CivilWar Activities at White Plains, Ky.

The White Plains, Ky. Civil War Festival is a week-long event . The following is an event by event account of the 2016 Festival. Monday April 18th kicked off the Festival with a Civil War themed Senior Citizens Dinner at the Community Center beginning at 11:45 am . Pork loin, bread and drinks were provided with attendees bringing vegetables, salads and desserts. Entertainment was provided by Richard Crowe, a retired Community College Economics Professor from Hazard, Ky. Prof. Crowe is a speaker for the Ky. Humanities Council, portraying Martin Van Buren Bates, a Confederate soldier who was also forced into the Union Army after capture. Mr. Bates was a one room school teacher in Eastern Ky . He was the tallest man in the world at 7 ft . 11 1/2 in. He met and married Anna Swan, the tallest woman in the world at 7 ft. II 1/2 in. , the same height as her husband. Together they toured the United States, Canada, and Europe and were even received by the King & Queen of England. This was a most interesting presentation and was enjoyed by the 65 seniors in attendance. This program was sponsored by Ky. St. Rep. Brent Yonts of Greenville, Ky. The room was decorated with 70 Confederate & Union reproduced Civil War Flags , many representing Ky. units, Union and Confederate. Steve Mathias, Civil War Artifact collector displayed an outstanding collection of Authentic  Civil War articles. An original Union Civil War Flag was displayed by Bob Adkins of the Historical Society of Hopkins Co. Ky.
The Ladies Tea was held on Thursday April 21, 2016. The Community Center was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers picked locally. The menu was chicken salad and tuna on a bed of lettuce with crackers, cornbread, salad and fruit served with hot or cold tea . A surprise visit by Union Gen. U.S. Grant pleased the 40 persons present.  Gen. Grant was portrayed by Dr. Curtis Fields of Memphis, Tn. Dr. Fields performance was outstanding and the best portrayal of a Civil War character this writer has seen in 32 years of reenacting . After the meal was over a style show was held by Magistrate Karol Welch with several ladies and gentlemen taking part. Those helping with the tea were Tony & Janet Merrick, Daniel & Jessica Payne, Ginger Hayes, Spencer & Linda Brewer. Jamaica Greenwell was hostess. The event was sponsored by First United Bank.
Saturday April 23rd brought our busiest day. A Community Wide Yard Sale and A Classic Car Show began at 9:00 am. Twenty -three cars were entered in the show. Some from as far away as Paducah, Ky.  First, second and third place trophies were awarded by the judges and the public voted for the Peoples Choice Award.
The yard sales were experiencing brisk sales and food vendors were busy. Civil War characters , Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Varina Davis and Wild Bill Hickok mingled with the crowd. They delighted children and adults alike, providing photo opts for many cameras.
Spencer & Linda Brewer were on stage in the Community Center Building at 1:00 pm. A Ky. specific flag show of 24 Ky. Civil War Flags, Union & Confederate was enjoyed by all in attendance. Union Flags discussed included the 20th Ky. Vol. Inf. U..S.flag .the unit in which Pvt Henry Oay Smith of Earlington was a member.  The 35th. Ky. Vol. Inf. U.S. was the Regiment of Pvt. Simeon Roberts also of Earlingron. This event was sponsored by Hopkins Co. District Judge Bill Whitledge.
The main event, Our reenactment battle started at 3:00 pm at the ball park, Buckner's Battery was the
host unit. Other units were Cobb's Battery , 6th Ky. Inf. C. S. ,12th Ill. U..S., 9th Michigan U.S. and several Independent units. There were 45 reenactors present, about evenly split Union and Confederate. The approximate 45 minute battle was enjoyed by the 500 or so spectators. The bleachers were full , some folks stood and others sat in their vehicles. Applause was scattered throughout and was quite loud at the end.
Sunday was rather quiet with Civil War Church beginning at 10:00 am. The Rev. John Culbertson , in full period dress , conducted the service. Thirty -one reenactors and spectators attended. The final battle began at 1:30 pm. Commanders Leonard Lay, Tony Schlatter and Alex Whitworth put together a most entertaining scenario. The plan was for the Yankee Infantry to charge the Confederate Battery. This was to happen after a 20 minute infantry battle. As the Union charged one shot from the Confederate cannon took out 3/4 th of the Yankees. The crowd really enjoyed the show and the event ended with a standing ovation and excited expectations for 2017.