The Hernando Historical Museum Association, Inc. and North Pinellas County Scout Sertoma Club, Inc. are presenting the 39th Annual Brooksville Raid Reenactment, Jan. 19-20, 2019 at Sand Hill Scout Reservation, 11210 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville.

This unique event is eye-opening and educational, as well as fun and entertaining.

It is promoted as quality family entertainment.

What is the Brooksville Raid all about?

During the nineteenth century, Hernando County encompassed the entirety of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. The Nature Coast consisted of thick forests interspersed with plantations and homesteads.

Brooksville was the government center north of Tampa. Florida was the third state to join the Confederacy.  The Nature Coast area supplied shoes, cotton, uniforms and beef to the Confederate army during the Civil War.

Today there is a statue of a Confederate soldier in front of the Hernando County courthouse, offering a taste of the deep roots this area has to the United Confederate States.

The Union, or Federal army fought with the Confederate army in Hernando County (approximately 20 miles south of Brooksville in present-day Pasco County) in a battle that is barely mentioned in the annals of history, but directly affected area residents.

Many such battles occurred throughout the southern states during ‘The War between Brothers’.

Modern day wars involve airplanes and tanks, grenades and nuclear submarines. In the 1860s, wars were fought on foot, on horse, or ship. Because of the slow pace at which the Civil War battles were fought, supplies of food, clean clothes and drinking water would directly affect who won.

The annual Brooksville Raid Re-enactment features 25 cannons, 20 horses, and over 50 sutlers

In early July of 1864, the Union Army and Navy moved about 250 men up from the Caloosahatchee River (in southwest Florida) using ships that were captured from the Confederacy. Their goal was originally Brooksville, but eventually became Bayport harbor, a popular port for moving cotton, beef and other troop supplies. The Union ship put in near the mouth of the Anclote River and soldiers were transported up the river to set foot on its north side.

In the twenty miles or so of terrain that the Army would need to cover, food, clothing and supplies were obtained by confiscating a homestead or plantation, eating everything they found, killing the livestock and destroying the buildings and possessions through burning.

Men who were found in their homes would be killed or captured as prisoners. Women and children might escape beatings and rape if they surrendered their supplies to the soldiers freely. They might not.

The pillaging of property was common for both sides during war. Some of the local families that were directly affected include the Lesleys, Hopes, Ellis’, McCulloughs and the Hookers.

Meet Michael Hardy, famed Civil War Historian who researched and wrote about The Brooksville Raid battle

The 1864 Brooksville Bayport Raid is well-documented in the book, “A Heinous Sin” The 1864 Brooksville Bayport Raid by Michael C. Hardy and Robert M. Hardy, published in 2009.

Michael is the author of twenty-three books, and his articles have appeared in Civil War Times, America’s Civil War, Gettysburg Magazine, Confederate Veteran, Camp Chase Gazette, and the Tar Heel Junior Historians.

Michael Hardy’s father, Michael C. Hardy, co-author, has choreographed the Brooksville Raid Reenactment’s battles for more than 15 years, providing a authentic foundation in the methodology of Civil War battles.

Michael has appeared in Blood and Fury: America’s Civil War, on the American Heroes Channel in 2012 and is a true expert on the subject.

Michael explains, “I was first captivated by the Civil War era in the early 1980s. An uncle took me to a Civil War reenactment, bought me a hat and jacket, and I got to carry a flag. Having grown up watching westerns with my dad, it was a surreal experience. Here I was, surrounded by cannons and horses and swords. History had hooked me.”

Although Michael Hardy doesn’t participate in many re-enactments any more, he has chosen to visit 2019’s Brooksville Raid Reenactment, where he will sign copies of his book and provide presentations to attendees, helping to bring the life of people from the mid-1860s to life for visitors. His presentations and signings are scheduled for 12:30pm on Saturday, January 19 and Noon for Sunday, January 20.

The Civil War Battles are Recreated by Volunteers

Visitors are invited on the third weekend of January each year to experience life during the 1860s and to witness the way battles were fought in the Civil War. For a nominal fee ($10 adults, $5 youth age 6-10, free for 5 and under, and $3 for scouts in uniform) you can step back into time and see for yourself how war was fought and the many support personnel who worked to supply the soldiers, and their war efforts.

The public is invited to tour authentic Confederate and Union camps to see how our predecessors lived. Thousands of re-enactors are on-site, camping for the entire weekend to authentically portray life during Civil War times.

What is a Sutler?

A sutler is a civilian merchant who sells provisions to an army in the field, in camp, or in quarters. Sutlers sold wares from the back of a wagon or a temporary tent, traveling with an army or to remote military outposts. The Sutlers on site at the Raid sell a variety of replica weapons, uniforms and clothing, cooking utensils, tinware, children’s toys and many other items of the era. There is always fresh kettle corn, old time root beer (known as ‘sasparilla’), and authentic fry bread.

Authentic Events for Reenactors include Ladies Tea

The 39th Annual Ladies Tea will be held for lady Reenactors. Light refreshments will be served. Period dress is required to participate. The public may observe.

Michael Hardy’s wife, Elizabeth, will be the main speaker, providing insight into the role of women in the Civil War.

Ladies Tea is a tradition that was brought from England and adopted by the ladies of the Victorian Era here in the United States. This was a time for women to gather together for educational and cultural purposes as well as a chance to share news of loved ones away at war. It was also a time for the women to support their troops by making everything from musket balls to bandages.

Southeast Tourism Society Selects The Brooksville Raid Reenactment as an ‘STS Top 20 Event’

The Southeast Tourism Society has named The Brooksville Raid Reenactment one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for January and February 2019.

STS Top 20 Festival and Event Awards have highlighted programs around the Southeast since 1985. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. This great honor affirms the value of The Brooksville Raid Reenactment on a regional level.

As the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida, it is easy to transform modern attitudes and platitudes to those of this historic era.

Because the educational value of this event cannot be overemphasized, the Raid hosts a School Day on Friday, January 18. At the School Day, children rotate through different stations learning about the Civil War, cannons, musical instruments, medical hospital units, rifles, Union Camp, Confederate Camp and the Cavalry, bringing their textbooks to life.

History of The Raid

The first Brooksville Raid Re-enactment was held on the lawn of the Hernando Heritage Museum in 1980. It was so popular that the next year it was moved to a large ranch north of Brooksville owned by Murray Grubbs. It kept growing, and in 1991 the Brooksville Raid moved to the Sand Hill Scout Reservation where it has been held each year since.

Re-enactors come from all over Florida, and even other parts of the U.S.

Things to Know When You Go:

• Admission is required: $10 adults, $5 youth age 6-12, free for 5 and under, and $3 for scouts in uniform
• Boy Scouts sell food and drinks to benefit the Sertoma Club.
• Chairs may be rented for visitors’ comfort while watching a battle. Visitors are welcome to bring their own chairs.
• This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event.
• Re-enactors tend to be “in character,” and you are welcome to ask them questions in the camps and on Sutler’s Row, but please stay off the Battlefield.
• The Battles are not exact re-enactments of the Brooksville Bayport Raid of 1864, but are realistic to the battles of the day.
• Animals are allowed to accompany visitors to the Raid, but they must be well behaved and on a leash.
• The event goes on, rain or shine, and it is just as interesting in the rain. Bring an umbrella.
• The location is on Hwy. 50 west at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation (11210 Cortez Blvd. across from Oak Hill Hospital). There is handicap parking and motorcycle parking available.
• For more information, visit http://brooksvilleraidreenactment.com or call 352-799-0129.