To honor Bishop Hill’s very own Company D, IL 57th Volunteer Infantry during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the BHHA has organized Bishop Hill Civil War Day for Saturday May 9, 2015. There will be a Civil War encampment in the village park, with programs every hour throughout the day. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, General Blackjack Logan, and other Civil War figures. Witness an artillery demonstration, skirmish, and much more. Finish your visit by attending an evening Civil War Dance at the Colony School. All these programs are free and open to the public. Also, the Steeple Building Museum, Henry County Museum, and Bishop Hill Museum will have special Civil War displays. For more details, go to www.bishophillheritage.org, call 309 927-3899, or email bhha@mymctc.net.
Program Schedule for May 9 Bishop Hill Civil War Day
9 a.m. – General John “Black Jack” Logan performance by Brian “Fox” Ellis; Village Park Gazebo
10:15 a.m.- Artillery Demonstration by Battery G, 2nd IL Light Artillery; Coopers’ Field
11:00 a.m. – Mother Bickerdyke performance by Helen Milan; Dairy Building
11:00 a.m.- Anti-Slavery Movement in Black and White program by Jeanne Schultz Angel; Henry County Museum
12:15 p.m.- Civil War Field Embalming demonstration by Jon Austin; Twinflower Inn
12:15 p.m.- Ladies Tea by the Ladies of Charity; Steeple Building
1:15 p.m.- The Story of the Gettysburg Address by Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln as portrayed by Max and Donna Daniels; Village Park Gazebo
2:30 p.m.- Skirmish; Coopers’ Field
3:15-Medical Demonstration by the 17th Corps Field Hospital ; Village Park at the 17th Corps Field Hospital
4:00 p.m.-Civil War Music by Hammer and Pick ; Steeple Building
7:00 p.m.-Civil War Dance featuring “Too Old to Be Controlled” with caller Gail Hintze ; Colony School
Company D, 57th Illinois Volunteer Infantry History
For the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Bishop Hill is honoring its very own Company D. Organized in September and October 1861, at Bishop Hill, Company D of the 57th Illinois Infantry was composed of Swedes mainly from Henry County. The 57th was mustered into service on December 26, 1861 at Camp Douglas in Chicago with S. D. Baldwin as Colonel. This unit fought in the Battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, and “Sherman’s March to the Sea.” Company D also took part in the Grand Review at Washington D.C., before President Johnson and General Grant, on May 24, 1865. The Swedish Union Guard was mustered out on July 7, 1865.
Sponsorships
Thank you to all the reenactors, too numerous to list, who participated this year. Without all your help and support, Bishop Hill Civil War Days would not have been possible! Also, thank you to the following organizations, individuals, and foundations for sponsoring programs today: Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Galesburg Community Foundation, Bill and Susan Sherrard Foundation, Robert Mellon, Neal and Diana Cooper, Henry County Museum, and Twinflower Inn (www.TwinFlowerInn.com).
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