Historic figures walk the grounds at Civil War Days
Area residents wanting to meet people who helped change the course of history have no farther to go this weekend than Naper Settlement's Civil War Days.
As in the past, President Abraham Lincoln, famous generals and common soldiers will be among those assembled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, at the 19th century museum village at 523 W. Webster St., Naperville.
But new faces also will be there for visitors to meet, said Donna Sack, director of visitor services.
"This is the first time we will have Frederick Douglass participate in our event," she said.
Chicago native Kevin McIlvaine, now artist-in-residence in the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., will portray the one-time slave who rose to become a well-known black abolitionist, author, newspaper publisher and women's rights advocate.
McIlvaine said Douglass met Lincoln on three occasions.
"It was Frederick Douglass who urged the president to free the slaves and allow them to fight for their freedom," he said.
When Lincoln did issue the Emancipation Proclamation (not soon enough for Douglass's liking), the abolitionist recruited black men to join the Union Army.
"Over 180,000 black men served in the Union Army," McIlvaine said. "I think that changed the tide of the war."
Another new face joining Civil War Days is Paddy Lynn, who will portray Harriet Beecher Stowe, author "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Stowe's vivid portrayal of the life of black Americans under slavery was so influential that Lincoln is reported to have remarked when he met her, "So this the little lady who started this great war!"
Lincoln's political opponent, Stephen Douglas, will be there in the form of actor Terry Lynch. History professor James Marten of Marquette University will speak on the lives of children during the Civil War.
Stephen Quick and Phil Lauricella will debate the viewpoints of the North and South in "Two Voices of the Civil War."
Norm Camp will demonstrate Civil War cooking. Naperville artist Jim Weren will present his portraits and knowledge of the war's famous generals in "Civil War in General."
Battles take place at 2:30 p.m. each day.
Army on the move
Sycamore resident Larry Worline will be back to portray Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, who finally led the North to victory after Lincoln went through a long string of commanders. Grant had his critics, who depicted him as a slovenly drunk and butcher who didn't care about how many men he lost in battle.
"He was slovenly, but he wasn't a drunk. He couldn't have accomplished what he did if he were a drunk," said Worline, adding that Lincoln sent spies into Grant's camp to check out the rumors of his drinking.
The depiction of Grant as a butcher is also unfair, Worline said. Grant fought hard and took frightful casualties, but ultimately wore down Lee's army, he said.
"His life philosophy was 'I never turn back,'" Worline said.
Robert Conklin, a member of Chicago Light Artillery Battery A, portrays one of the Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. In addition to the dangers of battle, the soldiers endured long marches, rain, camping out, and a lack of food and clothing, he said. Foraging was common, especially in the South.
"You looked for a farm and sort of helped yourself," he said.
Soldiers wounded in battle might have been treated by Dr. Orange Ormsby. Ormsby was an actual Civil War physician who came from Galena, said Bob Fox of Oak Forest, who portrays him.
"The primary work we did was amputation," Fox said. "Amputation was the only way you could save a life if a limb was shattered and it was inoperable."
Contrary to popular misconception, soldiers did not have to bite on a stick or be given a swig of alcohol to deal with the pain, Fox said. Anesthesia was available. Lundnum, one of the most common painkillers, was a combination of opium and brandy.
Soldiers could lie on the battlefield for hours before being treated. Even those who received prompt attention for their wounds had no assurance of recovery. Without an understanding of germs, surgeons never sterilized their instruments and reused bandages after rinsing them out, Fox said.
"I think one of the things most people are surprised about is we never washed our hands," he said.
Two-thirds of the soldiers who perished died not of their wounds, but disease and infection, Fox said.
Back to civilian life
But Civil War era wasn't all about fighting and death, and neither is the family-oriented Civil War Days. The Fox Valley Genealogical Society will do online searches for visitors who want to find out whether an ancestor served in the Civil War. The medicine show and flea circus will be back.
A dozen or more vendors will offer wares that include Civil War hats, baskets, jewelry, books and wooden toy guns.
Greg and Sherri Brunk of Kettle Korn travel seven hours from Missouri to offer their popped, sweetened corn and homemade root beer, Sherri Brunk said.
"That's the only show we do in that area and we always look forward to it," she said.
Kettle corn is an authentic treat, she said. Field corn was popped in a big kettle that the pig lard was heated in after a hog was butchered, Brunk said.
"They would put sugar in it as it starts popping. That would make it sweet and that was a treat," she said. "Basically it's cooked in the same old cast iron kettle."
Sack said Civil War Days normally draws a crowd of 5,000 to 6,000 depending on the weather.
"If folks are looking for fun and educational things to do, we're the place to be that weekend," she said.
If you go
What: Civil War Days
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; battle at 2:30 p.m. each day
Cost: $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6.50 youth ages 4-17; $1 off advance tickets at several Naperville retail locations and at Naper Settlement
Info: (630 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum