CCS Students visit Civil War Muster with Mr Marshall

On September 7th and 8th, the Holland Museum had its annual Van Raalte Farms Civil War Muster and Heritage Days Festival. They feature highlights from the Civil War and life in those times. Many people attended to see the reenacted battles that the 3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry unit and the Confederate 33rd Virginia Company E unit participated in.

What makes the Muster special for students at Calvary Christian Schools is the fact that our own history teacher, Mr. Brent Marshall plays the role of a Union Soldier. In addition to participating in the battle, this year Mr. Marshall had a special performance as an amputee in the medical scenario. The surgery was successful!

Since this was my second year going, my favorite part was the battle. At 2:00 the Battle of Gettysburg began. The battle consisted of Union infantry, cavalry, and artillery units, squaring off against Confederate infantry and artillery units. They skirmished for a while in the battlefield, both sides fighting for the middle of the field. The Union infantry sustained heavy casualties and the confederate infantry chased them out, but the Union cavalry came in to take back the fight.

Next was the Battle of Little Round top. The Union infantry and artillery held the top of the hill while the Confederate infantry and artillery tried take the hill from the Union forces. The Confederates pushed and pushed but in the end were slaughtered by the Union troops.

After the battle finished, the reenactors shook hands and entertained the crowd by pretending to bayonet charge the spectators. Then, President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address to all in attendance.

The Units were then dismissed and went back to their camps to pack up after the weekend’s festivities. I then visited the civilian camps where I found Shannon Arens, who was teaching a few kids how to make lace. I spoke to her and asked her a few questions about reenacting and said that she loved to do reenacting because she loves and appreciates history. She loves to live the way it used to be. Her favorite thing about reenacting is being able to dress up and cook period appropriate meals. She makes pies in a Dutch oven over the fire with coals and makes venison stew.


The Heritage Days festivals allowed people to do candle-dipping, see old-fashioned woodworking, and historic photos and medals of the civil war.

The crowd seemed to have a great time, as did I, and loved all of the history involved in it. The reenactors had a great time as well in their battles. All in all the weekend was great and full of many new things to those who don’t know much about the Civil War. I can’t wait for next year and I am hoping that I will be able to reenact as well!

- Cory Greeno, Junior