Historical tribute

They first crept in from behind a low-slung row of trees along the battlefield.

Clad in cornflower blue and khaki, the Confederate soldiers stealthily made their move toward the Union’s cannon array.

The mens’ sweethearts and wives sat some yards away, watching the maneuver with trepidation.

Far from Lexington or Concord, their brave soldiers were assembled in Huntington Beach, for its Historical Society’s annual Civil War Days event Saturday and Sunday.

Hundreds of tents and other temporary structures were set up across a wide swath of Central Park; the Union and Confederate areas were divided by the battle field and a neutral civilian area.

“I think it’s busier than I’ve ever seen it,” said Kelly Rivers, who chairs the event.

Rivers took over for her mother, Maureen, about 10 years ago; last weekend, her own son made his reenactment debut in costume.

This was the first time he took up a gun rather than a cash register; Rivers has spent his life volunteering at the event, but never as a reenactor.

He helped hundreds of soldiers, civilians and celebrities of the day — like Presidents Lincoln and Davis — teach American history first-hand to an army of spectators.

To view a related slideshow, click here.

— Candice Baker