Oct 4, 2009 3 min read

PERRYOPOLIS – The sound of gunfire crackled and cannons roared in the fall wind as onlookers lined up Saturday behind a wood fence to watch history come alive as Civil War re-enactors representing Union and Confederate forces exchanged shots during a replica Battle of Petersburg during the 23rd annual Pioneer Days festival. The re-enactment, taken on by members of the 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company E of West Newton and out-of-state regiments, shadowed the commemorative battle between the Union and Confederacy that initially took place in Virginia.

“It’s second to Gettysburg,” said Harry Fisher, event coordinator along with his brother Russell and member of the 105th Infantry.

While the Confederate troops were victorious, Fisher said, the Union will return the favor at 2 p.m. today during another battle as festivities wrap up another successful year for the weekend event.

Also today, a buckwheat pancake-and-sausage breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., followed by a Civil War church service at 11 a.m. and performances by Ron King, gospel musician, at 1 p.m. and the Steel City Quartet at 2 p.m.

Additionally, the Company G dance troupe will provide entertainment at 4 p.m. and the Crabtree Bottom Band will perform from 1 to 6 p.m., with vendors on hand throughout the day featuring food, antiques and crafts as well as a children’s area.

Tours will also be held at George Washington’s Grist Mill that is hosting a quilt show from 1 to 6 p.m.

Fisher said this year’s event was unique, with the addition of pyrotechnics and a narrator’s tower, along with a “log” general store named after him that sells jerky, sarsaparilla, goober peas and other items used during the era.

With temperatures near 70 degrees, some said they came out to enjoy the weather, like Russell and Martha Richter of Normalville, while Brenda Mingrino of Belle Vernon said she brings her daughter, Mary, and nephew, Joseph, each year.

As Mingrino admired the contents in the Hopewell School House, she said she was glad she had the opportunity to learn more about what took place in the community.

According to Marty Martinak, who serves on the board of the Perry Area Historical Society, George Washington once owned the town.

“I guess we can say George Washington slept in Perryopolis,” said native Jean Stefancik, who, along with her husband, Tom, took their antique car for a spin in the parade.

For others, like Lisa and Stephen Moles of Pittsburgh and their two young daughters, Civil War re-enactments have become a monthly dedication.

Lisa Moles said her husband became involved with re-enacting Confederates while he was in the Air Force before the couple was married, while their oldest daughter, Stephanie, took a liking to it.

“She dresses for every battle and stays with her dad in the tents,” said Lisa Moles.

Chuck Lloyd of Fayette City said he enjoys reading about history and decided to catch a glimpse of the past in a real-life scenario instead of in a book.

Russell Fisher said this year’s re-enactment drew participants from as far away as Texas and North Carolina for a total of about 200 men. “We recruited five new members this weekend,” Fisher added.

Ken Williams of Connellsville who served as narrator, said the men train regularly for about three summers. “It’s a special formation they have to do,” said Williams. “They eat, drink, walk and talk just like they did then.”

Harry Fisher added the 105th Infantry is looking to add the battles of Little Round Top and Picket’s Charge in the near future.