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Budget cuts threaten Civil War re-enactments , April 2010
Cannons echoed through the canyon as soldiers on horseback carried the Union flag through thick smoke at Picacho Peak State Park where 170 Civil War enthusiasts from across the country gathered to re-enacted three historic battles, including the Battle of Picacho Pass, for the last time on March 13 and 14 before the Picacho Peak State Park just south of Casa Grande will close on June 4th of this year. Nearly 150 years after the Battle of Picacho Pass, the Civil War’s most western battle, the State of Arizona will shut down the Picacho Peak State Park and bar visitors from entering. Budget short-falls have caused the state to target many of its parks for closure as a way to reduce the budget deficit. Picacho Peak is scheduled to close on June 4th of this year. Picacho Peak isn’t just another pretty place. The Civil War skirmish fought there has made it one of Arizona’s most important historical sites. History buffs, hobby enthusiasts and educators have gathered at Picacho Peak for the last 20 years to re-live the battle and promote the history of Arizona. The battle was fought by only a handful of men and was not significant to the outcome of the Civil War ; however, it does reflect on the important history of Arizona. Steve Smith, a teacher from Tucson, Arizona who participates in the re-enactments explains the reasons for the Confederate sympathy in Arizona. Union troops had been removed from Arizona and sent back east to fight the war leaving settlers in the state unprotected. The Confederate Army capitalized on the neglect and began actively recruiting in the area. The settlers were happy to see the Confederate Army, or any army for that matter, add stability to the region. “The battle is the most significant historical event in the State,” says Joe Spikes of Phoenix. “It really shows the far reaching intent the Confederacy had for the whole Nation.”
Spikes is one of the primary organizers of this year’s event, serving as Commander for the Confederacy re-enactors. He is also Captain of the 1st Texas Infantry, Company L, which participates in the annual re-enactment of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. As Commander of the Confederacy, he was responsible for coordinating the involvement of people who came from across the United States and as far away as Winnipeg, Canada to take part in the battle re-enactments held at Picacho Peak. These battles include the battle of Picacho Pass and the larger battles of Glorietta Pass and Val Verde that actually took place in the territory that is now the State of New Mexico. “Last year was the first time in 20 years that the battle wasn’t held at Picacho,” says Spikes. In 2009, budget problems forced the re-enactment to relocate to the Pioneer Living History Museum, located just north of Phoenix on Interstate 17. This year’s event was moved back to Picacho Peak and made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Union Pacific Railroad that operates a rail yard on state land just three miles from Picacho Peak. Ellen Bilbrey, Chief Public Information Officer for the Picacho Peak State Park, credits Union Pacific’s donation for enabling the event to take place in its historical location this year, but she believes it will be difficult to get the same donation from the railroad for 2011 if the park closes and the event is forced to find a new location. “There is no other location ; the battle was here,” says Bilbrey. This sentiment is shared by the Civil War re-enactors who feel strongly that moving the annual event away from Picacho Peak and to an alternative location would diminish the historical significance of the battle. “Hold the battle anyplace else, and it’s just a bunch of people,” says Wendell Stone from Llano, California. Stone also points out that the remains of the one of the Union soldiers killed in the battle, Lieutenant James Barrett, are buried near the site. Historical accuracy is the number one priority for Civil War re-enactors. Their events are a living history and they have gone to great lengths to research the battle, the equipment and the attire of the Civil War.
The re-enactors are supported by the 4th U.S. Calvary Regiment, B Troop from Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona. According to chief warrant officer 3, Jay Hizer, United States Army ( ret ired), appearing in the re-enactments helps promote the history of the U.S. Army’s involvement in the Southwest. Hizer and the troops from Fort Huachuca add authenticity to the battle by providing their own horses, weapons and uniforms as well as expert horsemanship and cavalry demonstrations that accurately depict cavalry traditions of the 1800’s. Civilian re-enactors take their parts just as seriously. They have researched the Civil War and the part they play in recreating it. They provide their own costumes and equipment and pay their own way to each event. Janice Palmer from New Mexico takes part in various re-enactments around thecountry representing women who fought in the Civil War alongside the men. According to her research, there are 400 documented women soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Some women fought for money, but most went to war so they would not be separated from their families. There is even one known set of orphans who fought together because they did not want to be away from each other. Children fought for both sides during the Civil War and are welcome to take part in the re-enactments. Matthew Cigen of Glendale, Arizona participates in the battles at Picacho Pass with his father. He is well versed in the history of the event . “Boys my age were mostly powder monkeys like me,” says Cigen, “but sometimes they got to carry the flags in battle.” Cigen is part of his father’s artillery unit and he helps prepare the rounds of ammunition used in both the rifles and the cannons. He is proud to demonstrate many of his authentic Civil War artifacts, and he is quick to educate visitors on a wide range of period topics ranging from Confederate money to musket balls. The battles re-enacted at Picacho Peak are the most widely attended events held at an Arizona State Park. Attendence for this year's event was over 4,000 with 2,800 on Saturday and another 1,500 on Sunday. For more information about the Battle of Picacho Pass or other re-enactments scheduled in the Southwest, visit Southwest Civil War Association at www.swcwa.com. |
