BOONVILLE RE-ENACTMENT TO BE A "MAXIMUM EFFORT"
Updated at August 25, 2010 08:08Make plans now to join the Boonville Civil War Commemorative Commission, Boonville Tourism Commission, and the Collins Battery B for the 150th anniversary commemoration of the First Battle of Boonville, June 17-19, 2011. Fought on June 17, 1861, this battle occurred before the First Battle of Bull Run in Virginia (July 21, 1861) and insured that the state of Missouri and the Missouri River would remain under Union control. The site of the reenactment battle will be the Dr. Willard Avery farm on Rocheport Road, just east of the Boonville city limits, and the location of the original Civil War battle. This turning point battle, although short in duration, also provided that vital human, agricultural and mineral resources would not come under the control of the Confederate South. August 21, 2010, the Missouri Civil War Reenactors’ Association voted the reenactment of the First Battle of Boonville a Maximum Effort Event. The MCWRA (Missouri Civil War Reenactors’ Association) was organized in 1981 by reenactors who saw the need to set up a structured organization in response to the growing number of reenactors portraying the history of our country from 1861-1865, and to better serve potential sponsors wanting to have living history events. Since its inception, the MCWRA has been incorporated in the state of Missouri as a non-profit corporation. The association is guided by a set of rules and by-laws and is governed by a Board of Directors, and policies are voted upon by the general membership. The Boonville reenactment will include exhibits, authentic crafts, blacksmith, medical and cooking demonstrations, as well as Civil War period music and a Sunday church service. The event is hosted by Collins Battery B (C.S) of Jefferson City, Mo. Dr. Doug Scott, archaeologist from the University of Nebraska, will host a one-hour seminar on the artifacts that have been uncovered at the 1st Battle of Boonville site. Civil War expert Bill Parry will also host one-hour seminar as well. General Marmaduke will also make an appearance to describe the battle. The crowning event of the weekend will be a “night firing” demonstration on Saturday, June 18. A year-long schedule of Civil War events, beginning June 17, 2010 with the dedication of the first Civil War information panel in Boonville, will preclude the reenactment in June, 2011. For more information, contact Commission Co-Chairs Barbara Holtzclaw (660-537-3776), Deborah Marshall (660-882-5335) or Dr. Maryellen McVicker (660-621-2105). To participate as a re-enactor in this event, contact Lou Dunlap (1-816-320-2585) or Dick Peterson (1-573-659-6989) of Collins Battery B.
Email this Article