Prairie River Middle School held its 19th annual Civil War Day exercise in Stange’s Park Friday, as eighth grade students got hands-on experience in the war between the North and South. The students just learned about this period of American history in their Social Studies classes and Civil War Day is the culminating activity.
The students, dressed to portray Union or Confederate soldiers, learned to march in formation as they passed through nine stations including: soldier life, manual of arms, battlefield surgeon, civilian life, bayonet drill, artillery, small arms, etiquette and advanced drill.
“This is experiencial learning,” said PRMS Social Studies teacher Scott Boessel, who started Civil War Day at the school in 2000. “They’re getting a small insight into how the soldiers lived.”
Experienced Civil War Re-enactors man the stations to present to the students. The 2nd Wisconsin re-enactment group brought the Union perspective, while the 10th Tennessee re-enactment group represented the Confederates. The The 8th Wisconsin Light Artillery group from Rhinelander once again demonstrated their authentic Civil War era cannon for the students.
Among the re-enactors were a trio of Merrill High School alumni, who themselves participated in Civil War Day back when they were eighth grade students. Ethan Worlin and Matthew Beyer, both members of the 10th Tennessee group, taught small arms at Civil War Day. Lucas Olson, a member of the 2nd Wisconsin, instructed the bayonet drill.
Worlin said Civil War Day in eighth grade was his first exposure to that period of history. From there, he was drawn to get involved with a re-enactment group.
“I’m fascinated by the history,” he said, “some of the politics that went on behind the scenes.”
He hopes Civil War Day gives the current students an appreciation for how people lived at that time and how the Civil War shaped the nation’s history.
Boessel, himself a Civil War re-enactor, was pleased to see his former students involved as presenters at the event.
“All three of these guys were students and now they are wearing the uniforms,” Boessel said. “It’s great to see students that valued their time here so much.”