|
Contact: Mike Andrus, 804 226-1981 x. 30
On Saturday April 19, and Sunday April 20, 2008, living history volunteers representing a three gun section of artillery will present cannon-firing demonstrations and discuss the role of artillery on the Malvern Hill battlefield at Richmond National Battlefield Park. This will be the first time since July 1, 1862, that three cannon are fired live on the battlefield. In addition, volunteers portraying Berdan’s Sharpshooters will perform skirmish drills and rifle-firing demonstrations comparing the Sharps breech-loading rifle to the more common muzzle-loading rifle. The Sharpshooters played a critical role in the battle of Malvern Hill as skirmishers used to harass the Confederate infantry and silence their artillery. Demonstrations begin at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on Sunday. Park historians will present guided walking tours of the Malvern Hill battlefield following each program. Other living history programs over the weekend include a pay call vignette on Saturday morning at 10:00 before the Federal infantry heads to the front line, post-battle soldier recollections on Sunday at 10:30 and a Confederate skirmish demonstration on Sunday at noon. Throughout the weekend volunteers will staff a field hospital exhibit at the Parsonage site to discuss medical treatment of the wounded. Malvern Hill is one of 13 Civil War sites protected by Richmond National Battlefield Park. The battlefield is located 14 miles east of Richmond, on Route 156 in Henrico County. All programs are free. For further information, visit www.nps.gov/rich or call 226-1981. |
Last updated: February 26, 2015