SACRAMENTO, Ky. — A cavalry skirmish in western Kentucky that helped propel the career of one of the Confederacy's most daring officers will be re-enacted, with about 1,000 participants playing roles.

        The eighth annual Battle of Sacramento re-enactment will feature two mock Civil War battles, as well as music, food and crafts.

        Thousands of spectators are expected for the three-day event that began Friday in McLean County.

        “It's a family oriented event,” said Pat Vincent, public relations director for the re-enactment. “It's educational as well as historically accurate.”

        Little blood was spilled during the battle on Dec. 28, 1861, but it became an early demonstration of the skills of Confederate cavalry officer Nathan Bedford Forrest.

        Mr. Forrest divided his small cavalry troop into three units to take on a much larger Union force. The tactic, while unconventional, worked as the Union forces were sent scurrying.

        Today, re-enactors will make their way to the battlefield in the Heritage Parade at 10:30 a.m. CDT.

        A battlefield dedication ceremony will be at 1:30 p.m. today, followed by a battle re-enactment at 2 p.m. Today will end with a battlefield ball.

        On Sunday, the festival begins with a memorial service at the grave of Mollie Morehead, a McLean County resident who rode to warn Mr. Forrest of the approaching Union force. The second battle re-enactment will be at 1:45 p.m.

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