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Re-enactors breathe history into
Civil War course The U.S. Civil War came to Bucks County Technical High School last
week. It was an eye-opener for some students considering careers in the
modern military. By JO CIAVAGLIA
The flesh-eating bullets as big as a
man's fingertip ripped into the general's arm and lungs. These 58-caliber
monsters made of soft lead didn't pierce the skin so much as splatter it
in huge chunks. No one said war was pretty. But in the
1860s, it was downright disgusting. During the U.S. Civil War, doctors
thought pus weaping from a wound signaled healing. Diarrhea killed more soldiers than
bayonet thrusts, musket volleys or cannon fire. In the stifling summer heat, Union
military men fought dressed in heavy, dark-blue wool uniforms. Need new shoes, an extra canteen or more
ammo? Take it off a dead guy next to you. This was the lesson last week in
"American Military History: 1861 to present," a new senior
elective piloted this year at the Bucks County Technical High School in
Bristol Township. In the class, students study military
history and its impact on U.S. domestic and foreign policy and affairs.
They are subjects that Chris Johnston, who wrote the course, is familiar
with. He served eight years in the U.S. Army before becoming a high school
social studies teacher. About 48 seniors are enrolled. About
half are considering military careers and another 30 percent have already
signed up, Johnston said. Since his students are delving into the
American Civil War, Johnston thought it might provide some oomph to have
classroom visitors who live the experience on a regular basis. So the teacher invited Gen. George
Meade, Union man, Gettysburg hero, and Cpl. Mike Peter, a Union
infantryman. Meade talked about his life, the war and
why he is considered one of its saviors for defeating Confederate Gen.
Robert E. Lee on a Pennsylvania battlefield - a turning point in the war.
"It ended any threat the South
would ever receive its independence," said Meade, played by Andy
Waskie, a retired Pennsbury foreign language teacher. Meade was a life-long military man, but
he also built lighthouses and was a surveyor and engineer. He was a humble
man, a quiet scholar who didn't seek the spotlight, an Irishman raised in
Philly who only voted in one U.S. presidential election in his lifetime. Which is why Gen. Grant's face is on the
$50 bill, not his. "I was only interested in the
cause," Waskie said. Waskie was dressed in full regalia,
including authentic dark blue wool uniform with its triple rows of brass
buttons and antique Civil War-era battle sword. The former high school teacher has been
a Civil War buff and re-enactor for years. Since 1986, he has portrayed
Meade after studying the general's life and realizing few people
understand what a critical role he played in the Union's victory. Beside him, wearing a dark wool uniform,
Union cap, canteen, shiny brass "US" belt buckle and musket
rifle, was Peter, a re-enactor with the 98th Pennsylvania Volunteer
Regime, A-Company. He explained a typical day in the Union Army. Peter unpacked his leather sack and
passed around its contents: a hardtack biscuit, jaw harp (a musical
instrument), diary, a sewing kit called a "housewife," tin of
tobacco, tooth powder and a smoking pipe. Look at his shoes. No right or left
ones, he said. The Union-issued shoes were designed to form to the
soldier's feet. The two light blue, V-shaped stripes on his coat and the
stripe down his pant legs revealed his corporal rank. Bayonets served as
weapons, as well as rotisseries, candleholders and tent poles. For a finale, Peter took students
outside to demonstrate how to load and fire a Civil War-era musket, using
a blank charge. Johnston plans to invite re-enactors or
real veterans later, too, when his students study World Wars I and II.
"What it does is immerse the kid in
the curriculum and history," Johnston said. "Instead of letting
them read about it or watch a video on it, they get to see the people and
hear first-person accounts." Students seemed to buy into the act,
firing questions at the men. Ronson Lamond wanted to know how hard it
was for armies to communicate on the battlefields. Very hard, the general said. Soldiers
used signal flags and the newly invented telegraph machine, he said. For
the first time, observation balloons were used by the Union forces. If all
else failed, there was putting a staff officer on a fast horse or messages
hidden in the beats of the bugle and drum corps. Ronson said he liked getting a chance to
interact with the re-enactors. "You can ask questions and get
answers," said Ronson, 17. "You can have a conversation with
someone who isn't alive anymore." Classmate Dave Koller, 17, plans to join
the U.S. Air Force after graduation. He wants to be a military police
officer. He has five years of ROTC experience under his belt and has seen
a few of these military-type re-enactments, too. "It always makes it more
interesting. It helps," Dave said. "I'm happy it's not like this
anymore. I don't think I'd join up if it was like that." Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at
215-949-4181 or jciavaglia@phillyBurbs.com.
November 24, 2002 |
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