Galveston Historical Foundation to Host Commemoration of the 1863 Battle of Galveston

GHF to Host Commemoration of the 1863 Battle of Galveston

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2008
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier
Director of Marketing and Public Relations,
409-765-7834

Re-enactors to Establish Confederate Encampment on The Strand January 10, with Tours Led by Civil War Historian, Period Music and Civil War Surgeon Re-enactor

On January 10, 2009, Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) will mark the 146th anniversary of the most important military event in Galveston’s history: the Battle of Galveston, which took place in the early morning hours of January 1, 1863. A living history encampment will be established on The Strand at 21st Street by the Nineteenth Century Living History Association, Inc. and the First Texas Brigade. The Celtaire String Band will provide music of the era. A Civil War-era surgeon re-enactor will be there as well, in his own tent, speaking on the medical practices of the day, and exhibiting the tools of the trade as they were in that time.

The public is invited free of charge to visit the encampment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The re-enactors will begin setting up their encampment in the parking lot west of the Hendley Building at 21st and Strand after 5 p.m. Friday evening, January 9. They will be ready and completely entrenched by 10 a.m. Saturday, January 10.

Civil War walking tours at 2 and 4 p.m. will be led by noted author and Civil War historian Edward T. Cotham, Jr., visiting the sites of the battle. Mr. Cotham’s books, including “Battle on the Bay: The Civil War Struggle for Galveston,” will be available for purchase and signing. The tour begins at the Peanut Butter Warehouse and ends at Custom House, where Mr. Cotham's books will be on sale, and Mr. Cotham will be available to sign copies.

Admission to Mr. Cotham’s walking tours will be $10 for adults, with proceeds going to support GHF’s work in Galveston’s recovery from Hurricane Ike. As of press time, both tours were nearly sold out. To check whether reservations are still available for either tour, call Jami Durham in GHF’s Events Department at 409-765-7834.