Fall Days Set the Stage for Reenactments
By Emma Herrle
Fall days in Greene County set the stage for Civil War reenactment as the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and the 31st Virginia Infantry Company H file onto the battlefield and commence warfare.
Cannon shots signal the initial sounds of war as union soldiers march to the beat of the drum across the White Covered Bridge at the EQT Washington & Greene Counties’ Covered Bridge Festival in Waynesburg during the 3rd weekend of September.
Watch the green fields surrounding the White Covered Bridge as they are studded with about 20 to 30 men, replica cannons, rifles, and uniforms that bring the historical event to life almost 160 years later.
The story is not just confined to the battlefield. The infantry’s camps are complete with canvas tents, antique kettles cooking over the fire, and men and women enjoying the each other’s company while dressed in the era’s attire.
A blacksmith stands by, smelting and welding metal into various shapes and objects as festival visitors gather around to spectate. Women sew uniforms, children sit and play in the grass, and men ready their weaponry for battle. It truly is an experience that will take you back in time.
History buffs and fans of military reenactments will not want to miss the annual Harvest Festival at the Greene County Historical Society Museum on October 5-6, 2024. The festival will feature a performance by infantry soldiers, promising the thrill of cannon fire and historical displays. In addition to the Civil War reenactment, the event will offer a variety of entertainment, including live music, food vendors, and more for all attendees to enjoy.
The Civil War reenactors hope to honor the legacy of the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Company that recruited in Washington, Beaver, Greene, and Mercer counties in the early 1860s. In 1994, a group of Waynesburg University students revived the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Company that has been refighting the battle of Gettysburg since. They set up camp and stage battles at the White Covered Bridge Festival and Harvest Festival each year.
