RE-ENACTMENT NEXT WEEKEND FEATURES OVER 250 SOLDIERS

More than 250 Civil War re-enactors will gather south of Jackson next Saturday and Sunday to conduct a "living history" encampment. These soldiers will produce one of the largest Civil War re-enactments ever held in this region, said Frank Nickell, of Southeast Missouri State University Center for Regional History and Cultural Heritage.

The Civil War activities will be part of the third annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive. "The Civil War continues to play an important role in the history and folklore of this region, and the encampment will be an excellent opportunity for visitors to recapture the past," he said.

The encampment will be held at a lake behind the Little Ole Opry from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Nichols added that separate Union and Confederate camps would be established.

"There will be horses, cannons, drills, pay call, mail call, skirmishes and the smells and sounds of a Civil War campsite," said Nichols.

Wives and children of the re-enactors will be present, and many will be in costume representing the appropriate dress and behavior of the middle period of American history, said Nickell.

Camps will be open to the public at 8 a.m. each day. Infantry demonstrations will be presented at 9 a.m. with cavalry demonstrations. At 10 a.m., drills and firing demonstrations will be presented each day. Demonstrations will continue during the afternoon, starting at 1 p.m., both days. On Sunday, there will be an authentic 19th century church service held adjacent to the camps.

"This is a traditional activity at Civil War encampments," said Nicholls. "The public is invited to attend and participate in the Sunday services at 9:30 a.m."

A special feature of activities at the Little Ole Opry will be continuous blue grass and country music. An outdoor dance floor will be erected next to the Opry and visitors can listen or dance. Kettle-cooked ham and beans will be available both days.

The third annual Mississippi river Valley Scene Drive is a 131-mile self-conducted driving tour through the scenic towns of Southeast Missouri.

"This will provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the spring country side and learn about the history of the area," said Nichols. "There will be a variety of activities along the route, with craft demonstrations, quilt displays and tours of historic homes, churches, buildings, and sites.

The route takes visitors through the Saxton Hills to Altenburg, Frohna and Wittenburg; the Trial of Tears State Park; Patton, Seegaewickville, Marble Hill and Marquand; Bollinger Mill; Jackson; Cape Girardeau and Black Forest; and other routes leading through Southeast Missouri.

Entry points, where maps are available, are located at the Biehle Exit, I-55 (North Entry); Cape Girardeau waterfront (South Entry) and Marble Hill, Junction 51-24 (West Entry).

Additional information about the scene drive is available by calling the university's Center for Regional History at 651-2555.