Reenactor’s Musical Outburst Sparks Unexpected Drama at Civil War Event

Is there a moment more American than watching a grown man—dressed head-to-toe in Union blues—turn a historic Civil War reenactment into his own personal Woodstock? I mean, really, is a battlefield ever safe from that one guy with a fife and a playlist of questionable covers? It’s almost poetic, though, isn’t it—the ghosts of Gettysburg forced to endure not just cannon fire but Weezer riffs wafting over the rolling fields. I couldn’t help but snort when I saw the look on General Meade’s face in that photo; pure, silent agony. All I could think was, “Is this how history repeats itself—with more trills and less dignity?” It’s the little things like this that remind me of the madcap joy (and secondhand embarrassment) of any group project, but with extra gunpowder. To see how one man’s fife nearly turned the tide of a reenactment (and possibly the laws of time and taste), you can LEARN MORE.

GETTYSBURG, PA—Following a fourth chorus of “Kingdom Coming,” fellow participants sternly reminded local Civil War reenactor Christopher Geary that this was not his personal fife recital, frustrated sources confirmed Friday. “This is the Battle of Gettysburg, not the Christopher Geary Music Hour!” said Frank Mercer, 54, who portrayed Gen. George Meade and had already told Geary six times to stop playing while officers were addressing the soldiers. “Everyone’s impressed that you can do all those little trills, but it’s becoming a huge distraction. Today is about recreating a pivotal moment in American history, and one lone fife player shouldn’t be stealing the spotlight by playing as loudly as possible. Also, it’s pretty obvious you’re sneaking in folksy renditions of Weezer songs, so knock it off.” At press time, Geary was insisting that despite his character dying on the battlefield, he should still be allowed to play the fife as a ghost.