What is the Elmira Death March?

Season 2009 witnesses the 11th iteration of an event that started as a 17-mile march into the Elmira, New York, Civil War reenactment event. It has earned the nickname "The Elmira Death March," but the events have been held outside of the original location, so it is now known as "The Death March."

In recent years, Death March VIII in 2006 was patterned after actions during the "Retreat From Rude's Hill" in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Death March IX was a Manassas Gap, Virginia, scenario in McDonough, NY, south of Syracuse, and the 2008 version was Clash at Crittenden Farm held near New Albany, Pennsylvania. Death March XI returns to Wellsburg, but most folks know it as "South of Elmira, NY." If you can find PA/NY Route 14 on a map where it crosses the PA/NY border, then you can find the 2009 event site. The 2009 event promises to be more pioneer work corduroying a road than it is a march, but with these events no one really knows until the event is over and done.

The Death March draws Civil War reenactors from several states from New England to the Carolinas, and the Living History Guild, a charter Potomac Legion member unit, is proud to organize this event. They are not for the faint of heart, unimaginative, or Civil War reenactors who are not willing or able to participate in a campaign-oriented environment. These events are for those who want a challenging, physically demanding, fresh and new experience that requires a willingness to travel light, improvise, adapt to the surroundings, and practice a good amount of mid-19th century fieldcraft.

See you there!