The 6th annual Greenwood Furnace State Park Civil War Reenactment weekend is scheduled for August 18 and 19, 2018.  Several activities will be held each day, beginning at 10 am Saturday and running to mid-afternoon Sunday. Saturday’s feature program is the “Confederate Invasion of Greenwood Furnace” at 1 pm. Later that evening, at 6 pm, it’s the Yanks versus the Rebs in a game of vintage base ball. Sunday programs include the “Union Forces Save Greenwood Furnace” at 1 pm. We welcome the return of President Abraham Lincoln, played by Ralph Lincoln, a well-known Lincoln presenter and actual third cousin descendant of “Honest Abe.” He brings to life one of our greatest and most revered presidents, and adds the touch of personality from his family that helped shape American history.

The weekend will feature several re-enactor groups in “The Battle of Greenwood Furnace.” While this battle is fictitious, it was a possibility. In June of 1863, the tranquility of the Juniata Valley was about to be shattered. Confederate troops invaded Pennsylvania, as Lee wanted to bring the war to northern soil. Hoping to take important targets like Harrisburg and Lancaster, he spread various units westward into the mountains. Tempting targets included the rail center of Altoona, the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad (now Norfolk Southern), and various ironworks in the valleys of the Juniata. Local “emergency troops” were quickly formed to provide defense, as there were no Union troops in the state. The Rebels were ready to advance, when they received orders to meet up with Lee near Gettysburg. With that defeat, Lee retreated south, and the emergency passed. The Juniata Valley had been spared.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (Subject to change without notice due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18th

9:00 am POSTING OF COLORS – At the flagpole in front of Blacksmith Shop

10:00 am BAYONET DRILL - In the Union encampment

11:00 am PRESENTATIONS ON THE CIVIL WAR - In the Blacksmith Shop - Charlie Campbell on Civil War History; Park educator Paul Fagley tells the story of the near invasion of the Juniata Valley in 1863, on which our weekend is based.

1:00 pm THE REBS INVADE GREENWOOD FURNACE - At the ballfield - Confederate forces raid Greenwood Furnace and attack the Union forces. Which side will prevail? Will the Union forces repel the invaders, or will the grays defeat our boys in blue?

2:00 pm FIELD PROMOTIONS- In the Union encampment- Promotions of Lieutenant and First Sergeant

3:00 pm 46th PA REGIMENTAL BAND CONCERT - Near the Blacksmith Shop - Join us for a musical interlude as the Logan Guard Band of Mount Union (formally known as the 46th PA Regimental Band) plays music of the Civil War Period on genuine period instruments.

3:45 pm SPEECH BY PRESIDENT A. LINCOLN - Near the Blacksmith Shop - Come and hear a speech written by Abraham Lincoln that was to be delivered following the war, but he never had the chance to.

4:00 pm HEY DOC! - At the Union Encampment - Join the surgeon of the 148th PA Field Hospital for this demonstration of medical practices of the Civil War. 

4:30 pm LADIES’ FASHION SHOW - Near the Blacksmith Shop - Nicole Ward will present a program on ladies’ apparel during the Civil War.

5:00 pm MORTAR FIRING DEMONSTRATION AND RETIRING OF COLORS AND TAPS - At the flagpole - Join us at the flagpole for a demonstration firing of a mortar, followed by the retiring of colors.

6:30 pm EVENING PROGRAM at the Ballfield - It’s Great at a BASE BALL Game! Yanks vs. Rebs - It’s the lads in gray versus our boys in blue in this hard sphere-drivin’ game of base ball as it was played in the time of the Civil War. Come and join in the fun as a “crank” cheering your side to victory! Huzzah!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19th

9:00 am POSTING OF COLORS - At the flagpole in front of Blacksmith Shop

9:10 am HISTORIC FIELD CHURCH SERVICE Near the Blacksmith Shop An historic recreation of a typical battlefield church service.

10:00 am LINCOLN’S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS - Immediately following the worship service. During the dedication of the first National Cemetery at Gettysburg in 1863, President Lincoln was asked to deliver “a few appropriate remarks.” In less than two minutes, he captured the essence of the conflict, and what it meant to the nation, and to the nation’s future. Join us as Ralph Lincoln brings to life Abe’s famous speech.

11:00 am BAYONET DRILL - Meet at the Confederate encampment (at the furnace)

1:00 pm THE BATTLE OF GREENWOOD FURNACE - At the Ballfield - Johnny Reb surprised Billy Yank yesterday as the gray coats attacked our boys in blue. Will the Rebs be successful, or will they be repelled back across the Mason-Dixon by the Union forces stationed at Greenwood Furnace! Stop by and find out!

2:15 pm SPY TRIAL (Time approximate) - Location to be announced  A spy has been caught among the units! Is he, or she, a reb spy, or a union patriot?

3:00 pm RETIRING OF COLORS (Time approximate) - Immediately following the trial at the flagpole

RE-ENACTOR GROUPS

Scheduled to Participate. Other groups may also attend.

Stop by and chat with the Civil War Re-enactors in their two encampments.

UNION UNITS

•             125th Pa Volunteer Infantry (based in Blair Co)

•             148th  Regiment, Co. B, PA Field Hospital (based in Lewistown)

•             148th PA Volunteer Infantry, Co. C. (based in Boalsburg)

•             42nd and 149th PA. Vol. Infantry “Bucktails” (based in Elk Co)

•             11th PA Volunteer Infantry, Co. K (based in Bedford Co)

CONFEDERATE UNITS

•             5th Texas Infantry (based in Juniata Co)

•             13th Virginia Infantry Co. H (based in Altoona)

•             55th Virginia Infantry Co. F  (based in Portage, Pa.)

OTHER PARTICIPANTS

•             Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War,

Col. James Crowthers Camp #89 (based in Tyrone)

•             Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (Walt Marr)

SPECIAL GUEST

Ralph Lincoln, 3rd cousin to Abraham Lincoln - We welcome the return appearance of President Abraham Lincoln, played by Ralph Lincoln, a well-known Lincoln presenter and actual third cousin descendant of “Honest Abe.” He not only brings to life one of our greatest and most revered presidents, but also adds the touch of personality from his family that helped shape American history.