STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Civil War history enthusiasts and families will have a chance to experience camp life up close at Fort Williams in Glasgow this weekend.
Reenactor Todd Watts told WCLU Radio that he and fellow members of the 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment will present a living history encampment at the historic fort.
Watts said the group portrays a Union unit with deep roots in south-central Kentucky and northern Tennessee. He added that the 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment was formed largely from men in Simpson, Warren, Allen, Barren and Monroe counties in Kentucky, along with Sumner, Macon, Smith and Jackson counties in Tennessee.
According to Watts, the unit calls itself the “Southern Boys in Blue,” a phrase drawn from the memoir of 9th Kentucky veteran Marcus Woodcock of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee.
Watts said their goal at Fort Williams is to give visitors a realistic sense of camp life for Civil War soldiers, while still keeping the experience safe and accessible. Reenactors plan to set up period-style tents and wear reproduction uniforms, allowing guests to walk right into the camp and talk with participants one-on-one. Watts said they will explain what daily routines looked like for soldiers stationed at a place like Fort Williams, from drills to downtime.
The group also plans to conduct demonstrations, including marching and musket-firing with blank rounds, to show how soldiers carried out their duties.
Some reenactors may cook simple period-style foods such as salt pork and soups, although Watts noted that not everyone chooses to cook at events and plans can depend on conditions like weather and fire safety rules. He said the encampment is designed to be interactive, and visitors are encouraged to ask about any aspect of Civil War soldier life or the history of the 9th Kentucky.
Watts added that the weekend also serves as a recruiting opportunity for people who have been curious about reenacting but are not sure how to get started. He said the most effective way to learn about the hobby is to attend an event, speak with reenactors and see the equipment and routines in person.
The group focuses on a Union impression but can also help connect interested participants with nearby Confederate reenactment units.
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