Published: September 23, 2009 08:12 pm      

Civil War Days honor soldiers

Re-enactments slated for Saturday, Sunday

DANVILLE — Members of the Illiana Civil War Historical Society will take a trip back in time this weekend for their fourth annual Vermilion County Civil War Days.

The event will go on rain or shine Saturday and Sunday at Kennekuk County Park.

Civil War Days will commemorate the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, which took place June 27, 1864, in Georgia.

“We’re celebrating the soldiers of Vermilion County by doing the battles they were in during the Civil War,” said committee chairman and founder Eugene Bencomo of Danville.

This particular battle is significant because a large number of Illinois and Indiana troops were in-volved as part of the 125th Illinois Infantry Regiment.

“It was one of the bloodiest battles for Vermilion County during the Civil War,” said society vice president Kevin Young of Rossville.

Danville’s Col. Oscar Harmon, lawyer and friend to Abraham Lincoln, led the regiment into battle, which suffered heavy casualties. Harmon was killed in the uphill assault on the Confederate strong-hold, Young said.

The 125th Regiment was among the Union troops who fought under Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman during his march to the sea.

“We try to tie it in locally as much as possible because a lot of people tend to forget that even though no battles were fought up here, citizens of Vermilion County had a great role in the war between the states,” said society president Larry Weatherford of Danville.

On Friday, prior to the weekend event, about 500 Vermilion County elementary students will experience life as a Civil War soldier.

Students will visit various stations set-up to represent mid-1800’s activities including a Civil War era military drill, a fashion show, artillery, infantry and cavalry demonstrations, an 1860s classroom and weaving.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, the Vermilion Voles, a vintage baseball club, will play a game according to rules set in 1858, Weatherford said.

On Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the society will host an “Antiques Road Show” style appraisal session where visitors may bring in antiques to be evaluated, Weatherford said. Antique and military experts will be present to offer history lessons on the items as well as free appraisals.

IF YOU GO

Civil War Days will take place at the Bunker Hill area at Kennekuk County Park. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per car load. Parking is free and the gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Battle re-enactments will take place Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 354-4519 or visit http://www.illianacivilwar.org.

Schedule of Events

Saturday

Gates open at 9 a.m.

10 a.m. — Living history presentation by the Lincolns

10 a.m. — Kids’ scavenger hunt until 5 p.m.

11 a.m. — Artillery and infantry drill

11:15 a.m. — Life of A Spy presentation

1 p.m. — Ladies tea and men and women’s fashion show

1 p.m. — Load and fire competition

1:30 p.m. — Kids’ drill

2:20 p.m. — Firing of Candy Cannon

2:30 p.m. — Living history presentation by the generals

3:30 p.m. — Re-enactment of Battle of Kennesaw Mountain/Knolb’s Farm

4 p.m. — Medical demonstration at Union camp

4:30 p.m. —Weeping and dying, husband calling, rolling pin toss contests

6 p.m. — Candlelight tour

7 p.m. — Civil War period dance

8 p.m. — Artillery “Night Fire” demonstration

Sunday

Gates open at 9:30 a.m.

9 a.m. — Civil War era church service (for participants only)

11 a.m. — “What It is, and What It’s Worth” antique appraisal and identification

1 p.m. — Ladies fashion show

1:30 p.m. — Living history presentation by the Lincolns

2 p.m. —Firing of the Candy Cannon

2:15 p.m. — Generals’ presentation at the battlefield

2:30 p.m. — Battle of Kennesaw Mountain/The Dead Angle

Event ends at 4 p.m.

All times and events are subject to change. Check at information booth for activity locations. For more information, call 354-4519 or visit http://www.illianacivilwar.org.