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TheCivilWar

Khabir Shareef believes that, although the Civil

War divided the U.S. in the 1860s, it is the reason

why this country is strong and unied today.

Shareef is one of many people proud to

teach todays generations about the war by re-

enacting characters, lifestyles and battles at

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers.

The parks annual Civil War Days on Saturday and

Sunday will include Confederate and Union camps

and re-enactments of a battle between the two sides.

This is a very signicant time in our history,

said Shareef, who will play the roles of two

soldiers. Americans were ghting Americans,

so families were divided -- father against son,

brother against brother. Families have ghts, but

when they get through that, the bond is tighter.

Same with America. That is one of the things

that contributes to the strength of the United States.

We fought amongst ourselves to have individual

freedoms, and we are going to protect that.

Conner Prairie has had Civil War Days for more

than a decade, and this year will commemorate the

150th anniversary of the beginning of the war, said

Alpha Garrett, spokeswoman for Conner Prairie.

More than 600 U.S. re-enactors come to

participate in the states largest re-enactment.

Activities and exhibits will complement the battle

re-enactment scheduled for 2 p.m. each day.

Last year we had upward of 10,000 people over

the two days who talked to re-enactors, watched

the battle, explored the camps, Garrett said.

Cavalry shows, musket shootings, and

demonstrations of surgery and embalming

methods used in eld hospitals will be offered.

Women and children dressed in period

clothing will show what life was like at home

while the men in the family went off to war.

Re-enactors will talk about their lifestyles and

experiences at war and at home. People may see

a familiar face in the crowd -- an actor portraying

President Abraham Lincoln will talk with families.

Shareef, 63, Westeld, will play two black men

who were members of the U.S. Colored Troops.

One character is Pvt. George Washington, who is a

composite character from Indianas black regiment,

which had eight men by that name. The other character

is Maj. Martin Delaney, a commander during the war.

Shareef enjoys playing these roles and

educating people about the war. At age 40 he rst

learned about black Civil War soldiers, and he

wants others to learn about that history as well.

Initially, blacks were permitted to ght, but

after the Emancipation Proclamation, black men

were able to participate as soldiers, he said. Their

participation was not merely to preserve the union

but to gain dignity. If the North won, they would be

Te reinacting conederate troops march into battle withtheir genuine antique 1840s Springeld rifes in hand.

Lef: Te cannon crew o the 193rdConederacy Inantry prepare to re ontothe Union; Below Top:Anne Waterbottomsbathes her child Charlie in a Civil War eratub; Below: Smitty McCutchens stares atsoldies o the Union in awe.