Lopers relive historic battle |
| Posted by Administrator on Mar 04 2009 at 2:56 PM |
Courtesy photos
Civil war reenactors view the 6th New york Cavalry Regiment monument at the Gettysburg battlefield.
By Travis Schott
Antelope Staff
The ground was cold and hard that November day in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln addressed a crowd of veterans, survivors and families of the dead at the hollow fields of Gettysburg. In just two minutes, President Lincoln poetically delivered his famous speech known as the Gettysburg Address.
History enthusiasts still gather where Lincoln delivered this speech 145 years ago. Lincoln's words still echo today, still carry the power to cut through the hearts of many Americans.
"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here," Lincoln orated as he referred to the tragic battle of Gettysburg that lasted only three days in July, and claimed the lives of nearly 51,000 Union and Confederate troops.
Even then, President Lincoln recognized the monumental battle as a watershed moment in American history, and Civil War historians still honor the lives lost that day by reenacting the battle that stained the green fields of Gettysburg red.
Michael Sothan, a freshman history major from Kearney, and Dr. Joseph Carlson, a criminal justice professor, were just two of more than 15,000 men and women who took part in the famous Gettysburg reenactment last summer.
Sothan and Carlson are members of Kearney's 1848 Venture Crew (BSA) "C" Company 1st Nebraska Infantry Regiment sponsored by the Great Platte River Road Archway specializing in Civil War reenactment.
Sothan became attracted to the group after hearing old stories his father told about his ancestors who fought in the Civil War.
"It gives you a chance to relive history," Sothan said.
Sothan has been a member of the 1848- founded in November 2002- since the summer of 2004.
"You are able to form a connection within the group and outside of it. It provides a lot of opportunities to volunteer and help people," Sothan said.
Dr. Carlson participates in the group and acts as advisor using the opportunity to teach younger generations and citizens about history and patriotism.
"I look at this as a community service," Carlson said. "The 1848 is one of the largest groups of its kind in Nebraska and is always open to new members, men or women."
The group meets twice a month at the Archway and takes part in an array of community activities. They have served as the color guard at UNK football games, they will take part in UNK's History Day on March 10, and they are very excited about the Boy Scout camporee they will sponsor in April.
The Boy Scout camporee will take place at Fort Kearney on April 18-19. The event "is a full day's event that boys and girls from Buffalo and Hall counties can take part in," Carlson said. "They will be able to learn how to load and fire the rifles, even assist in firing the canons."
Anyone interested in joining or obtaining more information about the group can contact Sothan via e-mail at sothanmd@unk.edu. The group also has a Web site: at http://1848venturecrew.xibus.com.
