15th annual Civil War Gala on Nov. 4 in Somerset

SOMERSET ― The 15th annual Col. Robert Cummins Civil War Gala celebrates a milestone this year.

This year's event will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Somerset Church of the Brethren, 606 Berlin Plank Road, Somerset, near Baker's Lawn Ornaments. The event is sponsored by Sons of the Union Veterans Mount Union Church Camp 502 and the ladies auxiliary.

As always for the past 15 years, women dressed in ball gowns and men dressed in suits will be dancing the night away to 1860s music by Smash the Windows, a musical group that performs period-correct songs.

"For 15 years we have been gathering together to celebrate with like-minded people who have an interest in history," said Betsy Matthews, a member of the auxiliary.

Matthews said that women may purchase a "period-correct" ball gown from a sutler or spend weeks sewing their own gown. They also use ribbons and flowers to decorate their hair. If they don't have a "period correct" gown, they may find a long skirt or modest prom gown to wear to the ball.

"The 1860s were a time of war and dissension. A ball or gala was held so that people could put the issues of the day aside and enjoy an evening of fun with family and friends," Matthews said. "If you like history or just want to learn a new dance, come to our gala."

Like Matthews, Kristi Brant of the Rockwood area, believes the Civil War Gala is an experience one will never forget.

"I like this better than the Gettysburg Ball because it is more personable and fewer people attend and if you want to learn dances, this is the evening to come," said Brant, an auxiliary member. "You can't make mistakes. You don't feel out of place. If you have reservations about coming, come anyway. Time goes by so fast. You don't have to worry and don't have to have a partner. We will find one for you."

Dance instructions will be given by The Victorian Dance Ensemble of Philadelphia, so you don't need to know the dances to attend. Tickets are available at the door. Bring cookies to share. There will be a cakewalk for women and a piewalk for men.

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Ball breaks up trauma of time

Clark Brocht, past commander and state chaplain of the Sons group, explained that a Civil War ball in those years of war broke up the trauma and suffering and gave people something to look forward to.

"Mary Lincoln had all kinds of dances in White House and she wore her illustrious gowns at all of them. Sometimes she would wear an off-shoulder gown," he said. "That's not necessary at our gala. People in those times wore their best dress and then it was practical so they could wear it again at church. At our gala, come as you are and if you want to dress the part, you are more than welcome to. For a man, dressing in black pants, a white shirt and a simple vest will suffice and women can wear a black skirt and white shirt as well to keep it simple."

Brocht displays information on Col. Cummins, the gala's namesake, at the entrance of the doors every year in honor of one of Somerset County's most celebrated military heroes.

Cummins was a local military celebrity of his time. According to 142nd Pa infantry.blogspot.com, he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg during the first day of fighting on July 1, 1863. He was wounded in the chest as his regiment fell back from an ill-fated charge into the 47th NC on Seminary Ridge.

He was then captured by the Confederate soldiers and taken to "Old Dorm," the main Lutheran Seminary building that had been turned into the largest field hospital of the battle. In 2013, the former hospital building was turned into Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg.

Cummins died in Seminary on July 2, 1863, and was buried in the yard. A week or so later his body was exhumed and taken home to Somerset. It arrived on July 11, 1863. The next day, his body lay in a casket draped with an American flag and covered with flowers. The hearse was drawn by two white horses and had a military escort to Union Cemetery. Three volleys were fired in tribute. Later, his troops raised money for a very large headstone.

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Before he was colonel of the 142nd, Cummins was a captain in the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry. He gained valuable military experience there but came back to Somerset when he was elected sheriff. As a husband and father of seven Cummins helped to raise the three Somerset County companies of 142nd, and in August of 1862 was elected their colonel.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Smash the Windows music at Civil War Gala this weekend