Our Regimental Flag
Our Current -- 2007 -- 72nd Illinois Schedule
Members and Recruits of the 72d Illinois Regiment, Company "A" do not have to register individually, if you let us know far enough ahead of the event that you will be coming. The events listed below are a guideline as to which events the company membership is planning on going to. All Civil War Events do not want walk-ons, for insurance and safety reasons, and would like to know who is planning on coming, at least a month or more ahead of the event date, for ordering food, straw, firewood, porta-johns, water, etc.
We know from experience that it is hard to make weekend plans, month's ahead of time, though, you will lose any event benefits like, straw, hay, evening meal, or at some events, even having a spot to set up a tent. However, recruits and members are always welcome to fall in with us at the last minute if you can learn the drill and safely handle your equipment.
For more information contact the representative at; EDopke@comcast.net
Camp
All rifles and men must pass all safety inspections and drills in order to participate.
Local Civil War EVENTS
?
Can you load in nine times?
Can you fire three minie balls per minute? That's one shot per 20 seconds.
Can you hit a four inch target with a minie ball at 300 feet?
If so, I want you on my side, and as a member of our live fire shooting team.
If you answered, "Aunt minie who"! I am still willing to work with you, maybe.
During the Civil War our First Sergeant, Oliver Rice, of company A, won the regimental shooting contest by putting a mine ball through a silver dollar at 450 yards. Yes Sir, I said 1,350 feet. During most of the Civil War, battles between infantry soldiers was mostly done at ranges of one hundred yards, however, there was still a need for accurate long range fire.
Bristol Shooting Ranges
CCKC of Bristol Wisconsin
The Black Power range or Wilderness range is open to all original or reproduction firearms designed up to 1893, inline muzzle loaders, rifles in pistol calibers suitable for cowboy action shooting, shotguns with slugs and any 22 caliber handgun or rifle are permitted on the range. Hours are Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM or Sunday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Closed January to April. However, they have said in their newsletter that they will be open four Sundays in April the exception being April 8th, Easter Sunday, when the range will be closed.
*Naperville, Illinois May 19, 20, & 21st, Naper Settlement, 523 South Webster Street, Naperville IL. 60540
630-420-6015 E-mail emsonc@naperville.il.us
Civil War Days at Naper Settlement in Naperville Illinois, battles both days with a dinner provided on Saturday night with a civil war ball following the meal. Event supports preservation and education at Naper Settlement. We set up camp on Friday afternoon by 4 pm. It is a small park, but a lot of people come out to see this event every year. This is a close event for all of us and a good event to get everything unpacked, cleaned off and put to use. The weather has also been really outstanding throughout the years as well.
*Wauconda, Illinois July 12, 13, Lakewood Forest Preserve
The 17th annual Civil War Days reenactment will take place at the Lakewood Forest Preserve, which has over 200 acres of heavy woods. large fields, ravines and trails. Saturday morning tactical 8 am to 10 am plus reenactor-only activities for both military and civilian participants. The public is invited to Saturday afternoon living history demonstrations and evening guided camp tours and a Sunday scripted battle. Usual amenities. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to Civil War preservation. Walk-ons and late registrations subject to a $5 dollar per person fee. Contact the Lake County Discovery Museum, Civil War Coordinator, 27277 Forest Preserve Drive, Wauconda, Illinois 60084, 847-968-3400 chirn@co.lake.il.us
*Glenview, Illinois July 26, 27, The Grove
The Grove Historical Site, Glenview Park District, presents the 18th annual Civil War weekend in the Grove. Stressing living history scenarios, Military Ball Saturday night.
*Boscobel, WI. August 2, 3,
Boscobel's 16th Annual Muskets & Memories G.A.R. Heritage Encampment weekend recognizing the John McDermott Post #101 of the GAR. Reenactment of the Prairie Grove, Arkansas encounter where Capt. John McDermott, 20th WI lost his life. Usual amenities will be provided. Street dance on Saturday downtown in historical Boscobel.
