Attendees brave wind for glimpse of history
Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 - 07:04 PM Updated: 07:21 PM
By Jamie Rogers
FLORENCE -- Spectators turned out in large numbers and endured strong, blistering winds Saturday for the annual re-enactment of the Skirmish of Gamble’s Hotel — a famous Civil War battle that was fought in South Carolina.The skirmish took place nearly 150 years ago, but re-enactors have been bringing the events of that day back to life for 17 years at The Columns Plantation in Florence.Dillon resident Christopher Corbett attended the skirmish re-enactment with his family for about five those years. For the first time, Corbett portrayed a soldier during the event Saturday.“I just thought it was kind of interesting ... every year we’d come here and watch, and I figured I’d come and join in,” he said.Corbett, 19, attends The Citadel in Charleston. He said he has participated in one other Civil War re-enactment, which was held in Aiken.“It’s real fun, you get to meet a lot of people. You learn about the weapons. ... (and) the uniforms,”Corbett said. “They change stuff up (every year). It makes it more interesting.”Corbett’s father, whose name also is Christopher, said he’s enjoyed watching his son do something they both share a common interest in.The elder Corbett said he would like to try re-enacting one day, if his wife will get in on the act, too.“I might be out here next year, but she’s going to have to get a ball dress — and then I’ll get a uniform,” he said.Columbia resident Donald Bennett wasn’t a part of the Saturday’s event, but he has had roles in Civil War re-enactment during the past.“We’ve got to remember what we came from, who we are and what we are,” Bennett said.The Skirmish of Gamble’s Hotel re-enactment featured members of the 23rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry playing the roles of artillery, infantry and cavalry soldiers who fought in the battle. Re-enactors also did first-person impressions of civilians who lived during the time period.The skirmish originally took place at a Florence railroad station near the city’s downtown area March 5, 1865.Five hundred Union soldiers, under the command of Col. Reuben Williams, marched into Florence and attempted to destroy the railroad depot. The Union soldiers, however, were driven back by a group of Confederate soldiers, with the help of 400 civilians and members of a home guard.
Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 - 07:04 PM Updated: 07:21 PM
By Jamie Rogers
FLORENCE -- Spectators turned out in large numbers and endured strong, blistering winds Saturday for the annual re-enactment of the Skirmish of Gamble’s Hotel — a famous Civil War battle that was fought in South Carolina.The skirmish took place nearly 150 years ago, but re-enactors have been bringing the events of that day back to life for 17 years at The Columns Plantation in Florence.Dillon resident Christopher Corbett attended the skirmish re-enactment with his family for about five those years. For the first time, Corbett portrayed a soldier during the event Saturday.“I just thought it was kind of interesting ... every year we’d come here and watch, and I figured I’d come and join in,” he said.Corbett, 19, attends The Citadel in Charleston. He said he has participated in one other Civil War re-enactment, which was held in Aiken.“It’s real fun, you get to meet a lot of people. You learn about the weapons. ... (and) the uniforms,”Corbett said. “They change stuff up (every year). It makes it more interesting.”Corbett’s father, whose name also is Christopher, said he’s enjoyed watching his son do something they both share a common interest in.The elder Corbett said he would like to try re-enacting one day, if his wife will get in on the act, too.“I might be out here next year, but she’s going to have to get a ball dress — and then I’ll get a uniform,” he said.Columbia resident Donald Bennett wasn’t a part of the Saturday’s event, but he has had roles in Civil War re-enactment during the past.“We’ve got to remember what we came from, who we are and what we are,” Bennett said.The Skirmish of Gamble’s Hotel re-enactment featured members of the 23rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry playing the roles of artillery, infantry and cavalry soldiers who fought in the battle. Re-enactors also did first-person impressions of civilians who lived during the time period.The skirmish originally took place at a Florence railroad station near the city’s downtown area March 5, 1865.Five hundred Union soldiers, under the command of Col. Reuben Williams, marched into Florence and attempted to destroy the railroad depot. The Union soldiers, however, were driven back by a group of Confederate soldiers, with the help of 400 civilians and members of a home guard.
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