ROWLAND HEIGHTS>>The Civil War took a new face and form Friday when history buffs brought the pivotal point in American history to life for students at Alvarado Middle School in Rowland Heights.
Dressed in their federal blues and confederate grays, the Civil War fans took eighth-graders back in time to the battle between the states. A terrible time when the Union threatened to dissolve, breaking into separate nations North and South.
Famous figures stepped off the history page to talk to the intrigued students. President Abraham Lincoln (Robert Broski of Corona) towered over Jefferson Davis (John Smoley of Glendora), the president of the Confederacy.
The two tried to explain all the factors that led to the bloody war. They noted that 620,000 Americans lost their lives in the Civil War.
The eighth-graders are studying the war in American history classes. So their teachers decided to invite the Civil War buffs to the Rowland Unified campus.
“The kids love it because it gives them a visual experience they won’t forget,” said teacher Matt Grelling.
Earlier in the year, students had experienced life on the Oregon Trail by making “squirrel fricassee” in Dutch ovens outside. But today, the Matadors were straddling the Mason Dixon Line in the battle between the states.
Ruth Clinnick stood by her tent on the athletic field. The Hacienda Heights woman was a Confederate laundress, anxious to show the students how she made up to $40 a month washing clothes. Which takes a lot of work, when you’re only charging 5 cents to wash a shirt, 7 cents with soap.
“I can show you how to make your own lye soap,” Clinnick said, while explaining how to use a washboard and tube.
Her husband, Ray Herbeck, talked about life as a Confederate soldier. Johnny Reb explained that hundreds of thousands died from disease during the war.
He also showed them his bedroll and camp utensils. Then Herbeck explained the .58 caliber rifle that did all the killin’.
“Their muskets were rifled, making them much more accurate than older smooth bore muskets,” Herbeck said. “The new military technology combined with old battle tactics led to tremendous casualties.”
Students passed around the heavy lead bullets as well as a typical 12-pound cannon ball.
“The cannon ball was really heavy,” said 13-year-old Kermina Halim. “I like experiences like this. It’s one thing to read about something and quite another to actually see it.”
The eighth-grader enjoyed seeing how the troops actually lived. Classmate Alejandro Andrade was surprised at how “realistic” the Civil War encampment was.
“I think this is good because it helps us visualize how life was during the Civil War,” the 13-year-old agreed.
Saving the best for last, Confederate Gen. George Pickett, aka Ken Frey , commanded a battle for the playground. Johnny Reb faced Billy Yank (Steve Pavich) from the Pennsylvania Irish Brigade.
When the smoke cleared, the students applauded the bravery of the soldiers. And thanked the re-enactors for putting a personal face on the Civil War.