The kids gasped as the cannon sounded, filling the air with a cloud of smoke and the heavy scent of gunpowder.
It was all part of the school’s annual Civil War Day. The year, in an effort to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the war, about 10 re-enactors hosted booths on the school grounds.
Students learned about the artillery, calvary, small arms, and medical issues at the time of the war. They learned about the technological advancements — rifles were made to shoot more accurately and from a greater distance. They also took in the cruelty of the times, hearing that the greatest causes of death during the war were illness and infection.
“They couldn’t treat infections or bullet wounds,” Eli Zarecky, 11, said, matter-of-factly. “It was hard to keep them healthy.”
Re-enactor Rod Grubb told students that not only slavery, but the brewing issues of trade and taxes also led to the Civil War.
“This was a war fought between two groups of people who thought they were both right,” he told the students. “Have you ever fought with your brothers and sisters? That’s kind of what this was like. Neither side wanted to give up.”
Students’ homework the night before was to memorize the first two paragraphs of the Gettysburg Address.
Eleven-year-old Bailey Allen said she was happy to take that information and put it to use on Friday.
“Books are boring,” she said. “I learn better by doing something.”
At the end of the afternoon, all of the re-enactors stood in front of the students and saluted. The fifth-graders returned the signal.
“If you ask the kids what they did in fifth grade, they’re not going to remember the tests,” said teacher Leslie Nettling. “They’ll remember this.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
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