California sites: suggestions, please

[sockknitter]

In a couple weeks, I'll be in California, from Sacramento to San Francisco/San Jose. I've already seen William Tecumseh Sherman's bank in San Francisco, and Fort Point under the Golden Gate Bridge (would like to see it again, of course). I would REALLY appreciate tips on War Between the States-related sites on the route between Sacramento and San Jose. We will be looking at Sutter's Mill and related places; wineries hold very little interest unless you know of some founded by war veterans. Thanks.

[cal_100]

I would suggest 2, Angel Island has Fort Reyonlds which was posted in the CW and the Benicia Arsenal on the way from San Francisco to Sacramento.

[sockknitter]

THANKS, cal100! We've been to Angel Island once and it looked full of promise. Will have to focus on Fort Reynolds this time. I remember the cool air scented with eucalyptus was so pleasant. Do you know if the Benicia Arsenal is on the BART route? Just asking; I will google for myself, too.

[cal_100]

No Benicia is not on the Bart Line but is on the way by freeway to Sacto. The only other site that some real CW history is Alcatraz. It was a CW fort before it was a prison. The sallyport has a cannon defending as it did in the CW days. They have been working the CW history of the site, they a have been digging down below grade and exposing the old citadel but they were not set up for touring there as of last year.

I know you have been to Ft. Point but that is the such a special place. I know that when my reenacting days are over I will go there to be a docent.

[sockknitter]

Thanks, cal_100! Now that I think about it, last time I was in San Francisco, maybe Fort Point was closed down due to 911 concerns (since it's right under the bridge?), or else had truncated hours because of funding problems? Had forgotten about Alcatraz too!

Do you know anything about a reenactment of the Peninsula Campaign (Virginia) going on at Gibson Ranch near Sacramento the weekend of May 18? It looks like it would be good. We just don't have our travel dates firmed up yet.

http://www.gibson-ranch.com/civil_war.htm

[gary]

Alcatraz still has its casemates and magazines beneath the prison. They're suppose to be restoring some Civil War sites on the island. If you go to Presidio National Cemetery, Irwin McDowell is buried there. So is Truman Head, aka California Joe, the most famous of Berdan Sharp Shooters. There's a cemetery with some Civil War soldiers around San Jose, but I can't tell you where.

If you're here on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, the Peninsula Civil War Round Table meets at Dominic's (Coyote Point Golf Course) at noon. 11 a.m. is the social hour and the talk is about 1 p.m. The San Francisco Civil War Round Table meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Irish Cultural Center (45th & Sloat) at 6 p.m. Dinner is at 7 and the talk about 8 p.m.

[cal_100]

Originally Posted by sockknitter

Thanks, cal_100! Now that I think about it, last time I was in San Francisco, maybe Fort Point was closed down due to 911 concerns (since it's right under the bridge?), or else had truncated hours because of funding problems? Had forgotten about Alcatraz too!

Do you know anything about a reenactment of the Peninsula Campaign (Virginia) going on at Gibson Ranch near Sacramento the weekend of May 18? It looks like it would be good. We just don't have our travel dates firmed up yet.

http://www.gibson-ranch.com/civil_war.htm

Yes Gibson is good reenactment but most reenactments out here in the West are in fairly small areas since it hard to have large battlefield in urban areas. Normally this is a well attended event and fun one. The public has great viewing area on a slope above the battlefield.

I am a Berdan reenactor so please drop by the camp and say hi. I will be there all weekend.

Also we be hosting the largest school day in the country with over 3k kids visiting with us.

[sockknitter]

Made it out to Sacramento from Texas. So far it's been very well worth it! The Peninsula Campaign reenactment at Gibson's Ranch was excellent on Saturday. There were large Confederate and Federal encampments. I met cal_100, looking spiffy in his sharpshooter's uniform. The battles were fought on a perfect place with gentle hills and kind of an amphitheater piece of ground, with shaded areas for viewers. Something new to me: a man on a not-too-loud PA system giving play by play of the battle, which represented a composite of the Seven Days' Battles as I understood it. Members of the Sacramento Civil War Roundtable presented a very clear explanation of the Campaign. As well as sutlers, vendors of modern day food sellers, military camps and a civilian town complete with mayor and clerk, Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, as well as Abraham Lincoln, made effective appearances.

I'll try to post a few pictures hot off the chip.
First, I don't know who this man represents. His red pants of course got my attention. I was under the impression redlegs were operated mainly on the Kansas/Missouri border. Can somebody educate me?


Two teams of six artillery horses each.

[sockknitter]

A view of skirmishers before the bigger battle.



Instead of the more common period, white canvas tents, this dwelling is wooden. Its owner told me it is similar to those built on Martha's Vineyard in the 1860s. Since the United States had few stonemasons, summer visitors used the readily available wood to make Gothic type structures. These were also cheaper and more quickly built!

[sockknitter]

This polite young man told me he represented a Tennessean. I think he looks very authentically dressed.