Civil War Reenactors To 'Camp' At Manhattan Township History Museum

MANHATTAN, IL — Those with an eye for Civil War history have a special opportunity Saturday, July 6.

The Manhattan Township Historical Society will host an outdoor living history event by Cypress Company at the Manhattan History Museum, 255 S. State St., featuring Civil War reenactors portraying life at an encampment.

"If you have an interest in the American Civil War and want to learn what it was like to be in a Union garrisoned camp in 1863, you will not want to miss this event," the Manhattan Township Historical Society said.

A garrisoned camp is often a several month encampment wherein the soldiers are waiting for marching orders, the society explained. Generally, these camps were located near a town from which supplies could be obtained. The camps featured a mixture of military and local civilian personnel. There would have been military marching and drilling activities along with personal recreation such as letter writing, tabletop games and field games. Many of the tent accommodations would have been somewhat elaborate featuring tables, chairs and other comforts. Often such camps would be attacked by small bands of the enemy and skirmishes would occur.

— Manhattan Township Historical Society

Cypress Company is an informal group of independent reenactors who are members of various reenactment units and come together for living history events, the society said. They will be present in period uniforms to set up camp behind the museum facility near the caboose.

Manhattan’s 100th Illinois Volunteer Infantry (The Historic Will County Regiment) will set up a small tent area featuring a typical camp displaying food rations, weaponry and the typical personal equipment an infantryman would carry. There will be periodic infantry drills presenting marching, weapon handling and actual musket fire.

"The 'boys' are a friendly lot and have been known to coax willing members of the public to join in and try their hand at drills and marching with the troop," the society said. "The reenactors generally try to stay 'in character' portraying 1860s soldiers, but will happily break character to answer any questions you may have."

The event begins at 10 a.m., with musket fire at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Infantry drills will run at 1 p.m. The event is free and will be interactive, educational and entertaining.

The museum is open for free admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for indoor exhibit viewing.