WESTFIELD – The annual tradition of the 9th NY Cavalry encampment in Westfield is once again set to take place this weekend. Members of the 9th Cavalry will set up camp on Friday in Westfield’s Moore Park with the majority of activities scheduled for Saturday. Among the highlights is a special appearance by confederates from the 64th Virginia, who will participate in a battle reenactment Saturday afternoon.

In addition to the regular schedule of events and activities, a new, special program will be taking place. On Saturday at 2 p.m., a letter-reading program will take place at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church next to the park. David Brown, Historical Society trustee and 9th NY Cavalry member, and his wife Sandy are coordinating the event. Together, they’ve put together a program that will feature a series of letters from various Chautauqua County residents who served during the Civil War.

“The program will include letters to home from local Civil War soldiers Alonzo Barton, Edward Skinner and Fred Barger,” Brown said. “I will also read several entries from Barger’s diary from 1862 – focusing on his wounding and subsequent amputation at Fredericksburg.”

Brown adds that letters from other soldiers will also be shared during the presentation with other members of the 9th Cavalry taking part in the readings.

Besides the letter readings, another new event will take place during this year’s encampment. Sandy Brown said several women involved with the reenactment will host a doll-making workshop at noon to give children an opportunity to learn how dolls were made during the 19th century. This was a time prior to mass production of dolls and toys for children, and families would resort to making their own dolls for their little ones at home. For many little girls, a homemade doll would be the only type of doll they’d have.

Reenactors will give visitors an opportunity to learn about a soldier’s daily life during the Civil War. The soldiers begin their encampment Friday evening and continue through the weekend until Sunday morning. The event is free.

A complete schedule of encampment events can be found online at the Historical Society’s website, www.mcclurgmuseum.org at the events page.