Photos Andy Scheck

War broke out on the grounds of St. Mary's College March 19, but it was a brief and bloodless event. One hundred re-enactors, members of the California Historical Artillery Society, brought Civil War history to life on the college grounds. Soldiers, signalmen, sharpshooters, surgeons, nurses, and others explained their Civil War roles to the visiting public.

The four hour encampment highlighted the conclusion of the Hearst Art Gallery's "Lee and Grant" exhibition, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Poor weather cancelled outside skirmishes and a Fife and Drum performance, and moved the cannons and drills to the Soda Center plaza.

"It would have been impossible for the [St Mary's] Lacrosse team to follow the Army of Northern Virginia onto the field if the planned battle had taken place," said organizer Heidi Donner. Still, Donner estimated the event drew a crowd of over 1,000.

Cannon shots fired on the hour echoed through the hillside and set off a few car alarms. But in the end, neither Blue nor Gray triumphed; the victor was most likely the rain.