Battle of Snoqualmie begins: Despite stormy weather, re-enactors host ?a day of living history

Published 12:38 pm Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Before they could battle each other in a historic re-enactment this weekend, a group of Civil War historians had to battle the weather. The group, members of the Washington Civil War Association, putting on the first Battle of Snoqualmie at Meadowbrook Farm Saturday, were surprised by a sudden, tornado-like wind that swept away their tents, gear and supplies and forced the weekend of events to an abrupt stop.

No one was seriously injured, although some had bruises from being hit by flying debris, said Paul Timmerman, coordinator of the event. Nearly everyone was shaken; some packed up and left early.

Plenty of soldiers and horse stayed for the afternoon battle, which went on as scheduled.

In camp, a few people were shopping in the general store, where people could pick up assorted flags, men’s and women’s clothing, tools and black rosette arm bands to mourn the death of President Lincoln.

A Confederate couple  carried between them a footlocker out to their more modern conveyance.

Over in the Union camp, 14-month-old Caroline Aldrich was fussing at her mother, Stephanie, because she wanted to see the horse, but her father, Matthew, was just gearing it up for the battle.

“The 2 year-old is asleep in the tent,” said Stephanie, a long-time re-enactor from Lake Stevens. She got her husband involved with the group, then the children, who go along with it until they get tired, she said.

Now a Union wife and the camp cook for the day, Stephanie proudly shared her checkered past. “I used to be the Bonnie Blue Spy,” she said, “and I must have been good at it because people still talk about her.”

She changed out of Confederate colors and hung up her spy cloak when she married Matthew, she explained.

By this time, the troops had begun marching to the battlefield, where six cannons were already warming up. The ground shook with each firing, and children lined up along the spectator fence all suddenly decided that maybe they did want those earplugs, after all.

They cheered for various state flags on display, shot imaginary guns with some horsemen in a sneak attack, and shouted as the soldiers fell in battle. All clapped enthusiastically at the end of the battle, when soldiers on both sides met on the field to shake hands and hug.

Timmerman said he was encouraged by the turnout and hoped to bring the Battle of Snoqualmie back next year.

A soldier gathers a small crowd as he tells of the storm that hit the encampment of Civil War re-enactors Saturday morning.

A Confederate couple lugs a foot locker out to their car, in preparation to break camp after the final battle Saturday.

Mourning rosettes and assorted underwear were available for sale, to both sides of the battle, in the general store set up at Meadowbrook Farm.

Stephanie Aldrich and daughter, Caroline, wait to say goodbye to Matthew, who is about to ride off.

A company of Union riflemen fire, black-powder only, at the enemy during the battle re-enactment.

Confederate soldiers in battle lines return fire.

Union soldiers make a final advance.

After the battle, Union commander Dan Rike invites audience members to join the armies in their march back to camp.

Hugs and handshakes were exchanged at the end of the battle.