Hello Everyone:

I hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying spring weather after a long and cold winter. I apologize for being somewhat incommunicado this winter/early spring, but it’s been a tough on for me.

I am writing to ask you to join us in Springfield, Illinois at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site for a living history event on the weekend of June 10-12, 2011. I know this is extremely short notice, but the park is working in conjuction with the Old State Capitol State Historic site that weekend to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. The park staff is very interested in establishing a relationship with us going forward, so this is a wonderful opportunity for us to create a permanent home for living history events in the Midwest. Here are the specifics:

Scenario:

Background:
We will portray the Springfield City Greys , one of three militia companies in Springfield at the time. They were a private, dues-paying company, included the elite sons of the town, and were trained by none other than Elmer Ellsworth. The time frame is mid-April 1861 – Fort Sumter has been fired upon and surrendered. President Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the Rebellion, and Gov. Richard Yates has convened the state legislature and called for “six regiments of militia.” Historically, the Greys met and voted unanimously to volunteer for service, the first to do so in the state. They eventually formed the nucleus of Company I, 7th Illinois Volunteer Regiment, and their commander, John W. Cook, served as the Captain of the company.

Event Scenario:
We will gather as the Springfield Greys at the Lincoln Home site to drill, discuss the news of the day, and vote to offer our serves to the Governor and President. We will also enlist civilians to add to the company rolls and drill them as well. Ideally we would also have civilian spectators, commentators, dignitaries, and well-wishers as well.

Event Command Structure:
Terry Sorchy – Captain of the Springfield Greys
John Wickett – Sergeant and Drillmaster

I have attached a copy of the uniform guidelines and civilian clothing expectations as well.

We should be ready to go “live” for the event early Saturday morning (the park opens for the public at 8:30 AM), and ideally I’d like to have most participates stay through the noon hour on Sunday to provide the park and its visitors the best possible experience.

Tentative Schedule:
Friday afternoon/evening - arrival/camp set-up

Saturday
Morning – Reveille, Roll Call, Drill, Recruiting
1st afternoon demo - speeches by local dignitaries, recruits sign up
2nd afternoon demo - Springfield Greys vote on mustering in (historically they voted unanimously to volunteer for Federal Service)
Concert by the 33rd Illinois Brass Band
Evening meal/entertainment

Sunday
Reveille, Roll Call, Church Call
Morning - Drill
Morning (2) - Greys form up, march off to Camp Yates

Logistics:

Note:
The Lincoln Home site is being very generous, and they are essentially opening their doors to us. We will have the run of the park, and they will provide us with firewood, water, and restroom facilities.

Parking:
Parking will be made available to those arriving early on Friday. After business hours on Friday and during the entire weekend, the ideal place for parking will be the municipal parking structure just north of the park. More details to follow.

Sleeping arrangements:
The Greys and male civilians should plan on sleeping in tentage. We should have Sibley and common tents available. If you have a tent, please let me know.

Female civilians and children are encouraged to attent this event as well. While the park unfortunately cannot offer period sleeping arrangements, the conference building on the north side of the park will be open to us, and attendees would be welcome to bring cots, sleeping bags, etc. to “camp” there. Additionally, there are a number of Bed and Breakfasts and Hotels within the immediate vicinity of the park as well.

Food:
Terry Sorchy has generously offered to cook meals for the event. These will of course be prepared utilizing period recipes and techniques. To cover the costs of the food, we will need $30 from each person wanting to eat meals prepared by Terry. Payment can be made utilizing Paypal (please send the money as a “gift” to avoid the usage fee Paypal charges) – Terry’s email address is sorchyt [at] live [dot] com.

If you wish to bring your own food for the event, please insure that it is prepared utilizing period appropriate ingredients and recipes, and is stored in period appropriate containers.

Registration:

I would like to make this as simple as possible. Please email me (ebfair71 [at] gmail [dot] com) with a confirmation that you will be able to attend the event. In that email, if you could provide the following information:

1) Name, contact information, emergency contact information
2) Planned arrival time
3) Attending as a member of the Springfield Greys or
4) Attending as a civilian
5) Planning on purchasing food for the event (see above for paying Terry Sorchy)

That’s really all the information I need to get you down for the event.

Questions:

Feel free to message me here or email me (ebfair71 [at] gmail [dot] com) with any questions and I will try to answer them as quickly as possible.

I’d like to have a good number of Springfield Greys in attendance, so if you are missing one or two items on the guidelines, let me know and I’ll do my best to see if we can get them for you.

I again apologize for the late notice on this, but I think this event has the potential to be a very good one and should be a great time for the membership. Additionally, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to develop a long lasting relationship with a National Park that is in easy driving distance for most.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Best Regards,
Eric

Thanks for the update, Eric.

Looking forward to the chance to work with this NPS site.

