Sunshine was fairly evident – chasing away the threat of rain – and the Civil War reenactments boomed through the Valley over the weekend, with the American Civil War Association bringing the battles to life in the hills surrounding Knights Ferry.

Battles were staged both days, Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18, with encampments also serving as ‘living history’ sites for attendees in between the battles. When the ‘war’ raged, the Confederate and Union soldiers squared off across the Stanislaus River, firing cannon volleys and each trying to advance on the other’s territory.

The popular annual reenactment is always hosted in March, bringing large crowds to the Ferry to witness the action.