The historic Civil War Battle of Blue Mills Landing is being fought in northern Iowa this weekend. The Mason City Civil War Council is reenacting the 1861 battle as a part of its 13th annual Civil War Days. The group’s John Duggan says this battle was chosen because a local man, Lieutenant Colonel John Scott, fought there.
The battle was faught near Liberty, Missouri, as a Union unit tried to prevent Confederate units from crossing the Missouri River. Scott was serving with the 3rd Iowa Infantry at the time of this battle and he went on to lead the 32nd Iowa, a unit represented by some of the local reenactors.
Duggan says this year’s event also features a group of hospital reenactors. The Field Hospital is a group that recreates Civil War hospitals. Members are holding their national convention at the Mason City event and will be training each other on things like how to make wounds and bandages look more realistic. Duggan says the group will conduct workshops to give observers unique insight into battle reenactments.
In addition to Saturday’s battle reenactment, Civil War Days will also feature campfire stories, a speech by an Abraham Lincoln impersonator and other entertainment. The 52nd Regimental Band, of Memphis, Tennessee, will be playing period acoustic music at the military dress ball — it’s open to the public and will feature dancing and tunes from the Civil War era.
For the full schedule of events, or to get involved with next year’s reenactment, visit the Mason City Civil War Council website at “www.CivilWarIowa.org”.
Related web sites:
Mason City Civil War Council