Ron Gray - President ------- P.O. Box 116 Dianne Silva - Secretary ------- 852 East State Street Suzanne Stucker - Treasurer ------- Jacksonville, IL 62651
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General Benjamin H. Grierson Society
Fifthteenth Annual General Grierson Liberty Days
Written by Administrator
Sunday, 20 September 2009 05:20
June 18th - 20th 2010
All events at Community Park and are FREE.
Grierson Days 2009 a Big Success! Many Thanks to All Who Attended, Volunteered, and Participated.
The Grierson Society (Ron Gray, Chairman), The City of Jacksonville, The Village of South Jacksonville, our hosts, our sponsors and our reenactors all invite you to step back in time and experience the life of a civil war soldier at the 15th AnnualGeneral Grierson Days Reenactment. This year's event promises entertainment, excitement and surprises for the entire family.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 May 2010 19:55
The Fifteenth Annual Grierson Days Civil War Reenactment Schedule
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 13:58
The Fifteenth Annual Grierson Days Civil War Reenactment is scheduled for June l8th, l9th and 20th at Community Park in Jacksonville, Illinois.
It’s one of the largest reenactments in the Midwest, featuring Cavalry, Infantry, Artillery, dismounted Cavalry and Medical Units. Over two Hundred Reenactors will camp out for the weekend, and take part in a Battle Reenactment on Saturday at 3:30 pm and Sunday at l:30 pm.
New this year is the “Prairie Play” Kids Camp, for ages four to sixteen, featuring games of the Period, “how to” instructions on “living” during the period, a rope ladder and tower for the older kids. This year will also feature the Popular Candy Cannon Shoot on Saturday and Sunday. Also a Scavenger Hunt. Another New event this year is a Horseshoe pitching contest, open to the public, and a competition between the North and South, on Saturday. There will be cash prizes for the Public Horseshoe pitching. Larry Hill is Chairman of this event. The popular Period Baseball is back this year, scheduled for Saturday at noon, a game between the Springfield Long Nines, attorneys on the circuit with Abraham Lincoln, and the Jacksonville Orphans. Baseball played by the rules of l850, and uniforms of the period. Don’t miss this event. Activities open with a free concert in the park Friday night at 6pm. Bob Welch, Civil War Story Teller and Balladeer will open followed by music written by Benjamin H. Grierson. Grierson was said to have the “Best Book of Brass Band Music” in the United States, and several of these pieces will be played by the Vintage Brass Band of Springfield, led by Tod Cranson of University of Illinois, Springfield.
President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, reenacted by Max and Donna Daniels, will be on the grounds Saturday and Sunday and will present a stage presentation on Saturday at 2:30 pm. Civil War Story Teller and Balladeer Bob Welch of Dubuque, Iowa, will be featured on Stage Saturday at ll:45 am and Sunday at l2 noon. Saturday at l:00 pm there will be a Ladies Tea and Fashion Show, that features fashions of the Period by the Lady Reenactors and Civilians. Saturday at 3:30 pm will see the “Battle at Strawn Crossing” featuring Cavalry, Artillery, dismounted Cavalry, medical units, with special field activities and embattlements new this year. Sundays Battle at Mauvaisterre Creek is scheduled for l:30 pm. The Shape Note Singers will perform following Saturdays Battle and the public is invited to join in the singing. Helen Milan, the “Darling of the South” portrays Miss “Major” Pauline Cushman, Union Spy and Scout will perform on stage at 5:30 pm. Saturday’s events are capped with a Presidential Ball in the Nichols Park Pavilian from 7:00 pm to ll:00 pm, and the public is invited to join in. Caller is Deborah Hyland of St Louis.
The Camps will open to the public at 9:00 am both Saturday and Sunday and there will be a large number of Sutlers presenting their wares for your approval and purchase, including uniforms, weapons, ladies and mens fashions, and Black Smith foundry. Officers Calls are at 8:00 am on Saturday and 9:00 am on Sunday, with Infantry Drill at l0:00 am, Cavalry Drill at ll:30 am and Artillery Drill at l2 noon. A Wedding will Take Place on Stage at ll:00 am Saturday and all are invited to see a real Civil War Wedding. New this year on Sunday at l:00 pm will be Mike Anderson and his Mountain Dulcimer Kids playing period music on their instruments. They will also be on the grounds Saturday playing.
