge grandstands for spectators,” he said. “It cost $16 to $45 admission to the park. Regular seating at the battlefield was $10, then there were $15 and $20 seats. We met a group from the British Isles in the parking lot when we returned to our bus to leave. They had come to watch the battles.
“We didn't attend any balls or other events,” said Sparrow. “Mostly because we didn't bring extra clothes and because of the distance to walk.”
Sparrow is glad he connected with Scott's Battery all those years ago.
“The unit is well-versed in the Civil War and very accepting of others,” he said. “It's among the best in safety and we have a reputation for knowing what we are doing. We're held up as the example of an artillery unit. And we use an original cannon.”
Sparrow has traveled to other re-enactments throughout the Midwest. He plans to return to Gettysburg in five years for the 150th anniversary.
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Reader Comments
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Mz.Colberson wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:41 AM:
Ms.Colberson
WebMistress of Scott's Battery
www.scottsbattery.org "