Civil War re-enactments a living history lesson in Kimmswick By Bill Phelan Of the Suburban Journals Jefferson County Journal 08/19/2001 06:00 AM Pvt. Zack Haskins went on trial August 11 in Kimmswick. The charges the High Ridge man was facing were serious. If found guilty, Haskins could face a firing squad. He was charged with dereliction of duty and fraternizing with the enemy, and then there was that thing about the judge's sister turning up pregnant. Yes, Haskins was in a fix. After presentations by the defense and the prosecution, a jury of Haskins' fellow soldiers found him guilty. The judge sentenced the young man to death, but not before he would perform a wedding ceremony joining his sister with Haskins to make "an honest woman" out of her. With this act, the woman could collect Haskins' military pension. After saying "I do," Haskins was shot in the town square. The crowd that had gathered to watched laughed and applauded. Haskins got up and went to have a sandwich. The mock trail and execution of Haskins was just one of many opportunities to step back in time at the Kimmswick Civil War Event, held Saturday and Sunday. Hundreds of spectators walked the streets, browsed through the shops and souvenir tents and watched as Union and Confederate soldiers went about their business before the big battle. The event is more than just an opportunity to watch adults play dress-up. It is a step back in time and a living history lesson. Civil war re-enactors take their hobby seriously. They make sure their clothing is authentic down to the smallest detail. Even their tents and cookware have to look like they would have at the battle of Gettysburg or Bull Run. Making sure that all the soldiers have authentic ammunition is the job of Ordinance Sgt. Mike Watson of Fenton, a member of the Turner Brigade. Watson makes paper rifle cartridges by hand. He has been a Civil War re-enactor for 21 years and has been making cartridges for 15 years. During the Civil War, Watson said, thousands of people worked in the arsenals making ammunition by hand. "An average 14-year-old boy working a 10-hour day should be able to make 2,000 (cartridge) tubes," Watson said. Watson's talent has put him in demand. He has done work for filmmaker Steve Spielberg and has appeared in several films as well. "I was in 'North and South Book 2' and I was in 'Glory,' " he said. Capt. Michael Roderman and his wife, Barb, had made the trip to Kimmswick from their home in Salem, Mo. Both have been re-enactors since 1994. They met at a re-enactment. On this day, Mike played a Confederate officer for the Missouri 2nd Artillery and Barb was decked out like a Southern belle. "My ancestors fought for the Confederacy out of Missouri," Mike said. "There's a little bit of rebel in the both of us," he said. Being a civil war re-enactor is an inexpensive hobby. "A typical officer's uniform can cost you between $500 and $600," Mike said. Period outfits for woman can cost about as much, he said. Since nearly all Civil War uniforms were made of wool, the heat can be a real problem for re-enactors. "You just drink a lot of water, try to hydrate yourself and spend a minimum amount of time in the uniform," Mike said. "You have to be real careful." As the day wore on, the rebels took up positions on the north side of the Windsor Harbor Road bridge. The Union Army held the south side. The rebels fired first, but the Union counterattacked and drove the rebels into the center of town. By the time the battle had reached the City Park, the rebels had been defeated and the Union soldiers raised the Stars and Stripes over Kimmswick. The following day, the Confederacy would prevail. Even in re-enacting the Civil War, there apparently is a degree of political correctness. Desoto Joe/The Record Man