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Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

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  • Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

    Hello everyone,

    Independence Village will hold a joint military and civilian event over Columbus Day weekend, October 10-13, 2014. The gents in charge of the military side will post specific information on the other side of this forum. This thread will detail the civilian side of things.

    The event will run from Friday through Monday, though we can accommodate individual schedules for arrivals and departures.

    Essentially, here's the scenario: we have members of two Illinois regiments in town. A company of the 134th infantry, while heading home, was temporarily dispatched to respond to several reports of deserters in Coles, Edgar and Douglas counties.


    In addition veteran soldiers from the 25th IL Co E will be coming home as well. They mustered out on Sept 5, 1864.


    Meanwhile, the village will be in the midst of election speeches, rallies, and political meetings as they prepare for the 1864 local and national elections. There will be plenty of activity for ladies and gentlemen throughout the event. There will also be some deserters lurking about town, causing trouble and involving the good citizens of Independence in ... well, that's open to discussion.

    Just a few points about the village: this is a collection of historic structures, mostly log buildings, in rural Illinois. We're about an hour south of Champaign and about 45 minutes east of the Indiana border. The buildings are quite primitive, and there are few modern intrusions. Our events are immersion (no modern talk, no modern objects.) At the October event, immersion will be non-negotiable, so we do ask everyone to think about that ahead of time, to be sure that this is what you want to do. We also encourage everyone to ask lots of questions before joining in. The community of reenactors who get together at Independence have all agreed that immersion is to be "twenty-four-seven." This may seem a little daunting, but it is so much fun and so rewarding that it's well worth the effort.

    Technically, this is an "invitational" event, which just means that you should introduce yourself to the village and agree to the authenticity guidelines. We therefore ask that everyone join the google discussion list:



    Children are very welcome. We'll have school in session, a Sunday church service, a well-stocked general store, mail delivery, and an Inn. Meals can be cooked at home or paid for in advance in the Inn.

    We'll post more information as time goes by, but if you have any questions, please ask them here, join the google list, or contact one of the following people:

    Rod Miller and Jeremy Bevard for the military side of things

    Nanci Gasiel and Silvana for the civilian side.
    [FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Silvana R. Siddali[/SIZE][/FONT]
    [URL="http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/home"][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Star of the West Society[/SIZE][/FONT][/URL][B]
    [COLOR="DarkRed"]Cherry Bounce G'hal[/B][/COLOR]:wink_smil

  • #2
    Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

    Vote for me for sheriff!
    Michael Comer
    one of the moderator guys

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

      I would, but I don't have the right to vote! (Aren't you running unopposed??)
      [FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Silvana R. Siddali[/SIZE][/FONT]
      [URL="http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/home"][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Star of the West Society[/SIZE][/FONT][/URL][B]
      [COLOR="DarkRed"]Cherry Bounce G'hal[/B][/COLOR]:wink_smil

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

        I've heard rumors of someone throwing their hat in the ring perhaps.
        Michael Comer
        one of the moderator guys

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

          Hmm come back from the war and run for sheriff...there's an idea!
          Respectfully,

          Jeremy Bevard
          Moderator
          Civil War Digital Digest
          Sally Port Mess

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

            We have some exciting updates for our October event.

            Looks like there will be opportunities for some renegade types ... deserters, unsavory hooligans, skulkers, and other ne'er-do-wells. For more information, please contact Jeremy Bevard, Rod Miller, or Dave Gerow.

            This event, like many others we hold at the village, will run for at least three days. We'll begin on Friday evening and, depending on popular demand, can run through Monday morning. We have the village rental available through at least noon on Monday. For those folks who need to arrive later or leave earlier, never fear. We can definitely make arrangements to get you into and out of the village at your own convenience.

            Early this summer we'll have a work weekend to get the houses into shape and make any necessary repairs. We were in the village in October, and everything looked pretty good. There are some wonderful new rope beds in some of the houses, thanks to Rod Miller and Ron Mueller.

