Surrender at Bennett Farm Question

[KILLroy1978]

I am helping out my Commanding Officer by gathering as much intel as I can about this event. Our unit is maybe looking into participating in the upcoming 150th Anniversary event.

So here is the questions.

What is the opinion of this event? Is it well managed? Good time was had by all?

Your thoughts and opinions are welcome.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I have no opinion on the re-enactment for two reasons: (a) I am not a reenactor and hence know virtually noting about them and (b) I have not attended the event previously.

Having said that, I have been invited to speak there, and I have also been invited to sign books and will be there. I can tell you that my dealings with John Guss, who is the site manager at Bennett Place have been quite good and quite professional and that I have every reason to believe that this will be an excellent event.

 

[Malingerer]

I have no opinion on the re-enactment for two reasons: (a) I am not a reenactor and hence know virtually noting about them and (b) I have not attended the event previously.

Having said that, I have been invited to speak there, and I have also been invited to sign books and will be there. I can tell you that my dealings with John Guss, who is the site manager at Bennett Place have been quite good and quite professional and that I have every reason to believe that this will be an excellent event.

Does this mean that you'll be there this April? If so so will I with an armful of books for you to sign.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Does this mean that you'll be there this April? If so so will I with an armful of books for you to sign.

I will indeed be there. I will also be at the Bentonville 150th event. Come see me, and I will be happy to sign whatever you've got.

 

[Malingerer]

I will indeed be there. I will also be at the Bentonville 150th event. Come see me, and I will be happy to sign whatever you've got.

That's great news - thanks.

 

[KILLroy1978]

So, has anyone been to the surrender at Bennett Farm before?

 

[Stainless Steel Mucket]

Despite a strong Federal campaigner adjunct, the reenactment will be a standard mainstream affair with Rebs outnumbering Feds. There will be a plethora of Confederate flags flown by strangely attired and well meaning SCV'rs in sunglasses. Don't expect an authentic experience. Some people like that sort of thing; others don't.

If you go with low expectations, you won't be disappointed.

- S.S. Mucket

 

[Malingerer]

So, has anyone been to the surrender at Bennett Farm before?

Typically, Bennett Place folks have observed the anniversary by hosting various sized living history programs with displays of soldier life without any reenactment of a laying down of arms as there was no surrender ceremony with Johnson's army - his men were scattered around Greensboro, High Point, Trinity, and Thomasville and simply took their paroles and went home. In some instances weapons were stacked and the moment was noted as the last time this would occur but pretty much there were no special ceremonies. That said, Bennett Place is a pretty special site and I hope that the 2015 event will be great event.

 

[KILLroy1978]

Are there any reenactor units planing on attending?

 

[CarolinasCampaign]

KILLroy,

Here is a link to the Bennett Place website: http://www.nchistoricsites.org/bennett/

Give them a call. I know John Guss has a great event planned for the 150th. If you are a student of the Carolinas Campaign you will not want to miss this one. John has secured the support from a number of authors from the campaign that will be giving presentations. Mark Bradley, Eric Wittenberg, and others will be on hand.

I spoke to John earlier this week. In addition to planning for the 150th, John and his team at the site are busy trying to raise funds for an adjacent piece of property that just came available-unfortunately with a short time allotment to buy.