Local couple shares love of history through reenactments of War of 1812, Civil War

Betty, an 1812 pirate, and her husband Mike, a Confederate soldier, participate in reenactments that bring history to life.

First, let's learn about Betty the Pirate. She's a special education teacher with a passion for history who decided to expand her teaching outreach by telling visitors about the role of pirates in the War of 1812. Betty's volunteer work is done on Living History Day on the third Saturday of the month at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston where the USS Constitution is docked.

The USS Constitution, built in 1797, is the oldest commissioned U.S. Navy ship in the United States. It was the victor of many battles in the War of 1812 and is the oldest warship in the world still capable of sailing under its own power. The Navy still serves on board the ship and the Marines guard it. The military personnel assigned to the ship are available on the third Saturdays of the month to give tours and explain their roles in the ship's history. Also, pirates are there telling their role.

The role of pirates in the War of 1812

Pirates were skilled seamen and fighters, just what the military needed in 1812, so the country made them privateers and gave them legal rights to harass and confiscate cargo on English ships. The pirates wanted America to win and their contribution made a difference. Betty's been in Charlestown on Living History Day since 2000, telling visitors from all over the world the important role the pirates played.

After Betty met Mike, a Civil War reenactor, she became a Civil War camp follower, a supportive person for the soldiers, giving such help as cooking meals and mending uniforms. (Betty, Mike, and their attendants dressed in Civil War attire for their marriage ceremony in 2017.)

Mike Flye, president of the Historical Society of Phillipston, has always liked history and after attending a Civil War reenactment at the Henshaw Farm in Templeton in 1999, he decided it was something he wanted to do.

"The more I learned about the war, the more interested I got. It draws you in. Reenactors become Civil War specialists and enjoy sharing their knowledge," he said. "You can learn more in a day at a reenactment than in a week of book learning."

That tragic war had the highest toll of American fatalities, almost as many as those killed in all the other wars combined.

A lot of work goes into organizing an event. Mike participates in reenactments throughout New England, in the Carolinas, and in Virginia and Pennsylvania where most of the battles took place. In June, Mike and Betty, along with about 1,000 other reenactors, participated in the reenactment in Gettysburg, the 160th anniversary of that battle.

Everything is always presented authentically in the reenactments. The participants set up replica tents to display cooking, artillery and medicine, and they eagerly talk to visitors about everything related to Civil War history – camp life, battle tactics, and clothing. Mike is good with tools and repairing things, so he serves as the ordinance officer. His tent is like a gun shop where he repairs and adjusts guns and muskets, and he distributes the gunpowder. As visitors see the camp and the objects, talk with the reenactors, and witness a battle, the war is brought to life.

Mike explained, "The battle tactics we do vary according to whether fighting in an area that is open, hilly or wooded."

Betty said, "People have to know what history is about."

Mike added, "We learn what we should do by knowing the mistakes we made in the past."

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Both Mike and Betty said the experience of participating in a reenactment is gratifying. They like talking to people, seeing their enthusiasm, and sharing in their joy as they learn more about the wars – the War of 1812 where we could have lost our freedom and the Civil War that could have divided our country.

The love of history and sharing it is what brought Mike and Betty together. Awareness about critical times in American history makes us appreciate how important it is that we live in a free and united country.

Carole Gariepy is a Phillipston resident and author of “Dragging Gerry around the World” and “Why Go There?”

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: War of 1812, Civil War reenacted at Charlestown Navy Yard, Gettysburg