Jim Miracle of Carlin’s Battery D, a county-sanctioned Civil War re-enactment group, appeared before the Wood County Commission this week to talk about their need for new members and will be working on recruitment this coming spring. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The Civil War reenactment group that is regularly featured throughout the area at events and ceremonies shooting its cannon is looking for new members.

Jim Miracle of Carlin’s Battery D, a county-sanctioned Civil War re-enactment group, appeared before the Wood County Commission this week.

“We have had a rough couple of years,” he said. “COVID hit our numbers. People got away and didn’t come back.”

The group has around nine people on its active roster, where at one time there were 18 members.

“We are going to make a concerted effort this spring to recruit,” Miracle said. “We will be getting some more people in.”

The group has been active in the area for over 17 years. It has regularly participated in veterans events, parades, Civil War battle re-enactment events, historical events/gatherings and more.

Miracle said they will be having some demonstrations at Fort Boreman Park where interested people can come up and see what they do.

“We will get the cannon out, shoot it a few times and get people interested,” Miracle said, adding live demonstrations really get people’s attention.

They participated in five events over the last year throughout the area, Miracle said.

The cannon was bought in 1999 by the Wood County Commission to commemorate the bicentennial of the county with the intention of putting it up on Fort Boreman Hill. However, concerns about vandalism caused officials to put it in storage.

The Carlin’s Battery D reenactment group was formed in 2008 and became the caretakers of the cannon.

“We have gone around to different events promoting Fort Boreman and Wood County,” Miracle said.

Carlin’s Battery D has participated in events with groups in St. Marys and Beverly, Ohio, where groups were able to shoot off their cannons. Miracle has become an instructor with the National Civil War Artillery Association.

“I can teach people how to use a cannon,” he said, adding Carlin’s Battery D shoots a half-pound round out of the cannon.

Miracle said the highlights of his involvement with the group have been being able to participate in the Gold Star Family monument dedication in Vienna in 2016 and being able to meet Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams.

Miracle said they are going to work to build their numbers back up. He is planning to appear before the commission with a funding request when the county begins its budgeting soon. The county has provided assistance to the group to help maintain the cannon and more.

“They give us a stipend if we need something,” Miracle said.

The group’s cannon has had a complete overhaul.

“It is in good shape,” he said, adding it is being stored in a building locally to keep it out of the weather.

“We will keep on rolling as long as I can keep on going,” Miracle added.

People interested in joining or looking for more information can call Miracle at 304-488-2307 or email at carlinsbatteryd@yahoo.com.