DEXTER: Civil War Days returns to Dexter for 'Year 2' this weekend

The second year of the Dexter Area Historical Society's commemoration of the Civil War at Gordon Hall promises a much more robust presentation with several exciting additions.

For example, the Confederacy will be represented this year alongside the Union forces.

This year CompanyA is bringing Bledsoe's battery and enough men for seven regiments, up from four last year. There are no skirmishes planned between the two forces this year, but Confederate historical information will be provided within Gordon Hall and those who attended the event last year will notice several other Confederate additions.

"Last year we had a big room dedicated to Union history, and this year Don Cartwright (a Company A re-enactor and expert) will have an 8-foot table in one of the smaller rooms to provide the Confederate point of view," organizer Donna Fisher said.

Fisher spearheaded the inception of Civil War Days and now has two years worth of planning and logistics management for the three-day program under her belt.

On Friday the event will begin with the Towne Band performing a free concert on the lawn of Gordon Hall. Music will include typical 1860s music played with era-appropriate instruments. The music will be accompanied by an entertaining and informative narrative to kick off the grand learning experience that is Civil War Days.

On Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln will arrive in Dexter on horse-drawn carriage so he can address the crowd before participating in the Lincoln dinner and press conference, the proceeds of which will go to paying down the mortgage that the DAHS&M have from buying Gordon Hall from the University of Michigan.

There were 30 tickets to the dinner still available as of Monday evening.

Throughout the day visitors will be able to visit the various re-enactor encampments on the Gordon Hall property to see with their own eyes the way that people lived in 1860 both in civilian life and military life.

Renowned Civil War history documentarian Jeffrey O'Den will join the likes of historian John Gibny and Sons of Union Veterans' Bill McAfee in order to add authenticity and depth to the event. Continued...

Continue reading here:
DEXTER: Civil War Days returns to Dexter for 'Year 2' this weekend