Living History and Civil War Reenactment Troop
Photo and Video Gallery
Over 5,000 Civil War reenactment photographs from our recent events are included in the following links. If you would like more information about the 3rd Texas Cavalry, please contact our commanding officer, Major Dyson Nickle by email at [email protected].
Click the name of each event to see an album of photos from that event pop up in a new window. When viewing the slide show, if you move your mouse to the bottom of your screen, you will see the slide show controls. Many of these photographs are courtesy of Mrs. Poling, Joe Nickle, Larry, Mary, and others.
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Portraits of the modern 3rd Texas Cavalry
Or are they historical? You decide.
Aerial Photos
This special set of aerial photos was taken by Joe Nickle from an airplane over Pleasant Hill 2007.
2013 Dick Dowling Days and the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Sabine Pass
In September, 16 members of the 3rd traveled to Sabine Pass, Texas to relive the attempted but failed invasion of Texas.
The event was well attended by reenactors, spectators, and mosquitoes. The event was very well run and the history was interesting. We were happy to welcome 3 visitors from the 15th into our commissary and a they did a fine job washing dishes too. The 3rd Texas String Band provided music for the dance and everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
2013 City of Calvert Living History Demonstrations
In May, several members of the 3rd plus a few friends camped in the city of Calvert, Texas and presented living history demonstrations. The city welcomed the group warmly and a good time was had by all.
2013 Battle of Pleasant Hill
April. Counting 12 Boy Scouts from Troup 342 in Nacogdoches, the 3rd enjoyed 38 souls in camp. The Major went up Thursday evening and was joined by the remainder Friday morning and evening. Crowds were good and the weather was great.
Sgt Emshoff led the dismounts and 1st Sgt Hernandez worked with mounts along with Lt. Lentz and the Major. Everyone seemed to have a good time, each doing what they enjoyed. The boys of the 3rd even got to serve in the Queen's ceremoney at the Ball. Several visitors came through camp during the weekend and we saw many old friends. We enjoyed several period-correct and delicious meals thanks to everyone pitching in to cook and do chores. Links to pictures will be posted soon.
2013 School Day at Brandon Elementary in Lufkin
In March, members of the 3rd put on living history demonstrations at Oliver's school in Lufkin. See the video from KTRE. Transcript of the video.
2013 Battle of El Camino Real
After missing this show last year, due to it being cancelled because of fire hazards, it was good to rejoin our old friends from the Madisonville area in February and to welcome a couple of new families into our camp. The 3rd Texas String Band played for the dance Saturday night and all seemed to have a good time. A storm came through during breakfast Sunday morning but cleared out in time for the battle. Everyone had a good time. After doing a little mudding getting out of camp, 16 of us stopped to eat together at the What-a-burger on the way home. Looking forward to next year.
2012 Liendo
In November, we returned to Liendo after missing the previous year due to a drought and fire hazard. We got bumped out of the site we had occupied for years but found a site on the Federal side that had many perks. We camped 19 counting soldiers, kids, and ladies, plus 5 horses on the line and were visited by many friends throughout the weekend. A good handful of new members officially joined the 3rd Texas roster. About 2,400 kids came by for school day and the weekend crowds were huge. Night skies were clear and full of stars and the temperature was close to freezing. The days turned into beautiful 70 degree days. The menu in camp included sausage and apples, johnny cakes, pork chops, pumpkin pie, and other delicious treats including a massive bowl of smashed taters. Ladies from the 3rd helped serve the breakfasts provided by the property owner each day.
2012 Ft. Crawford
In October, just 10 of use from the 3rd Texas attended Crawford. We made camp next to our friends from Douglas Battery and the Starks wagons. The weather was beautiful Friday afternoon but turn misty and cold by Friday night and stayed that way all weekend. As always, we had lots of fun.
2012 Battle for Port Jefferson
In May, we returned to the same camping spot as the year before...a ways from the action but close to the parade grounds and the Saturday evening supper. We camped about 25 folks. Sheldon's mom brought by a batch of cooked crawfish that was a bit hit with the soldiers. Mark and his family visited camp to meet the 3rd.
2012 148th Anniversary of the Battle of Mansfield / Pleasant Hill, Louisiana
In April, the 3rd was again joined by the Boy Scouts of Troop 342 out of Nacogdoches. There were about 30 in camp. Our combatants fought primarily as Confederates. The boys really had fun at the Ball that evening and many danced most every dance. One of the fondest memories of the weekend was savoring the delicious coblers baked in the dutch ovens.
2012 Battle of El Camino Real
Cancelled due to fire hazard.
2011 Liendo
Cancelled due to fire hazard.
