Civil War battles and music on display

By Sally Voth -- svoth@nvdaily.com

Civil War-era life will be played out with reenactments and music June 9 and 10 at Hupp's Hill Civil War Park and Museum and the Cedar Creek Battlefield.

Famous for its annual October reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek, the battlefield will host two days of reenactments commemorating the sesquicentennial of Stonewall Jackson's 1862 victories in the Shenandoah Valley, according to a news release from Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Executive Director John Christiansen.

"In the spring of 1862, a small army under General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson repeatedly outmarched and outfought larger Northern forces, preventing them from reinforcing other Union soldiers attacking the Confederate capitol at Richmond," the release states.

Reenactors will bring to life the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic, according to the release.

Using authentic battlefield land makes the site appealing to reenactors, it states.

"Camping on that ground over the course of a weekend makes them feel more closely connected to those soldiers that they portray," Christiansen states in the release. "[Jackson] is one of the best known figures of the war, and he and many of his men were from the Shenandoah Valley. The Valley Campaign is one of the most famous in military history, and Jackson's achievements here in 1862 made him the legend that he is today."

In addition to witnessing battles, visitors can check out military and civilian camps, weapons demonstrations, crafts and sutlers' shops among other activities, according to the release.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 7 to 17 and free for children 6 and under. For discounted tickets, visit www.ccbf.us.

Further south, Hupp's Hill Civil War Park and Museum in Strasburg will offer "a traditional, old time and bluegrass music jam," 6-10 p.m. on June 9, according to another release from Christiansen.

Customarily, the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation puts on a Civil War-style ball each year, it states.

"We host a social activity for our reenactors to thank them for their support and for the long distances that many of them travel to take part in our events," Christiansen states in the release. "We wanted to try something different for our June event to distinguish it from the other reenactment events we're holding this year. We think a musical event like this will be a great way to bring people together and highlight the musical traditions of the Valley."

Tickets to the music event are $3 for those 18 and older, but reenactors and anyone bringing a traditional instrument gets free admission, according to the release. There will be a shuttle between Hupp's Hill and the battlefield, it states.