During the winter of that first year, both the Union and Confederate armies ceased fighting and entered winter camps due to operational conditions. The weather conditions posed communication and supply chain problems which made maneuvering extremely difficult. Because of the decreased activity, the armies were able to set up more permanent log cabin style camps. This down-time allowed armies to relax after months of fighting. It also gave troops an opportunity to train and prepare for the coming months of battle, participate in camp activities, and allowed officers to bring their families to visit and stay in the camps.

The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center is hosting the living history event, Civil War 150: Going to Winter Camp 1861, which will recreate Union and Confederate Army Winter Camps, on Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. There will be a variety of activities including firing demonstrations, close order drills, cavalry demonstrations, a "Sutler's Row" and the construction of a replica of the "Pine Cottage" cabin. Friday, September 30th will include an educational stations program for school-aged children that will encourage children to look for different aspects of the Civil War throughout the event. There will be a series of lectures on Saturday, October 1, including Remembering "The War of the Rebellion" from the Emmy-Award winning filmmaker and Civil War battlefield preservationist Robert Lee Hodge. The lectures will be located in the Visitor and Education Center along with a book sale and the exhibit, A Great Civil War 1861: The Union Dissolved.

This event will be held Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is free. Handicap parking and transportation are available. For more information on this event please visit our website, www.usahec.org or call 717-245-3972.