The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

It Was The Bloodiest Battle

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

3 May 2000

Before you jump to conclusions, the battle I am talking about is not a local sporting event between our county's schools, but it was an actual military battle.

The bloodiest battle, according to this weekend's re-enactment in Keokuk, Iowa, actually happened during the Civil War in the 1860s at "The Battle Of Pea Ridge" Arkansas.

This 2-day battle was a fight over Missouri, and was a turning point in the war for preserving the Union.

According to the commentator at the war, more Americans were killed in this 2-day battle than in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War combined.

On the first day, the south won, but on the second day, the north finally won. The Rebels were forced to surrender because of their lack of ammunition.

On the battlefield, the Yanks were lead by the actual Mayor of Keokuk at the time, and that is why Keokuk was chosen for this annual re-enactment.

Over nine hundred people came to Keokuk to take part in this event and from the time it begins on Saturday and it ends on Sunday, participants must only wear and use items from the Civil War era.

Sunday's outing was with my mother, who was born in 1914, fifty years after Civil war ended and with my 7 and 5 year old grandchildren, Drew and Ali.

As we entered the beautiful park by foot which has rolling hills loaded with a variety of trees, it is as if you walked back in time.

Soldiers in full gear lean against trees and visit, some are working with a dozen or so quarter horses, mothers are in tents with children, all are in periodic dress. Soldiers are marching through the streets, a small military band performs polished tunes from the Civil War.

We made our way to the band shelter where a magic show was in progress. Afterwards, we shopped inside one tent which was selling Rebel and Yankee hats for kids, lots of civil war era clothes for adults and a nice variety of Civil War items such as jewelry and Quill pens.

We purchased a book for Ali of Civil War heroines with pictures she could color and some civil war plastic soldiers and horses and Rebel hat for Drew. We also picked up three Civil War CDs for fun.

Along the street of concessions, the parade to the battlefield began with the entire Union troop, horses and soldiers going by with families and soldiers in the crowd cheering them on. Soon the Rebels marched by.

We found a nice high place on the Union side with hundreds of people all around the large hilly well-shaded battlefield. President Lincoln and his wife were seated front stage with the announcer.

After a group of soldiers played a tune, the announcer gave a prayer before the battle began. When the many cannons were fired, I thought the kids would cry they were so loud all through the battle. But they insisted on staying until the end as they wisely kept their fingers in their ears.

Before we left we took the trolley around the park at 75¢ each which included a brief history of the battle.

As we traveled home playing Civil War tunes, I was surprised how many of them my mother knew and could sing along. Many, I had never heard before but she knew all the verses.

This annual event is a good way to learn American history first hand. It made me see how awful war is and how important it is to preserve the peace.