The Civil War Encampment - Part 2

I was attending a Civil War reenactment at the State Park in Massena. I left the Confederate encampment (see yesterday's post) and entered the Union side, beginning at the Doctor's camp:

Men in Union uniforms and women in costumes of the period sat and chatted:

One family had brought their baby, also in period costume, and she played happily on a blanket:

The battle was several hours away, so men prepared for that and women sat and read:

I walked down to see the St. Lawrence River and, on the way, passed this wonderful scene. A girl and a woman in dresses of the era walked their two tiny puppies:

And the St. Lawrence River was breathtaking. I noticed this Elm tree, and realized that I keep seeing them around here. This was perhaps the biggest healthy Elm I've seen yet and it raised my hopes that the species was becoming resistant to Dutch Elm Disease:

This man gave me a demonstration of a muzzle loader and was very friendly:

But the call went out to prepare for the upcoming battle reenactments and men began donning their uniforms:

As for me, I wouldn't be able to stay and began making my way back through the encampments toward my parked car:

This woman kindly posed for me with her baby but I could tell the photo wouldn't be very good. So, as she began to walk away, I quickly snapped one more shot, this one not posed. It became my favorite photo of the day:

I left the Union encampment and passed through the Confederate side on my way back to the car. Just about that time, the call went out to move the canons into position. But I couldn't stay and had to put my camera away and conclude my visit to the Civil War reenactment and encampment:

The Battle Of Ogdensburg, War Of 1812 - A Reenactment

I noticed online that there was a reenactment of the Battle of Ogdensburg, a town which I'd never seen, so I decided to go take a look. When I arrived, it was cold and windy, giving me the happy thought that there is at least one place colder and windier than my farm. But nothing was happening yet, so I walked down the road to see what I could see:

The Battle of Ogdensburg occurred during the War of 1812, and these folks were reenacting it on the banks of the confluence of the Oswegatchie River and the St. Lawrence Seaway. That's the town of Ogdensburg which you see across the Oswegatchie:

This was the site of the original battle and was called "Lighthouse Point." I could see the lighthouse just ahead and thought perhaps that was where the reenactment would take place. Besides, I wanted to see the lighthouse, so that's where I headed:

I passed this regiment of soldiers as I walked. They were friendly and smiled, saying hello:

I arrived at the lighthouse on the banks of the St. Lawrence, but it was a private residence and marked "No Trespassing." The lighthouse looked as if it might still be used, but I couldn't tell for sure:

Then the action began and loud explosions and smoke were coming from up by where I'd parked my car. Clearly, I'd guessed wrong about where the reenactment would happen. So I began making my way back toward the parking area. These men were loading and firing their canon. They advised me to ask for "Permission to pass" before I walked in front of any active canon:

With the noise and smoke, it really did seem like a battle:

When I neared the group of soldiers which I'd passed at the beginning of my walk, they urged me to hurry up and get behind them because they were waiting for me so they could begin their activities. Who knew I could personally hold up a battle? But they were friendly and I hustled as best I could on the ice:

I got back to the parking area which, it turned out, was where we were supposed to be in order to watch the battle. I climbed up onto a snowbank for a better view:

There were skirmishes on the fields beside the St. Lawrence River:

I had to use the zoom lens to get any photos at all, but it was indeed interesting to watch the action:

In case you are wondering, the British won the Battle of Ogdensburg, capturing the town and using it as a headquarters to supply their army. But there was nothing more to see, so I quietly got back in my car, turned up the heater and began my journey back home: