2019 Old Clinton War Days
Experience the annual Old Clinton War Days & Battles of Sunshine Church Reenactment on May 4-5, 2019 in historic Clinton, Georgia. During Old Clinton War Days, historic Clinton comes alive with the sights and sounds of Civil War Georgia, a reminder of its occupation by Union soldiers during the March to the Sea. Clinton was the early seat of Jones County between 1808 and 1905.
Old Clinton War Days
Bring the family and come join us for Old Clinton War Days when historic Clinton, Jones County’s courthouse town from 1808-1905, comes alive with the sights and sounds of Civil War Georgia! Each day at 2 pm, re-enactors recreate one of two battles in the County fought in the last months of 1864–the battles of Sunshine Church and Griswoldville.
The event takes place in the Old Clinton National Historic District, a site on the March to the Sea Heritage Trail. Re-enactors occupy their authentic camps on grassy fields in the town–be sure to pay them a visit. Soldiers from grizzled veterans to beardless recruits, both blue and gray, stroll and march through the town. The rattle of musketry and the rolling thunder of cannons shakes windows in old homes, just as it did in July and November 1864 when the battles occurred and Union troops occupied the town.
The c. 1809 McCarthy-Pope House, furnished and decorated by the Ladies of the Confederacy, is open for tour. Miss Anniefs Store, set up as an 1800s mercantile establishment, also displays a variety of war relics, including a prize-winning exhibit of Griswold pistol parts and a finished Griswold pistol.
Take a stroll to see the antebellum houses, c. 1821 Methodist Church and
cemetery, Pine Ridge Museum housed in an 1889 one-room schoolhouse, and the mid-19th century Clinton law office slated for restoration.
There are demonstrations of crafts of the era, gmodernh arts and crafts for sale, and modernh as well as food of the period available.
Saturday’s program will conclude at 8:05 p.m. with the 16th Georgia, Company G, Jackson Rifles, CSA conducting a memorial service in the Old Clinton Cemetery to honor Clinton’s Confederate dead.
Admission:
$5 adults
$3 ages 6-18
Free ages 5 and under.
Schedule
Saturday
Camps Open 10:00 a.m.
Kids Mock Battle 12:30 p.m.
Battle Reenactment 2:00 p.m.
Memorial Service (Clinton Methodist Church) 8:00 p.m.
Sunday
Camps Open 10:00 a.m.
Sunday in Camp Church Service 11:00 a.m.
Kids Mock Battle 12:30 p.m.
Battle Reenactment 2:00 p.m.
DIRECTIONS: Clinton is located 12 miles NE of Macon, 1-½ miles SE of Gray, one block west off US Hwy 129.
For More Information:
Old Clinton Historical Society: 478-607-0365; cpkrom@gmail.com
Earlene Hamilton OCHS 478-251-6745
Col. JC Nobles 478-718-3201
About Old Clinton War Days
Beneath a windblown battle flag, tents will spring up on grassy fields in the town as participants arrive for Old Clinton War Days. Soldiers from grizzled veterans to beardless recruits, both blue and gray, will gather. As in July and November of 1864, the rattle of musketry and the rolling thunder of cannons will shake windows in old homes.
The McCarthy-Pope House, circa 1809, the oldest house existing house in Clinton, will be open for tour. Ladies of the Confederacy will have the house furnished and decorated in the era of the War Between the States. Miss Annie’s Store, which will be set up as an 1800’s mercantile establishment, will also house a display of a wide variety of war relics, a prize winning exhibit of Griswold pistol parts, a beautiful example of a finished Griswold pistol, a Burnside carbine, other war weapons, and authentic Confederate currency.
The 16th Georgia will again sponsor rapid fire as well as ultimate soldier/U.S. and C.S. authenticity contests and unit drill competition this year, and a Ladies Tea will bring back memories of gentler times. The National Naval Civil War Museum in Columbus is to bring a Naval Display/Marine, with replica cannon like those once made in Macon
The entire Old Clinton War Days event takes place in the Old Clinton Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Self-guided walking tour information will be available, and guided tours are available by pre-reservation.
Crafts of the era will be demonstrated; “modern” arts and crafts will also be available for purchase; and “modern” as well as food of the period will be served.
Saturday’s program will conclude at 8:00 P.M. with the 16th Georgia, Company G, Jackson Rifles, CSA conducting a memorial service in the Old Clinton Cemetery to honor Clinton’s Confederate dead.
About the Battles of Sunshine Church
Come to Old Clinton and take a step back in time when reenactors from all over the Southeast recreate the Battles of Sunshine Church which took place in July of 1864, and Griswoldville, which took place in November of 1864 during Sherman’s March to the Sea.
Mark your calendar today so you won’t miss this year’s Old Clinton War Days and Battles of Sunshine Church Reenactment in Clinton, Georgia.
Tags: Old Clinton War Days, Old Clinton Civil War Days, Old Clinton War Days Reenactment, Old Clinton Civil War Days Reenactment, Civil War Reenactment