Calendar of Events › Festival

The third annual Hope Civil War Days is this weekend (April 5-7).
The event is brought to you by the Hope Star-Journal and partners –
Yellow Trail Museum and Bartholomew County Historical Society.

This event shines a light on the Hope area’s Civil War era history.
The even includes the 27th Indiana Infantry Re-enactors Spring
Encampment on the Town Square, living history portrayals, music
concerts by the Red Bank ReUnion Band (Re-Enactors Band),
programs on Morgan’s Raiders and Barton Mitchell — who found
General Lee’s Lost Orders (he is buried in Hartsville).

Children and adults will have the opportunity to be “mustered”
into the 27th Indiana Regiment and participate in drills.

This is a great history lesson with plenty of interactive programming.

For more information, visit Hope Civil War Day on Facebook or at wwww.HopeCivilWarDays.com

The full schedule is as follows:

Friday, April 5

On Friday evening, the Hope Town Square will be transformed from its contemporary state to become the Spring Encampment for the 27th Indiana Infantry Volunteers. Re-enactors will be setting up camp and building a campfire for the start of the third annual Hope Civil War Days, April 5-7. The public is encouraged to interact with the “soldiers” and to tour the campsite throughout the weekend.

Saturday, April 6

We encourage you to enjoy a hearty breakfast at one the area’s many restaurants before your visit to the Hope Town Square.

11:00 am – School Of The Soldier
This free program is sponsored by the Bartholomew County Historical Society. This program will highlight a Roman soldier, Civil War soldier, and a modern day soldier. Learn all about their weaponry, conditions, uniforms, and more. Make crafts, ask questions, take photos… this is a great educational opportunity for children and adults. The program is being held in the Hope Library Annex (adjacent to the Hope Star-Journal on the east side of the square).

11:45 a.m. – Muster on the Green
After the School of the Soldier, program attendees and any other members of the public should gather at the 27th Indiana Infantry Volunteers Spring Encampment on the Hope Town Square to be mustered into the regiment! Following the swearing-in ceremony, the new “soldiers” will participate in drills on the Green (Hope Town Square).

Noon to 2:00 p.m. – Bean Soup and Cornbread Dinner
(*Delicious bean soup, cornbread, and beverage for a Free-will donation.)
Hope Town Square Shelterhouse (Rain/Severe Cold location: Yellow Trail Museum)

12:15 a.m. – 27th Indiana Infantry Drills
Children and adults mustered into the 27th Indiana will conduct drills on the Green (Hope Town Square)

12:45 p.m. – A Trip Back In Time
Learn about Hope history from costumed “characters” representing residents from the 1860s through “living history portrayals” coordinated by the Yellow Trail Museum.
Hope Town Square Bandstand (Rain/Severe Cold location: Yellow Trail Museum)

2:00 p.m. – Red Bank ReUnion Band Concert on the Green
Period music performed on the Hope Town Square Bandstand. This is the first of two Saturday performances by the band.
(Rain/Severe Cold location: Hope Moravian Church)

2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Hartsville United Methodist Church – Chicken & Noodle Dinner
Enjoy chicken and homemade noodles at this annual event — just minutes from Hope.
Hartsville Town Square (east side)
NOTE: This is not a Civil War Days event. Meals are priced for adults and children.

3:30 p.m. – Morgan’s Raiders
Join Tim Crumrin, Historian at Conner Prairie Living History Museum, as he details Morgan’s Raid — a highly publicized incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Northern states of Indiana and Ohio during the American Civil War. The raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan. For 46 days as they rode over 1,000 miles, Morgan’s Confederates covered a region from Tennessee through Kentucky and Indiana to northern Ohio. The raid coincided with the Vicksburg Campaign and the Gettysburg Campaign, although it was not directly related to either campaign. However, it served to draw the attention of tens of thousands of Federal troops away from their normal duties and strike fear in the civilian population of several Northern states. This free program will be held in the Hope Town Square Shelterhouse (Rain/Severe Cold location: Yellow Trail Museum)

6:45 p.m. – Red Bank ReUnion Band Theatrical Concert
Rally, Rally Round the Band! The Red Bank ReUnion Band offers a glimpse into the lives of Indiana bandsmen during this pivotal period in the American experience — performing their “uniquely Hope” multimedia program in the sanctuary of the historic Hope Moravian Church. To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, the group has compiled a fascinating program using the songs and stories of the Hope Indiana Cornet Band. Much of this music had not been heard for countless decades until a rather miraculous discovery in an Illinois museum. The presentation melds musical images and memories into a sepia collage that will both inspire and inform. Join with the band as they march boldly forward to explore religion and politics through the music of this bygone era. No admission will be charged, however a Free-will donation is appreciated. The Hope Moravian Church is located at 202 Main Street, three blocks south of the Hope Town Square (on State Road 9).
Post-Concert Reception – Dessert and Drinks at church (*Free-will donation)

Evening – Spring Encampment on the Green
Hope Town Square

Sunday, April 7

9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Civil War Church Service
Experience a period church service led by Chuck Baker portraying Hope Moravian preacher Henry Bachman.
This program will take place at the Spring Encampment on the Hope Town Square

11:00 a.m. – Drills on the Green
Join the 27th Indiana Infantry as they conduct drills on the Hope Town Square

Noon – Graveside Service for Private Barton Mitchell
The final program presented at the 2013 Hope Civil War Days will take place in the nearby town of Hartsville, Indiana. The 27th Indiana Regiment will conduct special ceremonies at the grave site of Barton Mitchell. A Corporal in the 27th Indiana, Mitchell is credited with finding “Lee’s Lost Orders”.
The services will take place at the Baptist Cemetery on the edge of Hartsville. ( Head east on 500 N off State Road 9 — south of the Hope Town Square.)