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For immediate release
Contact: Beth E. Gerber, Director of Sales & Marketing
Telephone: 717-260-1861, Ext. 1201
Confederate Infantry
6th
Louisiana Volunteers to Offer Demonstration
at The National Civil War Museum
Harrisburg, PA (July 26, 2005) -
The National Civil War Museum will welcome living historians from the 6th
Louisiana Volunteers on Saturday,
July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2005.
The
men of the recreated 6th Louisiana, Company G, one of the
nation’s premier living history units, will demonstrate how the typical
Confederate soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia was uniformed,
equipped and how they fought. Guests
will have the opportunity to hear the stories of the men who stayed loyal
to the end on one of the last battlefields of the Civil War.
The
defining moment of the 6th Louisiana, Company G was the
Confederate defeat at the Battle of Five Forks on the morning of April 1,
1865. This battle led to a series of events that would ultimately
spell defeat for General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia.
The
Federal’s victory at Five Forks threatened the Confederates last viable
supply line for their army at Petersburg.
Lee, recognizing the hopelessness of his position, promptly
notified Confederate President Jefferson Davis that both Richmond and the
works at Petersburg would have to be evacuated.
Lee
immediately withdrew his army westward toward the town of Farmville with
the hope of feeding his hungry men and then heading south. Among his tired band of loyal soldiers were the hundred or so
survivors of the 6th Louisiana Volunteer Infantry; men who had
served faithfully with Lee from the Battle of First Manassas through every
major campaign in the East.
Close on Lee’s heels were the
Armies of Ulysses S. Grant. Grant and his subordinates knew the end was near for the
Confederate Army; they simply needed to cut off Lee’s retreat and force
a final showdown. At
Saylor’s Creek, Virginia, Lee’s rear guard was forced to turn and face
the pursuing Federals. The
effort to buy Lee and the Army time would ultimately cost Lee nearly a
third of his army and would seal his fate.
To
watch history come alive, make plans to witness the weekend’s activities
on the Parade Grounds behind the Museum.
The encampment will be open during regular museum hours each day
and admission to the encampment is free.
This program is weather contingent.
While at the Museum, make sure to
visit These Tattered Flags. Serving
as unique symbols of American history, flags are the focus of the
Museum’s newest temporary showing, located in the gallery on the first
floor. The historical
examples, unique designs and rare artifacts will be on exhibit through the
end of the year.
The National Civil War Museum,
which has an on-site, full-service café, will be open Saturday from 10:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the Museum is $7.00 for adults, with reduced
rates for children, seniors, military personnel and families.
For more information about this
unique attraction or this weekend's activities, please call 717.260.1861.
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2005
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