May 8, 2002

Civil War group drums up recruits

   Searching for new recruits to portray century-old history, northern Michigan’s first Civil War encampment pitched tents Saturday in Old Mission.

   Formed of area re-enactors, the new Civil War history group set up camp outside the Old Mission General Store in the village of Old Mission. Authentic tents, guns, uniforms and other artifacts were utilized for the historical event. The general public was invited to attend the encampment for a living history lesson on the Civil War.

   Michael Stiles, the group’s recruiting sergeant, said the purpose of the encampment was to recruit new members and volunteers. The living history group represents Company A of the 26th Michigan Infantry called the Lakeshore Tigers who made up a large portion of northern Michigan’s Union Civil War volunteers in 1862. Stiles’ research shows names like Col. Judson Farrarr and Col. Lemuel Saviers both from Leelanau County, Capt. Edwin Knapp from Grand Traverse County, along with Lt. Charles Holden from Northport.

   The Civil War group has plans to participate in the National Cherry Festival Heritage Parade in July as well as the Cultural Arts and Heritage Festival on August 9 and 10 in Port Oneida at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

   For more information on becoming a part of this living history group, call Michael Stiles at (231) 264-8501.






Gary Boling of Traverse City provides information to a visitor to the encampment. Boling, who has been a Civil War re-enactor since 1965, dressed as a member of the 5th Kentucky Infantry.

Josh Kuchmuk of Traverse City and Craig Geppert of Flowlerville, Mich. take a break by the campfire at a Civil War encampment set up alongside the Old Mission General Store.

Above: A hot cup of coffee sits by a bag of beans. The Civil War encampment featured authentic tents, guns, uniforms and other equipment.

Below: Michael Stiles, recruiting sergeant, discusses the role of the Lakeshore Tigers which made up a large portion of northern Michigan’s Union Civil War volunteers in 1862.


Michael Stiles talks with a potential recruit for the newly formed Lakeshore Tigers historical re-enactment group. Stiles says that membership is open to both men and women, and the group will provide all information concerning period clothing, equipment and other items needed for authentic history portrayal.

A view from inside one of the period Civil War tents which would have been likely used by an enlisted man in the Union Army.