Ohio Teenager Turns Interest In Civil War Into Touring Hobby At Encampment

For 13-year-old Payton Seats, learning about history isn’t enough; he needs to be a part of it.

He has traveled to Civil War reenactments throughout Ohio for the past four years, including this past weekend’s encampment at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site.

“I like teaching people that come here all about the Civil War,” said Payton, a Powell, OH resident, who spent much of the weekend dressed in a Union uniform.

Roughly 75 other reenactors who showcased different aspects of life during the Civil War joined Payton drawing in a few hundred visitors during the weekend. Events included marching and firing demonstrations, drum and fife music, exhibits and a mini militia where kids could dress as soldiers and wield wooden guns.

Payton, whose ancestors fought on both sides of the Civil War, was 8 years old when he saw a group of re-enactors on the side of the road in Sunbury, OH, who suggested he become a re-enactor.

Since then, he has assumed the role of Johnny Clem, a drummer boy from Newark, OH, who ran away from home to join the Union Army at age 8 years and later became the youngest noncommissioned officer in army history.

Payton is not alone in his hobby, as his parents sometimes join him as Civil War-era civilians to support him in his past 40 re-enactments.

“We didn’t think it would come to this at first,” said his father, Rob, of traveling to re-enactments, “but as he got more interested in it, we knew it wouldn’t be a passing fad.”

For Payton and his mother, Kim, going to reenactments are a great way to meet new people.

“I make a lot of new friends,” Payton said. “I even have a group of people who follow me to reenactments.”

But as he grows older, he will soon be outgrowing his favorite role.

John Clem was discharged at 14, and soon, Payton will have to discharge himself and assume a new role to play.

“I’ll be sad,” Payton said. ”There’s no other Johnny Clem actor so hopefully someone will pick it up.”

Photo Gallery: Civil War Encampment At James A. Garfield National Historic Site