All Events are free, the Fifteen Annual Grierson Days Civil War Reenactment, June l8, l9, 20, at Community Park in Jacksonville. Pictures will be available with the Three Generals, Grant, Grierson and Lee on Saturday, by the Jacksonville Journal Courier, sponsor of the Grierson Days Event.The Benjamin Grierson Home will be open to tours Saturday from l0:00 am to 2:00 pm and is also free. Join us in Jacksonville and bring your family for Fathers Day for a wonderful weekend.
Children's Activities
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 22:49
This year's event will include a few new activities for children and teenagers. For older children we will have an area where they can climb a signal tower and cross a 20' rope bridge constructed of timber and rope lashings. Knot tying and lashing techniques will be demonstrated and children will have a chance to try their hand at these skills.
For younger children (ages 4-9) there will be a hands-on area where they can wash clothes, beat rugs, hang laundry and do other daily chores from the 1800's.
These areas will be open 10-2 pm Saturday and Sunday of the event.
"Prairie Play Corner"
Will include:
-wash tubs w/wash boards & laundry
-clothesline for hanging washed items using peg clothespin's, Also an antique drying rack for smaller items.
-copper boilers & stirring poles to simulate laundry day.
-wooden buckets to be used to "fetch" water.
-tin wash basins to clean plates & utensils, with wooden plate racks for drying.
-brooms for sweeping a rug or hearth.
-hanging rugs and wire rug beaters.
-basket or box of caps, bonnets, and aprons for dress up.- Reproduction toys of the period will be on display.
-This area will be for younger children and their parents, Depending on size of the area, a certain number will be admitted at one
time, Children will have 10-15 minute, (depending on whether or not others are waiting) to try the different domestic stations
w/people in period dress explaining how and why the articles were used.
Children will ring a school bell to indicate when it's time for the next group.
Last Updated on Sunday, 08 November 2009 01:33
Hand Stitched Civil War Quilt
Written by Administrator
Friday, 23 October 2009 23:34
The Quilt Competition: Fabric samples were sent out to 20 individual quilters who each assembled a square, not knowing how any of the other individuals would be assembling theirs. The squares were then sent back in to be judged. Lois Weisberg, Peace and Appliqué Quilt Store in Rochester, was the judge and Nancy Fry was awarded 1st Place. Her square is 3rd row down, 3rd from the left (the one featuring General Grierson’s picture.) All the squares were then assembled into the lovely quilt you see below. It was hand stitched by Linda Kitson with the names of all 20 quilters listed on the back.
RAFFLE TICKETS are $l.00 each or five for $6.00 Make checks payable to The Grierson Society
To benefit the Fifthteenth Annual General Grierson Liberty Days June 18th - 20th in Jacksonville Community Park and the restoration of the grierson family burial plot in East Cemetery Jacksonville. Drawing to be held Sunday June 20th during the Grierson Days Civil War Reenactment
Location: Beautiful City Park with Convenient Parking All events are free and the public is invited to join the fun. Food available on the grounds
Related sites: General Grierson's Home on East State Street General Grierson's final resting place in Jacksonville East Cemetery
General Grierson Days is held annually under the shade of more than 200 trees in a 62 acre park located in the center of the community. Saturday and Sunday feature battle re-enactments and the opportunity for the hundreds of area families that this event attracts to step back through time to experience life during the civil war.
Ladies will be hosted at a Saturday afternoon tea and discussion of fashion followed by a discussion of hair styles. While across the park a rousing game of baseball will be played just as it was during the Civil War. Bring the youngsters out, because we'll be looking for some volunteers to help! Saturday evening will feature the Grand Ball held in the historic setting of the Nichols Park Pavilion. Sponsored by the 50 Year Pilot Club of Jacksonville, the Ball will feature Deborah Hyland as the Dance Mistress and period music by the Megan Green Ensemble.
Sunday morning will find us gathered together for church services and the weekend will culminate with a Sunday afternoon civil war battle.
Through out the day there will be demonstrations, drills and activities including the opportunity to wander through settler row and see the period clothing, supplies and equipment for sale. There will also be food and craft vendors on the grounds.Have a sandwich and wash it down with a cold, homemade root beer and of course a piece of Strawberry Shortcake for dessert! All events are free,and the public is encouraged to attend.
Related sites in town include the Grierson House at 852 E. State St. (Map) & Grierson's resting place in East Cemetery.
Click here for more information on the Grierson Home and it's connection to the Underground Railroad.
Last Updated on Saturday, 01 May 2010 13:39
Silent Auction Listing 2010
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:00
Click here for a listing of some items at our Silent Auction held during the 2010 Grand Ball.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 January 2010 03:26
MEET GENERALGRIERSON AT 15th ANNUAL GRIERSON DAYS CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT.
JACKSONVILLE,ILLINOIS - General Grierson Days is the largest Civil War Reenactment event in the Midwest, and is recognized by the reenactors as one of the best-organized events. Battles on both Saturday and Sunday will feature more than 50 horses, 500 reenactors and families and several cannons.
General Grierson Days is one of Illinois' best reenactments for both family and soldier alike. It is one the largest civil war reenactment events in west central Illinois. Battles on both Saturday and Sunday will include lots of action! Each battle is different and there are always a few surprises.
All events are open and free to the public at the Jacksonville Community Park, with the exception of the Grand Ball, held at the Nichols Park Pavilion, Nichols Park, on Saturday night.
Grierson joined the Union war effort as a volunteer, from Jacksonville. His family lived in Jacksonville and remained here during the Civil War. He taught music in Jacksonville and was a merchant, owning his own GeneralStore in Meredosia. An unlikely candidate for a Cavalry Officer, he had been kicked in the head by a horse in his youth. "Grierson's Raid", was a sixteen day foray through the South, from LaGrange, TN, to Baton Rouge, LA, pulling the attention of the Southern army from Vicksburg and allowing Grant to take Vicksburg. Many Civil War scholars believe it was the turning point of the war.
For more information about Grierson Days, including lodging, please contact us at 1-800-593-5678.
Come early and visit both the Confederate and Union Camps. Experience life in military camps as it was lived in the 1860's. Watch the soldiers drill and prepare for battle; prepare meals; and, practice medicine. Stay late and retunt o the camps after the battles to visit with the reenactors. Dressed in period clothing, they also eat, sleep and converse in period style. Ask questions! Want to know about their horses? Weapons? Food? Clothing? Lifestyle?Reenactors are walking history lessons and like to share their knowledge of the Civil War era with visitors.
Watch for special areas and demonstrations like the artillery displays and Commanding Officer Tents. Also be alert to impromptu skits or performances in and around thec mps and buildings. You never know what will happen next!
Be prepared to visit the sutlers, craft and food vendors. Food will be available on the grounds both days. How about some homemade root beer and strawberry shortcake?!!
PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
Respect anyand all barriers. These are erected for your safety and the safety of the participants. While in the camps be watchful of in-ground cooking pits used for warmth and meal preparation. And please be extra careful around the horses. They may kick! Keep all children and pets with you at all times.Thank you for joining us for this year's event. We hope you enjoy your journey to the Civil War here, in Jacksonville. We hope you can find time to visit them and thank them for making this year's General Grierson Days possible.
Last Updated on Friday, 16 October 2009 18:45
Directions
Written by Administrator
Sunday, 20 September 2009 05:40
From Community Park, exit right onto Morton Ave, travel a few blocks to Clay St and turn left at that stoplight. Travel a little over a mile North on Clay to Independence Ave and turn right. Go about half a mile to Myrtle St and turn right -go half a block and turn left at the arch entrance way of East Cemetery.Once inside the cemetery go past the first road to the left till you get to a Y intersection- take the left fork in the road to yet another Y intersection and take the left fork also. Travel just a little further straight and you'll see a street sign that says Hutchison Dr.- stop at that street sign and you will find the grave markers.
General Benjamin H. Grierson 1826- 1911
Benjamin H. Grierson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1826. As an 8-year-old he was kicked in the face by a horse and lay in a coma for two weeks. His cheek bore a scar and he lost his vision for two months due to this injury. It is said he wore his beard to hide the scar on his cheek.Grierson move to 852 East State Street in Jacksonville, Illinois with his family in the fall of 1850 when he was 24. He taught the piano lessons.It was here he learned that he had been hand picked by Ulysses S. Grant to lead an important military mission, which would become known as Grierson's Raid. This mission encompassed 600 miles in just 16 days.
General Grierson and his wife, Alice, are buried in the Jacksonville East Cemetery.
For information about this year's event and special overnight packages that are available, contact the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-593-5678 or Ron Gray at 217-473-4099, and we also invite you to visit the following links for more info on General Grierson:
