About 2,000 Civil War reenactors made history come alive over the weekend in honor of the 1864 Battle of New Market.
The Confederates earned a victory at the site 144 years ago, stalling the Federal push into the area.
Luke Gross, 5, hammers a Confederate flag into the ground as a group of reenactors receives orders in their campsite.
Participants varied greatly in age and background but were united by a common love of history. Nineteen-year-old Matt Harris of Frederick, Md., has been reenacting since he was a child and says his parents’ interest allowed him to become involved at an early age.
Before the military engagement, as families in full dress milled about the various campsites, children played and soldiers checked their equipment.
Matt Utt of Blacksburg is relatively new to the game, only starting as a Confederate reenactor last August, but he convinced his father, Doug, to try his hand at the activity over the weekend.
Doug Utt of Richmond, left, practices with his firearm as his son, Matt Utt of Blacksburg, gives him direction before the main reenactment.
Between drills, campfires and relaxation, Matt taught his father the proper techniques for handling his weapon, with a little help from David Gilmer, a reenactor for the past 17 years.
When the signal was given, thousands marched through a light rain onto the battlefield to live and “die” for history.
To view the full slideshow at evandyson.com, click here.
Union soldiers begin to assemble on the battlefield.
