Civil War re-enactors’ encampment at Baxter Springs battle site

  • It was not uncommon for blacksmiths to accompany the army into battle as they made parts for guns, knives, swords, and other metal items for soldiers and encampments. During the recent re-enactment in Baxter Springs of Quantrill’s raid on Fort Blair Jim Friend, of Grove, Oklahoma brought his portable blacksmith shop to the battle site.
    It was not uncommon for blacksmiths to accompany the army into battle as they made parts for guns, knives, swords, and other metal items for soldiers and encampments. During the recent re-enactment in Baxter Springs of Quantrill’s raid on Fort Blair Jim Friend, of Grove, Oklahoma brought his portable blacksmith shop to the battle site.
  • Pounding out metal utensils used in the camp, Jim Friend is kept as busy as a real army blacksmith.
    Pounding out metal utensils used in the camp, Jim Friend is kept as busy as a real army blacksmith.
  • Though dressed in Union dress and hat Jacob Spillers was part of the Confederate contingent over the week-end. However, many of Quantrill’s solders were dressed in Union uniforms despite their allegiance to the south.
    Though dressed in Union dress and hat Jacob Spillers was part of the Confederate contingent over the week-end. However, many of Quantrill’s solders were dressed in Union uniforms despite their allegiance to the south.
  • Reese Barnett was portraying one of Quantrill’s raiders.
    Reese Barnett was portraying one of Quantrill’s raiders.
  • The Twenty-Second/Thirty-Fifth Arkansas Infantry Regiment was a Confederate unit that served in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during the American Civil War. Due to differing numbering system of the Arkansas Military Board and Confederate War Department, it was referred to by both designations at various times portraying Confederate soldiers at the reenactment in Baxter Springs.
    The Twenty-Second/Thirty-Fifth Arkansas Infantry Regiment was a Confederate unit that served in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during the American Civil War. Due to differing numbering system of the Arkansas Military Board and Confederate War Department, it was referred to by both designations at various times portraying Confederate soldiers at the reenactment in Baxter Springs.