2011 Ft. Crawford and Liendo Cancelled
Cancelled due to fire hazard caused by the extreme droughts of the 2011 summer.
2011 Old University Building 152nd Anniversary
In September, about fifteen members of the 3rd Texas Cavalry and Douglass Battery and friends combined to set up camp and join over 40 local actors in a fund-raising event portraying early-war Confederates at the 152nd anniversary celebration of the opening of the Old University Building in Nacogdoches, Texas. (Of course then it wasn't old.). A small camp was set up where spectators could see military life, manuevers, and artillery. Members provided an escort for the entrance of ousted Texas Governor Sam Houston (portrayed by actor Brad Maul). Members of the militia grumbled as Governor Houston expressed his pleasure of visiting his old Nacogdoches friends. Members of the 3rd and friends provided a full string band for the dance that followed. We look forward to participating next year when the setting will be 1862. See photos from Bruce Partain's Facebook collection .
2011 Wilson's Creek
In August, eight members of the 3rd Texas traveled to Springfield, Missouri to join other Cleburne's Division members to participate in the 150th Anniversary of Wilson's Creek, a battle in which the historic 3rd participated. 3rd Texas members helped with the wagon crew and field music.
2011 Battle for Port Jefferson
In May, about 20 of the 3rd camped and had about 10 horses on the line. This was the last reenactment for Ashli and Adrienne before they left for their service academy appointments.
2011 147th Anniversary of the Battle of Mansfield / Pleasant Hill, Louisiana
In April, the 3rd camped with the Douglass Battery in force and were joined by the Boy Scouts of Troop 342 out of Nacogdoches. We had quite a large camp. They all pitched in and made the weekend fun. Trooper Chandler was awarded for leadership of dismounted cavalry by the event coordinators. Our combatants fought as both Blue and Grey.
2011 Battle of El Camino Real
In February, about 15 camped with the 3rd. Friday was cold and windy but otherwise the weekend was great. Crowds were small but a good time was had by all. For the first time in recent memory, the 3rd camped and fought as Yankees all weekend. The 3rd Texas String Band was called upon to provide for the Saturday Ball. Lots of fun.
2010 Plantation Liendo
Awesome! Another outstanding Liendo event, Liendo 2010. Thirty-eight
members of the 3rd camped through a weekend of gorgeous weather. About half the group went down Thursday night and participated in the school day on Friday demonstrating living history to over 2,300 school kids. The rest came on Friday and joined in to complete the camp. Huge crowds on Saturday (around 2,000 to 3,000 spectators) and a decent crowd on Sunday watched two great battles which included use of the newly constructed redoubt. The 3rd provided fourteen mounted troopers, a couple dismounted troopers, 3 musicians, one nurse, and a host of civilians serving as cooks in camp, docents at the historic home, and waitresses at breakfast at the home. Our 3rd Texas troopers faired very well in the Cavalry competition riding away with many awards. The Ball was large and fun as always. Sunday morning services were inspiring. After packing up we topped it off with a group meal at Erick's Mexican Restaurant where we laughed and visited and hugged before saying good bye 'till next time.
2010 Twin Rivers Campaign
November 15 weekend, six members of the 3rd Texas and at least six members of the Douglass Battery traveled to northern Mississippi to participate in the Twin Rivers campaign. 3rd Texas members helped with the wagon crew, the horse-drawn artillery, and music. Credit for these photos belongs to Tom George, Jim Bishop, Jerry Shamburger and others. Check out their Facebook sites for many other great photos.
2010 Battle for Ft. Crawford
In October, the 3rd Texas Cavalry, the Douglass Battery, and Nathan Stark's Waggoneers all camped together at the Hallsville event. Twenty-five combatants blended together to support the four-up horse-drawn artillery and the wagon operations. Perfect weather was enjoyed all weekend. Good food, (including fried apple and peach pies and other goodies cooked up mostly by the eight civilians in camp), lots of fun manuevering the canon in battle, a very good dance, and plenty of laughs in around the campfire, all made for a very enjoyable weekend. For his adventures at the Old University Building a few weeks before, the first ever (and hopefully the last) Broken Horseshoe Award was given to David Wood with much admiration and applause. Additional photos are available on the Ft. Crawford Reenactment Facebook page.
