Hainesville's Civil War En campment & Battle

Relive history as historically knowledgeable military and civilian re-enactors in authentic period garb recreate an American Civil War Encampment and Battle in a rural setting in Hainesville, Illinois. It is the only event of its kind in Lake County , Illinois depicted annually since 2016. Event highlights include narrated military battles between Union and Confederate forces with infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Also included are historically accurate bivouacs, battlefield surgeries, and historical presentations by such luminaries as President and Mrs. Lincoln, General Grant, Elijah Haines (Hainesville founder), Harriet Tubman (runaway slave and founder of the Underground Railroad), and Thomas Morris Chester (only black correspondent on a major daily newspaper). New this year are representatives of the 29th USCT (United States Colored Troops from Illinois who fought on behalf of the Union in the Eastern Theater). Also included are food and souvenir vendors. Opportunities exist for the public to question participants about their knowledge of and their role in that period of history. There will be additional opportunities for members of the public to learn about and participate in coached military drills.