Meet a Civil War general during guided tour May 6

Walk the blocks of Elgin's Civil War forefathers, General William Lynch and Lt. Col. John Wilcox.

On Sunday, May 6, the Near West Neighbors Association, in partnership with the Elgin Area Historical Society, will host a guided tour highlighting the Near West Neighborhood's Civil War ties.

Tours will depart from the Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House at 302 W. Chicago St. at 1 and 2 p.m.

There is a $5 suggested donation.

Nancy herself (portrayed by Linda Rock) will be on hand to discuss her family's history with visitors, as well as General Lynch (portrayed by Jim Zingales).

William F. Lynch, born in 1839, was a graduate of Elgin Academy and studied at Notre Dame University. At the start of the war, he returned to the Chicago area and joined what would become the 58th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving as a young colonel.

After victories in 1862 at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee with General Ulysses S. Grant, the regiment came under continuous fire when the Confederates counterattacked at Shiloh. The regiment was forced to surrender. Lynch, who had been injured in the battle, was held for a short time in the infamous Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, before being released later that year as part of a prisoner exchange. He fought in more battles, eventually being wounded in 1864 when a musket ball shattered his leg below the knee. The leg was not amputated and he never fully recovered from his war injuries. While Grant was president, he visited Elgin in 1872, toured the Elgin Watch Factory and visited old war buddy. Lynch died five years later at age 38.

The Nancy Kimball House will be open for viewing during this tour from 1 to 3 p.m.

Watch local artists paint cobblestones for sale. Buy one and support the restoration of the Nancy Kimball Cobblestone. Paint a kindness rock to plant around Elgin for free.

For information, call the museum at (847) 742-4248 or visit elginhistory.org/event/nwna-civil-war-history-walk/.

Follow the Near West Neighbors Association of Elgin on Facebook.