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04/16/2005: Civil War Historical Encampment...
I know there is some part of DBV readership who are History and Civil War buffs, So, this weekend in St. Charles (Dennis Hastert Corner includes "the Tri-Cities" areas of St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia) there is the 8th Illinois Calvalry Civil War re-enactment encampment from noon Saturday to noon on Sunday at Langum Park. The Daily Herald had this nice article by Victoria Pierce (Staff Writer):"Civil War buffs interested in what life was like for soldiers in the 1860s may want to head to Langum Park in St. Charles this weekend....
...The site of the encampment is relevant because more than 140 years ago it was known as Camp Kane, the actual training ground for the 8th Illinois Cavalry under the leadership of Gen. John Farnsworth. He owned the Camp Kane property and lived across the river in a hillside mansion overlooking the camp, said Kim Malay, historic preservation coordinator for the city of St. Charles.“
"The site is significant to the mansion,” she said.The Farnsworth Mansion was torn down in the early 1990s, but the home’s original building materials were saved. Efforts are under way to reconstruct the Farnsworth Mansion in Langum Park where it will be used as a Civil War museum, Malay said....
...The soldiers of the 8th Illinois Cavalry will be practicing battlefield movements, marching and tactics as well as showing the public Civil War-era weapons, uniforms and other paraphernalia. If the weather permits, there may also be demonstration of cannon fire and horse training.
According to regimental history, the 8th Illinois Cavalry, which drew soldiers from across northern Illinois, was called into service for three years in September 1861. The soldiers arrived in Washington, D.C., six weeks later and began service with the Army of the Potomac in the east. The sites of their battles are now well-known and include Mechanicsville, Seven Pines and Gettysburg. It was 1st Lt. Marcellus Jones of the 8th Illinois Cavalry who fired the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863..."
Karen on 04.16.05 @ 06:09 AM CST
