Eleven Shadows Travels: Civil War: The Blue and the Gray, Moorpark, CA

Civil War: The Blue and the Gray, South Mountain Battle Reenactment, 10 November 2012 (Page 1 of 1)

The South Mountain Battle reenactment put on by the Civil War Alliance and Rotary Club of Moorpark.

South Mountain is also known in several early Southern accounts as the Battle of Boonsboro Gap, September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. This was the 150th Anniversary, and the reenactment took place in Moorpark, CA in what is the largest Civil War battle reenactment west of the Mississippi.

These are Confederate soldiers firing upon the advancing Union troops.

The Union Army of the Potomac troops, under the command of General McClellan, continue to advance through the gaps in the South Mountain, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Maryland. General Lee's Confederate Army, despite being significantly outnumbered, delayed the Union advance for a day before retreating.

The reenactment at Moorpark also included President Abraham Lincoln reciting the short but potent Gettysburg Address. And no, this is not Daniel Day-Lewis.

The battlefields are preserved within the South Mountain State Park, Gathland State Park, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

And, uh, none of those are in California.

Confederate soldier post-battle.

Union soldier takes a cigar break after battle.

Union soldier.

Two Union of the Potomac soldiers discussing battlefield strategy.

Campfire ashes falling around a Union soldier.

Union soldier with flag.

At the South Mountain camp.

Chili. Smelled good.

With parasol at camp.

A Confederate soldier after the heat of battle.

Many civilians watched the battles during the American Civil War.

I checked out one of the Confederate cannons. Made in 1862, 150 years ago. As it turns out, this was actually made by the Union Army, but "acquired" by the Confederates in battle.

Confederate soldier manning the cannon told me more about the cannon. In addition to being taken in battle by the Confederates, it escaped being melt down by the United States in World War II and II (most cannons were melted for other uses during this time). This particular cannon was known for being quite accurate, and still bears this distinction today. "It was fired 8, 10 years ago, and was still more accurate than most," the soldier said with obvious pride.

Minding the horses.

Drummers and musicians played music before battle to boost troops' morale.

A Union General.

A young Confederate couple post-battle.

This is the second Civil War reenactment I've attended. The first was in West Virginia, and can be seen here.

Photo information:
The South Mountain battle photos were taken with a Nikon D90 and Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens. The rest of the photos were taken with a Nikon D7000, mostly with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens, but also with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 wide angle lens. The antique paper and sloppy borders were performed in Photoshop CS4. If you want to know more about how to achieve this antique paper and sloppy border appearance, visit my blog for a detailed tutorial.

A mention of this American Civil War reenactment in Moorpark, CA also appears on my Ken Lee Photography blog.

Ken's photos of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as photos of Peru, Burma, India, Morocco, China, Thailand, Ghana, Ecuador, and elsewhere, have appeared in many books, magazines, websites, and galleries. Visit the Ken Lee Photography Website. Some of Ken's select photos may be purchased through his Imagekind Store.

Civil War: The Blue and the Gray, South Mountain Battle Reenactment, Moorpark, California, Page 1 of 1

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