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It's Brooksville Raid time

Watch the combat or take in a spot of tea, primal basebal land life before phones.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published January 19, 2007

The annual showdown between the armies of the Blue and Gray at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation has the kind of romantic appeal that has kept people coming back to the Brooksville Raid Festival for more than a quarter of a century.

Each year, thousands of spectators watch companies of ardent Civil War hobbyists from throughout the Southeast take part in one of the country's most spectacular Civil War re-enactments.

For visitors willing to look beyond the spectacle of muzzle-loading warfare, the festival offers an opportunity to go back in time and take in a living, breathing glimpse of what life and American culture were like in the mid 19th century.

"It's an excellent chance to discover how people lived before there were cars or phones or electricity," said Jan Knowles, longtime chairwoman of the Brooksville Raid Festival.

In addition to troop reviews, drill maneuvers and, of course, battle scenarios, the two-day event celebrates the lighter side of Civil War era life.

One example will be the traditional ladies tea social at 11 a.m. Saturday. Such gatherings were popular leisure activities for well-to-do women in the mid 19th century, offering a rare opportunity to openly discuss issues and enjoy poetry and music, Knowles said.

The Civil War period also saw a rise in the popularity of recreational sports, most notably baseball. Union soldiers often organized pickup games during long lulls in the fighting.

At noon Saturday, players from the Pinellas Vintage Baseball Team will stage a game played with 1860s rules. An example: no umpires. Look for plenty of raucous gamesmanship, and perhaps a brawl or two.

Another highlight is the annual Blue-Gray Ball, a dance that allows re-enactors from opposing sides to lay down their arms and put their legs in motion with traditional music, entertainment and refreshments. The formal ball, which begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, is also open to spectators.

Visitors are welcome to visit the troop encampments, which open at 9 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

The Brooksville Raid Festival is the largest event of its kind in the South. Battle re-enactments will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Logan Neill can be reached at lneill@sptimes.com or 352 848-1435.

[Last modified January 18, 2007, 23:46:51]