2010 151st Anniversary of the Old University Building, Nacogdoches, Texas
In September, fifteen members of the 3rd Texas Cavalry and Douglass Battery and friends combined to set up camp and join over 40 local actors in a fund-raising event portraying pre-war militia at the 151st anniversary celebration of the opening of the Old University Building in Nacogdoches, Texas. (Of course then it wasn't old.). A small camp was set up where spectators could see military life, manuevers, and artillery. Elsewhere on site, members provided fiddle and banjo music, dance lessons, and explanations of firearms and cartidge rolling. Members provided an escort for the entrance of Texas Governor Sam Houston (portrayed by actor Brad Maul). Members of the militia grumbled as Governor Houston tried to persuade the crowd to avoid secession. Over 250 visitors purchased tickets and the fund-raising event was a huge success. We look forward to participating next year when the setting will be the first few months of the War Between the States. Photos in this collection were taken by from Bruce Partain's Facebook collection and Mike Wiggins Facebook collection.
2010 Zavalla School Day
Three members of the 3rd Texas members joined with other reenactors to present a day of living history demonstrations at the invitation of the school in Zavalla in May. The students were able to see a Civil War tent, horses, uniforms, weapons demonstrations and ladies dresses. Students stepped through basic drill manuevers by the bugle and learned to dance the Virginia Reel and a waltz. They also got to see and taste period cooking and learn about sewing and ladies wear. Students even learned to sing "Goober Peas" accompanied by the banjo.
See this article from the Lufkin Daily News.
2010 Battle for Port Jefferson
In May, eighteen camped with the 3rd in a nice new place-high and dry in spite of the flood. Three full sets of four horses helped keep the Federals from occupying Jefferson. The battle in the streets was exciting and the dance was memorable as always.
2010 SFASU ROTC Military History Class
On 13 April The Major and Bugler C. McDonald were invited to visit with the SFASU ROTC Military History Class taught by Lt. Col. John McKinney, US Army Retired. The living historians started off with a discussion of the clothing and made comparisons to the modern uniforms in use today. They then looked at the weapons and equipment of the 19th century and entered into a discussion of tactics and battles. The evening was stimulating to both parties and the two speakers received ROTC flashlights and the Major received a plaque on behalf of the 3rd Texas Cavalry Living Historians for our service to the ROTC program at SFA.
2010 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Mansfield / Pleasant Hill, Louisiana
In April, The 3rd camped with the Douglass Battery. The 3rd added five horses to the Battery's twelve for a total of seventeen horses on the line. Our five fought as mounted cavalry while the twelve put on a real show as mounted artillery. Added to these were three dismounted soldiers and five civilians for a total of twenty-five souls in camp. The combatants fought as Blue both days. Weather was gorgeous but it did get a little cold at night. .
2010 Madisonville
In February, Sixteen were able to attend Madisonville this year including nine mounted, two
dismounted, and five civilians.
The weather was beautiful but due to rains earlier in the week the ground was wet. The 3rd camped Gray but fought Blue. The Major took 1st in the cavalry competition. Due to a fall, Mr. Clinch also earned the black and blue horseshoe award but quickly regrouped and won 3rd place.
2009 Plantation Liendo
In November, we made our 11th annual trip to Plantation Liendo. Some forty people camped with the 3rd this year to make this one of our biggest and best Liendo events ever. The 3rd fielded fourteen mounted troopers, 2 dismounted troopers, 2 artillerymen, and one bugler. We camped Confederate as always but donned the Union blue for the battles all three days. At least twenty-one civilians kept food on the table and kept the camp running smoothly all weekend. Several of the 3rd arrived Thursday evening to help with a drizzley School Day on Friday. Light rain fell through Friday night but cleared Saturday for the battle and the Ball. Sunday weather was perfect. We enjoyed many visitors in camp and made several new friends and ended a great weekend with the "Raid on Julio's Restaurant".
2009 Battle for Fort Crawford
In October, seventeen camped with the 3rd plus we enjoyed many visitors throughout the weekend. We participated in a parade on Saturday and rode right down the middle of Highway 80. Rain started Saturday evening and rained out the main ball, so the 3rd made their own fun with fiddling, reels, and waltzes around the campfire. By Sunday morning, camp was flooded by rain so we broke camp. By the time we got loaded up everyone was soaked to the bone but everyone was smiling and laughing and having a fun time as always. The photos in sepia were taken by Mrs. Hannah Meddaugh and they are posted in this album with her permission.
2009 150th Anniversary of the Old University Building, Nacogdoches, Texas
Five members of the 3rd responded to an invitation to portray pre-war militia at the 150th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Old University Building in Nacogdoches, Texas. (Of course then it wasn't old.) Five members of the 3rd set up a small camp and were joined by actor Brad Maul who portrayed Texas Governor Sam Houston.
2009 145th Anniversary of the Atlanta Campaign
In September, twenty-three members of the 3rd Texas Cavalry traveled all the way to Nash Farm south of Atlanta, Georgia to fall in with Cleburne's Division and participate in this national-level event. This series of true reenacements was very special to our group in that we were able to ride on and fly the regimental flag over the actual battlefields where the historic 3rd had bravely fought some 145 years earlier. The video includes many scenes of the 3rd Texas Cavalry in action.
