Civil War reenactors to gather in August on the Lackawaxen River
Hawley. The event, co-sponsored by the Pike County Historical Society and the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, will include demonstrations on drill, loading and firing infantry and artillery weapons, skirmish tactics and camp life.
Hawley /
| 12 Jul 2023 | 07:44
Solder on campaign. Provided photos.
This would be a typical bivouac in the day.
Preparing for an assault at dawn.
Civil War reenactors from across the tri-state area will gather at Lockhouse 16 on the Lackawaxen River in August for a weekend of learning, experiencing, and sharing the life of soldiers and civilians during the Civil War.
It’s happening at 495 Towpath Road, Hawley, on Aug. 12 and 13. Hours for the public are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Battle demonstrations will be at 2 p.m. both days, with living history presentations starting at 10 a.m.
Admission is $10 (cash only).
Cold drinks, burgers and hot dogs will be available from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day (cash only).
The event, co-sponsored by the Pike County Historical Society and the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, will include demonstrations on drill, loading and firing infantry and artillery weapons, skirmish tactics and camp life.
What to expect, to experience
Civilian living historians will present the role of the United States Sanitary Commission in supporting the Union armies, along with depicting the life of a typical family charged with operating a lock on the Delaware and Hudson Canal.
Medical innovations during the war will also be presented.
The geography - river, canal and railroad in a mountain valley - mimics that of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal corridor along the Potomac. Confederate raids of supplies shipped on canal boats were chronic during the war.
Reenactors will use the terrain to demonstrate late-war battle tactics defending against such a raid.
Who will be there
Participating units include the 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry, the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry, the 3rd New Jersey Infantry, the 61st New York Infantry, the Bureau of Military Information, the 150th New York Infantry, the 124th New York Infantry, the 4th Texas Infantry and the 23rd North Carolina Infantry.
The military will be supported by a contingent of civilian living historians associated with each military unit, plus the Delaware and Hudson Canal Society.