Civil War Reenactment News

Here is some great news for all you reenactors there is still time to register for the Marilla event, the $8.00 walk on fee has been dropped to $5.00. We have also extended our cut off date to receive the FREE Saturday evening dinner. If you can get your registration in by June 20th, we will include you on the guest list. We would really like to see you attend this event, it will be one of the best events of the season. We have a lot of scenarios planned to make this one of the more interesting reenactments you attend this year. So if you like having fun at an event, you will not want to miss this one. Check out the schedule of events for all the details.

Marilla's Historical Society is running a Chinese Auction, If you want to donate an item contact Mary Beth Sarafin for more info

We made some final changes to the schedule, be sure to check it out. Also for anyone who has not registered yet there is an updated registration pack that can be downloaded here.

A new addition to this years event, we will have a camp jail, so if you are caught drunk in public, you are going into the tank. For all you spectators out there, we will be enforcing the Camp Pass rule. Loose you pass loose your freedom, into the tank you go. We will have plenty of Marshall's patrolling the camps. So be careful out there. This year's event is turning out to be one of the best events of the season. So register early so you can get in on the AWESOME Saturday evening catered dinner for reenactors only. $5.00 Pre- Registration fee deadline is June 7, 2010. After June 7, registration fee is $8.00 with a limited amount of dinner tickets available for an additional $5.00 each.

Marilla's Historical Society is running a Chinese Auction, If you want to donate an item contact Mary Beth Sarafin for more info

It has come to my attention that some of the ERA Artillery Coalition do not have enough members to assist in crewing the cannon's and mortars. As The ERA Public Relations Director, I am sorry to hear of this.

Therefore I am sending out this call for solders to assist them in the upcoming re-enactment year. I know Brandon has a new unit and is having problems fielding support.

If anyone has the time and proper certified training, we need to assist him and his unit. What we do and what he does is a reflection on us as re-enactors and to the ERA as a body.

Check out the newest unit that will be attending this years event, 9th New York Cavalry Company A they will have several horses attending, it should be a spectacular show. Visit their website for more information. Also appearing will be City Fiddle, Irish Volunteers and the Excelsior Brigade Fife and Drum.

President Lincoln is requesting all Union troops for duty at the battle of Marilla, this is an important battle and may be pivotal in the direction of the war. The union must take this battle, for the sake of the country.

Just announced the Ladies Tea is back, this years event tea will be handled by the Marilla Historical Society. Please check the schedule for time and location. Also the Chinese auction is back, all proceeds will benefit the Marilla Historical Society a major sponsor of Marilla Civil War Days 2010. If you would like to donate anything for the auction you can email Mary Beth Serafin to make arrangements for a donation of an auction piece. This has been a very popular activity at past events.

A memorial service will be at 10 a. m. March 6 in Griffin Mills Presbyterian Church, 1812 Mill Road, West Falls.

Feb. 8, 1949—Jan. 26, 2010
David T. Schmidt of Hamburg, a union bricklayer and Civil War buff, died Tuesday in the Center for Hospice&Palliative Care, Cheektowaga, after a brief illness. He was 60.
Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of Kenmore East High School. Retired after 30 years as a bricklayer on many commercial construction projects in the area, he was a member of Local 3, Bricklayers&Allied Craft workers.
Mr. Schmidt already had a long-standing passion for history, particularly the French and Indian War, when friends took him to the Gettysburg battlefield about 10 years ago. After people remarked on his resemblance to Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer, he enthusiastically took up the role.
He became a member of the Civil War Heritage Foundation and regularly went to battle reenactments, his favorites being Gettysburg and Cedar Creek.
He also lectured about life during the Civil War and traveled to schools with an Abraham Lincoln impersonator to give historic presentations.
“His apartment was like a Civil War museum,” said a close friend, Jeanne M. Watson.

A memorial service will be at 10 a. m. March 6 in Griffin Mills Presbyterian Church, 1812 Mills Road, West Falls.

Marilla Civil War Days changes date for the Event for the final time. It will now be on June 26 - 27, 2010. There was slight mix up in the scheduling of City Fiddle for the Saturday evening dance with no other band available for our original date. The Town of Marilla and City Fiddle were able to secure the date of June 26, 2010. Everything should fall into place with the New Date June 26 - 27, 2010. We also have NEW CAMPS and interactive scenario's for this year event. We hope everyone likes the New Layout it should give easier access for spectators and reenactors alike. Spectators will again have FREE admission this year with refreshments available during the event on Saturday and Sunday.

David Schmidt passed away today at 1:25 pm after a battle with cancer. David was an avid Civil War Re-enactor portraying General George Armstrong Custer. There will be a Memorial service at 1812 Mill St. in West Falls. A date has yet to be determined. Please check back often for more info. Please visit our Memorial Page to view more photos.

