Preparing for our upcoming first Black and Blue Civil War living history encampment to be hosted by Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s Historic Jefferson Military College was a grand collective learning experience.

Local friends of Friends of the Forks of the Roads Society Inc., and its membership with great enthusiasm offer all visitors a great chance to experience the same.

Through a living history portrayal of local and national people who actually lived before, during and after the Civil War, blacks, whites men, women and children, youth, adults and elderly Jefferson College’s campus will be transformed into days gone with the wind.

Don’t miss actors and re-enactors dressed in period clothing and Union army and navy uniforms, who will show and tell you some fascinating and astounding historical stories.

Highlighting the day’s events will be the following Civil War personalities: Union Navy hero, Natchez’s own Carthage Plantation enslaved runaway medal of honor winner Wilson Brown; enslaved leaders who planned to end chattel slavery on Second Creek soon after the Civil War began; enslaved person Ann Stokes who was the first woman to be officially enrolled in the Union Navy and served on the ship Red Rover on the lower Mississippi River; Northern Abolitionist and U.S. Colored Troops recruiter and U.S. Colored Troop Chaplain at Vicksburg Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church’s minister and Alcorn College first president Hiram R. Revels; Third U.S. Colored Cavalry civilian hero scout Alfred Wood, his wife and adopted son.

Folks you must meet our very special highlight personality, Natchez enslaved person Milla Granderson who during slavery times operated a midnight school (classes started at midnight and ended at 2 a.m.) for slaves in a building located in a Natchez alley. Guess what happened to her when she was caught? This indeed is a most fascinating story and a most motivating educational example for today’s parents, students and educators.

We have a special treat for African American descendants. The dynamic African American genealogist from New Orleans, Antionette Harrell, will be on hand to help folks find their ancestors and forefathers who may have been Union soldiers, sailors and nurses during the Civil War. Tons of today’s Miss-Lou African descendants share the last names of hundred of African descent Union soldiers and sailors.

Now read this real big surprise highlight: joining the authentic U.S. Colored Troops re-enactors from Jackson, who will portray the 58th U.S. Colored Regiment Infantry, one of several regiments of African descent who occupied Natchez and also from New Orleans will be the Buffalo Soldiers of Louisiana’s 9th calvary and 25th infantry! Many former African descent Civil War veterans became Buffalo Soldiers after the war. The 9th Cavalry Buffalo soldiers were organized in New Orleans.

There will be others numerous Civil War personalities, exhibits and Soul Heaven will provide food.

Bring the children folks and y’all come out to Jefferson College at noon this Saturday.

Ser Seshs Ab Heter-CM Boxley is the coordinator of the Friends of the Forks of the Road Society and is lead planner-organizer of this weekend’s event.