One hundred and forty-seven years ago, men from Allegany County and the surrounding area gathered at what is now known as the "Parade Grounds" in Letchworth State Park. In 1862, it was known as "Camp Williams" and served as the mustering point for over 1,000 of these men, who became the 136th New York Volunteer Infantry. They marched forth from that camp to the places we’ve all read about in history texts... places with names like Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Siege of Atlanta and Sherman’s March to the Sea. This weekend, members of the modern day group who recreate those men and women of the Civil War gather in historic Angelica, NY to teach today’s young men about that era. The Western Gate District of the Allegheny Highlands Boy Scout Council will hold its fifth Civil War Camp-o-ree at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The Camp-o-ree has fueled a new interest in Civil War history by the scouts and led to the formation of Crew 7136, a Venturing Crew that re-enacts Company "K" of the 136th New York Volunteer Infantry, which was recruited in Allegany County in 1862. Crew 7136 participates in reenactment events throughout the region. Dressed and equipped with authentic equipment, they strive to teach history to today’s youth through portraying the lives of Volunteer Infantry and civilians during the Civil War. Over 200 scouts from throughout the region will take part in living history demonstrations of camp life, marching and artillery. Re-enactors from across the region make camp at the fairgrounds where they’ll eat, sleep and breathe Civil War-era life. Dressed in period costume, they’ll battle blue against grey complete with cannons, muskets, and cavalry. Capping off the weekend, the scouts will observe a skirmish re-enactment put on by the re-enactors, and then participate in a mock battle of their own, using imitation muskets and gaining valuable insights into Civil War life.
Learn more about us at www.136thny.com.
ENJOY YOUR VISIT!
The 136th New York is partnering with the Angelica Merchants’ Association to bring activities into the Park Circle National Historic District, which will be decked out in blue and gray in honor of the event. On Saturday, visit the Angelica Farmers’ Market at Park Circle between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Observe ladies of the day arriving for tea at the Angelica Inn, and witness a skirmish between the Union and Confederate armies along Main Street and battles at the Village Playing Field. In the evening, re-enactors and visitors are invited to a period dance at the stately Grange Hall, featuring "City Fiddle" and a caller teaching dances of the era. On Sunday, start the day attending an authentic 1860’s church service, enjoy the 1860s parade and final battle at 2:00 pm at the Village Playing Fields.
Reenactment Camps Located Right on Main Street
There are some big changes in the making for the event in 2010. We will be leaving the fairgrounds and holding the event entirely at locations throughout the circa 1805 Village of Angelica. There will be several authentic camps along Main Street in the historic District. The battles will encompass both the street battles we have had in the past and open field portions. While the Boy Scouts will still be participating, their camps will remain on the fairgrounds. Many of the local community organizations will join in events to welcome the re-enactors, and in recreating the 1860’s. Multiple scenarios throughout the period village are available for reenactors. As always, we will have something new for you to try!
REENACTMENT DO’s & DON’Ts
At any Reenactment, including this one,
PLEASE DO: Be aware that there are various types of impressions. Some reenactors try and portray the actual person and stay in character. This is known as "First Person." Others will dress as period persons but will describe what the actual people did in "Third Person," but not pretend to be the actual 1860’s individual.
Visit the camps of the reenactors!
We are here to show you how people lived in the 1860’s. You will find a great variety of tents and different camp items to view, and all ages and types of people!
Feel free to ask questions of reenactors, we love to talk. We are Living Historians and will happily discuss or debate the issues of the era, or describe for you the objects and actions you see.Feel free to look into tents that the flaps are open, they are part of the display of life in the era. Many reenactors take great pains and pride to present a camp or tent that is as it would be in the era.Visit the sutlers (period merchants); They are a wealth of information as well and may have something you are interested in! Reenactors purchase many of the items we use from them, and they carry many items that the public may wish to take home as a souvenir.Come to the battles! Much planning and practice goes into what you will see on the field. The reenacting units drill year-round to develop their marching and weapons skills to demonstrate the different maneuvers and ability to move as a body of troops.
BUT PLEASE DON’T:
Walk on to the battlefield while the battle is taking place, or walk in front of any group giving a firing demonstration! This is for your own safety. We take the safety of the public and ourselves as our first responsibility and have rules to insure everyone can enjoy the event without injury.Touch the artillery pieces or handle any firearms, unless it is offered to you by the owner. Some are very costly, and it may be loaded! Again, this is for everyone’s safety, and to prevent accidents. If you ask a question about it, chances are the reenactor will offer to show you his or her weapon, describe its characteristics and the differences from other weapons and even offer to let you hold it.Interrupt a living historian while he or she is giving a presentation, there
will always be time for questions when the prepared remarks are completed. Many reenactors have memorized or researched their topics and may be trying to present the information in an organized way. They will always be happy to answer questions after they have finished.Heckle or otherwise try to get some- one in "first person" to fall out of character. We try very hard to become the characters we portray and trying to intentionally break that is impolite. As with live theatre or other performances, it is not polite to interrupt the performance as an attempt at humor or to disrupt it. We appreciate your not trying to do so.Open a tent that has been tied shut; a closed tent means the contents are private! Some reenactors may not have had time to "tidy up" or hide modern items they may have. Others may be using the tent to change clothing or rest. Please respect the privacy of others by not trying to open tents that are tied shut.
THANK YOU, and have a safe and fun time at our event!
Allegheny Highlands Council,
Boy Scouts of America is the proud sponsor of the Angelica Civil War Camporee and Reenactment
50 Hough Hill Road P.O. Box 261 Falconer, New York 14733 Ph: 716.665.2697
Fax: 716.665.5212 Email: servicecenter@alleghenyhighlands.org
Website: www.alleghenyhighlands.org
Proudly serving the future leaders of America in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties in New York, and McKean and Potter counties in Pennsylvania. We operate Camp Merz in Mayville, New York and Elk Lick Scout Reserve in Smethport, Pennsylvania.
