The London

Historical Action Spectacular

Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Bedfont Road, Feltham

6-7 July 2002, 10am to 5pm.

Another picture of some of our American Civil War re-enactors, taken at the pre-event photo shoot on 28 May.

One of the most popular re-enacting eras in Britain today is the American Civil War. It is estimated that over 50,000 English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish volunteers took part in the original conflict, fighting on both sides. Britain was heavily involved, supplying arms and blockade runners to the South. Indeed, we may well have entered the war as the allies of the Confederacy had not the latter stubbornly clung to slavery, a system that Great Britain abhorred, had abolished many years previously throughout the empire and was actively attempting to halt elsewhere.

A more modern cause of interest in the War between the States (or War of Northern aggression as some in the American south still call it) has been a stream of  movies including in recent years, Ride with the Devil and the spectacular Gettysburg. The prequel to the latter, Gods and Generals, is due to be premiered this autumn.

The re-enactors, from the Southern Skirmish Association and American Civil War Society represent, left to right:

Standing: Union infantry officer, cavalry sergeant, volunteer infantryman and US regular.

Kneeling: Confederate prisoner, Union cavalryman and US sharpshooter.

For a full listing of participating groups, with links, see who took part

Photo: Joe Miles © CIP