Civil War encampment in St. Charles May 7

The Camp Kane Heritage Foundation and the 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment will present a daylong Train the Troops event at Camp Kane, lower portion of Langum Park, along Route 25, in St. Charles, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

The event is free to the public. It will feature Civil War cavalry troops being put through actual drills, including uniform and weapons inspections, firing drills, saber drills, marching drills and more, just as recruits experienced during the Civil War.

"To our guys and organization, this is pretty close to hallowed ground," explained Bob Johnson, president of the 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. "More than 1,100 men from all around this area lived and trained on these very grounds for service in the Civil War. It is the last remaining undeveloped Civil War training camp in Illinois.

"We feel it is part of our duty to recognize and honor these men, and their service and sacrifice, by maintaining the memory and history of this site."

Johnson explained that the day's exercises will be those experienced in real life, and are modern-day requirements to be a member of the 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Each man must meet specific requirements in maintaining his equipment and uniform, in firing his weapon, and more. This is representative of life as lived by the original members of the 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War. It is an opportunity for interested people to participate with the re-enactors.

There also will be horse-mounted drills and exercises, with perhaps as many as eight to 12 mounted units.

The general public is invited to this free event, to witness living history as it actually happened, where it happened.

"People of all ages are encouraged to come and watch, and talk with Regiment members to learn more about the training experience during the Civil War," says David Richards, a foundation board member and marketing committee chairman. "There is so much history - both local and national - tied in to this site. It was President Lincoln himself who commissioned Colonel John Farnsworth, a St. Charles resident and U.S. congressman, to recruit and train a volunteer regiment of men to fight in the Civil War.

"These men were soon nicknamed by President Lincoln as 'Farnsworth's Big Abolition Regiment.' They fought in many major battles of the war, including Antietam, Gettysburg, Bull Run and many others. They were among the first Union troops on the field at Gettysburg, and it was Lt. Marcellus Jones of the 8th who is credited with having fired the first shot in the Battle at Gettysburg. They also were among the Honor Guard at President Lincoln's funeral."

Another regiment, the 17th Illinois Cavalry, of some 800 additional men was trained at Camp Kane in 1863. These men were sent west as the war neared its end, and fought in several engagements in the Kansas and Nebraska territories.

The day's schedule of events, which is subject to change, includes:

• 10 to 10:15 a.m.: Flag raising / salute

• 10:30 to noon: Drill, uniform inspection, weapons inspection of carbine, pistol, saber, manual of arms, troop demonstration/NCO practice, Saber Drill with troop saber demonstration, saber presentation

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Civilian Q&A, Camp Life Demonstration

• 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Firing Drills with Fire by file, volley fire, fire by file from the right, fire by file from the right rapid, six shots in a minute

• 2:30 to 2:45 p.m.: Break and Civilian Q&A

• 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.: Marching drills, with keeping step, marching to skirmish order, right and left wheels, obliques, turning the column, right and left into line, two ranks to single rank, single rank into two ranks.

• 4 p.m.: Closing presentation, with firing salute, flag lowering, closing remarks

"This is all made possible by the support and cooperation of the City of St. Charles and city council members and staff," says Richards. "This administration has been very supportive of the short- and long-term goals we have for this historic site. It's very much a collaborative effort.

"We encourage people to come out for the day and bring a picnic lunch, or come out for a couple of hours," he says. "There is a lot to see and do, and an opportunity to talk with the soldiers and learn what life was like for them."

Parking is free, and is available at the Langum Park parking lot on Seventh Avenue.

For information, visit the Camp Kane Heritage Foundation website at www.campkane.org.