This weekend Upper Canada Village presents the American Civil War Re-enactment Weekend to honour the thousands of Canadians who fought in this bloody confrontation.
Upper Canada Village will portray Winchester, Virginia during the year 1862 when the Confederate forces (‘South’) under General Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson clashed with the Union forces (‘North’) under General Nathaniel Banks. The battle of Winchester was a decisive battle in the larger Shenandoah Valley Campaign for Jackson which helped to secure the food rich Shenandoah Valley for the South.
Saturday David C. Jacobson, United States Ambassador to Canada, will speak at 3 p.m. in front of Willard’s Hotel. The event is organized by the Grays and Blues of Montreal, Rob McLachlan, event commander, and countless enthusiastic volunteers who will perform as re-enactors.
“There is an interesting story to be told of Canadian participation in the American Civil War. We are honoured to have the Honorable David C. Jacobson, United States Ambassador to Canada, speak at this event,” said Dave Dobbie, manager of Upper Canada Village.
Over 40,000 Canadians from Ontario, Quebec and the maritimes volunteered to fight in the Federal Army and Navy during the civil war and 34 Canadians were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Civil War re-enactors will be encamped in the field directly behind Loucks Farm. The encampment is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
