Ballots and bullets:Voting and fighting with the 31st Iowa Infantry

On Saturday, June 24, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a special living history program at Point Park about the 31st Iowa Infantry and their participation in the Iowa state elections just before the Battle of Lookout Mountain.

War often represents the failure of political institutions to resolve crisis. However, despite the raging Civil War, the democratic processes in the United States often continued. Soldiers were responsible for winning the war on the battlefield, but also at the ballot box, as the soldier vote was instrumental to the Union war effort. Join us as we explore one Union regiment’s participation in the phases of soldiercitizenship in the fall of 1863. The program schedule is:

•9:30 am – Mail Call program

•10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – “Bullets:” Company drill and firing demonstrations

•11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. – “Ballots:” The 31st Iowa and the 1863 gubernatorial election

On Sunday morning, June25, living historians will be present to interact with visitors about life and morning experiences in an army camp. Additionally, there will be ranger-guided tours throughout the weekend at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Admission to Point Park is $5 per adult, ages 16 and over (children, ages 15 and under are free).

For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-8217786, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ chch.