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TUNNEL HILL, Ga. --- Soldiers from the Union and Confederacy are invading Tunnel Hill. They'll be fighting each other this weekend, but it's all in the name of entertainment and education.
The Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation will mark the 144th anniversary of the Battle of Tunnel Hill today and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Going to a Civil War re-enactment is really taking a step back in time," said Janet Cochran, the president of the historical foundation. "The living history is a big part of what re-enactors do. It's not only exciting as far as the battle goes, but it's educational."
The foundation has held re-enactments since 1994. The first few were used to raise money to restore the Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel. The foundation has continued to hold the event to bring attention to the rich Civil War history in Tunnel Hill, Ms. Cochran said.
During Gen. William T. Sherman's advance to Atlanta, Union soldiers reached Tunnel Hill on Feb. 23, 1864, and had several skirmishes with Confederate troops. Sherman took over the Clisby Austin House near the battlefield from May 7-12.
More than 500 re-enactors are expected to be at the battlefield this weekend.
Most were to arrive by Friday, but a handful were camped out on the grounds earlier in the week.
Sutlers will also set up, selling period clothing, accessories, books and other Civil War-related items.
Concessions and entertainment will be available and the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center will be open. Exhibits on loan will be displayed at the heritage center, and a period ball will be held tonight. The ball is open to the public, and anyone in period dress can participate.
"Or if they just want to come and watch, they can do that as well," Ms. Cochran said.
Guided tours of the tunnel will be provided, and before the battle attendees can walk through the camps of the North and South re-enactors.
"They can talk to the re-enactors, ask questions about what they do, engage in conversation about what it means to be a re-enactor," Ms. Cochran said. "Most of the re-enactors are informed on Civil War history because that's what they do."
On Friday, about 750 students from Dalton Public and Whitfield County schools planned to take field trips to the battlefield. Volunteer re-enactors "set up educational stations so the children can learn a little bit about history, a little bit about the soldiers and a little bit about life in that time," Ms. Cochran said.
The battlefield will also be host to artists who will paint scenes from the day. Sponsored by the Art Alliance of Georgia, three of the artists are showing at a special display inside the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center through Sept. 15.
With high gasoline prices, Ms. Cochran believes this weekend's events will appeal to residents searching for a different type of family outing.
"What we're seeing in travel is with gas prices and the economy, people are staying a little closer to home," Ms. Cochran said. "This is a great event to attend without going a long distance.
"It's a good family event. We encourage people who have never been to one to take this opportunity to come see something in their own backyard."
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