Jacksonville, Illinois
The l3th Annual Grierson Days Civil War reenactment is coming to Jacksonville’s Community Park June 20th, 2lst and 22nd.
Friday night kicks off with a Free Brass Band Concert featuring the Civil War music of the l0th Cavalry Volunteer Brass Band from Springfield Illinois at 6pm.
This is one of the largest Civil War encampments in the Midwest, this year nearly 300 re-enactors are registered with over thirty Cavalry and l0 Cannons, making for three days of excitement.
There
are lots of new kids activities both Saturday and Sunday, Candy Cannon
shoots, Scavenger hunt, Military Drills, Pony rides and more. Nationally
known Civil War Balladeer and Story Teller Bob Welch will be on hand all
three days performing on Stage.
See
artillery and cannon drills, visit with the re-enactors in their camps
and see how the Civil War Soldiers lived.
Saturday
at l pm there is a ladies tea and fashion show
sponsored by the 50 year pilot Club. The Battle
Reenactment is at 3pm. Grand Ball at the Nichols Park Pavilion beginning
at 7pm.
Sunday
Pastor John
McCorkle will offer a civil war church service with religious ballads by
Bob Welch following the service. The battle on Sunday is at 2pm. Some of
the best Sutlers in the US will be featured at this years event
featuring everything that a soldier would need. See artisans that
include medical teams, funeral services, woodworking, nurses stations,
blacksmiths and lots of great food, including the famous Willie’s
Barbecue, kettle korn, root beer and the 50 year pilot club Strawberry
tent. And the best part of Grierson Days is all of the activities are
free. There is no admission charge to the event. For more information
contact event coordinator Ron Gray at
ronandmarygray@aol.com,
or
217,
243-4003, 217-473-4099.
This is a great Central Illinois Event. Be sure to place it on your schedule this year.
Colonel Benjamin
Henry Grierson (shown left as Brigadier General) was not only a resident
of Jacksonville but also commanded a brigade of cavalry at Port Hudson
under General Bank's command.
One of
Grierson's main goals was the defeat and elimination of the Confederate
cavalry forces under the command of
Colonel John Logan, which operated outside the Port Hudson garrison
throughout the siege. Logan's men harassed the Union troops from the
rear, attacked supply wagons, and were otherwise a major nuisance to
Banks. There were repeated skirmishes between the two cavalry units,
but none decisive. On June 3rd, Grierson led 1,300 men supported by
eight cannon toward Clinton, determined to finish the Confederate
cavalry. Logan was alerted and a battle ensued, resulting in Grierson's
forces being defeated and forced to retreat back to Port Hudson. Banks
then sent General Paine with a powerful force of infantry, cavalry, and
artillery back to crush Logan, but the Confederates had escaped.
Prior to Port Hudson, Grierson had become famous for leading a cavalry raid (April 17-May 2) through Confederate areas of Mississippi to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this being known as "Grierson's Raid". Primarily as a result of this he was promoted to Brigadier General, effective June 3, 1863. The movie, "The Horse Soldiers", made in 1959 starring John Wayne, was based on Grierson's foray.
Benjamin Henry Grierson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 8, 1826. After being educated in Ohio, he moved to Illinois and taught music, then entered business. When the Civil War began, Grierson joined the army at Cairo on May 8, 1861, serving initially as a volunteer aide, with the nominal rank of Lieutenant. On October 24, 1861, he was commissioned Major of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, and on March 28, 1862 was promoted by choice of the regiment to be colonel. While ascending through the military ranks, he took part in raids and skirmishes in West Tennessee and northern Mississippi. He pursued the Confederate forces after their raid against the Union supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi. Because of this action, he was given command of a cavalry brigade. Although he lacked a formal military education, Grierson became a skilled Union cavalry leader. After the Civil War, he was appointed colonel of the 10th US Cavalry, and took part in several actions against Indians. Eventually, he became one of the few civilians who attained the rank of brigadier general in the Regular army. Grierson died on September 1, 1911, in Omena, Michigan.
