SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The Yankees are coming and the Rebels are ready to re-enact the last battle of the Civil War at Blakeley State Park April 4-5. Spectators are invited to watch the thrilling and educational reenactments of authentic Civil War battle and camp conditions on the very sites on which they originally took place.

More than 200 soldiers have registered to participate in the weekend commemoration of the original battle fought at Blakeley April 9, 1865, hours after Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered the Army of Virginia at the Appomattox Courthouse.

Coming from as far away as South Carolina and as near as the Florida Gulf Coast, re-enactors are bringing their rifles, heavy artillery, horses, tents, cooking and other camp equipment.

In March of 1865, Confederates were in place at Blakeley and Spanish Fort as Union troops advanced from Fort Morgan up Fish River and from Pensacola. About 30,000 Union troops were in the area when the assault began on 3,500 Confederates in the Blakeley works along the Tensaw River.  

About 10 manned cannons ranging from large stationery field pieces to smaller mortars are registered assuring plenty of artillery fire re-enacting the siege of the fortifications before the final assault on the Confederate lines by Union troops late in the afternoon of April 9.

All events will take place on the original site of the battle in earthworks donated to Blakeley by International Paper Company and preserved by Blakeley State Park. Advance registration indicates the 2009 event will be the largest at Blakeley in the last 10 years and is held this year to honor Baldwin County’s bicentennial observation.

There will be plenty of traditional blue and gray infantry uniforms but with sprinkling of color from the bright red of the famed New York Zouaves and some artillerymen, the forest green of Union sharpshooters and butternut uniforms of South Carolina volunteers. The Zouaves were all French-speaking divisions noted for bright red uniforms so elaborate they had to help each other dress. The uniform was later changed.

The green sharpshooters’ uniforms were approved by the Union Army as a type of camouflage for soldiers who climbed trees to scout and fire on Confederates.

Many of the re-enactors are descendants of Civil War soldiers. An artillery unit from Central Florida includes four descendants of Civil War soldiers who fought at Blakeley, two Confederates and two Union combatants.

Steve L. Thomas, a professional from Fairhope named adjutant by Blakeley Park, has organized and will manage the April weekend event.

The public is invited for events Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5. There is a “modest” admission fee for the special event, organizers said. Spectators should come prepared for some walking and may bring folding chairs and refreshments.

Blakeley State Park is on Alabama Highway 225 about 4.5 miles north of Spanish Fort.

For more information go to www.blakeleypark.com or call 251-626-0798.