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Note from Wes
After a tumultuous 2008, I am back into photographing Civil War Reenactments. I apologize for my absence and any inconvenience that I may have caused with lost orders or my address changes. Please contact me as soon as possible so I can rectify any wrongs that I may have committed. I hope to see you all at an event soon and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
Wes
Welcome!!! The civilwarp website is home to the worlds largest (current) collection of Civil War Reenactment photos. Here, on one website, are over 7000 reenacting photos and mpgs captured at 52 different events in 2005-09 from 8 states. Browse them all, find yourself or your unit and friends. More will be added every month. The reenactors provide great subjects. Their battles and the encampments are visually exciting and informative. You will also find other reenactment photo series, short reenactment movies, links, panoramic photos, and articles on The American Civil War, Reenacting, Photography, and other related subjects. Wes Mayhle is the photographer and author except where noted.
A letter of musings from Azzit Mightabin near Gainesville, Florida
Stalwart farmers along with their families make up most of this camp along the Santa Fe river. Nearby Poe Springs provides them and their gangly cavalry with fresh water. The cooking fires are set high yet the children run about and dodge about the tents and lean-to's set up by this self-titled "Alachua Homeward". They would not be mistaken for a formidable, organized army yet their numbers include a couple grizzled old Mexican War veterans who have a smidgeon of discipline and a dollop of military knowledge. To be sure, it mightabin the welcome smell of cooking that drew me in, but everyone can recognize the wanderers need to get a good nights sleep now and then. Sleeping alone in the woods ain't what it used to be, what with bands of renegades and eager patrols roaming about, even in the most inhospitable places let alone the high dry ground where a traveller would chose to unroll his blankets for the night. And it don't hurt knowing there are bright-eyed lads out on picket through the night to make this wandering man sleep soundly. So I lay quietly, alone with my thoughts before surrendering to the sandmen.
In the darkness I pondered the sorry news I recently received. My home is no more. To be truthful the buildings still stand but my long travels throughout the land have taken their toll on Mrs. Mightabin and she has returned to her folk in the north and left word for me not to follow her. This war has overturned the earth in more ways than one. I remember the vows we spoke and I remember when the preacher said "What God has joined let no man put asunder". I reckon we never thought of what a war might do to it. The beaten plowshares have split and divided families, friends, and communities and may be the final ruin of this earth. How long must the common people suffer while the politicians take an unfair share for their own bulging coffers. Can it be that there hasn't been enough flowing blood spilt to quench the blaze of the fire breathing abolitionist? And yet see the fine dandy's parade about the square knowing that the North seeks nothing but total subjugation and the complete ruin of our fair lands. I try to remain impartial in my reporting, telling what I see with an even keel, but if it is true that the Confederacy just wants to be left alone in peace, why cannot we all live in freedom as two great nations upon this vast continent?
New Additions
Apr 11 - Crystal River
Mar 5 - Olustee
Feb 14 Townsends Plantation
Coming Soon
Narcoossee
visits since March 1st 2005