SIDNEY — The Independent Guard Battalion, a group of Confederate reenactors, recently voted to attend Sidney, Ohio’s Civil War Living History Weekend. The event is scheduled to be held at Sidney’s 220-acre Tawawa Park Sept. 17-18, 2016.
The organizing committee has been working closely with groups of reenactors representing both Union and Confederate troops in an effort to solicit their involvement in Sidney’s inaugural event. It was recently announced that the Army of the Ohio, a Union reenacting unit composed of infantry, artillery and cavalry companies from Ohio and New York, would also be attending the event.
It was also announced that the Confederate troops attending the Sidney event would be commanded by Captain J.R. Sharp, who has been a reenactor and member of the 1st Tennessee Infantry Regiment since 1996. Within the 1st Tennessee, Sharp has served in a number of positions including Company Commander and Director.
Sharp also holds an affiliation with the Independent Guard Battalion, comprised of units located in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Captain Sharp has commanded a number of events, including the annual events at Ohio Village and Sharon Woods Heritage Village.
Sharp led the 1st Tennessee at the 150th Anniversary Battles of Perryville, Gettysburg and Franklin. He has recently worked to preserve and restore the battlefield at Perryville, Kentucky, the “High Water” mark of the Confederacy in the Western Theater.
In the modern world, Sharp works at Kettering Health Network as an End-User Computing Technician. He resides in Dayton, Ohio. In addition to reenacting, Sharp enjoys miniature painting, model building and all forms of motorsports.
The Independent Guard Battalion was formed in 1997 by Colonel Todd Huston and Danny Linkous. Linkous has served as the commanding colonel since 2014.
One of the goals of the Independent Guard is to honor the memory of Confederate Civil War soldiers and their stories. This is accomplished through accurate portrayals of the soldiers at reenactments and living history events.
The Independent Guard Battalion is also dedicated to portraying a working military organization on the field. By doing so, they help preserve an important part of America’s history.
The Independent Guard has participated in large, national events at Gettysburg, Perryville and Manassas as well as regional events, including those held at Hartford City, Indiana and Ohio Village in Columbus, Ohio. The group also participates in numerous local events and living histories near the home areas of member units. Additionally, many units participate in talks and demonstrations for schools, civic groups and historical societies that bring the Civil War soldier to life.
Sidney, Ohio’s Civil War Living History Planning Committee includes Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst, Shelby County Historical Society Director Tilda Philpot, Sidney native, now Tipp City resident and Union reenactor, Doug Slagel, Confederate reenactor J.R. Sharp, whose Company B of the 1st Tennessee Infantry camped at Brookside last spring, and Elizabeth Topping, who has been reenacting as a period civilian for 22 years. The committee has been working to organize the Sidney event for more than eight months. The event has already generated considerable excitement in re-enacting circles.
Although no Civil War battles were fought anywhere near Sidney, a considerable number of local men served in the Union Army during the Civil War. In fact, the 1860 Census records indicate that Shelby County had a population of 17,493. Of that number 8960 were male, and a staggering 14 percent served in the Army during the war. Of those, 25.58 percent (326) died in the service of their country.
