IMPORTANT EVENT NOTICE
Unfortunately, due to increasing costs, Crazy Crow Trading Post will no longer be able to maintain the Event Calendar by updating or adding new events.
The pages will remain active for a time as there are a number of events with current information and past events that may help you contact the sponsors for new information concerning location, dates & times!
Please do NOT contact Crazy Crow about these events, except for corrections to events with 2020 dates that are incorrect. Email date corrections directly to eventcoordinator@crazycrow.com. PLEASE DO NOT CALL, as we have nothing to do with the events and have only provided the listings as a free service.
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2019 Jefferson Civil War Days

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Join the whole town for the annual Jefferson Civil War Days on May 3-5, 2019 in Jefferson, Texas for a Civil War reenactment that includes the town, the Historic Jefferson Railroad and much more! The Historic Jefferson Railway captures the spirit of the Civil War during Pilgrimage & Civil War Weekend in Jefferson, by recreating the battle of the Great Locomotive Chase with soldiers, sailors and Marines from the North and South. The Living History camps along the Big Cypress Bayou come alive as the cannons fire and the battle rages to gain possession of the train.

Jefferson Civil War Days: Main Battlefield

Imagine being carried back to the year 1864! The first weekend of May every year, the whole town of Jefferson, Texas is transported back to that time when the Civil War was coming to a close. For many years, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce hosted the Battle of Port Jefferson, a Civil War Reenactment, possibly the largest in the state of Texas. This year, the Chamber is supporting Target Jefferson Texas, a Red River Campaign Objective, in conjunction with the Great Locomotive Chase held by the Historic Jefferson Railway. The battle reenactments are hosted by the Blue Gray Alliance, Cleburne’s Divison.

Downtown Jefferson is overtaken with people walking the brick-lined streets in period clothing, and here and there you’ll also see re-enactors riding around town on horseback.

You’ll experience living history and what it’s like to see historic type tent avenues filled with folks sitting by the fire sharing stories and tales of battles fought and those to come. In these encampments, you’ll see cooking items from the past being used today. In fact, everything is of a historic nature, from the tents to the cots and bed-rolls, buckets, pots and dishware from the past. You can see these tent camps all over town, stop by and talk to the re-enactors if you get a chance – they love to share with civilians. Be sure to stop by any of the Sutler’s tents to buy some of their wares.

The battles will take place as the train stops along the river in the RV Park. The train will depart the depot in downtown Jefferson on Saturday at 11:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 5:00; and on Sunday at 11:30 and 1:00. The train will stop on its way out to the RV Park at the Battlefield for about 5-7 minutes for a skirmish. Then the train will continue out of the RV park, turn around and come back. It will stop again at the Battlefield for another 5-7 minutes for a skirmish. Reenactors can engage for a longer period at their discretion. The Virginia, a replica ironclad with five working cannons, joins the skirmish as it fires its cannons from the banks of the Big Cypress Bayou River.

Jefferson Civil War Days Mini-Gallery

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Summary Schedule (subject to change)”] Friday
9:00 – 2:30 at Diamond Don RV Park
School Day Civil War Living History, “Day of Learning”, complete with a gunboat and cannons.

Friday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30
The Great Locomotive Chase/The Andrews Raid, aboard a live steam train.
Train departs from Diamond Don RV Park.

Saturday
2:00 Battle Re-Enactment
11:30, 2:00, 3:30 & 5:00 Train departs downtown Jefferson depot

Sunday
1:00 Battle Re-Enactment
11:30 & 1:00 Narrated Historical Train Day Tours, scouting probes & skirmishes & Naval Battle.

Jefferson was the shipping port to the Mississippi. Event includes horse drawn artillery, large cannons, gunboat, steam train, weapons demonstrations, trades and suttlers. Everyone Welcome – spectators, civilian and military re-enactors.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Purchase Spectator Tickets Online

Reenactor Registration & Camping
Re-enactors can camp free at Diamond Don RV Park with lots of space, trees and plenty of amenities for re-enactors, including free WIFI, water, hay, split wood, restrooms, showers and powder bounty – wagons, guns and cannons.

  • Registration fee is $8.00, per military or civilian reenactor and includes military camping, noon-day meals, Saturday evening dinner and ball.
  • Limited RV sites with water and electric are available to re-enactors for $20.00, per night.
  • Reservations: Call 903-742-2041.
  • Participation in the main battles and train skirmishes on Saturday and Sunday is required in order to receive these reenactor amenities.
  • All reenactors are encouraged to particiapte in Friday’s Day of Learning-Living History.
  • For those with physical limitations, you can participate in the train skirmishes right from your campsite along the Big Cypress Bayou.

Locations & Contacts
Historic Jefferson Railway
The Great Locomotive Chase – The Andrews Raid

Battle Reenactment and Train Skirmishes
400 East Austin
Jefferson, TX 75657
info@JeffersonRailway.com
Phone: 866-398-2038
Hotline: 903-742-2041 direct to a depot agent

Diamond Don RV Park
1602 State Hwy 49 E
Jefferson, TX 75657

For More Information:
Historic Jefferson Railway: 866-398-2038| info@JeffersonRailway.com
Cleburnes Division of Reenactors jimbusby3@cox.net
36th Texas Cavalry CSA 903.267.8644; reeves11thtexas@aol.com
1st Arkansas Vol. Inf. Reg. 501-627-6313; firstarkansasus@yahoo.com

