Time Travel to Resaca Civil War Battle

As appeared in Examiner.com, 05/23/2011
By Ken Parks

It seemed to be instantaneous. I slowly climbed out of my time machine (car) and found myself transformed back in time to the Civil War Battle of Resaca, circa May, 1864. There were the Confederate tents and camps, and Union troops drilling at their camp, horses grazing under the cool shadow trees, and women and children dressed of that era.

I felt the same feeling of being awestruck; it was the same bewilderment of Marty McFly. And when I “yondered over” to the Union camp, I came upon the chaplain. I was curious as to his character, old style era clothing, the unusual beard, and his table setting.

“Wake up McFly!” What appeared to be a dream quickly focused to reality. I realized all of this was the reenactment of an event that took place during May 13-15, 1864. The history books and documentation reveal the following:

Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston had withdrawn his forces from Rocky Face Ridge to the hills around Resaca. On May 13th, the Union troops tested the Rebel lines to pinpoint their whereabouts. Full scale fighting took place the next day. And, the Union troops were held back except on the Confederate’s right flank where Sherman did not fully exploit his advantage. On the 15th, the battle continued with no advantage to either side until Sherman ordered a force across the Oostanula River, at Lay’s Ferry, towards Johnston’s railroad supply line. Unable to stop the Union movement, Johnston was forced to retreat and fight another battle for another day.

Richard Riggs played the part of the Union chaplain. In reality he is a history teacher at Coosa Middle School and also pastors a small flock in Rome, GA. His expertise was evident as I continued to focus my attention toward this interesting character. Richard had been doing reenactments since 1993; his bored students pressed him to drop the classroom lectures and books in favor of doing activities. Participating in Civil War Reenactments became the driving force for his students to develop and create projects such as making clothing/coats from dear and bear skins, cooking and preparing foods of the mid-1800’s, and generally learn about the period by researching things that are not normally found in basic history books.

With his trusty Bible on the table and pipe extended from his lips, Chaplain Riggs posed… and provided tales of the past, and his soft composure clearly demonstrated the manner of which he teaches.

The reenactment interrupted our palaver of the past. The Union Calvary advanced, followed by the ground troops. The blast of cannon fire overwhelmed the spectators, and the gun smoke filled the scene, causing all to inhale the smell of battle.

It was inevitable. After the last musket fired and the troops lined up in formation, and marched back to their respective camps… I had to go back to the future.