Click here to see the Oct. 10, 2009, Neighbors section in its entirety
By Erica Bowlin / For the Times-Tribune
Kevin Blevins, of Mt. Vernon, always hoped to find a common connection that would bring him and his dad together.
Kevin’s dad, Eddie Blevins, of London, worked as a mechanic all his life.
“Dad worked all the time when I was little. And honestly, that is why I got into reenacting, as a way to simply spend time with him.
Both father and son are members of the Laurel Home Guard, a local version of today’s National Guard. The Laurel Home Guard works with local history enthusiasts to provide a chance to learn about and re-create Civil War history. The Blevins family has been a part of the Laurel Home Guard for the last fourteen years.
Kevin said being a part of the group and sharing the hobby of Civil War reenactment has been a blessing.
“I have gotten to know my dad more since I got involved in reenacting with him than I have in all my life,” said Eddie.
Eddie and his son have also shared an experience that is quite unique. Together they built a full-sized replica of an 1861 Civil War Mountain Houser cannon (named after the Battle of Cedar Mountain that took place on Aug. 9, 1862, in Culpeper County, Va., the first combat of the Northern Virginia Campaign). The family uses the cannon to help reenact Civil War battles. More importantly, after working closely together for the last year and an half building the gun, the Houser has helped bring father and son closer together.
The Blevins have been getting ready for the annual Civil War reenactment held each year in London. Eddie’s wife Olly, cousin Harim Johnson, and other friends and family are all members of the Laurel Home Guard and also participate in the battle.
Eddie said he has always been interested in war and history, but after attending a few reenactments, decided to build his own cannon and really experience the history of the war first hand.
“I have always been fascinated by the Civil War, and the history of it, so I decided to become a part of the reenactments. Some people get involved in this type of thing and then quit a couple of years later. But not me, this is my passion,” said Eddie.
Eddie usually attends about five reenactments a year. His whole family participates in one way or another.
Eddie said building his own cannon seemed like a great way to enhance the reenactments.
“I got some blueprints and just started putting pieces together,” he said.
Eddie traveled to Tennessee to have the barrel made and hand-worked many of the pieces himself.
Kevin helped build the cannon as well. He said that building the cannon was a painstaking process, but the completed Mountain Houser cannon is a monument to the family’ dedication. The cannon serves as a reminder of the history of the Civil War as well.
“When this thing goes off, it’s like jumping out of an airplane. The adrenaline rush is something else,” said Kevin.
Helping to build the cannon became a bonding process that Kevin was proud to share with his father.
“The Mountain Houser was fairly light and therefore easy to transport,” Kevin explained. “The Confederates could easily take it apart and put the pieces on horseback. They would put it back together on top of the mountain. That’s why it was called a ‘Mountain Houser.’
Even though Kevin Blevins is busy with his job as Chief of the Pongo Fire Department and teaching Sunday School, he is happy to be a part of the Camp Wildcat reenactments as it is a good way to keep his family close. His wife dresses in period clothing, and his two children are the newest generation of history buffs as they too dress in period attire and attend all the activities.
“I wish I could participate in reenactments more often, but we always make time for Camp Wildcat. It has become a family tradition,” said Kevin.
“It’s something we all enjoy doing as a family. It brings us closer together. No matter how busy you get, this is always something a family can do together,” said Kevin.
The Blevins spend much of their free time together by working on their cannon and celebrating American history.
They will bring their cannon and other weapons with them as they reenact the Battle of Camp Wildcat at the parcel of land located off 909 in north London. Next Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 18-19) the family will gather along with other members of the Laurel Home Guard to reenact the battle that occurred between the Confederates and Union forces on Oct. 21,1861.
That beautiful piece of land is known as the Campground of the Confederate Soldiers, as they were led by General Zollicoffer through what was known as the Confederate Offensive. The offensive took Confederate soldiers through what is now the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Eddie and wife Olly, along with son Kevin, will become Confederate soldiers in the battle, while Kevin’s wife and kids dress in period clothing and set up camp.
For the Blevins family, this years’ reenactment of the Battle of Camp Wildcat will not only be a lesson in history for all those in attendance, but an opportunity to gather and enjoy just being a family.
Kevin said that spending time with his father is the best part of his family’s unique hobby.
“It’s good to learn about the history part, but you can’t put a price on the special times together. I have not only learned about the Civil War, I have learned about my father.”
Anyone wishing to learn more about Camp Wildcat or the Laurel Home Guard is welcome to come to any meeting held the second Tuesday of the month at the London Tourism office.
Camp Wildcat will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The Battle of Wildcat re-enactment will take place at 2 p.m. each day.
Erica Bowlin is a former Miss Whitley County. She is a mother and homemaker currently living in Lily. She can be reached at ericalynnbowlin@yahoo.com