We now have a new date for Marilla Civil War Days. We've moved to JUNE 25 - 27, 2010.We are very excited to have moved to June, with an all new layout for the camps and activities. Do I dare say it, we have cut our rain challenges by 50%. If you are curious with what I mean, please check back later for more details. You didn't think I would tell you everything now did you. Stay informed and become a fan of Marilla Civil War Days on Facebook. Check out the link to your left. We will have your registration info posted in the next few weeks. As always we welcome Sutlers, Civilian characters, Union and Confederate infantry. Check out the Marilla Town Website.

David Wayne ERICKSON

E-mail Visit Guest Book

ERICKSON - David Wayne November 25, 2009; David is survived by his wife Lisa (nee Sinkovitz) Erickson; father of Carl (Tina Miller) Erickson, Sara (Ian Gladysek) Erickson, and Miles Erickson of Lockport; grandfather of Xavier Erickson and Weston Gladysek; brother of Dennis (Amy) Erickson and Bonnie (Robert) Hobday; also survived by several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call Sunday 1 to 5 PM at PRUDDEN & KANDT FUNERAL HOME, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, where funeral services will be held Monday at 10 AM. Interment will be in Cold Spring Cemetery. Memorials to the American Heart Association or to the Niagara County SPCA would be appreciated by the family. Please visit www.pruddenandkandt.com to leave the family an online condolence.

To All,
It is with the deepest regrets that I write to say that we have lost a VERY dear friend and fellow re-enactor. Dave Erickson, 94th N.Y., has passed this world and moved on into eternity. I write this with a VERY Heavy heart and tears. Dave was a good friend and I will always remember all the good times we spent together. He was one of the main leaders in making the Marilla Event what it is today. He just recently retired from his position from the U.S. Postal Service and was a former U.S. Marine of which he was very proud of. He always had a way to make everyone laugh. I ask that everyone keep his family in their prayers.

With Deepest Sorrows,
Mike Krawczyk

Angelica NY, Camps were bustling with activity as tours were given to the local boy scouts and interested public. A battle ensued after the troops were issued their orders. There were minimal casualties on both sides with the Confederates victorious. A trip into town proved interesting for the Confederates as a deserter was discovered and chased through town with much resistance. He was finally captured; as he was found hiding in an alley way. He was brought up on charges and sentenced to public execution in the main street for all to see. As the Confederates were tending to their own problems, the Union forces made an advance from the rear to push back the Confederates to a defeat in the town square.

After Action Report for Artillery Coalition stationed at Marilla.

July 10, The Artillery Coalition began arrival and camp set-up. Rations were cooked and the camp was calm as the night set in.

July 11, Camps were alive with activity early. Coffee and Breakfast were made. Officers of the unit attended Officer's call. As the men took rations a flooding downpour began. After 3 hours of Thunder Lightning and rain the skies cleared. We took the field at 3:30pm with 3 Confederate Mortars facing a single gun from Wiedrich's Battery of NY. The Union force turned out to be a small group of skirmishers. They put up a good fight but were driven from the field. It was wet and the men found a small barn dance later in the evening to take the edge off after battle.

July 12, Camps were open and coffee was flowing. The men of Barr' Turner' and Washington Artillery were out as the weather was much better. The men were supposed to be drilling but due to lack of command by their Captain the Artillery was relaxing and enjoying themselves. Finally General Pettigrew noticed this and took command of some of the men and put them to work. The Battle started at 1:00pm and was started by a gun from the 1st NY Light Artillery. The battle was hot and the fire was much more than that of the day before. The skirmishers had gained the strength of men from the 9th NY Cavalry. these men put up a fight and took a heavily fortified Confederate Battery. They were all killed except their Captain who was taken prisoner. The Union had won the day. After battle the Confederates held a courts marshal for a shirker, the decision was that he be put to death by firing squad. The camps were a bustle as men tore down to move to the next battle. All the soldiers should be commended for the great event that was portrayed.
Captain Dale Turner
Artillery Coalition
ERA Adjutant

To keep with tradition we had a rain filled Saturday. All was not lost, as the Battle went on schedule with the Union being over powered by the Confederates. The Union suffered a terrible defeat with many casualties to report.

A short photo session was introduced after the battle to let the spectators mingle with their favorite characters. This was very popular with the few hundred spectators in attendance.

Sunday turned out to be a spectacular day with sunny blue skies and moderate temperatures. The union acquired necessary reinforcements for day two of the Battle of Marilla. The Confederates fought strong and hard but could not withstand the firepower of Union carbine supplied infantry. The Union pulled off a decisive victory taking several prisoners including their commanding officer Col.Turner. During the battle a Confederate Private refused to take orders from a commanding officer and deserted his unit. He was later captured and brought up on charges of desertion and failing to take orders from a commanding officer. Private Hogan 28 of the 52nd North Carolina appeared at court marshal, and was found guilty as charged. Private Hogan was sentenced to death by firing squad which was carried out at 2:08 pm July 12, 1863. Condolences go out to his wife Barb.

Next Event

David Wayne ERICKSON