Our upcoming second annual Black and Blue Civil War Living History Camp presenting the Miss-Lou black experience in the Civil War still has openings for volunteer actors.

Persons who would like to practice their acting skills in front of a live audience are invited to come forth and lend a hand helping to bring alive the hidden stories of runaway slaves as U.S. soldiers, sailors, cavalrymen, nurses, scouts, spies and civilian supporters who served in the most important Mississippi Valley Civil War Campaign!

Persons who have no particular acting or performing skills are invited to participate as role players as well.

This year’s event will focus more on first person characters of runaway enslaved people from Warren, Claiborne, Jefferson, Adams and Wilkinson counties and Tensas and Concordia parishes who either enlisted in the Union Military or were employed by the Union.

We are looking for both “black and white,” male and female persons to play roles of sailors, soldiers, nurses and civilians.

Aspiring and just opportunistic role players ages 16 to 70s are most desirable however younger youth can be a part of the scene as well.

It would be most helpful if those coming forth to volunteer in our event would have access to their own Civil War period clothing and uniforms. Uniforms or dresses don’t have to be complete from head to toe, partial clothing is alright, especially if you will play the role of black military persons male and female. Many African descent males did not have full uniforms anyway. In some cases, just a cap and old denim jeans or overalls and white or blue shirt will do.

Any persons who would like to donate or loan us period clothing will be welcomed.

Persons who would like to dress up in period clothes and just come on the campus grounds to help make up the period environment are welcome. Those who would like to set up a display of period implements, artifacts and so on to help the period environment are welcome.

Because of its educational value, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History adopted our Black and Blue Civil War Living History Camp as an annual event.

Again this year, our Black and Blue Civil War Living History Camp will be on the campus of Historic Jefferson Military College.

The date is Oct. 10.

Persons wanting to help can contact: Friends of the Forks of the Roads at 601-442-4719 or forksyaroads@aol.com and or Jefferson College 601-442-2901 or hcburkett@mdah.state.ms.us and or rperson@mdah.state.ms.us

Ser Seshs Ab Heter-CM Boxley is the coordinator of Friends of Forks.