            We now have registration fees figured out as well: for early bird registration, the price will be $20 per adult, $25 for 134th Illinois, which includes rations. This price will be good until July 31. After that the price goes up to $30/$35. Because we have to pay for the site rental at the start of the event, we're unable to refund registration fees. Thank you for your understanding. The rental includes insurance, water, and sanitation. Children age 14 and under are free; we may have work-study possibilities for teenagers.

            We're still looking for some civilian impressions, particularly farmers, tradespeople (cobbler? doctor? schoolteacher? lawyer? tailor? clerk in general store?) and children are particularly welcome. We'll have school for them. There will be a general store, a temperance tavern, and possibly an illegal grog shop in the woods for the hooligans.

            Let us know if you have any questions.
            [FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Silvana R. Siddali[/SIZE][/FONT]
            [URL="http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/home"][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Star of the West Society[/SIZE][/FONT][/URL][B]
            [COLOR="DarkRed"]Cherry Bounce G'hal[/B][/COLOR]:wink_smil

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

              I will be coordinating the 23rd Illinois Co. E veterans that have returned to their home town just about a month before the time of the event. This impression is limited in numbers and has high expectations on immersion (as the whole event really) so they can integrate into a town that they once called home. Interacting with friends and family they have not see in 3 years. Finding occupations back in civilian life while dealing perhaps with the hard memories and experiences just past. There are also the chances of run ins with copperheads and 100 days men.

              Being in the 134th Illinois will be an interesting experience as well. 100 day men getting close to the end of their short enlistment. Being in the area of town not far from where copperhead riots took place, veterans that might not respect the authority of short term men and many more positive or negative interactions await!

              Look for registration to open soon!
              Respectfully,

              Jeremy Bevard
              Moderator
              Civil War Digital Digest
              Sally Port Mess

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                I just wanted to give a push from the civilian side of things. Independence Village has been a wonderful experience for me, and it has pushed me to improve my civilian impression and research. Independence is a quiet village, usually very civil in its populace, and welcoming to new attendees. There always seems to be something going on, but even in the silence of common things, there is very little intrusion into your experience.

                As of this fall's event, I will be taking over the editorial chair for the newspapers circulated within the village. As there is no newspaper/printing office, I work in Massey and Hudspeth's tavern as a cook and dishwasher. If anyone practices the carpenter's trade, there's plenty of work to be found. So please, consider attending the Independence Village event in October. It's election season, and the more, the merrier.

                Although no one really knows which ballot Sheriff Comer will appear on.
                Bob Welch

                The Eagle and The Journal
                My blog, following one Illinois community from Lincoln's election through the end of the Civil War through the articles originally printed in its two newspapers.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                  ...deserters, unsavory hooligans, skulkers, and other ne'er-do-wells. For more information, please contact Jeremy Bevard, Rod Miller, or Dave Gerow.
                  Those two sentences really seem to complement each other don't they?
                  Michael Comer
                  one of the moderator guys

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                    Hello everyone,

                    Registration is now open. If you'd like to register for this event, please join the google list

                    [FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Silvana R. Siddali[/SIZE][/FONT]
                    [URL="http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/home"][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Star of the West Society[/SIZE][/FONT][/URL][B]
                    [COLOR="DarkRed"]Cherry Bounce G'hal[/B][/COLOR]:wink_smil

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                      Here's a preliminary event web page. We still need to add the military impression guidelines -- and no one ever accused me of being tech savvy -- but this should give you at least the basic information.

