Members of Taylor's Battery demonstrate the firing of a Civil War cannon Sunday during the Bensenville Park District's annual Civil War Days at Fischer Farm. The re-enactors who make up the battery stuck around to answer questions from visitors.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Hundreds of history buffs and other visitors flocked to Fischer Farm in Bensenville over the weekend to learn about how the Blue and the Gray lived, fought and sometimes died, during the Bensenville Park District's annual Civil War Days.
About 20 re-enactors dressed in period clothes demonstrated how those who lived through the era spun wool into thread, kept busy in a soldier camp, conducted infantry drills, and healed injured infantrymen.
One notable figure that everyone easily recognized was President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Veron Risty of Arlington Heights.
The centerpiece of the encampment were the re-enactors of Taylor's Battery artillery unit from Chicago. The unit demonstrated how to load and fire a Civil War cannon, much to the delight of the crowd.
President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Vernon Risty of Arlington Heights, was on hand Sunday during the Bensenville Park District's annual Civil War Days at Fischer Farm.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Infantry march through camp Sunday during the Bensenville Park District's annual Civil War Days at Fischer Farm.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Luke DiVerde, 6, of Oak Park tries out Civil War-era toys Sunday while attending the Bensenville Park District's annual Civil War Days at Fischer Farm with his grandparents.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
The Battlefield Balladeers, Jim Schranz of Lindenhurst and David Corbett of Buffalo Grove, perform traditional Civil War-era music Sunday during the Bensenville Park District's annual Civil War Days at Fischer Farm.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Libbie Haraldsen of Woodridge portrays a camp follower and spinner Sunday during the Bensenville Park District's annual Civil War Days at Fischer Farm.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com