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Civil War Days: May 17 and 18, 2008 Reenactors, click here for more information

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  Experience Conner Prairie like you never have before at this premiere Midwest Civil War event. This weekend only, the historic areas are transformed into Civil War camps. See the 1860s brought to life with more than 600 reenactors from across the country. Discuss battle tactics with soldiers, march with them and witness a battle each day at 2 pm.

Schedule

 

Saturday, May 17

10 am—5 pm

 

All day                  Recruiting & Drilling

All day                  Artillery Drills

All day                  Firearms Technology of the 19th century

All day                  Sutlers Area—shop for Civil War items

11 am                   Cavalry Demonstration

11 am                   Infantry Drill—Confederate

11 am                   Infantry Drill—Union

11 am & 2 pm        Abraham Lincoln Presents

12 pm                   Storytellers Drum: Life in the 28th US Colored Troops

12:30 pm               Baseball Game—White River Base Ball Club

1 pm                     Fashion Show—30th Indiana Civil War Reenactors, Inc.

1 & 4 pm                Saxton’s Cornet Band

2 pm                     Battle between Union & Confederate Troops*

 

*Because we don’t want you to miss any part of the battle, we recommend arriving at least 45 minutes in advance.

 

 

Sunday, May 18

11 am—5 pm

 

All day                  Recruiting & Drilling

All day                  Artillery Drills

All day                  Firearms Technology of the 19th century

All day                  Sutlers Area—shop for Civil War items

12 pm                   Cavalry Demonstration

11:30 am & 3 pm   Abraham Lincoln Presents

12 pm                   Infantry Drill—Confederate

12 pm                   Infantry Drill—Union

12 pm                   Storytellers Drum: Life in the 28th US Colored Troops

1 & 4 pm                Saxton’s Cornet Band

2 pm                     Battle between Union & Confederate Troops*

 

*Because we don’t want you to miss any part of the battle, we recommend arriving at least 45 minutes in advance.

 

Mouthwatering Eats

Turkey legs Funnel cakes  
Roasted Corn on the cob Lemon shake-ups  
BBQ sandwiches Dessert on a stick  
Fried biscuits with apple butter Pizza  
Tacos Ham & beans  


Civil War Days is free with general admission. For more information, call Guest Services at 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 or e-mail info@connerprairie.org. 


Did you know?

Civil War slangs and phrases:

Greenbacks—Money

Breadbasket—Stomach

Bully—Yeah! Hurrah!

Fit to be tied—Angry

Goobers—Peanuts

Grab a Root—This was shouted in a crowd if someone tripped to out their clumsiness. It also means to have dinner.

Indiana and the Civil War

Number of... Total Indiana
Enlisted Men

In 1861: 16,000 Union

By 1865: Over 1.5 million Union

Nearly 200,000 (74% of Indiana's eligible men)
Men Killed 624,000 Union and Confederate

7,000 from battle wounds

19,000 from other causes, primarily disease

Overall, 1 in 8 men did not come home

Enlisted African Americans By 1865: 180,000 Union By 1865: about 1,500

Regiments (infantry, artillery and cavalry)

Over 2,000 Union 195

Women and the War

Women served in a variety of non-military roles during the Civil War, including as nurses and aid workers. Not allowed to join as soldiers, women sometimes disguised their gender to serve their country in that capacity. If discovered, though, they were immediately discharged. But what if they weren't?

Jennie Hodgers, aka Albert D. Cashier, served as a man in an Illinois Infantry regiment, a disguise that went undiscovered throughout the war and beyond. It wasn't until she was hit by a car around 1910 and treated at a hospital that her deception was realized. Upon hearing that her government pension would be revoked for the ruse, her fellow soldiers came to her defense and successfully argued on her behalf.

Unlike the military of 150 years ago, today's forces rely on the expertise of women in all areas. Women like Jennie Hodgers were ahead of their time!

 

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