-Andy Ackeret

Quick note on the impression: after some research, it appears that the Greys changed their uniforms after Col. Ellsworth began training them to more of a "Zouave" look (blue jackets, red trousers, red kepi). As this would be difficult to obtain and match in such short notice (or anytime, really), we will approximate their first uniforms, which would have followed Illinois State Militia guidelines - grey jackets or frock coats and trousers. Also, as there is little evidence at this time to support either buff leather or cotton webbing "cross belts" or black leather accoutrements, we are allowing both.

Hope you can make it - should be a grand time.

Just wanted to send out one more note as we are about a month out from the Lincoln Home Living History event. Again, if you have any interest in attend, please let me know ASAP – we could use a few more Springfield Greys! So far, I have:

Andy Ackeret (military)
Christian Jebb (civilian)
Rod Miller (civilian)
Vivian Murphy (civilian)
Jeremy Powell (civilian)
Terry Sorchy (military)
Wanetta Tipsword (civilian)
Mary and Bill Warren (civilian)
John Wedeward (civilian)
John Wickett (military)

Rations:

If you are interested in partaking in the food gathered by Mssr. Terry Sorchy for the event, he needs your money by next Friday, May 20. Cost is $15/day (or $30 for the event), and the easiest way to get him the funds is via Paypal (use the “gift” option to avoid the Paypal service fee). Terry's Paypal email address is sorchyt41[at]live[com].

Note on the impression:

After some research, it appears that the Greys changed their uniforms after Col. Ellsworth began training them to more of a "Zouave" look (blue jackets, red trousers, red kepi). As this would be difficult to obtain and match in such short notice (or anytime, really), we will approximate their first uniforms, which would have followed Illinois State Militia guidelines - grey jackets or frock coats and trousers. Also, as there is little evidence at this time to support either buff leather or cotton webbing "cross belts" or black leather accoutrements, we are allowing both.

Springfield Notes:

I’ve uploaded an 1855 map of Springfield here:

picasaweb.google.com/ebfair71/May112011?...#5605498734793289522

Springfield is still a young town in 1861…

Springfield was first platted in 1823 under the name “Calhoun,” although the name never held much favor with the original inhabitants of the town, and was officially dropped when it was incorporated. In 1825 it was named the permanent County Seat of Sangamon County. As the state’s population center began to shift from south to north, more and more delegates to the state legislature demanded that the state capital be moved to the north. With the help of the political machinations of the “long nine” (Sangamon County’s representatives in the legislature, including Abraham Lincoln – so named because of their height), the legislature voted to move the capital to Springfield in 1837, and the first session was held there in 1839.

The population of Springfield in 1861 was created by number of different migratory routes and immigrants. Central Illinois is the boundary region in which settlers from Kentucky and points south met those coming across from New England and the mid-Atlantic. By 1861, the area has also received an influx of Irish, German, and Portuguese (yup!) immigrants as well.

Sangamon County – organized January 30, 1821
County population, 1860 – 32274
Incorporated as a town, April, 1832
Incorporated as a city, April 1840 (population 2579)
Springfield population, 1860 – 9392 (4th largest city – Chicago 1st at 109260)

Only 14% of population in metropolitan areas, still very much rural state

Political Information

1860 Election Results

President:

Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat – 3598
Abraham Lincoln, Republican – 3556
John Bell, Constitutional Union – 130
John Breckinridge – Southern Democrat – 77

Governor:
Richard Yates, Republican, 3609
James C. Allen, Democrat, 3601

Elected Officials:

U.S. Senators:
Lyman Trumbull (Republican)
Stephen A. Douglas (Democrat – ill at the time and would soon die)

U.S. Representative:
John A. McClernand (Douglas Democrat) – resigns in October 1861 to accept a commission in the Army

Governor:
Richard Yates (Republican)

State Senator:
William Jayne (Republican)

State Representatives:
Shelby M. Cullom (Republican), Norman M. Broadwell (Democrat)

Mayor:
George L. Huntington

Aldermen
First Ward:
John S. Vredenburg
Ralph J. Coats
Charles Fisher

Second Ward:
Cornelius Ivers
John W. Chenery
John Connelly, Jr.
Zimri A. Enos

Third Ward:
Christopher C. Brown
Thomas J. Dennis
Henry Grubb
Daniel Morse

Fourth Ward:
A.J. French
G.B. Simonds
Dudley Wickersham
Richard Young

Town Resources

Newspapers:
Illinois State Register – founded 1836 in Vandalia, moved to Springfield in 1839, Charles Lanphier, publisher in 1860 (Democratic editorial page). Published on East Monroe between 6th and 7th Streets.

Illinois State Journal – founded in 1831 as the Sangamo Journal, Edward L. Baker is editor in 1861 (Republican in 1860). Printed near the corner of 6th and Washington Streets.

