History to repeat itself

Every Labor Day Weekend in Huntington Beach’s Central Park, a massive cannon and other artillery are slowly wheeled into a grassy clearing.

Women in voluminous skirts, with children in tow, gather on the sides of the field — along with more incongruous spectators in Rainbow sandals and tank tops.

The anticipation is palpable. All around the hushed clearing, kids eagerly point out troops in blue and gray, who stolidly make their way toward either end of the wide expanse.

Following a shout or the sound of a trumpet, a thunderous “Boom!” breaks the silence.

Civil War Days have returned.

The annual reenactment of the War Between the States is free to the public, and draws huge crowds who come to view everyday 19th-century life in civilian camps, purchase mementos and snacks, and partake in the immensely popular battles.

“We typically don’t have themed battles for Huntington Beach, but this year we’re going to make it ‘Incidents of Sherman’s March to the Sea,’ so the public can kind of focus on that,” said Reed Settle, who portrays a Confederate division commander at many reenactment events.

The artillery can be loud and frightening, so it is recommended that spectators don’t bring dogs or very small children. Bring a picnic, blanket or folding chairs, and stake out a viewing area early, as the battles draw crowds.

“They’re actually living history events,” Settle said. “The idea is that it brings history to life. As opposed to sitting down and reading a book, or seeing it on TV, you actually get to come out and see the artillery, and smell the gunpowder.

“When you leave, you have a much better impression — you’ve actually gotten your senses involved with the event, and you’re going to remember a lot more of it.”

Park staff have removed some vegetation from the battleground area so spectators can have better visibility, Settle said. He expects additional artillery to be used in this year’s battles, as well as additional troops, with an expectation of 500 or more combatants each day.

The Huntington Beach event is an invitational independent event, and therefore doesn’t fall under any reenacting umbrella organization, such as are found at Fort Tejon and other locations.

“What this means is that all reenactors are invited from all organizations, resulting in a greater number of soldiers and civilian reenactors,” Settle said.

About 200 people are expected to reenact as civilians, such as wives, widows and merchants. In the camps and sutler (camp merchant) areas, additional musical groups will be circulating. A Civil War-period brass band also will be in attendance Saturday and Sunday.

For the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln’s birth, a recitation of the Gettysburg Address by the event’s longtime Lincoln reenactor, Truman Peck, is planned to follow each battle.

Settle, who lives in Ramona in San Diego County, said he has come to the Huntington Beach Civil War Days for years and years.

“I put my car on automatic, and it knows exactly where to go,” he said.

“This event was started 15 years ago by Maureen Rivers and Carl Klink. The purpose of the event was and continues to be to bring culture of a historical nature to Huntington Beach. In a sense, this is an opportunity to give back to the community. This event is also a fundraiser for the Huntington Beach Historical Society.”

The first local Civil War event was at Bartlett Park, and had about 50 reenactors, Settle said. Since its move to Central Park, it has grown steadily. The event is put on by the Huntington Beach Historical Society Executive Board, with much assistance from local Boy Scout Troop 227. Kelly Rivers is the president, and Darrell Rivers is the vice president of the Huntington Beach Historical Society, and both devote endless hours to the preparation and hosting of this event,” Settle said.

“The Huntington Beach Historical Society does it just as our way of bringing history to Huntington Beach,” Kelly Rivers said. “That’s our whole purpose.”

Civil War Days is free to the public, with no parking fee, Settle said. Sales of food and beverages from the previous year pay the following year’s expenses, Rivers said.

“The fact that it’s free is literally unheard-of for other Civil War events,” Settle said. “Everybody else is trying to figure out how to put on their next event. This is giving back to the community. You just don’t find that.”

Settle said he has been participating in the reenactment community for about 18 years.

“My son got into it back in the early ’90s, and — not knowing anything about it — I went to a few events,” he said.

Settle soon found himself drawn in to the experience, and eventually started his own group: Company E, 3rd Regiment, Confederate Engineers, based on a real regiment that served throughout the Shenandoah Valley of Western Virginia during the War Between the States. Settle, a native of in Lynchburg, Va., said his area’s history was ingrained in him at birth, so the decision to portray a Confederate was a no-brainer.

“I jokingly tell people that since I was born in Lynchburg, I really have no choice,” Settle said. “There’s always two sides to every story. I would be disowned by my relatives back there.”

He was quick to add, though, that a reenactment is simply that: a reenactment.

“This is a nonpolitical thing,” he said, adding that the combatants aren’t reviving the war with their battles.

“This is living history, for the benefit of the public and the reenactors.”

If You Go

What: Huntington Beach Civil War Days

When: Saturday and Sunday

Where: Central Park, 7111 Talbert Ave., behind the library

Cost: Free

Info: (714) 969-8928

Event Calendar

Note: All times are approximate.

Saturday

10 a.m.: Camp open to public

1:30 p.m.: First battle

4 p.m.: Second battle

Twilight concert after second battle

Sunday

9 a.m.: Church services

10 a.m.: Camp opens

11 a.m.: First battle

2 p.m.: Second battle