Crystal River Civil War Reenactment

By Lydia Filzen

Telegrapher Don Andris with wiretapping technique

The central Gulf coast of Florida near Crystal River, lush with palms and live oaks, provided a scenic backdrop for the Eighth annual Nature Coast Civil War Reenactment last March 11 through 13. The site, owned by Holcim U. S. Inc. stretches from the Cross-Florida Barge Canal to the Gulf of Mexico though the event utilizes only a portion of the pastureland.

The battle reenactments on Saturday and Sunday do not recreate any specific engagements because the Crystal River area was sparsely populated in Civil War days and little war activity took place. However, the imprint of history can be found in the area. David L. Yulee was Florida's first U. S. senator and part owner of the Florida Railroad. His plantation, located a few miles from the event site, supplied the Confederates with cane sugar until the Union soldiers burned it down in 1864. The state of Florida has designated the ruins a historic site.

1st New JerseyLight Artillery with original 10 lb. Parrott rifled cannon

Also, the Federals occupied nearby Cedar Key early in the war and used it as a base. They formed the U. S. 2nd Florida Cavalry, comprised of local Unionists. The 2nd Infantry Regiment, U. S. Colored Troops recruited Florida blacks. The homegrown Yankees carried out raids from Cedar Key and a number of skirmishes with Confederate troops resulted.

Property manager Curtis Peters is president of the event committee and makes the site available for the reenactment. Although Peters isn't a reenactor, he is community oriented. He said, "I want to be involved in the promotion of history because teaching about the Civil War is important."

This year's addition of an 80 by 100 foot asphalt floored pole barn improved upon the previous lime rock floor. The spacious battlefield, dotted with hay bales and wooden fencing, provided an ample staging area for the battle with plenty of room for spectators to get a good vantage point.

Confederate courier delivering a dispatch

Peters said that about 7,300 spectators visited the reenactment over the weekend and about 400 schoolchildren visited the Friday educational exhibits. Approximately 400 reenactors participated, an increase over past years. Camping areas are available, but no water or electrical connections.

Next year's event is scheduled for March 10-12, 2006. Check their website at http://www.crystalriverreenactment.org/ for details.

Lydia Filzen is a Civil War novelist who writes under the name Lydia Hawke. Her first award-winning novel, Firetrail, is set during Sherman's march through the Carolinas. The heroine of her second novel, Perfect Disguise, joins the Confederate cavalry. For further information, log onto www.lydiahawke.us.