Banks:
Springfield Marine Bank, founded in 1851
N.H. Ridgely & Company, founded in 1859 by Nicholas Ridgely

Railroads in 1861:
Chicago & Alton Railroad (connects Chicago to St. Louis)
Toledo, Wabash, and Western Railway (connects Quincy, IL to Toledo and Lake Erie)

Churches:
First Presbyterian Church , organized 1827 – corner of Fourth and Washington Streets
Second Presbyterian Church, organized 1835 – corner of Fourth and Monroe Streets
Third Presbyterian Church, organized 1849 – corner of Six and Monroe Streets
Episcopal Church, Organized 1835 – corner of Fourth and Adams Street
First Methodist Episcopal Church, Organized 1836 – SE corner of Monroe and Fifth Streets
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Organized 1836 – South side of Adams Street, between 8th and 9th Streets [by 1865 this would become the largely German parish]
German Lutheran Church, east side 4th Street, between Jefferson and Adams
Church of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic), Organized 1859 – NE corner of 7th and Monroe Street
Baptist Church, organized 1830, corner of 7th and Adams Street

Dry Goods/Grocers:
J. A. McCandless & Co. – west side of the public square, next to Ridgely Bank
Smith, Edwards, & Co. – west side of the public square

Hotels/Inns:
Brown’s Hotel, Brown and Dana, proprietors, corner of Adams and 7th Street.
Sangamon House, John Snelling, proprietor, NE corner of 4th and Adams Street
National Hotel, Frank W. Wetherbee, proprietor, north side of Adams Street between 3rd and 4th
St. Nicholas Hotel, T.D. Wickersham, proprietor, corner of 4th and Jefferson

Restaurants/Saloons:
Brady’s Restaurant/Bar, South side of public square
French Restaurant, Edmund Duhamel, proprietor, Union Row
Lager Bier Halle, Wiedeman & Schriefer, proprietors, 6th Street opposite the Journal office
Loon Lake Saloon, A. Morris and W.T. Smith, proprietors,

Other:
G. Hartmann, Tobacconist and Cigar Manufacturer, Fifth Street South

Add Jim Hulburt (civilian)

Hi everyone -
Just a reminder, if you planning on partaking in the food Terry is providing, you need to pay him by today, as he is planning on getting it this weekend. Again, the cost is $15/day, and you can send payment via Paypal at sorchyt41[at]live[dot]com.

Thanks, and look forward to seeing everyone there!

Cheers,
Eric

Eric,

Please add me and Donica to the guest list. We will both be coming as civilians.


Thank you!

Updated list:

Andy Ackeret (military)
Brad Argue
Dave and Donica Frohmader
Dave Gerow (civilian)
Jim Hulburt
Chris Irelan
Christian Jebb (civilian)
Rod Miller (civilian)
Vivian Murphy (civilian)
Jeremy Powell (civilian)
Terry Sorchy (military)
Wanetta Tipsword (civilian)
Mary and Bill Warren (civilian)
John Wedeward (military)
John Wickett (military)

Some quick logistical notes:

Parking: The park has informed me that anyone arriving before 5pm Friday may park in the Lincoln Home site's visitor parking lot, which is south of the visitor center on 7th Street. If anyone asks, let them know you are volunteering for the site for the weekend. After 5pm Friday, the park asks us to move all vehicles to the City of Springfield municipal parking structure, which is located on Capitol Ave between 7th Street and 9th Street.

Militia Camp: We will be camped in the lot adjacent to the visitor center. All militia impressions should plan on camping there, and civilian recruits may join us as well.

Conference Center: We will have access to the Lincoln Home Site Conference for the entire weekend. Civilians may stay the night there (unfortunately, other than the camp, there are no period accommodations), we'll have a place to change clothes, and access to restrooms, refrigerators, water, etc. here.

Firewood: Plenty of firewood will be made available to us from the park. I'll be digging a fire pit for us when I arrive on Friday.

Interpretation: While there are no period interior facilities for interpretation, we have the run of the park, and can also stand/sit on any of the porches of the houses well. The park has extra chairs if we need them.

Again, we are attempting to bring the Springfield of April of 1861 to life, just after President Lincoln issued his call for volunteers and Governor Yates called up the militia.

I'm planning on being on site early Friday afternoon and will have access to voice and email via my cellphone. Don't hesitate to call/email with any questions.

Finally, here is a map with some of the landmarks I discussed flagged:

Lincoln Home Map

Best Regards,
Eric

Hi Folks -
One last piece of research for the weekend - this is a series of notes on the various home owners of the neighborhood as it existed during the period. Might help as we are walking around the neighborhood this weekend. Thanks to the park service for providing it!

Doc is located here:

Lincoln Home Notes

Weather forecast is shaping up nicely!

See you this weekend!

For those who don't have Google accounts, here is a direct download in PDF form from our server:

oldnorthwestvols.org/PDF/lincolnhomenotes.pdf

D'oh!

Thanks Dave! I also fixed the link in the post, so hopefully you can access it there w/o a Google account.