Amidst cannon fire, campers relive Civil War

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Sixty-four youngsters ages 11-17 participated in a Ft. Union Civil War Camp this week at Flandrau State Park.

The camp ran Sunday through Friday at the group camp site.

The purpose of the "living history" camp was to educate youngsters about the Civil War by creating a real life experience similar to the soldiers' experience during the war.

"We let the kids know it's an authentic experience," said Camp Director and First Sergeant Arn Kind, a sixth grade school teacher from Mankato.

Kind and Les Koppendrayer started the camp six years ago. Koppendrayer was Kind's teacher and principal and encouraged Kind try to get a Civil War camp like this underway.

"It went well this year," said Kind, "It was nice, cool weather -- usually it's 90 degrees, and we're wearing wool and dying."

The activities involved re-enactors to show various roles people played in the war, marching and rifle drills, and demonstrations on how to fire a cannon and mortar, given by the New Ulm Battery.

"The New Ulm Battery does a great job and they are very safe," said Kind.

The re-enactors this year taught the campers about different branches of military people, the contributions made by African-American soldiers, women and other groups.

The camp also included a surprise battle at a farmstead, in which the youngsters got to work on the skirmish skills they learned earlier in the day. Approximately a dozen or so re-enacters dressed as Confederate soldiers fired blank-cartridges at the youngsters' skirmish line. The young soldiers had to react quickly to this situation.

"It's always a surprise," said Ben Bastien, who was a section leader. "This year I had more responsibilities than other years. I helped the sergeants with drills."

Bastien, of Minneapolis, said that Flandrau is the perfect place to have a Civil War living history camp like this.

"I like camp a lot," said Dave Wilson, camp drummer, "It's a good experience for kids.It teaches them discipline. They get to experience the life of a soldier."

"They learn self-discipline and history," said Mike Kotch, camp fife player.

Wilson and Kotch played their instruments while the youngsters marched.

Kind said that of the 64 participants, there were 30 who are returning "veterans".

Children and adolescents come from all over the United States to participate in the activities. There have been campers from New York, Colorado, North Carolina and Illinois.

On Thursday evening the campers were taken up to Fort Snelling to help guard the fort as part of the experience.

"The kids were actually at the same fort where Civil War soldiers were trained at," said Kind.

Anyone interested in learning more about the camp contact www.civilwarcamp.com, or call (507)625-8011.