Battling old memories

Local re-enactor travels back in time

By: Kimberly Back For the Times-Tribune

Click here to see the Sept. 12, 2009, Neighbors section in its entirety


“No firing of weapons during church service.”

It’s not something that you hear everyday. This curious statement is rule number six of the event rules for the Battle of Barbourville reenactment.

The 9th annual event, founded by Artemus resident Ray Adkins, is scheduled for Sept. 19-20, 2009 at the Hickory Minton Farm, on Hwy. 225 South in Barbourville.

This time every year, Ray Adkins becomes a superhero. During a typical day, Adkins goes to work at the Board of Education for Central Elementary. Then, during the Battle of Barbourville reenactment, Adkins puts on his 19th century period uniform and turns into Colonel Ray Adkins, Commander of the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Companies D, E, and F.

Adkins said his goal for the Battle of Barbourville reenactment is, “...letting our important history prevail and be remembered.”

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, visitors can step back in time, and witness living history. You can experience what life was like on Sept. 19, 1861, during the historic American Civil War battle called the Battle of Barboursville, Kentucky — now known as Barbourville. This hard-fought battle was the site of the first Union and Confederacy deaths on Kentucky soil.

On this 148th anniversary of the landmark Kentucky battle, members of the nonprofit organization called Battle of Barbourville, Inc. — founded by Adkins in 2000 — and the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment join together to host the reenactment event. Between 150 and 200 re-enactors come out to recreate battle events, and to show spectators what life was like during the 1800’s.

“They are from the surrounding states and Eastern Kentucky,” Adkins said of the re-enactors, “Last year I counted re-enactors from about twelve states.”

Like the other re-enactors, Adkins has a great love for American history and culture. He is especially familiar with the history of the area, having been raised in Middlesboro, and then moving to Artemus in 1980. Adkins’ love for local history is part of the reason that he got involved in reenactments.

“I have loved history ever since my childhood years,” Adkins said. “I was always fascinated by soldiers and the wars we were involved in,” he continued.

Adkins’ respect and pride in the American military led him to become a soldier himself. He had ten years of active service in the United States military as a member of both the Navy and Army. Adkins served during the Vietnam War, and is proud to say that he is a combat veteran. Being a veteran is something that he has in common with most of the re-enactors.

“Sixty-percent are veterans,” Adkins said of the reenactment participants.

For Adkins, who has participated in a total of 140 reenactments over eleven years, the Battle of Barbourville is a family event. Adkins’ son Kevin Miles helps with the registration and admission at the gate to the camp, and his daughter Wendy Brunch attends the event. According to Adkins, most of the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry is composed of families.

“We are a Christian, family-oriented group,” Adkins said of the Kentucky 5th.

Adkins’ wife Debra, and other women are also very involved in the Battle of Barbourville reenactment. Debra is the President of the 5th Kentucky Belles, which is made up of women associated with the 5th Kentucky Regiment. The women also hold a Ladies’ Tea as one of the reenactment events, and many women are passionate about the history of the period.

“Some of the women even take the field with us,” Adkins said, then added, “Many of the women fought in the ranks during the war.”

According to Adkins, the women involved in the Battle of Barbourville reenactment are invaluable to the success of the event.

“We couldn’t do this without them,” said Adkins.

In addition to the family members of re-enactors getting involved, the Battle of Barbourville is a family affair in another way.

“Most of our unit and other units do extensive research and find out on which side their ancestors fought.” Adkins explained, “They do it to honor them.”

Adkins said he honors his family by fighting for the Confederacy during the reenactment, because that was the side on which two of his ancestors fought during the Civil War. Although, Adkins said that all the re-enactors would be willing to put on a Union or Confederate uniform depending on where they were needed.

Event re-enactors take pride in the uniforms, weapons and equipment that they use during the Battle of Barbourville. The group looks to qualified sutlers — businesses that provide period-correct supplies to re-enactors — for 1860’s items.

All of the hard work of the re-enactors and Battle of Barbourville, Inc. members is put to the test during the Battle of Barbourville event. In addition to reenacting the actual battle, the group also organizes a period church service, skits, living history scenes, meals, Union and Confederate drills, and a military ball.

While Adkins said that the most difficult part of the Battle of Barbourville is organizing the event, and praying for a clear day, he pushes through because the work is so important to him.

“I take it personal so to speak,” He said, “Our area is so rich in local history that it would be a shame and dishonor to our forefathers if we forgot it.”

For more information about the Battle of Barbourville reenactment, including a complete schedule of events, visit the event website at http://www.battleofbarbourvilleky.com.

Anyone interested in participating in this or next year’s Battle of Barbourville reenactment is welcome to stop in and speak with Colonel Adkins.

The Battle of Barbourville will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. The camp will be open to the general public at 10 a.m. on both days.

Kimberly Back is married, a mother of one, and a resident of Barbourville. She holds a B.A. in criminology from Morehead State University.