Dundee will host Civil War reenactment

DUNDEE--The Dundee Historical Society will be hosting a Civil War reenactment at the Dundee VFW Saturday, Aug. 14 and Sunday, Aug. 15. The weekend of activities will allow attendees to experience the hardship and bravery of those who fought for the continued existence of the United States.
The American Civil War ran from April 12, 1861, to April 9, 1865, and was the deadliest in American history with between 620,000-750,000 casualties. The war also marked the beginning of many modern weapons of war including mass-produced firearms, mobility assisted by ships and impacting supply chains of an opponent.
Prior to the war, President Abraham Lincoln was elected with anti-slavery plans for the country and soon after his inauguration the newly seceded Confederacy was involved in the first battle. The all-encompassing war produced countless historically significant events that have continued to be studied since the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
This weekend's reenactment will include camps at the large field at the VFW in Dundee and feature battles on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A third battle will be held on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Organizer John Antes, who has over 40 years of experience with reenactments, explained the event will give the community a first-hand look at the battle conditions that faced the soldiers. The living history presentation will include "live-blank" gun and artillery fire. Antes said the event will be free to all spectators, but a donation box will be used to hopefully form a unit of soldiers from the Dundee and Yates County area for future reenactments.
Expected to attend are artillery, mounted and dismounted cavalry and infantry from Binghamton, Owego, Rochester, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. These groups include: McNeill's Rangers Mounted CS CAV, Pay Master US, 30 VA Co. B INF, 26 TX Dismounted CAV, 3 NY Light ART Surgeon and Staff, 123 NY VOL INF, 7 NY Dismounted Calvary, 16 NY Independent Battery, Camp Catlin 341 SUVCW 2P, 141 PA INF VOL and the 148th NY Infantry Volunteers.
Antes said the reenacted surgeon division will perform a battlefield surgery including an amputation. There will also be a swap meet of historical memorabilia during the event.
The VFW Post 8649 is located at 125 Seneca St. in Dundee and will also be holding a chicken BBQ dinner. For additional information see www.dundeeareahistory.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/Dundee-Area-Historical-Society-111724392197484/.