CURWENSVILLE – A special event sponsored by the Curwensville-Pike Township Historical Society is giving citizens the opportunity to walk with the spirits of the Bucktails during their heritage walk at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Curwensville, on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.
The walk will be led by local Civil War Historian, Terry Rickard, who has 35-plus years of experience as a reenactor, portraying a Bucktail soldier from Company K.
The Bucktails were an elite corps known for having deer tails in their hats. This was started by one of the first recruits who put a tail in his hat to distinguish himself as someone being recruited for the war. Other soldiers from our area, quickly did the same.
At first, they were laughed at for being “country bumpkins,” but they became “one of the Top 10 fighting units in the entire Civil War,” Terry said.
Most of them were loggers and farmers who became famous for their marksmanship.
“Even the rebels knew who they were.”
There were two different Bucktail companies, Co. K and the Co. B, which were recruited from our area about a year apart.
Terry was one of the many reenactors who portrayed soldiers in the film “Gettysburg”.
The director, Ronald R. Maxwell, was able to cut the costs of the ambitious production, which depicted the famous Civil War battle, because the reenactors came with their own uniforms, guns and other authentic items.
Being a reenactor is “not a cheap hobby,” Terry explained. He and others involved in this activity are very selective with their outfits, which are “extremely authentic.”
He was instrumental in founding a group specifically representing Co. K from Curwensville and it was his idea to have a Bucktail Reunion, which has continued now for 30 years.
Terry also did extensive research to compile the list of soldiers now seen on the Bucktail Monument in Curwensville.
Even with his knowledge of the Bucktails, he does not agree that he is actually an “expert”.
He volunteers to do presentations about the group because “I want the people of Curwensville to realize what we have laying up at Oak Hill Cemetery.”
The walk will begin at the gazebo and last about 90 minutes. The plans are to visit 10 graves of Bucktail officers. This includes two lieutenants, four captains, a major, Lt. Colonel, Colonel and a Brigadier General.
“It’s unbelievable one community had this many leaders in the war. Oak Hill has more Bucktails in it than any other cemetery anywhere, even though the soldiers came from 10 different counties.”
Attendees should bring a lantern, flashlight or other device to help light the way. You are also encouraged to bring some loose change, which can be left at the tombstones as a way of honoring the dead.
“It is an old custom to leave coins, especially pennies, to show these men are not forgotten.”
Donations for the historical society will be accepted.
As for Civil War history in general, Terry says, “It’s not about the battles, it’s about the boys.”