“This is the 150th anniversary re-enactment and the last one on this site,” says Smiley Clapp, “We want to finish with the most impressive event we can muster.”
Corryton, TN (PRWEB) September 29, 2013
The sights and sounds of the Battle of Fort Sanders will be on display Oct 10- 12, 2013 commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. In November 1863, General Longstreet commanding an army of 3000 men executed a full direct assault of the fort that was manned by 400 Union soldiers under the command of General Ambrose Burnside. As the Confederate army approached, they became entrapped in wire and stymied by both the steep walls of the fort and deep ditch that fronted the walls. After 20 minutes of carnage, the Confederate army retreated, effectively ending the siege of Knoxville.
The event will feature re-enactors, cavalry, infantry, flying artillery, supply wagons, encampments, oral histories, and demonstrations on a 140 acre farm that has a built to scale of the northwest earthwork bastion of Fort Sanders. On Thursday, schools and children tours are featured; Friday is Commemoration Day of this decisive battle of the Knoxville campaign pitting Longstreet against Burnside; re-enactments of the Battle of Campbell station are scheduled for 2PM and the Battle of Fort Sanders scheduled for 4PM on Saturday and Sunday.
The event is sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, WBIR-TV, Regal Cinemas, The Civil War Courier, The Camp Chase Gazette, and The Citizens’ Companion.