Civil War reenactment in Bath celebrates local, national history in dramatic fashion

BATH, Ohio — The loud blast of cannons and the pop of muskets blared amid the cloud of gunpowder as history came to life Sunday.

The Western Reserve Historical Society’s Civil War Weekend came to a close with the reenactment of the Battle of Shenandoah Valley at Hale Farm & Village. The Shenandoah Valley campaigns took place between 1861 and 1865 in Virginia, which were important to holding back northern advancement of the Confederacy.

Dozens of reenactors, sporting the garb of Union and rebel soldiers, along with traditional 19th century clothing, relived the battle and provided educational commentary to hundreds of visitors.

Tents scattered the historic 140-acre property, some of which sold vintage memorabilia. The land was settled by Jonathan Hale in the early 1800s. He completed the family home, “Old Brick,” in 1827, according to the National Park Service website. The property was donated to the historical society in 1956 after Hale’s great-granddaughter, Clara Belle Ritchie, donated it in her will with the provision that it become a museum.

For those who attended, the event offered a view of history that cannot be captured in a textbook. Kyle Smith of Bedford Heights said this was his first Civil War reenactment.

“It surprised me how much effort goes into reloading the weapons,” he said, as fife and drum corps played “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

“There was a lot of comradery among the actors and it was really cool to see the calvary as well.”

Smith added that it was important to preserve the past, both on a local and national level.

“History has a tendency to repeat itself, and we should be reminded of where we came from,” he said.