On Friday 14 May 2010 about 6 PM, I arrived at Motor Mill Iowa to ready myself for a minor onslaught of the public and to join fellow Living Historians in portraying members of the C Company 3rd Iowa Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. The evening was beautiful and the location tranquil and relaxing a precursor of things to come for the rest of the weekend. I tossed my dog tent on the ground and placed my blankets atop and had a fairly comfortable sleep under an incredible star lit sky.
I beg your indulgence as I must share an experience that still has my head in the clouds. Just prior to dawn on Saturday I was awakened to see a deer looking down at me. The buck gave a snort, bathing my face in his breath, and walked away. Motor Mill has become synonymous with such experiences. The first year Steven Cone, of Tennessee, woke in very nearly the same spot with a doe at his feet. The second year on the morning patrol led by Josh Boraas, of Minnesota, a small fawn was nearly stepped on. Deer and other wild life are prevalent at this location adding an aspect to the event rarely found at larger locales.
The purpose of the Motor Mill Living History is to give the public one more reason to visit the site and help raise awareness of the sites history and of those people who made the area a viable farming community.
This year due to past experience with getting the public to our camp and the knowledge that attendance by Living Historians would be limited I chose to set our campsite between the Ice House and the Inn and utilized the Icehouse as an impromptu armory. With a pair of shelter tents and the Icehouse we had a small but nice looking camp. What I was unable to do was get an official authorization to place a fire pit at this location so we had a dry camp. With the exception of the marked lack of coffee no one suffered unduly with ample breakfast pastries provided by Court Stahr's lovely and devoted wife Janet. With such pleasant treats I can certainly understand how men found themselves with a set of stripes during the Civil War.
The 2010 event was attended by Shane Christen portraying a 3rd Sgt and Regimental Armorer. David Christen with his excellent Pioneer impression brought along an original M1863, P58 and M1816 percussion conversion as well as functional tools that dated to the period. Brandon Fox presented the medical side with his Hospital Steward impression but was willing to switch to Infantry as needed. Court Stahr arrived with another original M1816 Percussion conversion with Tanner Creery in tow as a Second Sgt.
Saturday afternoon David Christen provided his original M1863 for live fire with the target being a stump set at approx twenty five yards. Those who were willing and able were given an opportunity to fire a live round down range. This was a novel experience for many and an opportunity for the senses to experience the sight, sound and smell of powder pushing lead down range. The target, a large piece of red elm was bisected by David Christen and the bullets retrieved which graphically showed the damage civil war arms were capable of inflicting. This was very well received by a sizeable crowd who freely expressed their appreciation.
Five men, four of them SUVCW members, provided a small window into the life of a soldier of the 3rd Iowa Infantry as they appeared in the field in the spring of 1863. This was clearly well received by the public who attended. Those of us who participated as Living Historians enjoyed the pristine location and the ability to show a small slice of life in such a way that, I hope, the soldiers of the time were both honored and honestly portrayed.
The location is a splendid one. The Clayton County Conservation Board partnered with the Friends of Motor Mill do a superb job of maintaining and restoring the Mill itself as well as preserving the surviving buildings and surrounding landscape. The damage caused by the most recent flood has given them much to work on but they have the dedication and knowledge to repair it.
I can hope that this event will continue to raise awareness of Civil War veterans from the area. It also acts to plant the seed of an interest in history in minds both young and old. For that I extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who attended as Living Historians, the volunteers at the Mill and the public for all of their efforts.
Bringing the