DuPage museum rallies to save Illinois Cavalry's Civil War flag

When DuPage County resident Marcellus Jones reportedly fired the first shot at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War in 1863, he did so as a member of the 8th Illinois Cavalry. Jones, who died in 1900, has taken his place in history, but the flag he marched under still hangs on by a thread.

If officials at the DuPage County Historical Museum have anything to say about it, that guidon will be like new after a restoration effort that begins Saturday, April 30, with the “Rally Around the Flag” fundraiser. The goal is to raise $20,000 through a series of events.

“There are hundreds of flags (at the Illinois State Military Museum) in fairly poor condition and need the restoration,” said Sara Arnas, DuPage County Historical Museum curator. “And they deserve it. We want to help with it.”

The event starts at 2 p.m. Saturday in Adams Park, at the northeast corner of Main and Wesley streets. Illinois State Military Museum Director Mark Whitlock will speak and Civil War re-enactors will portray the 8th Cavalry unit, which was the only cavalry unit from northern Illinois to enter the war.

Re-enactor and historian Roland Wood will discuss the 8th Cavalry, including its connection to DuPage County. The event is free, but donations are requested.

Arnas said this is the second time the museum has taken on such a venture, after previously completing a restoration of the 36th Illinois Infantry Regiment's flag.

“The community really respects the efforts and gets involved with it,” she said. “It's really amazing when you look at the flags, it is interesting to hear what it went through.”

The 8th Illinois Cavalry had a prolific history even beyond Jones' famous shot. It aided in the search for John Wilkes Booth, the stage actor who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. While Lincoln served, it acted as his honor guard.

In October, the unit will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its creation.

“We honor them for what they did,” Wood said. “We don't want the world to forget the Civil War and what it was about. We don't want them to forget the memories, the lives they lived and the sacrifices they made. This unit formed and fought to save the Union.”

Wood said restoration of the flags is a suitable tribute to the memories.

“That flag was there,” he said. “What that flag has seen and what it represents, as re-enactors, we live to understand. What they did, we try to teach others about it.”

If you go

What: DuPage County Historical Museum's “Rally Around the Flag” fundraiser

Why: To support restoration of the 8th Illinois Cavalry's Civil War-era flag

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30

Where: Adams Park in Wheaton, corner of Main and Wesley streets

Details: Re-enactors and historians educate attendees about Civil War-era life

Cost: Donations requested

Info: (630) 665-4710 or dupagemuseum.org