Dave Armitage and Donna LaValle, in vintage attire, patiently wait for the parade to start. They are connected with the 21st Georgia Regulars.
Dressed for the occasion: Rebecca Gillman as a civilian, Rita Reichle as a Civil War Field Hospital Nurse and Keely Johnston as a Schoolmarm.When reenactor Simon Taylor saw how many people had gathered to watch elements of Civil War history parade through downtown Medina Saturday morning, April 27, he was “shocked.” Taylor, playing Captain Erwin Bowen from New York’s 28th Infantry Unit, accepted a sword during the parade from Bowen’s great-great granddaughter. The moment commemorated the actual send-off local soldiers received back in 1861. “It’s very obvious this community cares about its history,” Taylor said.
The Union troops march through downtown Medina, led by their Honor Guard. They followed the same route that Medina Company D of the 28th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment took back in 1861.GCC History Professor Derek Maxfield, one of the lead organizers of the Civil War Encampment at GCC’s Medina Campus Center, agrees. “I’ve never seen a community rally around something quite the way the folks in Medina have,” he said. He estimates at least 2,500 people attended the weekend’s events, from the parade, to the battles, to the Cotillion Ball Saturday night. “How could I not be pleased with how everything went?” Maxfield said. “The parade went off without a hitch. The weather cooperated very well. We had a wonderful Cotillion Ball. Praise is rolling in from all quarters. I feel like it was fantastic.”
The Confederate troops march down the street. They and the Union troops skirmished twice during the weekend during their Civil War encampment.
The Excelsior Fife and Drum Corps played patriotic music for the onlookers.Visitors had a chance to experience a variety of historic elements throughout the weekend, but there’s no doubt the parade was a distinct highlight. Many were moved by the moment when Mary Zimmerman Robinson handed Capt. Taylor her great-great grandfather’s sword. “It was beautiful,” said Maxfield. “Many people came up to me later and said how touched they were by the parade and the sword ceremony.” The ceremony took place in front of Bents Opera Hall at the four corners of downtown Medina. Bents Hall was completed the year the Civil War ended.
Mary Zimmerman Robinson presents a sword to reenactor Simon Taylor, playing the part of her great-great grandfather, who received a sword from the women of Medina in 1861. This event took place in front of the Bents Opera Hall, completed the year the Civil War ended, (the building is currently undergoing renovations).This is the second year GCC has put on a Civil War Encampment and it continues to grow. “By Saturday, we had already exceeded our numbers from last year,” said Maxfield. “We’ve already begun planning for next year.” The event will be held in April again next year at the Medina Campus Center.
