Audie Heikkila describes himself as a
rebel of sorts. This past weekend, the owner of Scio Feed and Country
Store, was a real rebel when he traveled back in time to the Civil
War. Clyde Rieger of Scio joined the Jefferson resident at Willamette
Mission State Park as part of the Northwest Civil War Council's
annual reenactment. This is the group's 22nd annual
reenactment. For Heikkila, this was his sixth time. This was Rieger's
second event. The event ran June 30- July 2, with a number of events
happening every day. The highlight of each day were the two battles
held on the open ground near the two camps.
The scenario for the opening battle was
that the Union Army, short on supplies, was held up in the clearing,
waiting for supplies to arrive. Much to their surprise, the
Confederates, including Heikkila, discovered them and engaged in
battle. Beside the battlefield, bleachers filled quickly with
visitors. Others placed lawn chairs and blankets just outside the
designated battlefield area.
The battle, complete with booming
cannons, charges, retreats and even an act of revenge, held people's
attention for almost an hour. Following the completion of the battle,
the participants lined up before the visitors' section to be
introduced by unit. They also fired their firearms, each group in
unison, to make sure all weapons were empty prior to their returning
to their respective camps.
Rieger, originally an enlistee in the
Confederate was called on to become a “traitor” because the
Yankees were short personnel to fire their cannons. After changing
into a blue vest, Rieger took to the battlefield as one of the
soldiers loading and firing the cannons the Yankees placed on a
slight ridge.
Despite having to join the other side
temporarily, Rieger had a great time. “You can feel the
concussion,” he said of the vibrations when each cannon was fired.
Once the battle was over, Rieger quickly changed back into the gray
coat of his Rockridge Division.
Heikkila, located in the Confederate
line closest to the visitors' area, pushed forward with his comrades,
across the open ground, without getting injured. Others, including
the Rebel general, was not as lucky. As Heikkila reloaded his gun
again and again, the Rebels eventually overran the Yankees, winning
the skirmish. The narrator noted that the Union always won the final
battle of the reenactment.
For Heikkila, deciding to join the
Southern Army was an easy one. Having spent some time living in the
south was one reason. “Besides,” he added following the battle,
“I've always been a bit of a rebel.” Heikkila and Rieger were
camped among their fellow Southerners in canvas tents. The pair was
happy that their campsite was under several large filbert trees once
the rain began to fall.
This year, the weather was muggy but a
lot cooler than some previous reenactments when temperatures neared
the century mark. Heikkila said the weather didn't stop the events or
festivities. “The war goes on, rain or shine!”
In addition to the two daily battles, a
sutlers' row held a variety of shops including a mercantile, food
booths and a vintage photographer where visitors brushed shoulders
with reenactors looking to make purchases. There were also several
different demonstrations including on medical care of the era,
artillery, and typical conversations of the period.
Each camp also had displays of a number
of different events and businesses prevalent during the Civil War
period. Blacksmiths, a post office, sanitary department and even an
embalmer could be found among the private tents of the reenactors.
Approximately 1,000 people- men, women and children- participated in
this year's reenactment.
When asked why he became a reenactor,
Heikkila smiled and touched his pistol. “Some people don't think
this war is over.”
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