Event: Snoqualmie Reenactment

Ominous clouds threaten the idyllic Union camp...

Where to begin?  Since last year, member of our club have anticipated the new Snoqualmie event (organized by our near neighbors, the 20th Maine), situated at Meadowbrook Farm Park, just below Mt. Si.  The setting, it is agreed, was not only conveniently close for travel, but also to the amenities of town, while the multitudinous trees added to site's pastoral beauty and concealed modern development.

Event preparations on Friday started out encouragingly enough; all of our tents were erected under clear skies and with good spirits, no petty annoyance beyond that of thistles and sun-burn.  Young Messrs. Franks, Franks, and Walker in particular showed great enthusiasm in setting the camp to right.  A light ran through the night and into Saturday morning barely dampened spirits, though the weather cleared in time for the late morning battle.

Unfortunately, the wind, heretofore causing some minor amusement and moderate concern in lifting hats and tipping over the portable necessaries, decided to intervene more strongly.  Around 12:30, a  "micro-burst" flattened portions of the Union camp; starting at the edge of Brigade Command, it tore through the 2nd US Sharpshooters' and 4th US Infantry's command tents, the kitchen flies of the 4th and the 20th Maine Volunteers, and then down through the company streets of the Maine and Wisconsin units.  

Within the affected area, tents were ripped from their stakes, wooden uprights snapped, and items of furniture flew through the air.  The writer personally observed a wooden table-top fly through the air at a height of 20ft or more.   

Fortunately, many inhabitants were out of camp, attending the memorial service for Confederate Col. LeCocq; consequently, few injuries were reported, and none of those serious.  The 4th in particular owes thanks the 2nd US Sharpshooters, who rushed to aid our members when the kitchen fly fell on them.  The Company flag had been safely stowed prior to the event, else it likely would have joined Capt. Jones' tent in its aerial exploits.

Union Command, as view from Co. C's street, during the clean-up effort.

Cleaning up the company streets.

To avoid a repeat occurrence, Union command opted to close camp after the Saturday afternoon battle.  During the remainder of the afternoon, the weather alternated between fair and rainy, with no further wind-borne hazards.

Additional coverage of the reenactment itself, with better quality pictures are available at the Seattle Times.

Members of the 4th keep their spirits up during clean-up.

Clearing muskets after the battle.