• Article Photo. Alex Vasquez teaches the 8th grade students how to carry a rifle.
    Alex Vasquez teaches the 8th grade students how to carry a rifle.
  • Article Photo. Students watch as the teacher demonstrates marching styles.
    Students watch as the teacher demonstrates marching styles.
  • Article Photo. Marching orders: Mr. Vasquez shows Kyle Jorgensen how to march two-by-two.
    Marching orders: Mr. Vasquez shows Kyle Jorgensen how to march two-by-two.
  • Article Photo. Caleb Kruckenberg helps the teacher demonstrate how front and second line shooters fired together.
    Caleb Kruckenberg helps the teacher demonstrate how front and second line shooters fired together.
  • Article Photo. Ready, aim fire.... students learn the stance soldiers used when firing their weapons.
    Ready, aim fire.... students learn the stance soldiers used when firing their weapons.
  • Article Photo. Students use hands and fingers to learn the way to hold a rifle.
    Students use hands and fingers to learn the way to hold a rifle.
  • Article Photo. The teacher uses his ramrod to prepare his weapon for firing.
    The teacher uses his ramrod to prepare his weapon for firing.
  • Article Photo. Students watch as Mr. Vasaquez loads his rifle.
    Students watch as Mr. Vasaquez loads his rifle.
  • Article Photo. Caleb Kruckenberg and Emily Howes-Vonstein learned how to hold rifles during the Civil War lesson.
    Caleb Kruckenberg and Emily Howes-Vonstein learned how to hold rifles during the Civil War lesson.
  • Article Photo. Students react as the noise of the weapon firing echoes across the school yard.
    Students react as the noise of the weapon firing echoes across the school yard.
  • Article Photo. Eight-graders watch a flash of orange from Mr. Vasquez's Civil War muzzle-loader.
    Eight-graders watch a flash of orange from Mr. Vasquez's Civil War muzzle-loader.
  • Article Photo. The smell of war: The teacher demonstrates the odor of burned gunpowder.
    The smell of war: The teacher demonstrates the odor of burned gunpowder.

A century and a half ago last month, Iowan soldiers earned their fame in the Civil War battle at Shiloh.

Now, Vinton-Shellsburg eighth graders are learning a bit about what the Iowans of 1862 saw and heard and even smelled during the battles.

Today is the day when Alex Vasquez takes the students outside for the annual Civil War demonstration. He teaches them how to form a line, and how to march. With three weapons he uses as a Civil War re-enactor, he demonstrates how to hold, carry and aim a musket. A favorite part of the demonstration for the students is watching the teacher fire his muzzle-loader. 

Each year, Vasquez shares something different. This year, the lesson focused on the Battle of Shiloh, and the role that Iowans played in that battle.

Dressed as a Corporal in the 15th Iowa Regiment, Vasquez taught the students how (and why) the soldiers learned to march shoulder-to-shoulder. He demonstrated different kinds of weapons used by soldiers, from the muzzle-loading rifle to the Spencer repeating carbine, which could fire up to 30 shots per minute.

This year, Mr. Vasquez invited the public to attend the demonstrations. Two more take place today, at 11:30 and 1:30, just south of the middle school's east wing.

Iowans at Shiloh

The Iowa monument at Shiloh is the largest one, said Vasquez. The 15th Regiment was among the first to face the enemy at Shiloh. Also, says the teacher, a group of Iowans was captured at a site commonly called the "Hornet's Nest." Those prisoners, he said, kept talking about Shiloh, and their involvement. While some of what those soldiers claimed was exaggerated, their stories helped to bring alive the story of Shiloh. 

Iowa units suffered more than 2,400 casualties during the Battle of Shiloh, which took place April 6-7, 1862, in southwest Tennessee.

See more information about The 15th Iowa Regiment at Shiloh HERE or HERE.