Much appreciation goes out to all the volunteers and Civil War re-enactors who participated in the “Raid on Camp Ford: Battle of Jones Meadow” event that was held on October 24-26 in Tyler, Texas! Special recognition should be given to Gene Kinsey, event coordinator, and Gary Bray, battlefield coordinator. Though the battle performed was not a re-enactment of an actual battle, these Civil War enthusiasts gave an accurate depiction of the hard life that was had by both sides of this war between brothers.
Through this presentation, attendees became more aware of an actual part of Smith County’s history: Camp Ford, the largest Confederate prisoner-of-war camp west of the Mississippi River. Today, most of the original site of the camp is contained within the Camp Ford Historic Park, located on Highway 271, just north of Tyler. The official caretaker of this park is the Smith County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Battle of Jones Meadow event has served for two years as a fundraiser for the Society, and the hard work of the participants is greatly appreciated. Their dedication in portraying this period of our history provides important financial support to the Society’s efforts to preserve our county’s history, including Camp Ford itself.
If you have not visited Camp Ford Historic Park, you are encouraged to do so soon. Admission is free, and it is open 7 days a week, from dawn to dusk. Artifacts from Camp Ford can be viewed at the Carnegie History Center, which is the Society’s museum. Located at 125 S. College in Tyler, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested. For more information about the Society or Camp Ford, visit Smith County Historical Society or call 903-592-5993.
The Society looks forward to a third year of the event in 2009, with the continued support from both the Civil War re-enactors and the public!
Robert Reed
President, Smith County Historical Society