Jan 10, 2010 Joe Funk (717) 578-7459
THIRTEENTH Annual Civil War Reenactment at Fort Pocahontas
CHARLES CITY, VA -- On Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23, 2010, Fort Pocahontas at Wilson’s Wharf will come alive through Civil War living history, civilian presentations, guided fort tours and two battle reenactments. Located between Richmond and Williamsburg in Charles City, Virginia, the fort will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.
This year marks the 13th reenactment of the Action at Wilson’s Wharf at this historic site, which was organized by Harrison R. Tyler. Virtually untouched for over 130 years, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources observed Fort Pocahontas as “one of the best preserved fort sites” in America.
History will be relived by re-enactors from all over the country portraying Union and Confederate Infantry, including United States Colored Troops (USCTs), Cavalry, US and CS Navy and Artillery. Activities throughout both days will include tactical infantry and artillery demonstrations, civilian camp life history including cooking, period clothing demonstrations, church services, guided tours through the fort by first person character presenters, an opportunity to “Meet Major General Godfrey Weitzel" and a Civil War roundtable discussion. A variety of sutlers will sell period Civil War merchandise. A signal fire and demonstration and artillery night fire will be held Saturday evening at nightfall.
The
1864 earthen fort was built and manned by hundreds of United States
Colored Troops (USCTs) under the direct command of Brigadier-General
Edward Augustus Wild. A victory resulted for the out-numbered USCTs
against the Confederate attack by Major General Fitzhugh Lee, Robert E.
Lee’s nephew and the 2,000 cavalrymen he led. Joe Funk, the
Commander since it's inception and first person presenter of General
Weitzel, the engineer who drew the original fort design and great-uncle
of Mr. Funk will be available to discuss engineering aspects
of the earthworks and the action that took place in 1864 immediately
following the battle. Captain A. R.
Arter, a Union
soldier at Fort Pocahontas in 1864, described the fortifications as
"one of the best arranged breastworks I have seen."
In May 2002, a corps of volunteer
re-enactors constructed a 20-foot tower for demonstrations and training
purposes and in 2003, the east gun bastion was rebuilt as a means of
preserving the site for historical accuracy. The restored Delk/Binford
House houses the archeological artifacts unearthed by The College of
William and Mary and provides space for private events and parties.
In addition to the Civil War history,
the site is also dates to the earliest inhabitants, the Native
Americans, and is named after the legendary Pocahontas. The
deep water port, known as Wilson's Wharf, was used during the American
Revolution for shipping tobacco and for passengers traveling by ferry
boat, named the Pocahontas.
Admission
is $10 per adult and $8 per student per day. Discounts are available
for two-day tickets and groups of 10 or more. Tickets will be sold at
Fort Pocahontas each day of the event, located off Route 5, on Rt. 614,
13500 Sturgeon Point Road, Charles City, Virginia 23030. Visitors are
advised to wear comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes. All
proceeds from this event will continue to support the preservation
efforts of Fort Pocahontas, a non-profit organization.
For directions, more
information and itinerary, please visit the web site at
www.fortpocahontas.org,
email
ktyler@sherwoodforest.org
or call (804) 829-9722 or (804) 358-6248.