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Rally 'Round the Flag
 One hundred fifty years ago, Wisconsin found itself thrust into a
war to preserve the American Union. In the spring of 1861
patriotic gatherings were held in many parts of the state to rally
support for the national government, to recruit volunteer
regiments, and to encourage financial and material aid for those
who volunteered and their families. Evansville was the site
of such gatherings in 1861.
On May 18-20, 2012, Evansville’s local
historical society, the Evansville Grove Society, will recreate
the atmosphere and activities of those pivotal times in “Rally
‘Round the Flag, a Civil War Sesquicentennial Event.” Orators will
deliver “short and pithy remarks”, bands will perform period airs,
new citizen-soldiers will be mustered and drilled, artillery will
boom, and, to quote contemporaneous accounts, “a patriotic time
[will be] had generally.”
Academic
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 Company
K School Day - Docents will lead middle school
students through as many as 24 different instruction stations
for up-close-and-personal demonstrations of many aspects of
Civil War camp life, the instruction of new recruits in the
manual of arms and firing of musket volleys, live-fire
artillery, care of cavalry horses, treatment of sickness and
wounds by surgeons, and Victorian dance. Attendance and
participation is by invitation.
More School
Day info.....
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Lyceum - On May 19,
Michael Stevens, Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Officer
on "As If It Were Glory: Robert Beacham's Civil War from the
Iron Brigade to the Black Regiments" and the Historical
Timekeepers with a "Civil War Style Show." On May 20, Lance Herdegen, Chair of Wisconsin Civil
War Sesquicentennial Commission
on "The Iron Brigade from the Brawner Farm to Gettysburg"
and a "Ladies Tea" with Jessica Michna appearing as Cordelia
Harvey.
Hands-on History
The weekend events won't have battle scenarios
or Confederates, but will reenact actual events that occurred in
Wisconsin 150 years ago in reaction to the Southern Rebellion.
Much of the weekend will offer opportunities for direct
participation by the community and by visitors.
-
 Parade
& Outdoor Concert - Saturday afternoon,
the parade route will be from Evansville Manor to Leonard Leota
Park via North Second and West Main Streets. Free
outdoor concert and historical program with the 1st Brigade
Band in the park.
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Supper with the Troops -
Saturday evening, public and reenactors are invited to a
supper of hearty beef stew, corn bread, dessert, water, milk
and coffee. Admission ticket required: free for
registered reenactors, $7.50 for other.
Ticket order form....
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 Military Ball
- Saturday evening, the 1st Brigade Band will perform Civil
War era music on antique instruments, at the new Creekside Place Community
Center. Admission ticket required;
advance purchase orders....
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Talking Spirits - On
Friday evening, theatrical performances honoring the Civil War
veterans interred at Evansville's Maple Hill Cemetery will be
conducted by lantern light: Dr. John and Emma Evans, Caleb and
Mary Lee, Beaman Snow, and Allen S. Baker.
Talking
Spirits detailed info......
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Ladies Tea - On Sunday
afternoon, with Jessica Michna appearing as Cordelia Harvey.
$5 per person;
ticket order form......
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Church Services - For
reenactors and the public. In period style, with fiddle
and Uillean (Irish) pipes accompaniment.
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Scavenger Hunt - For kids,
for fun - see if you can find or learn these Civil War Era
terms while visiting the reenactor camps.
Scavenger Hunt Form....
Reenactors
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 Encampment - Saturday and Sunday, the camps
will be open for living history demonstrations.
Reenactors from Battery B of the 4th US Light Artillery, 2nd
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 23rd Regiment of US
Colored Troops, 2nd and 3rd Iowa Cavalry
Regiments, and Historical Timekeepers
will be present.
- Dignitaries -
President Lincoln (portrayed by George Buss) and Cordelia
Harvey (portrayed by Jessica Michna) have presentations during weekend.
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1st Brigade Band - Saturday, the famous 1st
Brigade Band will perform for the parade, a concert in the
park,
and for a military ball in the evening at Creekside Place
Community Center. Performances
are of period music, played on antique instruments.
- Talking Spirits - Friday, Evansville
Community Theatre will present a series a biographical
vignettes of Evansville soldiers and their families, at Maple
Hill Cemetery. Followed by a reading of the names of the
140 Civil War veterans interred at Maple Hill.
Talking
Spirits Info....
 Event Info
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Event Overview
(May 18-20, 2012)
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Maps and Directions
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Parking Info
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Other than the tickets for the Military
Ball, Ladies Tea, and Supper with the Troops, all weekend activities are
free (donations gratefully accepted). We welcome your attendance.
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