Civil War comes to life at Mohr Library

Posted

Re-enactor and historian Steve Kelly appeared in full dress uniform before a group of Civil War buffs at the Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library in Johnston on July 9.

Kelly explained his uniform and the supplies he carried, including a canteen, a coffee bag, cooler, eating utensils, toothbrush, his fire starter kit and a device used to keep his head cool. He also demonstrated the workings of the rifle he carried and explained the improvements in firearms used during that war over those used in the Revolutionary War. He showed the ammunition carried and the various types of artillery shells that were used.

Kelly also explained that the Civil War the first conflict in which the telegraph was used, and was also the first to see aerial observation, ironclad ships, machine guns and the successful sinking of a ship by a submarine.

Those weapons took their toll. Over 675,000 people were killed, the equivalent of 5 to 6 million in today’s America.

Kelly’s presentation was the first in a series on the Civil War by the library in co-operation with the Johnston Historical Society. He is especially interested in the Civil War because his great, great grandfather, Patrick Kelly, fought in the conflict.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here