John A. Miller
Greater Emmitsburg Area Historical Society

On July 1st, part of the Mountain Top Heritage Days held in Blue Ridge Summit included a Civil War living history on the site where Union forces overtook the Confederate Cavalry. The living history program was sponsored by the One Mountain Foundation under Gary Muller and was held at the Lions Club Park near Blue Ridge Summit. Over 600 citizens visited the area where Union and Confederate re-enactors had set camp. Many visitors to the camp expressed their enjoyment and interest having lived in the Sabillasville and Blue Ridge Summit area. The living history was the first gathering of the blue and the grey since the night of the actual battle on July 4th that carried over into the morning hours of 5th, 1863.

The highlight of the Living History was where the community was introduced to re-enactors and gained a better understanding of how things were done in a certain time period in our American History. In return, re-enactors were introduced to the community who realized how much our presence met to them. Besides weapons demonstrations and show and tell, we answered many questions about the battle itself to curious minds who were interested in the equipment and the money that is used to set up our "Little city of canvas."

I was tasked with introducing the public to the Civil War History of the Waynesboro and Emmitsburg Turnpike before the three hour walking tour on Monday July the 3rd. In order to help, I coordinated the living history activities and also held lectures at the Blue Ridge Summit Library.

The lecture topics covered troop movements, the skirmish at Fountain Dale, Zora, Fairfield Gap and also the Burning of Chambersburg and how it affected the Blue Ridge Summit area. More than 75 people came out to learn about the Civil War history of their community. Many visitors never knew about the rich Civil War history that is located in their backyards and were surprised to find out that much more happened than the Battle of Monterey Pass.

Mike Vallone, a licensed Battlefield Tour Guide wrapped the living history event with a three hour walking tour of the Monterey Pass battlefield that had over 435 spectators in attendance. The tour started at the Hawley Memorial Church where Mr. Vallone made his opening statements about the importance of the Monterey area during the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign.

The walking tour took history seekers to the site of the Monterey House, where Civil War enthusiasts were educated about a H.C. Burhman, a local guide that helped General Kilpatrick find his way through the Monterey area. The walk concluded at the Lions Club Park, the site where General Custer engaged Confederate forces that were guarding the road that the Confederate wagon train was traveling as it made its way to Waynesboro before turning westward to Williamsport.

Spectators we’re so happy with the outcome of the event that requests were made to keep this portion of the Mountain Top Heritage Days an annual event. I would like to give a special thanks to the re-enactors for coming out and supporting this event as well as the spectators who showed an immense interest in the history of the area. Thank you for making this event a success and we will see you next year.