While at the muster, I learned that this particular one was the 24th annual in the same town. It had about 2,500 participants this year from not only Michigan, but also Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennesee. How about that? It was one of the largest musters in the country in my own backyard and I never knew it!

As I left my car to walk to the muster grounds, the first thing I noticed was the number of cars in the large parking lot. Perhaps as many as 500! As I got closer to the muster grounds I began to see more and more people dressed in Civil War era clothing - even the children and babies in strollers as well. Perhaps as much as 40% of those attending were in Civil War era clothing. A muster is a great way to bring history to life and get children hooked.

The reenactment was the Battle of Wilson's Creek. They started with artillery strikes that were super loud. There were perhaps as many as 50 canonballs shot. From there, troops moved onto the site and began firing. As time went on, more troops entered the scene. In a few cases, some soldiers ran away from their battle line - deserters. Medics entered the battlefield to attempt to give medical help to the injured soldiers while bullets were still firing around them. The battle went on for about an hour. When it was over, dozens of "dead" men were laying on the ground. Then a miracle happened; The dead soldiers were resurrected!

In addition to the battle reenactment on both days, visitors were able to walk around the camp that had been set up by those participating in the battle reenactment and visit with them. The camps were also set like they were in the original Civil War era. There must have been 150 tents and families set up there. Noticeably absent were radios, televisons, VCR/DVD players, electrical hookups, coleman stoves and so forth. The familes camped much like their counterparts did in the 1860s. I also learned from visiting with them that not all Union soldiers wore blue uniforms. Some regiments from Iowa wore gray uniforms even though they fought on the Union side. Others, having no uniforms, wore their normal clothes during battle. Talk about friendly fire!

A special area was set up where you could visit with Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and General and Mrs. Grant. They were look-a-likes, of course, but gave the impression of being very much like the originals. I also witnessed a recreation of a portion of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. It amazed me that even young children sat quitely through the hour-long debate and did not fidget or keep asking "Can we go now," etc. After the debate, I overheard a boy of about 10 and a girl of about 12 asking the Lincoln's questions. The boy asked Abe how he became a lawyer; The girl asked Mary Todd Lincoln if she missed not having daughters. Civil War musters are an excellent way to get kids interested in history.

Another area was set up to demonstrate medical care given to soldiers in the battlefield. I witnessed a leg amputation and the embalming of a dead Confederate. It was not only interesting but I learned a lot from these demonstrations. Ether was first discovered in 1540! For 300 years it was used only as "entertainment." People would sniff small amounts of the liquid and it would make them light headed and dizzy. Ether parties were often held. In 1846, Doctor William Morton performed his first surgery utilizing ether. Ether was available to doctors in the field during the Civil War. I also learned the origination of the phrase “bite the bullet” came from the Civil War. Frequently, doctors were not able to obtain a supply of Ether in the battlefields. Unlike scenes in movie and television shows, a fresh bullet was not used as it could be swallowed or explode when biting on it. Instead, a spent bullet was used. After battles, medical assistants scoured the battlefield looking for flat, spent bullets to use when they ran out of Ether to use.

There were also merchants set up in large tents selling historical interest items. Among items offered for sale were, reproduction Civil War clothing, music CDs with Civil War tunes, historical DVDs and books, replica guns and rifles, paintings and prints, and much more. It took me over two hours to browse the goods offered. The only "bad" part was the food concession stands. They were the same trailers that set up at carnivals and fairs. It took away the "authentic" feel of the muster.

The Civil War muster was so interesting that I ended up going both days. I have a selection of photos that I took at the muster and placed them online. To view them click here. I encourage those that have not attended a Civil War Muster or reenactment to go to one if they have the opportunity. it’s a great family event to attend.