War has never been this civil.
The all-day throwback will feature period costumes; historical talks and discussions; walking tours of Plymouth Church, where these battalions — the Brooklyn 14th and the Long Island First — were trained in the early 1860s; and an exhibition of 19th-century artifacts including an original copy of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe, sister of Plymouth’s influential anti-slavery preacher Henry Ward Beecher.
“This church was a part of the underground railroad, and Beecher was so instrumental,” said Lois Rosebrooks, the director of the church’s history ministry services. “These regiments were part of all the major battles — the re-enactors will be telling stories of what happened to these units during the war.”
Plymouth Church has staged re-enactments of this nature in the past, but because of this year’s place in history — it’s the war’s sesquicentennial, after all — organizers are expecting even more enthusiasm from the re-enactors — even though the Brooklyn 13th can’t make it this year.
And if you’re squeamish, or a pacifist, or aren’t into the whole blood and guts bit, don’t worry: there won’t be any actual re-enactments.
“Oh no, there’s no battle!” Rosebrooks added, mildly horrified. “But there will be lectures, and storytelling.”
The Civil War at Plymouth Church [75 Hicks St. between Orange and Henry streets in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 624-4743], Oct. 29, 10 am-4 pm. Free. For info, visit www.plymouthchurch.org.