2009 Zavalla School Day
A handful of the 3rd Texas members presented a day of living history demonstrations at the invitation of the school in Zavalla in May. the students were able to see a Civil War tent, horses, uniforms, weapons demonstrations and ladies dresses. The girls enjoyed trying on hoop skirts while the boys checked out the weapons. Students stepped through basic drill manuevers by the bugle and learned the Virginia Reel. A really fun day for all.
2009 Battle for Port Jefferson
In May, twenty-eight members enjoyed a fine time a Jefferson. This was the 1st Family's first visit with us. A Saturday night storm brought lots of rain and the Sunday battle was called off..
2009 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Mansfield / Pleasant Hill, Louisiana
Fourteen enjoyed this annual favorite in April, made special this year with battles Friday night and Saturday morning in Mansfield plus battles in Pleasant Hill and Saturday and Sunday..
2009 Livingston
In March, eight members of the 3rd Texas participated at Livingston. Friday night was a gully washer but things slowly dried out over the weekend. Highlights of the weekend included presentation of the colors and morning parade with Cleburnes' Division officers.
2009 Gene Kinsey Memorial
Members of the 3rd Texas Cavalry and the Douglass Battery participated in the memorial event for Mr. Gene Kinsey. The memorial was held on the site of the Battle for Jones Meadow/Camp Ford reeactment which he helped establish.. The 3rd provided a rider-less horse escort and a bugler to play Taps.
2009 Madisonville
At least 20 of us enjoyed Madisonville 2009 as the 3rd Texas and Douglass Battery camped together. The February weather was comfortable, dry, and windy. We all went Union both days.
2008 Liendo Plantation
In November, 2008, twenty-six members of the 3rd Texas participated in the units tenth trip to Plantation Liendo. The 3rd contributed 15 mounted and 4 dismounted troopers plus ladies and children. This was one of the best Liendo events ever with great weather and large crowds. A few of the photos in this collection were taken from the Leage City Photography Meetup Group site.
2008 Battle for Jones Meadow/Camp Ford
Eighteen members of the 3rd attended this second annual Battle for Jones Meadow/Camp Ford event in October including 7 mounted, 5 dismounted, and women and children.
2008 Camp Anderson Military Museum Drill
Fifteen members of the 3rd gathered at the Camp Anderson Miliary Museum in September 2008 to Drill.
2008 Port Jefferson
In May, 2008, about fourteen members of the 3rd Texas enjoyed the unique experience of the Port Jefferson event including the downtown street fight.
2008 Pleasant Hill
In April, 2008, about eighteen of us sloshed through the mud at Pleasant Hill 2008. By Sunday, the sun had come out and things dried up a bit. Through wet and dry, we had a great time as always.
2008 Madisonville
In February, 2008, eight members of the 3rd Texas spent a cold and breezy, yet fun weekend at Madisonville.
2007 Plantation Liendo
Twenty-five members of the 3rd participated in the unit's ninth trip to Liendo. School Day and Saturday were fun as always. During the dance Saturday night rain began to fall and kept falling continuously all through the night. The night was wet and cold but the 3rd endured. By Sunday the sun came out enough to have a good day and a good battle. Watch Brandon's video.
2007 Battle for Jones Meadow/Camp Ford
The 3rd Texas enjoyed participating in the first ever Camp Ford event in October, 2007.
2007 Port Jefferson
A few members of the 3rd Texas attended the Jefferson event in 2007. In this newspaper archive, members of the 3rd Texas can be seen in photos 10, 19, 23, and 25.
2007 Pleasant Hill
This April, 2007 event at Pleasant Hill was a blast. The weather was perfect and much fun was had by all.
2007 Corinth, Mississippi and Shiloh Tennessee
During Spring Break in March, 2007, 19 members of the 3rd Texas spent several days camping and touring in Corinth, Mississippi and Shiloh, Tennessee. We camped for a few days on the site of the historic and still functioning railroad crossroads and enjoyed meeting with townsfolk, visiting historic sites, and performing living-history demonstrations. On the last night in Corinth, the town's folk treated us to a fine supper and provided a live period band for dancing and we were visited in camp by General Way and the command staff of Cleburne's Division. After parading through the town of Corinth the next morning, we moved camp to the site of the 145th Shiloh national reenactment where we spent several more days camping and joined in battle with about 6,000 other reenactors.
2006 Plantation Liendo
As it was....
2002 Plantation Liendo
Photos of some of the early members of the 3rd Texas Cavalry.
3rd Texas Cavalry