by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
Eighth graders from around Jackson County recently met for a day the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Maquoketa and participated in the many sessions that the Civil War Re-enactors presented. Muster on the Maquoketa was the first annual county-wide Civil War Reenactment and was hosted by the Jackson County Historical Society. The students were introduced to General Grant and General Lee and many civil war figures, they were shown battle tactics, weaponry, including canons, supplies, food, music, cooking, etc. from the Civil War time period and whenever possible connections to Jackson County during that time period were made. Easton Valley eighth graders participated in the daylong event created especially for their grade-level.
A re-enactor shared about the fashions of the day.
Getting a firsthand look at the types of fire power the soldiers had available to them as they fought. Swords were also on display.
General Grant joined the students as they listened to the presenter speak about rations and supplies.
Learning about the canons and how they worked and how often they were moved and the difficulties the soldiers faced.
