Vol. 45, No. 1 2018 Ends on a High Note Richmond and F
RICHMOND, Va. FRANKLIN, Tenn.—With a one-two punch, Mike Kent MK Shows kicked off the Civil War show circuit w back to back events for buffs. The 38th Annual C the Confederacy Civil Wa was held Nov. 17 and 18 Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond, Va., and wa huge success according t Chairman Kent who manage
America’s Monthly New Skirmish” l War Show News
the event for the Central Virgini Civil War Collectors Association. For the past few years the show has competed with a modern gun and knife show in an adjacent building at the Raceway Complex, the Richmond Marathon which is known for multiple street closures and traffic jams, and the nationally known Tulsa Gun Show. This year the show returned to its traditional weekend before Thanksgiving to avoid all the competing events. Although attendance was unchanged from last year, the move enabled several well-known dealers such as Vin Caponi, Al Duquette, Ken Hamilton, and Brian Akins to participate for the first time in several years. After a cold, rainy start to th week, Friday arrived with cool temperatures but plenty of sun for moving in as vendors loaded tables with their latest finds an acquisitions then went to work buying, selling, trading, and renewing old friendships. At the close of business on Friday, several vendors remarked that they already had a successful show, even though the event had not yet opened to the public. The Capital of the Confederacy
according to Kent, who also promotes the Middle Tennessee Civil War Show in Franklin and
the Chickamauga Civil War Show in Dalton, Ga. If the Richmond show is a success based on at-
and feedback, sales activity and enthusiasm, it bodes well for up coming shows according to Kent. All these metrics were met, with dealers coming from as far away as Texas, New York, and Florida, and the public parking lot sport ing tags from all over the easte United States. One attendee with a “down under” accent introduced himself and stated he had come from Sidney, Australia, to hit the Richmond and Franklin shows and then ship his purchases back for his growing Civil Wa collection! With the current political climate being what it is, it was refreshing to see hundreds of likeminded collectors and enthusiasts gathering to discuss and celebrate their passion without regard to political affiliation Kent. Whether examining buttons, buckles, bullets, muskets,
8 – Black Powder, White Smok 36 – Book Reviews 38 – Critic’s Corner
a Successful Harvest for GBPA Capping a 2018 season that saw a reduction in the number and size of reenactments generally, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association successfully bucked the trend by staging the “Fall Farm Skirmish” Oct. 20 & 21, at the Historic Daniel Lady Farm. Units of the First and Second Regiments of the Federal Volunteer Brigade faced off with the 7th Louisiana Infantry an local Confederate forces in a live-action skirmish over the tw days. The vollies were exchanged on 10 acres of the historic farm 1008 Hanover Street that was held by the Confederates during most of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. The farm saw skirmishing during the first day’s fighting and, as the battle progres both the house and barn were struck by Union artillery fire. B served as a field hospital for wounded and dying Confederate combatants. Confederate troops assembled across the Lady Farm for the assault on Culp’s Hill on the second and third days of the bat GBPA officials report that close to 300 reenactors represen ing the North and South exchanged volleys during the two-day engagement that also provided visitors with a close look at da life in the two camps.
Event organizer and GBPA Board of Directors member Kirk Davis said the reduced scale of the event worked to the advantage of both participants and spectators.
A line of reenactors in front of the historic Daniel Lady Farm’s historic barn. “The audience could really hear the commands of the officers during the battle and, at the same time, the reenactors knew they were under close scrutiny to follow those orders and give authenticity to every aspect of the clash,” said Davis. An added feature on Saturday was a concert by noted historic musician Kent Courtney for troops and visitors. Information about the Historic Daniel Lady Farm and the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association can be found a
34 – Emerging Civil War 32 – Small Talk-Trivia
22 – The Graphic War 12 – The Unfinished Fight 26 – Inspection, ARMS! 28 – This And That 2 – Letters to the Editor 14 – Through The Lens
