WESTFIELD – President Abraham Lincoln will inspect the troops and make a presidential speech at the annual 9th N.Y. Cavalry encampment in Westfield’s Moore Park, this weekend.
Members of the 9th N.Y. Cavalry and invited guests will present “Standing Ground: A Civil War Living History Event in Westfield.” Reenactors will set up camp late afternoon Friday, June 7, and offer living history throughout the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to the regularly scheduled events, President Abraham Lincoln will also be on hand making appearances, including inspecting the troops as well as delivering a special speech on the steps of the McClurg Museum Saturday afternoon. President Lincoln’s appearance is made possible by the Village of Westfield, which will be providing more details on his itinerary for the entire weekend in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, events for the 9th N.Y. Cavalry will include drills and demonstrations, battle re-enactments, craft demonstrations for children, candlelight tours, and much more.
The encampment will also include a special presentation by author Rick Barram, who will come to Westfield from his home in California to discuss his research and book on the 72nd New York Infantry Regiment, which was formed in Chautauqua County and participated in several noteworthy Civil War engagements. Barram’s lecture will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 8, inside St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located next to the park. Following his lecture, members of the 9th N.Y. Cavalry will continue the annual tradition of reading Civil War letters from local enlisted men. The event is free and open to the public.
Also taking place at the church on Sunday, June 10, will be an authentic “Civil War Service” – with the sermon, selected hymns, and other related activities patterned after what a service would have been like had it taken place at a church when the Civil War was actually underway. The special Civil War Service will begin at 10 a.m. and all members of the public are invited to attend.
In addition to the 9th N.Y. Cavalry, which is hosting the event, other reenactment groups will also be on hand.
The encampment, along with all other related events, is free and open to the public.
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