Jim Miracle of Carlin’s Battery D, a county-sanctioned Civil War re-enactment group, appeared before the Wood County Commission on Thursday to give an update on the group’s activities. The commission approved $3,500 for the group to help with canon repairs and other expenses. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG – The Wood County Commission approved $3,500 for Carlin’s Battery to help with some needed expenses.

Jim Miracle, of Carlin’s Battery D, a county-sanctioned Civil War re-enactment group, appeared before the Wood County Commission on Thursday to give an update on the group’s activities as a local Civil War re-enactment group that shoots its cannon.

“Carlin’s Battery is still alive and well,” Miracle said. “We have made the county proud and we love what we do.”

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. The group is planning to be at Henderson Hall for West Virginia Day on Friday, June 20.

They are always looking for new members and recently got a couple of new prospective recruits. They have four who are able to participate regularly and two who can help as their schedules allow. The group still has to vote on the prospective members.

The group used to do two or more events a month, Miracle said. Now they are averaging one or two events a month.

“Right now, it is mostly one a month until we get some more guys,” he 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. They have a location locally where they are able to store it.

One of the issues they are looking at is replacing the wheels on the cannon that have experienced wear and tear with the cannon’s use. The cannon will be taken to New Holland, Pa., to have the wheels put on, a job expected to cost around $2,572 which includes the work and mileage.

They have enough money to do what they need to do in their accounts, but it would only leave them around $500. They are still good on their gunpowder supply with Miracle expecting it to last out the rest of the year.

At the recent spring meeting of the National Civil War Artillery Association, Miracle was promoted to the Regional Inspector for Region 9 which covers the local area and one of the other members was made an instructor on cannon shooting in which Miracle is also an instructor.

On May 31, the group held a firing school for re-enactment groups at Fort Boreman Hill which brought people into the area that stayed at local hotels and ate at local restaurants.

Wood County Commissioners Robert Tebay and Blair Couch approved the $3,500 to handle expenses and more. Commissioner Jimmy Colombo was absent Thursday but was briefed on what was happening.

“We always appreciate the support,” Miracle said.

The commission asked for a list of places where Carlin’s Battery will be appearing over the summer and they would try to get that on the county’s website.

Couch said Carlin’s Battery is unique in the state and something that is associated with Wood County. People regularly come out and will watch them shoot the cannon when the group appears locally.

“It is a wonderful thing and we are so tickled that we are the only county that has anything like it,” he said.

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