It has been a busy month for "Friends of Wasioja" and it's volunteers

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The 4th of July was a great success. Fiddlers, Carriages, Melodramas, Pie Making Contest, the Picnic Contest,Food and the Kiddies Parade.

Especially memorable was 29 pies entered into the Pie Contest and the 12 entries in the Picnic Contest.
There are a lot of pictures linked to. www.civilwarmn.com

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The trip to Boscobel, WI last weekend. About 20 people from Dodge County attended Boscobel's "Muskets & Memories" Civil War Reenactment last weekend - July 31-Aug 2. The Committee at Boscobel is most generous sharing procedures and information. Their information and advice is critical to our upcoming 2011 Event. Picture link at www.civilwarmn.com

Highlights included:

• Just viewing the expanse of it all - 900 reenactors registered. Not including all the family members camped with them.
• The Book End battles - The first battle and the last battle
  • On Saturday - The first battle was Bull Run, the first engagement of the war. Citizens came out to picnic and view the battle. The union assaulted the confederate position several times to no avail. It also included the 2nd WI in their gray coats and towards the end of  the battle as the union was starting to route away, they were the unit that unfortunately took fire from another union unit. (Yes it really happened)
  • On Sunday - Appomattox which of course was the final battle of the war in the east.    This battle towards the end featured a  bayonet charge which was interrupted by the flying of the white flag  of surrender by the Confederates.  Custer delivered the  message from General Lee to Grant that terms for surrender were asked  for. It included the discussion of those terms and the meeting of the troops at the end with union troops paying their respects to their former foes but also the giving of supplies and food from the  individual union soldiers haversacks to help the former rebels who  were starving.(battle info submitted by Tom Gall).
    
• The morning drills. Regiments and Calvary.
• Seeing our own Tom Gall at his first large Event. Tom has joined the Minnesota Third.
• Meeting Grant, Lee and Custer. (it would seem that they just step out of a page of a history book.
• The dresses and uniforms. Hoop skirted women and girls; and uniformed men and boys. A step back in time.
• Wisconsin's "Timekeepers", a living history society giving demonstrations.
• Sutlers (vendors), with men and women's clothing, military equipment and uniforms; everything anyone would need to become a re enactor or to participate as a civilian.
• The Ladies Garden Party - Period dress required. A picture of the old South.
• The Ball - You would have to see it to believe it.
• The Artillery Contest - A favorite of the men who went along. I hear that they shot real cannon balls.

Everyone came home tired and excited. . Picture link at www.civilwarmn.com Or some pictures from the Minnesota Third.. http://www.privateanthony.com/Reenactments.html

Now to August

Don't miss the Shivaree in Mantorville. The Shivaree is a fund raising event for the Friends of Wasioja.

• Mantorville Restoration House
• Friday, August 21, 2009
• 7:00 - 9:00
  
     There will be Old Time music, along with wine and hors’deures.
      Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door.
      They may be purchased from local Mantorville businesses or by calling (507) 635-5841.
      Bring your noisemakers.  Period dress is encouraged
  
  

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• The Costume Committee is working hard and the sewing studio in Mantorville is open every Wednesday from 3 - 7. Blue House next to the Opera House. Also, the raffle quilt is done and will be on display at Marigold Days in September.
  
  
• As you can see, we are working hard. Anyone that has ideas or wants to get involved, be sure to drop us a note.
  Mary@civilwarmn.com

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