Lake Villa, Illinois September 13th, 14th Lehmann Mansion
Expanded 6th annual living history event presented by Village of Lake Villa & the Historical Society. Saturday evening meal (pig roast) and Sunday country breakfast provided free for all pre-registered reenactors in period attire. Held on estate built in 1912, the period home resembles a Southern Mansion, proceeds will help to restore this mansion. Fashion show, ladies tea in fountain garden, and Saturday night candlelight tours and Military Ball inside mansion. Usual amenities will be on hand. Battle both days on new 44 acre site. Spectator questions contact: Historical Society at 847-265-8266 or Village of Lake Villa at 847-356-6100
Marengo, Illinois 16 & 17th September
Seventh Annual Civil War weekend at Indian Oaks Park, sponsored by Marengo Park District and City of Marengo. Friday is living history day for area schools. Candlelight tours of camps, one free all you can eat breakfast, Saturday night dance. We will drive down Friday and set up camp.
Stockton, Illinois October 4 & 5th Battle of Morseville in historic Jo Daviess County
Northwest Illinois Friends of the NRA,
The 7th annual northwest Illinois friends of the NRA battle of Morseville. This is the only civil war event sponsored by a Friends of the NRA committee. The Morseville Church will be selling lunch both days. Usual amenities plus a Sunday morning breakfast will be provided. We will drive down Friday and set up camp.
Contact Ron Fox, 1367 W. Stagecoach Trail, Scales Mound, Illinois 61075 or 815-845-2400 or e-mail johnrich@chorus.net
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First Sergeant's Humor
From the Encyclopedia of Civil War Usage, by Webb Garrison.
Some quotes below are from my own research, however, some quotes have been found to be of such a nature that the printers ink will not stick to them, darn. Never the less, these odd quotes can still be related at the company camp fire, if it is dark enough.
Wet Goods Slang for alcohol.
Veal Soldier or unit with no combat experience.
Old Bull Salted meat.
Salt Horse Salted meat.
Panada Soup of cornmeal, mashed hardtack, and flavorings.
Hish and Hash Meal of whatever edibles were on hand.
Bully Soup Hot cereal made from cornmeal and crushed hardtack that had been boiled.
Eat the Dishrag To clean your plate with your bread and then eat that too.
Forty-Rod Worst possible whiskey said to be lethal at forty rods.
Forty Dead Men Full allotment of forty cartridges.
In search of his rights Soldier who has fled the battlefield rather than fight.
Lob-Ears German immigrant soldiers who only know a bit of English.
Latin Farmers German immigrant soldiers who came to the US knowing Latin or Greek.
Leg Case A deserter
Mule Collar: A rolled-up blanket filled with gear and tied into a circle, and worn over the shoulder and across the chest.
Vulcanite: Rubber mixed with sulfur, heated, and molded under pressure to make hard combs, buttons, etc.
Lobscouse: Stew of salt pork, pounded hardtack, and vegetables.
Pumpkin Rind: The blank shoulder strap that designated a Federal Second Lieutenant.
Also, 69 cal. to 75 cal. rounds, because of there large appearance.
Slow Bear: A pig that made it into the Yankee troops pot.
Pickled Mule: Cheap meat, soaked in brine to preserve it.
Quartermaster-Hunting: Miscalculating your cannon fire so that the only danger is to the enemy's supply personnel and its wagons.
Mudscows: Wide, ugly, boat like shoes, that only a soldier deprived of choice would wear.
Cannon Fever: Fear of the dangers of combat.
Seeing the Elephant Fear overtaking the new recruit upon seeing the ranks of the enemy for the first time.
Strawfoot: A bungling recruit with left-right confusion.
Throwing the Papers: Playing a game of cards.
Baled Hay: The army's solution to provide veggies and fresh fruit, these cakes of desiccated vegetables looked like cattle food.
Hop, Step, and Jump: Slang for a two-wheeled ambulance known for its bumpy ride on even the smoothest roads.
Jewelry Attached: As a prisoner, having an iron ball and chain fastened to one or both legs.
Nockum Stiff: Exactly what home-brewed alcoholic concoctions usually did to its drinker.
Yuunk: Prisoner-of-war lingo for an unpopular person, or a relative or sweetheart who wrote only short letters if any.