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The annual Civil War re-enactment will be held this weekend near Crystal River.
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 7, 2003
The Blue and Gray will fight it out this weekend at the annual Civil War re-enactment held at a large field north of Crystal River.
The Civil War battle re-enactment takes place 7 miles north of Crystal River on U.S. 19. Head north and look for the event on the west side of the highway, about 1 mile south of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal bridge. Admission at the gate is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 8 to 17.
Today is Living History Day at the site. There will not be a battle, but students can visit the camp sites to learn about life during the 1860s. Demonstrations in soapmaking, battlefield medicine, cavalry and weaponry will be offered.
On Saturday and Sunday, spectators can view the battles by sitting along the sidelines and watching the opposing forces blast away at each other. Bring chairs or blankets for viewing the battle, and also be aware that the cannon barrages are very loud and can startle children. Battles start at 2 p.m. each day and last about an hour.
The custom is for the Union forces to win the battle one day and for the Confederates to win the next.
Other activities include Civil War-era camp sites and entertainment by the 97th Regiment String Band. Food will be available, including roasted turkey legs, chicken and rice, pork chops on a stick, hamburgers, barbecue and strawberry shortcake.
The battles start with a lengthy barrage of cannon fire from both sides. The cannons fire blanks, but explosives planted in the middle of the field simulate shells landing and blowing up.
As the cannon fire wanes, one side usually advances in a tight battle line across the field toward the other force. Some Confederates are dressed in the familiar gray flannel of the Civil War's Southern forces, while others wear civilian clothing of the period.
The battle is billed as the Raid on the Yulee Sugar Mill, a reference to an actual blockade skirmish that occurred near Homosassa.
-Jorge Sanchez can be reached at 860-7313 or sanchez@sptimes.com .