Today I went with a coworker down to the small city of Stockton, Illinois where the local chapter of the NRA and another Civil War reenacting group hosted the annual Battle of Morseville. While you won't find this skirmish in any history books, because it never took place, it has been fought every year for the past 11 years in a fictional turn of events. It usually takes place on the first weekend of October and has artillery, cavalry, and infantry battling each other for control of the fictional Morseville Pike. Today, cannon fire rained down powder across the field while the infantry units attempted to out-flank the others, all taking heavy casualties. The rebel cavalry units tried to launch a sneak attack on their Union counterparts, to no avail, costing several lives. After several grueling charges and counterattacks, the Rebel forces negotiated a cease fire with the Union commander, ending the bloodshed and turmoil of the nearly 20 minute fight.
I've been involved in a lot of living history events and reenactments, but this one was unique. It was special because the patriarch of the family that owned the farm with the surrounding land specifically put this part of his farm aside for the strict use of telling the story of the Civil War. Several times a year, living history events are set up there at the farm culminating in the big battle that happens this weekend. While the rest of the farm is used for soybean and corn production, this is a fine example of one family's quest to assist with the education of all those who choose to immerse themselves in the history and legacy of our ancestors.
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