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Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Events 2011-2014
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Presented in partnership with Owners of I-81 Motorsports Park in
Greene County, East Tennessee.
The I-81 Motorsports Park property consists of 482 acres of pristine
farmland, laced with six miles of trails, bountiful space for
battlefields and military camps, all with amazing views of
Fodderstack Mountain and the surrounding foothills.
Motor Park amenities include 21st century bathroom/shower
facilities, grandstands for 5,000 spectators, large areas visible to all
attendees, inside/outside grand ball facilities, and food vending on-
site.
Conveniently located less than two miles from Interstate 81,
Exit 44. Follow Jeroldstown Road South to West Pines Road.
Bear right on West Pines Road. I-81 Motorsports Park is one mile on
right.
Ammenities for re-enactors include firewood, hay, Saturday evening
meal, dramas, entertainment and adventures. Sunday Morning Christian
Service and port-o-toilets near camps. 21st Century men and women's
restrooms, showers and food service are available on the site.
The goal for ETCWC events is to bring back the safe-fun days of
the 1970's and 1980's re-enacting adventures. Specific battle plans will
only be shared with US & CS Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry
Commanders. Surprise is the main venue for all attending the even.
Commanders are expected to command, the Companies must adhere to
the commands, and the troops perform without prior knowledge of what
to expect. The opportunity for all to feel what it was like going into a
new area and having to to react in the same manner as the "Boys of 61-
65" actually did.
Re-enactors are invited to setup on Thursday & Friday of each event
weekend, participate in our education day activities and enjoy an
early evening tactical on Friday. Handrawn maps of the trails will be
provided just like "Jed Hoskiss" made for General Stewart. Companies may
get lost, but fret not, there are plans to locate them and bring them back
into camp.
All re-enacting and living history activities will be conducted for the public
on Saturday according to the annual schedule reflected below.
On Sundays, re-enactors will be free to participate in presentations and
living history events around the region or join tourists enjoying the
"history weekend" activities planned for the Civil War Sesquicentennial
Commemoration.
FUTURE CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION WEEKENDS
October 6 - 9, 2011 - Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration of East Tennessee
Bridge Burners, Confederate control of East Tennessee and
Unionists "stampeding to Kentucky to join the Union Army
during 1861. This entire weekend will be packed with
opportunities for East Tennesseans to embrace their
heritage and tourists to understand the role played by our
ancestors in the conduct of the great Civil War during this
period of time 150 years ago.
>Thursday & Friday - Symposiums and presentations at area
colleges and events at Civil War historical sites all over East
Tennessee.
>Friday at I-81 Motorsports Park at Exit 44
--Education Day for Upper East Tennessee Middle School
Students.
--Private tactical for Civil War re-enactors
>Saturday at I-81 Motorsports Park at Exit 44
--Living History activities starting at 10:00AM
--Afternoon Battle Re-enactment of skirmish at "Camp
Andrew Johnson" in Kentucky where East Tennessee
Unionists were being trained.
--Evening "bridge burning" event and Confederate
"drumhead" trials of perpetrators
>Sunday Afternoon - Living history activities and presentations
at site of bridges that were attacked in Carter, Greene and
Sullivan Counties and selected Civil War sites all over East
Tennessee.
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October 11-14, 2012 - Commemoration of Union Colonel Samuel P. Carter's raid
through Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. This
weekend will be packed with Cavalry demonstrations and
education about the conditions endured by both Confederates
and Unionists in this area. The largest Civil War period
"Grand Ball" ever staged in this region will take place on
Saturday evening. The four day commemoration will follow a
similiar format as planned for 2011 above.
October 10-13, 2013 - Commemoration of the 1863 Fall Campaign in East Tennessee.
Saturday Afternoon re-enactment of the Battle of Blue Springs.
Evening drama theatre with Jefferson Davis visiting officers at
Chickamauga followed by Generals Grant and Sherman
planning the Chattanooga Campaign. This weekend will be
recall events precipitated by the arrival of the Union Army
in Upper East Tennessee. This four day commemoration will
examine and relive the strategy of Confederate and Union
forces engaged throughout this region. Citizens and tourists
will learn why the attention of the entire country was focused
on East Tennessee during the Fall of 1863.
October 9- 12, 2014 - Commemoration of the 2nd Battle of Blue Springs, the death of
General John Hunt Morgan, and the Battle of Bulls Gap. This
four day weekend will focus on the final struggle to control
East Tennessee. Citizens and tourists will relive the arrival of
hundreds of East Tennessee Union Soldiers as they challenge
Confederate control of their homefront in this region in late
Summer and Fall of 1864.
Re-enactors may
Register on-line
or print Registration Forms
For Mailing
I-81 Motorsports Park Photo Gallery
Click on photo to enlarge
ETCWC proudly
embraces our
partnership with
Owners of I-81
Motorsports Park
Please visit their
website and learn
more about their
enterprise and
entertainment
opportunities.
