Discover local history at Battle of Newton

Dear Editor:

A little over 150 years ago, a small band of townsmen and Newton Home Guard fended off an attack by Capt. Joseph Sanders’ band of deserters and outlaws. The stand of the Home Guard will be commemorated on Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13, at John Hutto Park, Hwy. 123/134 in Newton, Dale County.

The two-day event is sponsored by the Battle of Newton Society, Inc. The park will open to the public at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. each day. There is no charge for admission to the park, or for participating in any of the planned activities.

The opening ceremony will begin with the Posting of the Colors. On Saturday, there will be a Ladies’ Tea to which all ladies are invited. On Sunday, a 19th Century-style church service for all will be held in the big tent. Saturday night a ball will be held, with music provided by the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment Band.

In addition to the special events, both days will feature live music from the stage, and plenty of games and activities for children. “Living history” exhibits and re-enactors will be present, and there are times set aside for the public to tour the military encampments and meet the Union and Confederate soldiers. A Union Army surgeon will explain medical procedures in field hospitals.

There will be battle re-enactments both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Re-enactors from Alabama, Georgia, and North Florida will join to recreate a War Between the States battle with infantry, cavalry and artillery. Vendors will have food and drink available throughout the day.

Since 2013, the event has been coordinated by The Battle of Newton Society, which was incorporated by the State of Alabama as a non-profit corporation in 2017. The Society is a non-partisan organization striving to educate and involve the whole community in discovering their local and national history.

Georgia Fleming

Enterprise