Thousands watch re-enactment of bloody battle, Confederate victory

By Laura Galbraith

lgalbraith@timesfreepree.com

Tens of thousands of people, including many from overseas, gathered at McLemore’s Cove in Walker County, Ga., today to see a re-enactment of a Confederate victory and one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War.

This year’s annual Battle of Chickamauga re-enactment commemorated the 145th anniversary of the battle, and re-enactors brought the fighting to life before spectators’ eyes.

The event was definitely not on a small scale. Hundreds of cannons used during left many people covering their ears. The thunderous blasts also shook the ground so hard, many car alarms were set off.

Male and female re-enactors of all ages dressed in the traditional 1860s fashion and posed for pictures with visiting families and tourists.

During the Battle of Reed’s Bridge, a commentator using loudspeakers described what was happening on the battlefield. As the Confederate army crossed the bridge and met the Union soldiers, the battlefield became a sea of blue and gray coats. Officers on both sides yelled orders, cries and yells from both Union and Confederate soldiers sounded, and spectators cheered on eagerly.

Paul Kinsey, a resident of Flintstone, Ga., said he thought the battle was very well presented.

“I’ve seen shows on TV that (have) professional actors that aren’t as good as these, I don’t think,” he said. “These have a little more personal interest in it, and they’re doing it because they want to, not because they’re getting paid to.”

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press