Part of War at Flood Tide Pages
Civil War @ Charleston Internet Web Site
War at Flood Tide generated approximately Twenty One Hundred Dollars from the Lantern Tour, which combined with other event revenue, contributions and after the deduction of expenses, resulted in a donation of Twenty-One Hundred Dollars ($2,100.00) to the recovery and preservation of the Confederate Submarine Hunley. In addition, the event sucessfully demonstrated the practicality of using Castle Pinckney in Charleston Harbor for living history purposes and the suitablity of Patriots Point for a major Civil War living history event. The echo of the Batteries positioned around the harbor and on ship was heard on James Island, throughout Mt. Pleasant, downtown Charleston and out on Sullivan's Island. The event recieved national press attention with the WIS footage being beamed by satelite for rebroadcast in New York City and elsewhere. The state newspaper also covered the event extensively.
This images on this page were captured by snappy off of the WIS broadcast and reflect the quality limitations of the process, not the original video which was beatifully shot and edited. Thanks WIS for the wonderful coverage and nationwide exposure.
State Senator and Reenactor Glenn McConnell (image left) joined the Garrison on Castle Pinckney Saturday, portraying a Confederate Major on a tour of inspection. The event was believed to be the first time the island Fort in Charleston Harbor was used for living history purposes. Three canon were placed in battery on the north end of the island by landing craft at 11:00 a.m. and 90 rounds were fired by the island artillery. an infantry garrison of 20 men picketed the island's South end under the Command of
Col. Paul Flowers.
The Signal Corps operated on this island, discovering the challenge of operating at 3/4 of a mile over open water. While reliable signal communication was never established, much was learned and fire control through signal operation was demonstrated. Charleston reenactors, working in cooperation with the Independent Brigade of Georgia's Signal Corps are training and refining signal capability in Charleston now for future events.
Three full sized guns were positioned on the beach at Patrtiots Point, positioned for perfect viewing from the Museum Ships there. These battery of 3 inch ordnance rifles gave the spectators standing on the ships in perfect safety 250 feet away an above and in front fiew of how the guns were worked. Here the northern most gun is fired at the Schooner Pride. The battle was broadcast live on WTMA Radio with cellular telephone reports from around the battleground and aboard ship, appropriate music and commentary by historian Robert Rosen.
Special thanks are due to the Owner and crew of the Schooner Pride who sacrificed an afternoon's income in prime tourist season to donate the use of their vessel for the battle. The Pride carried three Cohorn mortars and fired round after round attempting to silence the Confederate Batteries. Flying from her topmast is a 33 star American Flag with hand sewn stars first used in the May 10th. Battle.
The 54th. Massachusetts presented a presentation Saturday on the Hanger Deck of the Yorktown on Sgt. Carny, the first African American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. On Saturday night a memorable lantern tour scene on Robert Smalls and the Planter was acted out. One of War at Flood Tide's goals was to depict the variety of people and experience involved in the war around Charleston harbor, including the activities of African Americans and Women, technical aspects of the conflict and the distince activities of the different branches here.
Daryl Walker of Hampton's Legion provided a medical demonstration during the day and memorable lantern tour scene at night. Here he presents part of his extensive collection of period and reporduction medical equipment including his well used amputation kit. Also in the camp was Woman's work, an extensive ladies living history demonstration presented by the 10th. SC Ladies Auxillary. A signal station was also operating in camp and the public was able to learn about the history and methods used to transmit messages across Charleston harbor.
Input and feedback on this year's reenactment is welcome. Please contact William Hamilton with your suggestions, input and observations. Video and photographs are very welcome.
Return to:
War at Flood Tide
Civil War at Charleston