"The Duelists"
The 29th annual reenactment of the Battle of Olustee was/is being held. I found that there was quite a bit of racial diversity amidst the crowd, which I'd not expected but did pleasantly surprise me - even amidst the soldiers. A bit of digging and I discerned why...
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park was selected as a recipient of the 2003 Congressional Black Caucus Veterans' Braintrust Award. The award, established by General Colin Powell in 1990, recognizes outstanding national and community commitment to African American veterans.The selection was based on the historical significance of the 1864 Civil War battle in which three African American units fought as part of the Union Army. The award also recognizes the hundreds of African American Civil War reenactors who have paid tribute to the black regiments by participating in the annual reenactment of the Battle of Olustee. Cut from here. (Event - February 18-20, 2005)
Civil war re-enactment isn't quite my "cup of tea" ... I was just a driver on a requested detour from a further destination, but as I wandered about looking for something worthy of capturing in the stillness of an eternal moment - this did catch my eye.
A pair of duelists, who battled betwixt themselves with innocent smiles and were quite oblivious to the world around them...
Copyright William Hoffman 2005 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED