Grierson Days and Historic Jacksonville Celebration         

[JUNE 15, 2006]  JACKSONVILLE -- The 11th annual Grierson Days Civil War re-enactment at Jacksonville Community Park is scheduled for Father's Day weekend, June 16-18. This Civil War re-enactment honors the memory of Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson, who lived in Jacksonville. In addition, this year several historic sites are opening their doors to incorporate a celebration of the city's rich history.

The Grierson Days celebration has been a mainstay in Jacksonville for the last 11 years. In fact, Grierson Days is one of the largest mounted cavalry Civil War re-enactments in the Midwest, involving more than 300 re-enactors and their families. For those who like the thunder of the "big guns," there are currently 12 scheduled to be present, enough to keep people's blood pumping.

Gen. Grant and President Lincoln declared Grierson one of the top cavalry officers of the Union forces. Harpers Weekly, the USA Today of the Civil War era, proclaimed him the "First Hero of the Union Army." He is best remembered for Grierson's Raid, a 16-day charge from LaGrange, Tenn., to Baton Rouge, La., during which he successfully engaged Southern troops so Grant could capture Vicksburg, a turning point of the war for the Union Army.

Weekend activities begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the Jacksonville Community Park bandstand with an evening of period music by the talented Crimson Strings.

Saturday's events kick off with a daylong vintage baseball tourney, featuring teams from St. Louis, Decatur and Jacksonville. Baseball was very popular among Civil War soldiers. Games begin at 8:30 a.m. on the diamond just south of the re-enactment field and will be played throughout the day, except during the actual re-enactment. Teams participating are the St. Louis Unions, the St. Louis Perfectos, the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels and the Jacksonville Orphans.

Beginning at 9 a.m., visitors can walk among the encampment of re-enactors and get a firsthand look at what life was like for soldiers and families during the Civil War.

All day Saturday and Sunday, Grierson Days visitors can wander through the sutlery row, shopping along with the Civil War re-enactors for Civil War-era clothing, rifles (both real and play), handguns and swords, all authentic and available to purchase. Customers can buy flags, tents and everything a person might have used during the Civil War or that the re-enactors use today.

There will be blacksmithing and spinning wheel demonstrations, period cookie molds, old-fashioned kettle corn, root beer, and a yearly highlight, strawberry shortcake by the Jacksonville 50 Year Pilot Club. Food vendors will include some of the area's best barbecue, fish and burgers -- everything an appetite might desire. And there will be plenty of craft items to enjoy.

Four historic Jacksonville sites are opening their doors for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday:

• Grierson Mansion, 852 E. State -- Grierson moved to his Jacksonville home with his family in the fall of 1850, when he was 24. Here he taught piano lessons and learned that he had been hand-picked by Ulysses S. Grant to lead an important military mission, which became known as Grierson's Raid. Grierson and his wife, Alice, are buried in the Jacksonville East Cemetery. The Grierson home is now owned by Ron and Mary Gray, who have been carefully restoring the mansion to its former grandeur.

• Grierson gravesite, Jacksonville East Cemetery -- Grierson died in 1911 and is buried just blocks from his Jacksonville home. Pay your respects to Grierson while exploring one of the oldest cemeteries in Jacksonville. Records at this historic cemetery date back to the early 1800s.

• Gov. Duncan Mansion, located in beautiful Duncan Park -- The home of Joseph Duncan, Illinois governor from 1834 to 1838, is the only official governor's mansion still standing in the state other than in Springfield. This three-story, 17-room mansion was built in 1834 for Duncan and his wife, Elizabeth, and their growing family. It houses many of the original Duncan family furnishings. It also features a room dedicated to Benjamin Grierson and includes his bed. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the mansion is owned and operated by the Rev. James Caldwell Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Suggested donation is $2; free for children.

• Woodlawn Farm, Underground Railroad site -- Established in 1824 by Michael Huffaker, this is the showcase homestead of Jacksonville's Underground Railroad network. Former slaves were ushered through this estate on their way to freedom. Imagine what it might have been like to arrive at this farmhouse under the cover of darkness after climbing the knoll from the escape route of Mauvaisterre Creek to be welcomed by the Huffakers and quietly secreted into their cellar. Suggested donation is $2; free for children.

At 1 p.m. Saturday there will be a ladies' tea and discussion of fashions at a fashion show sponsored by the Jacksonville 50 Year Pilot Club. Civil War-era music will be provided by the Crimson Strings during the tea, all at the park gazebo.

The North meets the South at 3:30 Saturday afternoon at the "Skirmish at Strawn's Crossing." The cannons sound the battle as hundreds of re-enactors, North and South, draw down on each other under the shade of hundreds of trees in the 62-acre park. Smoke from the cannons, rifles and handguns shroud the field as the battle is joined by the largest mounted cavalry in the Midwest.

After the re-enactment, visitors can mingle through the sutlery area, visit with the re-enactors in their camp, and browse through craft and demonstration areas. Pony and horse rides will be available, along with carriage rides. Food vendors will be available and picnic tables will be provided.

Something special happens at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the small gazebo. Two re-enactors, Patricia Sue Snyder and Thomas Wayne Lilly, will exchange wedding vows. The two met while re-enacting and decided Grierson Days was an appropriate place to become husband and wife.

Swirl the night away during the Grand Ball, sponsored by the 50 Year Pilot Club in the historic setting of the Nichols Park pavilion. Starting at 7 p.m., the ball will feature dance mistress Deborah Highland and period music. The ladies and gentleman of the re-enactment will be dressed in their finest. Visitors, with or without period costumes, can join in the evening's activities, as dance instruction is part of the entertainment.

On Sunday the activities begin with officers' call at 9 a.m.

At 10 a.m. the public is invited to a service hosted by the Rev. Gary Crowder of Midwest Christian Ministries.

Again, visitors can browse through the encampments, visit with the re-enactors, shop with the sutlers and craft vendors, take the kids pony or horseback riding, and enjoy some of the finest from area food vendors.

At 1:30 p.m. the "Battle of Mauvaisterre Creek" will again see swords drawn, handguns, rifles and cannons blazing. All this takes place on the field at Jacksonville Community Park, located at the corner of Main Street and Morton Avenue.

All events are free and open to the public.

Grierson Days is a presentation of the Grierson Society, with sponsorship provided by the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and many local Jacksonville businesses.

Visitors may pick up more information and maps in the park during Grierson Days or call the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, [phone] or 1 [phone]. Information is also available online at http://www.jacksonvilleil.org/tourism/index.html.

[Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau news release]