Civil War Encampment

May 3, 10:00 a.m.-5 p.m.

May 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The armies of the Blue and Gray will once again take to the battlefield. Only this time it will be in Rising Sun, Indiana, and the outcome does not matter. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with some of the over 100 re-enactors and ask questions of what life was like over 140 years ago.

The Civil War Encampment is presented by the Ohio County Historical Society and will be held at the Shiner Community Park located behind the Ohio County Elementary Middle School. The event will be held on Saturday May 3, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on Sunday May 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Both days are packed with activities. Besides the battle there will be cannon firing demonstrations, Union and Confederate drills, and musket firing demonstrations. The camps will be open for viewing to see how they would have looked while the soldiers were in the field. The soldiers are available and willing to answer your questions. There will also be a flag and weapons of the time period display.

Of special interest will be Bob Hartsaw who will set up his field photograph studio. He uses reproduction pieces and those of the time period to create photographs like those during the Civil War. There will be period clothing to wear if you desire to have a photograph made for a fee. Mr. Hartsaw loves to talk about the process of making photographs the old way.

The schedule for the day:

Saturday May 3 Sunday May 4

10:00 Camps open 9:00 Camps open

Cannon Firing Demonstration Cannon Firing Demonstrations

10:30 Drill (Union & Confederate troops) 9:30 Drill (Union & Confederate troops)

11:30 Musket firing demonstrations 10:30 Musket firing demonstrations

12:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration 11:00 Cannon Firing Demonstrion

12:30 Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln 11:30 Abraham & Mary Todd

presentation presentation

1:00 Visit soldiers as they prepare for battle 12:00 Visit soldiers as they prepare for battle

2:00 Battle 1:00 Battle

3:30 Surgeon display 2:30 Surgeon display

Not-for-profits will be selling food throughout the event to raise money for their organizations. The Historical Society will also have a museum store set up with Civil War and local history related items. For more information call 812-438-4915.

This is a FREE event and is sponsored by Rising Sun/Ohio County Park Board, City of Rising Sun, Ohio County Community Foundation, and Rising/Ohio County Tourism.

The Ohio County Historical Museum (212 S. Walnut Street, Rising Sun, Indiana, 47040) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located along the Ohio River Scenic By-way. Museum hours are 11-4 Monday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 Sunday, and closed Wednesdays. Admission to the museum only is $2.50 for adults, $2.00 for senior citizens, $1.00 for high school students, and free for members and children 12 and under. For more information about the event or museum please call Bill Dichtl at (812) 438-4915.