                      [FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Silvana R. Siddali[/SIZE][/FONT]
                      [URL="http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/home"][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Star of the West Society[/SIZE][/FONT][/URL][B]
                      [COLOR="DarkRed"]Cherry Bounce G'hal[/B][/COLOR]:wink_smil

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                        Folks, this is an excellent place to have an event and I have had some wonderful times here. If you want to do a good immersive weekend, here is a good place to do it. If you want to do immersive but you're a bit nervous about it, come on out. There will be plenty of help and guidance and I guarantee you will enjoy yourself. Register early though. There is a core group of us who are there every time and we're going to take slots so don't wait to get in on this. As Silvana said, space is limited.
                        Michael Comer
                        one of the moderator guys

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                          Tom Steele is the first paid man for the 25th Illinois discharged veterans!
                          Respectfully,

                          Jeremy Bevard
                          Moderator
                          Civil War Digital Digest
                          Sally Port Mess

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                            I believe we have 10-12 spaces for men in various houses--the 25th IL home on furlough. I'm assuming that the men of the 134th IL will be staying wherever they can find space, in barns, sheds, tents, etc. There might be a bunkhouse available if we can get a work weekend together in late May or early June. This is a large space above the blacksmith shop, and it's in good condition, but the staircase needs to be repaired. The site owners won't want us to use it unless we can rebuild the stairs.

                            Ladies and families will be living in the regular houses (we don't have civilians in tents) & as you can imagine, space is limited, so by all means get in touch if you'd like to participate.

                            There's also a sheep barn down the hill, which we were thinking of using as a grog shop ...
                            [FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Silvana R. Siddali[/SIZE][/FONT]
                            [URL="http://starofthewestsociety.googlepages.com/home"][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Star of the West Society[/SIZE][/FONT][/URL][B]
                            [COLOR="DarkRed"]Cherry Bounce G'hal[/B][/COLOR]:wink_smil

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Independence Village, October 10-13, 2014

                              To clarify the 10 or so men will be discharged from the 25th Illinois Co. E. That company came from Cole County and the war, unless a man enlists in another regiment, is over for these men. The 25th Illinois veterans will receive their discharge form to have at the event.

                              August 1, 1864, the three years having expired, and while the Regiment was in sight of Atlanta, orders were received for the Regiment to report at Camp Butler, Ill., for muster-out, which event occurred September 5, 1864.

                              The men of the Twenty-fifth Illinois traveled on foot during three years, 3,252 miles, and by steamboat and railroad 1,710 miles, making a total of 4,962 miles.

                              The Regiment participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., Stone River Tenn., Chickamauga, Ga., Missionary Ridge, Tenn., Siege of Corinth, Miss., Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., Siege of Atlanta, Ga., and innumerable skirmishes.

                              When the term of service of the Twenty-fifth had expired, Colonel W. H. Gibson, commanding the Brigade to which the Regiment was attached, addressed the men, through an order, in this highly complimentary manner:

                              "Soldiers of the Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteers: As your term for three years' service has expired, and you are about to proceed to your State to be mustered out, it is fitting and proper that the Colonel commanding should express to each and all his earnest thanks for the cheerful manhood with which, during the present campaign, you have submitted to every hardship, overcome every difficulty, and for the magnificent heroism with which you have met and vanquished the foe. Your deportment in camp has been worthy true soldiers, while your conduct in battle has excited the admiration of your companions in arms. Patriotic thousands and a noble State will give you a reception worthy of your sacrifice and your valor. You have done your duty. The men who rallied under the starry emblem of our nationality at Pea Ridge, Corinth, Chaplin Hills, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Noonday Creek, Pinetop Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie, Peach tree Creek and Atlanta, having made history for all time and coming generations to admire, your services will ever be gratefully appreciated. Officers and soldiers, farewell! May God guarantee to each health, happiness and usefulness in coming life and may our country soon emerge from the gloom of blood that now surrounds it, and again enter upon a career of progress, peace and prosperity."

                              Their history is in contract to the active 134th Illinois which was a 100 days regiment that only did garrison duty in Kentucky before starting home to muster out at the end of October. They are patrolling the area while heading back to Chicago to ensure copperhead activity will not be sparking anymore riots.
                              Respectfully,

                              Jeremy Bevard
                              Moderator
                              Civil War Digital Digest
                              Sally Port Mess

                              Comment

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