Tennessee re-enactors recreate historic surrender

Exactly 140 years later the present day version of the 63rd, a group of Civil War re-enactors, were tapped to participate in a recreation of the event that ended the war.

Capt. Jeff Noland, 35, said he expected 15 of his 63rd Tennessee Volunteers to attend, along with perhaps 400 more re-enactors from the state. Organizers of the 140th anniversary re-enactment said they expect up to 4,000 participants for events that continue through Sunday.

In 1865 Lt. L.L. Etter of the 63rd surrendered 28 men and weapons.

Noland said the current edition of the 63rd represents a wide range of vocations among its volunteers.

“This is really a fraternity from all walks of life,” he said. “We have businessmen, a policeman, a truck driver, a scientist from Oak Ridge, a meteorologist.”

Among the most enthusiastic in the group is Eric Beeler, 29, who said he has been studying his family’s Civil War history since he was 13. He started re-enacting the war’s history at 14.

“Eight of my relatives were Confederates,” he said. “One was a Yankee. The family never discusses him.”

The re-enactment of the surrender is at the Appomattox Center Industrial Park in Virginia.

Noland and his comrades will camp as soldiers in the Civil War did.

“This is a great escape and a great way to learn about history,” he said.

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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com