Rich Mountain Reenactment 2005

Blessed by fair weather and a good turnout, Rich Mountain celebrated another lively and successful Reenactment Weekend last summer on 8 - 10 July 2005. Unfortunately, we never did get any written report on the event for use on these web pages. But thanks to the extraordinary kindness of Douglas Letteer of Northwest Images, who recently offered these wonderful professional-quality photographs for use on the website, we are at last able to commemorate the event properly here.

Needless to say, all pictures here are Copyright by Mr. Letteer, and all rights are reserved. We thank him for his generosity in sharing them with us.

Reenactors from several states participate in the event, held every other year. Here they are lined up in a formal "dress parade" to honor those fallen in the battle.

Near the climax of Sunday's main Reenactment Battle scenario, Confederate troops man a makeshift barrier improvised to deal with a Yankee attack from a completely unexpected direction. This echoes the action of the historical battle.

Although green, outnumbered, and caught by surprise, the small band of Confederate volunteers fought off repeated Union assaults for several hours. Finally, they were overwhelmed and the position was taken. Here some of the reenactors portray the aftermath of the battle.

The dense woods and rough, steep terrain of the historical setting on Rich Mountain were factors in both battle and reenactment.

A local service organization also barbequed chicken to serve all comers, and to raise funds to enable the non-profit Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation to continue preserving the battlefield.