Union soldiers fire their rifles in unison as a salute to the crowd of onlookers. The participants were all part of a two-day Civil War re-enactment event at the Johnston House in Half Moon Bay. (Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

Photos: check out the costumes (& conflict) from the Civil War re-enactment in Half Moon Bay.

Union blue and Confederate grey clashed on the Coastside during this Veterans Day weekend.

A divided American nation clashed this past weekend…in Half Moon Bay?

Yes, the idyllic town on the San Mateo coast made an excellent backdrop for a Civil War re-enactment on this Veterans Day weekend. Close to 100 participants — all dressed in 19th Century regalia — transformed the area around the historic Johnston House (just south of downtown HMB) into an elaborate re-creation of Union and Confederate troops struggling over the fate of the American nation in the 1860s. Equal parts historical geek-out and cosplay meet-up, the two days of time travel were spirited, informative and just a whole lot of fun. (Plus all proceeds benefitted restoration efforts of the 165-year-old Johnston House.)

The Six Fifty sent local photographer Dan Fenstermacher to capture all of the highly photogenic (staged) conflict. Take a look…

Nurses walk through an army encampment during the hours before battle. (Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

More than 60 participants dressed as Union and Confederate soldiers for the Civil War re-enactment in Half Moon Bay this past weekend, recapturing the great national conflict of the 1860’s (Photos by Dan Fenstermacher)

A Union soldier cleans his musket. (Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

Portraits of some of the many participants of the Civil War re-enactment, in Half Moon Bay, on November 9, 2019. (Photos by Dan Fenstermacher)

A wide view landscape of the grounds around Half Moon Bay’s historic Johnston House, which served as the site for this weekend’s big Civil War re-enactment. Proceeds from the two-day event benefited the restoration of the local landmark. (Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

Close-up shots from the weekend festivities show the degree of detail given to myriad aspects of the re-enactment. (Photos by Dan Fenstermacher)

Union soldiers gear up for battle. (Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

Opening salvos from the cannons mark the start of a Union vs Confederate engagement. (Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

Scenes from the North-South skirmish. (Photos by Dan Fenstermacher)

A Confederate general addresses onlookers at the conclusion of the day’s re-enactment. (Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

(Photo by Dan Fenstermacher)

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