Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park begins its 2013 “School of the Soldier” series of programs, at 1 p.m., May 4, at the park Visitor Center. The two hour program-one of seven planned for the visitor season -will give the participant historical insight into what the individual Civil War soldier wore and carried with him on campaign and into combat.

Additionally, visitors will learn and practice the unique skill of how to send coded messages via semaphore flag across a Civil War battlefield in a “hands on” exercise.

The event is free to the public, however, donations to the Friends of Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park are always accepted.

The program is suitable for ages 8 and up and will be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather.

For more information contact Sailor's Creek State Park Visitor Center at 804-561-7510 or email: sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov.