A large number of civil war re-enactors from Michigan are in central Pennsylvania this week to mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Michiganders heard the first shots fired at Gettysburg. And they were there a few days later, as the Confederates launched the ill-fated Pickett’s Charge, which failed to break the Union lines.
Don Everette is among the Michigan civil war re-enactors in Gettysburg this week.
He says he’s been to previous re-enactments of Pickett’s Charge that were highly emotional.
“There were people there who were crying during it,” says Everette, “I expect (this week) will be even more so.”
While the battles that shaped Gettysburg’s history will be recreated, Everett says most of the time this week will be spent in camp living the lives of 19th century soldiers.
“We’ll be working on guard detail,” says Everette, along with policing the camp and collecting firewood, “Just the normal, mundane routine of a soldier.”
Nearly four thousand Michiganders fought at Gettysburg. More than a thousand were killed or wounded.
