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Neosho (MO) Daily News
Newtonia celebrates battlefield preservation
BY TODD G. HIGDON / Daily News staff writer
NEWTONIA - Numerous members of the Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association (NBPA) were on hand Sunday afternoon for a old-fashioned ice cream social, where an estimated 300 visitors attended.
Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of the NBPA, which is dedicated for the purpose of preserving the two Civil War battles, the facts and the history of Newtonia.
Along with homemade ice cream, an anniversary cake, cookies and lemonade, visitors got the chance to view the Ritchey Mansion, which was built by Matthew Ritchey in 1845. The house has its own cemetery with the family members buried there. During the Civil War, it was used a field hospital for both the North and South armies.
"This is our first time here to Newtonia," said Melvin Holland, of Neosho. "We saw about the 10-year anniversary in the paper and wanted to take our children to the event. Melvin, his wife, Toni, and four of their children: Erika, Savannah, Zoe and Kati, toured the mansion house.
Holland lived near another famous Civil War site, Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas.
"It is a good way to learn about history," said Holland. "I liked the cookies and the ice cream," said Erika.
During the day, the Co. E of the 4th Missouri Infantry, Confederate States of America (CSA) reenactors were in full dress uniform and had been camping on the east lawn of the mansion since late Friday.
"We have been doing some drills this morning and even a mock execution," said a member of the Co. E.
"Pvt. Duke Conley was accused of desertion, while the women folk were pleading for his case not to be executed," said Cpt. Sam Looney of the reenactors.
Three members of the reenactors then shot Conley with authentic Civil War weapons.
The visitors also had the chance to visit the encampment on Saturday when butter was churned, laundry was washed and even a portable remedies and elixers store was on display.
"This is a living history that we perform," said 1st Sergeant Yancy Franklin.
The reenactors have also been around at Newtonia for the past 10 years as well. "We will be here in September when the Newtonia Fall Festival will be performed," said Looney.
The first battle that Newtonia saw was on Sept. 30, 1862, which was a Confederate victory. The second battle, on Oct. 28, 1864, was when the Union troops forced the Confederates to retreat, however failed to destroy or capture them.
Currently the NBPA has about 20 acres of land that the battles were fought on.
"More people need to come here and learn about the history of these battles," said Jon Genisio. "This is our first time here in the mansion."
Newtonia celebrates battlefield preservation
BY TODD G. HIGDON / Daily News staff writer
NEWTONIA - Numerous members of the Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association (NBPA) were on hand Sunday afternoon for a old-fashioned ice cream social, where an estimated 300 visitors attended.
Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of the NBPA, which is dedicated for the purpose of preserving the two Civil War battles, the facts and the history of Newtonia.
Along with homemade ice cream, an anniversary cake, cookies and lemonade, visitors got the chance to view the Ritchey Mansion, which was built by Matthew Ritchey in 1845. The house has its own cemetery with the family members buried there. During the Civil War, it was used a field hospital for both the North and South armies.
"This is our first time here to Newtonia," said Melvin Holland, of Neosho. "We saw about the 10-year anniversary in the paper and wanted to take our children to the event. Melvin, his wife, Toni, and four of their children: Erika, Savannah, Zoe and Kati, toured the mansion house.
Holland lived near another famous Civil War site, Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas.
"It is a good way to learn about history," said Holland. "I liked the cookies and the ice cream," said Erika.
During the day, the Co. E of the 4th Missouri Infantry, Confederate States of America (CSA) reenactors were in full dress uniform and had been camping on the east lawn of the mansion since late Friday.
"We have been doing some drills this morning and even a mock execution," said a member of the Co. E.
"Pvt. Duke Conley was accused of desertion, while the women folk were pleading for his case not to be executed," said Cpt. Sam Looney of the reenactors.
Three members of the reenactors then shot Conley with authentic Civil War weapons.
The visitors also had the chance to visit the encampment on Saturday when butter was churned, laundry was washed and even a portable remedies and elixers store was on display.
"This is a living history that we perform," said 1st Sergeant Yancy Franklin.
The reenactors have also been around at Newtonia for the past 10 years as well. "We will be here in September when the Newtonia Fall Festival will be performed," said Looney.
The first battle that Newtonia saw was on Sept. 30, 1862, which was a Confederate victory. The second battle, on Oct. 28, 1864, was when the Union troops forced the Confederates to retreat, however failed to destroy or capture them.
Currently the NBPA has about 20 acres of land that the battles were fought on.
"More people need to come here and learn about the history of these battles," said Jon Genisio. "This is our first time here in the mansion."
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