Four events to commemorate Cape's role in Civil War

Several events are slated this year to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and Cape Girardeau's role in it.

The Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission and the Friends of Fort D are coordinating four events with a Civil War theme to mark the 150th anniversary of America's bloodiest war.

"The first year of the war in 1861 there were more battles with more casualties in Missouri than anywhere else in the United States," said Scott House, president of the commission. "Keeping Missouri in the union was highly important to the United States. ... Cape Girardeau played a big role."

Civil War-themed events include the May 18 walk from Themis Gate at the floodwall to the Common Pleas Courthouse.

On Memorial Day weekend, there will be a timeline of history at Fort D, with re-enactors portraying soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II, as well as native warriors. Fort D will be open over the Fourth of July weekend for extensive interpretive history during Fourth at the Fort.

But the biggest sesquicentennial event planned occurs Aug. 6 and 7, marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Union troops. The army fortified the city, building forts A, B, C and D, and imposed martial law for the next four years. House describes the weekend as Civil War living history.

mkittle@semissourian.com

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