Battle of Jenkins Ferry Day in Sheridan

The Grant County Museum in Sheridan will be the set for the Battle of Jenkins Ferry Day on April 28 from 10-2. The battle was fought in 1864 in Grant County during the American Civil War.

Museum director DJ Wallace sent a news release outlining the day. Included is news that the Southern Brigade of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and other re-enactors, will be on the Heritage Square to provide historical re-enactments from the battle. This includes living history demonstrations of cannons, small arms, medical treatment procedures, and battlefield encampments. Local experts on the history of the battle will also be on hand.

The Bottle Room and Blacksmith Shop will also be open and the museum’s blacksmith will demonstrate the working of the craft and his shop throughout the day. The day starts with the opening of the museum’s Postal Display. The display, housed in the McDonald Law Office, features artifacts from many of the early Grant County Post Offices. There is no admission charge to the event but donations are appreciated.

I had the chance to visit the museum, which preserves the history of the Timberlands, a few years ago and I remember it being packed with information. For instance, on my visit there I learned of Littleton Meek Veazey (who gave land for the city of Sheridan in 1869), saw relics from the Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry (one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War), learned of the logging technique of river rafting, saw the tools of the trade of local beloved veterinarian William DeKalb Wylie, saw one of the nation’s largest displays of military vehicles at the Richard G. Harrison Military Vehicle collection, took in a collection of World War II artifacts, toured Heritage Square (a collection of original buildings once found in town) and learned of local tales such as that of  Dr. Richard Rhodes, (the first Doc in the territory) who was murdered in town (by being hanged twice!) by Jayhawkers in 1867 and the 1939 kidnapping of Witt Stephens.

And that’s only glossing the surface of what’s housed there.