Friday: School Day
Friday there will be a Day of Learning for school groups, sponsored by the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, to draw attention to the history and romance of the Civil War way of life. The Living History Camps will demonstrate Camp Life and Military Activities and includes a live steam train ride aboard the Historic Jefferson Railway as the story of The Andrews Raid unfolds alongside the Big Cypress Bayou. See a gunboat with real live cannons. Visit Diamond Don Gator Pit with live gators and see ruins from the 1800’s. Price for Living History is $3 per student; train ride is additional $5 per student. School Group Details

Jefferson Civil War Days: Ironclad Battle on the River

Saturday & Sunday Battle Reenactments
On Saturday and Sunday, spectators and see a Battle Re-enactment in close proximity to downtown Jefferson. Spectators purchase tickets at Historic Jefferson Railway and drive or walk a short distance to the battleground located along the Big Cypress Bayou behind the train station. See big cannons and horse drawn artillery as the battle between the North and South gives you a glimpse of history. Battles will take place at 2:00 on Saturday and 1:00 on Sunday. Spectator fee is $8 for either or both days. For those with physical limitations, the easiest way to see the action is aboard the Steam Train, which is wheelchair accessible. (If you need wheelchair access on the train, please call Melissa at 903-742-2041 to reserve your spot.)

Experience the Battle from a Live Steam Train!
Famous campaigns were planned and conducted for the primary purpose of capturing or destroying railroad lines of value to the enemy. On the morning of April 12, 1862, the most famous locomotive of the Civil War, the General, was hijacked by the Union civilian spy, James J. Andrews, and his men. After a nail-biting eight hours and 87 miles, the Southerners captured the General, James Andrews and several of his men.

Experience true civil war scouting probes and skirmishes aboard the Historic Jefferson Railway’s live steam train. Keep your seat on the train as you see history in action near the railroad track and see the gunboat engage in battle with the train.

Take a step back in time as the Historic Jefferson Railway takes you on an excursion that circles the Piney Woods along the scenic Big Cypress Bayou. You’ll view a Confederate Powder Magazine from the Civil War era and remains of many sites from the 1800’s still visible along the track. The live steam train is a restored antique Crown Metals built in 1964. The open-canopied observation cars provide an excellent view of this exciting event along the river.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Reenactor Information & Contact”] Officer’s Meeting: Diamond Don RV Park, 1602 State Hwy 49 East, at 3:30 on Friday, May 5, 2017 at Cleburne Camp Headquarters. All weapons will be inspected before the first gun fires. Obviously, no live rounds are allowed on the premises.

Gunpowder Supply: Judge Angelo Piazza will also be on site providing gunpowder, sponsored by Historic Jefferson Railway. Big guns will receive an allotment of 20 lbs. of cannon powder, smaller guns will receive 10 lbs. Muskets will receive 1 lb. of powder. Please contact us to let us know you are participating in the battles so that we can arrange to have the right amount of food and powder. Click here to send us an email.

Logistics & General Information:
Francene Rainey, 903-445-9796, and Melissa Moit, 903-742-2041 are the logistics coordinators for the event. General questions about the event, registration, food, etc. can be directed to Francene or Melissa via phone, or email.

Weapons & Battlefield Logistics:
Re-enactors can contact Colonel Jim Lyons for questions regarding weapons inspection, officer’s meeting, and battlefield logistics. Jim can be reached at 409-504-3001.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Jefferson Civil War Days - Naval Battle of Port Jefferson - Historic Jefferson Railway - Diamond Don RV Park - Blue Gray Alliance, Cleburne’s Division Reenactors - Jefferson Texas Civil War Reenactment

About the Iron Clad used in Naval Battle Reenactment
A small scale reproduction of one of the Iron Clad Boats; The Virginia has been built for a new Naval Battle Reenactment. This boat will fire on the troops on the shore along the banks of the Big Cypress Bayou. Troops will defend the passengers on the train during the reenactment of the Andrews Raid and locomotive chase, while also defending the Port of Jefferson Texas. Once a very important Water Port in Texas. This boat was commissioned by the people of Jefferson’s Historic Train company to add one more element to the events of the season.

History Behind the Reenactment
The Union mounted several attempts to capture the trans-Mississippi regions of Texas and Louisiana from 1862 until the war’s end. With ports to the east under blockade or captured, Texas in particular became a blocking-running haven. Referred to as the “back door” of the Confederacy. Texas and western Louisiana continued to provide cotton crops shipped to Europe by means of blockade runners in exchange for supplies. The Union’s disastrous Red River Campaign in western Louisiana, including a defeat at the Battle of Mansfield, effectively ended the Union’s final invasion attempt of the region until the fall of the Confederacy. Had the Union soldiers not been stopped at Mansfield, they would surely have been looking upriver to Jefferson, a major river port of the time. Jefferson now takes that history and brings it to life each year.

Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Jefferson Civil War Days on the first full weekend of May in Jefferson, Texas.

Tags: Jefferson Civil War Days, Jefferson Texas Civil War Days, Civil War Days, Civil War Reenactment, Naval Battle of Port Jefferson Reenactment, Port Jefferson Naval Reenactment, Jefferson Texas Civil War Reenactment

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IMPORTANT EVENT NOTICE
Unfortunately, due to increasing costs, Crazy Crow Trading Post will no longer be able to maintain the Event Calendar by updating or adding new events.
The pages will remain active for a time as there are a number of events with current information and past events that may help you contact the sponsors for new information concerning location, dates & times!
Please do NOT contact Crazy Crow about these events, except for corrections to events with 2020 dates that are incorrect. Email date corrections directly to eventcoordinator@crazycrow.com. PLEASE DO NOT CALL, as we have nothing to do with the events and have only provided the listings as a free service.
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