CORINTH, Miss. (WTVA) - Two days of live Civil War living history were proudly on display for visitors at Corinth's Civil War Interpretive Center.
The 16th Alabama Regiment is portraying the 43rd Mississippi Infantry which fought in the battles of Iuka and Corinth along with participating in the Siege of Vicksburg.
The sounds of muskets and rifles could be heard as a group of re-enactors performed an infantry firing demonstration for a crowd of onlookers.
"We don't want to tell them history," adds Keith Willingham, re-enactor. "We want them to find out history for themselves and what we are actually trying to do is get them to be interested in it."
The living historians say the driving reason as to why they come out and put on re-enactments year after year is for people to not only get a better understanding of what life was like during the Civil War, but for people to get an actual vision of what is was like to live during that time.
"It's just an experience that you can't read or duplicate in books," adds Willingham "You can see it in real life and that's what we're called, a living history."
Those who represent the next generation said they do learn more through the live demonstrations.
"I learned that instead of just all firing at the same time, they would fire by either file or rank to conserve ammunition [and] make it last longer," said Colten Allen, Collierville, Tenn. resident.
"My kids are really history buffs and they love learning by watching, seeing, touching and feeling," added Joanne Allen, Collierville, Tenn. resident. "It's just been really enlightening."
Those who relive history by re-enacting the North versus the South said a passion comes from knowing what those before them endured and sacrificed.
"It's just natural for us to [emulate] our Southern ancestors," adds Willingham. "Most of us did have ancestors that fought in the war and that's where we get our passion from."
Many say it takes dedication and honor which is something officials here say those Civil War soldiers exemplified.
