Civil War era returns

An era in history long gone returned Friday afternoon when more than 100 students and staff, dressed as Union and Confederate soldiers, turned the Sequoia Middle School campus into a Civil War battlefield complete with tents, a cannon, nurses and a chow line consisting of beef jerkey, a roll and water.

“The Battle of Gettysburg — Pickett’s Charge” was portrayed by the students, with a little help from staff and re-enactors from Fort Tejon Historical Society and the Civil War Reenactment Society. Pioneer Middle School students and staff also participated.

“Larry [Herrera] started this reenactment about eight years ago while he was still teaching at Pioneer,” said his wife, Ida Hererra. “He always tries to do this to get the kids involved.”

Before the march and drill presentation, Union soldiers, wearing dark blue, and the Confederates, wearing gray, removed their caps and stood together as violinist Melissa Walker, 13, and saxophone player Jasmine Wynn, 13, played the national anthem. After the playing of “Dixie” and “Ashokan Farewell,” the armies parted with Larry Herrera, portraying Col. Lawrence Chamberlain, 20th Maine, leading the Union army, and Don Erwin portraying Gen. Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia.

“I am Robert E. Lee. I am the general representing the Army of Virginia. We are here today to defeat the Union and Lincoln,” Erwin said. “Once we defeat the Union Army we will then take captive Lincoln. All we want is peace and we will get that today as the South whips and takes on the Union.”

Shouts of agreement were heard from the Confederate soldiers.

In addition to participating in the scrimmage, the students were offered a close-up view and explanations of weapons, tent life and a cannon.

Students shielded their ears as the cannon, capable of shooting a nine-pound cannonball one mile, was fired.

“That was so cool,” said Javier Garcia, 14. “A regular gun is fairly loud but something this size — I expected a big sound so it didn’t surprise me.”

Several parents watched from the sidelines. Among them was Beth Remus, whose daughter Sara was participating in the event.

“I am glad Sara has this opportunity to do this,” Remus said. “She wanted to watch last year but was not allowed. They don’t let the seventh-graders come out. I guess they like to keep it a surprise [until] eighth grade. It’s a good hands-on learning experience for the kids.”