Old Clinton War Days scheduled May 6-7

COMMUNITY EVENT

  • Ladies at Old Clinton War Days prepare for the event with different activities throughout the day. FILE PHOTO
    Ladies at Old Clinton War Days prepare for the event with different activities throughout the day. FILE PHOTO
  • Soldiers from both sides fire their weapons at each other at the re-enactment at Old Clinton War Days. FILE PHOTO
    Soldiers from both sides fire their weapons at each other at the re-enactment at Old Clinton War Days. FILE PHOTO

    Come to Old Clinton and once again take a step back in time May 6-7, when re-enactors from the South and elsewhere recreate the Battle of Sunshine Church, which took place in July 1864, and the Battle of Griswoldville, which occurred in November 1864 during Sherman’s March to the Sea.

    Beneath a windblown battle flag, tents will spring up on grassy fields in the town.

    Soldiers from grizzled veterans to beardless recruits, both blue and gray, will gather. As in July and November of 1864, the rattle of musketry and the rolling thunder of cannons will shake windows in old homes.

    The McCarthy-Pope House, circa 1809, the oldest existing house in Clinton, will be open for tour. Ladies of the Confederacy will have the house furnished and decorated in the era of the War Between the States.

    Miss Annie’s Store will house a display of a wide variety of war relics, a prize-winning exhibit of Griswold pistol parts, a beautiful example of a finished Griswold pistol, a Burnside carbine, other war weapons, and authentic Confederate currency. “Dug” relics from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, as well as Native American artifacts will also be on display.

    The entire event takes place in the Old Clinton Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Self-guided walking tour information will be available, and guided tours are available by pre-reservation.

    Crafts of the era will be demonstrated; “modern” arts and crafts will also be available for purchase; and “modern” as well as food of the period will be served.

    Gates will open at 9 a.m.

    Saturday and Sunday.

    Battles begin at 2:05 each day. Saturday’s program will conclude at 8:05 p.m.. with the 16thGeorgia, Company G, Jackson Rifles, CSA conducting a memorial service in the Clinton Methodist Church Cemetery to honor Clinton’s Confederate dead.

    The Old Clinton Historic District is located 10 miles northeast of Macon just off US Hwy 129. For more information, you may call 478-251-6745.

    – Contributed