Thousands of spectators lined up Saturday to view hundreds of Collins Battery B members and other Missouri Civil War Re-enactment Association (MCWRA) re-enactors recreate the Battle of Monday's Hollow in Linn Creek.
This triennial event, with the first two-day re-enactment taking place in 2012, allowed Lake of the Ozarks residents and visitors to watch and learn about the only Civil War battle that took place in Camden County.
With all activities taking place at the Missouri Trapshooters Association grounds in Linn Creek, the event began with a the opening of a variety of vendors, a Sutler Village and multiple historic exhibits. Visitors to the grounds could also walk through Confederate and Union military camps and interact with soldiers on both sides.
Throughout the weekend festival, strolling minstrels will be on the grounds entertaining visitors with Civil War-period music and songs and interpretative re-enactment speakers will be discussing the effects of the war and the life of slaves.
A Ladies Tea was held Saturday morning, which featured Sharon Schnebly discussing the history behind her "Hidden in Plain Sight" Underground Railroad quilt; the piece will be raffled off.
New this year, there was a Civil War dance Saturday night where soldiers in full regalia and women in period dresses joined arms and stepped to the authentic sounds of the Gum Springs Serenaders. Following the dance, 11 cannons made an "announcement" using multi-colored powdered flares to close out the evening.
Before the re-enactors took to the battlefield Saturday afternoon, John Seward, a retired brigadier general and the last living male descendant of President Abraham Lincoln's secretary of state, William Seward, gave an opening speech. Rep. Diane Franklin, R-Camdenton, also presented a special plaque of appreciation and Missouri and U.S. flags that have flown over the State Capitol to John Wilson, Civil War re-enactor and event committee member.
Activities continue today, beginning with a Civil War-era worship service at 8 a.m.
Attendees can complete the historical experience by visiting the "Sutler Village," which consists of period vendors, craftsmen, laundresses, woodworkers and soap makers peddling their wares. There also will be traveling museums and a Civil War-era medical tent, where visitors can learn how surgery was performed and how illnesses were treated in the 1860s.
The re-enactment will take place today at 1 p.m., with all activities closing at 3 p.m.
Admission is free and open to the public. Parking is available for a suggested $10 per car parking donation and $5 motorcycle parking donation.
For more information, call 573-346-7191 or visit www.camdencountymusem.com.