Battle of Chickamauga reenactment held in Lafayette

160th anniversary of Battle of Chickamauga-- Civil War reenactment

LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) — A historical Civil War reenactment took over Lafayette this weekend.

Spectators and reenactors met in Walker County for the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga.

Patricia Salassi (“Major Mom”) said, “It’s really not a hobby. It’s a way of life.”

Living historians like Salassi took part in the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga on Saturday in Lafayette.

The reenactors say that they take part in both sides of the battle and try to portray them as accurately as possible.

“All of us have a love of history. And the way history is being treated nowadays, they’re trying to make us forget it, and we can’t,” Salassi said.

Salassi was a history teacher for years and tried to bring history to life for her students.

This is a prime example of that.

“When kids see and touch and feel, they learn more. And it makes it real to them,” Salassi said.

Along with the other reenacters, Salassi explained their routine as they go about the weekend.

“We camp in these tents. It’s unreal how many times people ask us, ‘Do you really sleep in these tents?’ ‘Do you eat the food you cook out here?’ I said… yeah, we do!”

Living historian Pappy Wade said that people from around the world come to participate in these reenactments. 

“We had them from Austria, New Zealand, Germany, England… It’s just a nice mix and even they’re not from America. We’re like one big family,” Wade said.

The participants want to keep history alive and educate people on all aspects of it. 

“Keep an open mind about the history. And keep it alive, because without that history, this country will not stand. We have to learn from our mistakes,” Wade said.

The reenactment took place on Saturday Sept. 23 and Sunday Sept. 24.

Saturday had more events going on throughout the day, while Sunday had a shorter schedule.

There was a great community turnout for spectators as well as reenactors.