THEBES HOSTS CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT THIS WEEKEND

THEBES, Ill. - No shots were fired around Thebes during the Civil War because it was well fortified and occupied a strategic location overlooking the Mississippi River.

The nearest hostilities occurred downstream, at the Battle of Belmont, Mo., across the river from Columbus, Ky., and at Cape Girardeau, when a Confederate force made a feeble attempt to attack the city.

But the sound of cannon and musket fire will reverberate this weekend through the hills of north Alexander County, and across the river in eastern Scott County, when Billy Yank and Johnny Reb once again meet on the battlefield, this time on the banks of the Mississippi in Thebes.

The Thebes Historical Society and the Thebes Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a two-day Civil War Living History Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

The event will be hosted by the Federal Army's 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment from Cairo, and the 7th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Confederate States of America, from Paducah. Both units fought in the Civil War and are composed of Civil War re-enactors.

There is no admission charge and parking is free.

Bill Caldwell, a member of the historical society, said the re-enactors will set up their campsites in Thebes, where the historic Thebes Courthouse stands.

The courthouse itself played a role in one of the major events that led to the Civil War. Dred Scott, a runaway slave, was held briefly in its dungeon. Scott's case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that slaves were considered the property of their owners and had no civil rights. The court's decision further inflamed public opinion in the North, and eventually led to the split that divided the nation and the Civil War.

Caldwell said this weekend's living history event is the first ever in Thebes.

"Last year, during our traditional Memorial Day picnic, we had a few re-enactors who set up a campsite during our Memorial Day picnic. They attracted so much attention that we decided to have a two-day living history this year," said Caldwell.

Caldwell's son, Zach Caldwell, is a member of the 7th Illinois. He said tentative plans are for the Federal campsite to be near the Thebes Courthouse. The Confederate campsite will be below the hill, near the river.

"The Union and Confederate camps will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday," Caldwell said. "There will be horses, cannon drills, pay call, mail call, skirmishes. Everything will be authentic."

Saturday's activities will begin at 7 a.m., when reveille sounds in both camps. Following the 7:15-a.m. roll call, mess call will be from 7:30-9:30 a.m.

The campsites will open to the public at 9 a.m. From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., there will be company drills for the infantry and artillery. Between 10:30 and 1 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to watch as the re-enactors recreate a typical Civil War encampment, including such camp scenarios as mail-call, enlistments, and disciplinary actions.

Following an assembly at 1:30 p.m. for a safety inspection, the Federals and Confederates will skirmish at 2 p.m. in the vicinity of the courthouse, as the Confederate forces attempt to capture the hill overlooking the river. Following the skirmish, troops will pass in review for spectators.

At 3:30 p.m., the re-enactors will return to their campsites to resume a typical Civil War-era camp routine. Visitors are welcome to go through the campsites and talk with the re-enactors. The day's activities will conclude at 8 p.m., with a night firing of a cannon.

Sunday's activities begin with a 7:30 a.m. reveille. The campsites will open to the public at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., there will be a Civil War-era church service for the troops and for spectators.

First-person impressions of camp life will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The two sides will again skirmish on the hill in front of the courthouse on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The weekend event will conclude at 3:30 p.m., when the re-enactors pass in review before the spectators.

The Thebes Volunteer Fire Department will serve barbecue both days. In addition, the Thebes Women's Club will serve cakes and pies, and the Thebes Home Extension Unit will serve Mississippi Mud Cake. Soda and coffee also will be served.

Caldwell said limited parking is available near the Thebes Courthouse. "There is plenty of parking available on the streets below the courthouse hill," he said.