Civil War buffs present a real-life history lesson
Tom Hauff was killed and resurrected Saturday, just as he had been countless times before as his unit participated in a re-enactment of one of the nation's bloodiest conflicts Saturday.
"My great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, which led to my interest in this conflict," said Hauff, who was among 350 Civil War buffs at the Lehmann Mansion for the Lake Villa Historical Society's fifth annual Civil War Weekend. "Now my son and grandson participate, and there are three generations of Hauffs involved. It's a family affair."
Hauff, of Glenview, and other members of Mulligan's Battery, part of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, loaded and positioned a large parrot gun, which resembled a cannon.
"This gun was pulled by six horses and had a reach of 1,500 yards," Hauff said.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old Marisol Wieckhorst of Plainfield loaded and shot a 10-pound parrot gun for the Confederacy's First Mississippi Light Artillery Battery 1.
"It's dad and daughter bonding," said Marisol's dad, Mike Wieckhorst. "It's fun and it's history. It has everything I like: camping and camaraderie."
Re-enactors staged demonstrations, drilled and skirmished. Many also played the role of suppliers, known as sutlers.
More than 1,000 history lovers were expected to attend the weekend's events, said Sue Cribb, president of the historical society.
"This is a wonderful way to experience history," she said.
Visitors also toured the Lehmann mansion and viewed Lake Villa resident Ainsley Brook Wonderling's Civil War clothing display.
"I started collecting hats and bonnets and eventually started looking for dresses to go with the hats and bonnets," she said.
The collection of day dresses and a ball gown showed fine bead work, elaborate sleeves and yards of fabric.
The event continues from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today at the mansion, which is located at 485 N. Milwaukee Ave. Events include a nondenominational church service, Gettysburg Address, children's games and artillery drill. The battle will be staged at 2:30 p.m. There is a $5 fee to tour the encampment, as well as a $5 fee to tour the mansion.
Proceeds from the weekend's events benefit the Lake Villa Historical Society. For a schedule of events, visit www.lake-villa.org/event _schedule.html.