It wasn't until I came home to take my evening walk that I remembered the historic events surrounding the Manassas, VA area.
My friend and I took a walking path that leads to the school originally founded in 10/17/1893 by former slave Jennie Dean. She chartered the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth providing a residence, academic and vocational training for African American students.
Our walk was interrupted by the sight of the school property littered with little white tents. Camp fire smoke was looming above them. The surprising scene reminded us that the July 21 - 24th events for the 150th Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War and the Battle of First Manassas was in full swing.
Four days are packed with events mapped throughout the Prince William County area. Civil War re-enactors provide living history with mock battles, camps, parades, singing and balls.
All ages will enjoy the walk back in time with costumes and gear commemerating the July 21, 1871 First Battle of Manassas. Uniforms and clothes of the period dot the streets of Manassas as re-enactors stay true to their character.
Approximately 375 cavalry horses are expected to participate in the July 23 & 24th 150th Anniversary Battle Re-enactment at Pageland Farm, Gainesville, VA (adjacent to the National Battlefield Park).
Suffocating heat and humidity is sticking around for the weekend fesivities much like the weather during the battle in 1871. The re-enactors wear the traditional wardrobe and must be suffering with the heat wave.
Wool coates and multiple layers of clothes were the standard dress during the day that over 5,000 young men died, wounded or went missing. Let us never forget the sacrifices of these soldiers and their families.
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