Brooksville Raid

Here comes the Cavalry, for the next two days, they will be here in Brooksville, with cannons in tow.

The Hernando Historical Museum Association and North Pinellas County Scout Sertoma Club will be presenting the 32nd annual Brooksville Raid Civil War battle re-enactment this weekend on Jan. 21-22 at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation, 11210 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville.

The Brooksville Raid was inspired by an actual Civil War raid in Hernando County in 1864 when Union soldiers came ashore just north of Anclote Key and skirmished with Confederate soldiers as they marched onward to raid Brooksville, ransacking plantations as they went. The Union soldiers then later marched to Bayport where the Union troops were extracted by waiting Union schooner vessels.

The Brooksville Raid has become the largest Civil War battle re-enactment in Florida with over 1500 re-enactors, 25 cannons, and 60 horses under the leadership of the Civil War re-enactors' organization, Hardy's Brigade.

Hardy's Brigade consists of three battalions and several artillery and cavalry units from across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Re-enactors strive for high authenticity and military protocol in order to honor and perpetuate the memory of those who fought in the American Civil War.

Bob Gomillion, a Lt. Colonel and adjutant in Hardy's Brigade, explained what he loves about being a re-enactor.

"I wouldn't call it a hobby per se. To me, it's a commitment that I enjoy of wanting to be there and participate in living history. It's a lot of fun. We camp in tents out there regardless how cold it is. I've been doing this since 2002. I started off as a cook, and when they saw I was a retired as a major from the Army, they started giving me other jobs", explained Gomillion.

The Brooksville Raid will be hosting a "school day" today to give Hernando County area students a first-hand learning experience about the Civil War. Two thousand students are expected to attend. Students will be allowed to go to various learning stations within the re-enactors' Federal and Confederate historical campsites and will be shown a cannon demonstration and cavalry demonstration.

On Saturday, a children's battle re-enactment will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a Ladies' Tea for lady re-enactors dressed in period attire at 10:30 a.m., artillery demonstration at noon, and the battle re-enactment at 2:30 p.m. A military ball with authentic Civil War era music and dancing will be held for re-enactors dressed in period attire on Saturday night at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, a battalion drill period scenario will be presented at 10:30 a.m., along with an artillery demonstration at noon, and the battle re-enactment at 2 p.m.

"We'll have 1841 Mountain Howitzer cannons, which are small cannons that can be broken down and packed on mules in order to move them in the mountains and are meant for targets at short range. We'll also have larger field piece cannons. Those have a larger barrel and a longer range. We'll even have a Gatling gun coming with a unit from Ohio", said Gomillion.

Daniel Sharits, a fellow re-enactor added, "This is one of the best events to see a big showing of artillery."

Visitors to the Brooksville Raid are also encouraged to check out the historically accurate campsites of both the confederate and union soldiers to see how they lived during the Civil War and talk with living historians there.

In addition, Civil War era vendors called sutlers will also be on hand for any Civil War replica items that you might want to purchase along with food and beverages items.

Admission: $8 Adults; $4 Youth, ages 6-12; free for kids under age 5 and Scouts in uniform. Parking is free. Gates open at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Please bring your own lawn chairs to view the 1-hour battle re-enactments and 30-minute artillery demonstrations.

For info about joining Hardy's Brigade as a re-enactor, contact Bob Gomillion at (813) 447-0305 or email at bobgomillion@yahoo.com or visit hardysbrigade.com.

Sharits continued, "When you find a group, they really become your second family. Every weekend you get together, you have a great time. The camaraderie is great."

For more information about the Brooksville Raid, call (352) 799-0129 or visit brooksvilleraidreenactment.com.

Heather Francis is a correspondent for Hernando Today. She can be reached at toheatherfrancis (at) gmail.com.