Civil War Encampment Back in Brick This Weekend

Written by Carly Kilroy

If you thought you saw Civil War-era solders toting muskets along Herbertsville Road in Brick today, don't worry – you're not seeing ghosts, just re-enactors.

That's because the 61st New York Infantry Regiment has set up camp once again at the Brick Historical Society's Havens Homestead Museum for their annual Civil War encampment.

The regiment reenacts how solders lived day-to-day during the time of the Civil War - from how camps were set up to how the soldiers kept themselves occupied.

Earlier today, Brick resident Vinny Marino took a tour along the museum's lawn with his children while re-enactors of the 61st taught them how to play Civil War-era games and dressed them up as solders.

“We come here every year. I try to teach them about American history,” Marino said.

Marino, a Navy veteran, said the children's favorite part of coming to the event every year is watching the solders dressed in authentic Civil War-era attire, marching in formation, and firing their weapons.

One of those soldiers, Brian Holts of the 61st, has been attending this reenactment for four years now, but has been doing reenactments for at least 13 years.

“I do it just for the love of history. I was a history major in college,” Holts said.

He said once the sun goes down, the re-enactors hang around camp and cook dinner over the fire together.

The 61th New York Infantry Regiment also invited members of the 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment to participate in this year's encampment.

Margie Wienkop, a medical historian, came to the event representing the 4th  as a Civil War surgeon.

She brought with her an impressive display of medical kits, medicines, and bandages – many of which she made herself.

Wienkop said the best part about coming to reenactments is being able to teach people about the Civil War, especially about anything pertaining to the science and medicine of the times.

“It's very rewarding for me,” Wienkop said.

This event continues today and will pick back up again on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.