BRICK – With the sounds of muskets firing and bugles calling and the smell of saltpeter in the air, history repeated itself as the Brick Township Historical Society played host to a Civil War Encampment.
The Havens Homestead Museum property, located at 521 Herbertsville Road, was buzzing with reenactors representing the 61st New York Regiment, from the Civil War era.
The reenactors were on the premises the whole weekend, with visitors’ hours consisting of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Sunday. Society members were grilling hamburgers and frankfurters for sale with homemade baked goods available to purchase throughout the weekend, according to their website. Admission was free for all those who attended.
The volunteer reenactors had demonstrations all weekend long. Drilling, marching, and of course rifle firing were crowd favorites. Members of the public were invited to view these demonstrations, as well as view the camp site set up on the grounds. Museum tours and information sessions were also given by members of the Historical Society.
Not many people know about New Jersey’s role in the Civil War. Reenactors like Jim Heine, of Brick, were on hand to tell the public about the past.
“Henry Clay Havens, (the homestead’s namesake) served in the 14th Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War,” said Heine. “So that’s the connection to this place.”
Heine has participated in Civil War encampments before at the Havens Homestead. He was able to speak about the historical side of the event in between demonstrations.
“Back in 1861, about 71 men from Brick volunteered to serve in the Union Army. 23 of those men did serve in the 14th New Jersey, with Havens.”
Heine, who lives a little down the road from the encampment, said history is interesting to know and rediscover through reenactments like this.
“We’re here to try to educate people…were trying to give people a feel of how loud the battlefield was; how smokey it was. Why the modes of communication were flags, drummers and bugles. Because you couldn’t shout. Even a captain who was in charge of a company of 100 men – that was hard for him to talk to both ends of a line. You can imagine a Colonel, who’s in charge of an entire company, which is 1,000 men – there’s no way everyone can hear.”
Heine has been a reenactor for about 30 years, traveling up and down the east coast doing battle reenactments. These encampments are as historically accurate as can be, with some members dressing as specific historical figures. He also goes to the local middle school (Vets) to teach different aspects of the Civil War. Things like the diseases and injuries of the times are taught to eager students. Drilling is also big during the live history demonstrations along with educating about the men from Brick who were in the Civil War. Heine and his fellow companions are eager to teach the younger generations.
“We have fun as a bunch of guys out camping,” said Heine. “But were here to teach and educate people. To give them a better appreciation of their history and their heritage. Certainly, the people of Brick were well represented in the Civil War, by the men who served. They did a fantastic job.”
With temperatures in the high 90s for the weekend, the heavy wool coats and clothing are a lot to wear. Although the reenactors are used to being in the elements, one can’t help thinking about our ancestors who didn’t have the respite of air conditioning or hydration drinks back then.
Visitors to the encampment could expect to see tents set up with common items a Civil War soldier would use daily. Items like cooking utensils, blankets, extra clothes and ammunition were on display, along with battle flags and other Civil War era items. Loud gunfire, without any projectiles, were demonstrated several times during both days. As the reenactors lined up to fire, another member of the encampment would tell the audience exactly what each member was doing. The live fire demonstrations are usually big draws during live history events.
Jane Fabach, Press Secretary for the Brick Township Historical Society, spoke about her role in preparation for the event. “I sent out the press releases to remind people about the event, I also scheduled 22 bakers to make goods for the event,” said Fabach. “It’s a big undertaking.”
Fabach, also a former President of the Society, said the big need during the event was tour guides inside the Havens Homestead house. With so many people showing up at one time, it’s hard to have many tour guides on hand. Fabach added the society accepts a lot of donations from families whose relatives have passed away and would like to contribute to the society’s stock. Fabach said they use every inch of the museum, as well as the new outdoor shed they recently added.
The Society will be having other events coming up. On September 8, the Society will have the first meeting/program of the new season. T.J. Fallon of Jackson, founder of the “Dead History” YouTube Channel, will be the guest speaker, according to the Society’s website.
On September 12, the Historical Society will be hosting a Bluegrass Band & Ice Cream Social. The band, The Last Whippoorwill, will be playing favorite bluegrass tunes. Holiday events are also scheduled for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
For more information about the society and its events, please visit brickhistoricalsociety.com.
