A group of Civil War re-enactors will take a march back in time to help preserve a local historical site.

On June 27-28, James Meisenbach and Neil Hobbins, both of Columbia, and about a dozen of their friends will assume the personas of Company H of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia for a preservation march to help put a new roof on the Haldeman Mansion in Bainbridge.

"(Meisenbach) called me and made the offer," said Elaine Jackson, president of the Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society. "I took it to our board and they were excited that people other than us are taking such an interest in helping the historical house we all love."

Jackson said she expects the new roof on the mansion, built in 1812, to cost about $50,000.

The march will begin June 27 in Millersville at the Civil War monument along George Street, stop overnight in Wrightsville, then proceed on to the mansion at Bainbridge on June 28.

Meisenbach said he hopes contributors will offer to donate at least $1 for each of the 23.5 miles the re-enactors walk.

Meisenbach said he and Hobbins, both Millersville University students, came up with the idea of a preservation march. Haldeman Mansion was suggested as a worthy project.

While planning the route, the two re-enactors spoke with police in Columbia about marching through town carrying black-powder firearms.

"They were cool with it," Meisenbach said. "They actually really liked it."

They continued to contact police and municipal officials all along the route and, Meisenbach said, "Within about two weeks, we had everyone's permission."

"It all just fell into place," he said.

The first day the march will follow routes 999 and 441, passing through Washington Boro and Columbia, then cross the Susquehanna River to Wrightsville. They will camp overnight at the John Wright Store, where the soldiers will conduct a living history camp and demonstration.

On Sunday, they will recross the river to Columbia, then head north along Route 441, passing Marietta and marching on to Bainbridge.

"We're hoping people will come out and see us through and support us," Meisenbach said. "This is an awesome piece of local history that people don't really know much about."

The 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, a 90-day emergency regiment raised on June 9, 1863, prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, was composed of men from Millersville. It included a number of students from what was then called the Millersville State Normal School. The regiment was led by the school's principal, James P. Wickersham, who held the rank of colonel.

Knowing that the Confederate Army under Gen. Robert E. Lee was moving into Pennsylvania, the unit marched for Columbia on June 17, arriving that evening, it was written, "with tired feet."

"So I think they were really moving," Meisenbach said.

The men camped in a field near the town where the local residents plied them with refreshments. The next day, the troops were recalled to Lancaster, from which place they would soon move on to Harrisburg before joining the main Federal army in time to help defend Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.

Seven days after they arrived in Columbia and six days after they left, other militia groups defended and burned the Wrightsville Bridge to keep rebel invaders from crossing the Susquehanna.

Meisenbach and Hobbins said the re-enactors who will march with them, like the soldiers in 1863, will be between the ages of 18 and 24. Plus, the two have researched uniforms and equipment.

"The guys we picked, authenticity-wise, they look great," Meisenbach said. "It's going to be just amazing."

Meisenbach said anyone with questions about the march may contact him at 449-4199. Those wishing to support the march financially may send a check, marked "preservation march," to the Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society, P.O. Box 417, Bainbridge, PA 17502.

E-mail: lalexander@lnpnews.com